INFORMAL HABIT: Modern saddle seat habit of cut and color appropriate to breed, of suiting fabric with matching or harmonizing apron.

COAT: May be cutaway in front to present a graceful line over the knee of the apron. Should be of length, fashion and fabrics as currently in style.

APRON: May be of the standard English style apron of suiting fabrics and presents a very finished and professional look. The appropriate length is not to fall below the horse’s elbow or expose the right foot. Preferred length is between the left ankle bone and the bottom of the left boot when jodhpurs boots are worn. The right toe and cuffs of jodhpurs are not to show beneath the apron. Cuffs of jodhpurs on the left leg are not to show beneath the apron. High hunt type boots may be worn in place of paddock boots to present a finished look. Color should match or harmonize with the rest of the outfit. Full circle skirts are acceptable for some breeds (with the same hem length as the apron), but are subject to wrapping around the horns in a fall. To prevent this, the right seam should be left open, so that it drapes around the horns. Velcro fasteners on the seam may be used when the rider is dismounted.

JODHPURS/BREECHES: As worn astride. Jodhpurs are to be the same fabric and color as the apron. Breeches, if worn with tall boots, are to be the same fabric and color as the apron. Bloomers are not acceptable.

VEST: Most breeds will require the vest, but check your breed rules. Some list it as optional. Color and fabric to conform with current astride style and fashions

SHIRT: As appropriate for astride classes. No ruffles.

NECKWEAR: Ties, bowties, or other appropriate neckwear, as currently in style for breed and show rules.

HAT: Saddle seat derby or Hamburg hat of harmonizing color with habit, styled as currently in fashion for breed and type of show. Conservative hat band trim. No veils, ribbons or scarves.

JEWLERY: Usually none, except for small stud earrings (gold or pearl) with pierced ears. Earrings and neck pins currently in style and according to breed and show rules

BOOTS: Leather jodhpur or high boots in black, brown or to coordinate with habit.

GLOVES: Leather gloves of harmonizing color.

BOUTONNNIERE: Optional – Small single flower without ribbon or lace, if appropriate to breed

ACCESSORIES: Saddle seat whip or sidesaddle cane and single blunt spur on left foot optional.

SADDLE: Sidesaddle of English cutback type preferred. English Pleasure saddles of conservative offside silhouette acceptable. Contoured saddle pads acceptable. No period or western type sidesaddles.

BRIDLE: Appropriate to breed and age of horse and class entered. Colored fronts and cavessons of conservative type and color.

ACCESSORIES: No martingales or sandwich cases. Braided mane ribbons, if appropriate to breed, must be simple and conservative length.

FORMAL:

JACKET: Tuxedo style jacket with satin lapels or shawl collar preferred, plain habit acceptable. Black, midnight blue, chocolate, or gray suiting fabric.

APRON: Of matching fabric or harmonizing design as with Informal apron.

SHIRT: Formal shirt with stiff or pleated front with wing tipped collar. Shirt studs in white or black.

NECKWEAR: Black or matching bow tie worn with cummerbund.

GLOVES: Black leather.

BOOTS: Black leather or patent leather of the jodhpur or hunt style.

HAT: Black silk top hat, polished (saddle seat crown height ), no veil.

BOUTONNIERE: Small single flower, in color, optional

ULTRA FORMAL:

The Ultra Formal Saddleseat habit would be the same as above, except with a bow tie and white vest in silk or pique, white shirt studs, small white boutonniere, patent leather boots and white leather gloves are used.

SADDLE: Sidesaddle of English cutback type preferred. English Pleasure saddles of conservative offside silhouette acceptable. Contoured saddle pads acceptable. No period or western type sidesaddles.

BRIDLE: Appropriate to breed and age of horse and class entered. Colored fronts and cavessons of conservative type and color.

ACCESSORIES: No martingales or sandwich cases. Braided ribbons, if appropriate to breed, must be simple and of conservative length