Returning to the dressage arena- what to wear?!

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llohcins123

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Spare a mo for a novice returning to the dressage arena! Can anyone tell me what I need to wear? I have long black boots and beige jods - but these are quite a darkish beige. Is this ok or do they have to be cream or white? Have either black or white gloves...thinking black as they will show up less if shaking with nerves and I think black gloves are allowed now? So advice needed on shirt and jacket and tie/ stock!? What are my options? Horse - have white saddle cloth, black tack and think I am ok to still use his black prolite pad and carry long schooling whip? I need a bridle number. No boots for him. What's vital that have I missed apart from the rescue remedy!! Thanks for your help x
 
I think white jods, black jacket, boots & gloves, white shirt, stock & saddle pad is fine. Not sure you need bridle number at novice level although it depends where you are competing really? Sounds like you are sorted.....enjoy!!!
 
not sure about the black gloves i had always been taught pale colour gloves for dressage so judge can clearly see what your hands are doing, may be worth taking both and asking when you get there. i always try and match my stock to my jods so white jods white stock, off white jods off white stock you do not have to wear white jods many at higher levels do but as long as they are smart and of a pale colour for unaff and low levels this will be fine. Horse should be plaited or long manes tidy, you can warm up in boots bandages but take them off before you go in and dont forget to smile and enjoy :) Good Luck
 
Sounds like your sorted. Must have white gloves though. Black gloves in dressage is ok if you're doing eventing. I would invest in a pair of white jods too but if its just a one off unaff i'm sure they wont mind if you ask. Good luck.
 
I have always worn cream or beige breeches - so you don't need white ones. I have a cream stock to match too though so I think it looks smart like that and the rescue remedy is great if you are feeling nervous - I used it a few times when I first started going out competing...perhaps it is all in the mind but it did "feel" like it helped!
 
I've always worn beige jods. And I think BD rules state (most unaff comps say they run by BD rules) that gloves must be worn, light colour are preferred. So you don't HAVE to wear white but I would if you have them.

I vary what I wear depending on what time of year it is, simply because my navy jacket is very light weight and my tweed is quite heavy! I'm competing this weekend so I'll be wearing my tweed jacket with a yellow stock. In summer I wear navy jacket with a cream stock.

You are allowed a schooling whip as well. Dressage numbers for bridle is fine (I prefer these instead of faffing around trying to pin number on my back!)
 
If it's low level and unaffiliated then what you describe is perfect. I used to feel a little intimidated by the black jacket, white jods/numnah, bling brigade but so often you find the ones dolled up to the nines are just perfect examples of 'All the gear, No idea'!!!! I prefer tweed and a dark numnah. OOOh such a rebel, me
 
Thank you all so much!
Loving those sparkly bands- but I will be pleased to just manage to successfully plait him up let alone get sparkles in them!!
I am reluctant to buy an entire new outfit in case it is an epic fail so I am hoping I am okay to use my dark beige jods, long black boots with shirt and a dark cream stock (or could buy yellow)? Then probably best to try and get hold of a tweed jacket? Entry forms say I need a bridle number so I can buy one of these and I also need to buy some light coloured gloves - yellow/ beige rather than white? Don't want to be laughed out the warm up arena!!

Anyone used any one off calmer for horse with any success? Will be his first show in a while.

All advice about returning to competitive world is welcome - its been a while!
 
IF you are not blinged to the eyeballs you'll be laffed out of the ring.... honest


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Blitz

PS check out equiture on face book Mmmmmmm.... I think I've regressed to an 8 year old girl....
 
Jods / breeches light coloured and at unaff no-one will care what shade. Gloves - colour now not specified old rules was prefer light - I went for an off-white so as not to be too obvious. Long boots or short boots and smart matching leather gaiters. You don't have to plait but it does look nicer just remember they only have to look good from a distance unlike showing so don't get stressed over them :).

Bridle number is essential if the event is self-stewarding so worth getting one.

You can download BD Rules free online so worth getting as most unaff run in accordance with them

Good Luck! :)
 
@blitznbobs I love it- have liked!!!

Right then I have sent my entries off. Now I need copies of the tests - can anyone tell me best place to get them? I need the following:

British Dressage Intro B
Preliminary test 12
 
One other thing you have to remember. Its really important. Surprised no one has mentioned it. If you dont do it you will have a rubbish time. Surely they cant all have forgotton to tell you. B R E A T H E
 
What if the OPs a man and doesn't have any..... Tits, not teeth!! Actiually we don't know the age so might be neither :)
Really if it's unaffiliated either hacking jacket and stock or shirt & tie or black/blue jacket & white stock will be fine, any coloured gloves (I prefer dark as the judges will have less opportunity to see my hands!), beigeish Johds, long boots or shorts boots with gaiters. A number disc is good (where we go if you don't wear a number the judge bellows over the tannoy asking you what your numer is so the disc is for self preservation rather than etiquette!) and ENJOY

And if you are really nervous get someone to read the test for you just in case you get brain freeze in the middle (happened to me on many occasions).
 
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