Questions about riding clothing

Riding tights are highly elastic riding breeches without a button and zip, whereas classic riding breeches are fastened with a button and zip. This is how the manufacturer Pikeur, for example, distinguishes between tights, also called riding leggings, and classic riding breeches. Both are available with different grip patches for hold in the saddle.

Neither is fundamentally better, it depends on how you like to feel in the saddle. With both, it is important that the fabric fits closely and does not crease. The German Equestrian Federation (FN) points out that creases and seams on the inside can quickly lead to chafing.

A good pair of riding breeches fits like a second skin, is elastic and long enough in the leg so that nothing rubs. That is how the specialist magazine Cavallo describes it. The German Equestrian Federation (FN) adds that the breeches should not form any creases, because seams on the inside quickly cause painful chafing.

Blended fabrics are common, for example cotton with elastane or microfibre. After that, the type of patch is what counts: a full seat provides a lot of contact with the saddle, while a knee patch allows more freedom of movement. Because every pair of breeches fits differently, it is worth trying them on. In our shop in Tangstedt you can try on riding breeches before you buy them.

Riding breeches are cut close so that no folds form between your leg and the saddle that could rub while you are riding. The German Equestrian Federation (FN) describes riding breeches like this: they fit closely and do not crease. The federation therefore recommends a close-fitting pair of trousers even for your first riding lessons.

There is also a second reason: your seat should be easy to assess. For competitions under the German rules for grassroots competitions (WBO), the FN therefore specifies functional riding wear that is as close-fitting as possible and contrasts in colour with the saddle. The breeches are still comfortable because the fabrics usually contain elastane.

For summer, riding breeches made of thin technical material such as microfibre are suitable because they wick moisture away to the outside and dry quickly. According to Cavallo, such technical fabrics have now overtaken pure cotton in warm weather.

The type of patch also plays a part. A silicone grip is applied directly to the fabric, which means it stays elastic and breathable. In laboratory tests, however, Cavallo found that silicone grip patches wear off more quickly than synthetic leather patches. If you sweat a lot in summer, it is best to wear airy microfibre underwear without seams in the crotch underneath.

Full seat means that the grippy panel runs from the seat over the inside of the thighs down to the knee. With a knee patch it is only on the inside of the knees. A full seat therefore gives you a lot of contact with the saddle, while a knee patch allows more freedom of movement. Our guide explains in detail which option suits which discipline.

The term does not say anything about the material. You can get full seats in leather, synthetic leather or as silicone grip. Manufacturers such as Pikeur offer full seat and knee patch breeches as separate model ranges with different grip variants.

Jodhpurs are riding breeches with a long, straight or slightly flared leg that are worn with paddock boots instead of tall riding boots. The Duden dictionary describes jodhpurs as riding breeches that are wide at the top and narrow from the knee down. The name comes from English and goes back to the Indian city of Jodhpur.

Jodhpurs are combined with ankle-high paddock boots, which should have a small heel. At competitions under the German competition rules (LPO), on the other hand, light-coloured breeches are prescribed, worn with dark riding boots or with dark paddock boots and close-fitting half chaps in the same colour.

The best choice under your riding breeches is seamless underwear or styles with slightly longer legs and no seams in the crotch. Experts in the magazine Cavallo point this out, because lace and seams that dig in can cause chafing. Cycling underwear also helps to prevent saddle sores.

For the material, Cavallo recommends airy microfibre that wicks moisture to the outside. Jeans, on the other hand, are not recommended for riding. In cold weather the question is whether technical underwear under normal riding breeches is sufficient, or whether thermal riding breeches are the better option.

Long riding socks or knee-high socks ensure that nothing slips or rubs inside your riding boots. The manufacturer Pikeur describes its riding socks as non-slip in the boot, with a secure fit without pressure points.

Especially with new, still stiff leather riding boots, thin material is important. The magazine pferde.de recommends thin nylon socks for the breaking-in period, because they absorb less moisture and allow the boot to slide better. With paddock boots, knee-high socks are no substitute for half chaps: according to the FN magazine, socks do not give the lower leg any support and pressure or friction points can occur on the calf and ankle.

