Welcome to the Equestrian Outreach Showing Attire, Tack & Turn Out Guidelines Page

Classic (English) & Western Showing Attire, Tack & Turn Out

Classic (English)

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(Note: Enforcement of this dress code is varies from show to show. Be sure to inquire prior to the competition)
Classic (English) Riding Style - Dressage
Dressage Rider Attire: (Lower Levels) Black Hunt Coat, White or Cream Breeches, White Shirt, White Stock Tie or Choker, Hunt Cap, Bowler or Derby Hat, Black Gloves, Black (Heeled) Hunt Boots with Dressage Top, Spurs Optional.
Dressage Rider Attire: (FEI Level) Tailcoat or Shadbelly , White or Cream Breeches, White Shirt, White Stock Tie or Choker, Top Hat, White Gloves, Black (Heeled) Hunt Boots with Dressage Top, Spurs.
Dressage Horse Tack: Black Dressage Saddle, Black Tack.

Classic (English) Riding Style - Hunter
Hunter Ride Attire: Conservatively Colored Coat (Navy Blue is widely chosen), Light Colored (Cream or Tan) Breeches or Jodhpurs, White or Light Pastel Shirt (White Shirt & Dark Tie for Men) , White Stock Tie or Choker, Tall Black (heeled) Hunt Boots, Helmet and Black Gloves.
Hunter Horse Tack: Hunter Saddle (Brown or Tan Not Black), Tack Color Optional.

Classic (English) Riding Style – Saddle Seat
Saddle Seat Attire: The informal dress for saddle seat equitation includes a coat and Kentucky jodhpurs of a dark, conservative color, e.g., herringbone, pin stripes, black, blue, grey, dark burgundy, dark green or beige; a white or pastel collared shirt with a tie; derby or soft hat; and jodhpur boots. Vests and gloves are optional. Pleasure equitation is another form of saddle seat equitation in which a rider is required to wear informal dress (coat, jodhpur pants, derby or soft hat, all in a dark color) in the day and evening and ride a horse that has a full mane and tail which is not set. After 6 p.m. formal wear is required. This habit includes a tuxedo-style jacket, pants and vest with bow tie and formal shirt, and top hat.
Saddle Seat Tack: Saddle seat riders use a special saddle which is called a Saddleseat saddle. The saddle seat horse traditionally wears a double bridle (full bridle), with both a curb bit and a bradoon. A pelham bit is also legal for pleasure classes, though not common. The double bridle is preferred (and mandatory in most equitation classes). The brow band is commonly brightly colored leather or vinyl, red being the most common color. The cavesson is sometimes plain leather, and sometimes colored to match the browband, depending on breed and fashion trends in tack.
Saddle Seat Turnout: Horses shown saddle seat generally are left with a very long, flowing mane and forelock that is not trimmed or pulled. Generally, only part of the mane is trimmed. This area, called the bridle path (the area of the mane just behind the horse's ears, where the bridle lies across the top of the horse's head).The tail is left long, and often the bottom of it is kept wrapped up at the stable so that it grows long enough to skim or even drag on the ground as the horse moves, only taken down for show.

Classic (English) Riding Style - Show Hack
Show Hack Attire: The rules specify informal hunt attire, except in evening classes or championships. Virtually all riders appear in full formal turnout of Shadbelly coat, white breeches, canary, buff or yellow vest, black boots, white stock tie, gloves and top hats. Whip and spurs are optional.
Show Hack Tack (acceptable): English saddle of any type; however, no cutbacks (Saddleseat saddles) are used. Bridle must be single snaffle, Pelham (kimberwicke permitted but rarely seen) or full bridle; brow bands and cavessons acceptable in hunter and dressage classes may be used. A dressage saddle, although some forward seat saddles are often seen. A square dressage saddle pad most often in black with white piping/edging or white with colored piping/edging is the most used. Standard shaped saddle pad is acceptable as well. The current style is to the dressage-style full bridle, although snaffle bridles are also seen.
Show Hack Tack (unacceptable) breastplates, martingales, boots or bandages, colored brow bands or cavesson sets, or any other bridle types not acceptable in hunter or dressage, single-curb bridles, flash, drop, or figure 8 nosebands, decorations on braids.
Show Hack Horse Turnout: Manes are frequently braided with either the French-braid or smocking for full manes or a standard hunter braid job for pulled manes. Tails may also be braided but are usually left loose. Braids may be secured with yarn, tape, or rubber band, but decorations are not permitted. A checkerboard or other pattern is frequently brushed or clipped into the croup area of the horse.
Classic (English) Riding Style – Show Jumpers
Jumper Attire: (Lower Level) Black Coat, Light Colored (Cream or Tan) Breeches or Jodhpurs, White or Light Pastel Shirt (White Shirt & Dark Tie for Men) , White Stock Tie or Choker, Tall Black (heeled) Hunt Boots, Helmet and Black Gloves.
Jumper Attire: (FEI Level) Scarlet Coat, White Breeches or Jodhpurs, White or Light Pastel Shirt (White Shirt & Dark Tie for Men) , White Stock Tie or Choker, Tall Black (heeled) Hunt Boots, Helmet and Black Gloves.
Jumper Horse Tack: Jumper Saddle (Brown or Tan Not Black), Tack Color Optional

