Culottes

[Helen Davey]

Ok, my understanding is that there is no actual riding costume for ladies in Spain, apart from the sidesaddle Amazona costume. Ladies do sometimes wear culottes while on foot but they are never used for riding. In this country, lots of ladies use culottes, even though Spanish judges mark them down, so when did culottes become regarded as ok in the UK? I'm trying to get my head round tack and turnout and it is proving to be a headache. 

[Peter Maddison-Greenwell]

Dear Helen,

I think you will find that in the early days of the BAPSH when it was formerly the The British Andalusian Society there were very few reference point to establish what was correct and acceptable. Yes there was no riding costume for ladies per say. So in those days some 20 years ago it was acceptable for ladies to wear culottes because few knew any different and that has been the case up to a few years ago. More recently we have had a greater influence from more knowledgable judges from Spain such as this year Javier Garcia Romero and in the past Juan Llamas.

However, I have had some ladies say they prefer to be seen in culottes and loose the points rather than wear trousers.

All the best Peter

[Helen Davey]

Thanks Peter, that makes perfect sense.  I can understand the preference for culottes - the trousers are incredibly tight and unforgiving!