BRC Allowing Black or Navy Jodhpurs in Competition

[Squeak]

Just seen this article on H & H that BRC are allowing Black or Navy Jodphurs in competitions to try and help make sport more inclusive:

Governing body allows dark breeches in competition, in ‘important and significant’ change - Horse & Hound (horseandhound.co.uk)

 

[webble]

Good! Light colours are so unflattering and a pain to keep clean

 

[dogatemysalad]

It makes economic sense. Dark colours around horses are sensible. Buying white for competitions is a waste of money when you're unlikely to wear them for schooling and general riding.

 

[Squeak]

Good! Light colours are so unflattering and a pain to keep clean

It makes economic sense. Dark colours around horses are sensible. Buying white for competitions is a waste of money when you're unlikely to wear them for schooling and general riding.

This was pretty much my initial thoughts too. I've been moaning about beige/ white breeches for years but now it's actually changed I'm not convinced as I'm not sure it'll look that smart?

 

[smolmaus]

This timing is funny, I read this yesterday then last night in my lesson had a rare "oh sh*t" menstrual cup malfunction feeling that had me VERY glad my jods were dark ? I got away with it thanks to the just-in-case undies but you can't get away with it every time!

I also know some people who get REALLY self conscious about light breeches and I'm sure it puts them off their game at least a little bit. Until society fixes the attitude that all women must look as thin as possible at all times ? this seems like a very easy step to remove that little bit of extra stress there too.

 

[webble]

But do light colours look smart or are they just what you are used to and programmed to think are smart

 

[clinkerbuilt]

What *is* the origin of the light-coloured breeches? You get navy/black trousers in cavalry uniform etc. Is it a specific origin in the Indian jodhpur somehow?

 

[Cortez]

I think I may have to go and lie down in a darkened room after receiving this news (not really - jolly good idea).

 

[Squeak]

What *is* the origin of the light-coloured breeches? You get navy/black trousers in cavalry uniform etc. Is it a specific origin in the Indian jodhpur somehow?

I read on the FB post that it was to allow injuries (blood) to be quickly identified - how true that is I don't know....

Apparently, ladies had started wearing dark colours when they'd swapped from side saddle to astride as their habits had previously been dark but it was thought that they looked too like the chauffeurs and so it was swapped to light colours too. Again, I have no idea how true this is as it also came from a fb comment.

 

[j1ffy]

This timing is funny, I read this yesterday then last night in my lesson had a rare "oh sh*t" menstrual cup malfunction feeling that had me VERY glad my jods were dark ? I got away with it thanks to the just-in-case undies but you can't get away with it every time!

I also know some people who get REALLY self conscious about light breeches and I'm sure it puts them off their game at least a little bit. Until society fixes the attitude that all women must look as thin as possible at all times ? this seems like a very easy step to remove that little bit of extra stress there too.

Two words - period pants!

I do like the overall white + dark 'uniform' for competing, there's a bit of a ritual in getting ready but I am hopeless at keeping clean at the best of times! It does make a lot of sense as it's a pointless rule, I suspect it harks back to the days of having a groom to hand you a tacked-up horse and not needing to do everything yourself at a show...

 

[Squeak]

But do light colours look smart or are they just what you are used to and programmed to think are smart

I think it is possibly just what we're used to seeing - military riders in one colour have always seemed smart. I'm just not convinced that a plain black jacket with black breeches will look great. It will be really interesting to see what people do and how it looks.

I remember BSJA trying to change the jackets to a more modern/ informal style and it completely flopped so it will be interesting to see if this is supported or not.

 

[nikicb]

This timing is funny, I read this yesterday then last night in my lesson had a rare "oh sh*t" menstrual cup malfunction feeling that had me VERY glad my jods were dark ? I got away with it thanks to the just-in-case undies but you can't get away with it every time!

They have just allowed women to wear dark coloured shorts under their skirts at Wimbledon for this very reason.... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/63666684

 

[clinkerbuilt]

They have just allowed women to wear dark coloured shorts under their skirts at Wimbledon for this very reason.... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/63666684

I think this wider conversation is very much feeding into this decision, and it's only sensible.
Interestingly with the tennis situation too it's about that warm-weather, upper-class heritage, and maybe not about practicalities.

 

[RachelFerd]

Sensible decision - there's absolutely no reason to need to wear light breeches and it is a genuine barrier for some people to participate in the sport - e.g. some Muslim women who do not feel comfortable wearing skin tight white/beige breeches for religious reasons.

Now time for the other gov bodies to catch on and move sport into the modern era.

 

[smolmaus]

Two words - period pants!

