Are dress code standards falling?

I think standards should stay high in the show ring, and if a judge can't decide between two horses then they should look at what the handler or rider is wearing to help their decision.

However I've never understood why such standards of dress apply when people are going to take an exam the purpose of which is to judge ridden ability. Dress should just be tidy and appropriate in my opinion. Judgement is being made about the student's riding ability, what they are wearing, provided it's not hot pants for example, shouldn't come into it.

The poor soul with her gaiters on the wrong way round was probably a bundle of nerves and not thinking quite straight.

P.S. I've been to a lot of BHS establishments over the years, and seen a lot of BHS qualified people in action. I can't remember them ever turning up for work dressed in cream jods, long boots, hacking jackets and ties. Surely exam wear should reflect how they would be expected to look when they are actually out in the world using their qualification?
 
Last edited:
Yunalesca said:
I know quite a few who are paid to compete/hunt horses for people,they obviously wear the correct jacket ;) of course, none do for stable duties,but a tweed coat is not part of the dress code for the HK&C sections anyway.
I have gone to look around many riding schools in the past,and the ones who have smartly dressed staff ALWAYS give a better impression then those without.
We DO judge on first appearance so it is definatly in the intrest of instructers and their employers to present themselves and their yards well.


I also fail to understand why you are getting annoyed by the potential cost of clothing for exams you do not wish to take-your "expensive made to measure very smart jackets" I would assume are the right thing for the activity you do,so why would it matter that they are not correct for other pursuits?
Click to expand...

I think you are missing my point which I made in my OP, I am not getting annoyed at the potential cost of clothing for exams I don't want to take, but pointing out that as long as the candidates are smartly dressed, does it actually matter if the jacket is tweed, navy blue or whatever. Surely the whole point of the exam is to examine knowledge & ability, not to judge their clothing, it is not a showing class. It is possible to look smartly dressed without wearing a tweed jacket, that was my point. So no it doesn't matter that my jackets are incorrect for other pursuits, say BE 100, but it does matter that candidates would be frowned upon for wearing one to their exam.
 
Enfys said:
muffinino said:
When I can afford a pair of Davies made to measure boots, then I'll wear them for everything else ;)

QUOTE]

I have a pair that haven't been out of their bag for almost 5 years, other than for a brush down with a lambswool pad to make them feel loved. I LOVE my boots, OH used to bull them for me the night before hunting and after the horse they were the first thing after a days hunting that got cleaned and dried.

I wore them for showing and hunting, nothing else, I had some custom made black leather half chaps for everyday wear - shame the dog ate one of them. My hunting boots and jacket will live on for years after I have gone...probably in their respective bags because I can't see me ever wearing them here.
Click to expand...


*Is very jealous* :p
Click to expand...
 
kizzywiz said:
But thats my whole point, I have absolutely no desire to take these exams, but if I did neither of my expensive made to measure very smart jackets would be acceptable, I should borrow a poo brown itchy scratchy tweed affair, how is this more "professional" than navy blue, & how many professionals do you know who perform their daily jobs in a tweed jacket?
Click to expand...

Because tweed is considered 'workmanlike' whereas solid colours are traditionally for best.

I have to say I love me some tweed and have never found it itchy. In fact, the only solid coloured jacket I own is for hunting, although I do quite fancy a grey showjumping jacket, preferably without pink pockets and bling collar! ;)
 
Tinypony said:
The poor soul with her gaiters on the wrong way round was probably a bundle of nerves and not thinking quite straight.
Click to expand...

I just don't think I'd EVER be nervous enough to put my gaiters on the wrong way. It seemed to me that she wasn't used to wearing them perhaps. Still, not good for an exam - I just felt totally overdressed.
 
I think that the 'Old trouts' comment sums it up tbh, the women who give up their time, for no pay and very very little thanks, attempt to instruct the children in the correct turn out and get abuse for it! No respect shown for them, or their standards. If the parents have that attitude then there is little hope for the children to have good manners, or good turnout.
 
