Proper Hunt Attire
Proper Hunt Attire Like most sports and activities, when foxhunting is carried out there are
certain conventions and traditions in the area of attire. Most of the attire in
foxhunting is rooted in tradition of necessity, utility and some in history.
Attire recommendations and guidelines are not meant to exclude individuals from
the hunt field but exist to maintain a uniform traditional (and safe)
appearance for the hunt field when hunting.
Full members and long time members of the hunt are more expected to be in
proper attire than the new hunter , guest or visitor. Safety is the most
important consideration in all attire decisions. If you are in doubt please feel
free to review your concerns with one of the Masters or the Hunt Secretary.
Hunt caps should fit well regardless of whether they have a harness or not.
Ribbons on the backs of hunt caps should always be sewn up, unless one is either
professional hunt staff or a Master. Long hair is best contained in a hair net (male or female) .
If a hunt whip cannot be safely carried, a rider should at least carry a
crop, but it should never be carried in one's boot.
Saddle flasks, sandwich cases, fence tools, holsters, camera cases, etc.
should be unobtrusive and made of leather. Coats should remain buttoned while a
rider is mounted. Fancy jewelry and perfume are inappropriate. As a nod to
practicality, authentic-looking rubber riding boots are acceptable. Hunting tack
is simply that which is most appropriate for the job: plain and strong. Bridles,
reins, and stirrup leathers cut from a heavier pattern are more dependable in
the hunt field. It must be clean, serviceable, and reliable. Check girth, reins,
and stirrup leathers frequently. Breast plates are a good idea, both for the
comfort of the horse and the added safety of the rider.
With respect for the overall visual picture, the less correctly turned out
riders should remain in the rear of the field.
If you are just starting out in Foxhunting certain allowances will be made
for tack and attire by the Masters, please check with the Master if there are
any questions. Riders in less proper attire should stay to the back of the
field.
Please note: a black velvet ASTM certified helmet with fastened chin strap is always appropriate attire for hunting. A hard hunt cap or helmet is required for all riders while mounted and participating in all NHH events - no exceptions. Rated helmets are required for Juniors.
Informal dress, known as ratcatcher, is usually worn during autumn hunting
(cub hunting) prior to opening meet. Ratcatcher may also be worn for informal
meets during the regular season.
Ladies wear a tweed coat or hacking jacket; natural-colored (buff or tan, but
never white) breeches; shirt and colored tie or ratcatcher shirt with collar and
stock pin; tattersall vest; brown leather gloves; brown or black field boots;
and hunt cap or safety helmet .
Gentlemen wear a tweed coat or hacking jacket; natural-colored (buff or tan,
but never white) breeches; shirt and colored tie; tattersall vest; brown leather
gloves; brown or black field boots; and hunt cap or safety helmet.
Juniors wear a tweed coat or hacking jacket; natural-colored (buff or tan, but never white) breeches with tall black boots or jodhpurs with brown jodhpur boots; shirt and colored tie or ratcatcher shirt with collar; tattersall vest; brown leather gloves; and either a black velvet hunting cap with a harness or a ASTM safety helmet with a harness and a black cover.
Ladies wear a black frock coat or Melton coat with plain black buttons. A
lady will wear a canary or tattersall waistcoat; a white shirt with a white
stock tie and a horizontal gold pin; buff or tan britches of twill, cord, or
leather; wash, brown or black leather leather gloves (string gloves are also
acceptable) and regular hunting spurs high on the heel. Boots will be of black,
calf without tops -- tabs are sewn in but not sewn down.
With a Melton or a frock coat, ladies wear either a black velvet hunting cap
or safety helmet.
Gentleman wear a black frock coat or Melton coat with plain black buttons. A
gentleman will also wear a canary or tattersall waistcoat; a white shirt with
white stock tie and horizontal gold pin; wash, brown or black leather leather
gloves ( string gloves are also acceptable ) and heavy-pattern hunting spurs
high on the heel. Tabs on the boots are sewn in, not sewn down. - With a Melton
coat, gentleman wear buff or tan britches of twill, cord, or leather, boots will
be of black calf without boot tops. With a black frock coat, a gentleman will
wear white breeches and boots with brown tops , this is appropriate whether or
not the gentleman has colours. Also worn is a black velvet hunting cap or saftey
helmet.
They may wear a black or dark-colored Melton coat with plain black buttons. A
junior will also wear a canary or tattersall waistcoat; a white shirt with white
stock tie and horizontal gold pin; buff or tan britches or jodhpurs; wash, brown
or black leather leather gloves ; and regular hunting spurs high on the heel.
Juniors will wear an ASTM safety helmet with a harness and black cover.
Buttons are awarded by a Master before colors at NHH. The reasons are
generally the same reasons as colors but this is an intermediate step before the
member is awarded colors. The black buttons with NHH logo are added to the
riders (ladies and gentlemen) black coat front buttons and sleeve buttons. The
rest of the dress remains the same as for a lady / gentleman.
'Colors' is a term which applies to the hunt uniform or livery. The
hunt-peculiar color on the formal coat's collar and buttons with the hunt
insignia. The privilege of wearing the hunt uniform (i.e. 'ENTITLED to wear
colors' or 'awarded one's colors') can been granted only by a Master. This is
done in recognition of a member's demonstrated responsibility and ability in the
hunting field as well as for their continued loyal support of the hunt outside
of the hunt field. Once a member is entitled to wear their hunt's colors ,
gentlemen generally change to a scarlet coat with hunt colors on the collar and
with brass buttons with the hunt insignia. Ladies wear the hunt colors on a
black coat's collar, have the insignia on black buttons, and may have black
patent leather tops on their dress boots. Small brass buttons with he hunt
insignia may also be worn on the waistcoat.
Colors and scarlet coats are worn on a formal day when hunting with one's own
hounds (including joint meets) wherever that may be.
Wearing colors is never assumed when hunting with another pack. Visitors
should wear black or seek permission from the host Master to wear their colors.
The hunt uniform for NHH ladies entitled to wear colors consists of a black
coat with a French Blue collar with gold piping, black buttons with the NHH
insignia, and black patent-leather boot tops.
The hunt uniform for NHH gentlemen with colors consists of a red/scarlet coat with a French Blue collar with gold piping, and three brass buttons with the NHH insignia. A four button front is only for a Master to wear. A five-button front is appropriate only for a Hunting Master or Staff. Only white breeches are to be worn with a scarlet coat. Black boots with brown tops are appropriate.
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