Strict Hunt Attire

[The_Mild_Equester]

Hello everyone, I’ve been casually reading COTH forums for a while and finally decided to make an account to join the conversation.

I grew up riding western and when I was competing in speed events at the age of 10-15, I was never required to wear a helmet. Now I accompany my friend’s daughter who is 11 and she is required to wear a helmet in nearly all events, how times have changed! (Not anti-helmet, just giving some background.)

In Western, especially outside showmanship, it’s almost whatever style goes. The temperature can get up to 30+C here so a t-shirt is much nicer than a button down at times. Even in Showmanship in Western, there is so much variety and there aren’t strict rules on colors and such, and you can be as flashy or plain as you want.

I started riding English about a year ago and am now entering the show ring. Nothing high as far as shows go, I actually prefer charity shows where the attire is as formal or casual as you want it to be. I recently went to a show hosted by a local Paint Association where I showed under the AB category as I ride a QH. Even though the AB was a thrown-in category, they were still being sticklers about hunt attire. I read forum upon forum about hunt attire, the history behind it, and why things are the way they are. I basically gathered that the powers-at-be what things plain and uniform as possible so as to not “get in the way of the horse.”

Forgive me for possibly overstepping, but I think it is a bit silly that I can’t wear a colored fitted or square pad in Hunt Under Saddle or Hunt Equitation classes, or any other Hunt classes like Disciplined Rail. There is so much personality in clothing and color choices so I am not sure how my wanting to show in a green or yellow pad is going to be such a distraction that a judge can’t do their job and judge my horse on her gait.

Anyone else feel frustrated or just me?

[rockonxox]

I prefer not having sequins and bright colors… but I grew up with hunters and even when I did barrels for a short stint I kept it pretty conservative. If you want “fun” colors you can do that with eventing and jumpers.

[Redlei44]

There is a respect for tradition, a sense of professionalism, and a focus on substance over style that is explicitly or implicitly expressed by sticking with the formal hunt attire and/or conservative colors. Plus, rules are rules and they are part of what distinguishes a discipline - as mentioned above, you have a lot more freedom to play with colors in related disciplines. Or to go nuts at home!

[Training_Cupid]

I like the clean, traditional look so it doesn’t bother me at all. Ever since I was a kid, putting on the show clothes/tack made it feel “official”

[silver_charm]

Why would you want to distract the judge from you or your horse? I loath the outfits seen in breed ‘hunters’. There are color combinations in the Morgan circuit that make me wonder if they got dressed in the dark. Especially when it’s supposed to be about the horse, why would you wear a pumpkin colored coat with a purple shirt? Egads.

I ride in the jumpers and still prefer subtle matching. I was at a show once where a women spent the whole weekend in insane breeches - banana yellow, bright red, some sort of green. Let’s just say she did not ride well enough to pull it off, even in the jumper ring.

[Foxglove]

When my kiddos and grand kiddo showed English, I loved working within the rule limitations to make their turnout the most eye-catching and horse-flattering as possible (yes, we did Western too --with all the bling --poor kid had a jacket with 20 pounds of crystals on it --wonder how she stood up in Showmanship).

But in English, as I said, there was more of a challenge to follow the rules and make one small child on an unremarkable dun horse stand out in a class of 30. Toe to head: her horse was always perfectly turned out: bathed, braided, clipped --and between us the kids and I could do a really professional braiding job, sewn, never rubber bands. His tail was perfect! Mr. Dun was kept out of the sun and away from biting insects so his coat was perfect. The saddle was clean and oiled, its name plate brass shined. Stirrups were shined, rubber insets were new --girth was clean and oiled --saddle pad was perfectly fitted to horse and saddle and snow white. Bridle was flat leather (tough to find) with a shined bit, buckles, everything gleamed. Needless to say, he looked like a model horse in a catalog --family effort with older sisters, 4-Her and me working to turn him out. The kiddo had her hair styled in a perfect “hunter bun” and frozen there with gel and spray --no stray wisps. Shirt was bright white, stock pin shiny gold, gloves clean, 1/4 cuff outside of tailored jacket usually black, but one year we went crazy and did Navy. Personally I thought back vent jacket gave a better line for the rider o/f - and I made sure that the jackets were hemmed at a flattering length and fitted perfectly (I sew, so I could do that).

