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WWH Vice President Ann – Dressed Formally
(Photo of Courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
Foxhunting attire reflects the age-old traditions of our sport, but that tradition is firmly based upon practicality. The attire that the Wentworth Hunt follows is intended to keep riders comfortable and safe in all weather and conditions. We ask members and guests to dress modestly and uniformly as a sign of respect for the traditions of the sport, for our dedicated huntsman, masters, and field leaders, for our faithful horses and hounds, and for our very generous landowners.
Please feel free to contact us with questions or to ask for exceptions.
If you have any questions about the tack and attire that would be most appropriate out of what you already own, please feel free to contact us (and before you run to the tack store, know that we do make exceptions!). We are happy to help and look forward to seeing you at our next hunt!
Click here to learn about hunting etiquette.
We are very happy to welcome new riders to our hunt and are proud to have a reputation as a very inviting hunt. Before you come out with us, we recommend that you review our foxhunting etiquette rules. These rules help ensure that all riders, hounds, and horses stay safe. Most rules will be familiar to you as a rider.
WWH members Lillias and Terry – Dressed Informally
(Photo of Courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
(Click on the picture to see it full size)
Fall Formal Season (October and November) is the best reflection of foxhunting tradition when riders are turned out in their hunting finest.
The kit or turnout for Formal Season is a dark riding coat of black, navy, gray, or dark green, a white long-sleeved ratcatcher shirt, white stock tie and plain, gold pin. A canary or tattersall vest is optional and handy for extra warmth on cold days.
Breeches are tan, beige, or buff. Riders wear tall black dress or field boots and black leather or natural/off-white string (aka crochet) gloves. Riders must wear an ASTM-approved black helmet and hair should be pinned up in a bun or tucked into the helmet with a hairnet.
Riders are very welcome to wear safety vests. These must be black or a conservative dark color that matches the hunt coat.
Your horse should be formally dressed in a white shaped (aka fitted) saddle pad, conservative brown or black tack, and conservative colored boots (if any). Ear bonnets are acceptable but please use a color that matches your tack or your horse’s coat. Please know that while we love to see horses in traditional hunt bridles, we recommend that you use the bridle that best keeps you safe and your horse happy.
WWH member Tina – Dressed Formally
(Photo courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
(Click on the picture to see it full size)
Spring Roading (mid-May through mid-June), Fall Informal Season (mid-August through end of September), and Wednesday hunts during Fall Formal Season (October and November) see our riders in the more relaxed dress of informal attire. Riders may choose to wear more varied, colorful, and expressive kits.
Traditional informal attire consists of tweed coats in patterned earth tones, colored (the brighter, the better!) or white ratcatcher, colored (NOT white) stock tie, and gold pin. On warmer days riders may exchange their coat for a tattersall or canary vest or may shed their coats and ties for a white or conservative colored polo shirt or ratcatcher.
Acceptable breeches are tan, beige, buff, or even rust. Riders traditionally wear tall brown field boots, but black field or dress boots are acceptable, and matching brown, black, or natural/off-white string (aka crochet) gloves. Riders must wear an ASTM-approved helmet, black or brown, and hair should be pinned up in a bun or tucked into the helmet with a hairnet.
Riders are very welcome to wear safety vests. These must be black or a conservative color.
Your horse should be kitted out conservatively as in formal hunt season, but with the additional option of wearing a square saddle pad with the Wentworth Hunt logo.
WWH board member Maria – Dressed Informally