What to Wear to a Horse Trial: Smart Country Style for Changeable Weather
The beginning of September is geared up to welcome the next Defender Burghley horse trials, one of the UK’s premier events of dressage, cross-country and showjumping. During the trials, when trudging from field to lane, event attendees may notice they’ve been standing or walking for long periods, with little shelter if the weather turns. The ground itself could become a trial and this is where your dress choices will pay off.
Brocklehursts at Burghley: Where to find us
The trials will run from Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th September, 2026. We’re delighted to run two stands this year allocated at A40 and AE3. We’re delighted that a pair of our own label trousers features in The Field’s Burghley "Kit to Covert" coverage this year. The best time for shopping will be between competition phases and our stand will feature among 600 carefully selected exhibitors, providing the best of country fashion for this time of year.
A trial for the horses and for your clothing
Your footwear will get around; on grass, tracks, idling in queues and attending trade stands. Experienced event-goers will be mindful of support for the feet, grip of the footwear and room for suitable socks. If you’re wearing boots, it’s advised to wear a pair that’s already been broken in – there’ll be nothing worse than a nasty chafe on a long day.
Moving up the body, it’s important to build your layers to make them breathable. The combination of standing and walking means you’ll be generating warmth and losing it in equal measure, so it's recommended to wear a comfortable shirt beneath a knit and a removable mid layer. This gives you versatility – if you’re uncomfortable then you can adjust accordingly without bulking up. This arrangement will also leave room for a waterproof.
Your waterproof needs to be light enough to carry when you don’t need it. This leaves room across the shoulders and over your mid-layers, which keeps breathability optimal, especially when walking. For men, our Egleton Lightweight Jacket from Schoffel is a jacket that straddles the balance of waterproof protection while remaining conveniently lightweight. For women, the Manton Lightweight Jacket from Schoffel is perfect for protection from the elements while remaining smart, sleek and practical.
For bags you’re going to want a cross-body carry option – keeping your hands free for your programme, handling food, purchasing and all other tasks. You’ll want something highly functional but small enough not to be a burden. Take a look at the Eadestown Handbag from Dubarry, an option that strikes the balance between luxury and lightweight, crafted in rich leather and suede with multiple internal pockets and more.
Build the look for men
Considering the event and the season, a wax jacket like Barbour’s Corbridge Wax Jacket is an excellent choice during events like this. This provides your outfit with structure and useful protection from the elements. Keep this to hand if persistent rain is a real risk throughout the event as it is durable and practical. Your jacket choice should leave enough room for your chosen mid-layer, contributing to an outfit that feels considered but not too formal.
For the mid-layer, you’ll want one reliable option - no bulky layers. A quarter-zip is recommended for simple warmth, like the Mulyungarie Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt by R M Williams. Another option could be the Oakham Fleece Gilet by Schoffel if you’re looking for core warmth and arm movement. These options fit neatly beneath the jacket without bunching and contribute well to the outfit as a whole.
Shirts need to sit comfortably beneath knitwear during the day. The versatility of shirts can communicate the traditional nature of countrywear without being too formal. An example is the Caswell Tattersall Shirt by Barbour, a garment that provides ease of movement with real style. Footwear is a consideration for the success of the trials and all autumnal events. You’ll need to be generally conscious of your grip on wet grass and softened gateways and if it gets really wet, you should consider the wellington route. The Vierzonord Boot by Le Chameau is the perfect option for this kind of autumn day.
Build the look for women
For women, wax jackets are recommended for cooler or changeable days. The Barbour Beadnell Wax Jacket is suited well for light waterproofing. If the forecast is genuinely cold, then you can consider a long down coat. Dubarry’s Aldborough Long Tech Down Coat performs perfectly in this regard, combining cold protection and cosiness with Dubarry’s characteristic quality. These choices are for the whole day and not just for the first hour.
The right options for your mid-layer require a quality shirt and knit. A good shirt provides a clean base to build on and Dubarry’s Snowdrop Shirt performs on many levels, made from stretch cotton, it's comfortable and smart. On top of this, a fine or medium knit will work on top of a shirt – keep it light to avoid heavy bulk. The lightweight nature of this garment makes it easy to remove and carry if the afternoon gets warmer and leaves enough room beneath a waterproof.
The right footwear over a full day at Burghley is important. A great option for a mixed forecast is the Ariat Wexford Waterproof Chelsea Boot, in essence a practical boot for the season. If you find yourself handling wetter ground, you can consider the classic Dubarry Galway Boot, built for durability and produced from quality leathers and lined with Gore-tex®. This really nails the ideal combination of comfortable, breathable and stylish. With these two options you can’t go wrong.
Visit one of our three Bakewell stores if you’d like to try these layers or boots in person or for practical fitting advice from experts in country clothing. Brocklehursts is a family-run business operating since 1965 with a simple outlook that holds true: Buy well, buy once.
