|
|
Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
 
Location: Oklahoma | I have ALWAYS wanted to ride English. It's what I dreamed about when I was a little girl, but being in Oklahoma it's predominantly western and that's the route I went. Not complaining, but here I am 16 years later and the urge is still there. I've been looking at some lesson places and I think I am going to call and see about setting something up! I have some questions for those of you that have ridden English before....
Will the the stable provide my helmet, or will it be required? Can I wear regular jeans or will I need breeches and English riding boots? I don't really want to put hundreds of dollars into this since it's not something that I will be doing full on... But I don't want to show up in my regular riding gear and be the laughing stock of the joint.
w |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1384
 
Location: Kansas | Most places will require you to have your own helmet. If using their saddle they will probably want you to wear breeches. Instead of buying tall boots most places will let you wear paddock boots and half chaps. Some might let you get by with boots and using polo wraps instead of half chaps.
Call and ask what they require.
|
|
| |
|
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| You'll want your own helmet for sure.
Attire will depend on the barn, beat to call and ask - perhaps explain you want to try and see how serious you might be.
I will say I can't stand the ride English in western boots. I've got to have the ankle support of lace ups |
|
| |
|
 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | Get your own helmet. Any of the same brands will work. Tripperary is what I would use. I was lucky enough when I was riding english we had a little shop that sold resale stuff for english riding only. I got some great breeches from there and my half chaps, then my paddock boots from ariat. Definitley go the paddock boot/half chap route. It is MUCH easier going to wester from english then vise versa. Your world is gonna flip upside down(but its still fun I promise). Look on some facebook pages or ebay/craigslist for breaches and half chaps. I would buy the paddock boots new. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 303
| Most places won't require that you wear breeches, but invest in some half chaps, you can put them over your regular cowboy boots just fine, and will save you from getting pinched. You will want your own helmet. Everyone's head is a different size and shape, and even if the instructor has one that fits, it could easily give you a headache.
Your best bet is to make some calls and talk to the instructors within a reasonable driving distance, explain where you are coming from, and what you want to learn. It might seem like a big change at first, but centered riding is centered riding. If someone tries to make you feel bad for having a western background, go somewhere else. A good instructor will take that foundation and build on it with new knowledge, not disparage what you already know. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | Get your own helmet. Not to be gross but you never know what someone has (ie lice). That kind of stuff has always given me the heeby jeebys sorry.
A good investment is a pair of half chaps. I use mine with ariat terrains. If i decide to throw my english saddles on at home i ride in jeans with half chaps. If i take a lesson my instructor likes us to wear breeches, so ill wear breeches, half chaps and terrains. So like others said call ahead and ask. My only good pair of breeches are my show ones. They have schooling ones that are cheaper.
They shouldnt laugh at you. Heck my eng trainer usually once a year has me come in with barrels so the younger kids can have fun going thru. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? |
Get your own helmet...and you can wear that no matter what discipline you are riding. I like the new Troxel Dakotas or Tipperary. Lots of Helmet threads on here if ya want more info on them.
For the pants...just get a little $25 pair of schooling tights. Stateline tack even has breeches that cheap. (and lots of helmet choices too) You will be glad you have them. They will be very comfortable.
I too like the paddock boot/half chap route. The suede half chaps help give you grip while you are learning leg position etc.
BUT...you can go with your western boots and get boot cut tights as well. Sure it will look a bit different...but not bad. I've seen folks do it all the time. That would just put you out the $$ for the helmet (good investment any way)...and the tights. Maybe some like these: http://www.statelinetack.com/item/tuffrider-ladies-ribb-boot-cut-tights/E003573/
I can't get the boot cut tights as I'm too long legged sadly
|
|
| |
|
 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma |  I just saw this!!!!! Sent you an email with a bunch of links to check out! |
|
| |
|
 Veteran
Posts: 146
| Few places provide helmets, for good reason. Buy your own new helmet and some inexpensive breeches, when you are first learning how to post in an English saddle you will appreciate having breeches, jeans have seams that aren't always friendly. Get some paddock boots or Ariat Terrains and some half chaps, while the Terrains are expensive they can serve dual purpose as they are comfortable and good everyday wear boots for the barn; half chaps there are plenty of cheap options. |
|
| |
|
 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | for those suggesting half chaps over your regular cowgirl boots.. no.. you have to have paddock boots. it wont fit and your cowgirl boots are to thick to fit the stirrups safely. buy a helmut and gloves.
depends what your doing.
Jeans with paddock boots and half chaps work for basic stuff.. alot of basic barns are fine with that or jumping barns. call and ask.. have fun.. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 303
| I don't want to argue about boots, but I will say that, in my personal experience, I could zip my half chaps over my Ariat ropers without too much issue, and never had any issue slipping them in and out of the stirrups of an english saddle. Which is why I gave that options, to save anyone from buying too many items until they decide whether this is something they actually want to pursue.
