Jodhpurs: A Brief History

For those who do not know, jodhpurs are tight-fitting trousers that horseback riders wear when riding in the 'English style'. They go from the waist down to the ankle. These loose-fitting riding trousers originated in the city Jodhpur, India around the 1890’s.

The History

The jodhpur comes from an ancient style of Indian trousers called the Churidar, which are tight around the calf and baggy at the hips. In Jodhpur, India they used the same style and created a pant suitable for riding. These trousers are slightly different from the tight hip-hugging styles that we see today.

Sir Pratap Singh, son of the Maharaja of Jodhpur, India first introduced these riding trousers to England. Singh was an avid polo player and when he visited Queen Victoria in 1897, he brought his entire polo team with him. The jodhpurs that were worn by he and his team caused a sensation among the fashonistas of the United Kingdom. Singh’s jodhpur style had a flared thigh and hip and tight at the calf, was quickly taken up by the British polo playing community, who then changed the jodhpur to its existing design much like the English breeches that end at the bottom of the calf and are worn with socks and tall riding boots.

Though the term “jodhpurs” was used for this style of breeches, though these are not true jodhpurs and were more accurately called “flared-hip breeches”. The British versions of these riding trousers were soon being produced in London. The use of the Indian-style, ankle-length Jodhpurs helped riders save money and not have the need for tall expensive riding boots. The calf of the leg was protected by the newly designed and snug lower fit of the longer pant leg which helped to keep the rider’s calf from rubbing against a horse’s sides and against the stirrup leathers.

Breeches and Jodhpurs Today

There have been several changes made to the original jodhpurs to help those who wear them; which include a pattern cut

with the leg seams on the outside of the leg and a patch on the inside of the knee usually made material such as suede, which helps the rider stick to the saddle. The classic jodhpur colours are beige or white, also come in a variety of other colours. These jodhpursare well-suited for children who ride in paddock boots.

Jodhpur boots, also called paddock boots, are worn with the jodhpurs, as well as half-chaps which provide the same functions and look of a tall riding boot. The word “jodhpurs” is often used interchangeably with riding breeches, though this is technically incorrect, as breeches are similar to jodhpurs, but come down to only about mid-calf, designed to be worn with long socks and tall boots. Jodhpurs are ankle length and worn with short, ankle-high Jodhpur boots, also known as Paddock Boots, sometimes with knee-length half-chaps or leggings.

So What’s the Difference?

• Jodhpurs are full length riding trousers and are meant to be worn with paddock boots, mainly used by children in today’s horse world 12 years and younger.
• Breeches are similar to today’s Capri trousers. Breeches finish below the calf and are meant to be worn with long socks and tall boots or paddock boots with half chaps, mainly worn by adults and riders over the age of 13.