On a Lighter note - relaxed apparel rule

[regeventer]

So - just wondering what everyone thinks about the new relaxed apparel rule for 2008???
I have mixed feelings - my lazy butt side says yeah!!!! But my traditionalist side says - it's a shame to make coats/stockties optional! They are very attractive.

Jenn

[Little Valkyrie]

Although it will probubaly make a lot of people happy, I think it does take something away from the sport. It just looks so darn classy when people are properly turned out, but maybe my traditionalist side is getting away from me again...

[luise]

I agree. I liked getting dressed up with a nice jacket (unless of course it is hot!). It is nice though to have the option to wear just a polo shirt if it is going to be very hot, but maybe not hot enough to waive jackets. I'll still wear my jacket and stocktie.

[slp2]

What??? Have they changed the dress rules?? So we can wear a white polo shirt for dressage and sj?? No more flippin' stock tie and hot and restricting black wool coats? :cool: Why--you'd almost think it's a "sport" with "athletes" competing! ;) We can be comfortable, and able to move now?

Actually, for the traditionlists--I have always thought that a black vest (instead of the jacket) with a tie would still look very formal, allow the judge to see our position--but not be nearly as hot and restricting as a long sleeve jacket. But I'll take no jacket any hot day!!

[HECS04]

I for one will still be in my stock and coat! I like the traditional look and always feel better when my horse and I are properly turned out.

[rideforthelaurels16]

Oh no! Getting dressed up is half the fun ;) It's the only time I can let my inner "girly girl" out.
Personally I'll still be in traditional show attire, with the exception of a polo shirt for sj on REALLY hot days.

[acoustic]

Being in south Florida, I love the idea. Our local association just deemed jackets optional as well. Still have to have nice show shirts in hunters/eq, but losing the jacket saves lives down here.

I love the look of a properly turned out pair, but when the temperatures reach 90something 9 months out of the year or more, I'd rather have my health.

[tulkas]

Would you please read the freaking rule?
1. It only applies at HT contested over 1 day (that's a one-day event for those of you from Rio Linda)
2. You don't have[U] forego the jacket and stuff, you just [U]may.

tulkas

[HECS04]

Could someone please give me a link to the actual rule? I tried to google it and could not find it. Just curious

[tulkas]

You won't find it in the rule book because it doesn't take effect until Dec. 1, 2008. You can find it on the USEF website under rule changes approved Jan. 2008.

tulkas

[luise]

It's on page 27 of the rule book. And it went into effect 12/1/2007.

8. At Eventing Tests or when all three phases of a Horse Trials are contested over one day
- Protective headgear and protective vests as above. Clothing as appropriate for the test in
progress (see below), or at the competitor’s option - boots, britches, spurs and gloves - as
applicable for the test being performed. Long or short sleeved shirt with collar and without
neckwear, of a conservative color, neatly tucked into riding breeches. BOD 1/14/07 Effective
12/1/07

[GreystoneKC]

I just have one word.


Ew.

[Red On Right]

The rule change kind of makes me sad, but it really won't change anything for me. I'm one of those people who always wears the jacket and stock... even if it's sweltering, I warm up without and then put it on for the test. I also braid for everything, even schooling shows, so, yes, I'm really Type A, lol. I once had a british instructor whose advice to always look your best stuck with me. She said that even if you do poorly, at least you can do poorly looking classy. :D

[regeventer]

Tulkas

It is in the rule book, effective 12/01/07. You can look the rulebook online at the USEA website and it is in the dressage dress section.

Jenn

[Robby Johnson]

Hey, I think they could've made it a lot worse! My only thought is why is this restricted to a one-day? Heat doesn't discriminate! :D I have ridden at many horse trials in just a polo when the jackets were waived (this isn't much different than what the rules were when jackets were waived, just gives you the option to waive your own jacket!).

[Sannois]

It's on page 27 of the rule book. And it went into effect 12/1/2007.

