Show Jackets & Tailcoats for Competitions

What Differentiates a Cheap Riding Jacket from a Pricier One?

One common question when choosing a riding jacket is which price range to consider. There are riding jackets available from a few hundred to well over 10,000 kronor, and, as with regular clothing, several factors affect the price. Here are some examples:

• Material: The material the jacket is made of naturally affects both the price and functionality. Breathability, stretch, and fit are aspects that often improve with a more expensive jacket.
• Appearance: In many cases, you're paying for the appearance. Contrast details, Swarovski crystals, and similar embellishments may not affect comfort or fit, but they certainly impact the price.
• Production: Where the jacket is produced matters, as production in Europe is generally more expensive than in, for example, Asia. Production in Europe is often seen as a quality stamp that many manufacturers are clear about.

Another important factor to consider is the cost per use of the jacket. If you compete only a few times a year, you can find a satisfactory jacket in the lower or mid-range that you'll be very happy with. However, if you're a more active competitor frequently attending events or competitions every other weekend, it may be worth investing in a jacket to get that extra level of fit and comfort or unique appearance details.

Different Colors of Riding Jackets

Historically, black and navy blue jackets have been the standard, regardless of whether it's a show jumping competition jacket or a classic dressage jacket. The latter has almost exclusively been black and navy blue, especially for short and long tails, as these colors are the easiest to match with other items to create an elegant ensemble. When it comes to other disciplines like show jumping, the selection is broader, and shades like burgundy and green have long been popular colors and provide a lovely contrast to navy blue, which remains the most popular color overall.