Is it legal to wear sunglasses in dressage, and if so why doesn’t anyone seem to do it? It would really help my show day migraines.
I was at a show last weekend and after I finished my test I had to hand my horse to a friend and puke behind the barn from the pain. It’s a real issue and I’d love to be able to reduce the risk of a repeat.
I do it, have done it, and it’s legal or at least I’ve never been questioned about it.
Yes it’s legal, and some people do wear them but it is slightly unconventional - though I couldn’t say why exactly. I wear transitions glasses, and usually contacts for shows but I’ve forgotten to put contacts in a few times and felt a bit awkward with my transition glasses looking like sunglasses. I was probably the only person that noticed or cared. If I had a medical condition and sunglasses made me feel better I would wear them.
UV blocking zero power contact lenses are available, so may be worth exploring if you don’t want to stand out from the crowd.
I wear them. now, I don’[t show rated, but I have to say I woudl probably still wear them. I have light colored eyes and can’t tolerate extreme sun…
there are zero rules about eyewear in the showring. If you need sunglasses then get a pair that are adequate and functional, low profile and fits safely and securely under the helmet. There are many sport model frames that have straps which can secure the glasses.
I have blue eye syndrome as well which has become worse the older I am.
I posted in the other thread about how I have started wearing sunglasses this summer to ride and show in due to migraines. I haven’t in the dressage ring yet (I event maybe 3 times a year, so I am rarely in the dressage ring).
But wanted to just say I really sympathize with show day migraines. They are real, they are horrible, and they really suck the joy out of something that is supposed to be fun.
It’s legal. I wear them every show (unless it is overcast). I live in Florida. I can’t justify blinding myself for the sake of etiquette.
I used to be a coach for a High School Equestrian team, the MIHA operates using Michigan 4H rules. I did have one judge one season attempt to DQ a rider for gymkhana due to medically necessary sunglasses.
That’s the only time I’ve ever seen an issue with them, and it was such a fluke thing.
I showed rated last weekend in sunglasses 3/4 tests (the last test they were fogging like crazy, so I took them off at the last moment). Just make sure they don’t slip.
Wear them if you want to. Don’t wear them if you don’t want to.
There are zero rules about sunglasses in dressage, wear them! I also puke in the sun so don’t care if it’s not trendy.
They are unusual to see in competition, but I know a couple of people who wear them. I’ve never, ever heard a judge comment on the riders wearing sunglasses. If you need to wear them for your comfort - go for it.
I’d only comment that make sure they work well with your helmet, consider wearing a strap so they stay put, and make sure they fit so as not to steam up if you sweat. It would be horrible to not be able to see through your sunglasses in the middle of a test when you can’t just stop to adjust to relieve the steam.
I have fairly strong prescription glasses and for riding I have transition plus trifocal. I needed that because otherwise I was constantly taking them on and off to peer at hooves, labels, etc. When I go into an indoor arena they revert to clear. I never think about them.
I think a lot of athletes including equestrians who need vision correction go for contact lenses because that’s one less thing to fall off and distract you and get broken. But I gave up on contacts years ago. If I think I might actually come off a horse I leave off my glasses and put on an eventing vest too!
Anyhow, I think it would be hardly noticeable what you had on your face in the show ring.
I do, my trainer does, her husband does, one of our juniors do. Junior and I have more aviator style (sports style don’t fit well on my head), my trainer and her husband use Uvex. No one has complained. On the vanity side, I do use smaller aviator style frames, I wore my normal driving sunglasses once and they took over my face.
For training purposes, everyone in the barn that I can think of wears them. It’s bright here! Most of us have some kind of bluetooth sunglass so we can have easy two-way communication with our trainer without having to shriek at one another. I have Lucyd Lytes (they were a lot less expensive than the Bose ones and they weigh nothing.)
Dear Horse got spooked by something the other day when I was leading him. I didn’t let go fast enough and he span me through the air, I landed hard, face first and downhill, and plowed a furrow through the gravel with the helmet brim and nose. Glasses didn’t budge and were unscathed and damage to my face was minimal. (I can’t say the same for the rest of my body which was road rash central, and my right shoulder hates me again. And I had a hole in the knee of my breeches. Go large or go home…)
I wouldn’t wear them in the show ring as the communication part would certainly be illegal, but I do wear regular sunnies. No-one cares, truly. All the judges I know would much rather you be comfortable and focused so you could ride your best.
I show in sunglasses when it’s sunny, at GP, never had it questioned. Do what makes you comfortable.
There are usually two or three people wearing them at the shows around here
Ditto to Florida: If there is no cover on the show ring (or warmup) and the footing is light colored, it can be blinding. Have used them on multiple occasions.
I cant see without them when its bright!
Make sure they dont fall down amd bobble in your canter work!
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