8. At Eventing Tests or when all three phases of a Horse Trials are contested over one day
- Protective headgear and protective vests as above. Clothing as appropriate for the test in
progress (see below), or at the competitor’s option - boots, britches, spurs and gloves - as
applicable for the test being performed. Long or short sleeved shirt with collar and without
neckwear, of a conservative color, neatly tucked into riding breeches. BOD 1/14/07 Effective
12/1/07
this sport alone.. can they!:no:

[riva1]

I think they applied it to the one day thinking of the competitors that ride multiple horses. That can be a lot of changing attire.
I have very mixed emotions on this. I do like the way we all look in our dressage coats, stock ties, etc....but....

[kdail]

I like the new rule. Can anyone think of any other sport where the competitors are required to wear formal jackets and ties? I know the formal attire looks very nice, no question about it, but to me it smacks of symbolism over substance. We all have our own ideas about what constitutes proper turnout. I'm thrilled to know that jackets are now optional. 'Bout time!

At least we haven't moved to spandex leotards like Jimmy Wofford proposed! Hee-hee, I can just imagine what the "traditionalists" would say to that.

[Kcisawesome]

I think it's a great idea! It'll be some time before I acctually use the rule. As it is, It is hard at a one show when I have 2 horses alternating dressage and XC in a tight time schedule. I think if you had more horses than that the rule would come as an extreme relief. I noticed Will Coleman wearing a polo at...haha, I can't remember what show, I was just there with a friend to walk her course, but he was also riding like 5 different horses that day.

Although, I am a bit of a stickler about my own turnout. If I DID choose to go polo-shirt, it'd be a darn good looking one!

[Hilary]

I like the new rule. I may or may not choose to take advantage of it, but I can tell you there are people who will look smashing in a feed sack and those (and I tend to fall into this class more often than I'd like) who look slovenly no matter what they are wearing.

I was scribing once on a very hot day and the woman who came in with a polo shirt and pretty belt and beige breeches looked sharper and more correct than the sweaty folks in thier ill fitting jackets and improperly tied stocks with the tails flapping out.

[CookiePony]

I like SLP's idea of a vest-- they look very nice on the DQs. Somehow there has got to be a way to look elegant without a wool jacket on.

Does anyone else think that white polo shirts with white/ light colored breeches do not look so great? I would prefer to see contrasting colors (perhaps a black, navy, dark green polo with light breeches). I am no fashionista so I cannot say why...

[bip]

The one thing I like about this rule is that I won't feel so bad not dressing to the 9s at UN-recognized events I have planned for this spring/early summer. At the end of the season before last, I accidentally made an iron print on the back of my hunt coat :mad: . Then my horse was on and off all last year so we didn't compete. During that time I got a new pair of boots, then gained some weight so they won't fit (and I certainly don't want to try to make them fit now!) I don't want to buy a new hunt coat at this weight, and I'm definitely not replacing the boots.

At the rate I'm going, I should fit into my boots by mid-June and I'll get a new hunt coat at that time too, just in time to do some recognized events at BN (where I will dress up). But in the meantime, there are a few unrecognized events where I'd like to do elementary, and I will feel a lot less sloppy if I am wearing attire that would be acceptable at a recognized event (even if I would never dress that far down at a recognized event).

[fooler]

We still have the rule for waving coats when heat & humidity are a factor. Interestingly at some events, competitors/trainers will push for coats to be waved even if not humid and the high temp for the day is "projected" to be near 80.

The one-day attire change is sensible to me. You can, and IMHO, wear a coat + stock or tie in dressage, then can jump stadium and x-c in your x-c gear.
Just to let you know at one recent event, the 'pro' riders who were riding multiple horses, rode stadium either in their jackets or in a nice shirt or polo shirt. They were setting a really good example that day.

[Dr. Doolittle]

Does this mean that the rule won't apply to HTs held over two days?

There are several HTs in our area that do dressage and show jumping on Saturday; X-country on Sunday. It sounds like the rule *should theoretically* apply to those HTs, but in fact will not--though I'm thinking that it's actually meant to exclude "3 Day Events", not HTs!

[c_expresso]

Does this mean that the rule won't apply to HTs held over two days?

