ATTIRE

There is probably no sport in which the rules and customs of dress are more rigid than in a well-organized Hunt.  The rider looks neat and appropriately dressed for the sport at all times.  Jewelry is limited to cuff links, unadorned stock pins and wedding bands.  (No earrings).  Hunt whips are optional.  Headgear with chinstrap is always used according to the guidelines established by horse showing authorities. 

Effective January 1, 2003, all riders under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet which is:  ASTM/SEI approved and meets any other current requirements of USA Equestrian for juniors who are riding in a recognized hunter division horse show at all hunts or hunt organized events.  Riders 18 or over are strongly encouraged to use ASTM/SEI approved helmets. 

RAT-CATCHER (INFORMAL) -- This attire is worn during the cubbing season and on all Tuesdays during the formal season. 

• Jacket-             tweed or subdued colored hacking jacket

• Vest                 optional – simple unadorned tattersall or muted solid color

•  Breeches         buff, canary, tan or brick

•  Boots              black or brown

•  Headgear        black velvet safety helmet with a chin harness properly fastened

•  Shirt                turtleneck shirt in subdued solid colors or stock or tie shirt with stock or tie

•  Gloves            string or leather

•  Hair                If hair is not short, it should be done up tightly, be inconspicuous
                          and in a hair net.

During the cubbing season the attire of the Masters (past and present), Officers of the Hunt and Whippers-in is: 

•  Shirt              green

•  Breeches       rust

•  Boots             brown

•  Headgear       gray velvet with a chin harness properly fastened

FORMAL BLACK- Formal attire is worn on Saturdays and holidays during the formal fox hunting season, which usually starts on the Saturday following the Hunter Trials. The season runs through the end of March.  The following attire is worn by those who do not wear scarlet:    

• Jacket              plain black or dark navy – the gray collar with yellow piping is
                          worn  by the members who have been awarded their colors

• Vest                 canary yellow

•  Breeches        tan, buff, canary

•  Boots              black velvet safety helmet with a chin harness properly fastened

•  Stock              white stock held with an unadorned, horizontal stock pin

•  Shirt               white ratcatcher

•  Gloves           string or leather

•  Hair                If hair is not short, it should be done up tightly, be inconspicuous
                          and in a hair net.

SCARLET- Worn by gentlemen members of the field who have been awarded their colors. 

• Jacket             scarlet, with gray collar with yellow piping

• Vest                canary

• Breeches        white

• Boots              black with brown tops

• Headgear        black velvet safety helmet with a chin harness properly fastened

• Stock              white stock held with an unadorned, horizontal stock pin

• Shirt               white ratcatcher

• Gloves           string or leather

Masters (past and present), Officers and Whippers-in wear the same attire except for  headgear which should be a gray velvet safety helmet. 

Juniors may wear light weight hunting or tweed jackets, tan jodhpurs and jodhpur boots, with proper headgear in all seasons. 

FORMAL EVENING-

Men who have been awarded their colors wear scarlet “tails” with gray silk lapels and the hunt colors on their collars. 

Other men members and guests– Black or white tie

Women members and guests– Black or white formal wear

HUNTING WITH ANOTHER HUNT

No Master, Whipper-in, Huntsman or member wears his or her Hunt colors and buttons in another Hunt unless invited to do so.  When a member wishes to hunt with another Hunt, the arrangements are made through the Masters of both Hunts.  A capping fee is in order unless otherwise arranged.  He or she rides politely in the rear of the Field unless invited to ride with the Master.