Groom Attire

[BestSundayDress]

I have been asked to groom in the show ring at a county show level, with a view to grooming for bigger shows after that and I haven't the faintest clue what to wear.

Have been around horses for a good few years but the showing world is alien to me, and whilst I have bit of cop on and will know what is expected of me duty wise, I have absolutely zero idea what to wear. Have been warned similar toned tweed jacket and a hat is essential, but know little else.

Do I wear same toned breeches as the rider? What about a showing shirt and a stock - is that acceptable instead of a shirt and tie? What about footwear? Can I do a Fairfax and favour style suede boot or are jodhpur boots ok?

Any and all advice welcome, from top to toe!

 

[dreamcometrue]

A friend of mine is a groom for a top eventer. She wears matching top and riding leggings in navy blue and a baseball cap when it’s sunny. Boots on her feet.

 

[View]

A friend of mine is a groom for a top eventer. She wears matching top and riding leggings in navy blue and a baseball cap when it’s sunny. Boots on her feet.

I’ve groomed for eventers, and it honestly doesn’t matter what we wear as long as it is appropriate and safe.

However, it is a very different matter grooming for showing. I can’t help, but one of the showing people will be along shortly to advise.

 

[Cloball]

I would suggest darker muted colours in case of stains, I had to do a last minute tail wash and got green stains all over my white polo. I've mainly groomed for show jumpers though.

 

[humblepie]

Check the rules as some classes require groom to wear hard hat. Generally I think that’s just RoR but may be some others. Just tidy is the main thing. Unless it’s somewhere like the Royal International just clean and tidy. Don’t wear a collar and tie unless you’re male nor a stock. Shirt or top with waistcoat or jacket over. Tidy trousers and short boots that you can walk miles in. Enjoy.

 

[Red-1]

I am not a showing bod but, for personal satisfaction, would wear similar as if I were in-hand showing at a lower show. So, polished boots, trousers, shirt, tie, jacket, hat, gloves (or at least have the gloves with me if I were mucking about with a sponge).

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Groom dressed as per humblepie's post, hat (soft or hard) shirt (short or long sleeve but must cover shoulders).
Waistcoat or jacket, jodh boots or comfy clean boots,dark trousers.
No need for gloves or tie unless in main ring at huge shows
Have fun!

 

[abbijay]

Following...
My dad is coming with me as groom in the main ring at a county show next week. I've told him fairly smart and hat but he would turn up in at least a polo shirt even if he wasn't coming in the ring with me. Should I ask him to wear a collared shirt and give him a tie that is the same colour as mine?

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

The general rule of thumb is - smart/casual with a hat of some description at 99% of shows. No need for shirt and ties.

Royal shows, HOYS qualifying classes etc go for more the smart side.

And always, always, always wear a hat. Even if it's a baseball cap because you have nothing else to hand.

Make sure you have a bottle of water in the basket as well for the jockey.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Following...
My dad is coming with me as groom in the main ring at a county show next week. I've told him fairly smart and hat but he would turn up in at least a polo shirt even if he wasn't coming in the ring with me. Should I ask him to wear a collared shirt and give him a tie that is the same colour as mine?

Yes, a shirt and tie (tie doesnt need to match yours as not a lead rein class, just not bright coloured) plus smart hat will be fine.
Jacket/blazer if cold/wet.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

The general rule of thumb is - smart/casual with a hat of some description at 99% of shows. No need for shirt and ties.

Royal shows, HOYS qualifying classes etc go for more the smart side.

And always, always, always wear a hat. Even if it's a baseball cap because you have nothing else to hand.

Make sure you have a bottle of water in the basket as well for the jockey.

Nooooo, never a baseball hat unless a show jumper groom!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Nooooo, never a baseball hat unless a show jumper groom!

At lower levels it really doesn't matter and if it's all that's to hand then so be it.

I have never once had a judge make comment on the grooms attire in the ring when i have been stewarding.

 

[humblepie]

Yes always makes me smile slightly when it says a hat should be worn and people wear baseball caps. I don't personally like it but it wouldn't make any different unless a show that had its own rules about headwear. My OH has groomed for me wearing wet weather camo gear in a HOYS qualifer before now as it was the only wet weather gear he had in the lorry (no idea why was in lorry, think it was old stuff that he thought was downgraded to horse stuff). On the other hand, have a picture of him in evening clothes, so dinner jacket and bow tie holding horse. We were at a gala dinner and horse had qualified for one of the finals, so were mixing between eating nice food and competing. That probably is a little OTT.