There are several HTs in our area that do dressage and show jumping on Saturday; X-country on Sunday. It sounds like the rule *should theoretically* apply to those HTs, but in fact will not--though I'm thinking that it's actually meant to exclude "3 Day Events", not HTs!

I think the rule does not apply to those two day events. If a rider had 10 horses, but they were all doing dressage and SJ only on Saturday, the rider wouldn't have to change. And on Sunday they could just stay in their XC gear. I think the rule only applies to one day HTs so riders with a lot of horses don't need to change from their dressage to XC clothes, and back again.

[fooler]

I think the rule does not apply to those two day events. If a rider had 10 horses, but they were all doing dressage and SJ only on Saturday, the rider wouldn't have to change. And on Sunday they could just stay in their XC gear. I think the rule only applies to one day HTs so riders with a lot of horses don't need to change from their dressage to XC clothes, and back again.


As I understand the thought process:
In a 1 Day event (all 3 phases on the same day) the scheduling is rather tight. So to avoid delays as 'some' competitors changed into their 'complete' x-c gear after stadium, they chose to modify the clothing requirements. You ride dressed appropriately for the phase.
IMHO - Coat + stock/tie for dressage (unless waved due to heat) then x-c gear for both stadium & x-c (in some cases stadium can serve as a warm-up for x-c)

[AlexMakowski]

I like this rule. I just got my USEA stuff last week. First time member. I HATE dressing up. I hate stock ties (wear them hunting), they itch and can feel suffocating at times. And I dont know about everyone else, but when im anxious or nervous, sometimes even excited, I sweat profusely under those dawg on jackets and shirts. Polos sound God sent. The vest idea is a good one too. We may very well begin to look like 'athletes'.

[Saskatoonian]

No more praying for jackets to be waived for the entire week before an event! WOO HOO!

I can only be persnickety about a certain number of things, and jackets are just below the line. However, I will concede (having done it many times) that white breeches and white shirt are a BIT much. It has still never stopped me.

I do think, though, that a nice short sleeved blue oxford would be just the thing with my butter colored breeches... or stripes... OFF TO SHOP!

[toeknee]

I don't really know how I feel about the rule. It takes away from the "finished" look when someone isn't wearing their jacket and stock, I think. Although, like Hilary said I am sure some people with look sharper in a polo and breeches then some others in their jackets. I understand when someone has 5 horses to ride and such but for someone like me who just has one horse, I think I will keep my normal attire of jacket and stock. Hey it is only 4 minutes of my life and the pictures look better!

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I believe that the GJ has always had the ability to waive dress requirements. At most summer events....they are waived (whether it is a one day event or multiple day event). I believe that this rule just codifies what has been common practice at most events. It was a rare summer event that I have attended in the past two years that didn't waive coats.

BUT the point of this rule was to facilitate what is common practice of waiving coats for SJ since at many one day events, you jump SJ and go right to XC. In order to allow people to wear XC attire for SJ...they had to formally waive the coats for SJ. With this rule...now they don't in the one day events where this typically happens.

In the multi day events....I'm sure if the weather calls for it...coats would be waived.

[Janet]

Does this mean that the rule won't apply to HTs held over two days?

There are several HTs in our area that do dressage and show jumping on Saturday; X-country on Sunday. It sounds like the rule *should theoretically* apply to those HTs, but in fact will not--though I'm thinking that it's actually meant to exclude "3 Day Events", not HTs!

Yes, the rule only applies when all three phases of a Horse Trials are contested over one day

No, it does not apply when you have Dressage and Show Jumping on Saturday and Cross Country on Sunday. That is intentional, as I understand it.

The way I read it, if you have (say) all three phases of Novice on Saturday, all three phases of Training on Sunday, but Prelim has Dressage and Show Jumping on Saturday, and Cross Country on Sunday- then the relaxed dress code would apply to Novice and Training, but not to Prelim. But would certainly like to know how Malcolm interprets it in that case.

The HISTORY of the rule is that several events (in Area II, anyway) started scheduling cross country and show jumping with 30 min or less in between, and stating that the rider could/should ride Show Jumping in Cross Country attire. That was, technically, a violation of the rules. The purpose of the rule change was simply to "make legal" something that wa already happening. And while they were at it, they threw in Dressage as well.

