im wanting to get into working hunter with my horse and wondered wot I would have to wear n if he need plaits

Question

he is a 15.2 ID X TB aged 9 and has never done any shows before and neither have I.

Answer 1

I think you would have to wear a hacking jacket for that and the horse would have to be well turned out but I don't think plaits are essential unless you think he looks nice with them and want to do them. But I do think you'd have to wear long black boots, cream jodpurs and a hacking jacking.

Answer 2

In working hunter your horse will need his mane plaited & his tail should be pulled (although it is acceptable to plait if you really don't like pulled tails). He should also have his legs & face well trimmed to create a smart, workmanlike impression.

Riders should wear ratcatcher (in other words traditional week day hunting dress). You will need a tweed jacket, pale cream/beige/canary breeches, strictly speaking you should wear long leather boots on a 15.2 (although at local level I'm sure you would get away with short boots & gaiters), a white shirt & a smart tie to complement your jacket. Gloves are essential. You should carry a smart (preferably leather covered) jumping whip & spurs are acceptable. Hats - as there is a jumping phase a jockey skull with a velvet cover is acceptable however it will look better if you get something like a Charles Owen H2000 velvet show hat (which meets current standards). Obviously no jewellery & keep your make up to a minimum - you are meant to be going hunting, not out to a nightclub!

Remember that the tack you use in the jumping phase must also be worn in the showing phase (excluding boots) so ideally you should not need a martingale for jumping. A double bridle is generally preferred and usually a working hunter type horse looks better with a wide, plain browband & noseband. Again, as you are meant to be going hunting you will look out of place if your horse has a 'bling' diamante browband.

Good luck! Remember at local level it is all about fun (although some competitors forget this) so if you don't have all the right kit for the first few shows it won't be too much of a problem, however you are more likely to get placed if you look the part & present a workmanlike image of a horse which looks suitable for a full days hunting.

Answer 3

If you are unsure of the dress code or etiquette for this type of class, its a good idea to go along to some shows on foot and just observe. Going with a more experienced friend can really help and you'll soon pick up tips from listening to other spectators comments. Speaking to the judge at the end of a class can also give you a real insight into what it takes to win a class of this type. Many show schedules list the rules for each class and this covers dress and plaiting. I suggest you start at a local level and aim to have fun. When you start winning consistently, think about moving up a level. Remember you should always be working at a higher level at home than you would ride at a show as at a show its likely your horse will be a bit excited and not as manageable as you would normally find him. Good luck!

Answer 4

I've shown on the A and AA circuits before. For that level, it's required of riders to wear breeches, field boots, show shirt, dark colored hunt coat, and an approved helmet. The breeches most commonly seen at this level are of the Tailored Sportsman brand, though Ariats run a close second. Field boots can be of any brand as long as they fit comfortably and snuggly. They will stretch out and drop down a bit over time, so don't worry if you have to really use your muscle to get them on right now. Most shirts are light in color to contrast with your coat. It should coordinate with your coat, and make sure it doesn't clash. It'll have two collars, and on the top collar you should have either a monogram or the more traditional but less often seen stock pin. Your coat should be dark, either navy, black, brown, or gray. Navy and black are the most traditional. Make sure it breathes and stretches enough to allow your complete freedom of movement. The most popular helmet on the circuit these days is the GPA, but it's also one of the most expensive. The style doesn't really matter as long as it's approved and certified. This is required of minors at all times and anyone in a jumping class.

Remember that in hunters, everything goes back to tradition. Your tack and clothing should be subtle and formal. Sparkles and crystals are NOT seen in hunters, though you could get away with such "bling" in the jumpers ring. Remember that you'll need a belt and a hairnet to keep all your hair underneath your helmet. You want to present a very clean appearance. Make sure your tack is neat and free of dirt.

