what are eveyone's thoughts on females in scarlet?

[Jaegermonster]

Oh absolutely. That’s not what i meant at all and not sure how to express myself.
At both hunts i am with, one of the masters hunts the hounds, and does kennel work etc. But we all still do show them their due as the Masters and there is no question who is charge. Although at one hunt, we have what we call a kennel huntsman who has been hunting the hounds this season since the Master is injured (and he’s doing a fine job) and even the Masters defer to him while he is hunting the hounds, at least for the most part, except in instances of something glaring. All in all a very good working relationship on all our parts. Although there is no question the Master always has the final word.

Sorry here we are hijacking again.

[Alagirl]

@Jaegermonster;4728401

You know, I really don’t know why the first foxhunter who wore a scarlet coat did so, but that is a good question. Somehow I doubt that in those days they searched for people from the air since there weren’t helicopters or airplanes then.
But I’m sure someone here knows why the first scarlet coat came to be.

Well, not from the air, but horseback :lol:

No telling if it was true or just lore, but that was the reason given to me, that’s why I am always a bit surprised when the dress code is described as ‘no scarlet’ :lol:

[Beverley]

@Jaegermonster;4728401

You know, I really don’t know why the first foxhunter who wore a scarlet coat did so, but that is a good question.

If memory serves, based probably on Longrigg’s History of Foxhunting- scarlet or red became mostly the norm for foxhunting in the 18th century, speculation being the association with Toryism. Or, coulda been that tailors had an excess of military red cloth and were good marketers. Duke of Beaufort’s among few others, I think, being exceptions continuing to today. But nothing says Masters can’t decree ‘any’ color for staff livery.

[Jaegermonster]

that would make sense about the military cloth.
as far as some hunts saying no scarlet, I wonder if it’s because most animals can see red or shades of it since poisonous things are often red, yellow, etc maybe it’s to keep things more subdued so as not to head game?
But I suppose it wouldn’t matter what color they are wearing, a gang of people on horseback really isn’t going to sneak up anyone LOL

[wateryglen]

Reds my fav!

Gosh Bev! I guess I forgot that you were around back then when they first started wearing scarlet foxhunting!!! :D:winkgrin::yes::lol:
Kidding!!!
Personally I like when staff, masters & most importantly field masters wear scarlet. Then I know where they are when I don’t have my glasses on!! :winkgrin:
I want my leaders to be visible. Love when whips are scarletted so you can see them.
AND…as a former FM-it’s super when you can see all the VIPs from a distance. The red is the first thing you can see far away. White is quite easy to see too so I always like a FM on a white horse! Or a huntsman on a paint or grey etc. Here, our Whitetail deer are quite visible when they move off too!! :winkgrin:
Scarlet seems so…important or elevated or honorable. I bow to those who wear it. They’ve earned it most of the time.
We Snobbington Hunt members wear bright neon colors when we guest with other hunts…sure makes an impression!!! I forgot what our livery is…can anyone remember? Tigerstrips or zebra? Leopard? :lol::lol:

[MapleMeadows]

We have one poperty where we request “no scarlet”. It was because some of the older farmers had a sour taste from tales of days gone by when wealthy families tore across thier farm lands in pursuit of pleasure without regard for the crops. We don’t want to appear as a privledged class out for a joy ride.

[Beverley]

@MapleMeadows;4729733

We have one poperty where we request “no scarlet”.

Keeping the landowners happy is job #1! Conversely- I’ve had feedback from landowners keenly disappointed when we were hunting in ratcatcher, because they had invited company to watch the show and wanted to awe them with all those red coats and formal field!

[Little_Valkyrie]

Now when I was hunting across the pond, they said that back in the day, in Ireland the Catholic hunt staff all wore scarlet while the Protestant hunt staff all wore hunter. Has anyone else heard this?

[Foxtrot_s]

If that is the case, there was a time when it might have been smart not to wear either colour?

[rwfarm]

In our Hunt the only females to wear scarlett are the female masters and female whip.

[Q.H.D.Q]

When did it stop being pink?

[Ravencrest_Camp]

[QUOTE=Q.H.D.Q.;4731919]
When did it stop being pink?[/QUOTE]

Just after it stopped being pinque.

[Beverley]

@Ravencrest_Camp;4732172

Just after it stopped being pinque.

Aargh. Fingernails on the blackboard. I don’t mind ‘pink’ but the newer ‘pinque’ affectation has always bugged me…

[armandh]

my understanding

sorry if this is repetitious.

the reason, as I recall, is easy identification of staff vs field
or those that can fill in for staff,

and the [possibly oboselete] idea that a gentelman would be called to duty B4 a lady.

such tradition may be overtaken by a more gender neutral view of hunting capabilities,
but I dont think I will call our “huntsman” a huntsperson just yet!
[she probably would not like it]

[dawglover]

Speaking as a former whipper in who wore a “red coat”

Try calling out Ware Staff! and attempt to thread your way through the field on a narrow path in the woods while wearing black.

True, the hunt members that come out regularly know who you are, but guests and new members likely do not.

When they see that bright red coat bearing down upon them it gets them out of the way more quickly.

That minute or so I saved because people moved promptly out of my way may well have been the difference in life or death for a hound.

And THAT is what is important. Not the color of your attire.

[magic_mushroom]

in our hunt, male members with colors also wear scarlett. there are a LOT of red coats in the field…

[Jaegermonster]

Amen Dawglover. That’s what I like about it, it is very easy to know who is who.