subject: Jodphurs - Familiar And Necessary Items Of Equestrian Clothing [print this page] Jodphurs - Familiar And Necessary Items Of Equestrian Clothing
If you have ever been to an equestrian event, the chances are you will have noticed familiar items of clothing known as jodphurs. These distinctive garments date back to the turn of the 19th century and are intended for horse riding. Initially, they were used to play polo in Jodhpur, India. This is where they were focused until they found their way into Western society and other areas of the world later in the century.Today, riding jodhpurs are an essential part of a horse rider's wardrobe. They make for a much more comfortable riding experience, as well as a safer ride and have been specifically designed for the purpose.Breeches are very similar to jodhpurs in many cases. However, you should wear breeches with taller boots, while you often find jodhpurs in the more formal events or occasions. Back in the day, jodhpurs were used by the British military in many situations and you can still see them in use by security organisations today. Motorcycle officers of the law, for example, sometimes wear these garments on duty. When riding, they fit the wearer snugly and extend from the waist through to the ankle.Made of a variety of different materials, jodhpurs are usually designed to fit very closely and comfortably and are often elasticised. They allow the skin to breathe freely, important during the vigorous exercise experienced during equestrianism. To make sure that they don't wear out, riding jodhpurs are reinforced at the knee and upper seats with patches, recognising the fact that the rider will move around a lot during a performance or session.Jodhpur trousers are made for children as well as adults, with a variety of different colours available. They are normally combined with ankle length boots, which are often more comfortable than the tall boots seen in more formal events.It's important to make sure that the correct measurements are given whenever jodhpurs are required, as the comfort of the rider is at stake if the finished product is ill fitting. Ladies jodhpurs may be specifically tailored for comfort and today's products represent the height of elegance and are a statement of fashion within the equestrian society as well. Make note that dress code and decor are still adhered to in equestrian events and this can often dictate the colour or style of the riding trousers. Traditionally, conservative is best, especially if unsure and white or off-cream is normally selected.Many enthusiasts will choose to wear breeches in place of jodhpurs for day-to-day activities, but as they often extend only half way down the leg beneath the knee, they must be worn with long riding boots, as opposed to the jodhpurs themselves. In competitions, judges often determine how an individual is performing according to the positioning of the leg and jodhpurs help to pronounce this positioning and aid in the judge's observations.
