Whether you’re riding between the white boards for dressage or flying over coloured poles in the showjumping arena, making sure you have one of the best show jackets is key to nailing your competition day outfit.
Looking and feeling smart will help top up your confidence and could make the all important difference to your riding – plus you’ll love the pictures with your smart competition clothing. If you’re in the market for a new jacket, we’ve selected 11 of the best show jackets available that are both fashionable and functional to help narrow down your search whatever your budget.
Best ladies’ show jackets: H&H’s quick guide
Best technical competition jacket: Ariat Meridian X
Best show jacket for colour options: Aztec Diamond Competition
Best premium competition jacket: Pikeur Selection Isalie
Best value show jacket: Dublin Casey Tailored
Best show jacket for wet weather: Equetech Crystal Showerproof
Best show jackets for competition
Ariat Meridian X Show Jacket
Colours: Black
Sizes: UK 6–18
Reasons to buy:
- Breathable for hot conditions
- Subtle, smart detailing
- Stain-repellent finish
- Odour-resistant
- Machine washable
Reasons to avoid:
- Premium price point
This jacket offers the same fit and performance as the popular Meridian show jacket but with a few additional details. It features antique silver hardware and subtle black crystal embellishments, and the fabric has moisture management technology to keep you cool.
Aztec Diamond Competition Jacket
Colours: Forest, black, navy, grey, pink, cherry or fawn
Sizes: UK 4–16
Reasons to buy:
- Durable, shape retaining fabric
- Breathable fabric with laser-cut panel
- Machine washable
Reasons to avoid:
- Limited insulation for colder months
This jacket is crafted from high-performance, sports-developed fabric. The durable, four-way stretch material is shape-retaining, breathable, and enhanced with sweat-wicking and quick-dry technologies. It features a full back laser-cut panel for added ventilation, and has two front zipped pockets and subtle branding across the back, front and arm for a sleek finish.
Pikeur Selection Isalie Show Jacket
Colours: Nightblue or black
Sizes: UK 4–20, in regular or long length
Reasons to buy:
- Laser-cut ventilation under the arms and on the back
- Discreet hidden front zip and button closure
- Odour neutralising fabric
- Rhinestone accents on the collar
- Long option
Reasons to avoid:
- Slim fit may not suit all body shapes
This stylish show jacket is made with a lightweight, super-elastic and breathable softshell material. The flap pockets, collar insert and rear waist are decorated with a subtle rhinestone application and delicate satin piping.
Dublin Casey Tailored Show Jacket
Colours: Black or navy
Sizes: UK 8–20
Reasons to buy:
- Water-repellent finish
- Stretch fabric for freedom of movement and added comfort
- Machine washable
- Great value
Reasons to avoid:
- Less technical than premium options
A smart tailored competition softshell jacket that is water repellant and breathable. The stretch fabric allows easy freedom of movement for comfort. Fully lined and machine washable for easy maintenance. Stylish button detail on front with hidden centre zip closure. Comes with a hanger and garment bag. Also available in children’s sizes.
Equetech Crystal Showerproof Competition Jacket
Colours: Grey/silver or navy/rose gold
Sizes: 32–48in
Reasons to buy:
- Four-way stretch fabric
- Showerproof finish
- Breathable mesh lining for ventilation
- Machine washable
Reasons to avoid:
- Slim fit may not suit all body shapes
This jacket is made from a showerproof, stretch jersey fabric, for comfort and protection in unpredictable weather. It has an eye-catching crystal collar embellishment for stand out style, plus contrast zipped pockets, double back vents, and a mesh lining to keep you cool. It’s finished with a secure front zip with Equetech signature buttons and contour sleeve design.
LeMieux Jessica Mesh Show Jacket
Colours: Black, navy, stone, pine green, fondant or powder blue
Sizes: UK6–18
Reasons to buy:
- Ultra-lightweight and breathable for hot conditions
- Wide colour choice
- Sporty contour seam lines to flatter your figure
- Breathable mesh inserts for ventilation
Reasons to avoid:
- Perforated fabric offers less warmth in cooler weather
- Hand wash only
This technical performance jacket is made from a lightweight breathable fabric with perforated panels and ultra-fine mesh under the arms and armpits to ensure maximum ventilation and airflow. With elegant yet sporty contour seam lines and exposed zip pockets, it’s designed to fit and flatter your figure.
