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If you’re ready to step into the equestrian show arena, it’s crucial that you grasp the basics of show clothing. Wearing the wrong competition clothing will cause you to be immediately disqualification, so it’s not just about looking good; it’s also about adhering to the rules of your local horse association.
Equestrian show clothing varies widely across different disciplines, for dressage and show jumping at a local level, the show clothing is essentially the same, but the Western classes require a totally different outfit for both horse and rider.
A Brief History of Equestrian Show Clothing
I’d like to walk you through the trends that have shaped equestrian show clothing through the years.
In France in the 17th century, women who rode wore an outfit called a devantiere.[1] The skirt of the devantiere was split up the back to enable astride riding.[2] By the early 19th century, in addition to describing the whole costume, a devantiere could describe any part of the riding habit, be it the skirt,[2] the apron,[3] or the riding coat.[4]
But If we travel to the Victorian times in the UK, when women mainly rode side saddle, the design of women’s riding habits, allowing for more practical attire.
Since the mid-17th century, a formal habit for riding sidesaddle usually consisted of:
- A tailored jacket with a long skirt (sometimes called a petticoat) to match
- A tailored shirt or chemisette
- A hat, often in the most formal men’s style of the day (since the Victorian era, a top hat with a veil has been worn)
Low-heeled boots, gloves, and often a necktie or stock complete the ensemble. Typically, throughout the period the riding habit used details from male dress.
In fact, Victorian riding habits weren’t even produced by dressmakers, but by expert tailors.
During the 20th century, as horses became less of a necessity and more of a sporting and leisure companion, riding attire tailored to specific equestrian disciplines, such as dressage, eventing, and show jumping evolved.
Equestrian Show Clothing – English Riding Attire
Today’s English riding apparel balances tradition with modern materials and technology. While the basic components of the attire, such as breeches, boots, and jackets, have retained their classic look, advancements have been made in terms of comfort, durability, and safety.
Technical fabrics that offer moisture-wicking, breathability, and stretch enhance rider comfort. Safety equipment like helmets and protective vests are now widely used, blending seamlessly with traditional looks to provide both elegance and protection.
Dress to Impress: Mastering Show Ring Etiquette – English
English disciplines tend to skew towards more conservative attire, with a preference for subtle colors like navy, black, or hunter green for the jacket such as these on amazon
The breeches (if you’re wearing long boots) otherwise you can use riding tights or jodhpurs, (short boots are only allowed for young riders), seniors can use chaps and short boots if that is more comfortable for you, these need to of a conservative color, you will need a crisp, white top with a collar. You can wear a short sleeved top under your jacket such as these on Ariat website.
Having your hair neatly tucked away and your boots polished always speaks volumes.
Dress to Impress: Mastering Show Ring Etiquette – Western
Western show dress is equally rooted in tradition, but with room for a flash of personality through colors and patterns. a long sleeved shirt with a collar and pants are required, but you can also wear long chaps with cowboy boots – as always check with your local horse association rule book, for local rules at your shows.
For the gymkhana events you need a long sleeve shirt, pants and cowboy boots. Most riding organization will insist on a riding helmet for riders under 18.
Avoiding Faux Pas: Guidance for Equestrian Show Attire
Now what makes or breaks equestrian show attire? It’s the knowledge of the rules for different competition levels. Whether you’re a newcomer or stepping up your game at higher-level events, understanding the guidelines is crucial.
