First dressage show...what to wear?

[Crazylife]

I ride western and have shown western in past years. I ride with 2 awesome dressage riders and we’ve talked about me learning from them.
Well, there is a local dressage show coming up in 2 months and they want me to show training level. Never mind, that I’ve never actually put an English saddle on my current horse nor have I ridden in one in at least 8 years. Nor have I ever actually taken a dressage lesson.
But I’m considering it. If I can get comfortable in a dressage saddle, I think my horse is far enough to handle training lever. The biggest issue I’m running into is what the heck do I wear? We went to a show at the same venue this weekend and everyone was wearing white breeches, overcoats, etc.

Between the 2 of them, my horse is set for tack. But I only own black, grey, or dark brown breeches and paddock boots. I don’t own tall boots or any type of jacket or anything like that. I might be able to borrow breeches but they are more “endowed” than I so I don’t think a jacket or shirt of theirs will fit me right. We wear different size shoes so borrowing boots is out too. I don’t board so borrowing from barn mates is out too.

Is there cheap tricks or anything to outfit myself inexpensively until I decide this is something I might want to do for sure?

[doctordarling]

Ohh. fun. Am trying to imagine myself going Western for comp on a shoestring! I would have nothing to wear, let alone saddlery.

1. Read! We run under FEI and Equestrian Australia regulations here - you would be USDF? Carefully read the ‘Compulsory Dress by Level’ section of the Rules and Regs which should be online, and read the horse gear one too. The list of what is and what is not allowed re tack is long. The Gear Steward will not let you in to the arena if there is something not allowed on you or your horse.

To legally compete you will need a helmet. Black or navy. You mostly likely have a plain white shirt and a black or dark coloured single-breasted jacket for like, job interviews which from a distance will look like a dressage jacket. Breeches? just get some cheapie pull-on ones in a sale. They need to be white, cream or light tan. skin toned underwear is a must here as well!

You don’t need what I call ‘joined up’ ie top boots for training level - just gaiters/chaps that match your paddock boots and you can borrow these as long as they zip up properly. And you must wear gloves (white or pale). Don’t bother with a stock tie, here in Australia just a rat-catcher collar or pale tie is ok.

I had go (with my dressage horse) at show ring hack event early this year - and was amazed by how the ‘look’ was different. I borrowed quite a bit of stuff. I wouldn’t repeat the exercise, but it an experience! have fun.

[Crazylife]

@doctordarling

Ohh. fun. Am trying to imagine myself going Western for comp on a shoestring! I would have nothing to wear, let alone saddlery.

1. Read! We run under FEI and Equestrian Australia regulations here - you would be USDF? Carefully read the ‘Compulsory Dress by Level’ section of the Rules and Regs which should be online, and read the horse gear one too. The list of what is and what is not allowed re tack is long. The Gear Steward will not let you in to the arena if there is something not allowed on you or your horse.

To legally compete you will need a helmet. Black or navy. You mostly likely have a plain white shirt and a black or dark coloured single-breasted jacket for like, job interviews which from a distance will look like a dressage jacket. Breeches? just get some cheapie pull-on ones in a sale. They need to be white, cream or light tan. skin toned underwear is a must here as well!

You don’t need what I call ‘joined up’ ie top boots for training level - just gaiters/chaps that match your paddock boots and you can borrow these as long as they zip up properly. And you must wear gloves (white or pale). Don’t bother with a stock tie, here in Australia just a rat-catcher collar or pale tie is ok.

I had go (with my dressage horse) at show ring hack event early this year - and was amazed by how the ‘look’ was different. I borrowed quite a bit of stuff. I wouldn’t repeat the exercise, but it an experience! have fun.

Read, I like reading! Off to google…

I do ride in a helmet most of the time so I’ve got that too. I actually have managed to almost make it to 30 without a blazer or suit jacket of any time. Might have to try the local thrift shops.

But gloves, didn’t think of those either!

Thanks for your help! Good luck on your western show, that stuff isn’t cheap either!

[Dutchmare433]

First question would be, schooling show or rated? If it’s a schooling show, you can ask the organizer what people normally wear. We have schooling shows where most everyone dresses under USEF rules. We also have ones where grey or brown breeches with a polo shirt (tucked in) and a belt would be fine. Paddock boots and matching half chaps are fine for either schooling shows or recognized shows at Training level. At many schooling shows, one of the intents is to get people interested in the sport without having to shell out $$$, so you should be able to cobble together enough gear so you don’t have to buy much as long as you look tidy.

Ask about braiding as well.

[JenEM]

There are Western Dressage tests–depending on the venue, that may be an option for you as well, and might require less in the way of adaptation and attire.

Depending on the shade of gray, you can do gray breeches if they’re a lighter dove-grey rather than a charcoal color. US rules say “white or light” and I have seen grey at rated shows. I’d look for a cheap pair of beige breeches on sale somewhere. Depending on weather, at most schooling shows around here, you can get away with a conservatively colored polo shirt on top (navy, black, white). At most schooling shows there’s some leeway on the dresscode, and depending on the norms of the show, there can be a lot of leeway. If the ladies you ride with do these regularly, perhaps ask what the turnout expectations are.

