British Equine Collectors' Forum

This information has been created to give a general guide to the type of tack used and clothes worn by riders in the showring. 

In-hand turn out. 

Heavy Horses

•  Mares can be shown in a White rope halter though some are shown using an In-hand bridle, with brass fittings, and probably brass roundels on the browband which can be either plain or have brass clinchers, (this is usually called a stallion bridle, but seems to have merged on to both sexes nowadays). 
•  Youngsters will be shown in white nylon halters.
•  Stallions will have full stallion harness, that a is bridle, side reins to a broad roller, breastgirth, and crupper, with a lead rein for the handler. 

Shires and Clydesdales, once they have matured, will have a Half  Rig Plait in their manes and a plaited tail with either a ‘jug’ handle or ‘bun’ top, where as Percherons and Suffolks are shown in a Full Rig Plait and ‘knotted’ tails.  Foals often have there tails braided, but their manes are always left loose. 

British Natives

•       Mares can be shown in filly slips (that is a bridle with no bit) until they are either 4 years old, or have had a foal.  After that they are shown in either Pelham or Weymouth bridles, including both pairs of reins, with plain or raised cavessons and plain brow bands, as well as a In-hand snaffle bridle & leadrein.  
•       The stallion can be shown in full stallion harness as with the heavy horses, but normally there shown just in a In-hand Stallion Bridle with either a snaffle or stud bit.  
•       Foals are normally shown in a Foal Slip or Leather Halter
•       Dales ponies may have coloured ribbons plaited in their tails.

Natives are shown without plaits or pulled manes,  unless they are Welsh which may have a single ‘long’ plait just behind their ear on the far side only. 

 Hunters and Hacks

•          Hunter Mares should be show in a Leather headcollar or Double Bridle, and Hack Mares are always shown in Double or Pelham Bridle
•          Foals are shown in a leather foal slip or halter, Youngstock should be bitted if required.
•          Stallions may appear in full harness, but if not, then Pelham bridles or Weymouth’s will be used. Though some may  use In-hand stallion bridles. 

The main difference between the two is;-  Hunters must have a plain leather browband and the Hack is shown in a coloured browband.  Needless to say these always appear immaculately turned out, so they will need their manes plaited, though their tails can be plaited or pulled, foals have the option of being plaited.   You will also find some Hunters and lots of Cobs will have their manes hogged, that is ‘cut right back to the bone’ as the term used. 

 Donkeys

• Though these do not appear that often in the show ring, when shown they are usually shown in snaffle bridles. Jacks (Donkey Stallions) should be bitted. If in doubt, don’t tack up.

 Arabs

•          Mares and Foals are shown in either a strong show bridle or strong Arab Style bridle or halters.
•          Stallions should be in a strong Show Bridle or strong Arab halter and should a adequately bitted.

Pure bred Arabs Never have Plaited manes and tails, thought part-breds should be.

A Resmeh bridle will be used with a full Arab Costume turnout, Remember the fancier and more flamboyant the turnout, the more likely it is to be costume rather than authentic.  So research first.

Hackneys

These handsome stallions are always shown in full harness.  Though there rollers are very narrow compared to others used in the ring.  They always have their manes plaited, though their tales are left loose, remember for those custom models, docking was banned in around 1948.  Nothing can be done for original finish models.  Though I believe that docking still occurs in one form or anther in America.

Tip…

Remember that with Pelham Bridles and Weymouth, a lipstrap will be used to secure the curb chain, and Pelham Roundings are NEVER used with Weymouth bridles, these have two bits in the horses mouth, therefore two different actions come into play, so you will need two different pair of reins. 

Ridden turn out 

Riders

•         For the usual turnout, a tweed hacking jacket, cream jodhpurs, long boots, hunting cap, white or canary yellow gloves, collar and tie.  The more sober colours of black or blue coats are seen in the ring as well. 
•         Remember ladies NEVER where hunting pink in Britain, and gentleman are invited by the hunt to wear it, you are not allowed just to turn up and start wearing such colours, it has to be earned!  When wearing the hunting pink, always wear a stock and pin, brown topped boots, white breeches. and spurs, these are optional, but in tricky situations will encourage the mount to get itself out of trouble. 
•         Children usually wear tweed or dark colour jacket, hunting cap, collar and tie, with jodhpurs boots, and their hair in a long single plait. 
•         A plain leather covered stick is used in the ring, but always a hunting whip with lash for Hunting Pink.

Dressage

•        For Grand Prix Dressage, the rider will always have a Dressage Topper, long tailed black coat, a  yellow waistcoat that just shows under the coat, white stock and pin, white jodhpurs, long black boots and white gloves.  No whips! 
•        The horse will always be ridden with a long panelled dressage saddle (no GP’s here) with a ‘short’ dressage girth, Weymouth bridle, with two reins which are plain leather only, though the cavesson and brow band can be plain, or lined to show off the horses colour, usually tan or white.  This is the crème de la crème of the dressage world, all turnouts should be perfect.

Side Saddle

This is very involved, so further details I would recommend that you find a copy of “Riding Side-saddle” by Janet Macdonald and Valerie Francis, published by Pelham Horsemaster Series.  To try and be brief, here are some pointers. 

