Classic Dress For English Horse Riding

Some casual English riders today often wearschooling apparel. Although elements such as the color
breeches and a t-shirt. The dress of most Englishand style of the helmet in hunt seat and lower-level
riders, however, has changed very little over the pastdressage may change slightly, the basics always
100 years Although a careful observer might noticeremain the same.
subtle differences in color and styling, the name of theHead wear: Hunt seat and lower-level dressage riders
game in English apparel is still conservative, especially inwear black velvet-covered helmets. Upper-level
the show ring. Let me introduce you to the basics ofdressage riders wear a derby.
English schooling and show clothes.Shirts: English riders wear show shirts under a jacket.
English Schooling and Trail ClothesThese tailored shirts are designed to allow extra
English riders who are schooling their horses or ridingmotion needed in the shoulders for jumping. They
out on the trail dress much more casually than whenbutton down the front, have a collar, and are usually
they are in the show ring. Schooling apparel for Englishwhite or, if colored, are a very light pink or blue. Some
riders includes the following:shirts are short sleeved while others are sleeveless.
Helmets: English riders who are schooling their horsesJackets: All English show riders wear jackets. Hunt
usually wear lightweight schooling helmets that come inseat and lower-level dressage riders wear tailored
a variety of colors.jackets in solids or pinstripes. Upper-level dressage
Shirts: Today everything from long-sleeve shirts toriders wear a black shadbelly which is a tailored,
t-shirts to tank tops are a go for schooling in Englishshort-waisted jacket, often double-breasted, with tails.
apparel.These days, however, the cheat is that it is often
Breeches or tights: Breeches are the traditional ridingmade in 100% polyester.
pants of the English discipline. They need to beBreeches: All English riders wear breeches for the
stretchy and sometimes have a padded seat andshow ring. These breeches, too, are form-fitting, and
knee patches. Some riders prefer riding tights tothey extend just below the calf. In hunt seat and
breeches for schooling, however. Riding tights arelower-level dressage, the color is admittedly prone to
usually less expensive and more comfortable. Thetrends, including everything from rust to hunter green.
tights usually have pads on the insides of the knees.Tan is usually a staple, although some among the
Boots and chaps: English riders who are schoolingrather self-conscious believe it's a good idea to go to a
wear tall boots or paddock boots (boots that comeshow and scope it out to see what's fashionable in
just above the ankle). If they wear paddock boots,their region. Upper-level dressage riders, however,
they will also need something to protect their legs fromreliably wear white breeches.
rubbing on the stirrup leathers, which is the strap thatBoots: Hunt seat and dressage riders will always wear
attaches the stirrup to the saddle. This protectiontall, black boots for shows.
comes in the style of full chaps, which cover the legGloves: In the show ring, English riders usually wear
from the hip to the ankle, or half chaps, which coverblack gloves, although upper-level dressage riders
the leg from just below the knee to the ankle. Thewear white gloves.
preferred and longer lasting chaps are made ofEnglish horse schooling and show clothes don't change
premium split suede or cowhide.much through the years. That may account for the
English Show Clothesabiding place they hold in the popular imagination of the
English show apparel is much more formal thansport of English hunting and formal dressage.