I think the caveat should be, if you can at all tolerate it, wear your coat. Some people have age related heat tolerance issues that they can’t do the same as younger people.
Too, the important thing is to NOT wear a sleeveless shirt, any neckwear, or a vest over the shirt.
[QUOTE=Ajierene;3276666]
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.[/QUOTE]
I was always taught this, too, but the last time I did this, the judge made a comment to me at the end of my test. She said, “I better not see you in this ring in your coat again in this heat.” :lol:
I was always taught this, too, but the last time I did this, the judge made a comment to me at the end of my test. She said, “I better not see you in this ring in your coat again in this heat.” :lol:
If the heat isn’t horrendous and you can tolerate it, wear your coat. If it’s 100 degrees and you’re dying, then wear a white or very light colored shirt with short or long sleeves (not sleeveless) and the top button undone (no neckware).
Waived coats
The problem with warming up and then putting on your coat is that if it is really hot your arms will sweat!! Then you can’t get them in your coart! So…if I wear my coat I have to wear it through all of the warmup and the test! I wish they would pass a rule that if the coats are waived you can wear a cooling vest. They have some that are very professional looking. Of course they don’t cool when the humidity is high, but they do cover the ‘extra’ stuff and look really nice!
Regarding a long or short-sleeved white or light-colored shirt with a collar- you must have the collar open if riding without a jacket. I heard the TD mention that several times this weekend.
That said, I do not show in these horrid summer months. When I do show and jackets are excused (it can get over 80 degrees here in the spring and fall), I warm up without it, put it on 2 minutes before my test (which is short at Training level) and take it off right after. My loyal groom (BF) knows the drill and has it all ready and then hangs it right up. If I did not have a ground crew I would definitely ride without one.
Also, heard that after 1 DEC they will allow the cooling vests (light colored ones) to stay on when jackets are waived. Common sense prevails!!!
Yes, I believe I did see a rule change to allow cooling vests. Check the USEF website/rule book or rule change section. It might even be for this year? But check on the website.
I showed this past weekend in the 95+ heat and you better bet I omitted my jacket. Actually, the first thing the judge said when she got to the show was “Jackets have been waived already, right?” It absolutely does not make a difference to your test and, especially if it is an unrecognized show at training level, go comfortable!
I have an Arista shirt made of CoolMax that zips up into a mock when I wear my stock and jacket, and unzips and is cool for when jackets are waived.
Regarding a long or short-sleeved white or light-colored shirt with a collar- you must have the collar open if riding without a jacket. I heard the TD mention that several times this weekend.
The TD was mis-informed. There is no such rule.
From the rule book;
DR120 Dress
6. In extreme heat and/or humidity in all classes including FEI classes at National Competitions, management can allow competitors to show without jackets. However, competitors must wear a regulation hat and solid white or very pale colored long or short sleeved shirt, without neckwear. T-shirts are not permitted. Members of the Armed Services or police units may wear summer uniforms.
If your horse is not going well, having a coat on isn’t going to help you. I, too, have frequently heard judges admonish riders for wearing a coat in the heat when they have been waived.
Coats were waived at the dressage show I attended at Morven last weekend and everytime I saw someone actually wearing the coat, I thought “stupid” not “oh, how lovely and professional”.
I have a pretty high heat tolerance and yes, I could wear a coat for 10 minutes or so, but it is not a heroic thing.
I also don’t wear coats when they are waived at hunter shows. And, the best part of jumper shows is that polo shirts are almost standard anymore.
I do give VADA/NOVA props for doing such an excellent job w/ the sudden heat last weekend. They were doing everything to try to make sure nobody got heat stroke, including almost begging the competitors to leave the jackets off.
A hint for putting your coat on at the last moment when you’re hot and sweaty from warmup: baby powder!
I rode at Poplar (Atlanta-ish) this weekend, and was already dressed in my sleeveless shirt and on my horse when they waived coats. When the time came for my coat I hopped off briefly, slathered on the powder on both arms and hands, and slid quite handily into coat and gloves. Had to do a good deal of brushing off before I got back on though 
Had I been thinking I would have worn the short sleeved shirt, because they were predicting high humidity and record breaking temps. I would definitely have ridden without a coat if I could have - the true professionals certainly did!
