  Can I comment on riding attire for a few minutes? I thought dressage was about history, sophistication, and tradition. It is possible that I am wrong. Our show attire, white breeches, black coat, crisp white shirt with stock tie, represents all three of those things....history, sophistication, and tradition. When did sex appeal enter into our schooling attire? I recently saw a young lady school her horse in some interesting attire. She had the waistband of her breeches rolled down to her hips, and it was quite obvious there were no undergarments under those tight-fitting, tan breeches.
Here shirt was short-sleeved and equally short-waisted. Her belly button ring was shining in the sun. Her shirt was tight-fitting and scoop-necked. Her large, pontentially fake, chest area was well presented in this particular shirt. My practical thinking mind would like to know what was gained by wearing this attire?? Perhaps it was to show off her slender figure in the saddle. That's all well and good, but there wasn't anyone else watching. It was her and the horse. Furthermore, what would have happened if she were launched from her steed's back? Her bare stomach was surely going to experience some serious lacerations and "road rash" from the abrasive arena sand. I would really hate to have sand in my bra after skidding down the long side of the arena! My biggest worry was the belly button ring. Can you imagine the carnage if she were bucked off and her ring caught on the saddle or other tack item?
Perhaps I am being petty. Or perhaps I am just a product of old school dressage training. Maybe this young lady needs a German riding instructor yelling at her about her choice of schooling clothes. I know that I was never yelled at for this particlur crime, but it was an unspoken rule that your breeches (typically of a dark color, some plaids and pleats as long as they were sophisicated)were worn with a leather belt and collared shirt to a clinic or when schooling.
Sleeveless shirts were ok, as long as it had a collar. Evidently, I have missed the memo about sex appeal in the dressage ring. First it was swallow-tailed dressage pads in the show ring (which I love, by the way), next it will be belly-cut dressage coats. I guess I need to relax..... 
