Dressage riders, like Madeline Birch at the North American Junior & Young Rider Championship, always look more elegant when they are not keeling over due to shadbelly-induced heat exhaustion. Photo: Leslie Potter
How many times has someone told you that riding isn’t a sport or riders aren’t athletes? It’s hard to defend our sport against those accusations when our top athletes do what they do in wool coats. This isn’t true across the board, of course. At some shows, jumpers wear short-sleeve polo shirts instead of jackets. Eventers, of course, wear the total barrage of safety gear on cross-country day. Western riders in reining and speed events wear jeans, cowboy boots and button-down shirts (usually) which may not be the coolest athletic attire, but at least it’s practical.
But then there are the other sports. Dressage riders and hunters wear those dark-colored, heavy jackets and shirts with tight collars that can feel pretty restrictive on a hot day. Saddle seat riders wear three-piece suits, complete with ties. Western pleasure and showmanship competitors wear fitted, glittery ensembles or blazers. Why? The answer is usually that it’s tradition. Tradition has its place, but if there were no set precedent for donning a heavy, formal jacket before heading out to ride a horse in the mid-summer heat, no one would ever do it. It’s just not a very smart thing to do. But since it’s what we’ve always done, we keep doing it.
Now, I understand the flip side. Yes, what we do is a sport, but there’s also a reason it’s called a horse show. It’s a show and needs to be treated as such. After all, ballroom dancers are doing something quite athletic and could probably do it better in sweatpants and athletic shoes. But the formalwear and high heels are part of the show. It wouldn’t be ballroom dancing if the participants looked like they just stepped out of the gym.
Maybe it’s time we found some middle ground. Manufacturers are finally making show coats in lightweight, technical fabrics. They’re taking some time to catch on here in North America, but I’m told they’re pretty popular in Europe. I was able to lay my hands on one at the World Equestrian Games trade fair in 2010. Compared with my own hunt coat, it felt so light and stretchy, like it would actually help you move with your horse instead of restricting you. Like it might not turn into an oven during a midday class in July. The price tag put an end to my daydreaming, but as these coats become more popular, I would expect more affordable versions will pop up.
Will the trend eventually seep into the American equestrian sports of saddle seat and western pleasure? I think it might, but it’ll take longer. There’s a million-dollar business idea for you.
Taking it a step further, what if we did away with coats altogether? The dressage riders at the North American Junior & Young Rider Championships wore their team’s polo shirts instead of the traditional coats or shadbellies, and personally, I thought it was an improvement. Sure, top hats and tails are elegant in their own way, but technical shirts and helmets made those riders look like athletes. It didn’t detract from the overall appearance at all, in my opinion. I hope it’s a trend that spreads.
What do you think? Is it more important for us to adhere to show-ring traditions, or should riders be allowed to dress like athletes? Click “Submit a Comment” below and let me know what you think.
Back to The Near Side
I don’t show but I like the elegance of the show with the attire but I also feel sorry for those that are showing in full attire especially in the dressage classes those are the athletes that make the sport but I understand it would be so much nicer to dress in comfortable clothes some traditions can and should be modified
I like the way the formal clothing looks, but I do think that it’s time for a change. This summer I showed in full attire for the first time. It was hot but we had a cool breeze. When I took my boots and coat off I was still sweating like a pig, and I only rode in one division.
I also think it’s ridiculous that in the Hunter world (and most of the English showing world, it seems) you’re practically not allowed to stand out. I think that if we do keep following tradition like this, we should at least be allowed to change it up a little. Maybe even allow a little *gasp* bling and *gasp* colors besides for black, blue, green, and grey. I’m not talking Western show attire (though I do think that it looks pretty cool) but just a little leeway would be nice.
Truthfully, I think people should start to think about modifying or getting rid of things entirely. You can look professional without the risk of heat stroke.
Is it still true that in top-rated shows dressage riders don’t wear helmets? If so, that should go as well.
I agree that the show attie should be updated and more practical. Show clothes are very costly. Having more show clothing options would help in these hard times. Our the local 4H club helps the children that can not afford show clothes with used clothes but if there were more clothing options these kids would stand a better chance in the show ring.
I completely agree that cooler show clothing is a must. I get overheated very easily and have passed out while riding in my arena before (I live in Florida). I get very hot at shows and usually wait until the very last minute to put my show clothes on, which usually results in me being rushed to get into the arena. I would be one of the first buyers if someone came up with a MUCH cooler show coat!