Red jackets and show jacket rules in South African equestrian sport.

For those of you who wonder what it means when seeing a rider competing in a red jacket, this article may be of interest to you

The use of red riding jackets in South Africa is a prestigious privilege reserved for riders who have qualified for and competed in the National Title Class at the SA Adult Championships. If a rider has not participated in this elite class, they may not wear a red jacket in competition under any circumstances.

Over the years, several legendary riders have earned the honour of wearing the red jacket, including:

1974: Gonda Betrix riding N C S Format
1987: Ronnie Lawrence riding High Hopes
2006: Dominey Alexander riding Fedora
2021: Nicola Sime Riley riding Sunny Park Insaghi DB

There has been ongoing debate around different shades of red, with some riders opting for maroon jackets. A good rule of thumb is that if the jacket could be seen as red, it is best to avoid it to ensure compliance with regulations.

Show Jacket Provisions: While jackets are a standard part of competition attire, there are exceptions in extreme weather conditions:

Hot Weather: In very hot conditions, the ground jury may allow athletes to compete without a jacket, but this exception is only permitted if officially announced.
Bad Weather: In adverse weather conditions, the ground jury may permit the wearing of waterproof jackets or raincoats.

Earning the right to wear a red jacket remains a significant achievement in South African equestrian sport, recognizing the dedication and skill required to compete at the highest level. At the same time, the show jacket provisions ensure rider comfort and safety under varying weather conditions.

Wishing our clients much fun and success towards earning their red jackets.