I think standards have dropped a lot, i still think if you are showing a how you sow respect for the jurde and all associated that are standing there all day with no pay.
I was in a broodmare class a few years back and there were people competing against very over dressed me (Usual showing attire including hat and hairnet) and the majority of the class were in jeans, trainers, joggers, ripped t-shirts and smoking whilst in the ring.
And i was gob smacked when a lad in torn jeans and t-shirt won so how says dress maens anything that judge did not and the handler obviously did not feel the need to dress up or clean their mare
 
What's wrong with Gaiters and boots?

I have ariat boots and ariat chaps which to buy new are £170

I have very long and skinny legs and size 8 feet therefore extremely difficult to get long boots that fit without spending a fortune

Will that affect me whe doing working hunter? I hope not as that's silly when they look like long boots as the Gaiters are made for that boot
 
muffinino said:
Because tweed is considered 'workmanlike' whereas solid colours are traditionally for best.

I have to say I love me some tweed and have never found it itchy. In fact, the only solid coloured jacket I own is for hunting, although I do quite fancy a grey showjumping jacket, preferably without pink pockets and bling collar! ;)
Click to expand...

Ok, thats interesting thanks, seems I am always dressed for best then! Oh, have to confess my best jacket does indeed have a pink collar & lining...........
 
Sorry but I couldnt care less how people are dressed as long as they are clean and tidy. Our sport is still viewed as pompous and that should no longer be the case. To be taken seriously, we should dress for comfort and practicality! I'm fed up of being forced to wear a hot sweaty show jacket on a boiling hot day (or a pouring wet one!), its ridiculous. In NO other sport do they wear such rubbish!
 
I admit that I think far too much bling is allowed nowadays, but I don't see why a black/blue jacket isn't as good as a tweed jacket for looking smart. I always wear cream jods, polished black boots and a black jacket (albeit slightly faded) to RC lessons or any show. My horse has clean tack, with clean black or white numnah / dressage square & clean boots when required. I hate seeing filty numnahs put on a horse's back, I wouldn't wear dirty clothes, and I don't expect my horse to either!
 
Agaiin, I have no problem with just wearing a shirt and tie or a smart top to the exam BUT they have a written dress code. For anal people such as myself this means we try to adhere to the rules. It's just so unfair when all about do not do the same and nothing is said. If they want to make it more informal then OK, but don't send me a rule book with what I should wear then not enforce it (or even mention it on the day).
 
Magicmillbrook said:
Its not about snobbery - why is looking smart snobbery? Its standards and being respectful to the peson who has given up their time to teach/judge/examine you.

My daughter was in a very strict PC. She always had cheap 2nd hands boots/jods/jackets, but still won the cup at camp for turn out two years running (she was going for a hatrick but blimmin pony injured itself for her last Camp).

To my knowledge cream jods cost no more than coloured ones. A dark jersey/jumper is aceptable if you have no jacket - which incidentaly could be tweed or a nylon black/blue one. To my mind if you cant afford a £10-£20 for a 2nd hand jacket you should revise whether you can afford a horse.
Click to expand...

I'm with you MM. Our PC has a strict dress code for a working rally, they get a Tack & Turnout score sheet which are totted up at the year end prize giving for the top score trophy, which is hotly contested. However you don't need to worry about buying new, there's always plenty of outgrown floating about secondhand so the cost is negligible. New kids beige jodhs in the tack shop across the road from the PC field are just £12.99 anyway.

For team training they're allowed black or navy jodhs instead of beige if they wish and our PC tracksuit tops or sweat shirts, but working rallies its jackets black navy or tweed, navy or black hat cover, long sleeve shirt and tie, cream/beige jodhs, long hair in net etc, no bling tack, black, brown or white numnah without trim or embroidery, ponies to be clean, tidy and plaited for C test holders upwards (even M&M ponies - which is a pain with our NF's thick mane and I can't help replait the bits that fell out on the way over, which really needs 3 hands to do quickly, as points are deducted for parental help once over D test/about 10/tall enough to reach top of mane). After the T&T they can if wished/hot remove jackets and ride in shirt sleeves or change best jackets for PC tracksuit tops

I think it's a matter of respect to be nicely dressed (doesn't have to be new) and it's best for the pony to be clean and tidy and the tack to be clean, and very good for the child to learn how to clean pony and tack properly too.

