Ok guys, How do I look?? (Hunting turnout and such..)

[katherine_w]

Wow! A lot to read on this thread!!!

First, switch to your Pikeur coat. But go to a local store (even Walmart…) and get some plain black buttons. Replace those silver ones and you are good to go.

As for traditional turnout verses many in the hunt going all trendy… traditional is always correct and since you are working for someone it is even more correct as it will show your respect for your boss, the masters and all the hunt members. It will win you “points”

I am not currently hunting but have hunted a lot in the past. One very formal hunt and the other could be formal at times but really cared more that you came than how you looked. Fitted pads are ideal but a square pad could be okay.

I had some horses that went booted up and many of the staff horses definitely went booted. They used leather galloping boots on front and back. I sometimes used woof boots with electrical tape. I preferred not to use them as they did sometimes slip or get a stick stuck in them. I detested bell boots as they ended up in the woods more often than not.

Now I have a question about bit converters. I agree that you should be able to ride with two reins but I also agree that some horses just go better in converters. If you are riding for someone then, presumably, the horse belongs to that person who is probably an amateur and wants to ride with a single rein. A pehlam with converters is different than any other bit and can be the right fit for a horse. Even the most experienced hands sometimes use converters (McLain Ward comes to mind). What’s so wrong with them? I’ve used them, I’ve used hackamores (with and without a bit)… If it is the right bit then no one should complain. And believe me… our Master had very clear opinions!!!

As for position… people in glass houses should not throw stones. Yes, you could stand some improvement but so could we all. Work on it but let’s not harp on her as I’m sure we have all leaned over a shoulder and held the horse’s mouth too tight. I’d be willing to bet we’ve all gotten left behind too…

I thought “skunk” hats were becoming more the norm these days? The COTH hunt roster shows quite a few even among the pictures of new staff appointments. I know they are not proper and are a bit unsightly but isn’t safety the big factor here?

My two cents and few questions… I’m back to being quiet again

[JSwan]

@katherine w;3008194

I thought “skunk” hats were becoming more the norm these days? The COTH hunt roster shows quite a few even among the pictures of new staff appointments. I know they are not proper and are a bit unsightly but isn’t safety the big factor here?

My two cents and few questions… I’m back to being quiet again

Sure - safety should always be paramount. There are many traditional style,velveteen covered ASTM-SEI approved helmets. Last time I checked - those helmets were much less expensive than the skunk style (though I think one of the GPA knock offs isn’t that bad. However - the GPA costs more than one of my horses. I have a hard time believing the skunk style helmet is anything more than a trendy choice. Whatever your Master says is ok, of course.

I think they’re uglier than a baboons butt, personally. But I’ll get over it. :lol:

I don’t think anyone was too harsh about her position - especially after seeing more of her photos. I got into a habit of jumping ahead - and had several bad falls as a result. Didn’t want the same thing to happen to her. I do however, deeply resent her thin thighs. Really!

[Romany]

Charles Owen H2000 squared

The swankiest approved helmet I’ve found so far is the Charles Owen H2000 squared (and yes, J Swann, it is available in a divine dark green!):

http://www.charlesowen.co.uk/en/products/ridinghats/list.php?p=41

[SteeleRdr]

[QUOTE=Romany;3008340]
The swankiest approved helmet I’ve found so far is the Charles Owen H2000 squared (and yes, J Swann, it is available in a divine dark green!):

http://www.charlesowen.co.uk/en/products/ridinghats/list.php?p=41[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately, those in the US wouldn’t be able to use those for showing (though I do have to say I have shown in my British approved helmet and no one said anything). But, alas, this is hunting, and no special requirements for the approval (hence why I prefer my hunt cap).

[Tantivy1]

[QUOTE=katherine w;3008194]
I thought “skunk” hats were becoming more the norm these days? The COTH hunt roster shows quite a few even among the pictures of new staff appointments. I know they are not proper and are a bit unsightly but isn’t safety the big factor here?

My two cents and few questions… I’m back to being quiet again :)[/QUOTE]

This is my one big gripe.

Skunk hats - WHY wear one?

There are numerous hats with every bit as much coverage/protection and at less expensive prices so…if you were shopping for a hat, and seeking SAFETY, why would anyone even buy one for HUNTING?

WHY WHYWHYWHY??? They are ugly, HIDEOUS, nasty looking things to wear in the hunt field when there are plenty of acceptable, cheaper and GOOD LOOKING alternatives.

UNLESS?..the all-pervasive trend factor!

