carriage driving attire, question :-)

[spiritthyme]

I am wanting advice on Carriage driving attire… I will be showing at the Arabian Sporthorse Nationals in a few weeks, I am showing Carriage Driving & Reinsmanship. I plan to wear a coat and slacks, with a lap robe… my question is, for a woman, would it be more proper to wear a skirt instead of slacks ???

( I will be driving a Meadowbrook )

[goodhors]

Is there any way you can check for photos of other drivers in Arab carriage classes? Past winners? We can help with traditional Carriage Driving attire, but it may be a completely wrong look for your Breed based showing. Even with you driving a Meadowbrook cart which is a “real” carriage, not a show bike or viceroy, made for the ring competiton, Arab folks may want a different “look” than carriage drivers. Most breed exhibitors are much more bright, flashy looking in all classes, gives a better look from the rail. Around here, the Drafts want a flashy look, even in Road Carts and Meadowbrooks, not a suitable appearance for more traditional carriage driving. Tradition is huge in carriage driving, older styles of “good taste”, not being over-done in appearance. Glitter is not desired.

Is the Judge usually an Arab person or a real Carriage Judge? They may view things differently, using the same rules. Do you have a copy of the class rules they will be using?

I would think slacks would be a fine choice either way, under a laprobe. Get non-slippery soled shoes that blend with the outfit. Driver has to be able to stay firmly in place on the seat, aided by good foot position. Are hats desireable, do you carry the whip?

Give us more information, so we have better ideas.

[Thomas_1]

Here a lady driver would NEVER wear trousers under the driving apron in any show class.

However I’m with Goodhors: Find and read the rules.
Talk to other competitors that routinely win. Find photos of last year’s winners.

[Renae]

Arab show carraige driving classes are usually judged by “real” carriage drivng judges, and that is definatly the case at Arab sport horse nationals :winkgrin: The judge this year is Chris Bickford, so perhaps someone hear knows some of that judges personal pet peeves regarding turnout. Turnout for Arab carriage pleasure driving classes should be the same as for open carriage pleasure driving classe, the ruels are exactly the same (the Arab section of the rulebook just references the carriage pleasure driving section). Here are proofs from past Arab Sport Horse National pleasure driving classes:
http://www.donstine.com/SHN_06Gallery/carriage/default.html
http://www.donstine.com/schedule/SHN_05Index.htm
(When you look through the 2006 proofs you see quite a few people without hats but I do remember people remarking how windy it was in Idaho last year)

[gothedistance]

I have an acquaintance (an Arab breeder from the midwest) who will be there with her pair. She’s a past president of the CAA (Carriage Association of America) and has decades of experience in exhibiting in both American Driving Society shows and Arabian shows. She is also a very staunch supporter of the carriage division to the ASN, so if you PM me, I’ll give you her e-mail address. I’m sure she’d be more than happy to help answer your questions.

[spiritthyme]

Thank you for the responses, Renae is correct in Arabian Carriage driving, we use the USEF carriage driving rules I have read thru and it really does not specify about ladies wearing slacks.

I have done some homework on the judge, Chris Bickford, he is an English Pleasure trainer ( Saddleseat ) which seems an odd choice for the Carriage Judge, I guess he has a card for it… So I have been told he may look to the higher energy/stepping/headed horse. hmmmm.

Anyway, gothedistance, I will PM you as I would love to ask some questions of your friend

Heather

[spiritthyme]

Also wanted to thank you Renae for the links to the SHN carriage pix !

It appears that it is split, some ladies HAD skirts and some slacks w/ lap robes.

NOW, if I wear a skirt, do I STILL need a robe ?

[gothedistance]

Yup. Still have to wear a robe, or apron – the whole purpose of which is to keep your clothes clean.

PS. Send you a reply PM.

[spiritthyme]

I thought the robe/apron was to trip me up as I bail out of the carriage !

[gothedistance]

Naw! That’s what you have a groom for – to do the bailing for you! :lol:

Now, if you really wanted to put on a show for the audience, wear a long, tight skirt, an apron down to your shoes, and high heels. THEN try leaping out of the carriage while trying to keep your grace and dignity attached.

[spiritthyme]

Oh and lets not forget the thong undies, just in case my bum shows !

[spiritthyme]

This is the outfit I plan to wear I do have a lap rug, it matches my skirt so it is a tad hard to see in the photo…
My harness is black, I hope this will be appropriate:)
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/spiritthyme007/outfit005E.jpg
Don’t laugh at me, I was “pretending” to hold the lines !
another photo, with my Horse
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/spiritthyme007/RRC07-0264E.jpg

[Thomas_1]

[QUOTE=spiritthyme;2685659]
This is the outfit I plan to wear I do have a lap rug, it matches my skirt so it is a tad hard to see in the photo… [/QUOTE]
It looks VERY smart and absolutely totally presentable - if you were in the UK. Though personally I just can’t get my head round an apron that isn’t a plain nice boring black or navy. :winkgrin:

My harness is black, I hope this will be appropriate:)
If you were in the UK then it would always be black. Hopefully someone there can help you with what’s acceptable that side of the pond