[Janet]

I think they applied it to the one day thinking of the competitors that ride multiple horses. That can be a lot of changing attire.
Not to do with multiple horses.
To do with scheduling Show Jumping and Cross Country so close together there is no time to change, even with only one horse.

[eventer_mi]

I like SLP's idea of a vest-- they look very nice on the DQs. Somehow there has got to be a way to look elegant without a wool jacket on.

Does anyone else think that white polo shirts with white/ light colored breeches do not look so great? I would prefer to see contrasting colors (perhaps a black, navy, dark green polo with light breeches). I am no fashionista so I cannot say why...

I personally feel that my belly-bulge (we've progressed waaaay beyond muffin-top realm here) is hidden better behind the flaps of a nice coat. Preferably dark. Preferably very, VERY dark. But that's just me :D. I tend to resemble the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man in light shirt tucked in, and light colored breeches, and putting on restricting under-garments would negate the cooling effect of leaving jacket off, so I'll probably be one of the last ones sweltering in my coat when all others have waived off, simply to avoid weeks of cringing when I see my pics of the show afterwards.

Tradition, schmadition - it's all about looking THIN in your photos, is it not? ;)

[ravenclaw]

Does anyone else think that white polo shirts with white/ light colored breeches do not look so great? I would prefer to see contrasting colors (perhaps a black, navy, dark green polo with light breeches).

I hate white shirts. They look like crap on me because of my skin tone and coloring. I'm not currently competing, but I really like the idea of beige breeches with a dark green or brown polo shirt. :yes:

[CookiePony]

OK... eventer mi hit the nail on the head... I do not want to inflict my Stay-Puft look on everyone else, either! :lol:

[Dr. Doolittle]

Yes, the rule only applies when

No, it does not apply when you have Dressage and Show Jumping on Saturday and Cross Country on Sunday. That is intentional, as I understand it.

The way I read it, if you have (say) all three phases of Novice on Saturday, all three phases of Training on Sunday, but Prelim has Dressage and Show Jumping on Saturday, and Cross Country on Sunday- then the relaxed dress code would apply to Novice and Training, but not to Prelim. But would certainly like to know how Malcolm interprets it in that case.

The HISTORY of the rule is that several events (in Area II, anyway) started scheduling cross country and show jumping with 30 min or less in between, and stating that the rider could/should ride Show Jumping in Cross Country attire. That was, technically, a violation of the rules. The purpose of the rule change was simply to "make legal" something that wa already happening. And while they were at it, they threw in Dressage as well.

Yes, this makes sense :yes:

[HiJumpGrrl]

Tradition, schmadition - it's all about looking THIN in your photos, is it not? ;)
You crack me up!!!

[crosscreeksh]

When we were outside of Southern Pines, NC at our Cross Winds Horse Center we ALWAYS made formal attire optional at our Schooling HT's. It allowed newbies who didn't have all the fancy clothes to come participate and the pros and instructors, including our own Denny, Third Charm, Mike Plumb, Charlie Plumb, Nancy Lindroth and more seemed to like the casual dress when they had a trailer full of green horses and students to get around the courses. Many people DID dress up, but the option was there. Then they could go to the recognized HT and dress up! Fancy clothes don't make you ride better, but a lot of people, AA's particularly, said they were less nervous without the clothes.

[CarrieK]

neatly tucked

Neatly tucked?!?!?! That's it--I'm done!!!




;)

[J. Turner]

There are a lot of cool (literal and figurative) tops to be had. Athleta.com is a sports apparel website for women. They have tops and dresses with built in underwire in bra sizes ... yay!!!! They have these great tops w/ the built in underwire bra (available in cami, v-neck/no sleeves, and racer back) that are swimsuit-ish material that I wear riding in the summer. And they dry fast when you get wet hosing your horse.

They have so many elegant tops for golf and tennis, etc. there might be something nice to use.

Their winter coats/top layers/vests are trim and fitted and flattering.

Just an idea for people looking for schooling wear and possible informal show wear.

