Riding boots are boots made to be used for horseback riding. The modern riding boot is usually low- heeled, even though historically the high heel is supposed to have been invented for riding boots to prevent the foot from slipping through the stirrup; thus e.g. the cowboy boot has a higher heel than the modern riding boot.
English Boots
There are a number of different styles of riding boots, intended for different styles of riding, for show, and for pleasure riding. Tall boots, which end near the knee of the rider, include field, dress, and hunt boots. These are standard show apparel, worn by all competitors except children, and some show competitors in the UK, Australia, or those that show Saddle seat.
Field boots: have lacing at the ankle, which allows for some give so the rider is more comfortable riding in shorter stirrups. Therefore, field boots are preferred in all jumping disciplines, including Hunt seat, show jumping, fox hunting , and both jumping phases in eventing. They are also worn by police officers riding motorcycles or on mounted patrols, and by some police agencies as part of their "Class A" uniform or with ceremonial mounted units. The majority of field boots are black, although brown-colored boots may also be purchased.
Dress boots: do not have lacing at the ankle, and are generally stiffer. They are worn by dressage riders, eventers in the dressage phase, and at formal fox hunts. They are also worn by show jumpers. As of 2006, dress boots for dressage are styled to go especially high on the outside of the knee. Dress boots are traditionally black in color.
Hunt boots: like the dress boot, except it has a "cuff" at the top. The boot is usually black, with a tan cuff (traditional for male riders). It is appropriate for fox hunting.
Paddock boots are short (ankle height) used mainly for pleasure riding and everyday use. They may also be worn by children for showing.
Field boots (and most paddock boots) have an extra layer of leather on the toe, called a toe cap. All three styles have somewhat tapered round toes. Current styles include zip-on boots, with a zipper running down the back so they are easy to put on and remove. The traditional pull-on style is also common.
Brown high boots (field or dress) were somewhat more common before the 1950s, when the English habit lost popularity outside of formal and/or showing events. Until recently, some show events no longer allowed brown boots, although the rule has relaxed somewhat in the past few years, as they have become easier to obtain.
Western Boots
For shows, western riders wear cowboy boots, of either western or roper style. For pleasure riding, however, they often wear lace-up boots similar to English paddock boots.
Materials
Traditionally, boots are made of leather, and most show boots remain thus due to the classic look. However, synthetic leather and other materials are becoming more common. Quality of leather varies, with softer, finer-quality increasing the value of the boot.
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