Fouganza Horse Riding Show Jacket
Colours: Cosmos blue or smoked black
Sizes: UK 4–16
Reasons to buy:
- Great value
- Machine washable
Reasons to avoid:
- Less detailing compared to others in this guide
This jacket offers a tailored fit with a classic cut. It is crafted from a breathable and flexible fabric for added comfort and ease of movement in the saddle. It features discrete front pockets and front button fastening.
Hy Equestrian Elevate Artemis Show Jacket
Colours: Navy
Sizes: XS–XXL
Reasons to buy:
- Flattering, contoured fit
- Lightweight and breathable fabric
Reasons to avoid:
- Only available in navy
This show jacket is a blend of modern tailoring and classic style. Designed in a smart navy fabric with a flattering, contoured fit, this jacket offers elegance and comfort for competition days. With subtle suede detailing around the collar and around the pockets. Also available in children’s sizes.
Harry Hall Ladies Show Jacket
Colours: Black or navy
Sizes: S–XXL
Reasons to buy:
- Lightweight, breathable fabric with four-way stretch
- Crystal detailing to the collar and back waistband
- Front button fastenings
- Mashine washable
Reasons to avoid:
- Only available in traditional colours
This show jacket is tailored with subtle crystal details to the collar and back waistband. It is made from a lightweight and breathable, soft fabric with four-way stretch to provide maximum comfort with freedom of movement. It has a front button fastening with two small zip pockets.
Coldstream Harthill Diamante Show Jacket
Colours: Navy, Windsor wine or glacier boulevard
Sizes: UK 6–16
Reasons to buy:
- Technically tailored for a sleek, sculpted silhouette
- Stretch performance fabric
- Built-in 50+ UV block protection
- Available in statement colour options
- Machine washable
Reasons to avoid:
- You prefer less detailing
This show jacket is a bold take on classic competition wear for riders who want to stand out. Designed with a sleek, contoured fit, it features dynamic tonal and silver diamanté embellishments that highlight its modern silhouette. It offers 50+ UV protection and technical tailoring that supports movement in the saddle. Available in striking seasonal colour ways. Also available in children’s sizes.
Holland Cooper The Competition Jacket
Colours: Ink navy or black
Sizes: UK 6–16
Reasons to buy:
- Showerproof
- Tailored slim fit
- Breathable mesh lining and vented back panel
- Machine washable
Reasons to avoid:
- Better suited to warmer weather due to lightweight material
This show jacket is tailored for a flattering slim fit. Constructed with a breathable mesh lining and a showerproof outer shell, the material has extra stretch for added comfort while in the saddle. It features a zip closure and faux button fastening, and is finished off with gold hardware.
How to choose the best show jacket for you
Each discipline has slightly different rules on what you can wear at each level – check out our guides on what to wear for dressage, what to wear for showjumping, what to wear eventing and what to wear for showing to see if you favourite show jacket is accepted. However, it’s good to know that in general more colours are accepted now than have been in the past. You can also wear tweed, but we’ve rounded up the best tweed riding jackets separately.
When choosing your new show jacket, it’s worth noting a few features to look out for. Most modern best show jackets are made from more breathable and technical materials, which will keep you cooler and more comfortable throughout the day – some may also be water- and dirt-repellent.
Many also fasten with a zip hidden under the button placket, which gives a smart finish and makes the jacket easy to put on and take off. The majority of the best show jackets are now machine washable, which is a real bonus when it comes to keeping it in good condition and looking smart.
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You might also like:
Look and feel the part in one of these stylish tweed jackets
From tweed to tech: 7 best men’s show jackets for style and performance in the ring
15 of the best competition breeches to wear in the saddle this season
16 of the best long leather riding boots for every budget
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