Editing Dressage (section)

== Rider / horse attire ==
[[File:Queluz Palace horses approach (9180978620).jpg|thumb|right|[[Lusitano]] riders of the [[Portuguese School of Equestrian Art]], one of the "Big Four" most prestigious [[:Category:Equestrian educational establishments|riding academies]] in the world, alongside the [[Cadre Noir]], the [[Spanish Riding School]], and the [[Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art|Royal Andalusian School]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/7-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-portuguese-school-of-equestrian-art-523504| title = Horse & Hound - 7 Things You Need to Know about the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art}}</ref>]]
Dressage riders, like their horses, are dressed for formality. In competition, they wear white, cream or pale-coloured [[breeches]], often full-seat leather to help them "stick" in the saddle, with a white shirt and [[stock tie]] with a small pin. Gloves are usually white, although less-experienced riders or those at the lower levels often opt for black, as white gloves tend to accentuate the movement of a less-experienced rider's unsteady hands. The coat worn is usually solid black with metal buttons, although solid navy is also seen. In upper-level classes, the riders wear a tailed jacket ([[shadbelly]]) with a yellow vest or vest points instead of a plain dressage coat.

Riders usually wear tall [[riding boots|dress boots]], although field boots or paddock boots with half chaps may be worn by riders at the lower levels. [[Spur]]s are required at the upper levels, and riders must maintain a steady lower leg for proper use. A whip may be carried in any competition except in a CDI or a national championship, and the length is regulated. Whips are not permitted in [[eventing]] dressage when entering space around arena or during the test for FEI events.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inside.fei.org/sites/default/files/2016%20Eventing%20Rules%20April2016%20-%20clean%20version.pdf|title=FEI 2016 Eventing Rules|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817221226/https://inside.fei.org/sites/default/files/2016%20Eventing%20Rules%20April2016%20-%20clean%20version.pdf|archive-date=August 17, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Whips (no longer than 120&nbsp;cm) are permitted in eventing dressage at any time for USEA tests, except USEF/USEA Championships and USEA Championship divisions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://useventing.com/sites/default/files/USEA_2016_RuleBook_5.6.pdf|title=USEA 2016 Rule Book|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118082312/http://useventing.com/sites/default/files/USEA_2016_RuleBook_5.6.pdf|archive-date=November 18, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

If the dressage rider has long hair, it is typically worn in a bun with a [[hair net]] or show bow. A hair net blends in with the rider's hair color, whereas a show bow combines a barrette or hair tie with a small bow and thick hair net, and is usually black. Lower-level riders may use a [[Derby hat|derby]], hunting cap, or ASTM/SEI-approved [[Equestrian helmet]]. In the United States, junior riders and riders through Fourth Level at recognized competitions are required to wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet to protect against head trauma in the event of a fall. At the upper levels, a top hat that matches the rider's coat is traditionally worn, though use of helmets is legal and increasing in popularity.

At FEI competitions, members of the military, police, national studs, national schools and national institutes retain the right to wear their service dress instead of the dress required of civilian riders.<ref name="FEI Dressage Rules">{{cite book |title=FEI Dressage Rules 24th edition |year=2013 |publisher=International Equestrian Federation |location=Lausanne, Switzerland |page=36 |url=http://fei.org/sites/default/files/GA_Annex_16%203-Dressage%20Rules%202013_black%20version.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626080904/http://www.fei.org/sites/default/files/GA_Annex_16%203-Dressage%20Rules%202013_black%20version.pdf |archive-date=June 26, 2013 |access-date=August 12, 2016}}</ref>