[AltersAreUs]

Biggest question is if it is a rated show or not. A lot of schooling shows around here are really lenient on the dress code. As long as you’re clean and respectable, you’re fine but contact the show and find out what is normal. I’ve even gasp worn black breeches to a schooling show and no one batted an eye.

Also look into western dressage. I know a number of reiners and western pleasure folks who have been doing those tests with their retired or very young horses and they’re having a blast. You can also just use your normal tack and western gear. I’ve seen full on, dripping silver tack and rhinestone yokes doing western dressage and it was a hoot. All of us in boring black & white were jealous.

[hoopoe]

schooling show or rated. Most schooling shows run under USEF rules with a little leeway on some things. If you are going to show, first step is to read the rules. Recognize the difference between required by the rules and conventions. You can buck conventions.

You can wear proper cuffed jods with jod boots as an adult. With that a coat and necktie. If you are small / slim, you can get away with a mans suit coat from the Goodwill. Or even a womans if it is dark and conventional. A white button down collar and necktie are acceptable. This is probably the most economical route. It is unconventional but within the rules.

If you use breeches, you will need tall boots or your jod boots with matching leggings. That is more of an investment. You can wear the same suit coat and necktie, you dont have to use a choker stocktie or standing collar.

gloves are a convention, though I personally never rode without gloves. If you dont wear gloves, you need to practice with them if you decide to wear them. You can get away with a pair of black isotoners or even batters gloves.

Braiding is a convention, if you decide to braid, practice both for yourself and for your horse. Some horses dont like braids.

review all the rules about tack and bitting. Bits must be conventional ; no twists edges or hooks. There are illustrations , make sure you are OK. Understand the running of the show, ; time after the whistle, how to properly salute etc. Your friends can help you. Know your test, though relax, you can have a reader.

[walktrot]

At training level you can wear regular hunt show attire, so beige/tan/gray breeches with a dark jacket are fine. Same idea with the shirt, one with a choker is fine. Paddock boots with half chaps (not suede) work instead of tall boots. Black gloves, a helmet. We don’t have a lot of shows around here, so people do dress up a little more for schooling shows than I expect they do where there are plenty of rated shows around. As long as you are neat and tidy and your horse is in the correct tack, you should be fine, and you’ll do great!

[MissAriel]

Find out from either your friends (if they have been to this show before) or the show organizer if they follow USEF rules or relax some of the attire rules.

You can definitely wear hunt attire at the lower levels, if that is easier than dressage specific clothing to find. Helmet is mandatory - glad you have that already. Gloves can be a single, neutral color. Pants should be light color. Shirt should be a solid color (or very tiny print) and have a collar. Depending on the show you may or may not see people in coats. Lots of schooling shows have exhibitors in polo shirts, and as long as they are clean and fit, they are fine. Paddock boots with half-chaps that match the paddock boots and are not suede are fine also, by rule. Again, some shows may waive the restrictions on color or suede.

If you have a tack consignment shop that would be great, if not there are lots of options on FB tack groups to find inexpensive show and schooling attire. Also Craigslist and eBay.

As someone else mentioned, you should check your tack as well - especially dressage legal bits. This seems to be one place schooling shows rarely soften the rules, and they change often enough that you would do well to verify your tack will be acceptable, rather than trust someone’s memory.

Here is a very nice list of the rules. Some of these may be relaxed at a schooling show, but it is a good place to start.

https://files.usef.org/assets/VqIPYDBJxJA/2016dressageattireequipmentbooklet.pdf

[MysticOakRanch]

At a level one (small one ring show) you don’t even need a jacket. The rules allow for a vest or cooling vest of solid color. So that is a very inexpensive option. When I first started showing, I got some light tan stirrup pants. You can find tights too. That is what a lot of the kids do too, because they don’t cost much. At a schooling show, you can probably get away with wearing the dark color breeches you already own

I recommend reading USEF rules DR 120 and 121. Those are the rules on equipment (for the horse) and dress.

[Crazylife]

Thanks for all the replies!

I’m pretty sure it’s a rated show. We went to the tail end of one this past weekend at the same venue and it was rated but I’ll double check.

Western dressage is what I really would like to try but we don’t have any of that locally. Once I have an idea of what I am doing, I plan on trailering out to a western dressage show to try it out.

I’ll definitely look into tack and what is legal for my boy. This will be a first for both of us so I plan on keeping things as simple as possible.

I live in Oklahoma so there is very little, non-Western riding or tack shops but I have some leads on a couple a places within a few hours drive I plan on stopping by to check things out.

Now to just get the English saddle on the Quarter horse and see what happens…:lol::lol:

[Mukluk]

Have fun!!!

[Crazylife]

@Mukluk

Have fun!!!

I hope to! If nothing else, I’ll play groom and get the feel of things for next time!

[shiloh]

How fun for you! I remember my first show and even though I was a little intimidated it turned out to be really fun!

Light grey or light tan breeches are fine. A well-fitting black hunt jacket and white hunt shirt are fine. I bought a short sleeve shirt because I figured I wouldn’t fry in the heat and in the winter I could layer it. A hunt cap or black helmet are fine, too. I did not wear gloves - I was told at the lower levels it was not necessary.

Also try some of the introductory level classes - they are just walk trot