Wearing military uniform at BE

beh

beh

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Have you ever seen anyone do this, is it even allowed?

I can't find anything in the rules about it yet H&H website said that wearing uniform was acceptable.

Many thanks
 
I have seen it alot, Vittoria Panizzon does, even though she is in the Italian air force, and I have done it myself too I compete in RAF Number 1 uniform. When I was at Smiths Lawn 2 years ago there was alot of people in Army uniform as well as myself in RAF.

It is actively encouraged for people to do so. Alot of the Irish riders do as well and some compete under their title as well.
 
The Irish riders are different in that they are officers at the Equitation School, riding is their full time career
 
Tell us more! Which service :) I was the same, I wanted to and was encouraged to but reeeaally didn't want to fall off at the first fence or do something stupid!

I have decided I'll be going out inconspicuously in tweed with my new baby though (until I know she can handle shows and the like!)
 
RAF - based up at Boulmer and have entered my first BE90 at Burgham :D

I'm just terrified of strutting in my number ones and then making a complete tool of myself aha.

Maybe if I just try to blend in the first few times :P
 
Vittoria Pannizon is very similar to the Irish Geoff Curran etc, in the fact she is "sponsered" by the Italian Air Force.
 
beh said:
RAF - based up at Boulmer and have entered my first BE90 at Burgham :D

I'm just terrified of strutting in my number ones and then making a complete tool of myself aha.

Maybe if I just try to blend in the first few times :P
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Yeah I would do that, go in Tweed until you feel confident. But to be sure just check with your CO that it is ok, mine was happy with it and like I say, it is generally really encouraged.

Are you going to get involved with RAFEA?
 
I have done a small amount with the RAFEA but I had to go back out to Afghan with 2 weeks notice so missed out on most off the summer stuff which was a real shame.

I normally do the RAF champs at Cranwell but they are holding it at Larkhill this year and that will be 9 hours+ in my old horsebox so will probably give that a miss.

Oh well, there is always next year!!
 
beh said:
I have done a small amount with the RAFEA but I had to go back out to Afghan with 2 weeks notice so missed out on most off the summer stuff which was a real shame.

I normally do the RAF champs at Cranwell but they are holding it at Larkhill this year and that will be 9 hours+ in my old horsebox so will probably give that a miss.

Oh well, there is always next year!!
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Oh thats a shame. I have done the champs too, but since my pony broke I haven't been back. So will have to wait until the baby one is ready to go.

Good luck with your first BE! :)
 
Would it be if you are "official?" i.e. riding an army horse, or you representing your regiment - whatever - as part of a team. I wouldn't think so if you are riding as a private person on your own horse.

I watched the Services competition at Windsor Horse Show and although lots were riding their own horses it was an inter services competition, so they were all in uniform.
 
My horse is in currently in her "basic" training... i

In hope I can get in the RAF and then go and play some pony games! (As well as obviously working!)
 
No this wouldn't be a RAF team competition - this is me on my own. I would of course ask my CO/ RAFEA but I probably think its better for me if I try and blend in a bit.

I know BE run/used to run some military classes so
 
Wench - are you still trying to get in? I sort of remember you being a bit unsure about what service/if you really wanted to do it?
 
wench said:
Vittoria Pannizon is very similar to the Irish Geoff Curran etc, in the fact she is "sponsered" by the Italian Air Force.
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No she's not, she's paid by the Italians just to wear the uniform. Geoff etc are career soldiers who ride horses owned by the state. I believe most of them have deployed as peace keepers and I know for a fact the army have removed people from the Equitation school for being unwilling to go overseas
 
There was a feature about her in H+H last week or the week before (they have been doing a picture and words of different people selected for the Olympics) and it explains that they understand she has to be based in Britain, she receives a Salary and has to go back for ceremonies and parades, so she is a full time professional rider. I think things must work quite differently in the Italian Air Force.
 
milz88 said:
There was a feature about her in H+H last week or the week before (they have been doing a picture and words of different people selected for the Olympics) and it explains that they understand she has to be based in Britain, she receives a Salary and has to go back for ceremonies and parades, so she is a full time professional rider. I think things must work quite differently in the Italian Air Force.
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Well thats interesting as the Irish Army guys think she's just sponsored by them so wears the uniform...
 
Thats why there is quotation marks around sponsered... and the OP wasnt about how or what the Irish or Italians do with their uniform.

And in response to beh... yes still looking at going into RAF, application has been delayed (I will find out in the next few weeks what is happening - may have to start all over again). I was unsure a few months ago, as there were some things going off in my life thats all sorted now.
 
I got beaten to it!!!

I would think the Irish guys are probably more similar to our household cavalry ie they have had all the military training all other soldiers get.

VP, I believe, is slightly different, in the fact that she is there to show off Italian sport. Albeit by being a member of the Italian Air Force.
 
Maybe with VP is that although she is officially in the AF and paid a wage by them, she is allowed to train/compete full time.

I have some friend who is now still employed by the RAF but trains full time in Bath as a bob sleigher.

Maybe it's something similar?
 
I am sure I read somewhere that VP is in the AF, mainly to promote Italian sport, through the AF.
 
beh said:
Maybe with VP is that although she is officially in the AF and paid a wage by them, she is allowed to train/compete full time.

I have some friend who is now still employed by the RAF but trains full time in Bath as a bob sleigher.

Maybe it's something similar?
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In the UK forces, if you're good enough, you'll spend most of your time training/doing your sport..thats often why alot of good athletes without the funding, join up!

Unsure for Italy, can't quote. But I doubt anyone could be sponsored to wear a uniform and have no military involvement at all.
 
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