Show attire Recognized vs unrecognized

I’m curious as to what the proper attire is mainly for the Dressage portion. Are Paddock boots and Black Leather half chaps acceptable? Do you have to ride in a Dressage saddle? Things of this nature.

Early this year my boy was injured by another horse and I almost lost him. Fortunately he’s ready to go back to work without limitations. If Mr Boo-boo doesn’t require any more visits from his friend Mr Vet we’ll be ready to show next year. As a guy everything is ridiculously expensive and having spent thousands in vet bills my play money is minimal. So I’m wondering what’s required vs what’s just nice vs what isn’t required but judges score on you anyhow.

By way of warning, I’m less fashion-conscious than many, but around here I’d go with light tan breeches, either tall boots or boots+halfchaps that match, and a white shirt with a collar. (Polo is fine.) Black gloves if you want 'em. Black helmet. Any English-style tack that fits you and the horse. (Note bitting restrictions in the rules, though.)

Reality vs rules: the rules say “conservative color” for the shirt, but white is expected. “Light color or white” for the breeches, but around here light tan is expected; I’ve heard white breeches called more appropriate for professionals. (White is much more the thing at pure dressage shows.) The rules say black or dark blue helmet, but that gets routinely ignored in favor of bling and nobody gets called on it that I’ve ever heard of; despite that I’d still opt for black if you have it, or anything that fits your head otherwise. Jackets are not required below Prelim, but around here I’d say most people at recognized shows wear them; at schooling shows, mostly not. (Add neckwear and a different shirt if you want the jacket.)

Nobody who matters cares if you have half-chaps or tall boots. Same for style of horse tack. If you’re matching, clean, and tidy, don’t worry about the turnout any more and stick to riding the best test you can. Since you’re talking about recognized vs not I’m assuming lower levels, but you don’t need a dressage (or jumping, or whatever) saddle until not having one is impacting your riding.

It’s gotten substantially more relaxed in recent years. Half chaps are supposed to be the smooth leather kind with matching paddock boots that can pass as tall boots, although at unrecognized events it’s unlikely anyone will care unless they’re pink. Pretty much any solid colored polo shirt or tech material shirt with a standup color is fine at the unrecognized events locally (I usually wear navy or black) but most people do wear white shirts at recognized events, and although jackets aren’t required they do wear them if it’s not disgustingly hot.

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At the unrecognized events I go to, it would be rare to see anyone in half chaps. Maybe a kid or something.

Jackets kinda depend on the weather- on a hot day for an unrecognized event no one seems to wear them. Not required at all.

I’ve seen lots of beginner-ish eventers do dressage in their jump saddle because they’re probably just getting into eventing and haven’t taken the plunge in purchasing a second saddle.

I did USEA events in a jacket, mostly because I look a hot mess otherwise. People, including pros do wear white polo shirts though. At Novice no judge ever commented on me riding dressage in a jumping saddle.