So your child has decided she wants to ride hunters?  Wow.  Unless you grew up going over oxers, you're probably a little overwhelmed.  It seems like you need so much "stuff" even if you're riding a school horse.  Once you've decided to jump into the horse world, you'll have a lot of things you need to pick up.  Buying a lot of things used is great if you can find them - kids outgrow things or just lose interest.  Here are a few things you may want to get.  Before you buy much of anything, though, be sure to check with your trainer to see what they want you to have - some are pretty picky!  Riding is a great activity for kids to become involved in.

Saddle - if you can use a lesson saddle for a while, that may be good as it is a big investment.  You can spend as much as you want, and generally the lower end saddles aren't going to help your budding equestrian ride well and safely.  Be sure to find one with good balance, correctly positioned flaps, etc.  This is one purchase you will want professional help with - either your trainer or a knowledgeable tack store.  Once you find a model you like, shop online to find that one in the size you need for a good price.  Some also have interchangeable gullets so they can be adjusted to fit different horses, which is nice if you know that today's horse may not be the only one this saddle is used for.  No matter what, your saddle must fit the rider and the horse to keep everyone safe and comfortable.

Bridles & Other tack - unless you're buying your own horse, they probably have a bridle already.  Hunters do not wear "fancy" bridles with colored padding or crystals, but a nice quality bridle will oil up nicely and last for years.  Each horse has a bit they do best in, too.  Depending on the horse, you may also need a martingale for jumping.  your trainer will help you know what else you need. For saddle pads, plain, white fleece is customary in the show ring.  Some horses need additional padding like gel pads or lift back pads, but most do fine in a regular pad.  For schooling, let your little princess choose whatever they want - pink, purple, patterned, etc.  They're fun and add color to the lesson.  You may want a couple as they do need frequent laundering.  Brushes, curry combs, etc. are also needed, but a trip to the tack store will land you all that you need in this bucket.

Helmet - this is the single most important piece of equipemnt for any rider, any time.  NEVER buy oen used - you can't know what it has been through for sure and you can't take chances with your precious one's head.  This is where a good saddle shop will be great- they can make sure that hte one you get fits your child correctly.  If you are too far away, shop at an online retailer that has good sizing guides and a generous return policy in case it doesn't fit.  That said, the "schooling" helmets are fine for small shows, but usually people use a flocked or velvet covered helmet for shows.  The GPA style helmets are very popular.  Remember - safety is number one.

Clothes - yes, showing has a dres code.  Your child will need a show shirt, also called a ratcatcher.  It has a stand up collar with choker.  While they come in long, short and sleeveless styles, long sleeve is usually preferred becaue if a judge makes jackets optional, they can go withougt only when wearing long sleeved shirts.  Colors are usually nto too bright, but this is the one place you'll see color in the ring.  Breecehs or Jodphurs are worn on the bottom.  Depending on your trainer's preferences, most kids wear jods (long pants with a cuff at the bottom) and paddock boots until either a certain height or age, hten switch to breeches (slim pants that tuck into the boots) and tall boots.  During their jod phase, they will also need garters - teh little leather straps worn just below the knee.  In either case, they will want to stay in the tan color family for showing.  Any color is fine for schooling.  Jackets are another part.  Generally, they are made of menswear type of fabrics - solids, pinstripes, subtle plaids.  Navy, tan and gray are all perfectly acceptable, but you also see black once in a while.  Hunter jackets have a 3 button front and double vent in teh back - sorry, the boys jackets at the mall aren't the same.  Junior riders almost always wear gloves in teh show ring.  Black leather always looks nice.  Yoru little rider probalby will also need a pair of everyday gloves.  Cotton with pebbled fingers, crochet back or leather are fine.  as with other things - get a little crazy wiht color for home because it is fun!

Boots - most people wear paddock boots for every day.  Smaller riders wear them for shows, too.  The zip up ones are great - quick on adn off, no tying required.  Leather is best as it allows the foot to breathe and doesnt' get so hot in the summer.  it also lasts a long time when it is taken care of.  These can often be found in smaller sizes used becaue they are outgrown before they wear out.  Tall boots are worn for showing, but it is a good idea to wear them some at home to get hte feel for them.  As with paddock boots, they are easilty found used because they are rarely worn out.  Zippers on the shaft make them easier to get on and off, but have been known to break.  They are totally personally preference.  When your child begins wearing tall boots, there are ltos of fun socks to choose from to wear under htem.

Other "stuff" - when your child starts to show, they will need other things as well.  Coolers for the horse, saddle racks, buckets, etc.  Often a trainer will have a lto of this, but not always.  A saddle rack that hangs on the stall is a great convenience as is a trunk to haul everythign in.  You may also want to invest in garmetn, helmet and boot bags to help protect all of your stuff while it is in transit and in the tack stall.