Does anyone use Kerrits breeches for showing? If so, which model? I’m looking for a lower-priced breech suitable for showing. I like the breeches with the black seat, which is why I’m interested in Kerrits. Though, I’m open for suggestions if anyone has any! Thanks.
The rules require white or light colored breeches. I’m not exactly sure what you mean by “suitable for showing,” or more to the point, perhaps, what would make breeches not suitable for showing, other than color.
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I have the white Kerrits crossover II model with a full black seat. Perfect for Spring, Summer and Fall. Just make sure not to get the ones with the side snaps, they fit funny.
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I wear the crossover IIs as well.
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By suitable for showing, basically with the Kerrits, I don’t think any “tights” would be suitable for showing. :winkgrin: Even in the h/j ring, I have “show breeches” and “schooling” breeches, and “lesson” breeches. And I wasn’t sure about the black seat. So was just asking other’s opinions to learn. I have blue crossovers, so those should work in white! Thanks, all!
I think those rules aren’t as applicable to dressage…nobody sane schools in white breeches. In HJ land schooling breeches are “colors” and show breeches are “beige” and if you’re of that persuasion a particular brand. Dressage people wear whatever as long as it’s white.
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It’s a great question - I’m hoping to show next year too, and have fallen in love with the Kerrits pull on riding tights. So comfortable and inexpensive. This winter I’ll be starting my search for show clothes that are affordable but don’t scream re-rider either 
As long as it’s a breech (not a riding tight) and white (except for maybe some grey or black on the full-seat part), it’s okay for dressage showing. 
Mine are Horze brand, I believe, but my friends show in white Ariats, white Tredsteps, white Smartpak Pipers…pretty much any nice, white breech that fits well and is comfortable. The only difference between “show” and “lesson/schooling” breeches in Dressage Land is that show breeches are white because rules and lesson/schooling/clinic/anything-other-than-showing breeches are NOT white because WHO decided that riding horses mixed well with wearing white?!? Deep sigh.
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Yes…I cannot imagine schooling in anything white. Honestly, I rarely school in beige or tan either. I prefer dirt-hiding-dark colors! 
Thanks, all.
Can anyone that is judging you tell if you are riding in breeches versus tights? As long as the color works why does it matter?
(This is a sincere question.)
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Technically you don’t have to wear white breeches - the rules say “white or light colored”. Realistically, most riders will be in white, although I’ve seen some lovely outfits with cream and dove grey.
I’ve seen plenty of people show in Kerrits and other brands with a dark seat color. I showed last year in Pikeurs with a grey seat. I’ve also seen people show in riding tights, particularly in the summer.
There are no points for outfits, so wear anything you’re comfortable in that meets the required dress code.
USEF dress code below:
- 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.
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I showed in these this year and they were great. Now that I’m well out of my 20s, I have zero desire for anyone to see anything resembling my panty line.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0…c=1&pldnSite=1 (Kerrits Griptek II Full Seat Breech)
And @trubandloki, I can’t imagine they could. Especially if you wear boots up to your knees and a coat down to your hips, we’re talking maybe 16 inches of fabric exposed on the thigh. And even if they could tell they were tights not breeches, I can’t imagine a judge caring at all.
You are wrong about this. Here is a link to the rules. https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/F3p8pgrWgAo/dr-dressage-division Go to DR120 and read up.
White is not necessary. Light colored pants are perfectly acceptable at all levels governed by USEF rules.
Why not a tight? Only one’s thighs show between the jacket and boots, so who would know?
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The sincere answer is “No, it doesn’t matter.”
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If I were in the riding-clothing biz, I would come out with fullseat show breeches in the very palest of blues & palest greens, as well as more options in grey, so that competitors these days could coordinate with all their Navy & Green jackets while wearing something other than bright white, and still be very much within the rules. And what about a lavender that’s so-just-barely lavender?
Really, I think a very light blue would sell like crazy.
But I’m not in the biz, and nobody asked me, so there you go!
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Whoops–I thought there was an actual rule about breeches vs. tights, and I forgot about the “or light colored” bit. You’re totally right, SillyHorse. Mea culpa!
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For me, personally, I don’t want to wear tights for shows not because of any rules, but because I simply don’t look as good in them as I do a more structured breech. That’s all. At my age, I don’t have the athletic body of a 20-year-old.
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This makes perfect sense.
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I have shown at a schooling show in light beige Kerrit tights.I haven’t done a recognized show yet but I’ve honestly just considered doing the same thing unless it’s cold outside. Then I’d show in light colored FITS. I look terrible in white pants and dread wearing that color.
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I occasionally see people at recognized shows in light-colored breeches (or maybe they’re tights – who could tell?). They all look sharp.
