I’m trying to find a top hat appropriate for hunting ( I actually ride hunter/show, not actually on the fox hunts but the attire is supposed to be hunt attire). All I’m finding are hats for dressage or for saddle seat. Am I right in thinking that I need a 5" crown rather than the 4" crown for dressage? Also, apparently I need a Long Oval size. Can anyone help? Thanks
You ar correct that the dressage ones are different.
Here is a link to a very expensive men’s one from Horse Country
http://www.horsecountrycarrot.com/index.cfm?action=store&sub=product&prod=424&cat=74
You can sometimes find them in consignement shops etc
I am surprised that anything in the show world would not require a certified helmet
Horse Country does carry both Men’s (7") top hats and Ladies (5") top hats. Yes the shapes and size of the brims make them distinctly different from Dressage toppers.
That said, what classes would you be showing in, because as far as I know, helmets are mandatory for all riders, on all horses, in both schooling areas and show ring.
I could be wrong though about that, but not about Horse Country 
This is the link to the ladies’ hunting top hat:
http://www.horsecountrycarrot.com/index.cfm?action=store&sub=product&prod=200&cat=74
[QUOTE=North Hampton;6284160]
I’m trying to find a top hat appropriate for hunting ( I actually ride hunter/show, not actually on the fox hunts but the attire is supposed to be hunt attire). All I’m finding are hats for dressage or for saddle seat. Am I right in thinking that I need a 5" crown rather than the 4" crown for dressage? Also, apparently I need a Long Oval size. Can anyone help? Thanks[/QUOTE]
Do you not value your brain? 
A lady wears a 5-5.25" crown top hat for hunting, possibly a 5.5" if she is quite tall. A gent’s top hat is 6".
I would recommend purchasing a vintage silk topper, as opposed to a new one. However, vintage top hats were often custom-made, so a certain make might be long oval or round, it depends.
Where are you located? The Middleburg Tack Exchange has lots of hunt toppers; I also have a few in stock.
The OP said they are looking for a topper for hunting. I took that to mean for Opening Meet or other ultra formal hunt, as opposed to showing.
[QUOTE=SidesaddleRider;6285087]
The OP said they are looking for a topper for hunting. I took that to mean for Opening Meet or other ultra formal hunt, as opposed to showing.[/QUOTE]
I also read the OP’s original post to mean she was looking for a top hat to show a hunter, rather than a dressage horse. Another poster is correct - a rider may NOT wear a top hat in the hunter show ring. I ordered a custom top hat and right after it finally came the rule was changed. $1200 down the drain.
Oh, I’ve been hunting in a Top Hat for a little while and it ain’t hurt me none, and my cereal is frantic…
http://www.lizcallar.com/p/bull_run_hunt-jtloudoun_hunt-arrowpoint-12-17-2011/dsc_7983_6
You may feel differently when you’ve landed on your head. Mind you, there’s no guarantee that you haven’t done that already, and just not remember it.
(Top hats really should not be worn with short coats.)
That ain’t a short coat, it’s a Frock. Liz’s big “C” copyright mark makes it look like a short coat…
[QUOTE=Major Mark;6294204]
That ain’t a short coat, it’s a Frock. Liz’s big “C” copyright mark makes it look like a short coat…[/QUOTE]
That is a short coat compared to something with tails.
That may be true… But a top hat is correct with a frock (if also wearing white britches and topped boots), in addition to a tail coat.
Not where I come from.
I bought mine many years ago online . It is an antique from London…and cost a pretty penny.
However, in todays world, you can wear it in the “look good” time, but my hunt (Live Oak Hounds) requires an approved hard hat to hunt. It’s all about safety, an I understand and agree.
However I miss the tradition of looking so great in my shadbelly and top hat…and still do it for the blessing at Opening Meet…or a show with “Best Turned Out”.
But when I’m flying around a slick corner, I’m glad to have my approved hat on!
jmho !!
Ya’ll looks good to me!
And there’s always time to do a quick hat change before you move off.
No biggie!
Before the world got so safety conscious, I do remember seeing lots of gentleman in scarlet frock coats and top hats. I don’t remember seeing a woman in a top hat and frock coat, scarlet or with colors and buttons, I only ever saw women in shadbelly with top hats, or frock coats with either derbies or hunt caps.
The OP is searching for “hunt seat attire”
In any show that follows USEF rules in the US she must wear an approved helmet.
I think the “hunt attire” may be confusing. She says she doesn’t fox hunt, just "show hunts/jumps.
I got my sidesaddle top hat from Reed Hill. It’s s lovely 4" black silk hat that I ADORE! It was $$$ but it’s a great fit. They come in all sizes and offer round, oval, long oval, etc.
[QUOTE=Kryswyn;6284448]
That said, what classes would you be showing in, because as far as I know, helmets are mandatory for all riders, on all horses, in both schooling areas and show ring.[/QUOTE]
I think in sidesaddle flat classes helmets are optional and you can still do the hat with the veil.
So …there’s your one shot.
(And this could have changed since the last time I brushed up on my Side Saddle Attire Requirements, which considering I don’t show side saddle or even own one is …not often.)
Nope, unfortunately, as of April 1, helmets are now mandatory in all USEF hunter classes – including the ss u/s. :mad:
So now I only get to wear my top hat and bowler when I am hunting. Sigh.
