Style Guide: Best Competition Riding Clothes

From show shirts and jackets to breeches and riding tights, we’ve put together a style guide to the best competition riding clothes to help you face your next competition in style and with confidence.

Best Competition Riding Clothes for Show Jumping

Show jumping is an equestrian event where the horse and rider are required to jump a series of hurdles and other obstacles, usually within a set time limit, scoring penalty points for any faults they make.

When it comes to competition riding clothes for this discipline, some regulations that need to be met include:

Lightly Coloured Breeches

In the discipline of show jumping, more often than not, riders are required to wear lightly coloured breeches to compete in; ideally, white breeches. As well as being traditional, this creates a sleek and sophisticated aesthetic for athletes. These Tri Factor Grip Full Set Breeches in white are perfect for competing; with compression fabric, they’ll keep you cool under pressure with temperature regulating technology. Silicone grips also help to boost your performance in the saddle.

White Show Shirt

A white show shirt is required for show jumping competitions. These must have either a closed choker collar or a wrap-neck collar. You can also wear a show shirt that has a white bib front, just as long as your shirt looks white under the jacket. We recommend a super flexible fabric so that you have no restrictions on your movement. Our range of white show shirts also feature technology that can aid in keeping you cool and comfortable whilst you compete. 

Show Jacket

Slip on a smart show jacket to finish off your look. Most competitions require these to be darker in colour. The Galatea Show Coat is a perfect choice, coming in black and dark blue. We’ve designed it with stretchy fabric to keep you moving freely.

Tall Field or Dress Boots

Tall field or dress boots are typically required to be black. We have a range of tall boots for you to choose from. Our Ravello Tall Riding Boot is a classic choice, designed with a sleek Spanish cut in soft Italian calf leather, helping you shine in the saddle. Alternatively, our Palisade collection boasts multiple boot styles, ideal for competing in.

Helmet

When choosing your competition riding clothes for show jumping, your helmet can usually be any colour or pattern you wish. However, most riders will opt for a classic black look to maintain a sleek and sophisticated aesthetic. For women, hair should be neatly tucked away underneath your helmet, for both safety and appearance.

Best Competition Riding Clothes for Cross-Country

The discipline of cross-country equestrian riding and jumping is an endurance test where horse and rider will jump a number of fences across a longer, outdoor course.

When it comes to competition riding clothes for this discipline, there’s a far more relaxed dress code, but some regulations that need to be met include:

Sweater, Shirt, or Base Layer

This will ideally be long sleeved. Our range of baselayers are designed with high-tech features to regulate your temperature when you’re riding, helping you to feel confident and collected when in the saddle.

Lightly Coloured Breeches

Once again, as with most disciplines, when cross-country racing you’re often required to wear lightly coloured breeches. Take these stylish light tan breeches with full seat grip – they’re designed to support core muscles, so they’re great for longer, endurance races in the saddle.  We also offer a range of white breeches if you’re looking for a classic finish to your riding outfit.

Plain Tall Black Boots

When cross country riding, you’ll need to be wearing a pair of tall black boots, or a pair of half chaps paired with shorter riding boots to give the illusion of a long boot style. This not only gives you a sophisticated competition look, but also provides better support and comfort for longer periods of time in the saddle.

Body Vest

For protection, it’s a requirement to wear a body vest when riding in cross country competitions. Be aware that these will need to be British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) approved to compete.

Helmet

With no colour requirements you can choose whatever colour, pattern, or print you desire!

Our style guide should not only help you with the regular guidelines needed to dress appropriately for horse riding competitions, but also help you look your best too!

Best Competition Riding Clothes for Dressage

Dressage is a horse-riding discipline where riders are judged against a set of criteria on a range of movements and the performance of them within a four-sided arena.

When it comes to competition riding clothes for this discipline, some regulations that need to be met include:

White Breeches

Light-coloured breeches are always a necessity in dressage, and almost every time you’ll be required to wear all-white legwear. This helps to maintain a customary and sophisticated look across the competition – within an artistic equestrian discipline, looking elegant is key. Our Tri Factor Grip Knee Patch Breeches in white combine elegance and performance, having been expertly engineered to help you perform at your best.

White Show Shirt

As with show jumping, your competition riding clothes should include a classic white show shirt with an approved show collar; choker collar or a wrap-neck collar are usually required. Discover our range of white show shirts, perfect for competing in.

White Stock Tie

A white stock tie is often paired with a white show shirt, giving you a seriously sophisticated look.

Show Jacket

Dressage competitions require a smart show jacket in black (most commonly) to finish off your look. Our range of black show jackets are the perfect pairing for your show outfit. Designed with technology to keep you cool and comfortable in the saddle, our show jackets will be your best friend for show season. 

Dressage Boots

Although most tall boot styles will be accepted for dressage, dress boots are a great option, as they provide seamless detailing and a polished finish. Our range of dress boots combine technology with comfort features to ensure your boots keep you comfortable all the time you’re in the saddle. 

Black Helmet

A black helmet is required in dressage, unless stated otherwise; sometimes helmets must match your show jacket, so just watch out for the requirements!

Gloves

Finally, a pair of elegant gloves should be worn to compete. Usually, these will need to be a light colour, like beige or light tan, or plain white.