Unless you’re a seasoned professional, knowing what to wear for which showing class can be a bit of a minefield. Overlooking the finer details when it comes to choosing the correct attire can put you at a disadvantage and leave you looking red-faced in the ring.
Being ready for the ring isn’t just about looking good in the most expensive gear. Budget, body shape, comfort, colour (of your horse in relation to what you choose to wear) and practicality are important factors to take into account, in addition to the rules and regulations particular to the class you’re aiming for.
Don’t leave it to the last minute. Planning what you’re going to wear and knowing what’s required ahead of the game will stand you in good stead. Consult the relevant society/association rule book if you need to, especially if you’re moving up through the showing ranks. That way you can ensure you have a fully comprehensive, up-to-date guide to the ‘shoulds’ and ‘should nots’ of the show ring.
In the meantime, we’ve put together a handy ‘What to wear and when to wear it’ guide to help you ensure you’re dressed to impress…
Lead Rein Show Pony
- Navy jacket (with cuff slightly showing)
- Canary jodhpurs (lighter for boys)
- Preferably brown leather jodhpur boots (although black is acceptable) with clips
- Brown leather gloves
- Pale shirt
- Tie with small knot (pinned)
- Buttonhole in right lapel
- Neatly plaited hair, plaits to be looped if hair long, ribbons to match tie
- Navy hat with tan leather chin strap
Lead Rein Handler
- Jacket to match or compliment rider, gentlemen to wear a dark suit jacket
- Culottes, skirt or trousers. Gentlemen to wear suit trousers
- Sensible shoes/boots
- Brown or dark leather gloves
- Light coloured shirt/blouse
- Ties worn with collared shirts to match rider
- Hat to compliment jacket. Gentlemen to wear a bowler
- Neat and tidy hair
First Ridden: as Lead Rein Rider In-Hand Show Pony
- Suit jacket, tweed jacket or waistcoat. Hacking jackets are acceptable
- Suit trousers, skirt or cord trousers
- Sensible shoes/boots
- Brown or dark leather gloves
- Collared shirt, light in colour
- Small knotted tie (pinned)
- Neat and tidy hair
- Protective headwear is recommended. Gentlemen can wear a bowler hat
- Brown cane
Lead Rein Show Hunter Pony
- Tweed jacket to compliment pony’s colour with plain or discreet navy or brown collar
- Buff or paler cream jodhpurs
- Brown leather jodhpur boots with clips
- Brown leather gloves
- Collared shirt, light in colour
- Tie with small knot (pinned)
- Buttonhole in right lapel
- Neatly plaited hair, plaits to be looped if hair long, ribbons to match tie
- Hat with velvet to match jacket or velvet trim and tan leather chin strap
Lead Rein Handler
- Tweed to match or compliment rider, gentlemen to wear a dark suit jacket
- Culottes, skirt or trousers. Gentlemen to wear suit trousers
- Sensible shoes/boots
- Brown or dark leather gloves
- Light coloured shirt/blouse
- Ties worn with collared shirts to match rider
- Hat to compliment jacket. Gentlemen to wear a bowler
- Neat and tidy hair
First Ridden Show Hunter Pony
- Tweed jacket to compliment pony’s colour with plain or discreet navy or brown collar
- Buff or paler cream jodhpurs
- Brown leather jodhpur boots with clips
- Brown leather gloves
- Collared shirt, light in colour
- Tie with small knot
- Tie pin, buttonhole in right lapel
- Neatly plaited hair, plaits to be looped if hair long, ribbons to match tie
- Hat with velvet to match jacket or velvet trim and tan leather chin strap
Ridden Show Hunter Pony
- Tweed jacket to compliment pony’s colour with plain or discreet navy or brown collar
- Buff or paler cream jodhpurs
- Brown leather jodhpur boots with clips or long boots (not dressage) with strap for older children
- Brown leather gloves
- Collared shirt, light in colour
- Tie with small knot (pinned)
- Buttonhole in right lapel
- Neatly plaited hair, plaits to be looped if hair long, ribbons to match tie. Riders of 13 years + should wear their hair in a neat bun if long, with a discreet scrunchie to match tie
- Hat with velvet to match jacket or velvet trim and tan leather chin strap
Ridden Mountain & Moorland
- Tweed jacket
- Canary/champagne/beige breeches or jodhpurs
- Long boots, children to black/brown jodhpur boots with clips
- Brown or corn gloves
- Pale coloured shirt
- Tie with small knot (pinned)
- Neat hair with hairnet and bun with scrunchie
- Velvet hat to match jacket or velvet jacket trim with a ten leather chin strap
- Brown cane not to exceed 75cm
Ridden Cob
- Tweed jacket
- Beige breeches/jodhpurs
- Black or brown long boots and spurs or dummy spurs
- Brown or cream gloves
- Pale coloured shirt
- Tie with small knot (pinned)
- Neat hair in bun with hairnet or hairnet worn over short hair. NO SCRUNCHIE OR RIBBONS
- Velvet hat to match jacket or velvet jacket trim with tan leather chin strap
- Brown cane
Riding Horse
- Tweed jacket. A waistcoat may be worn to compliment jacket
- Canary breeches
- Black long boots
- Brown or corn gloves
- Pale coloured shirt
- Tie with small knot (pinned)
- Neat, with hairnet and bun and scrunchie (if long)
- Velvet hat to match jacket or velvet jacket trim with tan chin strap
- Brown cane
Ridden Hunter
- Tweed jacket. A waistcoat may be worn to compliment jacket
- Canary breeches
- Black long boots
- Brown or corn gloves
- Pale coloured shirt
- Tie with small knot (pinned)
- Neat, with hairnet and bun and scrunchie (if long)
- Velvet hat to match jacket or velvet jacket trim with tan chin strap
- Brown cane
Working Hunter
- Tweed jacket. A waistcoat may be worn to compliment jacket
- Canary or beige breeches
- Brown jodhpur boots and clips or long black boots for intermediate
- Brown or corn gloves
- Pale coloured shirt
- Tie with small knot (pinned)
- Neat hair, with hairnet, bun and scrunchie
- Velvet hat to match jacket
- Brown cane
Ridden Chaps
- Blue, black or tweed jacket
- Canary or beige jodhpurs or breeches
- Black or brown jodhpur boots with clips. Black long boots for older children and adults
- Brown, black or navy gloves
- Light coloured shirt/stock shirt
- Tie with small knot (pinned) or stock
- Neat hair with hairnet
- Black or navy velvet hat
- Plain, leather-covered cane
Ridden Arab
- Navy or tweed jacket (before noon), navy (afternoon)
- Champagne breeches
- Black long boots. Children may wear jodhpur boots with clips
- Brown gloves
- Light coloured shirt
- Tie with small knot (pinned)
- Neat hair with hairnet
- Navy velvet hat
- Plain leather covered cane – no whips
DISCLAIMER!! THIS IS A GUIDE – PLEASE DO CONTACT YOUR BREED SOCIETY OR ASSOCIATION IF YOU ARE UNSURE!
