Mastering Show Style: The Winning Look

Show Ring Style Guide: Perfecting Your Look for Competition

Looking polished and professional in the show ring isn’t just about style—it’s about confidence. The right outfit should not only complement your horse but also meet the dress code for your discipline.

To help you achieve a winning look, we’ve put together a guide on choosing the right colours, competition attire, and finishing touches to ensure you make a lasting impression in the ring.

Dressing for Your Class

Each show class has its own traditional dress code. Understanding the requirements and selecting the right combinations will help you stand out for all the right reasons.

Open Classes – Sleek & Sophisticated

Open classes require a solid-coloured jacket is the most popular choice in Navy, Black, or Brown for a sharp, professional appearance.

Best Tights Choices:
✔ Navy Jackets → Pair with beige or cream jodhpurs or breeches.  Tights may be the go-to choice for training and casual rides, but when it comes to the show ring, a more polished presentation is essential. In a highly competitive class, the smallest details can make a difference—traditional jodhpurs or breeches with a classic zipper and button closure provide a refined, professional finish that can give riders the winning edge.

✔ Black & Brown Jackets → Best suited with Vanilla Cream tights.

This refined and elegant look is the standard for open classes, creating a crisp and put-together presentation.

Hunter Classes – Timeless Tradition

Hunter classes embrace classic, understated tradition & elegance, with riders typically opting for tweed wool-blend jackets in earthy tones like green, brown, mustard, and navy.  We offer hunter jackets that are more suited to the warm Australian climate.

Ideal Tights Pairings:

Vanilla Cream jodhurs or breeches are a very versitile and will pair beautifully with any colour jacket.

This combination ensures a traditional, polished aesthetic, perfect for the hunter ring.

 

Performance & Style: Two-Tone Competition Jodhpurs or Breeches

For riders seeking both style and practicality, two-tone competition jods or breeches are a smart choice. Designed with a contrasting dark brown or black full seat, these styles:

✔ Enhance the silhouette – The darker seat provides a flattering, slimming effect.
✔ Blend seamlessly with a brown or black saddle – Ensuring a polished look in the ring.
✔ Conceal dirt & stains – A practical must-have for long show days.

Available in jods or breeches and in Vanilla Cream and Brown or Vanilla Cream and Black, these styles provide versatility and elegance across multiple classes.

The Right Accessories: Gloves & Finishing Touches

Gloves are a small but essential detail in completing your show look.

✔ Black Gloves → Ideal with black jackets or hunter tweed with black trims.
✔ Navy Gloves → A perfect match for navy jackets or tweeds with navy accents.
✔ Brown Gloves → A top choice for hunter classes, complementing earth-toned outfits.

✖ White gloves are not recommended, as they can draw excessive attention to the hands, disrupting the overall harmony of the rider's presentation.

Choosing Colours to Complement Your Horse

Beyond following class attire rules, selecting colours that enhance your horse’s coat creates a harmonious, professional presentation.

✔ Bay & Chestnut Horses → Look stunning in brown and beige jackets.
✔ Grey Horses → Best suited to light blues and navy tones.
✔ Coloured Horses (Pintos, Buckskins, Palominos, etc.) → Warm reds, yellows, and greens work beautifully.

For a seamless, competition-ready look, match your jacket, gloves, and saddle pad to enhance your overall style.

Final Thoughts

A well-put-together show outfit not only meets competition standards but also helps you step into the ring with confidence. By choosing the right colours, fit, and accessories, you can achieve a standout, professional look that ensures both you and your horse shine in the arena.

Ready to elevate your show-day style? Explore our competition jodhpurs breeches, show jackets and shirts and find the perfect match for your next event.

 

Dressage Ring Style: Perfecting your look in the Dressage arena:

In dressage, every movement is a reflection of precision, harmony, and presentation—and your attire should be no exception. The right competition outfit not only meets dress code requirements but also enhances your overall presence in the arena.

Whether you're competing at preliminary levels or performing a Grand Prix test, dressing with confidence and sophistication is key. Here’s how to achieve a flawless, competition-ready look from head to toe.

The Essentials: What to Wear for Dressage

Competition Jackets – The Foundation of Elegance

A well-tailored dressage coat is an essential part of your competition wardrobe, creating a polished and refined silhouette.

✔ Short Competition Jackets – Required for lower levels, offering a structured and modern look.
✔ Tailcoats – Worn at Advanced and FEI levels, adding grace and movement to your performance.

Recommended Colours:

  • Black – Timeless and traditional (check out our Cleo stretch classic jacket)

  • Navy – A subtle yet sophisticated alternative (Check out our Ava navy classic stretch jacket)

  • Charcoal & Dark Grey – A modern take on classic style.

Look for breathable, technical fabrics that allow unrestricted movement while maintaining a sharp fit.

Breeches – The Art of Precision

Dressage riders favor high-waisted, structured breeches for a streamlined look in the saddle.

Best Colour Options:

  • White – The gold standard for most dressage levels.

  • White with a black seat - these are fast becoming super popular in the dressage world due to their slim leg line look

Breeches should be well-fitted without excess bulk, offering both style and function.

Shirts & Stock Ties – Effortless Sophistication

Your competition shirt should be sleek, breathable, and refined under your jacket.

✔ High-Collar or Stand-Up Collars (known as ratcatchers) – Creates a classic competition look.
✔ Moisture-Wicking Fabrics – Keeps you cool and comfortable.
✔ Minimalistic or Subtle Patterns – Adds a modern, high-end touch.

For higher levels, a neatly tied stock tie is essential, completing the formal presentation.

Gloves – A Dressage Essential

Gloves are mandatory in dressage and should be chosen carefully to enhance your overall look.

Best Choices:

  • White or Cream Gloves – The traditional and preferred option, highlighting refined hand movements.

  • Black or Navy Gloves – A subtle choice, especially when paired with a matching dark jacket.

White gloves draw attention to the rider’s rein aids, so ensure your hands are quiet and controlled in the arena.

Boots – The Finishing Touch

A rider’s boots complete the dressage aesthetic, providing both structure and elegance.

✔ Dress Boots – The preferred choice for most levels, offering a smooth, formal appearance.
✔ Patent Leather Accents – Adds a touch of luxury while remaining competition-appropriate.
✔ Spur-Ready Design – Ensure your boots accommodate spurs, which are required at FEI levels.

Final Thoughts

Dressage is as much about presentation as it is about precision. The right outfit not only adheres to competition guidelines but also elevates your confidence and presence in the ring. By selecting tailored silhouettes, premium fabrics, and sophisticated colour palettes, you’ll create a look that is both timeless and performance-ready.

Explore our premium dressage apparel collection and step into the arena with style, confidence, and grace.