•       To begin with the rider should only be showing the boot of her left leg, the other must stay covered.  Photographs are usually taken form the off side, to hide the ladies modesty if she does show her other leg. 
•       The jacket will have a cutaway front, and will be slightly longer than a normal coat so that it lies flat behind her when she is riding. 
•       The waistcoat may be white, or canary yellow, and a false waistcoat for summer.  For formal riding it will be cream or Tattersall check. 
•       The neckwear is also important, a collar and tie will be worn with a bowler, and a stock and pin  with the topper. Young girls always have a collar and tie, with ratcatcher jacket and hunting cap. 
•       The habit should always be a dark colour, black or navy usually. 
•       No white gloves, brown leather, but again this can vary from turnout to turnout. 
•       The whip is to compensate for the missing leg, so should be at least 39” in length. 
•       The veil should fit smoothly, the hair must be in a tight bun, a false one will be used if the hair is short, and the veil will leave the bun exposed, and not go around it.
•       No make up, and no flower in button hole, if they do use one it will be a tiny cornflower. 
•       The horse will always be ridden with it’s mane and tail plaited. 
•       Needless to say a side saddle, with a plain leather girth  (no coloured leather or nylon ones in these classes), a plain bridle, but it should be that a Weymouth bridle is used with stock and topper, and a Pelham with tie and bowler. 
•       Plain reins should be used only. 

There is a very wide form of etiquette in the side saddle world, so research first.

The Following books are also recommended for further information and guidelines:- Showing by Jane Holderness-Roddam (Threshold books)  -  The Handbook of Showing by Glenda Spooner ( Allen)  -  The complete book of In-Hand Showing by Alex Fell (Allen)  -  Practical Showing by Nigel Hollings ( David & Charles).

Recommended Rider Dress for Ridden Classes

Ridden and Working Hunter Classes

Country Shows

• Bowler Hat for men 
• Bowler or Hunting Cap for Woman
• Tweed Coat for men
• Tweed or Plain Blue/Black coat Woman
• Plain Fawn or Buff coloured Breeches - Not White coloured
• Plain Black or Brown Boots
• Spurs - these must be high on heel of boot and horizontal
• Any form of String or Leather Glove
• Plain Malacca or Leather Covered Cane
• Collar and ordinary tie - tie must be pinned down
• Ordinary Shirt

London & Royal Shows

• In Morning - as above

In Evening: (Men)

• Hunting Dress with Hunting Whips
• Men wear Scarlet or Black Coat
• White Breeches only with Scarlet Coat and boots with tops
• Top Hats should be worn
• In Evening:  (Woman)
• Black or Blue Hunting Coat
• Bowler Hat or Hunting Cap
• Fawn Breeches and Black boots
• Top Hats Optional

Hunter & Working Hunter Side-Saddle Classes

Country Shows

• Ordinary Habit either Black/Dark Blue with Collar and tie, Bowler Hat and Veil

Royal Shows

• As for county shows or habit with hunting tie, top hat and veil may be worn

London Shows

• As for county shows in the morning
• Habit with Hunting tie, Top Hat and Veil for Evening

Hack, Cob and Riding Horse Classes

County Shows

• Bowler Hat for men 
• Bowler or Hunting Cap for Woman
• Tweed Coat for men
• Tweed or Plain Blue/Black coat Woman
• Plain Fawn or Buff coloured Breeches - Not White coloured
• Plain Black or Brown Boots
• Spurs - these must be high on heel of boot and horizontal
• Any form of String or Leather Glove
• Plain Malacca or Leather Covered Cane
• Collar and ordinary tie - tie must be pinned down
• Ordinary Shirt

London & Royal Shows

• In the Morning : as above

In the Evening:      Cobs

• Hunting Dress with Hunting Whips
• Men wear Scarlet or Black Coat
• White Breeches only with Scarlet Coat and boots with tops
• Top Hats should be worn

In Evening:  (Woman)

• Black or Blue Hunting Coat
• Bowler Hat or Hunting Cap
• Fawn Breeches and Black boots
• Top Hats Optional

In the Evening :    Riding Horses and Hacks

• Ladies wear Top hat with white stock & breeches, Black boots and plain Black or Blue coat
• Gentlemen wear Black Morning coat with tight-fitting Black riding trousers with ordinary collar & tie or cravat. 

Side-saddle Hacks and Riding Horses

Country Shows

• Ordinary Habit either Black/Dark Blue with Collar and tie, Bowler Hat and Veil

Royal Shows

• In the Morning, as for county shows or habit with hunting tie, top hat and veil for the evening & finals

Children’s Ridden Classes

• Tweed or Blue/Black coats in Leading-rein and First Ridden Classes
• Blue/Black coats for Show Classes
• Tweed coats for Working Hunter and Show Hunter Pony Classes
• Crash Hats with Black/Blue Covering
• Cream or Beige jodhpurs
• Black or Brown jodhpur boots
• Plain Shirt and tie
• Handlers should be neatly dressed
• Hair should be neatly plaited or in bun etc
• Leather or String Gloves
• Plain Malacca or Leather Covered Cane
• No Spurs Allowed

Children’s Side-saddle Classes

• Black or Blue Habit with Collar & tie, gloves and Hunting Cap

Ridden Native Ponies & WH Natives

• Tweed Coats normally worn
• Black/Blue Hunting Cap
• Plain Fawn or Buff coloured Breeches - Not White coloured
• Shirt with Collar and Ordinary tie
• Black or Brown Boots
• Plain Malacca or Leather Covered Cane
• No Spurs Allowed
• Children:  Fawn or Buff jodhpurs with Black or Brown jodhpur boots