F E AT U R E
Centreline chic
Dress to impress While some disciplines jumped on the fashion train a little faster than others, the sport as a whole has experienced an increase in trend-setting over the last decade. Show jumping and eventing have
As legendary style queen Coco Chanel once said, “fashion changes, but style endures”. KIRSTY PASTO explains why this is equally true in the dressage arena.
typically always allowed for some creative freedom in the wardrobe department (think back to the excitement of choosing your cross country silks when you were at Pony Club, or the bright red coat sported by show jumping legend John Whitaker aboard Milton), but dressage has traditionally upheld conventional attire when it comes to presentation. However, the discipline is now embracing the style movement with recent rule revisions allowing for more flexibility regarding competition dress, while preserving the expected sense of refinement. Competition dress requirements have been significantly relaxed as a result of recent amendments to Equestrian Australia’s National Dressage rules. FEI rules have for some time allowed for more discretion around the choice of outfit, confirming that any jacket colour is acceptable as long as the coat is a single colour and is approved by the rider’s national federation. Catching up with peak bodies in
W
ithout question, equestrian has long maintained a respected place in the fashion world, capable of combining athleticism and flair with equestrian inspired outfits not out of place on the fashion runways of Paris or Milan. Today, modern riding apparel is admired for its chic design and functionality. However, there was a time in the not too distant past when the term ‘equestrian fashion’ may have conjured images of stuffy tweed jackets, balloon style jodhpurs, and bowler hats.
other countries, this year's Equestrian You may once have even been greeted at an equestrian event by a sea of plaid, beige and simple leather tack, but now you are more likely to be dazzled by diamante embellished brow bands, trendy tailcoats in a variety of stylish colours, and horses sporting bespoke equipment accentuated by colourful piping.
Australian (EA) rule revisions allow riders more leeway regarding their attire, including choosing jackets, lace-up boots, and an overall widening of the colour palette. While the goal of the sport is to ride correctly and execute a dressage test in harmony with your horse, each
In today's fashion-conscious environment, and with so many fashionforward brands on the market, the possibilities for finding a distinctive style for both you and your horse to impress
combination is still assessed on their
in the competition arena are endless.
it can also make you feel more at ease
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overall picture, and presentation is a component of that. Adding your own unique flair to your equestrian style may not only improve your appearance, but
