Show Clothes: Is Barbie’s pink show jacket a good idea?
Horse showing is the best part of horse riding for many riders! A week with your barn friends and your horse jumping courses and winning ribbons, all while being dressed to the nines—who could ask for more? But how do we dress for our horse shows? Sure, we’ve all seen Barbie in her pink coat and tall boots winning big blues on Twany, but what are you actually supposed to wear? Let’s get into it!
Your show outfit will change depending on what division you are showing in. The hunters and equitation require a more conservative look than show jumping. Always make sure you check in with your coach about what you should be wearing! Your coach would rather be bombarded by questions than have you show up to your show dressed incorrectly!! Your show outfit should include:
Conservative breeches: These breeches must have a knee patch; full-seat breeches are not acceptable in the hunter/jumper/equitation arena. Color may change depending on your class, but historically, tan is an incredibly safe choice. You may find yourself wearing white for a Grand Prix or a classic. Rust is an acceptable choice for the hunters but is not nearly as popular as it once was. Again, always check in with your trainer!!
Show Shirt: A show shirt should be white with a collar that is snug around your neck and cuffs that are snug around your wrists. Your show shirt is where you can have a little fun. Many brands are now creating colored shirts with a while bib and cuffs to give the illusion of a completely white top under a show jacket. In the hunters and equitation, you will most commonly see riders wearing fully white shirts; these shirts must not have any logos or bling. If you must sparkle a little bit, sometimes sliver buttons on the neck are acceptable, but this is not always the case. In the jumpers, some riders will wear a shirt with color or conservatively placed crystals. Again, and this cannot be stressed enough—always check in with your trainer!
Show Jacket: Your show jacket should have a tailored look and have three buttons along your abdomen. In the hunters and equitation, you, again, will want to reach for something a little more conservative, like a navy, black, or deep hunter green. In the jumpers, you can wear most any color jacket with some sparkle, but make sure whatever sparkle or color you are doing doesn’t distract from your riding!
Boots: Your boots should be clean and polished! If wearing paddock boots, you’ll want to make sure you are wearing garters or clean half chaps depending on your division.
Hairnets or hair bows: Your hair should be neat. Teenagers and adults will do this by wearing their hair up in a hair net, while children (or some teenagers depending on division) will normally wear hair bows! Hair bows are worn at the bottom of two very clean, even braided pigtails, and these can be colorful and cute and even have patterns! Always check in with your trainer if you are unsure what to do with your hair.
Helmet: Your helmet should be well fitted and clean!
Gloves: gloves are required for showing. They should be black, white, or navy, depending on your division.
When we show our turnout is 50% of the battle, if you are not looking your best, you can’t perform at your best! Your show outfit should show a little personality, whether that’s in your belt, socks, or in the little details of your shirt and coat. You want to stand out while staying with a classic look for the show arena! You may want to consider seeing a tailor to create a fitted and clean look. There is something for every budget, so don’t feel like you have to spend copious amounts of money on your show attire; buy what best fits you! I personally recommend having 1-2 show shirts, 1-2 pairs of show breeches, and 1 show coat, all of which should be kept clean and in garment bags. These clothes should only ever be used for shows! Always try your show clothes on to ensure a good fit. If you don’t know how something is supposed to fit, ask your local Tack Store clerk or your trainer! Happy showing!