Link to variety of underwire (shelf bra option) tops:
http://www.athleta.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=551&LeftNavToExpandID=365

Love, loff, loff this polo - and it does come in white for a nod towards tradition:
http://www.athleta.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=4081&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=5&iSubCat=325&iProductID=4081

Their UPF Performance Polo comes in more colors (including white). Actually something made pretty and throughtfully for women for athletics ... what a concept. You might have to change your colors to: Cocoa Bean, Saucy Pink, Cherry Blossom, or Flax though ... or maybe they do make tape in those colors ...

Burn up your competition on the course without getting a sunburn when you wear our semi-fitted Performance Polo, rated UPF 25. Lightweight and breathable, this top is made from moisture managing Wick-It™ fabric. Princess seams, bust darts and side-notch detailing offer a flattering fit.
http://www.athleta.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=3476&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=5&iSubCat=325&iProductID=3476

For those of you who don't need an underwire or don't mind wearing a bra underneath a cami top, there are tons of gorgeous options for schooling.

And no, I don't work for the company ... ;) Just love their stuff.

[scubed]

I don't think a lot of those would be acceptable by many judges. It will be interesting to see how "conservative" gets translated. I know I was scribing for one judge who hated the look of the vest on a day that coats were waived. I also had a friend who was reprimanded as not appropriate for wearing one of the romfh shirts with the pink back

[Ibex]

Neatly tucked?!?!?! That's it--I'm done!!!




;)

Yeah me too. I start out neatly tucked, and it all goes to hell pretty quickly...

[LookinSouth]

I like the idea that dressing in more Jumper-type attire (sans jacket and stock) will be acceptable for stadium. You can still be properly and neatly turned out w/o a jacket and stock. Neat, clean and conservative polos with an appropriate saddle pad I think looks nicer than having to go into stadium with your XC colors wearing your jacket, stock and colored helmet cover. uck!:no: To me there is nothing classy about being mismatched which sometimes is the case due to lack of time to change.

I will still ride Dressage with my coat and stock but I would LOVE to just do stadium in a nice polo. If I have time I will probably switch to my "colors" for XC and ride stadium with a plain white pad, if not, then I'll wear a polo that compliments my XC stuff and just throw the vest on for XC.

[bludini]

...those of you from Rio Linda)



Rio Linda CA? :lol::lol:

[eventer_mi]

You crack me up!!!

Not that YOU have anything to worry about, E - you are one of the few who could wear a white spandex unitard for dressage and look loverly doing it :yes:.

I'm to the point of where I don't care about the heat. I'm going to strap it in-down-whatever so that I don't look preggers in my photos.

[J. Turner]

I don't think a lot of those would be acceptable by many judges. It will be interesting to see how "conservative" gets translated. I know I was scribing for one judge who hated the look of the vest on a day that coats were waived. I also had a friend who was reprimanded as not appropriate for wearing one of the romfh shirts with the pink back


I know you couldn't wear it in dressage, but they may be polo enough to wear for stadium. Plus, I just wanted share the resource.

[Jeannette, formerly ponygyrl]

So our season is gearing up down here, and it reminds me to ask -
Do we think it would be acceptable (as in, within the rules, and then you can tell me if you think it's way tacky...;)) to show jump in polo and jacket without neckwear.

As with eventerMI, I'm thinking of the photos. ;) Seems like much of the time what is under the jacket doesn't show much, and it seems like a way to look a bit more dressy without having to do several complete changes of clothing.

At one HT last spring I asked the organizer - who was cranky about the rule change - if it would be OK to SJ in polo and jacket, and she was thrilled with the idea (and yes, I know the PoGJ would be the actual arbiter of the question.) What do the rule mavens (and fashion mavens) think??

[Bobthehorse]

Although it will probubaly make a lot of people happy, I think it does take something away from the sport. It just looks so darn classy when people are properly turned out, but maybe my traditionalist side is getting away from me again...

Agreed. Im in Canada, so we dont have this new rule, but if we did my coach would no doubt make us all dress up in stocks and coats regardless. Thats just how she rolls.