Breeches were always buff --knee boots shined by Dad/Grandpa to reflect the judge’s face. Spurs were shined, spur straps shined --bottom of boot blackened and wiped off right before rider went into ring --just in case. Kid wore some, but conservative make-up if she wanted to. In short --we followed every rule but tried to be the rider that stood out. And for us it worked --well, kids were pretty good riders and that little fat dun had some great training --generally won in showmanship, (kiddo practiced the pattern religiously until horse would square up when she batted her eyelashes at him). And he never missed a cue in performance classes —but as I said, I (and I hope) the kids /grandkids enjoyed following the rules but always making everything outstanding even as they did so.

[trubandloki]

@The_Mild_Equester

Anyone else feel frustrated or just me?

Nope. Not frustrated.

I like the fact that some things are always the same (or almost always the same).

Like someone said up thread, if you want to go colored and fun pick a different discipline.

[BAC]

@The_Mild_Equester

. . .

Forgive me for possibly overstepping, but I think it is a bit silly that I can’t wear a colored fitted or square pad in Hunt Under Saddle or Hunt Equitation classes, or any other Hunt classes like Disciplined Rail. There is so much personality in clothing and color choices so I am not sure how my wanting to show in a green or yellow pad is going to be such a distraction that a judge can’t do their job and judge my horse on her gait.

Anyone else feel frustrated or just me?

You are not being judged for your “personality” in clothing and color choices in the hunters, it is a division where tradition is important. The reason for the subdued, neutral colors in the rider’s attire and the horse’s tack and equipment is because the horse is the most important element of the partnership, and what either of you is wearing should not take away from him.

[Rackonteur]

There is so much personality in clothing and color choices so I am not sure how my wanting to show in a green or yellow pad is going to be such a distraction that a judge can’t do their job and judge my horse on her gait.

It is not your personality that is being judged.

Well … other than as a personality that respects the rules and the traditions behind them.

[Willesdon]

Ironically, the conservative “strict hunter” attire that is based on foxhunting rules is far more strict in the show ring than in the real foxhunting field, where function is more important than form. People even foxhunt in western gear.

[trubandloki]

@Willesdon

Ironically, the conservative “strict hunter” attire that is based on foxhunting rules is far more strict in the show ring than in the real foxhunting field, where function is more important than form. People even foxhunt in western gear.

I think this depends on the hunt. Because as far as I know most require proper attire at an actual hunt.

[kirbydog]

@Willesdon

Ironically, the conservative “strict hunter” attire that is based on foxhunting rules is far more strict in the show ring than in the real foxhunting field, where function is more important than form. People even foxhunt in western gear.

Hoo boy , not where I come from! Clean, neat, traditional, hair netted, boots polished, saddle pads clean and will fitted; our hunt horses go out looking as good as our show horses. And there is a Field Master who will call people out on attire
Proper attire is about respect for the horse, tradition, and the judge if you’re at a show. It’s not about your personality.
I still have a hard time with ponytails flopping about in the jumper ring and that feather girl? no thanks, not in my barn

[Foxglove]

Our hunt strongly encourages MEMBERS to be properly turned out and, yes, someone will politely speak to a MEMBER who is not turned out as expected. Guests are welcomed to hunt with us. Guests may hunt in any tack and attire that is safe and comfortable. Guests and sponsors are to ride to the back of the field so not to spoil the view of the MEMBERS who are out for the day. MEMBERS are the people who support the club with $$$ and labor —because they have taken the time to learn the rules and follow them, then when a guest becomes a member, it is expected he/she will turn out appropriately. I have been a member of 5 hunts in 55 years —all are pretty much the same --biggest difference at my current hunt is the accommodation to cold weather. When weather is really, really cold, Members can wear black coats that are not hunt coats --further, if it is raining, one can wear an oilskin Drover Coat --we supposed to have hunt coat, etc. under it --but no one ever checks and sometimes I just wear my shirt and vest and stock tie.