Millreef do you know if comment was made on their test sheets about dress, or marks deducted?
 
Dubsie said:
Millreef do you know if comment was made on their test sheets about dress, or marks deducted?
Click to expand...

No I don't - the examiners didn't seem to notice, well they certainly didn't say anything. I hope they do though because I took ages getting myself ready to the letter of the law. I have to wait 3 weeks for my exam results to come out:(
 
I'm well aware that you change the buttons over for a boy but:
1) I don't see why a boys horsemanship would be judged by his mother's needlework skills - mine would be stuffed!
2) Women's upper torsos are a fundamentally different shape to teenage boys.
3) Teenage boys are somewhat self concious about wearing womens clothing however well altered.

He has a Pikeur Navy jacket that he won & I can't see why that would be considered less smart than a womens tweed jacket that has been taken out & the buttons swapped over.
Thank god he went to an enlightened PD where the kids were expected to be clean & tidy in the Branch sweat shirt/rugby top & navy/bloack/beige jods or I think he would have run a mile & not learned as much as he did about the things that really matter - how to ride & care for his horse. If he was into showing it would be different. He wears the clothes appropriate to his disciplines but why should what everybody else wears be goverened by what is correct for showing that is really a minority interest.
 
As BHS have a dress code then candidates should follow it and be marked down if they don't. However, I have to ask why they have such a strict dress code when they are there to judge how well people can ride. A clean and tidy appearance shows respect and should be enough. Maybe this is one reason why some people think that the BHS are "up themselves" and living in the past?
 
With regard to dress code for exams, I agree that riding jackets of any colour could be acceptable, if it says so in the rules, BUT jackets not designed for riding do not show the riders ability in the same way. Sister and I have been videoing each others riding recently and I look as if I am riding even more badly than ever, if I am wearing my fleece jacket! It bags and fills with air,makes me look round shouldered etc. If you are being examined on your riding, then wearing something that allows your position to be seen clearly, is a must IMO, I presume that some clothes could help to hide bad posture etc as well.
 
I haven't read the entire thread so sorry if the topic has moved on or i'm repeating someone.

GET EBAY.
Seriously, some of the second hand tweeds you can get for quite cheap and also charity shops are a great place to look!


My opinion probably doesn't count for lot - I haven't taken my youngster out to any shows yet and I'm quite happy plodding around out hacking but one of the things that excites me most about entering a show in the future is for me to have an excuse to wear smart clothes!

Riding, although I agree should move with the times, is also so rich in tradition (excuse the pun :p ). I think it would be such a shame to see this go down the drain all because people cannot be bothered. It's really not a case of lack of money - you will all know at least ONE PERSON who will happily lend you theirs. I'm 18, hardly one of the oldy types who have been around to see the change but the traditions and looking smart should be enjoyed, not slapped down!

I take great pride in making my boy look smart and I think for me to not get dressed up properly would be letting us both down.

It's a shame. I would like to see rules on turnout maintained so when I do eventually get to the point when i'm ready to enter even local shows I'm not riding around with a bunch of slobs who, if still maintaing money is a problem, should really get some initiative!

:)
 
Chunkie said:
the horse in a riding bridle with the reins over its' head. Sometimes this can be an adult showing a Sec A or a shetland, which they clearly aren't going to be riding!
Click to expand...

Whilst I agree with the rest of your post I have to point out that if the pony is of ridden age then it is perfectly acceptable for them to be in their ridden bridle with the reins over the head. It is actually also correct to show in things like inhand hunter, RH etc with a ridden bridle and reins taken over the head rather than an inhand bridle if they are 4 and over.
 
