So, my old Noah and I are going hunting November 13! We’re (well, I’m) so excited! I went once as a PC’er well over a decade ago (with the same hunt, amusingly enough since I’ve moved around a lot since and not hunted again) but that’s the extent of my real hunting experience.
The hunt I’m going with is really accepting of guest attire, they just ask that you make an attempt. Before I dug out my old h/j show clothes they assured me that a navy pinstripe coat (which they did mention is normally cubbing attire) is okay until I decide if I want to pursue it or not, for example. I’m cobbling together my outfit from my show clothes, so you know… But I’d really like to get as close as possible to proper attire, as I think it’s a big sign of respect. I may school in clothes that would make most COTHers’ eyes bleed, but I’m serious about formal attire. 
Well, my old black hunt coat from my teenage years in PC does still fit me and is actually warmer than my navy one (which I bought to show in Arab hunter pleasure classes :lol:), so that’s fine. But I have a couple of questions. I don’t want to bug the folks involved because I feel like I’ve already been obnoxious, so I’ll bug you guys instead.
I have either a ratcatcher or a stock tie to wear (:lol: nice to show in both dressage and h/j). I think stock tie is more appropriate, but in the resources they sent me it doesn’t say. So, which? Also, I know I used to have a plain stock pin (again, Pony Club :lol:) but I don’t know if I can find it. I have a decorative Claddagh pin that I know is with my show gear. Is that acceptable, or should I make a major effort to dig for the plain one?
Also, I have super comfy to walk in but not so stylish Mountain Horse schooling boots (still all black and more-or-less dress style, just a bit too short for show) as well as very stylish but not so comfy to walk in (but great for riding) field boots. I will be riding my old beginner lesson horse, but he can be odd by himself. I doubt I’ll be falling off in the field, though, so I’m leaning towards the field boots. WWYD?
For the horse, I have a Wintec monoflap CC saddle that I intend to use. It is black synthetic so I know not terribly traditional, but it’s the only one I have that fits him well enough to ride for a few hours (and for me to ride a few hours in!). I don’t have a fitted pad that actually fits it even reasonably well, so is a small white square pad okay? I can also ride him sans-pad, but the placement of the seams on the panels worries me a bit on a longer ride like that. It has kind of oddly shaped flaps so I’m not sure I can find a fitted pad for it, I’ve looked before without success.
We have a very dark brown flat hunt bridle that matches the saddle pretty well. Is a snaffle bit okay? I normally ride him in a rather thick loose ring french link, but I haven’t ridden him out in many groups before. We will be in the third flight so pretty basic to start. He can be hard-mouthed due to previous owners but I’m confident I can handle him in a french link snaffle. Any thoughts?
:lol: It’s funny, I do endurance and I don’t worry a bit about riding out with those horses but I’m worried abou this. Any advice for my first hunt is greatly appreciated! The hunt I’m going with seems very beginner friendly and I’m a pretty bold and skilled rider, but it’s pretty new to me…I was 11 or 12 the last time I went foxhunting! :lol:
