Best Practices
USEF/ USDF Dressage Attire and Tack Rules
1. What is the dress code for Schooling Shows?
- Schooling shows have their own level of dress code. Many do not require formal attire. I wear colored breeches and a collared shirt, no jacket to schooling shows. IF you have decided to dress in formal dressage attire, this requires a jacket, a collared shirt and either a stock tie or a shirt with an integrated collar.
- Dress either in schooling attire or formal attire, not in a combination of both.
- This is also something to discuss with a trainer if you have one.
2. What are the rules about helmet fit and color?
- DR 120 1.1 The harness must be secured and properly fitted. Any rider violating this rule at any time must immediately be prohibited from further riding until the headgear is properly in place. Protective headgear may be the same as or a coordinating color with the coat, and may include contrast coloring, accent, and crystal decoration
- * What does “secured and properly fitted” mean? Means the helmet should fit snugly on your head. If you have it on without the chin strap connected and bend over, does it stay on your head?? Also the chin strap should be 2-3 finger widths below your chin at max. If it hangs lower, this is a safety issue due to the fact the helmet can come off during a fall. Judges have been educated and pushed to make remarks and potentially eliminate riders if the helmet is not adjusted correctly.
3. Are you expected to wear black gloves?
- No
- DR120 1.7 White or light colored gloves are recommended and any solid color is
permitted at Fourth Level and below. Gloves are required in FEI tests or levels and must be white, off white or the same color as the coat.
4. Can I wear half chaps or must I wear tall boots?
- Dr 120 1.6 Boots & Half Chaps. For tests or classes at Fourth level or below, riders may wear tall boots or paddock/jodhpur boots with half-chaps or garters, matching the color of their boots, and made of smooth leather or leather-like material. Tall English-style riding boots, including dress or field boots or variations thereof, are required above Fourth Level. Boots of coordinating color(s), with or without accents, are permitted. Boots/shoes worn while riding anywhere on the competition grounds must have a distinguishable heel.
5. Where do I find the rules for attire?
- Visual Guide to the Dressage Attire Rules 2024
6. Are you expected to carry a dressage whip?
- No but this may be coach dependent. Definitely something to discuss with them if you have one.
- DR 121.18 One whip (a total maximum length of one hundred twenty centimeters (120 cm)) may be carried.
- Note: when showing at a Recognized/ USDF show Championship show, whips are NOT allowed. Some schooling and recognized shows may have classes that whips are not allowed and the prizelist will mention this. Also make sure the whip is of the correct length.
7. Are your stirrups expected to be a certain kind and/or are some types not allowed?
- DR 121.1a Stirrups. English-style stirrups without attachments or safety stirrups shall be used. Safety stirrups must have closed branches of metal or other breakaway material or mechanism. The foot must not be fully or partially enclosed and must in no way be attached to the stirrups (for example with magnets); however, a safety stirrup may have a magnetic mechanism that closes the breakaway branch. The stirrup leathers must hang freely from their anchor point without additional attachments to the saddle or girth.
8. Are you allowed to use a half pad in a test?
- Yes for both schooling and Recognized shows. Schooling shows allow for pads of various colors and designs.
- But if you are showing at a recognize show, please note these rules
- DR 121.1b Saddle pads. Saddle pads are optional and when used must be white or
of conservative color. Contrast trim and piping are permitted. Striped or multi-colored pads are not permitted. Glitter or reflective pads are not permitted, although pads may have crystals or reflective materials on borders. Brand marks or non sponsor logos not exceeding fifty square centimeters (50cm2,), which is approximately 7.75 sq. inches, are permitted. While in the competition ring and during awards ceremonies, a logo, monogram or name may appear on either or both sides of a saddle pad. Logos shall not exceed 200 sq. cm (26.632 sq. inches) in size. Only the following logos or names are permitted: a breed logo for horses registered with that breed; a national flag for citizens of that country; Federation or USDF names/logos. Professionals of any age may have a business or product name/logo of their official sponsor. Amateurs shall not have a business or product
name/logo displayed unless they own the business. Competition award pads and stable name pads are permitted.
9. Is a dressage saddle and bridle necessary or will a judge mark a rider down for hunter tack?
- DR 121 Saddlery and Equipment The provisions of DR121 apply to both competing and non-competing dressage horses from the time horses are admitted to the grounds, which are designated for the Dressage Competition. The responsibility for the correct attire and equipment rests with the competitor. All saddlery and equipment must be attached, worn, and used in a conventional manner.
DR 121.1 Saddle. An English type saddle, with or without a tree, with flaps, stirrups and a girth is compulsory for all tests and classes other than FEI tests. For FEI tests it is compulsory to use a well-fitting dressage saddle that is close to the horse with long, near-vertical flaps and stirrups (except for FEI Para Dressage tests) and a girth. The use of a saddle with a horn, swell, gallerie, or open gullet, or the use of an original or modified Australian, Baroque, Endurance, McClellan, Spanish, Stock, or Western saddle is prohibited
- Other saddlery items to note:
- Seat covers are, under penalty of elimination, strictly prohibited (think seat savers).
- Safety strap. For purposes of rider safety, a short strap in front of the pommel may
be attached to the Drings or to the stirrup bars
10. What bridles and bits are allowed?
- There have been alot of changes in the style of bits and bridles that are allowed and this list is ever changing. Bits that used to be allowed are no longer allowed and new ones have been added. The best location to find out if your bridle and bit are legal/ allowed is found on Annex A. The nice thing about this link is that you can save it and refer to it. When updates are made, the link is updated and noted on the page when the updates were added.
- DR121.2 Bits must be used in a conventional manner and attached only as illustrated in the diagrams. The type of bit should not vary from those pictured below except where specified. All bits must be smooth with a solid surface. Twisted bits, bits with “bumps”, bits with uncovered wire or cable, and bits that place mechanical restraint upon the tongue are prohibited. Joints that could trap or pinch the oral tissues are not permitted
- Other bit times to note:
- The mouthpiece of a jointed or unjointed snaffle may be shaped to allow tongue
relief. The maximum height of the deviation is 30 mm from the lowest part of tongue side to the highest part of the deviation. The widest part of the deviation
must be where the mouthpiece contacts the tongue and must have a minimum width of 30 mm. Ported snaffles that do not meet these specifications are prohibited.
- The upper cheek of a hanging cheek (baucher) snaffle (measured from the top of the mouthpiece to the top of the upper cheek) may not exceed seven centimeters.
11.Other tack items to note.
- DR 121.8 Fly hoods (ear covers) that do not cover the horse’s eyes can be used to protect horses from insects. Fly hoods may not be attached to the noseband. They should be discreet in color and design, and may have a promotional or manufacturer’s logo that is in compliance with DR121.1.b
- DR 121.11 Boots and bandages without magnets are permitted in the warm up and other training areas. In competition the use of any kind of boots or bandages that contact the horse’s legs on or above the hairline at the coronet or tail bandages are under penalty of elimination, prohibited. Exception: leg bandages are allowed in Pas de Deux and Quadrille classes
- DR 121.12 Shoes, with or without clips, complete cuffs or partial cuffs, that are attached with nails or glue or wraps are permitted. No part of the cuffs or wraps may extend onto or above the hair line at the coronet. Wraps are also permitted without shoes.
12.Where do I find the rules for tack?
- Annex A
13.Where do I find ALL the USEF/USDF rules?
- USEF Rule Book
- Most of our rules will be found under GR and DR sections
14. I have so many more questions or would like some clarification, who can I reach out to at IEO about this?
- Tyra Wiegers
223-230-0837