Yes, your horse will need to be braided. Even in schooling and open level shows, braids are nearly always required or at least highly recommended. In the A/AA circuits, it's not an option. You have to braid. If you don't know how, I highly recommend learning from an experienced friend as it's a great skill to have. You should use yarn, not rubber bands, as these can sometimes pull the horse's hair out and that's the last thing you want. I've included below a few links to good sites on braiding:

http://members.tripod.com/~tisca/plaiting.html
http://www.thetackbox.com/braid.htm
http://www.statelinetack.com/global/articles/article_detail.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673322917&bmUID=1145791945581
http://www.raspberryridge.com/Kids-Mane%20Care.htm

Alternatively, if you don't want to braid yourself, you can probably hire someone to do the job for you for between $30 and $60, sometimes even more if it's for a big show with lots of entrants (and therefore lots of demand).

Good luck and have fun at your first show!

Answer 5

right first of all some do not enter working hunter with plaits but it looks respectable so he will need 11 plaits which are then put into them bun things ( i can't think of the right word sorry) and you will need light coloured jodphurs and a light coloured shirt pref long boots some dont mind short with clips so they dont ride up and a jacket pref tweed , they usually all match with colour but as you get more into it you'll gather what you need , oh and for you a hair net is handy also gloves + clean horse and he must have manners eg not pulling down for grass and pawing the ground good luck and i hope you do well =] x

Answer 6

you would need to wear:
tweed hacking jacket,
cream, white or canary jods,
long boots, any colour, or matching boots and gaiters,
white shirt,
tie or stock with stock pin,
tie your hair up and cover it with a hair net.
you must be well turned out, all leather including boots nice and shiny!
brown is the proper colour for tack, but it doesn't matter so much as long as you're not doing affiliated showing.
Your horse should have plaits unless he's a mountain and moorland breed like a welsh or a new forest. because he's a TB X you'd probably be best plaiting him! this will also enhance his topline and make his neck look more crested, which is good as most TBX have TB necks, and hunters should be well formed.
he should have his tail plaited or pulled, and his whiskers trimmed. his feather, if he has any, can be removed if you want, but not so important. he should be neat though, so trim it.
he should have a very plain numnah, brown or black (or grey if he's grey!) fleece ones look good. it should be as subtle as possible. he should also have a plain, workmanlike bridle, with a cavesson noseband. again, beacuse it's unaffiliated, it won't matter so much, but grakles are probably out.
it's best to use a plain bit like a snaffle or a pelham. other sorts are acceptable, but modern bits (like mylers) aren't! my friend rides her horse in a myler bit with a string and hide noseband because he's very strong. when she does working hunter she rides him in a cavesson and a pelham, and he is good in that. double bridles would be ok but beacuse you are jumping i wouldn't risk it unless you are very capable with one!
martingales and breastplates ect. are fine. try to match all the accessories, like the numnah and the girth, as close as you can to his colour.

good luck, hope i've helped!

Answer 7

Ive never seen someone enter a working hunter class without plaiting thier horse up! Hacking jacket - they tend to prefer tweed than black or blue - though some let you wear black! Biege/white jodpurs, long riding boots or jodpur boots with jodpur boot clips or jodpur boots with gaiters! Hairnet, gloves! Plain clooured numnah - black, white or brown, clean tack , well groomed horse! Good luck

Answer 8

Hello. I dont think times have changed much! but the rules were:-Tweed jacket with either tie or coloured stock or blue or black jacket with tie or white or cream stock. Shirts must have sleeves and be fastened at the neck and worn with tie or stock. No jewellery Dark coloured breeches or jodhpurs may not be worn. Horse/pony MUST be plaited (unless hogged of course)! Gloves compulsory.
Cant think of anything else!
Good Luck

Answer 9

Always look smart clean Jodie's, shirt, neck tie and riding jacket. The same goes for your horse well groomed and clean tack, if your horse is dark keep numners dark to blend in, a horse always looks smarter if he's platted up. Good Luck I hope you do well.

Answer 10

It depends what type of show it is--schooling show, local show, rated show, etc? Ask someone who's been to a show in this particular show series before, or ask your trainer. You don't need to braid for lower lever shows but you should always wear a hunt coat, show shirt with collar and beige jods or breeches.

Good luck! Showing is lots of fun :o)