Don’t laugh at me, I was “pretending” to hold the lines !
heck I thought that was the position for riding a bike not rein handling :winkgrin: But that’s what comes of driving boring old traditional “coachman rein handling style” :yes:

HINTS AND TIPS: When you are off the carriage and wearing a driving apron. Take one corner of the apron and to its diagonal opposite and fold it nearly in the waistband and THEN walk. In the really old coaching books that is lesson 1

[spiritthyme]

[QUOTE=Thomas_1;2685696]
It looks VERY smart and absolutely totally presentable - if you were in the UK. Though personally I just can’t get my head round an apron that isn’t a plain nice boring black or navy. :winkgrin:

WONDERFUL !!! Thank you ( I took your earlier comment to heart and decided AGAINST slacks )

If you were in the UK then it would always be black. Hopefully someone there can help you with what’s acceptable that side of the pond

Here some use Russet, but mainly Black

heck I thought that was the position for riding a bike not rein handling :winkgrin: But that’s what comes of driving boring old traditional “coachman rein handling style” :yes:

Ah yes, so sorry about the limp wristed, bicycle hand position, I PROMISE when reins are IN hand, the position is better !
HINTS AND TIPS: When you are off the carriage and wearing a driving apron. Take one corner of the apron and to its diagonal opposite and fold it nearly in the waistband and THEN walk. In the really old coaching books that is lesson 1[/QUOTE]

Thank you

[cbv]

It has been a while so correct me if I am wrong…

but in the US, in pleasure classes, you can have brown harness with ‘natural’ carriages (e.g. not painted but ‘natural’ wood grain, varnished or some other clear finish) and black is always appropriate.

I used black harness when I used to drive, but always liked the brown harness/natural wood turnouts, though I didn’t see them much…but I also like brown boots…brown tweeds…brown (bay and chestnut) horses…

Your horse is lovely!

[spiritthyme]

[QUOTE=cbv;2685710]
but in the US, in pleasure classes, you can have brown harness with ‘natural’ carriages (e.g. not painted but ‘natural’ wood grain, varnished or some other clear finish) and black is always appropriate.

I used black harness when I used to drive, but always liked the brown harness/natural wood turnouts, though I didn’t see them much…but I also like brown boots…brown tweeds…brown (bay and chestnut) horses…

Your horse is lovely![/QUOTE]

You are correct, Per USEF rules, you can use russet as long at the Carriage is natural finish

Thank you for the compliment on my Horse, he is my 4 y/o Arabian Stallion. I have owned him since he was a weanling, he is a wonderful guy, and well behaved:D I have enjoyed training him to drive immensely, he is the first Arab I started in harness, I thought it might be a challenge, but he is very intelligent and takes everything in stride.

[amc2]

I have exactly the same carriage!. (maybe a little taller -my horse is 17.2+ hh (G).
i have just purchased a small iron black pedal step- with a maple leaf on it (im CDN) to install on the back- as it is just about 4" too tall and I have 2 bad knees.

the plain apron is really pretty- Im not so trim- so I was thinking about blk apron- keeping my clothing same colour as the iron appointments on the carrage- simple.
I am ordering an apron off ebay- you can get it custom for every inexpensive- but was going to get reversable- both sides black though (so I can just flip it over if it gets dusty looking).

Now should I measure it right to my ankles from my waist?

[paohatch]

Looks great

Looks great. Read ADS for some in sight on what is preferred. It use to use fuzzy talk about “Appropriate to the carriage” But I think its being revised for more guidance. I actually think a skirt under the apron is a better look but thats just IMHO. Good luck

[goodhors]

Just got a chance to check the photos, and I would recommend not having white cuffs show at sleeves. White REALLY contrasts, shows every move of your hands with reins and whip all the way across the ring. Not sure if you would want to go to the red blouse shown in the horse photo or just fold the white cuffs back under sleeves. I LIKE red hats, make sure it can’t blow off with a good hatpin or some elastic back under your hair. Kind of like REAL Cowboys, the lady drivers must NEVER lose her hat, no matter what the ride or weather conditions.

I really like the colors of plaid robe, apron, just make sure the edges are tucked UNDER your legs to prevent catching in the wheels. Do your feet have a firm grip on the floorboards? Do you have a firm seat on the carriage? Some of the vinyl seats are slippery. Don’t let anyone SPRAY with a shine product. Really makes them slippery. Driver can put a small piece of the soft Rubbermaid waffle shelf lining under their behind to stick to the seat. Comes in colors, is pretty invisible in use. Prevents accidents as driver slides around on slippery seat.

You also NEED gloves, any color of brown that is going to be less visible. Black gloves are traditionally worn when someone in the family dies, for mourning, an old Victorian custom still followed in carriages. Brown gloves also show no color from brown reins, won’t bleed dye on your clothes or hands if wet like black ones can. We have both light and dark brown gloves, use what looks best with outfit, not a glaring contrast. Don’t have to be special Driving gloves, though they are nice.

Let us know how things go at your show.

[Renae]

Sport Horse Nationals is over and I don’t see Heather or her horse in any of the results, but this was the largest the Carriage division has ever been at Arabian/Half-Arabian Sport Horse National I believe.