Wearing Military Uniforms While Competing

[merrygoround]

@eventingleroyb

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.

Perhaps because Britain and many European countries have active cavalry units. WE no longer do, except for the ceremonial ones at Arlington.

[Highflyer]

There are a couple of lower level riders locally who compete in uniform for dressage.

[Ajierene]

@subk

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.

It is well within the rules to wear service dress/class A uniform during dressage or show jumping. When one would wear it depends on the person and the branch. The person who got Air Force Instruction 36-2903 - dress and appearance changed posted here that she competes (or did at the time) Novice Eventing. Me, personally, would not bring it out and risk getting it dirty for anything less than the Training 3 Day but I hate cleaning it (or anything for that matter - don’t look at my tack).

Air Force service dress may actually be a bit under-dressed for upper levels as the Air Force still has Mess Dress - formal wear. That in my mind would be closer to shad belly/red coat wear. The Army did away with Mess Dress pretty recently, so they would wear their service/dress uniform.

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

@merrygoround

Perhaps because Britain and many European countries have active cavalry units. WE no longer do, except for the ceremonial ones at Arlington.

Not 100% accurate. There is a good sized horse cavalry detachment at Ft Hood in Texas and a few more scattered around the country. There is an annual competition put on by the US Cavalry Association. http://www.uscavalry.org/

In looking for current info, I also found that Special Forces have used horses in Afghanistan and the Air Force uses them for patrol at a couple of locations.

[GoneAway]

Despite some of the info posted here, US military personnel ARE allowed to wear the uniform, but with permission through the proper channels. I know the Air Force approved an official “equestrian uniform” a few years ago - don’t know if the other services have anything in writing, but if members want to, they can pursue getting approval to wear it.

As to why more military members don’t wear it? Honestly, as an active duty member, a horse show is probably the LAST place I’d like to wear my uniform. It requires dry cleaning (unlike today’s tech fabric coats that can be machine washed), it’s hot, doesn’t move nearly as well as it’s not designed to be ridden in…can’t think if a good reason to wear it, honestly. Factor in the requirement to get approval prior to wearing probably explains why a lot of people never bother. On another note (not that I’d foresee any legitimate threats at a horse show of all places), general guidance these days (with ISIS threats and your average everyday whackos) is not to wear it outside of work unless absolutely necessary. Our current environment requires us making ourselves less of a target.

But seriously…screw dry cleaning. And horse hair/slobber/mud all over the ribbons and accoutrements…no thank you.

[billiebob]

I used to work in the stables of a military academy, and the cadets that competed wore their formal uniforms to do so (since they had to be in approved dress when school was in session, even when not in class). Obviously they weren’t official military, but seeing riders compete in formal dress brings back a lot of fond memories for me. I will never forget the first time I groomed at Devon – two of my friends and my instructor at the time competed in hunt teams. The cadets were wearing their uniforms and the instructor was riding sidesaddle. It looked awesome and they placed fifth or sixth IIRC. I love seeing the uniforms!

[Denali6298]

@GoneAway

Despite some of the info posted here, US military personnel ARE allowed to wear the uniform, but with permission through the proper channels. I know the Air Force approved an official “equestrian uniform” a few years ago - don’t know if the other services have anything in writing, but if members want to, they can pursue getting approval to wear it.

As to why more military members don’t wear it? Honestly, as an active duty member, a horse show is probably the LAST place I’d like to wear my uniform. It requires dry cleaning (unlike today’s tech fabric coats that can be machine washed), it’s hot, doesn’t move nearly as well as it’s not designed to be ridden in…can’t think if a good reason to wear it, honestly. Factor in the requirement to get approval prior to wearing probably explains why a lot of people never bother. On another note (not that I’d foresee any legitimate threats at a horse show of all places), general guidance these days (with ISIS threats and your average everyday whackos) is not to wear it outside of work unless absolutely necessary. Our current environment requires us making ourselves less of a target.

But seriously…screw dry cleaning. And horse hair/slobber/mud all over the ribbons and accoutrements…no thank you.

This. I do not have the desire to spend more time in uniform, nor do I want to have to clean and prep it more times then I already do because of a horse show. Also, I would think my ribbons would need to replaced more often and it is not cheap to get them done professionally.

[ParadoxFarm]

(Thanks to those of you that serve!) :applause: