Novices who are just starting out in equestrianism are often troubled by a variety of equipment: “Can the clothes for competition and training be universal? “What to wear while riding a horse in winter to keep warm and not affect your movements?” In fact, choosing the right equestrian clothing can not only improve the riding experience, but also build a solid line of defense. From fabric technology to event rules, from children’s gear to eco-friendly trends, this guide will help you get the most out of your equestrian wardrobe.
1. Let’s look at the fabric first: What is the “scientific and technological core” of equestrian clothing?
The large movements and changeable outdoor environment when riding horses require much higher clothing fabrics than ordinary sports. Good fabrics can meet the three needs of comfort, protection and functionality at the same time. For example, if you sweat a lot during training in summer, quick-drying equestrian fabrics can quickly wick away moisture to avoid sweaty clothes from getting cold on your body; For outdoor cycling in autumn and winter, a windproof cycling jacket with a thermoregulating fleece vest can withstand the cold wind without being stuffy.
I came into contact with a veteran rider who used to ride horses in ordinary stretch pants, and her knees were always worn red, and after changing to four-way elastic breeches, she not only squatted and crossed obstacles more flexibly, but also effectively protected her joints with anti-wear Kevlar leg guards. In addition, details such as breathable mesh lining and antibacterial and anti-odor underwear can solve the problem of stuffy odors during long rides, while Seamless seamless adhesive and DWR durable water-repellent coating keep the clothing dry even on rainy or muddy surfaces.
2. Event dress: Don’t step on the red line of the rules, these standards should be kept in mind
Equestrian events have extremely strict dress requirements, and the specifications of different events are not the same, and making a mistake may directly affect the qualifications. The core is the FEI-certified knight’s uniform, which must be worn in accordance with FEI standards, whether it is dressage or show jumping.
For example, dressage pays attention to elegance and solemnity, you need to wear an equestrian dressage tuxedo, with black high-top dress boots and white gloves, and tie a white tie for equestrian competitions at the neckline; The show jumping race pays more attention to neatness, and the knight’s suit with a suit collar is standard, and the white breeches of the competition level cannot be unadorned. The helmet must also be Fédération Française compliant helmet, if you are participating in international competitions, wearing clothing with a national flag armband can also show your identity. Previously, a student did not pay attention to wearing a non-certified knight uniform, and was stopped by the referee before the game, missing the opportunity to play in vain.
3. Basic layer: the invisible “comfort guardian”
Many people only focus on coats and breeches, but ignore the importance of the base layer. The base layer is in direct contact with the skin, and its quality determines the overall wearing experience. In summer, it is recommended to wear an equestrian quick-drying T-shirt or moisture-wicking POLO, which is breathable and does not sweat; In spring and autumn, compression support long sleeves can provide moderate support to muscles and reduce sports injuries; In winter, rely on thermal underwear and lightweight wool as a base, which is warm and does not look bloated.
Female riders should pay special attention to choosing seamless sports bras to avoid friction and discomfort during cycling; In the season when static electricity is easy to occur, static elimination underwear can solve the problem of clothing sticking. Now there are basic sets on the market that can be worn in all seasons, and one set can cope with different temperatures, which is very cost-effective. Antibacterial knight’s socks are also indispensable, which can inhibit the growth of bacteria and avoid odors caused by wearing riding boots for a long time.
4. Safety first: These protective equipment must not be saved
Equestrianism is a high-risk sport, and protective equipment is the “lifeline” of riders. The first is the helmet, which must choose a CE certified equestrian helmet, which has undergone strict impact testing and can effectively protect the head in the event of an accidental fall. A coach I know once suffered only a little skin injury when his horse was frightened and fell because he was wearing a qualified helmet.