The only people I can forgive for wearing them are juniors or newbies who are coming from the event/show arenas and that is the headwear they purchased and they may or may not take up hunting seriously, so they can certainly be cut some slack. I would never expect someone in that position to purchase a new hat just for a hunt or a few hunts.

Anyone else wearing them…I don’t want to go there.

If you can’t tell yet, I DESPISE them, FOREVER!

[Tantivy1]

[QUOTE=J Swan;3008243]
I have a hard time believing the skunk style helmet is anything more than a trendy choice. Ithink they’re uglier than a baboons butt, personally. But I’ll get over it. :lol: [/QUOTE]

PS

JSwan, you are dead wrong on this, sorry.

They make a baboon’s butt look BEAUTIFUL

(shutting up and going back to my bananna tree)

[Painted_Wings]

Charles Owens makes a lovely selection of approved, nice looking, non skunk helmets.

I’m on the “I hate skunk helmets” bandwagon even though we do have people in our hunt that wear them.

I do know that when I first got my Charles Owens helmet, two of our masters admired them as a good looking approved helmet and subsequently bought them.

I may just have to get one of those green hats for Beagling. Hmmmm

And I’m so bad. I was eyeing that Pikeur green frock coat on ebay that was suggested even though I have a lovely custom made green hunt coat with my beagle colors from Alexander James.

Also The old habit has their 50% off sale starting today and I almost ordered yet another tweed coat even though I have five tweed coats of various weights and colours and hardly get a day off on informal days to wear them.

[Granada]

These are the trendiest new helmets:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/gpa-speedair-riding-helmet/p/X1-36144/cn/39/

I am told your way behind the times this year if you’re wearing the skunk helmet. Imagine showing up in this to hunt. hahaha

[Rt66Kix]

A few years ago Charles Owen made a leopard print helmet. Now THAT’S something I’d wear in the hunt field! LOL! :lol:

[gothedistance]

@Granada;3009104

These are the trendiest new helmets:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/gpa-speedair-riding-helmet/p/X1-36144/cn/39/

I am told your way behind the times this year if you’re wearing the skunk helmet. Imagine showing up in this to hunt. hahaha

Those are the helmets of choice …for endurance riders in Europe. I tried one on, and for the life of me couldn’t see were it would be any cooler for the head (in the thermatic sense, mind you, not fashion sense) then my Troxel.

If that didn’t unimpress me, the price sure did. I almost fainted upon looking at the $500+ tag.

Thanks, but… I’ll keep my Troxel for endurance, and my pretty velvet helmet for hunting.

[SteeleRdr]

While I admit to hating the skunk helmets, I unfortunately own a GPA.

I needed something approved and it was the only thing that fit my head properly. None of the CO’s fit my head, the old internationals didn’t either, so it was the velvet GPA for me for showing. Atleast it’s velvet…

[Equibrit]

Tasty ones; http://www.pateyhats.com/?cat=3

J Swan - if you want a good drool go here; http://www.fieldandcountryantiques.co.uk/index.php?osCsid=8b666399ddc1431a28a396ada1fb473f

[Beverley]

@rivenoak;3004356

I have seen people verbally “corrected” for their attire, at joint meets by masters/huntsmen other than their own.

1. In earshot of me, my friend was dressed down by an MFH for wearing a tattersall vest with her black coat because it was “too informal.” This friend was a past member of the MFH’s hunt, but still seemed a bit much to me. :eek:

2. Male guests from a non-participating hunt were told to remove their scarlets. They ended up hunting in black ski parkas, in some embarrassment. I heard them remarking upon this between themselves.
   As it turns out, the huntsman prefers that only the working staff wear scarlet so that they are immediately identifiable over the great distances.

Anyone having conniptions about vest colors should see the vests some of we beaglers wear! You’ll understand the other reason for our sunglasses.

Oh, I know some people who have conniptions about sunglasses, but I’ll be danged if I am going to fry my eyes out here in the west. And a hunting mentor of mine, always ultra correct, has worn shades probably since the 40s!

The MFH you cite in #1 could be a poor excuse for a MFH? Yes, it’s the MFH who needs to have the chat with people, but in private, and in a positive way. I have been in on discussions that ‘so and so’ had some issue, attire, horse behavior, what have you, MFH says, I’ll take care of it, and does- without anyone knowing the specifics except the MFH and the sinner. That’s the way it should be.

