Lots of questions on this. Anyone wear them?
Anyone know the rules on this? Is it very common? Do military personnel have a choice in wearing the uniform or to wear regular ring attire?
I would love to hear everything about it! It’s pretty interesting. The “bellboy” riding in badminton got me wondering
I just asked my other half (he’s US Army retired). He says it would not be allowed from an Army standpoint because your breeches and boots wouldn’t fit military uniform policies. Basically you could get in trouble from your superiors if they found out. But that’s just the US military. I don’t know about elsewhere.
Didn’t Mike Matson serve? He might be a good person to ask.
Hmm, I would guess that anyone showing in any kind of competition in a military uniform is from some sort of cavalry or special unit? I don’t think it’s just any military persons of any kind wearing their uniforms. ???
I recalled a thread on this from years ago (2010 to be exact) and here’s what Mike Matson posted back then:
"I compete in military attire in dressage as a Navy officer. I went through my chain of command for permission, including the Navy Bureau of Personnel and legal review. I was also one of two officers who got the USEF dressage rule reinstated about wearing military or police attire in competition. I ride in white breeches, black boots, and white gloves, the rest of the attire being regulation military.
If the OP is interested in the paperwork for such approval, contact me and I will be glad to provide it. Here is a link to me competing in uniform a few years back.
http://www.equimusic.com/content/ima…14607301079037"
Unfortunately, I can’t figure out how to tag him due to the space in his username.
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Actually, it is in the rulebook that current and retired members of the police and armed forces can compete in their uniforms, although the rules explicitly state that they have to wear a helmet.
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The Air Force has it written in their AFI that you can wear the service coat with a black helmet and white breeches…at least that’s what I remember when I read it a few years ago. It may have changed since then. I don’t think it’s very common in the US.
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That’s what I noticed watching Badminton. There are a lot more military uniforms there, along with top hats. I wonder why America does not have a lot of military personnel riding in uniform? We have a larger standing army than France does for example.
Admittedly this is conjecture based off of living next door to a military base, but it seems like a lot of the servicemen and -women who ride, ride western. It seems like the intersection of people who serve in the military and the people who grew up riding English is really quite small.
This is so neat! I like seeing the military uniforms.
There are many countries in which military service is required, and several who still maintain cavalry/equitation schools. The current Badminton dressage leader is a trainer at the Cadre Noir in France and wore the uniform, which would seem entirely appropriate.
The Norwich University equestrian team used to compete in uniform. I don’t know if they’re still fielding a team or not.
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I agree. Having served for 13 years, I’ve only met a handful of service members who ride English.
we have had army officers wear uniform fox hunting. They had to get permission but did it for opening hunt.
you can find pictures of gen george patton competing in uniform.
Interesting since Fort Rucker AL used to have and host an event, and I have seen riders competing locally here in MD in eventing in her military uniform and the Causson units at Arlington Ride in Militaty for each branch of service…
My friend wore hers at the Champs in Ontario, a lot of people loved it! It depends on what country you serve, I believe some are required at International Competition.
I suppose if one was competing at a high level or some sort of finals/championships, it would be worth it, but seeing what DH goes through every time that uniform has to come out, there’s no way he’s going to risk it getting dirty or sweaty! I’d imagine most of your average ammies, if they’re anything like DH, would feel a bit ostentatious showing up in their dress uniforms at an every day show.
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I would think that the military uniform would be most appropriate at events or levels where the rule book requires “formal dress.” The rules change for acceptable dress once you compete at the upper levels (for example you can’t wear a brown tweed jacket for Intermediate show jumping) and then the FEI has it’s own rules for their events that would also preclude “informal” wear.
So a rule of thumb in my mind would be if you are allowed to wear a shadbelly in dressage or a red coat in show jumping a military uniform would be appropriate. Not sure it is technically against the rules (or that it should be) for the lower levels but it does seem like a bit of over kill.
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I thoroughly enjoyed the British commentators, but found it quite interesting (and a bit annoying) that they went on and on (and on!) about Thibault Vallette’s outfit, as he is a member of the Cadre Noir in Saumur, a prestigious national riding school, and that it is a well recognized uniform in the horse world!
Yes that’s how I would define it. More for international or ‘team’ events instead of say, the 3’ Mini Prix or Hunter Derby which would technically require formal wear but probably not THAT formal.
