Tattoos and Eventing?

[TipsyTrout]

Hello everyone!

I’m sorry if this has been asked before, I am new on the Forum I am just getting back into showing after about 10 years out of the show ring and just riding for fun. During my 10 years off, I obtained many tattoos, some on my arms and can be seen in short sleeve shirts and also on my wrist. I know I can just cover everything up, but my main concern is during warm months here in Virginia and wanting to wear short sleeves. Does anyone know if this is frowned upon or maybe if someone has similar experience with this?

I blame my pinterest board and 18 year old self for the amount of tattoos, lol.

Thank you in advance!

[poltroon]

I always wear long sleeves when I am judged and I don’t have tattoos. IMHO, some of the new sunshirts are probably cooler and nicer than bare skin plus sunscreen.

I don’t think anyone would care for the most part, and certainly not for hacking or objectively judged jump phases. However, my trainer always wanted us to wear long sleeves cross country just for the bit of armor sleeves provide in a fall.

[rockonxox]

I don’t think anybody will care about your tattoos. Maybe in the dressage it wouldn’t hurt to wear long sleeves (there shouldn’t be bias and tattoos aren’t what is part of judge criteria so shouldn’t be a problem, but just like bling it could bring focus so you better be on point with the riding). XC & SJ wouldn’t matter at all. I have a wrist tattoo that my gloves cover for the most part… and I try to always wear a jacket in dressage (or I also do hunters and even if they are waived for heat I still tend to wear them unless it is absolutely stifling).

[JER]

If a judge marks you down for tattoos, the judge should be disciplined for improper procedure and possibly investigated for corruption.

[Scribbler]

The Dressage phase is the only subjective phase of eventing and as far as I know, it requires a jacket. Unless jackets are waived for heat.

Turnout is not judged for show jumping or cross country.

[GraceLikeRain]

I’ve seen a fair amount of tattoos across all disciplines including straight dressage. The only time I think it is best to keep them covered is if there is any profanity or explicit content, especially if there may be children around. Otherwise, I don’t think you should feel pressured to cover them.

For health reasons I’ve switched from summer polos to long sleeve sun shirts with the mesh underside to maximize sun protection but I know not everyone is a fan.

[Janet]

@Scribbler

The Dressage phase is the only subjective phase of eventing and as far as I know, it requires a jacket. Unless jackets are waived for heat.

It may depend on WHERE you are, but on the east coast all phases are run on the same day-

EV114.8 At Eventing Tests or at any level when all three phases of a Horse Trials are contested over one day - Protective headgear and protective vests as above. Clothing as appropriate for the test in progress (see below), or at the competitor’s option - boots, britches, spurs and gloves - as applicable for the test being performed. Long or short sleeved shirt with collar and without neckwear, of a conservative color, neatly tucked into riding breeches.

[amb]

@TipsyTrout

Does anyone know if this is frowned upon or maybe if someone has similar experience with this?

The rules don’t care. I’m sure you can find a reactionary blowhard somewhere who would frown on it. If the rules OK short sleeves, I’d say go for it.

[BoringEventer]

I’ve never had anyone say anything to me about my tattoos, while competing or while simply on show grounds. I’ve never found any rules specifying tattoos must be covered or anything mentioning them at all, really.

Unless you happen to have something that’s pretty inappropriate I don’t think you’ll probably have any issues as long as you’re following dress rules.

[HiJumpGrrl]

Um. Boyd has some seriously lovely back tattoos that you can see when he’s sweaty and wearing a white shirt. (Shut up, who doesn’t look? haha) So no, I don’t think it is thought of poorly.

[JER]

@GraceLikeRain

The only time I think it is best to keep them covered is if there is any profanity or explicit content…

This is great advice for all those eventers who have F*CK DRESSAGE tattoos.

[Highflyer]

@JER

This is great advice for all those eventers who have F*CK DRESSAGE tattoos.

This is a great tattoo idea for eventers who need last minute Christmas gifts.

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

I cover my tattoos at competitions and on sunny days because I don’t want them to fade. But when they are exposed no one ever says anything negative about them. Even at stuffy dressage clinics held in indoor arenas when my tattoos are out in the open, no clinician or spectator has ever suggested that I hide them at a show.

Tattoos are pretty commonplace among equestrians, and I don’t think anyone should worry being scored poorly because of them.

[evilc123]

@Janet

It may depend on WHERE you are, but on the east coast all phases are run on the same day-

EV114.8 At Eventing Tests or at any level when all three phases of a Horse Trials are contested over one day - Protective headgear and protective vests as above. Clothing as appropriate for the test in progress (see below), or at the competitor’s option - boots, britches, spurs and gloves - as applicable for the test being performed. Long or short sleeved shirt with collar and without neckwear, of a conservative color, neatly tucked into riding breeches.

Not that it matters too much, but I’ve done a bunch of multi day events on the east coast. To the OP—I think it’s good form to wear a jacket for dressage even if it’s hot. As others have mentioned, the jumping phases don’t matter much as long as you’re within guidelines.