The traditional sport of Dressage is evolving this year with a pop of colour! Changes are being made to the 2022 dressage rider attire rules, allowing for more personal expression in the competition ring. Riders are now able to step away from the typical white and black attire and choose from an assortment of colourful and lightly textured styles.
The Equestrian Canada (EC) rule changes for Dressage attire for 2022 are outlined in Articles E 4.1.3 and E 4.1.4. Although not identical, a very similar catalogue of what’s permitted has been well detailed by the United States Dressage Federation in their document “A Visual Guide to the 2022 Dressage Attire Rules”. When in doubt, it is recommended that competitors contact a steward.
Starting at the top with the most important piece, any secured, ASTM/SEI approved protective headgear is now allowed in the show ring. Helmets can be colour coordinated with jackets, have contrasting accents and even crystal decoration. That’s right, riders can sparkle! In inclement weather, riders are allowed to wear helmet covers of any pattern or colour. With very few restrictions, this should be the article of choice for a rider who wants to fully express their individuality. As seen on cross-country courses, zebra print, tie-dye, and rainbow colours are all acceptable patterns for helmet covers.
Safety should always be the rider’s number one priority at any time, especially in the ring or around other horses. Therefore, if safety is a concern during the warmup, an orange vest is recommended to make others aware of any potential issues. When showing, any type of protective or cooling vest is permitted, underneath the jacket, or when they are waived.
While some may not choose to imitate the Canadian show jumping team with bright red jackets, riders can now break out the dark green coat that has been kept for a “special occasion”. The restrictions on show jackets are very specific, so riders are encouraged to double check the official rules when making decisions on their wardrobe this season. Stripes and bold tweed or bright and distracting patterns are not acceptable as they will draw the eyes of the judge to the rider and away from the movements. Refined piping, crystal decorations, differently coloured collars and cuffs, and a modest pattern are admissible, allowing the rider to make a subtle statement.
Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle Photography
When a show coat is worn, shirts may be any pattern or colour without restriction riders can, basically riders can go wild! However, when jackets are waived or lower-level riders opt out of wearing one, shirts must be without bold patterns. Those that want to can still rock lime green if their heart desires! The same goes for stock ties and stand-up collars that are not integrated with the shirt. If the rider is not wearing a jacket, stand-alone neckwear is not permitted and must be removed. However, if there is a jacket, the neck wear can be of any colour and pattern.
Riders that enjoy coordinated attire that some athletes have embraced in other disciplines, will be very happy to learn of these changes. So, for those matchy-matchy fans out there, as long as boots have a distinguishable heel, they can be any colour with or without accents. Riders wanting matching purple boots and jacket can go for it! And a purple saddle pad to tie it all together? Yes! If the saddle pad is not reflective, bright, sparkly, or patterned; any colour is permitted. They can go ahead and add it to the cart.
Even though dressage is modernizing with a little more colour, the objectives of the sport have not changed. Competitors will continue to highlight the hard work that has gone into training and the bond between themselves and their horse. The changes are not meant to affect a judge’s scoring with the focus remaining on performance and the partnership between riders and their mounts to win the points.
For athletes that want to take advantage of these changes and have fun and experiment this season, the sport and spectators are looking forward to seeing the colourful wardrobes. For the traditional riders who will keep it black and white and stay true to their roots, no judgement from anyone else – the performance in the ring is what counts!