When it comes to horseback riding, wearing appropriate attire is important for comfort, safety, and functionality. And if you compete in a specific equestrian discipline, you’ve got to follow a specific dress code. The right equestrian clothing can help keep you cool, prevent chafing, and even protect you from harmful UV rays. In this guide, we’ll share our recommendations for horseback riding outfits for various disciplines and weather so you can be prepared for anything.
What Features to Look for in Equestrian Apparel
When shopping for equestrian apparel, you want to choose clothing that evenly mixes quality, comfort, performance, and style. No matter what season you’re riding in, you should look for riding apparel that meets the following criteria.
Sun Protection
In winter or summer, sun protection should be a high priority while riding. Sunscreen is a fantastic defense against UV rays, of course, but you can also compound the efficacy of sunscreen with UPF clothing. UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) clothing helps block UV rays and protects your skin from sun damage. Long-sleeved UPF shirts offer the most protection but aren’t always practical, especially when the temperatures soar.
Breathable Fabric
Lightweight, breathable fabrics help you regulate your body temperature and prevent you from overheating while riding. Breathable fabrics help promote air circulation and tend to give you a better range of motion. In colder months, you can also layer breathable clothing for extra warmth without feeling bulky or restricted.
Moisture Wicking
On hot days and during intense training sessions, sweat can really dampen your spirits. Sweaty clothing can cause chafing, throw off your body temperature, and can be downright uncomfortable to wear. Choose moisture-wicking clothing that helps keep you dry and comfortable while you ride.
High-Quality Fabric
Select lightweight fabrics that promote airflow and flex with your body. Consider options like technical fabrics, microfiber, or luxurious blends like Italian jersey. Steer clear of stiff, heavy fabrics like denim.
Horseback Riding Outfits By Discipline
A safe and comfortable riding outfit is a must for every equestrian discipline. While you should always wear things like an ASTM/SEI-compliant riding helmet and riding boots, there are tons of great options when it comes to your riding outfit.
English Riding Outfits
English riding and its many disciplines are defined by tradition and style when it comes to clothing and each discipline has a specific dress code that competitors are expected to follow. Though English riding clothing styles haven’t changed much over the years, the quality of the clothing has significantly improved. Performance features like mesh panels, moisture-wicking fabric, UPF protection, and more have all made English riding outfits much more comfortable to wear while competing.
Hunter Jumper Outfit
During a hunter-jumper competition, riders need a full range of motion, moisture-wicking fabrics, and UPF protection. Check out the options below for a complete hunter-jumper riding outfit.
Harmony Mesh Show Coat
When the competition heats up during hunter-jumper events, riders need a show coat that helps them stay cool. The Harmony Mesh Show Coat accomplishes just that and more. This lightweight mesh coat provides breathability and comfort while the modern fit creates a stylish silhouette.
Maddie 37.5 Show Shirt
A show shirt must be worn underneath the show coat and tucked into your breeches. The Maddie 37.5 Show Shirt is perfect for hunter-jumper events as it features 37.5® thermoregulation technology which helps you maintain an optimum body temperature. Breathable, moisture-wicking fabric helps keep you dry and UPF 50 fabric protects you from UV rays.
Anna Mid-Rise Front Zip Breeches
When it comes to the hunter jumper discipline, knee-patch breeches are best as they allow you full freedom in the saddle while granting the ability to grip the horse while riding. The Anna Mid-Rise Front Zip Breech is a great choice for hunter-jumpers as it features premium quick-dry, stretch fabric that provides amazing hand-feel, sculpt, and coverage. The premium Clarino™ knee patches are supple and breathable yet can withstand intense friction from extensive riding. The mesh lower leg panels help keep your legs cool and comfortable.
Dressage Outfit
Dressage is all about presentation, so choosing a sharp outfit is a must. Here are our recommendations for a fantastic dressage competition look.
Melody Meshl Show Coat
Riders must wear a show coat during dressage events. The Melody Mesh Show Coat is the perfect blend of performance and style, featuring mesh panels that help keep riders cool while performing. The Italian Jersey front panel provides a polished, elegant touch that’s fitting for dressage competitions.
Aerial Short Sleeve Show Shirt
Again, a show shirt must be worn underneath your show coat and tucked into your breeches. The Aerial Short Sleeve Show Shirt is a great option for dressage riders as it has breathable, textured sleeves, UPF 50 sun protection, and features a special 37.5® fabric. This fabric helps keep your body temperature at an optimum 37.5 degrees (99.5 degrees Fahrenheit) which helps increase your stamina and boosts your performance in the saddle.
