Have you been told off at a show for having the wrong tack or wrong colored jacket? Yep, we have too!

If you compete in national dressage in the UAE, you have probably heard some version of this before: only black or navy jackets are allowed, full stop, no exceptions. And honestly, we'd give the same advice to avoid any drama.

A Checklist to Revise Before the Season Starts

Here's a quick pre-season registration checklist (note: this does not apply to Intro level riders, as you'll typically register by sending an email to the UAE federation):

No Objection Certificate (NOC)

• Request an NOC from your home country's federation

• Start early, processing can take days to weeks depending on the home federation

• Confirm it has been received and filed with UAEERF before your first entry deadline

Registration

• Confirm your horse's registration status with the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and renew early if needed (this may need to be done through your riding club)

• Pay the required registration fees for both the horse and rider

• Make sure you confirm your bridle number, which you'll need all season

• EACH rider and horse much be registered for each disapline

Vaccination Records

• Confirm equine influenza vaccination is current and the passport is up to date (although not required for National shows)

• For FEI eventing specifically, confirm the booster falls within six months and twenty one days of the competition, and is logged in the FEI HorseApp

Vet and Farrier Checks

• Book a pre-season soundness check, with particular attention to fitness

• Schedule a hoof balance and shoeing check

General Documentation

• Keep passports, ownership documents, and vaccination records together

• Back up key documents digitally in case originals are needed at short notice

UAE National Rules Follow the FEI Guidelines

For tack and equipment, the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation does not publish a separate national tack list. Instead, its official Dressage Rules and Help page points riders directly to the FEI Dressage and Para Dressage Guidelines for Use of Tack, Equipment and Dress. In practice, this means the same standards that apply at CDI level also apply at national shows here, from Introductory tests right through to Advanced. If a piece of tack is not permitted under the FEI guidelines, it is not permitted at a UAE national show either.

This is genuinely useful to know, since it means one reference document covers you at every level you are likely to compete at in the UAE.

Bridles, Nosebands, and Reins

A few of the most common questions at the tack check table:

• Dropped nosebands, flash straps, and crossed or Mexican style nosebands are permitted at levels where a snaffle bridle is allowed

• Micklem style bridles are permitted, provided the upper strap sits high enough to function as a proper throat lash. If it sits too low, it does not count and the bridle will not pass

• Reins must be leather, leather-like, rubber, or a similar material. Rope or rope-like reins are not permitted, and reins cannot have extra attachments or hand stoppers added

• A double bridle becomes relevant as riders move up through the levels, generally from Medium level tests upward, matching the same requirements seen internationally

Bits

The bit rules are detailed, but the essentials are straightforward. Snaffle bits need a minimum mouthpiece diameter, the centre joint must have rounded edges rather than a flat plate, and the bit must have a smooth surface throughout, with rollers only permitted on the centre joint itself. Curb bits follow similar principles, with a maximum lever arm length and specific rules around ported or tilted mouthpieces. Cable bits, wavy bits, and bits with holes through the mouthpiece are not permitted at any level.

If you are ever unsure whether a bit in your tack box is legal, the steward at the collecting ring is generally happy to check it before you go in, and it is always worth asking rather than finding out mid warm up.

Always check the rules before assuming.

Boots, Ear Covers, and Other Equipment

• Hoof boots are not permitted in the dressage arena. Nothing may cover the horse's legs or feet during a test

• Ear hoods are allowed and may help with noise sensitivity, but they must not cover the horse's eyes and cannot be attached to the noseband

• Ear plugs are only permitted at horse inspections and prize giving, not during the test itself

• Fly masks are not permitted in the training or competition arena

• Nose tapes, bit guards, and any equipment considered a gadget, including blinkers, are not allowed

• Magnetic stirrups are NOT allowed (only in Para Dressage)

• Whip lengths are 1m for ponies and 1.20m for horses

Spurs

Only blunt metal spurs no longer than 3.5cm are permitted for children, and 4cm for adults. Rowel spurs are allowed provided the rowels are blunt and free to rotate. Sharp tines are never permitted, regardless of level.

The Jacket Color Question, Finally Answered

Back to the myth. FEI Dressage Rules Article 427 does not actually restrict riders to black or navy blue. The rule allows any dark, conservative color that falls within a specific range on the international Hue Saturation Value color scale, essentially any color dark enough in tone, including deep greens, burgundies, and charcoal greys, with tasteful contrast piping also permitted. Black or navy blue remain compulsory only at the very top international levels, such as CDI3* and above, FEI Championships, and similar events.

At UAE national shows, this means riders technically have more room to work with than the collecting ring rumor suggests, provided the jacket is a genuinely dark, conservative, single color rather than anything bright, patterned, or flashy. That said, black and navy remain the overwhelming favorites for a reason: they are safe, classic, and never draw a raised eyebrow. If you want to experiment with a dark forest green or deep burgundy, the rules likely allow it, but it is always worth double checking with the show organizer or a steward beforehand, especially at higher level national classes where expectations tend to be more traditional.

BLING

Basically, you can have AS MUCH BLING as you can afford! But absolutely NO glitter allowed!

A Quick Reference Before You Compete

• Check your bridle, noseband, and bit against the FEI Tack, Equipment and Dress Guidelines referenced on the UAEERF Dressage Rules page

• Confirm which test level you are riding, since equipment requirements shift as you move up through UAE Dressage Tests

• Remember that hoof boots, ear plugs during the test, fly masks, and gadget style equipment are not allowed regardless of level

• Choose a genuinely dark, conservative jacket color, and when in doubt, black or navy will never let you down

• Ask a steward before you enter the arena if you are unsure about any piece of tack. It is always better to check early than to be stopped at the in-gate

Getting familiar with the rules ahead of time means one less thing to worry about on competition day, and it might just settle that ongoing debate at the yard about what color jacket you are actually allowed to wear.

Some Popular FAQs About UAE Dressage

Do I need to register separately for dressage, or does my existing UAEERF registration cover it?
Your UAEERF registration covers you as an athlete, but you also need to confirm your horse is registered correctly and that you are entering at the right level, since dressage levels run from Introductory through Advanced and each has its own tack and equipment requirements.

How long before the season should I start the NOC process?
As soon as you know you intend to compete. Processing times vary by home federation and can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, so it is best not to leave this until close to your first entry.

Do UAE national dressage tack rules differ from FEI rules?
No. The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation applies the FEI Tack, Equipment and Dress Guidelines directly to national shows, so the same standards apply whether you are riding a national Preliminary test or an international one.

Is my horse's vaccination requirement different for dressage compared to other disciplines?
No, the underlying vaccination rules are the same. National shows generally require a current equine influenza vaccination, and FEI dressage requires a booster within six months and twenty one days of competition, logged in the FEI HorseApp.

Am I really only allowed to wear black or navy blue at UAE dressage shows?
Not quite. FEI Dressage Rules Article 427 allows any dark, conservative color within the international HSV color scale, not just black or navy. Those two are only compulsory at the very top international levels. Black and navy remain popular because they are a safe, traditional choice, but the rules do allow more room than the collecting ring rumor suggests. (But we suggest doing this at your own risk because we've personally been told off for NOT wearing black or navy. lol)

What happens if my tack or paperwork is not in order on competition day?
Horses with equipment that does not meet the guidelines, or riders with incomplete registration, NOC, or vaccination paperwork, can be turned away or have their entry rejected. This is why it is worth checking everything against the checklist well before entries open.