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Layers, More Layers, and Tight Pants

dressage.jpgFor any of you who have ever ridden dressage in a show, you know all about the layers you're required to wear.

First of all your have an under-layer. The show shirts are just so thin that you can see right through them. I always wear a layer underneath my shirt in case the show officials decide to wave the show jackets.

The second layer is your show shirt. This is my favorite layer. It's light and simple but, I think we should lose the buttons! They take forever to do up.

The next layer is your puffy and annoying stock-tie. This layer always makes me crazy. You attach your stock pin to it. The tie is the same color as your shirt and in my opinion, is an unnecessary layer. You could always just attach the pin to your shirt collar and not have to worry about the stock-tie.

The final layer is the dreaded show jacket. It's black and heavy. You always have to wear them unless it's too hot outside. (This usually means it's so hot that you could get heat stroke.) Or, if you have my kind of luck at your next show, you'll ride your test and as soon as you finish riding the show officials will decide to wave jackets due to the heat. It seems like I always end up wearing mine.

Now, to top it all off you have to tuck your show shirt into your stiff white full-seat breaches.(Who ever thought of white riding pants must have never actually dealt with horses that get dirty.)

The show jacket however, hangs over the pants and doesn't have to be tucked in. After you're all dressed and you go to get on your horse and you have to deal with tight pants. Before I get on I bend at my knees and stretch my pants out as much as possible. Then, I lift my foot into the stirrup, and I fling my whole body up and land as softly as possible in the saddle. I'm getting better and my pants are getting more flexible. But, I do have to cheat and stand up on a bucket every once in a while. It's a good thing that these strict dress rules only apply to dressage.

From women's bras to lingerie to swimwear, everything follows the fashion bug. Since long, women have closely followed fashion jewelry and avoided places where wholesale handbags or shoes or clothes have been sold. However, this is the age of novelty. That means stop going to sunglass hut to buy only the top-branded sunglasses and experiment.

Posted on 09.19 by Registered CommenterMadison in | Comments5 Comments

Reader Comments (5)

"(Who ever thought of white riding pants must have never actually dealt with horses that get dirty.)"

Silly. You are supposed to have a groom.
09.19 | Unregistered CommenterElaine
Oh, no dressage is not the only one with strict dress codes, not in the Arabian world anyway! lol We have codes for every darn class. And the hunters over fences and pleasure both are just like dressage except for color and that funky tie. We have to have a ratcatcher. The pleats on our jackets are different and the colors but everything must be ultra conservative. And I hate breeches!!And for that matter the darn boots. I can't even get dress boots to fit me because I have a high instep. and for dressage or show hack field boots are a no no!

Oh the joys of showing horses! lol
hey girl, love your site! I've lurked for a few months now. Post more!!! Love the "everyday" pictures, especially ponying the pony, lol. Been there, done that!

I blog also, if you want a peek into the life of a female farrier - and English rider. Had to laugh at your comments bout the black jacket. I'm in AZ and I have yet to do a class where I had an option not to wear it. After one class I feel like soaking it in ice water before I go to the next class. Come to think if it, that's not a bad idea...

Keep up the good work. I love all horse blogs and yours is excellent.
09.20 | Unregistered CommenterMikey
For those of us who have passed the age of 30 (or more), there is even worse news in the dressage attire. White breeches are not the most flattering clothing out there. Add to that the fact that they are form-fitting, and that if you swallow an aspirin, it will show, and what you have here is a sight no person should be forced to view. I cannot even look in the mirror. I put it on -- and go.
09.21 | Unregistered CommenterAnne
Great article. I'm over 30, and I'm with you Anne. White breeches are definitely not my first choice in apparel. Perhaps its time to campaign for a change in the required/expected dress. I'm sure a lot of persons would support it.
09.21 | Unregistered CommenterMalok

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