[Ajierene]

I do like the jacket and stock tie and will probably continue wearing it for a while - especially considering I don't own any polos. I only wear them for dressage, since I am in area II and cross country gear is worn for stadium.

That being said - 'traditional' wear was not so 'traditional' previously. The shadbelly was day wear in the mid 1800's and eventually was used to formal evening wear, then adopted to riding. Hunt coats had a similar history. So, if formal or semiformal wear of the day was called for at formal equestrian events, formal or semiformal wear of today should be worn for formal equestrian events.

It stands to reason that a button down shirt or polo would be appropriate for shows now.

[Sannois]

What??? Have they changed the dress rules?? So we can wear a white polo shirt for dressage and sj?? No more flippin' stock tie and hot and restricting black wool coats? :cool: Why--you'd almost think it's a "sport" with "athletes" competing! ;) We can be comfortable, and able to move now?

Actually, for the traditionlists--I have always thought that a black vest (instead of the jacket) with a tie would still look very formal, allow the judge to see our position--but not be nearly as hot and restricting as a long sleeve jacket. But I'll take no jacket any hot day!!

would look nice! The vest~
I too am an old traditionalist, BUT I despise being so hot you feel like you will pass out.
I would do the vest thing! :yes:

[Sightunseen]

I like the new rule. Can anyone think of any other sport where the competitors are required to wear formal jackets and ties? I know the formal attire looks very nice, no question about it, but to me it smacks of symbolism over substance. We all have our own ideas about what constitutes proper turnout. I'm thrilled to know that jackets are now optional. 'Bout time!

At least we haven't moved to spandex leotards like Jimmy Wofford proposed! Hee-hee, I can just imagine what the "traditionalists" would say to that.

I find it disappointing, there is a reason for the dress. Stock ties were so you could wrap a horses leg if need be, belts, a back-up stirrup leather...I think that this is another example of trying to "modernize" eventing and though it may not be as tragic as loosing the long format, it still makes me sad

[Larbear]

Tradition, schmadition - it's all about looking THIN in your photos, is it not? ;)

Absolutely!!! They can 'hide' a multitude of sins :D I think the jackets look nice as well. 'sides, I just recently bought myself a spify new coat so yeh, I will wear it!

[Ajierene]

I find it disappointing, there is a reason for the dress. Stock ties were so you could wrap a horses leg if need be, belts, a back-up stirrup leather...I think that this is another example of trying to "modernize" eventing and though it may not be as tragic as loosing the long format, it still makes me sad

Actually, the stock tie was originally intended to be worn to make the gentleman's chin be more 'up', making him look more formal or important. Similar to the shadbelly, the stock tie was worn with the rest of formal dinner attire while horseback riding. Later it was found to be helpful.

Similarly belts were meant to keep the pants up, not be an extra stirrup.

Their secondary uses are great, but should not be confused with being the original reason they were worn.

Since in eventing you don't need to worry about suddenly needing to wrap your horses leg in the dressage or stadium jumping ring (vet and other help are right there), there is no need for them. Belt is only needed if you have belt loops on your breeches (yes, I think if you have breeches with belt loops you should wear a belt - if they don't have belt loops, no belt). A broken stirrup will not mean galloping home a couple of miles, but maybe finishing a test or course or getting eliminated, dismounting and walking back to the trailer.

[RiverBendPol]

I will always wear my coat and stock. My horse will always be braided. I just can't help it.

[luise]

I think a polo shirt and jacket would look terrible! Sorry. I hate the look of a jacket with nothing underneath (that's how it looks). Either do the polo, or do a shirt jacket. If I wear a jacket, I wear a short sleeved shirt with ratcatcher. Stock tie is too much fluff for me for jumping.

[asterix]

Well, I have ALWAYS been in favor of doing this. It's a sport. It HAS evolved from its roots -- certainly we are no longer restricted to military men, and I hardly hear anyone complaining about that.
We are athletes and should wear gear that is comfortable while being respectful. This is a great idea.

