EQUESTRIAN ATTIRE

 

Equestrianism, commonly known as horse riding (British English) or horseback riding (American English) includes the disciplines of riding, driving or vaulting with horses. The description includes recreational activities, artistic or cultural exercises and competitive sports.

ORIGINS:

Major Equestrian sports can trace their roots as far back as ancient Greece, where dressage was developed as a way to prepare horses for war. Horses were also involved in Olympic competitions as early as 680 BCE, where chariot race were introduced to the Ancient Olympic Games. Jumping developed principally from 17^th and 18^th century fox hunt and steeplechase, while event was developed to prepare and test cavalry horses.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION:

Equestrian sports featured on the Olympic program of Paris Games in 1900, show jumping, long jumping and high jumping. Dressage and three day event were included with show jumping in Stockholm in 1912.Since then, the sport has been on the Olympic program.

Until 1948, only men competed in the events, as the riders had to be officers .This restriction was lifted in 1951, since the Heisinki Games in 1952, women have competed with men in mixed events. Women first competed in dressage in 1952, 1956 in jumping and 1964 in three day event. From three disciplines that make up Equestrian, eventing is the most demanding. Indeed, it combines not only jumping and dressage but also long cross country course, on mixed terrain with sometimes imposing natural or artificial obstacles.

EQUESTRIAN ATTIRE:

Like other sports, equestrian riders require specific type of attire. Equestrian outfit takes into account the unique history of the sports, the physical demand of the rider and varies extensively from one riding discipline to another.

  

From incredibly formal to classical dressage to the decorative yokes and paisley flatbed prints of Western riders, equestrian garment broadly spans the style spectrum. When a practitioner steps in stable for the first time, verifies that the dress is appropriate for the sport, so the rider will always feel comfortable and confident in the saddle.

 ATTIRE TRENDS: 

It should come as no surprise that, like anything else, horseback attire ebbs and flow with the culture as a whole, with trends coming in and out of fashion each season. Gone are the days of stiff, unrelenting riding gear. Right now, equestrian observers are noting a massive spike in technical fabrics, and riders are grateful. These new offering recognize riders as athletes and transform otherwise limiting and itchy attire into gear that’s unrestricted, moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating. Coordinating attire with the horses coat is also in vogue I the riding world.

While material may change and technical advancements influence, the basic formulas for each discipline largely remain the same, especially when we are talking about traditional equestrian sports. If you are thinking about getting back in the saddle, but are not quite sure how to dress, read this guide to discover what to wear when you get started.

 DRESSAGE: AS FORMAL AS IT GETS

By the FEI (Federation Equestrian Federation) dressage is the riding discipline focused principally on mastery of the craft. Dressage is steeped in history, with contemporary attire taking cues from the classical tradition. The competition’s governing body in United States known as USDF typically provides attire specifications for competitors. During a competition, riders generally adhere to a strict code of dressing, which includes the following components.

·        TOP-Most dressage riders wear the signature plain riding jacket in black or navy with metal buckles. Upper-level riders wear tailored jackets (shadbellies) with yellow vests. Additionally, a white stock ties in worn.

·        BOTTOM-Dressage riders wear traditional breeches (ankle length) or jodhpurs (full length) during competition.

·        HEAD-Dressage riders have options when it comes to riding hats. Lower-level riders may wear derby hats, hunting hats or equestrian helmets, whereas upper-level riders wear coat-matching top hat and traditionally, no helmet.

·        FEET-In dressage, riders typically wear tall black or navy dress boots, field boots or paddock boots.

ACCESSORIES-In addition to the above components, dressage riders must wear black or white riding gloves. White riding gloves are standard for upper-level competitors. Though not required, many competitors wear body protectors to shield the upper portion of the body.

ENDURANCE RIDING: ALL ABOUT SPORT  

As dressage riding is all about the traditional equestrian experience, endurance riding is all about athleticism. Governed by the FEI, endurance riding is the sport of long-distance horse races, with most rides extending for between 50 and 100 miles. Some of the top performing endurance riders have completed 100-mile race in less than 6 hour.  

Endurance riding requires hours of adaptability, fortitude and speed. Because of these factors, endurance riding apparel trends to be much more technical and athlete focused than other equestrian disciplines. Endurance riding athletes wear the following:

·        Top: Endurance riders typically wear a T-shirt or base layer (often with a slogan from a previous competition) on top. For this type of riding, it’s important to wear tops that help wick away moisture and regulates temperature fluctuations during long rides.

·        Bottom: Riders generally wear flexible, breathable and moisture wicking riding tights that keep them comfortable for hours in the saddle. Half-chaps may be worn to protect the rider from calf chafing during prolonged ride.

·        HEAD: The riding helmet is not just recommended in endurance riding, it’s crucial. Wear an ASTM/SEI-approved riding helmet that’s lightweight, breathable and protective.

·        FEET: Look for sport-specific endurance riding boots which feature all weather materials, like waterproof leather. A lightweight well-fitting and slim boot that comes to just above the ankle is best when riding is this fashion.

·        ACCESSORIES: Keep cool and protect yourself with breathable gloves and cooling vests. 

CROSS-COUNTRY: THE LEAST EVENTING ATTIRE

Cross-country is the equestrian evening component that tests equine and rider on speed, endurance and physical fitness. To compete, riders must test their horses on various natural obstacles meant to simulate riding in the country side, including bodies of water, fences, banks, fallen trees, logs and more.

