Proposed Dress rule changes!

[outerbanks77]

@Cowgirl

Why does it have to be more compicated than that: black helmet/black boots, and black gloves. There. Done.

So we are riding topless and pantsless now? That really would be relaxing the rules! Sorry, couldn’t resist!

I hope this goes through. It would reduce the stress factor when one has to be her own groom, and maybe it would encourage availability of breeches in more medium colors. It seems right now most are either very light or very dark.

[enjoytheride]

@Cowgirl

I am all for a uniform too! The uniform I would like to see is breeches with a polo or sun shirt, not a jacket. We don’t have winter shows here, but for a winter show, you could wear a long sleeved polo or riding shirt with a sweater over it, a vest or some kind of approved jacket. I’d like to see it recognize the athleticism. I wouldn’t even mind if they sold approved attire and limited the choices so that it truly IS a uniform.

Additionally, I think the current costumes add weight to a rider (so does the riding position). I’d rather see people wearing darker clothes than feeling like they have to wear spanx during the summer under all that stuff.

What? Are you saying that the dressage saddle and position for dressage makes riders look fat so people need to wear a specific brand required by the USDF so everyone looks the same?

This doesn’t make any sense.

[SillyHorse]

@Cowgirl

Why does it have to be more compicated than that: black helmet/black boots, and black gloves.

It doesn’t. If that’s what you want to wear, no rule change will prevent it.

[TheDBYC]

@Cowgirl

Visually. Riders on a horse in the sitting position with thighs flattened out and white pants–very unflattering. Skinny people look normal sized; normal sized people look chunky; chunky people feel the need to wear spanx, which is not healthy. Visual is part of the overall impression. Why not promote a visual that is flattering to everybody?

I’m still not following how dressage makes people look fatter than, say, hunters. Your leg should be against the saddle in all of them.

My interpretation is that the spirit of the proposed changes was intended to make it more inviting & affordable for riders of other disciplines to dabble in dressage by enabling them to come as they are, so to speak. I’m going to make the assumption that most of these riders aren’t going to pay to join the USDF & instead will start out with schooling shows. At least locally, where the hunter tradition is 100+ years strong & still dominates the area equestrian culture, the dressage community bends over backwards to make things open & inviting at the schooling level. It is very common to see riders at a dressage schooling show here in black or navy breeches & a short sleeved show shirt with integrated collar or a polo in a color other than white. Gloves do not have to be white. Helmets are simply supposed to be “conservative colored”, but I can’t imagine any of the dressage judges locally dinging a rider for wearing a bright colored/patterned schooling helmet (or for much of anything, really) when that rider had clearly made the effort to be neatly turned out.

At a local schooling hunters, 99 out of 100 riders will be in buff-colored TS or RJ Classics breeches, black coat, and black boots/helmet. Occasionally, some bold rider of a chestnut will wear a dark green or navy coat, or UK transplant rust or canary-colored breeches/jodhpurs & coat with a subtle pattern. That it is it. It is noticed if your coat has 4 buttons (dressage coat) instead of the requisite 3. Field hunters are similarly conservative & traditionally dressed. If any of these riders come as they are to a dressage test, they’re going to be more conservatively attired than is actually called for. They’d have to go out & buy dark-colored breeches & show shirts if that is what they wanted. Most eventers & show jumpers already own a couple pairs of white breeches. They’ll wear them. They are not going to bother going out & buying anything different.

Personally, I have no issue with a rule change to allow dark-colored breeches at USDF shows. I just don’t see a substantive difference in the dirt/flattery factor between white/light-colored breeches & the official buff breeches of hunter land that no one seems to take issue with. Personally, I’ve had better luck with white breeches because they’re typically heavier fabric than the buff. It’s expected that white breeches will get dirty. I once saw a show jumper walking around Upperville with their entire back, shirt & pants, stained with good old VA clay. Look close at pictures of riders like Charlotte Dujardin & Carl Hester post-ride. The inseam of their breeches is stained black from the saddle & arena dust is clearly visible. The only pristine white breeches I’ve seen are on a Pikeur model.

[BayAreaRider]

Why are spur required at high levels? Shouldn’t it be left to the rider to decide? On another note, why force the double bridle as well? Again shouldn’t it be left to the rider to decide what is best?

