Is there anything in the rulebook about color of saddle pad for dressage?

[MKV]

I read through the dressage portions of the rulebook and didn’t see anything.

This is purely trivial. I started thinking about it after reading through the thread about beige vs white breeches.

I’m competing at intro level this weekend at a recognized event and have been planning on using a white pad for dressage, but thought my champagne (with wine colored rope and graphite binding) Mattes pad would look nice with my horse and my gold stock tie. I know people compete using cream colored pads. This champagne color seems more pale yellow to me. I wasn’t sure if it would be acceptable. I wish I had a picture.

Thanks!

[scubed]

I assume yours is something like this: http://www.epshop.us/CUSTOM-SADDLE-PADS/MATTES-CUSTOM-SADDLEPAD-WITH-SHEEPSKIN::293.html

There isn’t anything in the rules, it is more tradition, but this one would pass muster certainly at intro. Also, a lot of the color rules change so often no one really knows what they are anymore. For example in the dressage rules,

Horse Trials (Beginner Novice through Preliminary)—protective headgear— predominantly black or dark blue
, but people are often seen in grey or brown such as https://www.google.com/search?q=boyd+martin+dressage&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=1I1zU56nF6bEsAT_rYGIBQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=1075#q=boyd+martin+dressage+helmet&tbm=isch&facrc=&imgdii=&imgrc=Jz_FvQWiasqM6M%253A%3B5CJ3HL0_AngteM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.horsejunkiesunited.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2014%252F03%252F20140321_Carolina-CIC_Dressage0115.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fhorsejunkiesunited.com%252F%253Fp%253D80809%3B745%3B483

Go for it.

[MKV]

Thanks scubed!

[runNjump86]

I think it will look great!!

FYI Deborah Rosen showed in a black dressage pad at Rolex!

[Noctis]

I used a champagne pad through novice on my strange colored pony White always made her look dirty! Only got REALLY positive comments on it, she was a chestnut with a flaxen mane and it about matched The new boy also doesn’t wear white because again…makes him look dirty (champagne), he gets black or BARELY lilac.

[CANTEREOIN]

I’ve competed in black because using white on my white horse does make her look dirty. I would always be conservative…

[Wee_Dee_Trrr]

Depending on the color of my horse I use white (on my bay), champagne/off white (on my bay), black (on my former grey).

I like dark pads on light horses and light pads on dark horses.

[alto]

Well if you travel up to Canada

7. If a saddle pad is used, it must be solid white, off white, grey, black
   or other dark colour. It may have piping of a different colour to the pad.

A relief to know that we can skip the saddle pad altogether :lol: though somehow I suspect we’ll gather some very odd looks …

[Desert_Topaz]

I generally show with a navy pad and it has never been questioned, granted I’m eventing at the lowest of low levels. Last time I used it I actually got quite a few compliments (I stylishly embellished it a bit: white lattice ribbon.) If it gets me looks I don’t notice them as I just don’t care. It started when I had a white pony and when you put white against them the pony just looks yellow.

I do actually own a white dressage pad and it looks fabulous on my bay, but then I sold the dressage saddle, so now she’s wearing navy too. With my navy coat and navy helmet a navy pad just fits.

[downen]

My pad is white but it has martini glasses in the border…

[wildlifer]

Nope. Just says “conservative” colour. My dressage pad is gasp navy blue. So is my coat. When the jerks make me wear it.