New to Dressage? What To Wear

Riding up the centre line for the first time can be a nerve racking time. I remember my first dressage test like it was yesterday and I can promise you that as nervous as you may feel, the sense of achievement you will feel once you have completed it will be worth all the pre-competition excitement!

Our guide below helps guide you through your first test with what to wear and how to prepare.

My first bit of advice is to go and watch a local dressage show, observe what to wear and how the day runs.

Unaffiliated vs affiliated dressage competitions

Unaffiliated dressage offers a chance for novices to the arena to give it a go. You do not need to pay a membership to british dressage to compete so all you pay is your entry fees. Many riding clubs also run dressage series enabling you to compete with a chance of qualifying for their own championship show.

Affiliated dressage is for those who have some experience in the arena and are ready to move to affiliated competitions and ultimately a chance to rider at the British Dressage regionals and national championships.

First Question – What are the different tests and which do I enter?

In dressage you have several levels of tests you ride. You start out with Introductory tests which are walk and trot only tests and a great place to start. Once happy you can move up a level to Preliminary which does include Walk, trot and canter. After this you have many more levels.

Your riding instructor will be able to help you pick the best test to start with.

The dressage test sheets are available from British Dressage.

What to wear for dressage

For your first test do not worry about buying a complete new competition wardrobe. With a new ruling introduced in 2024 you can now wear any solid colour breeches such as black, navy, white. Riding boots, a long or short sleeve stock shirt with a round collar or stock, protective riding hat and gloves. A plain coloured riding jacket or tweed riding jacket is not complulsory but can be worn.

Riders hair is to be worn secured back so it is tidy. 

You can carry a dressage whip.

For an up to date list on what to wear please visit Britsh Dressage website where you can view the current handbook. Unaffiliated competitons are run either under riding club rules or british dressage rules. The competiton oranisers are always happy to answer any questions yu may have. 

Horse turnout

Horse must be presented clean and turned out as per their breed characteristics. Horses with short manes need to be plaited, horses with long manes can be left natural. Tails can be natural, pulled or plaited. 

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Horse saddlery & tack

A correctly fitted bridle and saddle to be worn. You do not need a dressage saddle when starting out. The bridle can have a caveson. flash, grackle or drop noseband. Micklem bridles are permitted. The bit must be a snaffe for the lower levels. Please see the britsh dressage handbook here for a full list of acceptable bits.

Boots and bandges are not permitted to be worn in the test, only the warm up area. 

HELP – I cannot memorise my test!

Do not panic, you can ask someone to call your test for you. Just make sure you practice with a caller as we all call differently! I have always found it is good to know the test and then the caller is just there as a back up if you forget a bit.

If you have any further questions then contact us, speak to your instructor or the competition venue. Most importantly just give it a go and have fun!

Credit: Written by Jacqui Burgess