Show Jumpers Attire in the ring

[Feeltheride]

I compete in the Jumper ring and as I go show to show (A - AA ) ratings I have notice the girls attire has really gone to the Backyard look.
I am observing this at training level, Low/high Adult, AO and Level jumpers. This excludes the Grand Prix level.

I see the hair hanging out of the hat, long sleeve show shirts are just rolled up, top button undone with the bra showing even sleeveless shirts.

The Dress code has really gotten lax. What has become of the Dress Code in the Jumper ring.

It is very disappointing to see this at a rated show

[alternate_universe]

Ponytails are arguably a safety choice. Many people feel that having your hair under the helmet negatively effects helmet fit. You see many ponytails and braids in Europe at all levels.

Undergarments showing is never cool.

[hunterrider23]

I’m not sure what show’s you’re going to but I have never seen that. I’ve seen neat polos or eis shirts where formal attire isn’t specified and hair out of helmet occasionally (which I hate), but never the sloppy look unless it is something already expected out of a certain barn/trainer.

[Jumpthejump]

In the jumper ring where I show mostly the dress code isn’t in effect really until the weekend. We wear polo shirts, moderately coloured breeches etc. and our hair up of course, but otherwise no one cares. It irks me when girls wear pink or purple, even red breeches at all though, weekend or not, I find it disrespectful.

There are bigger shows that we take more consideration for.

[Sarah616]

Hair out drives me BONKERS. especially in big classes. If you’re wearing your white pants and jacket, don’t ruin the look with a ponytail flapping down your back.

Dirty boots drive me nuts too. I was watching the big child/adult nighttime classic in Ocala last year and saw dirty boots, too short boots, ill fitting clothes, flapping hair… I think I even saw a cell phine still attached to one rider’s belt.

At the local level, or even the level or weekday classes at big shows, I follow the belief that you should dress well. That way, even if you muck up in the ring, you at least look the part of the winner.

Fun story. We had two girls showing this summer who would show with their hair down. One had beautiful, long, smooth hair that looked relatively neat, even when down (still drove me nuts). The other had kind of frizzy hair, that was never neatly pulled back, and looked messy. Well, we were at dinner with a jumper judge one night, and he went on a RANT about girls showing with their hair down. He said not only was it unattractive and distracting, it was also a safety hazard! The very next morning, all hair was tucke neatly under helmets. And wouldn’t you know it, those helmets fit snugly and comfortably! :lol:

This same judge will give warnings or excuse riders at our local shows for not having their shirts tucked in. Definitely excused for not having a collared shirt or having a cell phone when in the ring.

[alternate_universe]

I think the argument about hair in helmets is that if a girl has a lot of hair than the helmet is going to end up being a bigger size than what she’d need with her hair down. Given that, the helmet may not be as secure as you’d want it or working the way it’s supposed to if it has a thick, uneven layer of hair between it and your skull.

Any helmet gurus want to chime in? There was a post on it awhile back.

[melody1]

I have fairly thick hair though it only reaches my mid-shoulderblade when down (which is far less than some ladies have!) and I bought my helmet (CO) with the ability to put my hair up. I usually school with my hair in a low ponytail. The helmet is slightly tighter with my hair, slightly looser without, but in both instances I would consider it to be a “good fit”.

To show, I always always always go with a hairnet and hair under the helmet. I was eaten alive the last time I involved myself in a discussion about rider turnout, but I always do my best to present a nice picture when I’m riding in public.

I left the h/j world for dressage several years ago, but I did pick up a catch ride in September and this was our turnout.

http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/donstine/albums/horse_shows/373594_131132/browse/10/?w=574&h=425

[JFCeventer]

I have long, thick hair that does not fit in my helmet and never will. I just put it in a neat bun at the base of my neck, put my hairnet over it, and secure the heck out of it with hair elastics and bobby pins. As far as I can tell from watching videos, it is very unnoticeable and looks perfectly neat.

