Dressage 'wear'

L

lara b

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 September 2010
Messages
1,234
Location
Buckinghamshire/Northants
Visit site
Hi all

It's been a long time (10yrs!) since I have competed but I am hoping to go to some unaffiliated prelim level dressage comps this year. My question is what is 'allowed' now tack and rider wise?

I have got him in a french link fulmer snaffle with (cavasson nose band), which I believe is dressage legal?

Saddle cloth wise does it have to be white or can I get away with black (he is a tri coloured cob), and can it be sheepskin?

Rider wise is a tweed jacket acceptable (it still just fits!)? Everyone I see seems to be in plain black or navy styles. Also not sure that my old black leather boots still fit, is it best to buy another set or are the boot and gaiter combo's more popular now? How about glove colour?

Finally what are the rulings regarding sticks or spurs?

Thanks and biscuits to all who read! :)
 
Your bit and noseband will be fine, as will your jacket for unaffiliated though I don't think tweed is allowed for affiliated. Black or white saddle cloths are fine as is sheepskin and you can wear your black leather boots as long as they are not too decrepid. Lol. Basically, as long as you look smart with no garish colours, you'll be fine. Oh, and gloves have to be light coloured now. Good luck. x
 
I have seen folk do un affiliated prelims in full showing getup ie tweed, tie and canary yellow jods ! I think you 'll be fine as long as you look neat and smart your boots should be fine and dark coloured gloves - no one is going to mind at this level !

You would fit the mold in a dark jacket but i'd wear your tweed a few times make sure you enjoy it then splash out on a new one ( although I just pick up a lovely jacket that is pristine off ebay for £45 so worth a look )

just go and have fun - don't worry about every one else thinking you have the wrong boots on they won't make your test any better only your riding can do that !! :-)

...Ah yes and your tack is fine
 
Here you go ...

Taken for BD affiliated rules

42.Preliminary to Advanced Medium Tests – Uniform, short jacket or tweed coat with correctly tied stock,
white American Collar or shirt and tie, hunting cap, bowler hat, crash cap, or dressage topper.
45. Gloves
Must be worn. White, beige or cream gloves are strongly preferred.
 
bit and bridle are fine as is your jacket, tweed is allowed up to elementary, even at affiliated! Stock can be coloured with a tweed and a shirt and tie is also acceptable. The main thing is just to look neat and tidy.

White or cream jods, black or brown boots, gaiters can be worn as long as they match the boots. Any colour gloves but light colours are strongly preferred. Most people do use white squares but black will be fine. Spurs and whips are allowed at all levels, although as a judge, I hate to see spurs at prelim and below.

The big thing is have fun :)
 
Thanks everyone for your replies! Think I will use my black numnah to start whilst looking for a nice white one and maybe treat myself to some new boots.

Thanks for the mears link...tempting but have big bust and small back so think I really need to try stuff on..off to Badmington in April though, so maybe do some shopping there!

To be honest don't want to look too posh as our test may not live up to it!!

:)

One last question, how clean do you get your coloureds/greys for local comps? Is if full bath everytime or is it acceptable to be well groomed but a little stained?! (especially in cold weather?). :o

Thanks again
 
My coloured would only be bathed for summer comps or if it was regionals or championships of some kind. As long as they are well groomed, it'll be fine. x
 
JessnGeorge said:
With my grey, I rug well and wash dirty bits inc mane otherwise he takes on the yellow hue of an aging smoker
Click to expand...

it's the yellow hue plus the green and brown stains I am worried about (the joys of rubber matting and horse that lies in his poo!). Have bought some cowboy magic but think it will take the whole bottle, am tempted just to groom, tail wash and go unless it's a fancy comp.:)
 
Have not read all replies so I may be repeating someone else but I received a HUGE telling off at very low level RC dressage for wearing dark gloves, judge even got out of her car! I was mortified!

Also my boy had rubbed most of his mane out so it left it very neat but did not plait - Would only have had about 3 plaits and she told me off for this too.

She said she would rather I rode in no gloves and had three pointless plaits!

Maybe I just got a tough judge on a bad day!!
 
Tackytoe said:
Have not read all replies so I may be repeating someone else but I received a HUGE telling off at very low level RC dressage for wearing dark gloves, judge even got out of her car! I was mortified!

Also my boy had rubbed most of his mane out so it left it very neat but did not plait - Would only have had about 3 plaits and she told me off for this too.

She said she would rather I rode in no gloves and had three pointless plaits!

Maybe I just got a tough judge on a bad day!!
Click to expand...

Oh dear, seems certain people/judges do seem to take things very seriously for an lower level, don't think it is really necessary but never mind! Will get some light gloves but the wild gypsy main is staying natural, not even attempting to plait that huge mop!
 
Tackytoe said:
Have not read all replies so I may be repeating someone else but I received a HUGE telling off at very low level RC dressage for wearing dark gloves, judge even got out of her car! I was mortified!

Also my boy had rubbed most of his mane out so it left it very neat but did not plait - Would only have had about 3 plaits and she told me off for this too.

She said she would rather I rode in no gloves and had three pointless plaits!

Maybe I just got a tough judge on a bad day!!
Click to expand...

OMG someone got out of bed the wrong side. Unaff RC level is suppose to be all about encouraging people to take part and have fun - or so I thought?
 
Tweed is lovely, I wear my tweed for everything.

You can wear tweed for BD and I prefer it at the lower level - but that's just my opinion.

Light gloves are not necessary for unaff unless run under BD rules :)

The main thing is to have fun and enjoy yourself (if that is possible with dressage, lol!)
 
Tackytoe said:
She said she would rather I rode in no gloves and had three pointless plaits!
Click to expand...

What a ratbag! Gloves are correct - yes, they should be light-coloured now, but even purple gloves are more correct than no gloves. Silly old bat.

lara b[/quote said:
To be honest don't want to look too posh as our test may not live up to it!!
Click to expand...

I used to ride a beautiful, beautiful mare who scrubbed up VERY well (better than I did, frankly) and we looked VERY posh together...and I rode her like a dolly tied to a sheep. Our tests NEVER EVER lived up to our appearance. I like to think that our real role was to make everyone else feel better about themselves.
 
lara b said:
To be honest don't want to look too posh as our test may not live up to it!!
Click to expand...

I've performed some shocking tests in full show gear, horse all plaited up etc!
I think its nice to make an effort. For walk/trot tests and prelim (unaff) I wear my navy jacket, white shirt and stock, beige jods, black leather boots and white gloves. Plus carry a schooling whip. I've heard about the gaiters matching the boots thing. It may be a good idea to check on the schedule as some places say this is allowed, this isn't etc...

Horse I plait up and have a white saddlecloth.
 
Tackytoe said:
Have not read all replies so I may be repeating someone else but I received a HUGE telling off at very low level RC dressage for wearing dark gloves, judge even got out of her car! I was mortified!

Also my boy had rubbed most of his mane out so it left it very neat but did not plait - Would only have had about 3 plaits and she told me off for this too.

She said she would rather I rode in no gloves and had three pointless plaits!

Maybe I just got a tough judge on a bad day!!
Click to expand...

:eek::eek::eek: I very much suspect that this was an unlisted judge! Yes light coloured gloves are preferred but to say she would rather you rode with no gloves is unacceptable, as was her commenting on your plaits! There is NOTHING in the rules that says that you must plait your horse, and in fact many people don't even at affiliated. Neither are there any rules about how many plaits you must have. Judge was very much out of order imho and could have put you off for life. At the lower levels we are trying to encourage people, not put them off:(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top