Competition question/specifically prize giving

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rachk89

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Got a bit of a random question due to something I have noticed and am curious about. Noticed that generally, when in a prize giving situation, the men will take off their hats while on the horse before receiving their prize and often just hold it during the gallop around.

Is there a particular reason for this other than it being, I suppose, polite to do so? Just wondered why men only do it, and yet women don't. Is it just in showjumping they do this too? Noticed it seems to be mainly showjumping it happens in, but maybe I've just never noticed it happen anywhere else.
 
probably goes back to when men raised their hat to a lady and as a mark of respect. its their way to show respect to the judge or sponsor and in the lap of honour the applause from the crowd.
 
rachk89 said:
Got a bit of a random question due to something I have noticed and am curious about. Noticed that generally, when in a prize giving situation, the men will take off their hats while on the horse before receiving their prize and often just hold it during the gallop around.

Is there a particular reason for this other than it being, I suppose, polite to do so? Just wondered why men only do it, and yet women don't. Is it just in showjumping they do this too? Noticed it seems to be mainly showjumping it happens in, but maybe I've just never noticed it happen anywhere else.
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It comes from medieval times where knights competing in jousting would take off their helmets I believe? It is my pet hate however, an accident waiting to happen with over-excitable horses in a hot atmosphere just to look good? Personal peeve haha!
 
You can only remove your hat under FEI rules. BS requires a hat with chinstrap fastened whilst mounted. You do see it occasionally after the SJ phase at an international 3 day event.

Like TRC - pet hate. Rotten example to younger riders and potentially dangerous. There have been several serious accidents with riders thrown by an over excited horse whilst the hat was off. I'm not sure it necessarily goes all the way back to medieval times - although it might. I'm old enough to remember when you had to remove your cap to salute the judge and indicate your readiness to begin. Back in the long gone days before chin straps!!
 
It is something that men just did. At one time everyone wore a hat, men and women. Men would raise a hat to a lady, and also remove when going into a house, church, etc. A lady would not remove her hat.
 
The helmet hair reason makes sense haha.

I hate it too really it shows kids it's fine to take your hat off when it isn't. But I was wondering too if it was some kind of rule like in showing for jacket colours and hat types etc. Makes sense though that it's just tradition and politeness really.
 
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