Apparel and Measuring

What to Wear in the Show Ring:

According to the 2026 USEF Handbook, “Exhibitors and judges should bear in mind that at all times entries are being judged on ability. However, neatness is the first requisite regarding a rider’s attire and the following requirements are based on tradition and general present-day customs. Judges must penalize and may eliminate those competitors who do not conform.”

PERFORMANCE
Informal Attire
If your class takes place before 6:00pm, your Saddle Seat Equitation habit can be considered “Informal.”  You will need:

  • Jacket with collars and lapels of the same conservative color
  • Matching Jodhpurs
  • Collared shirt
  • Tie
  • Vest
  • Complementary colored gloves and boots
  • Derby or soft hat; protective head gear may be worn without penalty.

Conservative colors for informal riding habits include black, blue, grey, burgundy, green, beige or brown and may contain herringbone, pin stripes, and other combinations of colors that appear solid. Colors not included in this list may be cause for elimination. 

Formal Attire
If your class takes place after 6:00pm, even more conservative attire is required, and formal evening wear is permitted.  You will need:  

  • Tuxedo-type jacket with collars and lapels
  • Matching jodhpurs
  • Formal shirt
  • Bow tie
  • Vest or cummerbund
  • Complementary colored gloves and boots
  • Women’s top hat (in complementary color), men’s homburg or other soft hat. Protective headgear may be worn without penalty.

Solid colors for formal riding habits include: dark grey, dark brown, dark blue, or black.  Formal shirt must be white or off-white with the bow tie and vest or cummerbund to match shirt or riding habit in color.  Colors not included in this list may be cause for elimination. 

ACADEMY

  • Kentucky Jodhpurs
  • Long-Sleeved Collared Shirt
    • Shirt collar should have eyelets to accommodate a collar bar
    • Sleeves are cut close to the arm and are long enough to overlap the glove as the rider holds the reins
  • Vest
    • The neckline of the vest should be no deeper than the bust line, but not so high as to obstruct one’s tie. Female riders often wear a broach on their left side. (Barn logos are prohibited; if initial, it should not be large enough for a judge to see.)
    • Four magnets are worn to fasten a riders number to the back of their vest. Female riders often opt for jeweled magnets to match their habit.
  • Tie 
    • Bow Ties are more common for young boys and lead-line riders. Novelty patterns coordinate with a rider’s overall look
    • Rhinestone accents are preferred by young female riders
  • Complementary colored gloves and riding boots
  • Protective headgear is required for all riders ages 17 and under.
  • Hair should be neatly held back so that the back number is visible.
    • A small ribbon or rhinestone barrette can adorn the rider’s bun.

While there are no strict guidelines on colors for Academy apparel, riders should consider their age, abilities, and the classes in which they exhibit, in consultation with their trainer when choosing colors and patterns. 

Measuring Instructions:

Best taken in close-fitting foundation garments by another person

The points of measurement are the same for Men’s, Women’s, and Children’s clothing.  Please don’t use measurements taken from other clothing, as the fit of riding apparel can be quite different.  We have great success guiding customers through these measurements over video chat- Call for an appointment!

For Shirts and/or Vests: Stand up straight with arms at the side, palms slightly away from the body in an inverted vee

  • Chest Circumference: measure around the fullest part of the chest, usually over the nipple
  • Waist Circumference: measure around the narrowest part of the waist, usually at the navel                                                
  • You may tie a yarn around the waist to serve as a reference point
  • Seat Circumference: measure around the fullest part of the seat, usually at the leg joint
  • Across Back Shoulder: measure between the shoulder socket bones across the center back
  • Neck Circumference: measure around the neck with the tape flat, but not tight, against the skin
  • Front Neck to Waist: center the tape between the collarbones and measure down to the navel

                 If you have tied a yarn around the waist, measure to that level

  • Back Neck to Waist: measure from the 3rd vertebrae (most prominent bone) to the waist/ yarn

Shirts require these additional arm measurements:

  • Sleeve Length from CB Neck: with the arm straight at the side, start at the 3rd vertebrae, measure straight to the shoulder socket bone.  Pivot the tape and continue measuring down the arm to the elbow, then to the wrist.  Record the total measurement.  You should also continue measuring to the lower thumb knuckle for total sleeve length.

                   It is ideal to do this on both sides, then average the measurements.

  • Bicep Circumference: around the bicep at fullest part, often 1-2” below the armpit
  • Forearm Circumference: around the fullest part of the arm, about 3” below the elbow
  • Hand Entry: pull fingers flat and lay the thumb tightly beside them.  Measure the circumference around all fingers at the upper thumb joint

For all Suits and Day Coats please include the below Jodhpur measurements in addition to all shirt measurements.

For Jodhpurs: Stand up straight, without shoes

  • Waist Circumference and Hip Circumference from above
  • Crotch Depth: Generally, for modesty’s sake we skip this measurement.  However, you can have the rider sit flat on a table and measure from the surface straight up to waist level (or to the yarn)

                If this is impossible, worry not: it can be estimated from the outseam length

  • (Side) Waist to Seat Depth:  Measure along the outseam from the waist (yarn) level to the hip/leg joint
  • Outseam Length to Knee and Ankle: From the waist/yarn level measure down the side of the leg, over the hip joint, down to the center of the kneecap and note the measurement; continue to the ankle

                Jodhpurs end 6” below the ankle joint, but record the true outseam to ankle- we’ll add the extra

  • Thigh Circumference: measure around the fullest part of the thigh, often 3-4″ below the crotch
  • Calf Circumference: measure around the fullest part of the calf, often 3-4″ below the knee
  • Foot Entry: from the curve of the leg into the top of the foot, measure around the fullest part of the heel

Although not required, it can be helpful to include:

Age
Height
Weight (most helpful for growing children)
Your best fitting standard size in a favored commercial brand (eg, Kerrit’s, Lulu, Ariat)
Head Circumference: measure around the crown, inside the ears