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Honorary Whipper-in, Lisa Tartaglia, in formal attire, without Colors.
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Proper Attire
Ratcatcher attire is worn during cub hunting and may be worn on Wednesdays after Opening Meet. Formal attire is worn on Sundays and Holidays after Opening Meet.
Informal attire: “Ratcatcher” refers to a tweed hacking jacket and a shirt and tie or colored/patterned stock. The following applies to both ladies and gentlemen:
- Tweed coat with plain collar and buttons, earth tones preferred
- Black or brown velvet approved helmet, ribbons up. Bowler also correct.
- Soft color shirt with neck tie or colored stock tie, ratcatcher band acceptable.
- Plain horizontal stock pin preferred
- Tattersall vest (optional)
- Light color string, yellow, tan, or brown leather gloves
- Buff, tan, canary or rust breeches
- Black or brown field boots
Please note: in early August, when jackets are often excused due to the heat, white polo shirts are often permitted. Please listen to the hunt recording for an update.
Formal attire: Black meltons are worn as formals prior to being awarded colors, and when capping during the formal season as a guest with another hunt. Colors are worn as formal attire only after being awarded by the Masters.
Members who have not yet earned colors would wear:
- Black coat with plain black buttons
- Black velvet approved helmet, ribbons up, or black bowler
- White shirt with white stock tie, plain horizontal gold stock pin
- Canary vest (optional)
- Light color or white string, yellow, tan, or brown leather gloves
- Buff, tan, or canary breeches
- Black dress boots
The AVH "Colors" (Moss green velvet collars and AVH buttons) are worn as formal attire only after being awarded by the Masters.
The following applies to those who have been invited to wear the hunt Colors:
Gentlemen:
- Scarlet coat with 3 engraved brass buttons (4 buttons for Masters), 2 large brass buttons on back, and 2-3 small brass buttons on each sleeve. Moss green velvet collar.
- Black hunting coat with moss green velvet collar & black engraved AVH buttons also appropriate.
- A scarlet cutaway coat is also correct, particularly on formal days such as Opening Meet, and is worn with a top hat.
- Black velvet approved helmet, ribbons up, or black bowler with black jacket
- White shirt with white stock tie, plain horizontal gold stock pin
- Canary vest
- Light color or white string, yellow, tan, or brown leather gloves
- White breeches
- Black dress boots with brown tops
Ladies:
- Black melton or frock coat with 3 black AVH engraved buttons, 2 engraved buttons on back of frock, 2-3 small engraved buttons on each sleeve. Moss green velvet collar. A black shadbelly is also correct, particularly on formal days such as Opening Meet, and is worn with a top hat.
- Black velvet approved helmet, ribbons up, or black bowler. A top hat is correct with a shadbelly.
- White shirt with white stock tie, plain horizontal gold stock pin
- Canary vest
- Light color or white string, yellow, tan, or brown leather gloves.
- Buff, tan, or canary breeches
- Black dress boots. Black patent tops optional
Neat and clean clothing and tack are expected. Ladies’ hair should be restrained with a hairnet. Perfume & cologne are inappropriate to wear during hunting.Anyone is entitled to carry a hunting crop with thong. It should be carried properly and not used unless asked to do so.
Juniors: (under the age of 16) are permitted to wear informal attire during both cubbing and formal seasons. A tweed jacket worn with paddock boots and jodhpurs are appropriate. For those aged 16 and above, adult rules of proper turnout apply.
Tack:
- Heavy, plain leather bridle with heavy gauge reins and a hunting breast plate.
- A standing martingale may be used.
- Properly fitted jumping or all-purpose saddle
- White fleece or sheepskin saddle pad, fitted, not square, and without ornamentation.
- Braiding is proper for Opening Day and Holiday meets.
- Braiding is optional at Joint Meets and other meets, but is always encouraged.
A more complete explanation of hunt etiquette, attire and hunt terms is available in "Riding to Hounds in America - An Introduction for Foxhunters", a booklet by William P. Wadsworth available through the Chronicle of the Horse or some online booksellers. You may find information on the Masters of Foxhounds Association’s website at www.mfha.org . It is our pleasure to share and discuss safety, preparation, protocol and etiquette. Please contact Mrs. Mary Pat Gallagher, Honorary Secretary (908) 328.1017 |
