| Bejeweled brow bands. Etched spurs. Sparkly | | | | Schooling show judge Nicky said though she |
| stirrups. Recent trends are bringing more bling, | | | | wouldn't deduct points in a schooling show for |
| beyond the colorful saddle pads, into the riding | | | | bling, she would probably mention to the |
| ring. Is it a cute way to express individuality or | | | | instructors that the students should dress |
| just plain tacky? | | | | themselves and their horses on the conservative |
| Adult amateur dressage rider Jane loves the | | | | side for rated shows. She had not seen it in the |
| newly designed saddle pads with patterns, vivid | | | | rated or schooling show ring yet, but "who knows |
| colors, velvet, ribbon and trim. "I grew up with | | | | what next Spring will bring!" |
| boring old synthetic white fleece pocket pads. We | | | | Jill, an instructor, thought the new additions cute |
| didn't even get real fleece!" she said. She likes how | | | | when students are riding on their own or in |
| her mint green pad and rhinestone browband | | | | lessons with her. "But if they're in a show or riding |
| enhance her nearly black horse. | | | | in a clinic, they better be as polished and |
| Not a fan of the bling, Kelly, an amateur-owner | | | | professional as possible. That means sticking to |
| hunt seat rider, noted that she's "a traditionalist." "I | | | | the traditional neat look, sans bling." |
| thought it was barely skating the edge when they | | | | Plus, Jill added, you never know what the judge's |
| put green trim on some chestnut hunt bridles," | | | | opinion is, and it's best to err on the side of |
| she said. | | | | caution. "You'll never get dinged for wearing |
| "You can't help but love those little pink pony pads | | | | traditional neat clean show attire." As a junior |
| and bridle decorations," commented Sarah, a | | | | rider, she owned a navy pin-striped hunt coat for |
| horse show mom. She was buying a rhinestone | | | | winter and a pearl gray one for summer. "I |
| heart browband for her daughter for Christmas. | | | | thought it daring when the new brown plaids |
| "It's a great stocking stuffer," she said. | | | | came out with the color-coordinated patterned |
| All agreed that although potentially cute and | | | | ratcatchers!" |
| pretty for recreational riding, none would tempt | | | | For more great articles and a wonderful equine |
| fate by using bling in the show ring. | | | | forum just click on the links in our resource box |
| "In the show ring, my riding is the bling!" Young | | | | below. We hope you will stop in and say hello. we |
| junior rider Courtney stated emphatically. | | | | will leave the barn door open and the light on. |