Wash a pair of riding breeches inside out with a mild detergent and without fabric softener. The correct temperature is shown on the care label. The manufacturer Busse also recommends doing up zips, buttons and hook-and-loop fastenings beforehand and only washing the breeches with similar colours.

For drying, it is best to hang the breeches on a wide, pre-shaped hanger and let them dry slowly. Care is especially worthwhile with silicone grip, because according to a laboratory test by Cavallo silicone grip patches wear off more quickly than synthetic leather. According to Busse, slight colour loss is possible with some models.

Riding gloves protect your hands from injuries caused by the reins and ensure a secure grip. The German Equestrian Federation (FN) emphasises that they must fit closely enough for you to retain a good feel for the reins. According to Cavallo, the main way they differ from normal gloves is precisely this secure grip on the reins.

Gloves are also useful on the ground: for leading and groundwork the FN magazine describes sturdy shoes and gloves as essential. At competitions the FN equipment rules require light-coloured gloves in dressage tests at M and S level.

Your glove size is based on the circumference of your hand. Measure around the widest part just below the knuckles, without including the thumb. The glove manufacturer Roeckl, for example, assigns 17 cm to size 7 and 20 cm to size 8 for women. For men, 22.5 cm corresponds to size 9 and 25.5 cm to size 10.

If you are between two sizes, Roeckl recommends choosing the smaller size for leather, because the material adapts to the hand and gives a little. Riding gloves should fit closely so that you can feel the reins well. The safest option is to try them on, which you can do in our shop in Tangstedt.

For the first riding lessons, according to the German Equestrian Federation (FN), a riding helmet, close-fitting trousers and sturdy shoes are sufficient. The shoes should at least cover the ankle and have a continuous sole with a small heel so that the foot cannot slip through the stirrup. When it comes to the helmet, the FN advises against any compromise: bicycle helmets are unsuitable for riding.

Riding breeches are worth getting as soon as your child rides regularly, because seams on the inside of normal trousers rub quickly. The FN does not consider a body protector necessary for learning the basics, and a badly fitting body protector can even interfere with the rider’s seat.

At competitions under the German competition rules (LPO) you wear light-coloured riding breeches, a jacket and a shirt with tie or a blouse, optionally with a stock. With this you wear dark riding boots or dark paddock boots with matching half chaps. A riding helmet conforming to EN 1384 is compulsory in all disciplines, including in the warm-up arena and at the prize-giving.

The details are set out in the FN equipment rules, although the schedule for the competition is always binding. At competitions under the German rules for grassroots competitions (WBO), functional, close-fitting riding clothing together with ankle-high footwear with a heel is sufficient.

No, the rules do not require white breeches, only light-coloured ones. The FN equipment rules specify light-coloured breeches for dressage and show jumping, and for the dressage and show jumping phases in eventing. White always fulfils this requirement, but other light colours do as well.

In the cross-country phase you are free to choose your top, but breeches are still compulsory. For competitions under the German rules for grassroots competitions (WBO) the German Equestrian Federation (FN) only requires functional, close-fitting clothing in a colour that contrasts with the saddle. If in doubt, check the schedule, as that is decisive.

The FN equipment rules require a show jacket for dressage and show jumping, but only state one restriction regarding the colour: a light red or bright red jacket is only permitted in show jumping from level M** upwards. The rules do not contain any further specifications on the colour of the jacket, the schedule is decisive.

Instead of a jacket you may wear a tailcoat in dressage classes at S level, and in eventing from VM level. In addition, in all classes a club or team outfit is permitted if it is based on the standard dress rules. In the cross-country phase of eventing you are free to choose your top.

For a show shirt the FN equipment rules allow several options. You may wear a shirt or a shirt-like top with a tie, or a blouse or blouse-like top. The top may have short sleeves, long sleeves or be sleeveless, in dressage possibly with a stock.

In dressage and show jumping it is worn under the show jacket. This is why the FN packing list for competitions names jacket, show blouse or show shirt and stock, collar or tie as one unit. Make sure you plan for spare clothing, this is also included on the FN packing list.