[lorilu]

Regarding spurs, I believe they are only “required” at the FEI show level (that’s the CDIs, not a “regular” USEF/USDF show), and “dummy” spurs are permitted (they have no shank) SInce the spur is a refinement of the leg aid, I suppose it is expected that upper level riders have a refined leg.
Regarding DOubles, they are now optional all the way up to GP at National shows. Here is a good resource for USDF/USEF shows: https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/sAH3nOVD85c/dressage-attire-equipment-booklet

[AltersAreUs]

@TheDBYC

I’m still not following how dressage makes people look fatter than, say, hunters. Your leg should be against the saddle in all of them.

If you don’t understand how unflattering white breeches are when compared, to say, dark grey, me thinks you aren’t a dressage rider OR you are a lovely size 4 or lower. Which, good for you, but seriously, even buff colored breeches are more forgiving than stark white.

Color (and fabric weight) MATTER when putting together a “picture” and darker colors are a hell’a lot more forgiving than flat white, It doesn’t really flatter anyone but brides and even then, a nice ivory is normally the better choice.

[TheDBYC]

That wasn’t the question, though @AltersAreUs. It was why dressage, specifically, would make one look fatter because your “thigh is flat against the saddle”.

Eta: As far as I can determine, buff & cream breeches are allowed through 4th level under the current dress code. Probably even light grey. Hopefully, someone who knows for sure can verify.

[Heinz_57]

Yes, the wording is white or light-colored. I tried to insert a screenshot of DR120.1, but it won’t load. Lots of non-white colors to choose from!

[atr]

White breeches are a personal or peer pressure choice, even at the FEI levels. Lots of lovely alternative turnouts–brown shadbellies/helmets/boots and cream breeches/accessories, for instance, out there.

My very old-school trainer flinches somewhat at my buff or pale grey breeches, but she gets over it…

[LetItBe]

Just wanted to report back that the SmartPak Soft Shell coat I linked earlier in the thread was a little too bright. I did however get a Horseware jacket (https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/horseware-competition-jacket-11008) in Hunter Green to try and after ordering the right size kept that one.

LetItBe

[SillyHorse]

@LetItBe

Just wanted to report back that the SmartPak Soft Shell coat I linked earlier in the thread was a little too bright. I did however get a Horseware jacket (https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/horseware-competition-jacket-11008) in Hunter Green to try and after ordering the right size kept that one.

LetItBe

It’s beautiful! You realize you’ll be eliminated for having only three buttons instead of four, right? (kiddingkiddingkiddingkidding)

[LetItBe]

Ha! That I know I won’t be as I’ve shown in the past in a wool hunter green jacket with 3 buttons that was too big on me! The funny thing is when I got my first ‘real’ dressage coat and wore it at Regionals the in gate asked where my green coat was.

I did like the material on the SmartPak coat better and I’m not sure how the smaller size would have fit. But the Horseware coat in the smaller size fit perfectly except for sleeve length. For a backup coat, AND most importantly a green, you can’t beat the price.

LetItBe

[ThreeWishes]

I think if you’re naughty and wind up
In some ring of hell they make you wear white breeches. I don’t care how fit you are white breeches SUCK.

[BayAreaRider]

Good to hear that here in the US things are improving. Now USEF needs to work on FEI.

[Caol_Ila]

This is excellent news for you guys in the US. British Dressage specifies white, cream, or beige. I can live in hope, right?

Now if they got rid of stock ties, I would be dancing in the streets. Who thought wearing a piece of strangling white fabric around your neck, generally on roasting summer days, was a good idea? Other sportspeople wear stuff which improves performance, safety, or even if it’s just for looks, it at least doesn’t impede those things, but we get stock ties, which are uncomfortable and horrible and a pain in the arse. I don’t think they look good on anyone.

Apologies to everyone who likes them.

[SillyHorse]

If your stock tie is strangling you, you are tying it too tight.

[Dutchmare433]

We actually aren’t required to wear stock ties in the US. A stand up collar, integrated stock, etc are allowed.

[TheDBYC]

@Caol_Ila

Now if they got rid of stock ties, I would be dancing in the streets. Who thought wearing a piece of strangling white fabric around your neck, generally on roasting summer days, was a good idea? O

Hunters wear em, too. They were originally intended to act as a quick sling or (God forbid) tourniquet.

[Caol_Ila]

I used the velcro ones and it could never be loose enough. But I really hate stuff around my neck. I’m from in the US originally and showed there, but it was the late 90s/early 2000s, and my hazy memory is that they were required.

Reading BD rules suggests they are required on this side of the pond. But at the moment, that’s a future problem.