Plus, sorry, but my jumping vest will not fit under my jacket, and when I had to wear it over my jacket at a 2-day event this spring I know I looked ridiculous. Wearing it over a polo is much nicer. I have been wearing my vest for stadium ever since my husband posed two questions: 1. Is it legal? and 2. Is it safer?
I had to admit, "yes" and "yes"

So, in an effort to be safe, and put my money where my mouth is regarding rider responsibility, I wear a vest for SJ. So I really like this rule. :D

[enjoytheride]

OMG I could have sworn I was in the Eventing forum and not the Dressage forum!

It was 90 when I showed last week and I can't wear a jacket at that temp, even for a few minutes. I can either wear a short sleeve show shirt or a nice polo.

One of the major reasons I'd never show at the fancy hunter shows, I'm not getting heat stroke because a bunch of snobby HPs think the judge will look down his nose on you for not wearing traditional attire not designed for 90 degree temps. Gasp gasp gasp

[Jeannette, formerly ponygyrl]

So our season is gearing up down here, and it reminds me to ask -
Do we think it would be acceptable (as in, within the rules, and then you can tell me if you think it's way tacky...;)) to show jump in polo and jacket without neckwear.

As with eventerMI, I'm thinking of the photos. ;) Seems like much of the time what is under the jacket doesn't show much, and it seems like a way to look a bit more dressy without having to do several complete changes of clothing.

At one HT last spring I asked the organizer - who was cranky about the rule change - if it would be OK to SJ in polo and jacket, and she was thrilled with the idea (and yes, I know the PoGJ would be the actual arbiter of the question.) What do the rule mavens (and fashion mavens) think??


Luise - thanks for answering the fashion maven portion of my question in your view. Anyone got input on the rules portion?? It's why I dragged this topic up from its' previous hashing...

[highlandgreen]

Sorry to go against you traditionalists but I have waited years for eventing to smarten up and at least start to wear athletic clothing. I am a male and some days I am sure I am going to be the first death caused by heat stroke. Some times I leave the dressage ring and my feet are literally burning! I am very fit for my age but I have never understood the attachment to this outdated clothing!!! There are no more traditional sports than golf and tennis and we do not see these athletes competing in dresses and suit jackets. There wear highly functional, colorful, and comfortable clothing.

I run many horse shows at the farm I own. My attitude is quite simple. If you want to show respect for the judge in any phase of eventing, ride better. Good riding and a nicely turned out horse shows me that you have worked very hard at your sport. I certainly don't want to think I am involved in a fashion show rather than an athletic competition!

[EventerAJ]

OK I admit I didn't wade through all 3 pages.

Is this a rule change for ALL events, or just one-days?

One-day HTs, I can understand one polo for everything. But for two+ day horse trials, what's wrong with traditional dress?


Oh, and there IS a rule (somewhere) that coats are *officially* waived when the temp is above 85 degrees. Maybe even when the "heat index" is above 85 (can't remember). So when it is HOT, you are most definitely allowed (if not encouraged) to compete without your coat.

When given the opportunity, I'll skip the coat in hot weather... but not the shadbelly. If it's important enough (CCI, adv ht) to deserve a shadbelly, I'm wearing it! I'll warm up in the shirt, but I can definitely stand 5+ minutes in the formalwear. I think it makes me sit better, anyway... ;)

[quietann]

highlandgreen, love your attitude!

I may or may not drop the coat for dressage (I would definitely do so if the temp is anywhere close to 80 or above), but stocktie MUST GO NOW! I hate stockties with a passion.

For jumping, well, I'll be wearing my X/C vest whenever I jump from now on, because I have permanent hardware holding my left collarbone together after my fall in July, and need to protect it as much as I can. So it's good that I won't have to wear a coat, because I'd have to get a second, larger one.

[Janet]

OK I admit I didn't wade through all 3 pages.

Is this a rule change for ALL events, or just one-days?
Only when all 3 phases are in one day.

One-day HTs, I can understand one polo for everything. But for two+ day horse trials, what's wrong with traditional dress?


Oh, and there IS a rule (somewhere) that coats are *officially* waived when the temp is above 85 degrees. Maybe even when the "heat index" is above 85 (can't remember). So when it is HOT, you are most definitely allowed (if not encouraged) to compete without your coat.

