Buyers from two of the leading tack suppliers said that they see the trend in shadbellies moving back to the more traditional look. Until then, we’re certainly seeing a wide array of styles and colors, some that are great, and some that are very, ah, colorful.

Or, as a leading hunter/jumper judge commented, “I hope they ride as well as they accessorize.”

At a year-end hunter derby we had the entire rainbow of shad colors in evidence. The loveliest untraditional combination was the red lining and vest points, made all the better by a rider who nailed every round with each of her horses. Face it, red calls attention. I’d have to be pretty darn sure I’d nail it before I’d wear red. Looked fabulous on the rider in question. On others, not so much.

And as an aside, a shad with gray lining and gray vest points does not look good with white breeches and patent-topped boots that have rhinestone around the bottom of the patent and a bling design. In the hunter ring. On a customer’s horse. And no, I am not making this up. If nothing else, think of the photos! It’s like a bad high school picture 20 years later!

But thank goodness we’re moving back towards the more traditional coat. The FEI may allow other colors in the dressage ring now, but just because you can doesn’t mean you should. It’s the same with some of these wild linings in both dressage and hunters.

Some of these colors—really? Because nothing is going to scream Last Year’s Model faster than something that’s in today, gone tomorrow. Don’t believe me? How many blinged helmets are sitting in peoples’ closets? Velvet collars, of course. Piping, certainly. A selection of vest points, sure. Lavender lining? Sure. If you want to buy a new coat every year.

As an aside, I’ve always wished that the hunter ring would move to blue shads. Black can look very harsh, especially on junior riders. (Let’s just agree not to talk about shads on little girls wearing jods on ponies.)

The competitors who really have the shad thing down pat are the eventers. It’s so refreshing! No rhinestones, no screaming lining, no vest point kaleidoscope. Well, the Brits do look a bit like British Airways stewardesses, but we’ll turn a blind eye since it’s a team coat. Same with the Dutch and their orange.

It would be nice if shadbellies would come with an instruction manual, because there are a few little twists that can make all the difference in the world between a shad that fits well and one that is just a complete fashion disaster.

Shads really do not go well with low-rise breeches, unless you truly are so short-waisted that you need low-rise so your waistband sits at your waist. Think about it like this: If you wore the shad and breeches without a shirt, would you be flashing stomach? Even worse, would you be flashing your navel? That means your shirt will show, and really, your shirt should not. Any glimpse of a belt (and it’s really not a finished look without a belt) should be fleeting.

When in doubt, buy the coat a size too large and have it altered. And think of the back view as well. It’s not a time to flash the top of your back waistband. Poochy belly? Strap it in. Don’t forget either that you have to wear a shirt with a collar. No matter how much you think your stock tie will cover any gap, it won’t. And there you’ll be, in a gorgeous photo, flashing skin next to the stock.

Still, there’s nothing better than wearing one, whether you’re riding Prix St. George and above or in a hunter classic. And these days we’re fortunate to find them in every price range, plus in consignment shops and on eBay. Embrace your shad moments, but when you’re spending a big chunk of change on that new coat, do remember that tradition will win out every time.

And if you have a shad that has the flap under the tails, do remember to check that you haven’t tucked it into the back of your breeches by mistake. Otherwise it can make for a really interesting video when you’re doing one-tempis across the arena.

Cornelia van Schaik feels entitled to comment on equestrian fashion because in her long horsey life she has competed in hunters, jumpers, Big Eq and dressage through FEI, plus an amusing spin in trail classes. Her foray into the eventing world is limited to spectating, but she loves the bright colors. Cornelia finds fox hunters have it easiest when it comes to fashion, for they are not concerned about such things as whether a particular coat color will match their black, bay or chestnut.