Basic English Wardrobe

Hi everyone - I'm about to start riding again after many years. My goal is to hack and join a local hunt w/in the next year and ride on Fridays along trails - just for fun. I've read about the hunt attire, etc. My question is: what is essential for a beginning rider beyond breeches, paddock boots, helmet? Any particular brands you can recommend most welcome! Thanks.

Your local hunt club may have some specific guidelines as far as attire for meets, etc. Things like coat color, shirt color, etc. They probably require a hunt coat and ratcatcher shirt/stock with pin. It's best to find that out from your specific hunt club. I understand that some are very formal and traditional, and others are much more relaxed about attire.

As far as everyday riding and hacking, I like breeches and paddock boots with half-chaps. As far as a top I wear what's weather appropriate: a T-shirt in the summer, tucked in for safety, add layers as the temperatures require. A quilted riding vest allows greater freedom for the arms than a winter coat while still keeping your core warm. If it isn't a formal/semi-formal occasion or show, its all about functionality. Helmet as well, of course.

For hacking, I wear breeches, paddock boots, half chaps, a riding vest/long sleeve shirt if it's cold, or even just a hoodie.

Oops... just saw I just repeated Scoutrider. Haha, sorry!

For someone just starting out, there is no dress code!! You could wear jeans with your half chaps if you wanted. I have Ariat lace up boots in regular and winter, and have Ariat half chaps. Try on as many kinds of breeches as you can because they all fit differently.

Are you becoming a full time member of the hunt, or just going to join on a few hunts? If you are going to be hunting on a regular basis, get a black jacket and tan/beige/beigey green breeches. This is probably the most classic, and you can use them for horse shows as well if you go that route. In addition to the jacket and breeches, you will want a white shirt that you can put a stock tie with. It is possible to hunt in black paddock boots and half chaps if you wish. My hunt has members who wear white turtle necks with a stock tie over it in colder weather....no ones the wiser until "breakfast" after!

The picture is what I hunt in, taken just this week on Sunday....but I am only a supporting member of my hunt, so only get 3 rides a year. For me, there is no point in buying a black jacket to just hunt in since it is infrequent, but I wear my black barn jacket with the barns name on the back. My show jacket is brand new (worn in 2 shows only) so it is not about to go into the hunt field either. Note that I am sporting half chaps in a dark chocolate colour....my field boots don't have enough room for nice warm socks on a cold Canadian Halloween!

Grr too late to re-edit! You can see that all the riders behind me are in black coats with tan breeches...

We are a fairly laid back hunt though, so it is harder to have a fashion faux-pas. One of the members kids has a purple sweater hood hanging out the back of her jacket... I wouldnt have let my (eventual) kids do that.

I loved your picture - very classy! Re: how much I'll ride? First I need to get my basics back, then I'll see how the hunt unfolds! Seriously, I think I've got a realistic plan - I'm a little self-conscious about being "old" but there's not much I can do about it! I still feel just like I did 20 years ago inside, so ... :)

Thank you. :)

We have a vet who rides with us who has (pretty sure) both of his knees replaced! Our hunt is a lot of 35+'ers. One member only learned to ride 2/3 years ago because his teenage daughter rode....he now sometimes rides his daughters horse when its being bad. A lot of members also have kids who are my age (25) or are starting to have grandkids. There are also some members in the under 35 crowd as well, just not as many it seems. Don't worry about your age cause no matter what, I am sure you will fit right in!

That's one great thing about horse people: we don't care how old you are, we're just happy you are there! I love to see new faces at any kind of equine event, regardless of their age. Just go with the expectation that you'll have a good time, and that will probably be the case!

This thread makes me so happy! When I called my local hunt I was amazed by how welcoming they were! One of the organizers said no need for me to own a horse now but to be sure to "tip the whip" when I ride. How much?! Yikes. So much to learn (find the right instructor), but the main thing is to get my groove back and bond with a horse and the horses' people :).