They were just about begging people to leave off coats at Poplar too. Heat stroke is no fun, BTDT, and I know I don’t ride well when I get overheated, which I do easily. I’ll take being fair to my horse (and myself) over fashion any day. I do love the look of coat and stock tie, and I will wear it religiously up to a point. I’d hate to see the dress requirements change too much, but waiving coats is just smartshow management.
Exactly. :yes:
[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]
Yep. It may indeed only take 10 minutes to ride your test in your coat, but it can take several days for you to recover from the heat stroke that that 10 minute ride induces. Not to mention, the problems you’ll have getting the stains out of your breeches when you topple off your horse in a dead faint. Ask me how I know this. :rolleyes: And I was born and raised in south Florida, so am pretty knowledgeable when it comes to keeping cool. Texas heat managed to do me in, though, when I got stubborn and kept my coat on. Never again, though.
If I wore a coat in our summer heat I would have to add a final movement after the final Halt --> Lean over and puke!
I’ve never heard anyone get praise for wearing a coat in the heat.
[QUOTE=MontanaDun;3276834]
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.[/QUOTE]
I agree! :yes: In the HIGHLY unlikely event that a judge lowers your score for not wearing a jacket its still not as bad a heat stroke! Trust me I know! My former trainer made all her students wear jackets NO MATTER WHAT! :rolleyes: Well, I ended up w/ heat stroke and had to go to the hospital.
This is an unrecognized show???
Since this is a non-recognized show, you should be fine to ride in a polo of conservative color and no jacket.
I have sat and scribed for lots of shows, both recognized and schooling. The judges get quite annoyed when riders come in with jackets after they have been waived. Especially if the rider is dripping with sweat. They really would rather see a good ride without the jacket than someone all dressed up and have a terrible ride because they are too miserable to concentrate.
SO, IF the TD is misinformed re: buttoned collars, what to do? I read the rule book and it says nothing about open collars, as someone posted the quote above. I’d rather button it, because otherwise the collar flaps… not so nice. (I’m talking about cotton shirts, not polos. I find them almost as hot as a jacket!)
L
I understand OPs question and might go with the white polo in some lower key scenarios, but the jacket does look more professional. I don’t understand the whining about it being “risky” to still wear the freakin coat when it is waived. Put it on just before going in the ring, take it off right after coming out of the ring.
The whining about it being risky has to do with engendering heat stroke, which can and does send people to the hospital.
I find this ridiculous. This is a sport. We would never make our horses wear a wool cooler in heat just because we thought it looked better. It may be “only 5 minutes” but you are working hard in those 5 minutes, and I guarantee you are riding better if you are not unduly stressed physically.
The judges want to see the best rides possible, not rides that are compromised by clinging to dress rules that were not intended for 100 degrees and humid and which even the regulating body of the sport has recognized are inappropriate for some conditions.
Take care of yourself as you would your horse. You both deserve it and the judge will appreciate it as well.
[QUOTE=bt;3279150]
I understand OPs question and might go with the white polo in some lower key scenarios, but the jacket does look more professional. I don’t understand the whining about it being “risky” to still wear the freakin coat when it is waived. Put it on just before going in the ring, take it off right after coming out of the ring.[/QUOTE]
I can understand your view and it is a rarity that I ride without my jacket. I have a very high heat tolerance, though. I wear a tank top, stock tie bib and my jacket. It doesn’t bother me. My trainer is still in long sleeves when it is in the low 80’s, she also always wears her jacket.
That being said, I know plenty of people that would suffer heat stroke from just a few minutes in a jacket in certain weather. It is not a weakness - likely these people are not nearly as bundled as I in colder weather. So yeah, go with what is comfortable and what you like.
I have asked several “S” and “I” judges this question as well as one “O”–they ALL agree that if coats are waived, you should take your coat off! Without a doubt, they do not think it is professional to wear the coat, they think it is STUPID.
With all the talk of safety these days, be smart. Vanity is the scourge of mankind.
it is a sport
I challenge you to name any other sport where jackets are worn during competition
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