I cant handle how expensive they are ? I have primark no-vpl knickers that are thick enough to function as emergency-leak-only pants and didn't cost £20 a pair ? wouldn't rely on them for more then emergencies but they have saved me when necessary!

 

[Red-1]

Never mind the breeches, I was always more worried about the saddle. Worried enough to go belt and braces, so to speak!

 

[JGC]

I cant handle how expensive they are ? I have primark no-vpl knickers that are thick enough to function as emergency-leak-only pants and didn't cost £20 a pair ? wouldn't rely on them for more then emergencies but they have saved me when necessary!

Primark do period pants too and I think they're around 15 pounds for three, which isn't cheap but a lot cheaper than other brands and they do last well

 

[smolmaus]

Primark do period pants too and I think they're around 15 pounds for three, which isn't cheap but a lot cheaper than other brands and they do last well

Google says they don't sell these anymore! I have physically been in a Primark store I think once since 2020 so I have missed them ? will still look if I ever can be bothered to go into town to browse again.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

This is fantastic news!! Hopefully dressage organisers will follow suit!!

 

[JGC]

In France there's a hunter class where the standard is to wear dark coloured jodhs, either very dark beige or same colour as jacket (navy or black) cause you get style marks and the idea is not to have anything flashy or distracting to draw the judges' eye.

At the equivalent of riding club level, for all competitions the only clothing requirement is clean and fit for riding and the rest is up to your instructor, so although most will have white breeches and the full competition outfit, you will see people out with a clean pair of jodhs, boots and a smart jumper, often on a riding school horse. Which is great, as they can join in with their friends without them (or their parents) having to lay out more money. Plus the issue for women and girls on the period. I think it's a very good thing all round.

 

[JGC]

Google says they don't sell these anymore! I have physically been in a Primark store I think once since 2020 so I have missed them ? will still look if I ever can be bothered to go into town to browse again.

Rats, sorry about that! Got mine ages ago. Marks have three packs for 18-20 pounds, which is still better than Modibodi etc.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Good grief I'm frankly amazed that it has taken BRC this long to decide that dark-coloured jods/breeches just might be a good idea!

Jeez. Going off to lie down in a dark room to recover from the sesmic shock of it............

 

[ycbm]

What *is* the origin of the light-coloured breeches? You get navy/black trousers in cavalry uniform etc. Is it a specific origin in the Indian jodhpur somehow?

I always thought it was so that you could show that you had servants to clean your clothes and yeoman farmers wore brown.
.

 

[Squeak]

I always thought it was so that you could show that you had servants to clean your clothes and yeoman farmers wore brown.
.

I actually think a dark brown could have been a good option as well as black and navy because I think it might have looked better with the current jackets.

 

[catkin]

I actually think a dark brown could have been a good option as well as black and navy because I think it might have looked better with the current jackets.

Yes, and would look better with tweed (or am I the only cheapskate that refuses to buy another jacket when I've got a perfectly good tweed already)

 

[clinkerbuilt]

I always thought it was so that you could show that you had servants to clean your clothes and yeoman farmers wore brown.
.

I have just gone down a massive equestrian portrait rabbit hole and I'm none the wiser.

 

[LEC]

I just presumed it was because buckskin leather was always traditionally used for breeches so only one colour.

https://twonerdyhistorygirls.blogspot.com/2010/10/perfect-pair-of-gentlemans-buckskin.html

 

[clinkerbuilt]

I just presumed it was because buckskin leather was always traditionally used for breeches so only one colour.

https://twonerdyhistorygirls.blogspot.com/2010/10/perfect-pair-of-gentlemans-buckskin.html

Yes that seems the most likely for the fawn/beige tradition. White seems more of a silk breeches thing though...
ETA I see they suggest buckskin could be white here too, though...

 

[teapot]

What *is* the origin of the light-coloured breeches? You get navy/black trousers in cavalry uniform etc. Is it a specific origin in the Indian jodhpur somehow?

I was told that from a judges' point of view, it allows the rider's leg to stand out, especially when sat at C, the rider's at A and it's raining sideways/winter light etc.

Origin may well just come down to the colour of available material to make them from - cotton in its original form is a beige colour.

This is interesting too https://janeaustensworld.com/2013/06/21/regency-fashion-mens-breeches-pantaloons-and-trousers/

 

[Cortez]

I just presumed it was because buckskin leather was always traditionally used for breeches so only one colour.

https://twonerdyhistorygirls.blogspot.com/2010/10/perfect-pair-of-gentlemans-buckskin.html

This is correct ^^^