Horse Show BeltA horse show belt can come in many shapes and sizes. If you have spent any amount of time in a tack shop that offers equipment and clothing for showing, you may have passed by a rack or two full of belts. Show belts vary in many ways; some have brighter or bolder colors while others stick with the simple black or brown leather. Some horse show belts have large crystals, some have smaller crystals, and still others have very few. The design and decor found on show belts are not limited to crystal. We have seen some with turquoise, rhinestones, and many other decorative stones.
Belts In The Ring As tempting as it may be to opt for the flashiest horse show belt, you may want to reconsider. A belt that is overdone with color and sparkle may not be your best bet, even for western pleasure. I know how hard it is to not grab for the belt that catches your eye the most. Ok so first you need to put the crystal covered belt back on the rack and step away slowly. Now that you have at least an arm’s length distance from the rack (to prevent an impulse grab) take a moment to envision your western show clothing. The horse show belt you ultimately choose should complement your clothing. Though a belt may seem small, it still plays a role in your overall picture. Different exhibitors also have varying opinions on what they prefer to wear while showing. It is always a good and safe bet to lean towards a more conservative belt. Some exhibitors use a horse show belt that is plain and made out of the same leather that their chaps are made out of. A show belt that is a little more plain in appearance may be more flattering for most exhibitors. Again picture your show clothing a moment. Once everything comes together, you may realize that a belt will likely be hidden somewhat under your show shirt.
Also remember that a flashy horse show belt will draw the eye to your waist. It can emphasize your body movements and be a distraction that takes away from your overall picture. When it comes to choosing a belt for inside the show ring, less is more.
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Belts Out of The Ring Now that you have exercised some serious restraint at the belt rack you can shop for a belt for any occasion other than showing. Some of the bold and flashy belts make better sense to be used out of the ring. Now that you are shopping for a belt to be worn on a daily basis you may be a little more conscious of the overall cost. Buying a belt new at a tack shop may be the most expensive way to go. You may want to use the rack in front of you to see what type of belt works best for you. It may then be a good idea to check for better prices online.
Buckles Another display you may see very near the horse show belt rack is likely the belt buckles. Again you are facing a variety of sizes and shapes to choose from. Ideally you would like to be wearing a buckle that you recently won the next time you go in the ring, but that may not be possible, especially if you are just starting out. If you are planning to pick out a buckle to use with your horse show belt, make sure you match an appropriate sized buckle with the width of your belt. Buckle widths should match the width that you have on your show belt. Belt widths range from 1 1/2" to 1 1/4" wide. If you have no experience shopping for belt buckles, you can do some research at your nearest tack show or search the internet. There are a variety of precious metal materials to choose from. Taking some time to educate yourself can be very helpful when you are shopping and comparing prices.
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Have you wondered what type of belt works best for you in the show ring? Like many people in the horse show world it can be tough to make a decision when the options seem unlimited. Below we will be discussing what belt works best for showing.
