Why does everybody wear white saddle pads for dressage?

Not everyone does, but... tradition innit :)
I think as the general rules around dress and colours allowed are tending to relax more and more, we will see more horses wearing different colours, but IME most people tend towards the most traditional either out of preference or a desire not to do the 'wrong thing' ;)

I sometimes use cream as it matches my breeches, I know someone else who uses black.
 
I generally wear white because I feel more like I "belong" :) but I have also worn black (and won), so judges don't care and you should go with whatever you prefer!
 
My horse looks awful in white for some reason, and as it shoes every little mark this generally means I normally drop it in the first puddle I come to, so I use brown (hides the dirt!) and like smja we have also won while wearing non-white :D so just go with "any conservative colour" you like!
 
I am curious as to where the white cloth idea comes from. Maybe as it's a pain to keep white it stems from proving your worth by how clean your tack etc. is.

I'm the opposite from Street_Skill - Nugz looks odd in saddle cloths that aren't white, so he's always in one for pony dancing. However I am a rebel and wear brown gloves as I can never get white ones clean enough, that are still comfortable to ride in :D
 
Its the current fashion! Like people put white tape around the plaits once, now thats gone and you dont see it any more. I think the only rule is IF you have a numnah/saddlecloth (and you dont have to have one) it should be a conservative colour, black brown or white.......
 
Having a grey I've never worn white for anything as no matter how clean he was, a bright shiny white cloth would make him look grubby imho. I used to have black, now I have navy. (Not that I've competed in years, but if I did it would be navy)
 
Used to use a brown numnah on my grey because I liked to be a bit of a rebel. New mare is dark bay in black tack (because that's what fits) so we're in white until I can find a nice black numnah.

White is not more "correct" despite what some say! It's just most popular / fashionable.
 
Competition dressage attire is based on the "formal" dress of the early 20th century, which is what orchestra members wear, and gentlemen attending state banquets. It also used to be worn for the opera and theatre. The convention was to wear only black and white, which carried through to the dressage arena. The full square saddle pad (which is actually rectangular, but never mind...) is to keep the tails of your coat from getting covered in hair and sweat.
 
I like white pads for dressage. I'm a matchy fan, but I wouldn't want to see coloured pads at competitions any more than I'd like to see horses not plaited. I like seeing shiny, well turned out plaited horses with white pads on - shoot me for my old fashioned views...
 
stencilface said:
Having a grey I've never worn white for anything as no matter how clean he was, a bright shiny white cloth would make him look grubby imho. I used to have black, now I have navy. (Not that I've competed in years, but if I did it would be navy)
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We wore a light blue numnah at an unaffiliated event and were told if we wore it affiliated we would be marked down. We were very inexperienced so got a black numnah. We use white now because we have a black horse and a piebald which are complemented by it. Black is so much more practical!
 
I just like it. I refuse to wear anything but a black jacket and white jodhpurs. Prefer a white saddlepad too but had to use black once as my white one didn't get delivered on time. Always been this way since I was a kid. I always think of dressage as a formal discipline whereas jumping is more fun, less formality. So because its formal I go for formal clothing, no colour.
 
I don't use white on Mr B, who's a tobiano, as it either makes him look dirty or the pad look dirty I like him in brown, navy or dark maroon but he's also worn dark green. I really don't think the judge minds one bit and the rules are quite relaxed as long as it's a dark conservative colour.
 
I use a brown saddle shaped pad as any item that even travels in the same lorry as my horse ends up with some s*** on it. It's never been mentioned so I assume it's fine! I do also wear a tweed jacket and that's never been commented on either.
 
It's just fashion. Lots of white and sparkly bling ! As I'm 'curvy' and wrong side of 40 I wear beige breeches with a cream stock and gloves. White looks terrible on me. I can't bear mixing beige and white (I.e beige breeches and white saddle cloth) so I use a black saddle cloth. I quite like being slightly different and not following fashion and always feel perfectly smart.
 
Cortez said:
Competition dressage attire is based on the "formal" dress of the early 20th century, which is what orchestra members wear, and gentlemen attending state banquets. It also used to be worn for the opera and theatre. The convention was to wear only black and white, which carried through to the dressage arena. The full square saddle pad (which is actually rectangular, but never mind...) is to keep the tails of your coat from getting covered in hair and sweat.
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Ah! I did always wonder why it was a full square too. Thank you, it makes perfect sense now.
 
I remember asking if it was a rule. Of course I have a couple of white dressage pads, although for normal hacking I have brown.
 
I think white looks extra smart as people don't tend to use white for everyday - so it makes it special.

I wear a grey jacket and B has grey ears to match when needed. Then a white square. He still has some dapples (although losing them fast :( ) but I wouldn't say white makes him look grubby at all, even with his perma-stains!

I do like the idea of using black, though.
 
stencilface said:
Having a grey I've never worn white for anything as no matter how clean he was, a bright shiny white cloth would make him look grubby imho. I used to have black, now I have navy. (Not that I've competed in years, but if I did it would be navy)
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This is why I don't try too hard too get my white numnah dazzlingly white. If it's slightly off white, it matches the boys!
 
I've been told on numerous occasions that I "must" have a white saddlecloth (not by judges or stewards, who don't seem to care two hoots, but by random people seeing me getting ready). I quote the BD rules at them and use my black sheepskin numnah. My mare is a mainly white coloured with black tack, and white numnahs make her look dirty as a few people have already said. I didn't know the reason for a saddle cloth, and that makes a lot of sense, but on the basis that we are unlikely ever to get to PSG I think my jacket is safe with a numnah......
 
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