...
10. EXTREME WEATHER. At temperatures above 85°F, a heat index above 85°, or at the
discretion of the Ground Jury or the Organizer, competitors will be permitted to compete
without jackets, in the dressage and/or jumping tests. In such cases, competitors must wear
either a long or short sleeved shirt of conservative color without neckwear; members of the
armed forces and police units may ride in their summer uniforms. In inclement weather
competitors may wear a windbreaker jacket or rain coat over their clothing; their number
must be visible. BOD 1/14/07 Effective 12/1/07

[EventerAJ]

Thank you, Janet. :)

[GiGi]

What next???? Half chaps and paddock boots???? sigh.... I am with the coats and braids at schooling show folks. However my mare being the appy she is has no mane to braid but can't roach it either. Good thing she's an eventer.

[jpalisades]

I will still be in my jacket and stock:yes: Only on the worst humid and hot days do I not wear them. Growing up I trained with BNR and it was engraved into my mind that if we were going to take all the effort and money to get ready and train for an event...then we are going to look our best...coats, stocks, polished hooves, hind qtr. mark, and button braids!

After taking some (few years) off from competing, things have really changed. No more long format, no more riders learning how to really open up and gallop, no more care being given to turn out a good looking (meaning clean and polished) horse/tack/rider that you can, now no coats/stocks in the rules!

I agree with another poster here on the forum-- soon are we going to be going in chaps/half chaps?!?:cry: Hope NOT!

[Janet]

What next???? Half chaps and paddock boots????
Already legal as long as they match and are full grain smooh leather - and have been FEI legal longer than USEF legal.
black or brown full grain smooth leather leg piece and matching leather boots.

[Saskatoonian]

And I've seen some smooth half chaps that look nicer than a lot of the tall boots I see. ;)

[only_sunshine]

Honestly ... I always wear a polo under my jacket anyway, and my breeches are pull-on tights which I sewed to look like they have a zipper. Not all of us can afford to have all the fancy clothes AND take care of our horses, much less pay competition fees ... and either way I still looked pretty sharp at shows!

That's not to say I'll show in just my polo and pull-ons. But just a reminder ... it's not what you do but how you do it. Wearing full attire can't make a poor rider look and function like a good rider, and taking off a jacket doesn't in itself turn a good rider into a slob. : )

Also ... it's ALWAYS, ALWAYS more telling to look at the condition of the horse. If the horse looks sloppy, badly turned out, and in poor health, something is wrong at the stable. Even when I showed in my wash-and-wear Miller's hand-me-downs, my horse always shone from simple elbow grease, and I know a lot of other riders who put the same effort into their animals. That is the true measure of a horseperson -- not how we look in our 'penguin suits.'

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this rule....wish it applied to ALL events. I hate wearing jackets. I personally think it looks stupid to be dressed in formal attire doing a sport. It is annoying to fight with the stock and when you have multiple horses....it is tough doing the changing. Especially if you don't have any help with you. And you do have to change with multiple horses at events running over multiple days.....I don't tack up my next horse wearing my jacket/stock or it will surely get green slobber all over it.

I love that you can look a little more individual and still tasteful. It is also so much more comfortable....espcially since I dislike dressage to begin with, at least if I'm more comfortable I don't dread it as much!!!

Only down side....it is harder to hide those extra pounds!....well maybe it will motivate me to shed those pounds faster so there could be a positve point!

[highlandgreen]

I hope no one has misinterpreted my expectations for the care and turn out of the horse for competition. I don't see this as a slippery slope issue which will lead to the ruination of eventing. Your horse should be groomed to the highest degree and trained appropriately for the task it is being asked to do.

However I will ride better if I am not burning up. In my case it does not have to be 90 degrees for me to perspire profusely and soak my dress shirt and my expensive jacket. I run on a regular basis and ride more than one horse a day but I get warm very easily. Functional, athletic clothing, made with some of the modern fabrics available today would make competing more enjoyable for me. A tasteful collared golf shirt, cleans breeches and polished boots make me look like the athlete that I want my friends and high school students to think I am. I don't want to look like the loan officer at a bank when I ride.