Waistcoat instead of a jacket for dressage, which colour?

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dizz4

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Does anyone wear a waistcoat instead of a jacket in summer for dressage, I get so hot in a black jacket I almost feel like I could feint or I don't bother at all as it is so uncomfortably hot.... once I warmed up without my jacket on and totally forgot to put it on until about half way through when I suddenly remembered.... oops....

Would like to explor the waistcoat option but not sure which colour...?

dizz4
 
I've done this in the past. Due to a physical deformity, I couldn't wear a jacket (until I got one made to fit - thanks to all at Alexander James) so I regularly competed in a waistcoat. Mine was taupe/beige/fawn sort of a colour and I wore a cream shirt with collar and brown-spot tie, but I'm sure navy or black would be fine too. As long as the waistcoat isn't bright pink, scarlet or purple I'm sure you'll be fine. Might be worth checking local rules, but BD are happy with a waistcoat.
Just one point, I always had other competitors comment "how come she can compete without a jacket ......" so you may need to grow a thick skin.
 
thanks I may do that, as I have a tendency to overheat in the summer and find it hard to cope with the heat, but I didn't hear any comments at all when I went in without my jacket, mind you I didn't realise I wasn't wearing to must have been totally oblivous....
 
dizz4 said:
Does anyone wear a waistcoat instead of a jacket in summer for dressage, I get so hot in a black jacket I almost feel like I could feint or I don't bother at all as it is so uncomfortably hot.... once I warmed up without my jacket on and totally forgot to put it on until about half way through when I suddenly remembered.... oops....

Would like to explor the waistcoat option but not sure which colour...?

dizz4
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Just be careful going down this route as a lot of competitions wont allow it. I'm fairly sure its not allowed affiliated.
If you get too hot in a black jacket, how about a nice lightweight tweed jacket? I wear mine all day in summer at shows and have yet to get too hot, make sure you get a pure wool one though as ones with mixed man made materials tend to be hot and sweaty.
 
BD rules now say you don't need a jacket for normal classes so you shouldn't get any comments now. I do feint in the heat but cope in a waistcoat, I have a boring black pikeur one but it's mesh lined so is much cooler than my jacket. I've only ever had people compliment it saying how smart it looks. There are a several companies that do bespoke waistcoats, the options are unlimited if you don't want something plain so it depends what you want to spend
 
conniegirl said:
Just be careful going down this route as a lot of competitions wont allow it. I'm fairly sure its not allowed affiliated.
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BD allow it, the rules were changed last year. You don't have to ask the judge to wear a waistcoat or no jacket and I haven't yet had any judge not aware of the rules. Some people keep a copy of the rulebook page in their pocket should the judge query it but it shouldn't be necessary
 
I have just had a look on the BD website and they are allowed but not at Regionals or finals... I just wanted to know if people had taken on this idea as it does get very hot in summer out in the sun...
 
I do and have several friends who do. BD rules allow you to not wear a jacket in normal competition and you may wear a waistcoat if you wish.
If a competition is run to BD rules the same should apply.

The colour must be 'conservative' - this allows tweed and any darker colour. My friend wears a lovely grey one with red piping to match her grey horse. I wear plain black. Another friend wears a navy one.

Just pick a colour and style you like in any conservative colour!

P.S. I have been wearing mine ALL WINTER, it is a joy!
 
Sorry to revive an old thread - but I almost melted the other day so am going to get a waistcoat. One question - long or short sleeved shirt for BD?
 
I would strongly suggest long sleeves. I have major scarring on my arm from falling off a horse whilst not wearing sleeves, if I had been then it is likely that not as much crap would have got into the wound and the wound may not have been as deep.

Consequently I very very rarely wear short sleeves when riding even in stinking heat.
 
Friend was out BD yesterday and very glad that the rules had changed to allow you to go without a jacket. One poor person had not read her rule book and was slowly cooking herself in her jacket. Unfortunately for her she only had a bib front on underneath so couldn't take her jacket off.
 
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