I have always been a die hard full seat breeches person especially at Dressage shows, but now I find myself going for the performance breeches that have the gel or rubber not the leather seats. I love the Fits tech treads and if they came in white I would be showing in them. I love my Fits performax full seats but they now feel heavy and too grippy after riding in the tech treads. I’m now looking at the Tropical Riders Enduracools which I have but thinking about getting them in white with the lambskin knee patch not the full seat would this be frowned upon at recognized shows?
I doubt the judge could tell when you’re in the saddle. Nothing in the rules about the seat of breeches, pretty sure the rule is along the lines of “a conservative color.”
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As long as they’re within the rules, no one cares what kind of pants you’re wearing at a show. No one.
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I don’t think I’ve ever shown in full-seat breeches. I’ve always worn either white or beige knee patch breeches.
“Conservative color” applies to the coat, breeches are required to be “white or light-colored”.
------"DR120 Dress
- The dress code for all Dressage tests and classes through Fourth Level (see .5 below) is a short riding coat of conservative color, with tie, choker, stock tie or integrated stand-up collar, white or light-colored breeches or jodhpurs, boots or jodhpur boots, and protective headgear as defined in DR120.6 and in compliance with GR801. A cutaway coat (modified tailcoat) with short tails is permitted. Half chaps, gaiters and/or leggings are not allowed. Gloves of conservative color are recommended. Exception: Riders through First Level may wear half-chaps, gaiters or leggings in solid black or brown, without fringe, matching the color of their boots, and made of smooth leather or leather-like material. The dress code for the FEI Junior Tests, FEI Dressage Tests for 4, 5, and 6-year-old horses and the USEF test for 4-year old horses is a short riding coat of conservative color, with stock or tie, breeches, and protective headgear as defined in DR120.6 and in compliance with GR801. A dark tailcoat is also permitted for the FEI Junior Tests. The dress code for FEI Pony Riders and FEI Tests for Children is dark coat or club uniform coat, breeches or jodhpurs, white shirt with tie or hunting stock, gloves, boots and protective headgear as defined in DR120.6 and in compliance with GR801. Spurs are optional for all of the FEI Tests for Children, FEI Pony and Junior Tests, FEI Dressage Tests for 4, 5, and 6-year-old horses and the USEF test for 4-year old horses. (See DR120.10) BOD 11/7/16 Effective 12/1/16"
But opportunity classes at most shows and in all levels at schooling shows allow any color of breeches.
-------“5. Riders in classes and tests at all levels in Level 1 Competitions, and riders in Opportunity classes in Level 2 and Level 3 Competitions, may compete wearing breeches and shirts of any color as permitted in DR120.8. Jackets or vests of any type are allowed but not required and neckwear may be worn only if the rider chooses to compete in a riding jacket. Boots and protective headgear are required as specified in DR120.1-6.”
I’ve shown in full seat, light gray breeches with no comments. I’m considering trying the new knit pipers with the silicon full seat because they are so comfortable I also have white ovation full seats.
Thank you everyone, I find myself getting away from the full seat and more tours the performance breeches.
Unless you are doing Intro, or Training, who sees your seat? 
However, having shown in full seat white beeches for years, without a comment, I think you’re safe.
I will when Tailored Sportsman makes them n side zip mid rise. I have quite a few full seat but still prefer TS
I’ve shown in all sorts of combinations of colors and knee-patch/full seats…judges don’t care and they won’t comment. your score will be dependent on what your are comfortable in.
I actually prefer to ride in knee-patch breeches. i like the feel of my butt in the saddle - especially in warmer weather (I live in the south) and I like the freedom of the leg. There are materials I love in a full-seat breech but I generally can’t afford to purchase these breeches as show breeches, and they often aren’t comfy to ride in if the temp is high. I hate the idea of sliding inside of my breeches, which can happen in typical full seats.
So, OP, as long as you are wearing “light colored breeches” and they support your riding, no judge will call you out on your breech style. They likely won’t notice unless they are ill-fitting.
I don’t buy anything but full seats anymore.
Many people at the local GMO show in the Kerrits breeches with the black butt, never heard of any of them getting comments from the judges about their breeches. I showed in full seats with a gray butt, and never got any comments.
There’s a few people in my area that show in knee patch breeches and no one even looks twice at them–I’ve only noticed because I’m friends with them!
If you or anyone else ever got negative comments from a judge about your legal attire, it would (I think) be grounds for a protest and the judge would be in some deep doodoo.
I think the majority of the riders I see are in full seats at the shows. I personally have shown in “Euro seats” for years - the seat is stitched as if it is a full seat, but is just fabric. I prefer to not “stick” to my saddle. As others have already stated, it doesn’t matter as long as they are clean and light colored. No rule on clean, but it is considered a matter of respect that you are clean and neat in your show turnout.
