Progress in the Ring: Dressage Ireland Makes a Move on Competition Wear

A Win for Riders, A Signal of Change

In a positive and long-awaited update, Dressage Ireland has confirmed that its 2025 rulebook will now permit competitors to wear full black or navy breeches during competition.

Visibility creates pressure.
And pressure, it seems, can create change.

This decision will be welcomed by many across the equestrian community—particularly women and girls—who have long called for a more inclusive and practical approach to competition wear.

The change comes amidst wider scrutiny in sport around rigid uniform policies. The recent spotlight on the Camogie Association, for its stance on mandatory skorts, has helped fuel national conversations on equity and choice in sporting attire. That ripple effect has clearly made its way to the equestrian world.

Celebrating the Update—But Let’s Be Honest

While we absolutely celebrate Dressage Ireland’s updated rulebook, it’s worth noting: this isn’t the first time the issue was raised.

A compromise allowing white breeches with dark seats had previously been introduced—but for many, that didn’t go far enough. I personally contacted Dressage Ireland again in January 2025, requesting a broader reassessment. That message went unanswered.

So while it’s encouraging to see movement now, it’s also fair to wonder why it took national headlines and cross-sport comparisons to ignite action.

If it takes public pressure to modernise our sport, then let’s keep applying it—because it’s working.

Still, today, we look forward. Because this is a step worth recognising.

Why This Matters

Allowing black and navy breeches is more than a uniform update. It’s a statement:

• That tradition should never outweigh practicality.
• That women in sport deserve comfort and confidence.
• That governing bodies are starting to listen, not just react.

This change makes competition more accessible. More comfortable. More current. And it reflects the voices of the community—voices that refused to be ignored.

To the riders, coaches, advocates, and everyday equestrians who kept raising this issue—your voice mattered.

To the camogie players of Ireland who sparked a national conversation—thank you.

And to Dressage Ireland—we’re very happy to see this shift.

Because change, even when slow, is still progress. And if equestrianism is to stay relevant and inclusive, this is exactly the direction we need.

Here’s to progress in the ring.