English Equitation Turnout

These common-sense tips will have you looking sharp every time you enter the equitation ring.

By Alan and Jessi Lohman

OK, so maybe you don't have the luxury of showing a great equitation horse like Grappa or Logan, but there is something you DO have control over, and you don't have to pay a small fortune for it ... it's your turnout. Equitation has a lot to do with horsemanship. How you represent yourself and your horse in the ring has a LOT to do with horsemanship.

Some common-sense shopping and a little elbow grease will have you looking sharp from head to toe every time you go in the ring.

So let's start with your head. We've all gotten over the shock at this point of having to wear those darling approved hats. None of them makes you look like Giselle Buncheon or Zach Effron. But, there are a bunch of styles in a lot of different price ranges that are just fine. For the equitation ring, don't dare to be different. Stick with the simple GPA or Charles Owen styles. Nothing with color. Nothing that looks aerodynamic.

Under those hats, keep hair perfectly contained. Ladies: All whispies under the hair net and secured with bobby pins. No fly-aways. Hair over the ears. This is one trend that's stood the test of time... thankfully. Gentlemen: No long hair. Period. End of story. Seeing boys show with locks of hair coming out of the hat raises the hair on the back of my neck. Keep it short.

While we're talking about your head, let's talk about your face. There is nothing more unattractive than a 13-yr-old coming in the ring looking like Tammy Faye Bakker. Who thinks about makeup when they're riding? As if the judge can tell which color MAC eyeshadow you are sporting as you're trotting by. Chapstick or lip gloss is fine. And if it will make you feel better to put concealer on the zit on your nose, go for it. But no one else will care at a horse show.

Boys: No makeup. End of story.

Jewelry is another no-no for the show ring (for both ladies and gents). No chandelier earrings, and if you sport a nose-ring, lip ring, eye brow ring, or have a ring any other place besides your ear that is visible – remove it. Simple stud earrings that poke out under your hairnet are fine.

Working our way down to the shirt and coat. In equitation, the shirt is easy. WHITE. No exceptions. Tone-on-tone patterns (windowpane, herringbone) are all fine... as long as it's a white shirt. Not pastels. Not stripes. WHITE.

Ladies, the monogram on your choker needs to be subtle. A colored monogram on your choker is fine. Just make sure that someone sitting in the 10th row of the bleachers around your ring can't easily read your initials as you are cantering by. No graphics. No logos. No swoosh marks or lightning bolts. Gentlemen, your ties need to be tied appropriately and need to look professional. Stripes and patterns are fine, as long as it's not something you'd see at a Coldplay concert. No neon colors. No graphics. No logos. Basically, it needs to be a tie your Dad would wear to give a presentation.

Ladies and gents, make sure your shirt is properly pressed. Granted, only a small amount of it shows under your coat, but you still want to give the impression that you didn't saddle up to come in second.

Coats (this is another easy one): You've got three choices: navy, dark grey or black. Tone-on-tone patterns are just fine and often look elegant. No teal windowpanes on a black coat and no neon pink lining with "Hello Kitty" logos on the inside of your navy coat. Again, making sure it's professionally dry cleaned after each show. You'd also be wise to not put your coat on until you are going out to warm up for your class. Grey horses and dark coats don't mix.

Boys and girls, let's move onto your hands. There are PLENTY of Big Name Judges out there who won't even watch you canter to your first jump if you walk into their ring sans gloves. And you don't need to spend a fortune on the newest, most radically designed techno-enhanced gloves. Keep it under $30. Chances are you'll lose them after two shows anyway--right? Oh yes, the gloves must be black.

Moving down to your waistline, let's talk belts. It's common sense to wear a belt with any pair of pants that has belt loops. Belts come in all styles. Again, we need to keep it subdued for the show ring. Basic leather belts with a little silver are fine. Needlepoint belts that your mother has made you as she as sat at the ring watching you at shows for 18 years are fine, too. However, if the judge writes "Rhinestone Cowboy" on his card when you come in the ring... you've done something wrong. No bling. Save that for going out later that night to celebrate your big win.

Breeches are another no-brainer: khaki, greenish beige, tan or light grey. If you know you are one of the slickest riders in the class, then sure, whip out the rust britches. But if you go in and are a little deep or a little long to a few jumps, your rust britches won't get you any extra credit. Professionally cleaned. Creases showing down the front. No puppy dog prints on the thighs. Shirt tucked in. You are good to go... one last thing for your wardrobe:

BOOTS! Definitely the highest ticket item that you (or Daddy) will have to buy. And if you are going to spend $1,000+ on a pair of boots, TAKE CARE OF THEM. This means not washing your horses in them and keeping rubber covers or Futis on them at all times unless you are about to walk in the ring. If you think that judges don't take note of a military-standard shine on a pair of boots, you're wrong. Judges also don't like to see mud on the heels. Also make sure your boots fit well. Zippers zipped all the way to the top. The tops of the boots should hit the back of your knee. And the boots need to be form-fitting from knee to ankle. If you wear spurs, make sure they are placed properly on the heel and that the spur straps aren't a flappin' in the breeze.

There's an item of apparel that you wear into the ring every time you show that you can't buy at the store. That's your attitude and the expression on your face. Now, I'm not suggesting that you go in the ring looking like National Velvet smiling at Pie and petting him every step of the way. That's not necessary. You need to look businesslike--but don't look like you're out for blood.

When you land from the last jump and you know your trip was worthy of a score in the high 80s, don't collapse on your horse's neck petting him and making a huge scene. Calmly walk out of the gate (with contact, not on a loopy rein). Then you and your entourage can cause a fuss over your noble steed. Likewise, if you chip in at the last jump, don't cuss and then yank on your horse's face and kick him in the ribs. That will get you a little visit from the steward quicker than you can blink.

So best of luck at your equitation finals this fall. Keep your eyes on the prize! Walking into the ring confidently on a fat, shiny, well-groomed horse, looking nicely turned out, will give you an automatic edge on the competition.

Alan and Jessi Lohman live in Poolesville, Md., where Alan runs Lohman Stables. There, he coaches juniors and adults in the hunter, jumper and equitation rings. In addition, Alan designs courses all across the country and has his USEF "r" judging card. Jessi is Manager of Equine Marketing for Southern States Cooperative based out of Richmond, Va. Jessi shows in the Adult Amateurs and also has her USEF "r" judge's card. They are the proud parents of George, a tri-colored Corgi.

This article is a tie-in to the winter 2009 edition of EquiShopper magazine.