Whats the best way to tie/pin a number onto your hunt coat?
I always just use a normal string around my waist, through the middle button hole and tuck the bow in to the coat. Never had a problem with it, and it makes it easy to slide the number to the outside in flat classes so the judge can see it.
Run a shoelace through the holes on the side, hold the number against your back and bring the string around you. Tuck the right string through your second button hole, tie a bow, then button your coat.
Actually, those are boot laces, you need the extra length over most shoelaces even if you are a skinny one.
There are two ways to do it, and which you choose depends on whether or not you’re trying to hide the bow in your jacket:
http://showringready.blogspot.ca/2010/05/numbers-worn-on-back.html
I’ve found that looping the lace back through seems to keep the number in better shape and it will stay flat as you move it around for flat classes, but other prefer the look of the hidden knot. If one way doesn’t seem to be working for the type of string and style of number used at your shows, try the other.
Numbers are not pinned for hunter or equitation classes, as this would prevent the rider from being able to move the number to where the judge can see it during flat/under saddle classes.
[QUOTE=541hunter;8091356]
I always just use a normal string around my waist, through the middle button hole and tuck the bow in to the coat. Never had a problem with it, and it makes it easy to slide the number to the outside in flat classes so the judge can see it.[/QUOTE]
This ^^^
[QUOTE=Night Flight;8091471]
There are two ways to do it, and which you choose depends on whether or not you’re trying to hide the bow in your jacket:
http://showringready.blogspot.ca/2010/05/numbers-worn-on-back.html
I’ve found that looping the lace back through seems to keep the number in better shape and it will stay flat as you move it around for flat classes, but other prefer the look of the hidden knot. If one way doesn’t seem to be working for the type of string and style of number used at your shows, try the other.
Numbers are not pinned for hunter or equitation classes, as this would prevent the rider from being able to move the number to where the judge can see it during flat/under saddle classes.[/QUOTE]
I’ve never had luck with the loop through. I always get “cut through” instead and end up with a torn number. Besides I HATE the bow sticking out on my belly.
Another suggestion - Go to office supply store and buy laminate sheets. Laminate your number by hand. Prevents sweating through/raining through/ripping/tearing.
We just used black yarn (or any color that blended in to the hunt coat) and cut whatever length we needed.
Great replies so far, thank you. The reason I ask is that I like the smooth look of a great fitting show coat and the “string line” around the waist just seems to detract from that smooth look. 
1 Like
[QUOTE=Dapple Dawn Farm;8093079]
Great replies so far, thank you. The reason I ask is that I like the smooth look of a great fitting show coat and the “string line” around the waist just seems to detract from that smooth look. :([/QUOTE]
Charles Acona jackets have an option to have a small slit in each side seam so the string can tie under the jacket and doesn’t change the look. It seems that this could be easily done by a tailor to jackets you already own.
Cannonball, now there’s a good idea!
I might get shunned out of the ring, being this is my first year in hunter and I will only be doing local low level classes, but I got myself some of these (although a different design):
They are really small and WOW are the magnets strong!
Maybe too much “glam” for the hunter ring if you are actually showing somewhere decent?
[QUOTE=beau159;8093804]
I might get shunned out of the ring, being this is my first year in hunter and I will only be doing local low level classes, but I got myself some of these (although a different design):
They are really small and WOW are the magnets strong!
Maybe too much “glam” for the hunter ring if you are actually showing somewhere decent?[/QUOTE]
The judge really wouldn’t appreciate those in a flat class, even if they weren’t overly blingy. Turning your number slightly to the side is done for a good reason - it allows the judge to see the numbers quickly as each horse goes by without having to watch the horse from behind to catch it, thereby missing the next horse coming behind that one.
OP - Number strings are so common in hunterland that no one really even notices them anymore. If you’re really bugged by the strings then you can try Cannonball’s idea, but really a visible string is just expected to be there.
But that would only work when you are going in one direction. What happens when you are going the other direction?
Or do you move your number when you switch directions?
Sorry for the newbie questions.
No reason to be sorry, beau159! No one is born knowing how the horse show world works 
When the judge calls the flat class to order, they will ask the announcer to tell the riders to turn their numbers slightly to either the inside or the outside, depending on whether the judge stands in the middle or stays in the booth outside the ring. When you change direction, the call will usually be something like “Reverse and put your numbers slightly to the _____”. Emphasis on the word slightly; make sure that your number isn’t moved so far that it ends up hiding under your arm!
I found a photo of the Charles Ancona feature, if anyone else was wondering what it looks like: https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/1900154_612922712120693_692762610_n.jpg?oh=600b77213d02d4a1363c2d472592435f&oe=55AAB502
[QUOTE=beau159;8093883]
But that would only work when you are going in one direction. What happens when you are going the other direction?
Or do you move your number when you switch directions?
Sorry for the newbie questions.[/QUOTE]
Yes, you move the number to the outside. When you change direction, you move the number to the new outside. (or to the inside depending on where the judge is)
I loop through, but only on one side of the number, not both. There is still some play if need be, but it doesn’t tear through the number.
I also loop around the middle button and then tie and push the bow into the jacket. I can’t remember a time that it has ever come out.
[QUOTE=beau159;8093804]
I might get shunned out of the ring, being this is my first year in hunter and I will only be doing local low level classes, but I got myself some of these (although a different design):
They are really small and WOW are the magnets strong!
Maybe too much “glam” for the hunter ring if you are actually showing somewhere decent?[/QUOTE]
This is what we do in Arabians. Our judges have no problem seeing the numbers, even with 20 horses in the ring. We never turn our numbers, I had no idea turning numbers was a thing, lol. The magnets are super easy to use, I love them.