#2. Well, shame on the two guys for not knowing the rules- one never wears scarlet at an away meet unless it is a joint meet. If you hunt well enough to have earned the right to wear scarlet, then there is no excuse for not knowing the accompanying etiquette. But if it was a cold day they should have been glad for the parkas! I once showed up at a meet to car follow, was scheduled to whip in that day but kid had ear infection and by the time I got him tended to, fetching horse and etc just wasn’t going to work. Lo and behold, spare horse tacked up on the trailer, her owner didn’t show up! So MFH says, well, come on, here’s a whip and a cap! Happy day- in jeans and parka, on a REALLY NICE mare, she jumped wire and everything! And the rest of the assembled crowd was insanely jealous of my parka and ski gloves!

I’ve only seen one instance of an inappropriate scene on attire at a meet. Hunt secretary says to guesting junior that her coat just won’t do at all- reduces the poor girl to tears- and the landowner, who was also a hunt member and hunting that day, tried his best to help her by bringing out one of his daughter’s tweeds for her to wear (it was a cubhunting day and to be frank, the girl’s coat was perfectly appropriate). Said secretary got severely rated by the MFH as soon as he found out about it.

The MFH of one of the Colorado hunts, himself a Montana cowboy, told me some years back that they welcome people (only requirement, boots with the right sort of heels, and head gear) and even let them join in their cowboy attire. He found that even the most die hard of cowboys (like himself) who at first swear they wouldn’t be caught dead in those tight britches, once they get hooked, end up deciding of their own accord that it really is more fun to have the right gear and attire on.

[Granada]

[QUOTE=SteeleRdr;3009278]
While I admit to hating the skunk helmets, I unfortunately own a GPA.[/QUOTE]

SteeleRdr comes out of the closet :lol: I don’t think GPA’s come without a skunk, unless they have bug eyes.

[JSwan]

@Equibrit;3009367

Tasty ones; http://www.pateyhats.com/?cat=3

J Swan - if you want a good drool go here; http://www.fieldandcountryantiques.co.uk/index.php?osCsid=8b666399ddc1431a28a396ada1fb473f

naughty Equibrit - trying to tempt me to spend my income tax refund - and here I was saving up to buy a shipment of dung beetles! I’ll say this for you - you have impeccable taste. I loved the bowlers they had for sale. And antiques - yes… drooling…

dung beetles or antiques. Hmmmm…

There is some new (Troxel, I think) funky helmet that makes the wearer look like the creature in Alien. Or Predator. Or Alien vs Predator. Anyway - it appears the thing frightens small children and causes the family dog to tuck its tail and hide. I saw a lady wearing one over the summer and it made my eyes bleed.

[TBlitz]

[QUOTE=Painted Wings;3009017]

Also The old habit has their 50% off sale starting today and I almost ordered yet another tweed coat even though I have five tweed coats of various weights and colours and hardly get a day off on informal days to wear them.[/QUOTE]

ohh… tell me more! I’ve tried to sign up for their mailing list many times, but it never works (must be the AR mailing address I put in )

You should send your tweeds to me. I’d break them in for you. I am talented at finding uses for things. You do know that if you send a horse to someone to “break” that you typically pay them? I can do the same with coats, but since I’m an amateur (and in an NCAA program), I’d have to do it for free :winkgrin:

[SteeleRdr]

[QUOTE=Granada;3009475]
SteeleRdr comes out of the closet :lol: I don’t think GPA’s come without a skunk, unless they have bug eyes.[/QUOTE]

Hey now…at least I don’t wear it hunting! If I don’t ride in a hunt cap (of brown, navy, or black), I’ll go out in my skull cap with black cover well before my “skunk” hat! I save the skunk hat for the hunter/jumper ring…the judges don’t like skull caps…

[Vkent]

[QUOTE=SteeleRdr;3010152]
Hey now…at least I don’t wear it hunting! If I don’t ride in a hunt cap (of brown, navy, or black), I’ll go out in my skull cap with black cover well before my “skunk” hat! I save the skunk hat for the hunter/jumper ring…the judges don’t like skull caps…[/QUOTE]

Geez you mean you don’t have it in gray to? You fashion loser you! How uncool of you!

LOL. I want my CO in ALL the colors! I’m jealous of your collection!

[katherine_w]

I don’t have a skunk helmet (thank goodness) I just thought they were invading the hunting world. I am glad to see I am mistaken (and glad that I didn’t spend the money on one.)

Oh, also felt sheepish when I thought I had read the whole post and found there were 4 more pages. Silly me!!!

But the button trick is a good one ???

[JSwan]

news flash - the heck with the helmets!

I finally found a dress for the hunt ball. Now I just need a paper bag to stick over my head.

Amazingly, I don’t looked like a beached whale. More like…a beached porpoise.