What is the attire requirement for the western horse classes?
Intercollegiate Western horse show classes are lenient when it comes to rules about attire and footwear. Each college or university participating in intercollegiate shows decides its own team uniform or dress code. Each rider in that team has to dress according to team rules.
For example, the Ohio State Equestrian Team wear Western-style hats, jeans or jodhpurs approved for Western classes, western style boots with a heel and, depending on the class, riding gloves. All clothes must not restrict the movement of the rider or get caught in any tack. All clothes must be clean. Although college team members are proud of their team logos, they are not allowed to wear anything with a team logo on it during their classes.
Depending on team rules or the rules of the show the team competes in, riders may be required to wear hard hats underneath their Western hats. Any handicapped riders must wear a hard hat underneath their Western hats.
Individual classes may require a stricter dress code than others. It is important to scrutinize the rules for each class in order to pick out a show outfit. According to Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association Rules, many Western classes are judged the same way as American Quarter Horse Association rules, which can change often, so be sure to check them before a class.