Even for the schooling jumper shows at the local h/j barn I always wear tan breeches, clean tall boots, and a collared shirt tucked in to my breeches. Along with clean tack and a white saddle pad. The horse should look neat too! No neon pink saddle pads or lime green boots. Of course, I have seen one girl show at one of these shows in sweatpants and muck boots and no one said a word… :rolleyes:

[kenyarider]

As much as I hate the Euro trash look, the problem is that helmets are made to fit skulls, not hair, so shoving a bunch of hair under a helmet does make it not fit. Unfortunately those who decide what’s appropriate for hunter/jumper fashion normally have no hair left so they are not really concerned about fit. I am not a fan of eventer’s buns but really, helmets should fit skulls. Having a wad of hair under a helmet makes the helmet unfit for its purpose and therefore not really safe. Not that this will change the views about hair and helmets. The idea that long hair is unsafe comes from the idea that somehow long hair would get tangled in something. Never seen it and never heard of it happening but that’s the reason behind it. I suspect it is akin to ladies don’t sit with their legs crossed over their knee custom.

[kalidascope]

Hair doesn’t have to go up underneath the helmet. It can be braided and folded or bunned and sit at the nape of the neck in a hairnet.

[pbrchickcs3]

IMO: (no need to attack it, its just my opinion) Local level jumper attire should be breeches, tucked in and at least short sleeved polo, a belt, and riding boots. Riding boots being either your paddock boots and garters, paddock boots and half chaps, or tall boots. I think it is respect to the judge to at least attempt putting your hair up under your helmet and in a hairnet, but a neat braid or bun would suffice.

For rated shows, depends on the class. You’re schooling jumpers and pre-classic classes you can do muted breeches of gray, black, navy, tan, etc. and a tucked in clean at least short sleeved polo or your show shirt in a more relaxed look (ie the before mentioned open collar and rolled up sleeves). Always with a belt. Always tucked in everytime. It is expected your hair is up and in a hairnet. For your classics always tan or whites breeches, a tucked in show shirt with ratcatcher, or color to provide the same effect (those new collars on the show shirts that snap across), and a jacket of muted color of black, navy, charcoal, etc.

Shows usually have all of this outlined in their prizelist and I “believe” (don’t bite my head off if that’s not right) a judge can excuse you for not having the proper attire.

Big wig professionals usually get the attire part down up until you see some with their hair flapping. I do have to say I highly dislike when men have hair that is coming out of all sides of their helmet as well, not just the women. They should keep their hair tidy as well (haircuts do wonders ;)).

A big pet peeve I’ve heard of from judges is when they see someone at a local show unkept and hair flapping, but then the next weekend see them at rated put together nicely. They say it shows the disregard for the local show judges that are actually the same judges that are at the rated.

I prefer the look of in a hairnet and tucked under the helmet, but agree that as someone with thick longer hair it is quite a pain trying to find the right fit for my helmet. I’d like to know if there were any studies done about the effects of hair up vs. not up in a helmet and the likeliness of increase of injury!

[Feeltheride]

Thanks for all the comments, and views. Glad to know I am not the only one.

As for the long hair not fitting under the hat, my daughter had thick long hair. I would braid it like you would a horses mane with the yarn braided in it. I then flip it up into the top of braid just like you would for (mane braiding) and then wrap it with the yarn then put the hair net on. This would hold up all day and look very neat and tidy.
Someone brought up the Cell Phones hanging on the Belts. That really Urks me to see this especially when it goes off, which I have heard one do. The judge excused that rider. I thought I read a rule that no cell Phones allowed on the belt when you enter the ring.

And what is up with the blue jean look riding pants.

[tweetfaip]

I guess I’m confused, is this a sport or a fashion show?

The Europeans seem to be turned out well enough, maybe we should worry less about fashion and more about performance…

[RugBug]

@JFCeventer;7316452

I have long, thick hair that does not fit in my helmet and never will. I just put it in a neat bun at the base of my neck, put my hairnet over it, and secure the heck out of it with hair elastics and bobby pins. As far as I can tell from watching videos, it is very unnoticeable and looks perfectly neat.

My hair is so thick that if I try a bun at the base of my neck (which I did long ago before I learned how to buy a helmet correctly to fit my hair), I can’t move my head. I literally cannot look up. :shrug: I have absolutely no problem getting my hair in a helmet that is purchased with that in mind…even when my hair is waist-length.