Western

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Western Riding Style Apparel – Halter

(Note: Enforcement of this dress code is varies from show to show. Be sure to inquire prior to the competition)

Halter Rider: Halter is an in hand class (Exhibitors handles their horse from the ground). In halter classes the judge’s entire focus is on the horse; its conformation, turn out (show preparation) and ground manners. Many exhibitors choose to use their showmanship outfit in a halter class as well.
Often people wear jeans and a western style top or jacket. Some choose to wear a specific halter jacket with black pants, the jacket not necessarily matching the pants. The larger the show the better you want to present yourself, but from what we have seen at some smaller shows the rules for western show clothing in halter are a little more relaxed for the exhibitor.
You still want a nice and clean overall picture to present to the judge.

Western Riding Style Apparel – Horsemanship

Horsemanship Rider: Western horsemanship is another pattern class, under saddle riding your horse. In this class the judge focuses more on the rider and the rider's equitation in the saddle.
You want to choose your western show clothing for this class very carefully. Just like showmanship, you want to present yourself neat and clean. It is in your best interest to select an outfit where the bottom colors flow into the top. You want clean, lengthening lines in your appearance. So again black chaps combined with a bright pink top will cut you in half and again draw the judges eye more to one point of your body. Darker based colors will minimize your movement while on the horse. You want to execute your pattern with little distraction by your hands or legs. If your horse presents a sharp pattern, but the judge is distracted by excessive legs or hands, you may place lower than someone with an equal pattern performance and no distractions.
This is more important at larger breed shows. At smaller open shows you will likely see exhibitors wearing a pleasure blouse in both horsemanship and pleasure. This is ok, but at a larger show you may want to coordinate your colors a little better.
You also may not always have to complete a pattern. Typically at breed circuit shows and larger open shows you will see a pattern combined with some rail work or riding out on the rail. At smaller open shows you may only complete rail work.

Western Riding Style Apparel – Western Showmanship

Showmanship: Showmanship is an in-hand class (Exhibitors handles their horse from the ground). Exhibitor and horse execute a specific pattern, and are judged on the performance of that task. The focus of this class is about precision and presentation. Care should be taken in exhibitor in this class should be clean and non-distracting and the horse should properly turned out (groomed) for showing. Ears, muzzle, and bridle path should all be clipped and clean. Your appearance is also equally important as it is as important a component as the horse in the judging this class.

Western Riding Style Apparel – Western Pleasure

Western Pleasure: Western pleasure is a more popular class at most western horse shows and is well known for the bright and shiny western show clothing worn. In the western pleasure class all of the judges focus is on the horse and its movement through all three gaits.

Western Riding Style Apparel – Western Riding

Western Riding: Western riding can be thought of as a western pleasure class with a ton of lead changes. Your horse is judged on smoothness through the pattern during each transition.
We have seen both horsemanship and western pleasure type outfits during this class. Keep in mind you need to choose what will best suit you and your horse. While the overall look is important this is a class where people can show some styling flair.

Western Riding Style Apparel – Western Trail

Western Trail: In a Trail class is a class where you and your horse complete a pattern through and over obstacles. Patterns are typically more precise and technical as the exhibitor is judged on their equitation and the horse is judged on how smoothly the pattern is completed. Attire for this class is not strictly regulated but should not distract from the skill level of horse and rider.