Besides wondering why I enter events in July, what do you wear for dressage (BN) when it’s forecast to be 95F and humid at a rated show?
My one and only recognized HT I’ve ever done, it was in the 90s and humid. I wore my show coat and gloves for dressage, but they came off immediately after. Now, keep in mind I’m part reptile and LOVE the heat, so I’m comfortable in much warmer temps than normal people :lol:
If I had to do it again, I would consider not wearing my show coat for BN.
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Navy or black polo shirt.
I would wear a navy Kastel Denmark (or something similar) long sleeve sun shirt. I freaking love those things, that’s really the only shirts I ride in anymore. I’m pretty sure they waive coats over 80 or 85 degrees.
I was at an event last July where it was 110+. I camped because I am dumb. I swore I would never go again. I went again this year. Horses make us do weird things.
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For summer horse trials, I usually just wear a white show shirt with a black belt to break up the white a bit. A conservative colored sun shirt (light color or navy/black) would also be fine. Below preliminary, you no longer have to wear a jacket, no matter what the temperature is.
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Thanks all. I’m definitely leaving the jacket at home. Was debating wearing a grey vest over a shirt, but I think I’ll skip that, too. I don’t want to wear anything dark except my boots and helmet. Will probably follow Gardenhorse’s suggestion. Thank God it’s a 1-day show - then no more until Sept!
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Agree. Unless it’s cold, I don’t wear a coat at training or below. For dressage and SJ I usually wear my white, performance fabric short sleeve show shirt (no neckwear, of course). Other conservative colors are ok, too. Showing in FL year round, life is better without coats!
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At those temps I just stay home, I don’t like trailering horses when the heat index gets that high. When it has been hot but not too hot, it is just a white golf shirt.
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I have a short sleeved pale yellow / white striped seersucker shirt specifically for summer shows.
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I question my sanity on a daily basis.
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I always love the Romfh show shirt/sun shirt: https://www.romfh.com/shirts/romfh-s…-sleeve-469857
The color blocks sort of mimic the idea of a jacket and it keeps me from getting burned to a crisp.
(I just realized I like this shirt so much that it’s the one I’m wearing in my profile picture)
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Do you not have a dressage bikini?
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Aeris, that is a smart looking show shirt!! Trust me, if I could get away with a bikini, I’d give it a go!! When I signed up for this event a month ago it was in the 70s. Of course all the weather folks are saying this weekend is “going to be the hottest stretch of days in over 7 years”. Gee…thanks 
I’m looking at the same type of weather this weekend…upper 90s and all three of my ride times are in the afternoons. Not going to lie, I’m also in the “questioning my sanity” camp.
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A bathing suit…cuz I would scratch and go to the beach instead.
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My husband says he would actually consider going to a show if dressage bikinis were a thing.
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I’d hope those were supportive bikinis, or else sitting the trot would get interesting.
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Yes! I’m in love with the Kastel sun shirts! I just discovered them this year, and I don’t want to go outside without one. I do my barn chores in them, mowing, everything.
And, yes, horses make us stupid. My best friend and I joke all the time about how we just loved horses growing up, and how we just had to have a farm when we got older, and why didn’t our parents have the good sense to get us fish for pets?!
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Well, just wanted to report back that we survived the 1-day and finished in the ribbons. It was 108F with the heat index. I will never show in July or August again. It almost looked like riders were wearing bikini tops as their colored sports bras showed right through their sweat-soaked show shirts! My horse is in peak condition, but I only warmed up at the walk/trot for 5 min before each phase. Will not put her through that again. Thanks everyone for your suggestions and good humor.
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Aeris, I actually wore that same Romfh shirt once, and after my test, the judge said to me “you know I could DQ you for wearing that shirt. They are supposed to be a solid color”. ???WTF Some judges can be on such a power trip.
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