Monday, September 15, 2008

Foxhunting Fashionista

I have a gotten a few questions about foxhunting attire and so I thought I would pass along what I have learned. I am by no mean an expert, but I am reading everything I can get my hands on as fast as I can.

There are lots of great resources out there about foxhunting. I have several books on order, but I have also found some good information online. I found a good write up on attire which answers a lot of McFawn's questions about boots. It even has a nice attire matrix if you scroll all the way down. If you would like to see pictures of the coats, etc, I like to drool over the clothes here. There is also a nice glossary of terms in case I throw something up here that sounds strange. Finally, COTH has a nice hunting forum and Foxhunters Online has a searchable archive.

As for my clothes, I am still assembling the proper tack, saddle blankets, and attire for eventing (all three phases) and now foxhunting (another similar but very different set of requirements). So my black wool coat is not a true Melton and my canary vest does not quite fit. My show breeches are too green and I need to get a nice set that are tan or beige. And of course, I wear field boots. I need to find some dress boots (without tops for the ladies, tabs sewn in but not sewn down. :) ) I did finally find a fitted saddle pad for my jumping saddle (instead of a square pad), so Brego should be good to go.

All hunts are different and my hunt (still makes me laugh to say "my" hunt) tends to be a little more relaxed with attire. For example, our staff consists of women, but they wear the pink coats and brown top boots. I talked with my fieldmaster on Saturday and she said my field boots would be fine, but I am going to try to get new ones as soon as I can afford it. I am scanning ebay for a proper Melton, but am not holding my breath for something in my size. Still, you can get lucky. I also need to find a proper velvet cap. My Charles Owen show helmet is not offensive, but with the white logo on the front, it's not traditional.

I do have a nice flask with a stag on it... now I just need to fill it. Any suggestions, Stacey? I ask because your consumption of Wild Turkey is legendary. :)

Anyway, I hope that answers people's questions and if you have more, pass them along. I am learning as fast as I can and I might have just stumbled upon the answer!