Comments on How to Dress to Compete in an English Riding Event

When in hunter / schooling shows your horse should wear: No boots or polos accepted, only in some shows (ask director) A white riser with no saddle pad is used. A saddle pad can be used, but it doesn't look as smart. Bonnets are approved in some shows and look very smart. All tack and horse should be clean , horses look best when clipped neatly! Horses should wear in Dressage: All black tack, clean, horse clipped neat looking. White square saddle pad only. Most shows accept polos, white only on all four legs. No bonnets.

When in hunter / schooling shows your horse should wear: No boots or polos accepted, only in some shows (ask director) A white riser with no saddle pad is used. A saddle pad can be used, but it doesn't look as smart. Bonnets are approved in some shows and look very smart. All tack and horse should be clean , horses look best when clipped neatly! Horses should wear in Dressage: All black tack, clean, horse clipped neat looking. White square saddle pad only. Most shows accept polos, white only on all four legs. No bonnets.

In my area we wear dark jackets, steel blue is the lightest jacket that I have seen anyone where. Any color show shirt is acceptable, short sleeve show shirts are not really acceptable, even in the summer, because your sleeve should stick out a little bit from underneath your jacket. A stock pin is optional. Riding gloves are optional, but most people wear black. Also, most of us wear high, black boots, but black ankle boots with black leather half chaps are also acceptable. Although you can carry a crop, you really should not use it, or try not to let the judge(s) see you use it in a show.

In my area we wear dark jackets, steel blue is the lightest jacket that I have seen anyone where. Any color show shirt is acceptable, short sleeve show shirts are not really acceptable, even in the summer, because your sleeve should stick out a little bit from underneath your jacket. A stock pin is optional. Riding gloves are optional, but most people wear black. Also, most of us wear high, black boots, but black ankle boots with black leather half chaps are also acceptable. Although you can carry a crop, you really should not use it, or try not to let the judge(s) see you use it in a show.

If your trying to get back in the game and get in the show arena, then you might want to take English riding lessons to get you tuned up again. Even if you are new to English riding, you can still try lessons. But make sure you do some research and find a reputable instructor in your area. Not everyone knows how to teach English riding. Decide what area you want to focus on, whether it be jumping, hunter, dressage or any other area of English, just make sure you find the right instructor to teach you. It's better to learn the correct way than have to 'unlearn' what you already know and start all over again.

If your trying to get back in the game and get in the show arena, then you might want to take English riding lessons to get you tuned up again. Even if you are new to English riding, you can still try lessons. But make sure you do some research and find a reputable instructor in your area. Not everyone knows how to teach English riding. Decide what area you want to focus on, whether it be jumping, hunter, dressage or any other area of English, just make sure you find the right instructor to teach you. It's better to learn the correct way than have to 'unlearn' what you already know and start all over again.

The first thing you will have to do is decide if you are competing in hunters or in dressage, as the attire is quite different. For dressage: A long black jacket is required as well as a white blouse and white breeches. Spurs are generally worn. If you are below Prix Saint Georges level you will be required to wear an English riding helmet. No crops allowed!! As well, tall boots are an absolute must. For Hunter/flat classes A hunter jacket (a slightly shorter jacket resembling a blazer) should be worn. It can come in a variety of colors including black, navy, brown, red and green. You should also wear breeches or jodhpurs in a hunter green color or beige. Tall boots are preferred but paddock boots with clean half chaps are accepted. Crop and a whip permitted. Hopefully this has helped you dress correctly for your event! Happy competitions!

The first thing you will have to do is decide if you are competing in hunters or in dressage, as the attire is quite different. For dressage: A long black jacket is required as well as a white blouse and white breeches. Spurs are generally worn. If you are below Prix Saint Georges level you will be required to wear an English riding helmet. No crops allowed!! As well, tall boots are an absolute must. For Hunter/flat classes A hunter jacket (a slightly shorter jacket resembling a blazer) should be worn. It can come in a variety of colors including black, navy, brown, red and green. You should also wear breeches or jodhpurs in a hunter green color or beige. Tall boots are preferred but paddock boots with clean half chaps are accepted. Crop and a whip permitted. Hopefully this has helped you dress correctly for your event! Happy competitions!

Put your hair up in a riding hair net, it makes you look neater.

Put your hair up in a riding hair net, it makes you look neater.

On spirited horses, spurs are not always a good idea unless the rider is extremely experienced and can control his or her leg enough not to use the spurs unless needed. Less experienced riders can often accidentally hit a horse's side and startle or excite them. A crop, however, is almost always a good idea, but not to be used unless needed. For cross country riding, either spurs or a crop is always a good idea, if your horse will tolerate it.

English attire in the ring varies by geographical area and also the latest styles. In our area, stock pins are still a must, but jackets (in HUS) are usually dark, but sometimes light green or checkered. In the 13 and under division, laced paddock boots are fine, but the older kids and adults wear tall show boots. Right now khaki breeches are out, most wear a light beige.

Riding boots aren't always required. Jodhpur boots are ankle-high; give your ankles more leeway. Jackets aren't always dark. In showjumping/hunting, the traditional colour is red or green. Spurs are rarely used apart from dressage. Crops are quite rare.

English attire in the ring varies by geographical area and also the latest styles. In our area, stock pins are still a must, but jackets (in HUS) are usually dark, but sometimes light green or checkered. In the 13 and under division, laced paddock boots are fine, but the older kids and adults wear tall show boots. Right now khaki breeches are out, most wear a light beige.