SmallHunter said:
Whilst I agree with the rest of your post I have to point out that if the pony is of ridden age then it is perfectly acceptable for them to be in their ridden bridle with the reins over the head. It is actually also correct to show in things like inhand hunter, RH etc with a ridden bridle and reins taken over the head rather than an inhand bridle if they are 4 and over.
Click to expand...

Thank you for reiterating my earler point - god knows how you are expected to show in a double with no reins !!
 
Ashleigh_ said:
My opinion probably doesn't count for lot - Why not? You are entitled to say what you feel as much as the next person:)

Riding, although I agree should move with the times, is also so rich in tradition (excuse the pun :p ). I think it would be such a shame to see this go down the drain all because people cannot be bothered. It's really not a case of lack of money - you will all know at least ONE PERSON who will happily lend you theirs. I'm 18, hardly one of the oldy types who have been around to see the change but the traditions and looking smart should be enjoyed, not slapped down! :D:DAs an 'Oldy' (not my fault, I just grew old and am struggling to be graceful about it:( ;)) I think you have your head screwed on the right way and with your attitude you'll do just fine:)

I take great pride in making my boy look smart and I think for me to not get dressed up properly would be letting us both down. Spot on

It's a shame. I would like to see rules on turnout maintained so when I do eventually get to the point when i'm ready to enter even local shows I'm not riding around with a bunch of slobs who, if still maintaing money is a problem, should really get some initiative! Well, if you are, you'll put them to shame

:)
Click to expand...
.....
 
I am one of those strange "young people" who really enjoy looking smart and professional.
I love showing, and I want to make sure I look my best. I have just got some beige inhand trousers, as I don't think jodpurs look very smart. I don't want to let my pony down by not looking my best.
I am not so fussed at PC rallies, but pony is clean, I am in my shirt, tie, hairnet,pc jumper and boots and gaiters (yes I do ride a 13.2hh and wear gaiters, but we look smart, obviously don't in the show ring) and pony is always spotless. She is white-grey, so no excuses!
I don't think it makes you an "Old Trout" to want to keep up standards.
I like bling, in moderation, and I love pink, but there is a time and a place for it, and a show or test is not the place! I do have a pink stock shirt, but once my jacket and stock is on, you can't see it :)
No one is stopping me wearing my pink jacket and sparkly browband at home, after all ;)
My point is really, I do like "fun" clothing, I am not "stuck in the past", being pretty young myself, but I agree that wearing smart, correct clothing is important, when the occasion arises.
 
Enfys - :) Don't worry, I'm not a complete push over, I'm happy to say my opinions. I just don't really know much about showing etc and since I haven't taken my boy to a show yet I felt I couldn't really comment much about it :)

I guess I see it like you're going to work, you have a job to do, and to do it well and properly. You have to look smart for some jobs, in the office you don't sit there with trackies on and slippers because its comfy and you have to 'relax into the job'. Nobody turns up in pj's claiming they don't have enough money to buy a suit or smart pencil skirt and the same applies here. If you apply/enroll then you follow the rules that are set, if that means saving some money to buy an item of correct turnout then so be it.


:)
 
I'm also fairly young at 22 and I am sometimes shocked at the way people think it is ok to turn up to a show. Being smart and correctly turned out doesn't have to cost a fortune either.

Here is my dad turned out smartly and correctly (ignore the yawning it was early and he isn't really horsey

Kane103.jpg


Jacket £10
Hat £10
Trousers £10
Shirt £3
Tie £1
Gloves £5
Cane £5

Total £44 for the entire outfit

and he wears just smart shoes that he already owned I'm sure most horsey people own a pair of short boots.

My stuff is a bit more expensive as I am more interested but I have the same shirt and tie, cane and trousers for inhand (not exactly the same we don't share but same style and price) my jacket was £20 a hairnet costs 99p for 2. The jodphurs I wear for ridden classes were about £10 the most expensive thing (by a long way) were my boots at £100 but that is because I have exceptionally large feet for a girl:D and had to get mens boots.

17September2010.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top