BHS exam dress code, oh dear!

[maggiestar]

I'm taking my Stage One in December and am slighty amused by having to wear a tie again at the age of 38! Does anyone else think this is over the top and impractical? I fully understand the need to look smart for professional examinations but surely a smart polo shirt would look the part. I mean, in which other sport would you have to wear a tie?
Also, does anyone know if I'd be allowed to wear black leather half chaps or do I need to buy full length boots?
(Sorry for mini rant!!)

 

[Capriole]

No, sorry, don't see a problem about wearing a tie. Not even nearly.

 

[maggiestar]

No, sorry, don't see a problem about wearing a tie. Not even nearly.

Oh well, it must be just me then! I shall wear the horrible thing but probably won't feel comfortable in it.

 

[YorksG]

I work on the principle that if there is a dress code, then that is what you wear. If a tie is required then wear a tie, can't see a problem with it. I wear a tie when showing, a stock when doing dressage, I also wear a hair net when showing, not something I would dream of wearing at other times. Also I have to say IMO there is no such thing as a smart polo shirt.

 

[TelH]

I work on the principle that if there is a dress code, then that is what you wear. If a tie is required then wear a tie, can't see a problem with it. I wear a tie when showing, a stock when doing dressage, I also wear a hair net when showing, not something I would dream of wearing at other times. Also I have to say IMO there is no such thing as a smart polo shirt.

^^^ This (well apart from the dressage bit as I only do showing, but I agree with the rest)

 

[maggiestar]

Thanks for your perspective everyone, I think I needed that! It's just that I haven't worn a tie since school and associate them with feeling restricted and scratchy... It can't he helped though so I'll grin and bear it!

 

[Capriole]

You don't need to be comfortable you just have to look spiffy

It's only for a matter of hours You could start wearing one about the house so you're used to it by then, lol!

 

[YorksG]

To make the whole experience of tie wearing less unpleasant, buy a boys shirt with the right size collar for your neck, much more pleasant than trying to make a blouse neck fit. You can buy boys school uniform shirts from most supermarkets (I got a cream/yellow one from BHS) works a treat.

 

[webble]

This is why I don't compete my days of getting dressed up are over. Good luck with your exams

 

[maggiestar]

That's a very good idea, I'll try that. Conditioning could be the key, lol!

 

[maggiestar]

This is why I don't compete my days of getting dressed up are over. Good luck with your exams

Thank you Webble! It's all a bit daunting but I hope by some miracle I'll get through it...

 

[caseycat]

When i took my BHS exams, it was a very long time ago, it was compulsory to wear a head scarf for all of the stable management sections!

 

[maggiestar]

When i took my BHS exams, it was a very long time ago, it was compulsory to wear a head scarf for all of the stable management sections!

Oh lord! I think that would send me over the edge, ha ha! What year was that, out of interest?

 

[kerrieberry2]

haha, hope you don't need to handle a horse like mine!! my 3 yr old puts everything in his mouth, a tie would be rather fun for him! he had my scarf the other day. last night he tried to get the strings on the farmers hoodie!!

 

[caseycat]

I believe it was mid-80's, the year of the first live aid. Unbelievable to think you couldn't feed a horse or groom him without a head scarf.

Good luck with your exam, on the day your tie will be the last thing you are thinking of x

 

[EventingMum]

I believe it was mid-80's, the year of the first live aid. Unbelievable to think you couldn't feed a horse or groom him without a head scarf.

Good luck with your exam, on the day your tie will be the last thing you are thinking of x

I sat my first exam in 1980 and certainly didn't have to wear a headscarf!

 

[TandD]

I have worn a coloured stock to my exams....had no problems and I am horrified at the state some people turn up in!!!!!!

I also wore smart black boots and chaps....both polished! Couldn't wear my long boots for a day, the zip would have broken...... Others were in chaps and there was no problem in this either.

 

[caseycat]

I sat my first exam in 1980 and certainly didn't have to wear a headscarf!