In addition to the helmet, the airbag riding vest is also a must-have, which instantly inflates when it detects a violent impact to protect the ribcage and back; The back spine armor and front titanium chest guard can strengthen the protection of key areas, and the tail spine shock absorbing shorts are designed for the tail spine that is susceptible to stress when riding. breeches can choose non-slip silicone breeches to avoid body slippage during riding; The legs are equipped with anti-kick shin guards to prevent being kicked by horses. If you are riding a horse with children, the children’s safety flash vest and night riding LED warning belt can improve recognition and ensure safety.
5. Breeches and leggings: the “golden partner” of comfort and non-slip
Breeches and leggings are the core of equestrian clothing, directly affecting the stability and comfort of riding. When choosing breeches, first look at the anti-slip performance, full-grain silicone anti-slip breeches have a silicone coating on the hips and inner thighs, which can fit the saddle firmly and are particularly stable when doing jumping movements. Knee patch stretch breeches enhance elasticity and abrasion resistance at the knees, making them suitable for training scenarios where the knees are bent frequently.
Tailoring is also key, the high-waisted hip lift cut can fit the waist curve and avoid the waist from getting cold when riding; The seamless design of the Euro Seat reduces stitching friction and does not grind horseback riding for long periods of time. The zippered calf vent is easy to put on and take off, and the breathability can be adjusted according to the temperature. The shin guards can be replaced with a style that can replace the shin guards, and only the patches can be replaced after wear, which is more economical. Children’s thickened warm breeches and quick-drying hunting breeches for competitions can also meet the needs of different scenes.
6. Coping with the four seasons: how to choose a coat?
Different seasons and scenes, the choice of equestrian jacket is also different, and the key is to balance functionality and practicality. Horseback riding in winter, winter down equestrian coats are highly warm, and heated riding vests can accurately heat the body, especially suitable for the low-temperature environment in the north; Spring and autumn seasons are changeable, the three-in-one detachable jacket is the most practical, take off the poncho is a light jacket, and it is no problem to cope with showers and breezes.
In summer, focus on UV protection, and the ultra-thin sunscreen windbreaker in summer is not only lightweight, but also blocks UV damage; If you train outdoors regularly, you should also have a rainstormproof competitive jacket and a reflective night riding trench coat to deal with sudden weather and night riding. Coaches can wear wool blend coach suits every day, which is both formal and comfortable; Children’s hooded equestrian cotton suits are designed to be lighter while keeping warm, so as not to affect children’s activities.
7. Shoes and accessories: details determine the experience
Riding boots and accessories may seem inconspicuous, but they can greatly enhance the riding experience. riding boots are preferred Spanish full leather riding boots, the leather is soft and fits the foot shape, and it is not tiring to wear for a long time; Zippered obstacle boots are easy to put on and take off, suitable for training; Synthetic rubber farm boots are dirt-resistant and wear-resistant, making them suitable for caring for horse farms. Children can choose children’s zippered short riding boots for easy putting on and taking off by themselves.
In terms of accessories, the quick-piercing magnetic spurs do not need to be adjusted and can be fixed with a gentle sucking; The non-slip silicone riding boot sole can increase the friction with the stirrup and avoid slipping; Riding boots with a replaceable heel design can be replaced directly after the heel is worn to extend the service life. Warm winter boot pads and breathable perforated cycling shoes adjust comfort to the season, and these are small details that make riding easier.
8. Brand and budget: how to choose different needs?
There are many equestrian brands on the market, and different brands have different positioning, and the budget can also be flexibly matched. In pursuit of high-end quality, you can choose high-end Ariat knight uniforms, which are exquisite in craftsmanship, comfortable to wear, and are loved by professional riders; German Anky professional dressage clothing is more in line with the needs of dressage in terms of tailoring and fabric.
If the budget is limited, the affordable Decathlon equestrian series is super cost-effective, and the basic equipment quality is reliable, especially suitable for novices; The domestic Aitch equestrian is also cost-effective, and the quality is not inferior to imported brands. Customized riding boots can be found in Italy Parlanti custom riding boots, which perfectly fit the foot shape; The casual model is available in the Dutch HV Polo casual line, which is also fashionable for everyday wear.