Attire-wise, cross-country is considered the least formal of the three eventing disciplines (dressage, show jumping and cross-country) and usually has the fewest rules. As a result, many cross-country riders get creative with colours and patterns when dressing for this phase. Consider wearing the following when you’re suiting up for a cross-country ride:

·        TOP: Most cross-country riders wear a long-sleeve or polo shirt beneath a cross-country safety vest. Competition cross-country riders are also required to wear a medical armband containing medical history, should they become knocked unconscious and require medical treatment. Most of them also wear a vest so that if they fall they are more protected.

·        BOTTOM: Any comfortable, breathable breeches will work in the cross-country round, so long as they don’t get in your way while you’re riding.

·        HEAD: Protective headwear is required for all levels of cross-country riders. Typically, cross-country riders sport specific skull cap helmets with helmet covers.

·        FEET: During this phase of eventing, riders wear tall riding boots in black or brown. You may also need spurs, if necessary.

·        ACCESSORIES: Most cross-country competitors wear riding timepieces to monitor and modify their time as they compete. Gloves are not required, but they may be worn to protect the hands and improve riding performance.

SHOW JUMPING: PRACTICAL BUT FORMAL ATTIRE

Alongside dressage and cross-country, show jumping is a pillar of equestrian eventing. It is the discipline that tests, of course, jumping, with riding facing obstacles, such as spreads, combinations and verticals.

In this discipline, there are two riding classes-hunting and jumping. Both classes wear the same fundamental pieces of attire, but hunters have much more formal and regulated dress requirements. On the other hand, jumpers dress less conservative but still must maintain the standard dress code outlined below.

·        TOP: During this phase, riders generally follow dressage conventions, with a tailored riding jacket, usually in black, over a formal, white shirt. In the event of hot weather, riders may be allowed to compete without their jackets. Riders often wear a choker or a stock tie. A white stock tie is generally worn with a black or blue coat and a coloured stock tie is typically worn with a tweed coat.

·        BOTTOM: Typically, show jumpers wear light-coloured breeches or jodhpurs if they are aiming for more traditional and conservative show jumping attire. It’s conventional for riders to wear white, pale yellow or beige bottoms.

·        HEAD: During this discipline, riders must be sure that they wear approved riding hats that meet the appropriate safety standards for the

competitions. All headwear should be either black or dark blue.

·        FEET: Tall plain black boots or gaiters with matching boots are standard in show jumping. Spurs are optional.

·        ACCESSORIES: Gloves, which are usually black, are optional.

TRAIL: COMFORT IS THE KEY CONSIDERATION

When you want to head out on a pleasurable trail riding adventure, it’s necessary that you’re prepared for anything the wilderness might throw your way. Trail riding is usually associated with pleasure riding.

In competition, trial riding is typically classified as endurance riding and there are no strict attire rules. The only exception is that some jurisdictions require the use of riding helmets by law. Still, there are certainly things you should keep in mind when you are planning your trail-based equestrian adventures, most of which center around keeping you cool, comfortable and forced on the long and winding trail ahead.

·        TOP: On top, wear performance apparel that’s appropriate for the weather and the helps to regulate temperature. If it’s cool, layer with a light jacket that won’t limit your movements when you have to make quick adjustments.

·        BOTTOM: Most often, trail riders wear jeans on their journeys. Denim is fine to wear during long rides, so long as it doesn’t limit your flexibility or cause discomfort while you ride. Never wear shorts or Capri’s while trail riding, the exposure can cause your legs to chafe.

·        HEAD: In general, wearing a helmet anytime you head out on the trial is a good idea. Many states require that those 18 and under, wear helmet while horse riding. Whether you are a competitor, a backyard rider or an avid trail adventurer, a comfortable, breathable and well-fitting helmet is a must.

·        FEET: No fancy riding boots are needed on most trail rides, but you should make sure you’re wearing a pair that’s sized right for the stirrup and provides your feet and ankles with the right amount of support.

·        ACCESSORIES: Wear riding appropriate extras that help you endure in the face of all weather conditions, including sunglasses, gloves and a rain jacket. Remember: Always wear sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy out.

WESTERN: THINK LIKE A COWBOY

      Somehow their fashion is less fussy. Western aren’t all about fun and games. This type of equestrian riding, which includes pleasure riding, reining, cutting, team penning and other events, differs widely from the English riding tradition, but it still has a fair amount of nuance. Generally, Western riding is associated with American cowboys and the Old West, but you will be surprised to see how modern and innovative some Western riding attire can be. Here’s what to wear when you’re saddling up on the ranch:

·        TOP: One of the most notable components of the cowboys riding duds in the western shirt. It’s typically a long-sleeved, button-up shirt or jacket, with traditional style featuring a collar, a flat bed print and a western yoke. Modern Western riders opt for stretchy, breathable shirts and tank tops. During competition, Western riders often swap the shirt for a jacket.

·        Bottom: What pairs perfectly with a Western riding shirt? A pair of jeans of course! Contemporary Western riders generally sports denim jeans, even during competition.

·        HEAD: Traditionally, Western riders wear wide-brimmed cowboy hats while they ride. However, contemporary riders, especially youth riders, often wear helmets while on horseback.

·        FEET: Every good Western rider needs a pair of cowboy boots to complete the look. Western boots are the preferred footwear for this discipline, but any comfortable pair that keeps the foot in the stirrup is appropriate for this type of riding Western.

·        ACCESSORIES: To complete the western look consider adding a bolo tie and a set of chaps to your riding uniform.