Dress can be informal but tidy, if a show jacket or hacking jacket is worn, then the horse or pony must wear boots or bandages to clearly demonstrate that the test has not already been judged.
Riding hats must be worn. BSI Standard hats or other such protective headwear is strongly advised and compulsory for those under 18 years of age. Suitable footwear with a heel and gloves must be worn for safety reasons.
Gloves must be worn.
Bridles should be used as follows: For British Dressage Walk and Trot (Introductory) and Preliminary to Novice tests – ordinary snaffle; Elementary and above – ordinary snaffle or double bridle. Nosebands must be worn, a drop, cavesson or flash with a snaffle or a cavesson with a double bridle. Bitless bridles are not permitted under our competition class rules.
Other tack: martingales, side, running or elasticised reins may not be used.
Neck straps or balancing straps (a loop on the front of the saddle) may be used at all levels in British Dressage tests. Cruppers are also allowed in British Dressage tests.
Boots or bandages are allowed to be worn.
Spurs and a whip may also be used. Whips may not be used for British Eventing tests.
Non-standard tack may be worn for entries into our training classes where you will receive additional feedback from the judge than would be possible at a live competition. You’ll still receive a scoresheet and extra comments to use as part of your training programme.