What to wear (Dressage)

[Hillgarthblackgold96]

I've recently decided to do a few local unaffiliated dressage comps this year as I finally have a horse that wont jump everything and try kill everyone And i'm wondering what are the rules are for what you can wear. I did a few test years ago with my pony and wore a black jacket and black velvet hat which seem'd to be okay But now after doing all the BSJA and following the fashion trends i now have a light grey animo jacket and a PROtector hat (Black, grey and silver) and i'm a bit weary of wearing them for the tests I do have a Mears tweed hunting jacket that will probably be suitable but again do not have and velvet hat to go with. So it would be greatly apprieciated if someone could tell me along the lines of what i can wear and if what i have is appropriate I will put a picture below to show what i normally compete in

 

[Jobi-Wan Kenobi]

You can't go far wrong with tweed, and any hat is better than no hat. For unaffilliated, don't worry too much, just be smart. I recently forgot my show tweed so only had my green waterproof blouson to wear for the tests. I informed the steward, asked them if it was still ok to compete and asked them to apologise to the judge whilst they were asking. The judge was fine with it and we didn't receive any penalties for how we looked, we actually won both classes!

 

[kc100]

Most unaff comps will run using BD rules - here are the 2 sections that apply to hats and jackets:

46. Coats/Jackets
Tail coats and short jackets may be any conservative, dark colour, for example navy, bottle green or charcoal grey etc.. and may not be multi‐coloured or boldly striped. Subtle pinstripes are permitted as are coloured collars and contrast piping to collar, lapels, pockets and vents. Unless entitled to wear them coloured collars registered with the FEI for use by National teams may not be used i.e. the red collar used by the British
team. Tweed jackets should not be brightly coloured or have loud patterns.

48. Hats
Protective hats, as listed below, must be worn by all riders at all times when mounted at a British Dressage competition, including exercising, warming up and competing. Top hats and uniform hats are permitted as an exception to this rule only for Advanced to Grand Prix classes (including FEI Young Rider level) but only for the warm up directly prior to the competition (which may include riding from horse box park/stable to warm up arena) and competition test. It is however recommended that riders to whom this exception applies
wear protective hats at all times for their own safety.

So based on the above, your hat is absolutely fine, it doesnt matter that its not velvet. However your jacket might be questionable if it is light grey - dark jackets or tweed jackets seem to be preferred. If in doubt wear your tweed with your hat, cant see any reason why that wouldnt be suitable!