Budget grade | Recommended brands | Core strengths |
|---|---|---|
High-end (more than 5,000 yuan) | Ariat、Anky、Parlanti | Professional-grade craftsmanship, customized service |
Mid-range (1000-5000 yuan) | Kingsland、Equine Couture | It takes into account both professionalism and fashion, and is cost-effective |
Entry (under 1,000 yuan) | Decathlon, Edge’s equestrian art | The basics are practical and suitable for novices |
9. Children’s equipment: safe and worry-free selection skills
When choosing equestrian equipment for children, safety and growth are the key. The helmet must be a helmet with adjustable children’s growth, the head circumference can be adjusted, and it can be worn for two or three years to avoid frequent replacement; Breeches give priority to teenager silicone non-slip breeches, good elasticity, do not affect children’s activities, the design of the retractable knight sleeve length is also very intimate, children can wear it when they grow taller.
In terms of safety, anti-lost child safety vests and thickened drop-resistant buttock protection shorts are essential to protect children in all aspects. The student equestrian competition set saves the trouble of matching and meets the standards of the event. You can wear a cartoon pattern equestrian T-shirt for training, which children prefer; The same POLO for parents and children can also enhance parent-child interaction. Waterproof leg boots for children keep the legs dry and easy to clean.
10. New trend of environmental protection: sustainable equestrian clothing is worth trying
Nowadays, more and more brands are beginning to pay attention to environmental protection, and sustainable equestrian clothing is not only environmentally friendly, but also has poor performance. For example, recycled PET bottle polyester equestrian clothing, processed from recycled plastic bottles, the fabric is light and wear-resistant; Vegetable tanned leather eco-friendly riding boots adopt environmentally friendly tanning process to reduce environmental pollution.
The organic cotton knight t-shirt is comfortable to wear and skin-friendly; Fluorine-free DWR ecological waterproof technology will not pollute the environment while achieving the function of water repellent. Recycled nylon blend breeches and zero-waste cutting process can also reduce resource waste. There are also carbon-neutral equestrian brands that offset carbon emissions in various ways, and second-hand equestrian equipment recycling allows old equipment to play new value, which are worth supporting.
11. Practical suggestions from procurement consultant Yigu
As a consultant who has been deeply involved in equestrian equipment procurement for many years, I recommend that you buy on demand: novices should not blindly pursue high-end brands, Decathlon basic set is enough to start; Professional riders can invest in core equipment such as Ariat helmets and Parlanti riding boots for greater durability. When purchasing, priority is given to products with CE and FEI certification, which is safe and guaranteed. Nowadays, environmentally friendly models are becoming more and more cost-effective, such as recycled PET fabric clothing, the price is not much different from ordinary models, it is worth trying. Bulk purchase can contact domestic manufacturers, customized services are more intimate, and the cost is lower.
FAQ: Equestrian Clothing FAQs
Q1: Can training uniforms and competition uniforms be used together? A: It is not recommended to be universal. Competition uniforms have strict rule requirements, such as FEI certification, white tie, etc., and training uniforms pay more attention to comfort and practicality, and most of them do not meet the standards of the event.
Q2: Will the non-slip silicone of breeches wear out? A: Yes, but high-quality silicone has better wear resistance. It is recommended to avoid cleaning with a stiff brush, hand washing and drying can extend the service life, and it is more economical to replace patches.
Q3: How often do children’s equipment need to be replaced? A: According to the growth rate, the growth adjustable model can generally be worn for 1-2 years, and if the protective gear is worn and deformed, it should be replaced in time even if the size is appropriate.
Q4: Will the waterproof performance of eco-friendly clothing be poor? A: No. Fluorine-free DWR eco-waterproofing technology is comparable to traditional waterproof technology, even more durable, and can reduce environmental harm.