When you enter the arena, you want to make sure all eyes are on you…for good reasons, of course.
While fashion trends change over time, one rule remains consistent: exhibitors should dress for success. While this old adage is admittedly broad, dressing for success means to dress with the intention of creating an overall polished picture that isn’t distracting and makes you confident in the arena.
The most expensive outfit doesn’t always win, and we decided to go to the judges themselves to get their input on what creates a winning look.
However, to ensure brutal honesty with our readers, we let these judges provide advice anonymously, so they wouldn’t hold back. But rest assured, all the judges we consulted hold Association cards and have called shows at the very highest levels of our industry. (If we didn’t hide their identities, you’d certainly recognize these names.)
Which Fashion Trends do Judges Find Distracting/Distasteful?
Nearly every judge we spoke to shared one trend they find distracting: too much fringe on a top. When it comes to the use of fringe in the riding classes, less is definitely more in the judges’ eyes.
One judge noted, “Fringe can really amplify movement and make it appear the rider is doing more than they are or that the horse isn’t as smooth as it actually is. We judges are trained to see past that, but when compared to another horse whose rider has a less-distracting, cleaner look, it may have some impact on class results.”
Another judge laughed, “I’m not a big fan of a lot of movement or audible noise coming from an exhibitor who has excessively long fringe or rhinestones/gemstones that are smacking together and making noise.”
Yet another said, “I am not a fan of fringe. I’m not saying I don’t appreciate someone riding the lines of something unique, but puffy shoulders and fringe don’t tend to work well in my opinion. They are distracting.”
Which Fashion Trends do Judges Find Consistently Appealing?
Again, our judges were basically unanimous in their preferences. In the famous words of Lockheed Engineer Clarence Johnson, “Keep it simple, stupid.”
One judge said, “For me, and many of my peers, I prefer a simple, clean, fitted look on all riders. For women, a fitted, starched shirt is just as competitive as the $5,000 shirt. You don’t need to spend a fortune to look great.”
Another stated, “I prefer very tailored shirts and jackets with less appliques and sparkle.”
“I love the simplistic approach,” shared another. “Sometimes less is more. Clean lines are important and a good-shaped hat goes a long way.”
What Piece of Fashion Advice do You Wish Every Exhibitor Would Take?
Our judges have seen it all and they all believe that dressing for a confident, clean look is more important than spending a fortune.
One judge stated they strongly prefer the classic look, saying, “My biggest advice is to get the best quality hat you can afford along with well-fitted chaps and a clean, basic shirt. Often, less is more.”
Another advised, “Color palette test for skin tones as a great way to ensure you choose flattering colors for yourself and your horse. But, remember, confidence is key. Do what looks good, makes you feel like yourself, and gives you confidence when you enter the pen.”
Another chuckled, “A good fit is paramount! And men should never try to ‘outsparkle’ the ladies.”
Be Real with Us…How Much does Overall Look Impact Your Scoring?
All our judges were unanimous that while an outfit won’t win a class, it does have an impact on the overall picture and sets a great (or less than great) impression with the judges.
“The overall look will absolutely have some form of an impact on class scoring. The AQHA rulebook defines what competitors should wear and that also includes tack. If you are not well-turned out, you should not expect a winning score. It does not require a great deal of money to dress sharp and have your hat, clothes, and equipment clean and functional.”
Another judge advised, “First impressions are everything when it comes to judging. A well-presented rider with nicely fitted clothes (that are age appropriate) will draw positive attention to the horse and rider from the judges. You want the judges to look for you in the pen.”
“Overall impression goes a long way,” another emphasized. “I cannot say that a bad outfit, in my opinion, is going to kill the go for me because that’s not how judging works. But a tighter packager with a similar go is likely going to beat the other one on my card.”
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Ultimately, our judges preferred looks that are clean, simple, cohesive, and support a confident rider. Of course, being unique is a part of building confidence, but our judges remind us to avoid anything that becomes distracting instead of amplifying.
