Top Hat & Tails *

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DarkHorseB

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Looking at the 2011 rule book you can no longer wear Top Hat & Tails at *

I know they were never compulsory at this level but also know a lot of people's eventing ambition seem to be to do a *. Do you think the TH&T was actually part of the attraction/ mystique and there will be a lot of people sad that this is removed? Or will more people be glad they don't have to bother?!
 
I had always said my ultimate aim with old mare was a * however sadly we didn't make it. But it wouldn't put me off trying to get there just because I couldn't wear t+t. On a positive note it costs a lot of money to do a * so if everyone had to wear tweed and skull cap I maybe would feel as though I fitted in more!

Though I think it adds to the sense of occassion! :)
 
It was never correct dress in the first place just alot of people used them. I loved wearing mine when I did my * and doubt now I will ever be wearing them again now if you can't wear them at *!! Am dissapointed they've changed the rule and think it takes that somthing a bit special away without them.
 
Which rule is this, does it not just apply to ponies? My reading is that dress is governed by FEI rules which state wearing of TH+T at 1* is discouraged.
 
But ALL 1* is FEI not just ponies so surely the rule applies across the board.

iirc this has been a rule for a while, ie discouraged but not banned. It's generally always been widely ignored.

In ponies and JRN champs there is mush more 'control' over the individual which is why they don't wear tails.
 
Ive never worn th&t at 1*, and never felt a need to. In fact I did Henbury * in tweed! Tbh I would feel a proper muppet doing * in th&t as I don't think my dressage is good enough! I would rather spend my money on lessons, than on more gear. I understand that * is what a lot of people aspire to, but I don't see how what you are allowed to wear will affect this.
 
I don't think I would be happy not riding in protective headgear at all personally so don't think I would have gone for it either. Just wonder if for some that was the part of the attraction. I hear many more people say they want to do a * rather than an intermediate - I know for some *s there is the 3 day attraction too.

Anyway as a PP said it does not look like the rule is new anyway :confused: I saw on BE forum and believed it was however seems to have been like this in 2010 also but I dressage wrote at the Hutton * this year and almost everyone was in TH&T for * this year still
 
Didnt know that, have just rejoined daughter on Thursday to BE and obviously have not had new rule book etc just yet. Ah, she will be disappointed as our YO, who is the same size as her, has promised her that she can borrow her top hat and tails to do her first 1*. However, its not the end of the world, I know she wouldnt be wearing them if she is fortunate enough to get to Weston Park for the JRN finals, and at least I can save my cash for another year, as she would probably badger me into buying her some. Also, I do get a bit funny that she wouldnt be wearing protective headgear. She is trying to nag me into buying her a Patey (I sold mine unfortunately) and I am relucant to do so - her reasoning is that she looks daft in her smart velvet Champion riding hat against all the other in their Pateys. Firstly becasue they are expensive and secondly, even normally well behaved event mares blow up and can unseat their riders in the dressage - has never happened yet, but there is always a first time!
 
The rule which states that they are not to be worn at 1* is in the bit that applies to pony riders, so unless there is another rule then they are not forbidden at 1* just to be discouraged, which I think is the same as previous years, so presumably people will continue to wear them.
 
I am aiming for 1* for next year, probably the year after!

I would love to wear the tails, although I have a top hat and would probably have worn it just the once, I would rather wear a hat so that doesn't bother me.

I would love to wear the tails though, its not the b'all but it would make my first go at 1* all the more special as you can't do it any other time. (plus I have a tails jacket waiting in the back of my cupboard for the day I could so now it will never see daylight!)

Oh well, maybe I'll buy myself a riding jacket with slightly elongated length and an open front so it will be a hybrid tails jacket!!!! (Joke!)

Cx
 
i think i might know where part of the 'tophat and tails' at 1* mystique (prob not the right word, but bear with me) comes from...
many years ago, when god's dog was still piddling on the carpets, i did my first 1* CCI. there were about 100 of us in the section, Pros and amateurs, and only one rider, a sort of semi-pro, wore tophat and tails. he led after the dressage and was third on his other ride iirc. he wasn't a rider known for leading after the dressage, either... he went on to win.
i think a LOT of riders thought "hmmm, it obviously does make a difference to the judging anyway" after that...
it's really nice to wear them, and let's face it, a 1* costs plenty to enter so anything extra you can get back is good! it's a bit of an accomplishment to get to that level for an amateur anyway, plus it's an FEI event, so i think it's rather nice to get to wear them. i don't think the ptb should frown on it, or change the rules to prevent it, personally.
 
I don't event any longer so have to presume the change is correct. When I did my 1st 1 star a few years ago I was only 1 of 2 people in a huge class that wasn't in TH&T. I was somewhat looked down upon by some of the others warming up. However my horse did a fab test for our standard and we were 9th after the dressage, so maybe the judges took the view "good on her" for NOT wearing TH&T. I did get to a level where TH&T were required, by that stage perhaps our dressage was just about of a standard where we didn't look complete idiots with all the gear and no performance!
 
Santa_Claus said:
annex 6 competitors dress rules, rule 2 definitiely worded to exclude TH&T at 1* for all competitiors not just pony riders and this is the new rule book which I received last week. Not sure if new or not and just case people ignored it previously!
Click to expand...

:( boo hoo hoo...thats what my ambition was - to ride in TH&T... oh well at least it saves me money :rolleyes:
 
What a shame :(

I was lucky enough to groom at Houghton 1* last year ... was lovely to see my YM and her horse in TH&Ts.
I have some gorgeous photos of the pair looking very smart warming up in front of the house, looking all professional, and then of the pair leaving the test in front of the grand stables.
The backdrop of some of these events are so spectacular that TH&Ts really adds to the whole grandeur of the experience.

I'm lucky that this season or next (horses staying sound - touch wood) that she'll be able to wear them at higher levels anyway, but it seems such a shame. 1* is achievable for amateurs, it really gives them the chance to have their moment of glory :( I know they'll still be able to compete, and it will save the cost of buying them. I just think TH&Ts adds to how special a 3DE feels in some of these grand locations

Very sad :(
 
'Annex 6
1.11International Classes
All references in these Rules to dress in International classes can only be
guidance since current FEI rules prevail in those classes. See www.fei.org for
up to date dress rules.'

FEI rule saying TH+T are forbidden relates only to pony riders, ie rule is unchanged they can be worn for 1*.
 
My ultimate ambition is to ride in the CCI* at Blair. If this were to ever be a possibility, the wearing/not wearing of TH+T would not be a factor for me to be honest. Yes, they look smart and special, but any ruling against wearing them at that level would not change my ambition to qualify for and ride at that level. Plus... I certainly wouldn't (couldn't!) fork out for a set just for the one occasion anyway!
 
Just looked up the FEI website.

Page 42 of the latest rule book (updated 1st jan 2011) states...

5. Dressage Test
5.1 CIVILIAN – compulsory except as indicated in 5.2 & 5.3 below:
hunting dress or uniform of a riding club, white shirt and tie, gloves, white,
fawn or cream breeches, boots, hunting cap, protective headgear or top
hat, and spurs (in accordance with Para. 3 above)
5.2 AT CICS 2/1* athletes, if they wish, may wear a tweed jacket with
fawn or beige breeches and black or brown boots.
5.3 AT CCI/CIC1* the wearing of a top hat and tailcoat is not
encouraged.

Since any changes are written in red I don't think this has changed from previous years i.e. you can wear TH&T at CCI1* if you want (although not encouraged ;) )

Relax everyone!!
 
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