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"HOW TO DRESS THE RIDER"
GREENWAY SADDLERY INC. (480) 502-9776
  HOW TO DRESS THE RIDER A timeless, traditional look for the rider competing at the beginning level of Hunter, Jumper, Eventing, or Dressage can be achieved with a black hunt cap, navy show jacket, white shirt, beige or tan breeches, and black boots. For riders who have decided to specialize in just one type of competition, each has it's own "Dress Code" HAT OR HELMET Hunter & Equitation - A velvet hunt cap in black is always correct. Recently, the more trendy riders have been wearing the GPA European type style vented helmets. If a rider is looking for safety, the A.S.T.M. Certified models feature an impact absorbing inner liner of styrene and a permanently attached harness. The "apparel" hunt caps offer no head protection, but feature a sleeker profile. Junior riders under 18 years of age at United States Equestrian Federation sanctioned competitions are required to have a chinstrap fastened on their hunt cap. Horse shows sanctions by the United States Equestrian Federation require ASTM/SEI certified hunt caps for Junior riders in Hunter/Jumper shows. Harnesses covered in natural tan deerskin leather are popular.   Jumpers - Most riders wear a GPA or IRH European style A.S.T.M. Certified safety helmet in black with a vertical vent down the front above the brim. Junior riders at U.S.E.F. sanctioned competitions are required to have an ASTM/SEI Certified helmet.Dressage - Most lower level riders wear a black or navy hunt cap. A round-top derby can also be worn at the lower levels but seems to be less popular recently. As a rider progresses up the levels, a black or navy top hat can be worn. For riders looking for safety, an A.S.T.M. hunt cap can be worn at any level. Eventing - For Cross Country, a helmet meeting A.S.T.M. safety standards is required. Most riders choose an A.S.T.M. Certified Jockey or Training helmet with a nylon cover in their barn or team colors. For stadium Jumping, a black or navy helmet of hunt cap meeting A.S.T.M. safety standards is required. For Dressage, a black or navy helmet, hunt cap, or top hat (at the FEI Level only) can be worn. Training - If a rider wants head protection, choose an A.S.T.M. Certified plastic vented schooling helmet. In our Arizona heat, white is the color of choice. RIDING BOOTS  Hunter/Jumper - Black, tall, laced instep field boots are worn. Be certain to fit new boots about 2" taller than the leg length to allow for the drop in height as the boots break in and wrinkle around the ankle. The field boot is very soft to allow for maximum flexibility in the ankle desired by jumping riders. Eventing - Black, tall, laced field boots are used by most riders for all phases. If a rider desires, they may wear a stiffer dress style boot for the Dressage phase.  Dressage - the very stiff Dressage dress boot in black is the choice of most Dressage competitors. The boot features a stiffer rod up the back of the leg to prevent wrinkling. This boot forces the rider to use their leg aids correctly because it won't allow lifting or twisting of the heel. These boots allow a very smooth connection to the horse's sides as they do not wrinkle all the way down the leg.Training - Some riders choose to wear tall boots and breeches for schooling. Most riders prefer a short laced or zippered paddock boot combined with half chaps. RIDING PANTS/BREECHES  Hunter/Jumper - In the Hunter Ring: beige, sand, or tan are the only colors worn. Most riders prefer tailored breeches made of heavier smooth woven fabric with a relaxed fit. These breeches provide a more flattering look and help hide underwear and shirt lines. The side zip style is popular for ladies and girls. Young children may wear jodphur pants with a cuff and foot strap over their short paddock boots. for regular jumper classes, the beige, sand, or tan colors are worn. For jumpers classics, white may be worn.Dressage - At all levels white or cream colors are worn. Many riders prefer the grip of the full inset seat styles. Eventing - For the Dressage phase - white, cream, or beige may be worn in knee patch or full inset seat style. for Stadium Jumping - white, cream, beige, sand, or khaki may be worn. for Cross Country - any color breeches may be worn. Training - Most riders prefer to school in breeches or riding tights to prevent rubbing caused by the seams on "blue jeans". SHOW JACKETS  Hunter/Jumper - If a rider wants to own only one jacket, a dark navy with double vented back is suitable for all Hunter or Jumper competitions including classics. Most riders who are looking to stand out in the larger classes choose tone on tone plaids or stripes in navy, black, brown, tan, or gray. Many shows allow jumper riders to compete without a jacket in the regular classes, but require one for the classics. For the hunter classics, formal attire is required: a navy or black short coat or shadbelly tail coat. For the jumper classics: a navy or black coat is required. U.S.E.T. members may wear scarlet.  Dressage - Black or navy are the only colors for Dressage competitions. For the lower levels, a short jacket with one center back vent is worn. For the F.E.I. levels, a shadbelly tail coat is worn.Eventing - For the Dressage phase, black or navy jackets are worn. For Stadium Jumping, any color jacket may be worn. Many riders wear their Dressage jacket for Stadium Jumping, but recently, the more stylish riders have been choosing hunt jackets in navy, black, brown, tan or gray for stadium jumping. For Cross Country, jackets are not worn, but safety vests are required in any color. SHOW SHIRTS Hunter/Jumper - Long or short sleeve shirts in cotton or CoolMax fabric with matching choker collar for ladies and girls, and a tie for men and boys. For "formal attire" classics, a white shirt is required. For all other classes most riders choose a color which will help them stand out in a large competitive class. Popular colors: blue, green, tan, yellow, melon, purple, teal, and pink. Many riders have their initials embroidered on their choker collar in a color to coordinate with their show jacket. Dressage - Long or short sleeve in white, cream or pastel colors with a white or cream stock tie. Cotton shirts are traditional, but recently many riders are choosing the hi-tech moisture wicking CoolMax fabrics. Eventing - For Dressage, a white or cream shirt is worn. For the Show Jumping phase, the same attire can be worn that is used for Dressage. Many ridrs are wearing the more colorful Hunter/Jumper jackets and shirts for Show Jumping. For Cross country, a long or short sleeve polo type shirt is worn under the safety vest in a rider's barn or team colors. GLOVES Hunter/Jumper - For Hunter and Equitation a black leather glove is worn. For the jumper classes any glove which provides a good grip is used. Dressage - Most judges prefer a white or cream glove in leather, fabric, or synthetic. At the lower level a black glove can be worn. Eventing - For the Dressage phase, a white or cream glove is preferred but a black pair can be worn at the lower levels. For Show Jumping and Cross Country, gloves are optional but should be chosen to provide good grip.    SPURS/WHIPS Hunter/Jumper - For Hunters and Equitation, a short to medium length Prince of Wales spur with leather straps to match the rider's boots. silver spur strap buckles are currently popular. The jumping bat, if used, should be shor 18" to 24" in black or brown. For the Jumper classes, any spurs can be workn and jumping bats are longer (24"-28") to be more effective. Dressage - Spurs are slightly heavier and longer than those used for jumping. The longer length allows a rider to use the spur without turning the toe out. a blunt end or a blunt rowel style are most popular with either a black leather or braided nylon spur strap. spurs are required at the F.E.I. Level and optional below that level. Whjips are long to be able to tap the horse behing the leg. 110cm is the longst permitted in competition. Whips may not be permitted in certain championship and F.E.I. classes. Eventing - In the Dressage phase, spurs are optional, but if used may not exceed 1 1/4" length and must not be sharpenough to be capable of wounding a horse. Dressage whips are not allowed in competition. In the Show Jumping and Cross Country phases, spurs must follow the same specifications as the Dressage phase. If a jumping bat is used it may not exceed 30". |