[jonem004]

I love the classy, traditional, understated elegance of the hunter ring. Knowing what to wear when is part of the fun of creating a winning combination. It keeps thinks pleasant and pretty, and prevents people from making bad decisions, like yellow saddle pads.

[Willesdon]

@Foxglove

I have been a member of 5 hunts in 55 years —all are pretty much the same --biggest difference at my current hunt is the accommodation to cold weather. When weather is really, really cold, Members can wear black coats that are not hunt coats --further, if it is raining, one can wear an oilskin Drover Coat --we supposed to have hunt coat, etc. under it --but no one ever checks and sometimes I just wear my shirt and vest and stock tie.

Uh huh, function over form. Drover coat in a rainy show class? LOL

[Xanthoria]

US hunters are a totally subjective class where everyone competes to look as much like their idea of a field hunter from 1950 as possible (But hair from 1840: cover your ears with hair, Margaret! You’ll spook the horses!) with the addition of a tie down (sorry, too tight standing martingale…) while going so slowly over fences that their horse would literally die in the hunt field. Just remember that and you’ll understand what to aim for! :winkgrin:

[PalmPony]

Personally, I like the conservative look. It is always classic and timeless. The garish colors in the local jumper ring make me cringe, as does the “push” to be as “original” as possible and bend the attire rules in the hunter ring. A show is for showing off your horse, riding skills, and hopefully horsemanship as well. Not saying you are this way, OP, but if some of the local kids (and their trainers)around here put as much emphasis and thought on horse care and fundamentals as they do their blingy “gear”… well…at the very least, their horses would benefit, and they might actually get a well earned ribbon in the ring as well.

[Jumper_Princess1988]

I love the look of the hunters. It’s the equine version of a cashmere cardigan and pearls that you inherited from your grandmother - they look good today, and they’ll look good in 25 years!

For a short amount of time, I was the lone hunter in a barn full of eventers. My boy had navy polo wraps and saddle pads (with monograms) while the eventers had pink zebra stripes, yellow and green tie dye, and duct tape on EVERYTHING. They were a fun and colorful group for sure, but just not my cup of tea!

[The_Mild_Equester]

I understand following tradition, but traditions do change, just look at helmet regulations…

Apart from the stiffy ratcatcher collar that is often uncomfortable, I don’t have much qualms with the rider’s attire. Other than the whole layering effect when the weather can get up to 33C. (Zeus be damned that your bra isn’t nude colored and can be seen through your white button-down, even though that will be covered in a hunter coat and not visible anyways.)

I don’t even really have qualms against most of the horse attire either as the rules are straight-forward.

I was not advocating for tie dye or animal-print tack, just simply some color allowance in the saddle pad area. I have a hunter green saddle pad that is a very conservative color that I can’t seem to understand why is not considered tidy. I also do have a canary yellow one and if I did want to use it in the hunter ring, is it anyone’s business but mine and the judge’s?

And if a judge is distracted by something as simple as a colored saddle pad, that’s not the kind of attention span I’d like to get scored by…

I like the route of inclusivity, and if a 4-H kid can’t afford a hunt coat jacket and shows up wearing a borrowed blazer instead, which is close in design, I for one don’t think they should be disqualified or judged too harshly because of it. But that’s just me, raised around horse events that didn’t have strict dress codes.

[DarkBayUnicorn]

Or just do what most of us do and wear really wild socks! No one can see them when you ride,but everyone can see them elsewise! I personally have about 75 pairs of stupid socks.