[QUOTE=kenyarider;7316456]As much as I hate the Euro trash look, the problem is that helmets are made to fit skulls, not hair, so shoving a bunch of hair under a helmet does make it not fit. Unfortunately those who decide what’s appropriate for hunter/jumper fashion normally have no hair left so they are not really concerned about fit. I am not a fan of eventer’s buns but really, helmets should fit skulls. Having a wad of hair under a helmet makes the helmet unfit for its purpose and therefore not really safe.
[/quote]

Do you have scientific testing proof of these comments? Because until you do, it’s just conjecture.

My hair does not change the shape of my skull. My helmets are purchased to fit with my hair in them and the meet all requirements of a good fit. I have slightly bigger ones for when my hair is long and smaller ones for when it is short.

Anecdotally, if hair in a helmet made it unsafe or not serve its purpose, we’d most likely see helmets failing at an high rate since the majority of h/j riders wear their hair up.

[KateKat]

Wow, that just sounds really disrespectful to the show and the judges. Where are these people’s trainers? Do the trainers dress the same way?

My trainer is not a dress code nazi but she expects for us (and our horses) to a) follow the dress rules as laid out in the prize list, which usually includes tall boots and a collared shirt for most classes, coat in classics/prixs and b) look clean, neat and well presented because its a reflection on HER. And as her student, I respect and adhere to those expectations whether its a local show or an AA show.

[kirbydog]

[QUOTE=tweetfaip;7316987]
I guess I’m confused, is this a sport or a fashion show?

The Europeans seem to be turned out well enough, maybe we should worry less about fashion and more about performance…[/QUOTE]
Every major pro sport has a dress code, so why not us? A Chicago Bear was just recently fined $15k for wearing the wrong color shoes…i don’t think that putting your hair up or buttoning your collar is too much to ask!
I agree with GM on the premise that if you turn your self and your horse out like slobs, it’s going to reflect back in your performance, some way or another. JMO…

[supershorty628]

I like my breeches that look like denim, is that weird? I don’t show in them though.

A loose ponytail in the show ring bugs me. A neat braid does not. The ponytail just looks sloppy, IMO.

[ParadoxFarm]

I tend to ride at my local schooling show jumper classes with a hunt coat and the whole nine yards. I am about the only one unless the rider is also doing a hunter class. Might be overkill, but I’m always thinking, what looks best in pictures?

[lrp1106]

[QUOTE=tweetfaip;7316987]
I guess I’m confused, is this a sport or a fashion show?

The Europeans seem to be turned out well enough, maybe we should worry less about fashion and more about performance…[/QUOTE]

It’s not about “fashion”, but about “professionalism”. I don’t think it is necessary to keep up with the latest and greatest to look professional.

Clean, muted breeches (muted neutrals are fine when appropriate)
Short/long sleeved polo
Sweater
CLEAN (not gunky! ick) EIS shirt
Show shirt that is either buttoned up or NEATLY un-buttoned (there is totally a neatly un-buttoned and a scraggly un-buttoned)
Clean jacket

Now, there is room for fun and spice. Sometimes, in weekday jumper classes, I wear my Black Forest TS with a muted neutral polo. I love grey and green show jackets. So there can be an element of fashion to it, but turnout should ALWAYS be PROFESSIONAL.

[tweetfaip]

[QUOTE=lrp1106;7318015]
It’s not about “fashion”, but about “professionalism”. I don’t think it is necessary to keep up with the latest and greatest to look professional.

Clean, muted breeches (muted neutrals are fine when appropriate)
Short/long sleeved polo
Sweater
CLEAN (not gunky! ick) EIS shirt
Show shirt that is either buttoned up or NEATLY un-buttoned (there is totally a neatly un-buttoned and a scraggly un-buttoned)
Clean jacket

Now, there is room for fun and spice. Sometimes, in weekday jumper classes, I wear my Black Forest TS with a muted neutral polo. I love grey and green show jackets. So there can be an element of fashion to it, but turnout should ALWAYS be PROFESSIONAL.[/QUOTE]

Can’t argue with that.

What gets to me is when the emphasis becomes on a perception of what is proper based on what is the current fad or some BNT said somewhere, sometime. Times change, even Wimbledon has changed their dress code so that athletes can compete in clothing that is more suitable than yesterdays clothing while still keeping the spirit of their all white tradition.