I am riding training tests 2-4 this weekend at an unrecognized dressage show. I have recently moved over from hunter land and I’m not sure what type of shirt to wear if coats are waived. Can I wear a ratcatcher? I guess I don’t wear a stock tie without a coat over it. I bought a short sleeved show shirt today and it didn’t come with a collar so does that mean I just button it up and don’t put anything around my neck? I’m so confused!
I wear a white short sleeved polo - collar unbuttoned when showing sans jacket
You would be correct not to wear the stock, but I am with S Gray on this one. A nice white polo shirt would be best.
In eventing dressage, the rule is a short or long sleeved shirt with a collar of conservative color and no neckware (no ratcatcher collar or stock tie). I would guess straight dressage would be similar. A polo shirt is fine, a show shirt with the top button undone is fine, one of the high tech zip shirts is fine. Just remember, it needs short sleeves, not sleeveless.
Proper attire when coats are waived is a long or short-sleeved white or light-colored shirt with a collar, WITHOUT STOCK TIE OR CHOKER.
It is specified in the USEF rulebook which can be found on the USEF website at www.usef.org
Even if coats are waived, I wear one anyways 
Just looks more professional to me.
I would also wear a coat anyway. We were taught that not matter what, you wore full show attire. I was more professional. I have worn coats in 100 degree weather. Since I have a high heat tolerance, it isn’t a big deal for me. Go with the other suggestions if you are not going to wear your coat.
Thanks for the great information. I guess my options are to wear a white polo type shirt or the show shirt without any choker (just buttoned up). That raises another question- the darn shirt I bought is pink! When in doubt, is the white polo shirt the best option?
I agree that coats are best- but for some reason it has already hit 100 degrees in Athens, GA! This heat is crazy!!
Coats were waved for a show I was at this weekend. I was told I needed to take off my stock tie as well. But my trainer insisted that I wear my jacket. I am glad I did, I won the championship and looked nice in my coat. I just shifted my thinking to what I needed to do in order to get the best ride out of my boy and forgot about the heat
You should go to USEF.org and read the rulebook. I think you are not supposed to button the top buttons up.
It doesn’t look all that professional if your face is bright red and you are flopping sideways in your saddle, babbling about how weird it is that all the arena letters are moving around.
Heat exhaustion is a very real and dangerous thing.
[QUOTE=Anselcat;3276737]
It doesn’t look all that professional if your face is bright red and you are flopping sideways in your saddle, babbling about how weird it is that all the arena letters are moving around.
Heat exhaustion is a very real and dangerous thing.[/QUOTE]
Funny, but true. Some people can tolerate the heat better than others. I definitely would not suggest keeping a jacket on for the looks if it means you are going to fall off your horse from heat exhaustion or heat stroke - that won’t help your dressage score…
Trust me. No one thinks you are a hero for wearing a jacket when they are excused.
No one sits in the judges stand and says “wow, what a dedicated rider, they are wearing a jacket when they don’t have to. How professional they look.”
Does. not. happen.
Uhhh, one other hint - although not addressed in the rule book, don’t wear a BLACK bra:lol: Oooops, I usually wear my coat, and one show, it was 110, I just couldn’t do it - a little sweat, a white shirt, and guess who could see my bra? Yup, EVERYONE…
[QUOTE=Godiva’s Mom;3276671]
I agree that coats are best- but for some reason it has already hit 100 degrees in Athens, GA! This heat is crazy!![/QUOTE]
I feel your pain! I am about an hour east from Athens, and the temps have been out of hand for the first week in June. The humidity is HORRIBLE and its very easy to hurt yourself in this heat. There was a show in Conyers this past weekend, and coats were thankfully waived. NO ONE that had a ride time Saturday wore their dressage coat. I saw a lot of polos; some had beige and some had white shirts. Good luck and try to stay cool! Drink lots of water!
Crossover from eventer-world, but I would go with a plain white polo. And plenty of deoderant. Ha! Good luck.
I wear this shirt with a stock tie and jacket or without.
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=pima-cotton-stand-up-neck&categoryId=32707&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=504211&cat4=504209&shop_method=pp&feat=504211-tn&np=Y
It is 100% cotton and always looks great. My mare is black. It is about 10 degrees above the ambient temperature on her back.
I am not proud. I lose my coat fast when they are excused :yes:
My coat. 
I’m the first to take off my coat. 80F is too hot for me… I lived in US for almost 20 years but my Russian roots let me know that my body loves cold! I get several heat attacks each summer. I don’t see them coming until I’m ready to pass out. I already gave up showing in July, August and September. Sometimes I get lucky in June with colder weather, but not this year… my next show is this weekend and the temps will be 85-90F… I am really, really hoping that jackets will be waived!
I hate to say this, but wear your coat. It’s just a few minutes to make a good impression. Put it on just before you go in, and take it off just after you exit. Suck it up baby and go!
