Choosing the Right Equestrian Outerwear

The equestrian outerwear you wear when you ride will play an important role in your comfort and safety. The right garments will help to keep you cool and dry, while also allowing for a full range of motion when in the saddle. Our selection of equestrian jackets and vests is available in a wide variety of fabrics, colours and styles to suit your needs.

A well fitting riding jacket provides a polished and finished look to your show attire while giving you a comfortable, tailored fit that hides flaws and enhances the natural shape of your body. Test the fit by moving as if you were in the saddle and extending your arms, so that they reach just below the bump of your wrist. This will leave a half-inch of shirt cuff showing and will not restrict movement or restrict your grip on the reins.

For a more casual, everyday look, you can wear a jacket that has no buttons or hood and covers just to the waist. This is a great option for those who enjoy trail riding or want to keep their hands free while working around the barn. This type of jacket is typically made of a soft, durable fabric like polyester and spandex that offers a lot of stretch, allowing for movement without limiting the rider’s ability to communicate with their horse. Some riders prefer to wear this style of jacket over a light, moisture-wicking base layer that is close-fitting and helps to regulate the rider’s temperature.

If you are competing at higher levels of dressage, hunter or jumper shows, you will need a more formal coat. A traditional hunt coat is a long black or blue jacket with four buttons, while a dressage coat is usually shorter in length. It should be a dark colour to avoid distracting the judges, but can still include a small amount of decoration or patterns. It is best to check with the governing body of your show before buying a competition coat, as they will have specific guidelines for what is acceptable.

For those who compete at lower levels or are just starting out, a classic tweed jacket or a plain black or navy competition jacket is generally acceptable. These jackets will have two back vents and should be fitted so that the hem grazes the seat of your show breeches when in the saddle. Many competition riders choose to wear a derby hat in these classes, but there is no reason you can’t also wear a helmet if you prefer.

A dream of most dressage riders is the fluttering tailcoat, which is only appropriate for dressage competitions at Fourth Level or higher. If you want to wear a tailcoat, it will require plenty of hard work and time spent in the saddle. For those who do not want to spend the time and money on a tailcoat, there are other options for fancy coats in lower level competitions as well.