Perhaps it was the preference of the examiner at the yard, like i said it was a long time ago, but i definitely remember us all being told we had to have one on.

 

[Kat]

The thing is it isn't a sport exam it is a professional exam so you are expected to wear professional dress. For my advocacy exam I wore a charcoal skirt suit, court shoes, tights and a blouse - I don't wear that daily in the office but I did for a professional exam.

 

[maggiestar]

I believe it was mid-80's, the year of the first live aid. Unbelievable to think you couldn't feed a horse or groom him without a head scarf.

Good luck with your exam, on the day your tie will be the last thing you are thinking of x

Thank you I'm now imagining how much worse it could be - doing the stables dressed like the queen in her headscarf, hee hee! x

 

[ruth83]

The thing is it isn't a sport exam it is a professional exam so you are expected to wear professional dress. For my advocacy exam I wore a charcoal skirt suit, court shoes, tights and a blouse - I don't wear that daily in the office but I did for a professional exam.

This!

Black leather gaitors will be absolutely fine, fabric half chaps are not but jod boots alone are acceptable (obviously with Jods, not breeches).

 

[maggiestar]

haha, hope you don't need to handle a horse like mine!! my 3 yr old puts everything in his mouth, a tie would be rather fun for him! he had my scarf the other day. last night he tried to get the strings on the farmers hoodie!!

Yes, that's the thing - you'd think it would be safer NOT to have a tie!

 

[maggiestar]

I have worn a coloured stock to my exams....had no problems and I am horrified at the state some people turn up in!!!!!!

I also wore smart black boots and chaps....both polished! Couldn't wear my long boots for a day, the zip would have broken...... Others were in chaps and there was no problem in this either.

Oh good, I'm glad about that - was dreading having to fork out for boots...

 

[maggiestar]

The thing is it isn't a sport exam it is a professional exam so you are expected to wear professional dress. For my advocacy exam I wore a charcoal skirt suit, court shoes, tights and a blouse - I don't wear that daily in the office but I did for a professional exam.

I understand what you mean as about it being a professional exam but I do see it as a sport exam as well, after all we are tested on our physical abilities. That's why it seems strange to be trussed up on shirt and tie...

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

When i took my BHS exams, it was a very long time ago, it was compulsory to wear a head scarf for all of the stable management sections!

I did 4 of my BHS exams between 79 - 81 - no compulsory headscarf then for stable managament.

 

[Clare85]

I love getting dressed up tbh! A tie is very smart IMO. And I don't think you are allowed to wear half chaps in bhs exams - I think it's long boots only but don't quote me. Good luck with it

 

[Pigeon]

I think it's silly, as a tie isn't practical or flattering, and in fact is a risk (could get caught in a stable door and throttle yourself) but unfortunately I agree with others, if it's the dress code you'll just have to wear it.

I think stocks look silly (or rather, I look silly in a stock) and wish I didn't have to wear one for dressage, but c'est la vie!

 

[Capriole]

I did stages in the 80's as well and headscarfs weren't compulsory for me either.

I love getting dressed up tbh! A tie is very smart IMO.

Me too Tbh it's the only time I ever get to dress up, never go anywhere non-horsey anymore, lol.

Pigeon, I never get to wear a stock, kind of would like a navy one but the way I imagine I will look in it and the reality of what I would probably look in it are probably vastly different Not in a good way.

 

[JFTDWS]

Call me old fashioned, but I don't regard a shirt and tie as being "trussed up" or inhibited. It's smart and not impractical in my opinion. High heels and a low cut, super-tight blouse you're practically popping out of would be impractical


I also think you'd have to be acting rather reckessly (and peculiarly!) to hang yourself with it on a door :eek3:

 

[Capriole]

I also think you'd have to be acting rather reckessly (and peculiarly!) to hang yourself with it on a door :eek3:

That's why they do it, obviously. It's to weed out the people who can't get through a door without damaging themselves. Makes perfect sense actually now I think of it