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Now it’s time to turn our to attention what you, as the rider, need to wear. You may already have most of the acceptable items in your wardrobe, so there is no need to go and splash out on a complete new set of clothes.
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Can I wear my hacking jacket, or do I need to buy a black or navy showing jacket?
The rules state that you don’t need to wear a black or navy jacket until you reach Advanced level. However, there is nothing prohibiting you from wearing one at the lower levels either. So, if you have one, by all means wear it, but you are equally allowed to wear a plain coat or a tweed hacking jacket of a ‘conservative colour’ .
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What do I wear under it?
That is at your discretion(!) but see note below. You may wear a shirt and tie that co-ordinates conservatively with the rest of your attire. An American Collar is also acceptable and the traditional stock (correctly tied or ready tied) is still very much in evidence.
In excessively hot weather, show organisers may permit you to ride without a coat provided you are wearing a suitable shirt that fastens at the neck (not bright or multi-coloured) as outlined above.
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What type of riding hat should I wear?
Under BD rules, the hat does not have to have a harness, but you’ll find that almost every unaffiliated competition will insist on a hat being up to the current BSI Safety Standard (PSA 015 & BS EN 1384) and securely fastened at all times whilst the rider is mounted.
It can be a velvet covered traditional riding hat or a jockey skull. The velvet (or hat cover) may be black, navy or brown.
When you get to Advanced level you may wear a tail coat and a top hat.
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What colour jodhpurs / breeches?
These may be white, cream or beige. (Cream or beige are more forgiving on ladies with curves.)
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Should I wear gloves?
Gloves are compulsory. Don’t wear white unless you have very quiet hands!
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I don’t have a pair of long leather boots, do I need to buy some?
No, whilst leather, dressage-cut boots are a wonderful and flattering luxury, they are not a necessity. Should you prefer long boots, a ‘normal’ pair of long leather ones won’t cost the earth, and you may also ride in long rubber ones, too.
You are also permitted to ride in jodhpur / paddock boots with gaiters made from the same leather. At affiliated shows you cannot ride in suede half chaps; unaffiliated may be a little more lenient, but never aasume; always check with the organisers. Jodhpur boots (with jodhpurs) alone may also be worn, but this is usually only seen on children.
Boots must be black or brown and may be top boots (long black boots with a brown top).
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Am I allowed to wear spurs in Preliminary classes?
Spurs do not become mandatory until Advanced level, and you may wear them at every level below that.
They must be made of metal. The band around the heel must be smooth and there must be a shank on the back of the heel pointing towards the rear ( comb spurs are not permitted).
Spurs may not be worn upside down.
There is no restriction on the type of shank, and rowels are permitted provided they are fitted vertically and are free to rotate. Rowels which have points must have rounded ends.
Spurs that have a smooth rotating rubber or plastic ball on the shank are permitted.
Only blunt spurs without rowels may be worn for Young Horse classes.
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Can I carry a whip?
You may carry a whip in all classes except Area Festivals and all Championship classes. However, they may be carried in all 4 yo classes including championships.
At no time may you carry more than one whip.
The whip may not be used in a way, or be of a length, that disturbs other riders.
If dropped during a test, it may not be picked up.
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It is only by rational and calm methods which are never brutal that the horse may become obedient and well balanced - Nuno Oliveira
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