Dressage, hunt seat, and pleasure classes each have specific requirements regarding equestrian clothing. It is up to you to check with the sponsoring organization to get the details of your equestrian clothing needs.

Tall Black Boots: Focus On Fit

Your field or dress tall black boots must fit properly. Since manufacturers differ, you must use the sizing chart for the horse riding boots that you are buying. Most horse riding boot sizing charts will ask for calf and height measurements, plus your normal show size. Calf measurements are taken at the widest part of your calf, with socks and riding breeches on, while seated. The height measurement is from the base of your heel to the top of your lower leg plus one inch.

Tuffrider’s Ladies Pebble Grain Slide Zip Field Boots provide an excellent look, fit and feel, with the advantage of a specially designed zipper that facilitates putting them on and taking them off easily. Tall horse riding boots must fit snugly in all the right places to give you the look and support you need to do well in the show ring and to complement the rest of your equestrian clothing.

Show Coat: Looks Are Everything

Your show coat is what the judge will notice first. A properly fitted jacket should give you a trim appearance with squared shoulders and a narrow waist. To check for a good fit, you should be able to take a pinch of approximately one-inch of fabric from the sides of the shoulders, which will allow the freedom of movement you need.

The waistline of your jacket should be at your natural waistline. The length of your show jacket should take it just to the bottom of your buttocks. Show jacket sleeves are measured at one inch below the wrist. Show coats are generally beige, gray or a dark color. Dressage show coats are black.

Ratcatchers And Men’s Shirts

Under the show jacket, women wear a ratcatcher and men wear a buttoned shirt. Again, the correct fit is crucial to creating the right image while allowing you to ride safely and effectively. Ratcatchers are extra long-sleeved shirts with a short, upright collar. The Ladies Tailored Sportsman Ballard Show Shirt and the Ladies Tailored Sportsman Browne Show Shirt are excellent examples of high quality materials and craftsmanship creating a form-fitting riding shirt that provides the necessary freedom of movement with show clothes.

Riding shirt sleeves are generally two inches longer than normal clothing, to allow you the reach you need when jumping. After putting on your show jacket, one-fourth to one-half inch of your shirt cuff should show. Ratcatchers are normally white or of a pale color. A stock pin should be worn with your ratcatcher. Men are required to wear a button-down shirt with either a tie or a stock pin.

Breeches And Jodhpurs

If you are wearing paddock boots, then you will want to also wear jodhpurs. Jodhpurs are riding pants with an elastic cuff that is worn over your horse riding boots. When sizing for jodhpurs, measure your inseam plus one inch with your paddock boots on. If you will be wearing your jodhpurs in the show ring, try to find a color match with your show jacket. The Tuffrider Lowrise Kentucky Jodhpurs are especially comfortable with eight percent Lycra.

Breeches come in many styles, including front-zip, pull-on, side-zip, low-rise and full-seat. You’ll want to make sure that your breeches maintain the overall trim and professional look of your equestrian clothing. Show breeches are normally beige. Equestrian Corner’s Equine Couture F3 LowRise Side Zip Breeches and the Tuffrider Legend Side Zip Breeches will both help you to look your best in the show ring.

Helmets

An ASTM F-1163-01 and 04a/SEI certified helmet is mandatory part of your equestrian clothing any time you are on or working around a horse. These helmets are tested for the rigors of riding and can save your life in the case of a fall. Helmets are sized by measuring the circumference of the rider’s head.

By dressing appropriately for equestrian events, you’ll be able to showcase your skill and command of the sport. Wearing the proper show clothes will reflect the elegance and control of English riding styles.

Show Clothes Guide

• Riding helmet (black or dark): Riding helmets are a crucial piece of equipment in and out of the ring, on and off the horse. Show riding helmets are always either black or dark colored and must be ASTM/SEI certified. Advance Technology offers several new styles of riding helmets that provide protection while looking stylish
• Two show jackets (grey, black, or brown): Show jackets are nearly always dark colored, beige, or grey. It is always a good idea to bring at least one extra jacket, just in case your horse decides to demonstrate some affection with a sloppy kiss, or coffee gets spilled on the lapel.
• Three (or more) show shirts/ratcatchers plus choker: Tailored Sportsman has several styles that wick away moisture and provide a comfortable fit while looking stylish. The Edwards, Beckett, and Morrison show shirts are an affordable addition to your wardrobe. Most show shirts come with two-button choker collars.
• Collar pins & Stock ties: be sure to bring these items. They don’t take up much space, but they are necessary components of your wardrobe.
• Three pairs of breeches or jodhpurs: Show breeches are generally light colored or white, as in the case of dressage. Breeches come in several styles and cuts. They can be full seat, low rise, front zip, pull on, or side zip. Tuffrider’s CoolMax LowRise show circuit breeches provide fit, comfort, and style at an affordable price. The low rise cut is the most popular in and out of the show ring this season, with its more natural feel and increased freedom of movement over more traditional styles. Just don’t forget to bring a belt, whatever style is chosen.
• Tall black riding boots (field or dress): Ovation finalist PRO boots look great in the ring and are available from The Equestrian Corner at an excellent price. The Equestrian Corner has many styles of horse riding boots on sale now, making this a good time to replace a worn-out pair, or to buy an extra pair for future use.

Other items that should be part of any show wardrobe guide include gloves, spurs, a crop, extra socks, hair nets, hair ties, bobby pins, safety pins, rain gear, a lint roller, a sewing kit, and a basic first aid kit, just in case.