Hello all!
I am very new to Dressage and am hoping to show recognized this year (EEK!). I have been reading the rules but would like clarification around saddle pad colors. The rules state “white or of conservative color”. I will be showing in a hunter green jacket and would like to make sure that having a hunter green saddle pad would be acceptable. Would white with green trim be better? Help!
Thank you!
Where are you located? Rules may differ by country 
For example, in Canada at our rated shows, our rulebook states:
At all test levels, riders may wear dark coloured jackets in colours within the international Hue-Saturation-Value (HSV) colour scale 0-32% value as described in FEI Dressage Regulations, Art.427.12. Protective headgear, stocks, ties, gloves and riding boots may be the same of a matching colour as the coat
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen discussion here on COTH about the hue-saturation rule too. I think the USEF (?) rules even have a colour chart with examples from what I remember reading here.
I am in Washington State. I know my jacket is within guidelines but there is only one sentence about saddle pads.
What color is your horse? I wouldn’t advise adding too many colors to the mix and you’ve already got green and black (at least I’m assuming your tack is black).
I would check with your local dressage association to ask for their interpretation of “conservative” color.
That said, you can’t go wrong with a black pad to match your tack, or a white pad (traditional, and matches white breeches if you’re wearing those).
ETA: even if they OK green, I wouldn’t use it unless it is exactly the same shade of green as your coat.
I would go with white with green piping.
Thank you for your responses. I would only use green if it matched exactly. Im having a tough time finding a white pad with the same green trim and was hoping to not go the custom route. I may just do a solid white to match the breeches. My mare is a big, bright chestnut.
I’ve seen people show at recognized shows in pads where the body of the pad is Dark Green, Navy, Black, Grey, Dark Grey, and Maroon/deep burgundy. It’s not an issue. A Hunter Green is no problem.
Apparently I wasn’t reading clearly last night - sorry! Totally answered the wrong question!
I can’t say that I’ve ever seen a solid color at a recognized dressage show. It’s common in the Arabian sporthorse, etc arenas.
solid white is a lot easier when you realize you are showing three days and need to get a third saddle pad because you can’t wash one white enough in a hotel room…
Do what I did, buy a show quality white pad (on sale) and then take your jacket to the fabric or craft store and buy cording/trim that matches your coat. Sew on the trim around the pad’s border - about 1/2 inch from the edge of your pad. Voila!
Don’t mistake people’s whims for the rules. You can absolutely use a dark green pad, this is within the rules. I have shown with a navy pad - and I have done plenty of scribing. Judges are very busy looking at what you & your horse are doing, not what color your fabric is. In addition, I hate & avoid any white horse items, they are impossible to keep clean & make no sense to me!
I’d personally opt for green piping, but I am more of a traditionalist when it comes to attire in the dressage ring. I like subtle color or bling, but not colored saddle pads. Even colored jackets can be a bit much, but it depends on the color.
Another vote for green piping on a white saddlepad.
While it’s within the rules to use a green pad, I think it’s a bit much with the green jacket.
I also agree with a white pad, with or without green piping, but a dark green pad is certainly legal. IMO, it will not be nearly as pretty against a chestnut coat as a white will be.
I’ve taken saddle pads to the TD before a class to check on the legality. Most TDs are happy to help when you come to them PRIOR to riding with something questionable rather than just going ahead and seeing what happens.
One TD told me that in the end, it is up to the judge to define what is "conservative " and when in doubt, go with plain white.
Dark Green is definitely legal – but I would really recommend sticking with white,unless you have a white (or other very light colored) horse. Most people with white horses do use dark pads because white on an almost-white horse makes the horse look dingy.
Another vote for white pad/subtle green piping! I agree with rgr, unless you have a grey horse stick to white. Your green jacket already adds a nice, unique “flare” and I think adding a green pad would be overkill.
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