Here at Edgemere it’s easy to tell that the local shows have begun this year. The large volume of wonderfully giddy children being decked out with ‘kit that fits’ puts us in no doubt that the shows have begun!

Lots of parents have been asking us what colour boots, hats jackets etc their children should be wearing – so here is a very basic guide to work from.

Boots

Children will typically ride at shows in jodphur boots with jodphur clips. The exception lies at British Showjumping and British Dressage shows where you will see most children in short boots and gaiters, and the older teens in long boots.

Deciding between black or brown boots depends on the colour of the jacket your child will wear for the discipline they are entering.

If they are wearing a tweed or navy jacket, brown boots are worn. Typically for showing children will now usually wear either navy or tweed and will be seen in Oxblood Jodphur boots.

Wearing a black jacket will usually mean wearing black boots.

Gloves

White gloves for dressage, but other than that if you are decking your child out, we would remind you that dark and in expensive is the most sensible. Those tan deerskin gloves are ‘to die for’ in mini sizes, but, there will be a lot less tension in the lorry on the way home when your child leaves a cotton pimple palm behind on the showground rather than a made to measure leather glove. However, if you are off to a more professional occasion there are some fantastic little gloves on the market made from fabric that has the leather look, but is washable and more affordable. Roeckl gloves start quite small and will give a great professional look.

Jackets

Most local level disciplines can be done in a tweed jacket, as can the dressage and SJ phase of an event and most Pony Club competitions.

A black or navy jacket must be worn if you are showing a show pony, show riding type or hack, but if you prefer a plain coloured jacket at local level this will be fine for equitation classes and best turned out etc.

Hats

Most importantly never skimp on safety when picking out a hat to complete a show outfit. The range of Charles Owen hats covers all bases, and all the childrens hats are made to full safety standards. For the show ring there are several velvet covered hats to choose from, or if your child is thinking of going cross country a skull cap could be worn with a velvet cover for the local shows and with a coloured silk for the event. A recent addition to the Charles Owen collection is the YR8 hat which has a very neat outline, and is covered in a faux suede type finish, which I personally think suits boys quite nicely.

Jodphurs

If you are showing at an affiliated level you won’t see many children without canary yellow jodhpurs this year, although all shades from beige to canary are permissible. Beige jodhpurs are by far the most popular colour at local shows, unaffiliated dressage and showjumping, pony club and events. At affiliated dressage and show jumping competitions a lot of children wear white jods, and we are sorry but there is not a free pot of vanish with every pair.

Show shirts

We think a shirt to match the breeches looks good, but as long as there is a collar that can be worn with a tie, you can choose any pale colour. That said, girls competing at dressage competitions are now seen wearing stocks, but a shirt and tie is the traditional dress for a junior rider – girl or boy.