HOWEVER, just because I've never had an issue, and never seen it be a problem, the concern is obviously there, so please disregard what I said. I certainly wouldn't want anyone to get hurt. |
|
| |
|
 Worst.Housekeeper.EVER.
Location: Missouri | My English attire: jeans, my western boots (or paddock sneakers), and full chaps. I wore full chaps b/c I taught lessons one summer and nearly died from the heat! I could wear longer shorts and riding sneakers all day, then slap on the full chaps to ride. And, pray no one other than the girls who came for lessons saw me! 
Breeches were a big hang up for me...I've never had an instructor make me feel bad about it, and I've ridden at several barns/different states/different disciplines, etc.
If I was going to ride English now, I would buy the English riding jeans, paddock boots and half chaps. I still couldn't do breeches except to show...
eta: HAVE FUN!!! Bet you'll love it!
Edited by just4fun 2015-04-02 9:27 AM
|
|
| |
|
Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | AlwaysCentered - 2015-04-02 9:29 AM I don't want to argue about boots, but I will say that, in my personal experience, I could zip my half chaps over my Ariat ropers without too much issue, and never had any issue slipping them in and out of the stirrups of an english saddle. Which is why I gave that options, to save anyone from buying too many items until they decide whether this is something they actually want to pursue. HOWEVER, just because I've never had an issue, and never seen it be a problem, the concern is obviously there, so please disregard what I said. I certainly wouldn't want anyone to get hurt.
not looking for a argument either.lol.. ropers are differant.. I meant regular boots.. with that said.. if the foot is to wide you can get caught but thats anyones preferance.. |
|
| |
|
 The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | It just depends on the facility. These are good questions you should feel comfortable calling and asking about beforehand. Then you will know for certain. |
|
| |
|
Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Thanks so much, everyone!!! I've found lots of half chaps on Craigslist that look to be in new/good shape. Going to go with those and the paddock boots and some cheap breeches and get my own helmet. I'm pretty excited... just wish I would have done this while my gelding was hurt because now I just need to find the time to go take lessons while I need to be legging him back up! |
|
| |
|
 Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | What size are you? I have seemed to collect breeches and riding tights like it's no one's business lol. I spent a lot of money on a helmet. To me it was worth it because I wanted to be safe and comfortable at the same time. I bought Mountain Horse english boots to start off because I found a sale, but when I finally got a new with tags pair of Ariat ones on ebay for $100, they are so so comfortable. I personally hate the 1/2 chaps. My friend uses them all the time and loves them, they just aren't for me. You can find really nice used clothing and tack on ebay, but if you want new and to just school in, Tuffrider makes some decent clothing. Their breeches actually fit me nice and are comfy. Kerrits are a favorite brand though. |
|
| |
|
Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Longneck - 2015-04-01 10:49 PM I have ALWAYS wanted to ride English. It's what I dreamed about when I was a little girl, but being in Oklahoma it's predominantly western and that's the route I went. Not complaining, but here I am 16 years later and the urge is still there. I've been looking at some lesson places and I think I am going to call and see about setting something up! I have some questions for those of you that have ridden English before....
Will the the stable provide my helmet, or will it be required? Can I wear regular jeans or will I need breeches and English riding boots? I don't really want to put hundreds of dollars into this since it's not something that I will be doing full on... But I don't want to show up in my regular riding gear and be the laughing stock of the joint.
w
I've swapped back and forth my entire life, depending on what was available.
1. One barn I rode at provided helmets, but everywhere else you must have your own. Whether or not a helmet is required depends on the barns rules and/or their insurance.
2. If your jeans don't have any bling or anything lumpy/poky on the back side that could damage the saddle, jeans and cowboy boots are usually ok. I never owned breeches or english boots, but it IS more comfortable to have breeches and at least paddock boots with half chaps if you can.
Go vist the barn and ask them since they all have different rules. I always stuck out but I don't care. |
|
| |
|
 Born not Made
Posts: 2931
Location: North Dakota | Just wanted to say HAVE FUN!
I have recently been taking hunter/jumper lessons with my horse and I am learning so much. It's a blast.
|
|
| |
|
 Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Welcome to the dark side! :) I still ride my barrel horse in my english saddle! I like the discipline and it helps me ride better.. Be prepared for a lot formality. You've gotten a lot of great advice. |
|
| |
|
Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | Your horse will benefit yours too...
 (341021_2637162761927_1961898454_o.jpg)
 (d16.jpg)
 (d45.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
 341021_2637162761927_1961898454_o.jpg (69KB - 148 downloads)
d16.jpg (84KB - 149 downloads)
d45.jpg (45KB - 145 downloads)
|
|
| |
Folks on-line