Gate Keeper's Manual
How to open and close a dressage arena gate at a USEF/USDF competition

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Being a gate keeper at a dressage show is a very visible job. At major competitions, you might even end up immortalized on video! For that reason it's important to dress professionally and appropriately. You're representing not only the competition, but  the sport of dressage.



Gate person left
Appropriate attire
 Gate person right




At major competitions such as the US Dressage Finals and CDIs,
there are often two gate keepers working together. It's appropriate for both
to be dressed similarly, to competition management's specifications.

Here you see gate keepers at the US Dressage Finals.
They are wearing competition logo-wear hats and jackets, and khaki slacks.

Gate keeper attire at major competition
Proper attire

The examples left and right are all appropriate for gate keeping at any dressage show where management hasn't specified a particular dress code.

Proper attire should consist of:
  • horse-safe shoes
  • dark or khaki long pants (not blue jeans)
  • long- or short-sleeved shirts with collars (no t-shirts)
  • hat and sunblock for sun protection

Keep in mind that you'll be doing a fair bit of leaning over when you're opening and closing the dressage arena gate. Avoid plunging necklines and low-rise pants, please!

Proper gate keeping attire



Gate person left
 Nope!
 Gate person right




It's certainly fine for gate keepers to dress in weather-appropriate attire.

However, your attire should be neat and horse-safe.
You don't want to be the center of (unwanted) attention!

Improper gate keeping attire




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Thanks to students and faculty of the
William Woods University Dressage department
for their help in making this video.