Aria Silicone Full Seat Breech
Strong contact between seat and saddle is important during dressage events, which is why full-seat breeches are best. The Aria Silicone Full Seat Breech is a fantastic choice for dressage events. The silicone seat gives you great contact with the saddle while maintaining the breathability of the fabric. The stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric helps keep you cool and dry even when the competition heats up.
Fox Hunting Outfit
Fox hunting is a very traditional equestrian sport with a traditional dress code to match. Check out our recommended looks for fox hunting events.
Bedford Ladies Melton Hunt Frock
Though red coats are nearly synonymous with fox hunting, only designated riders can wear these prestigious coats. Most riders are instructed to wear dark, plaid, or tweed hunt coats. The Bedford Ladies Melton Hunt Frock is the perfect traditional fox hunting coat made of 100% wool.
Aiken Ladies’ Hunt Vest
Wearing a vest is very traditional in the fox hunting discipline. The Aiken Ladies’ Hunt Vest in tattersall or canary gives your fox hunting outfit a timeless flair.
Sofia Blue Label Show Shirt
Since you’ll likely be wearing both a huntcoat and vest, you’ll want to make sure your show shirt fits snugly while fox hunting. The Sofia Blue Label Show Shirt is the perfect choice for fox hunting as it includes UPF 30 protection and stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric to help keep you cool while providing a full range of motion.
Belmont Mid-Rise Side Zip Breech
Beige or tan breeches are traditional for fox hunting events. Depending on the intensity of the terrain, you’ll want to choose either knee-patch or full-seat breeches. We recommend the Belmont Mid-Rise Side Zip Breech for its classic look and modern features. The stretchy, moisture-wicking material helps keep you dry and provides a full range of motion while you ride. The Clarino™ knee patches give you a nice traditional look while holding up to wear and tear.
What to Wear When Schooling or Training
Whether you’re training, schooling, or simply riding for fun, you should still wear the proper riding attire. Here are our recommendations for both hot and cold weather riding.
Hot Weather Riding Outfit
Riding in the summertime is great because of the extra sunshine and good weather. But when temperatures start to rise and the sun gets strong, you need to wear clothing that protects your skin and helps keep you cool.
Winnie Short Sleeve 1/4 Zip Training Shirt
When riding in the summertime, it’s important to wear a shirt with a good UPF rating. The Winnie Short Sleeve 1/4 Zip Training Shirt is perfect for summer because it has UPF 50 sun protection, strong enough for the hot July sun. The stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric has a soft handfeel that feels luxurious and refreshing on hot days.
Gulf Natural Rise Front Zip Breech
A comfortable, breathable pair of breeches are a must for summer horseback riding. That’s why the Gulf Natural Rise Front Zip Breech is great for warm-weather riding. Featuring quick-dry, stretchy fabric and mesh lower leg panels, these breeches help you stay dry and comfortable in the saddle. The knee patches are made of Clarino™ which is highly breathable yet durable for everyday riding.
Cold Weather Riding Outfit
Even when the temperatures drop, you want riding apparel that helps regulate your body temperature and keeps you dry. Be sure to look for moisture-wicking clothing that you can layer up when it gets chilly.
Sienna 37.5 Training Shirt
The Sienna 37.5 Training Shirt is perfect for cold-weather riding. With 37.5® technology that helps you maintain an optimal body temperature and mesh underarm panels for ventilation, you’ll be able to ride for hours in comfort. This shirt also features UPF 50 sun protection, which is just as important in winter as it is in summer.
Harper Silicone Knee Patch Breech
A pair of breeches with stretchy, quick-dry fabric is invaluable for every season. The Harper Silicone Knee Patch Breech is a fantastic all-season breech, featuring premium stretch and moisture-wicking fabric. The silicone knee patches help you keep a strong connection to your horse while providing freedom in the saddle.
Outfitted for All Occasions
Having several high-quality pieces of equestrian clothing makes it easy to mix and match outfits for all sorts of occasions. The secret? Finding an equestrian clothing brand that makes premium pieces. R.J. Classics has you covered with sun shirts, show shirts, breeches, show coats, and so much more. With high-quality performance fabrics, UPF protection, and modern styles, equestrian clothing from R.J. Classics, you’re sure to find a thing or two for your horseback riding wardrobe.
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