There’s a large choice of smart and stylish competition shirts on the market and thanks to the use of modern fabrics you’ll stay cool and comfortable when you’re competing.
Our testers have put been using seven competition shirts for four months. They have been used at competitions and have also been worn at home for everyday riding, in order to ensure they have been thoroughly tested.
Each shirt is marked out five for fit, performance, and value for money. This gives an overall value out of 15.
Our winner is…
1. Dublin Ria Short Sleeve Competition Shirt
Dublin Ria Short Sleeve Competition Shirt
RRP £34.99
Colours: White, white/navy
Sizes: XS-XXL
Fit: True to size, this competition shirt fits well. The hidden poppers give a neat finish to the shirt, although I found them a little tricky to undo. The collar is comfortable and my stock stays in place well. I like the length of this shirt — plenty to tuck in but without it adding lots of bulk inside your breeches. 4.5 stars
Performance: This shirt is comfortable to wear. The mesh airflow panels helped to keep me a cool on warm days. It’s a smart shirt that looks great with or without a jacket over the top. It’s quick and easy to wash too. 5 stars
Value for money: Very good value — I really like this shirt. 5 stars
Total score: 14.5
2. Equetech Florence Lace Shirt
Equetech Florence Lace Shirt
RRP £34.95
Colour: White
Sizes: 8-24
Fit: This fits well, although the sizing isn’t generous. I’m normally a size 12 and the 12 is a little tighter than I would normally wear. But I love the lace panel, and the shirt is well shaped thanks to the darting on the front and back. The diamante studs finish the look off perfectly. It’s a good length and tucks into your breeches neatly. 4 stars
Performance: The technical fabric is soft and has a stretch to it, which means it doesn’t feel restrictive. I’ve found it comfortable for dressage and jumping, and I didn’t get too warm on hot days. 5 stars
Value for money: Very good value for a lovely looking shirt, but it’s worth checking the sizing. 5 stars
Total score: 14
3. HY Equestrian Laila Lace Shirt
HY Equestrian Laila Lace Shirt
RRP £36.99
Colours: White, navy
Sizes: XS-XL
Fit: A great fit. This shirt is made from a lightweight material with pretty lace detailing that adds to the overall look of the shirt. It’s a good length and the collar is comfortable, although not very deep. 4.5 stars
Performance: Comfortable to wear and smart, and the sparkly press-stud fastenings are a nice addition. The lightweight material means you don’t get too warm. It washes well and is quick to dry. The shirt is shaped at the waist adding to the look and the material has some stretch to it so you don’t feel restricted. 5 stars
Value for money: Good value for a lovely looking competition shirt. 4.5 stars
Total score: 14
4. Amelie Show Shirt
Amelie Show Shirt
RRP £44.95
Colours: White, navy
Sizes: 6-16
Fit: A stylish looking competition shirt that’s true to size. The tailored fit is extremely flattering and the collar is a comfortable fit. There’s also a stock loop which is a good addition. It’s a good length and tucks neatly inside my breeches. 5 stars
Performance: The soft material helps to keep you at a comfortable temperature. It also has a decent amount of stretch to it, so you don’t feel restricted when you’re competing. The lace-effect panels give this shirt a stylish look that is completed with diamante press-stud fastenings. 4.5 stars
Value for money: You’re investing in a lovely looking shirt. 4 stars
Total score: 13.5
5. Mountain Horse Brilliant Event Top
Mountain Horse Brilliant Event Top
RRP £48.95
Colour: White, navy, intense red
Sizes: XS-XXL
Fit: This top is a very good fit. The white front section that is visible under your jacket looks smart. The style is sporty and the zip-up collar fits nicely. Even though there’s no stock loop on the collar, my stock stays in place well. It is a little short for me and came untucked when I was jumping. 4.5 stars
Performance: The mesh inserts and technical fabric used keep you comfortable and cool even on hot days. The shirt has been washed a number of times and it comes up looking like new, and it dries quickly too. 4.5 stars
Value for money: I’m impressed with this shirt. It’s a bit more than I would normally pay but it is still good value. 4 stars
Total score: 13
6. DVR Equestrian Santos Tri Shirt
DVR Equestrian Santos Tri Shirt
RRP £56
Colours: Graphite/ recycled white/ beige
Sizes: XS-XL
Fit: This shirt is a good fit. The short front zip makes it easy to put on and I like the three colours used — it’s a little bit different. The white bib looks neat under your jacket. The collar does gape at the back, but once I have my stock on it looks fine. The length is good too, so it tucks neatly into the top of my breeches. 4.5 stars
Performance: A lightweight shirt that is comfortable to wear, looks smart and doesn’t feel restrictive. The mesh material on the back helps to keep you cool. 4.5 stars
Value for money: Pricey, but it’s a lovely shirt to wear and looks good. Part of it is made from recycled fishing nets, so you’re doing your bit for the environment too. 4 stars
Total score: 13
7. Vivendi Equestrian Show Shirt
Vivendi Equestrian Show Shirt
RRP £45
Colour: White/ grey
Sizes: XS-XL
Fit: This fits really well and looks great. The full-length front zip makes it quick and easy to put on and take off, and the shirt still looks smart. The sleeve length is good. If I’m being picky, the shirt could be a little longer in the body, as I found it came untucked from my breeches when I was jumping. 4 stars
Performance: Really comfortable — I didn’t get too warm even with the long sleeves. The cut and material mean it is close fitting, but I didn’t feel restricted — the shirt moves with you. It washes well and dries quickly. I found the collar a little snug but the loops help to hold your stock in place. 4.5 stars
Value for money: Not the cheapest but it looks good and performs well, so worth the investment. 4 stars
Total score: 12.5
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