Show jackets over body protector

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dressage_diva

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I'm in need of a new show jacket but need one that fits well over a body protector without it having to be about 2 sizes too big and look hideous!

Can anyone recommend one for ladies with a nice cut that looks ok and fits over a body protector? I'm prepared to pay a reasonable price as long as it will last me years, but don't want to be spending ridiculous money on it! Saying that, I'm a bit out of touch with pricing, since I've had my old one about 8years!

Thanks

EDIT: I should add that I'd be looking for a dark jacket that can be used for showjumping and dressage (over the body protector in both instances)
 
My sister has a dublin one that she wears with bp underneath. Shes getting a new one (she has grown to much - and shes younger than me!) and i am concidering using this for jumping and my mine for dressage.

Think what you are after might be a tough to find tbh - sorry!
 
I think it would look smarter for you to have a smart looking BP and wear it over your jacket, then you can get a jacket that fits well for dressage
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My sister and mum sell made to measure Italian show jackets. They just did one for a lady to go over her BP and apparantly it looks really good. Huge choice of fabric too! PM if you want details.
 
I wear a navy Zippa Plus with shoulders over a navy jacket, and it seems to look OK - I'd do a photo if I knew how without opening a photobucket thingy!
 
Wouldn't it look better to have the BP over the top? What do most people do? At least you could use the jacket all the time then. Otherwise you would look a funny shape and people may not realise it is the body protector that is making you look odd.
 
I would wear the body protector over the jacket. Under the jacket to me seems very 8 year old from a riding school with a jacket 4 sizes too bit for it.
 
Thanks guys.

Unfortunately we do BD classes and their rules state that body protectors, if worn, have to be under jackets (unless you apply for special dispensation - I don't think we'd get that), so I have to wear it underneath my jacket.

Might think about getting a jacket made to measure if no-one knows of styles that fit well over body protectors.

EDIT: Just to confirm, I will only be wearing the show jacket with a body protector, so it doesn't need to fit me without it on.
 
Any particular reason you need to wear a body protector for dressage classes? I don't like wearing the things, and so wear them only for XC, but to each his own...are you protecting an injury?

I think, unless you're very very thin, you'll probably look slightly oddly-shaped no matter the fit of the jacket.
 
It's partly injury related (have very bad back and shoulders and find the BP helps maintain my posture and provide support which physio agrees) and partly through worry after having had bad falls in the past that I just want to play it safe. However, I don't believe I would get dispensation from BD esp as I would like to wear the BP long term. I don't find it restricts me in anyway so I wear it for all riding.
 
Fair enough! I think your best bet TBH will be to find a tailor to make you one to measure. Try local shops that do alterations: many of them do tailoring as well, for a better price than big companies. Just be sure to look at a sample of their work first. If they need patterns from you, you can order them online, for example from http://www.suitability.com/ . Good luck!
 
That is an interesting bit of informaton. I wonder if more people would wear them doing BD if they were allowed to wear them over the top of the jacket Or whether the jacket manufacturers could come up with something that had built in pockets in which to put the padding rather than having a humpy lumpy shape?
 
body protectors should always be worn under jackets and as close to the body as possible. That is what manufacturers tell you when they come out to train to fit them properly. This goes for show jackets as well! I'm astounded that you havn't been told that on buying them!
 
Why are you astounded?

This is an extract from the BHS exam manual

"Body protectors. These are MANDATORY for examinations containing cross-country jumping – Stage 3 and 4. A body protector is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for all examinations where there is show jumping. Body protectors can be worn over or under a jacket or with a plain sweatshirt instead of a jacket – it is a requirement that your arms are completely covered. The body protector must comply with discipline requirements, i.e. BE, Pony Club."
 
[ QUOTE ]
body protectors should always be worn under jackets and as close to the body as possible. That is what manufacturers tell you when they come out to train to fit them properly. This goes for show jackets as well! I'm astounded that you havn't been told that on buying them!

[/ QUOTE ]

Except that paramedics want BPs to be worn over clothing, so that they are far easier to take off in case of an emergency.
 
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