Handler Dress for In-Hand???

[Jessica23]

Hi,

Probably being really dumb here but better to ask than turn up looking ridiculous :D

Im planning to take my baby friesian to some in hand shows in the spring but am in the process of getting her and me all sorted out for it, while i have money!! I have never done in hand showing, just ridden, and have no idea what you're supposed to wear!! Obviously, at HOYS and stuff like that they have waistcoats and very smart stuff, but on a budget, what do i need??

I have a very nice hacking jacket that i paid a small fortune for years ago but have never used! If it still fits (a BIG if!! :rolleyes: ) would that do? And jods or smart trousers?? Footwear?? If i have to run with Una i'd have enough trouble keeping up in Trainers with her huge stride so i dont think long riding boots would work :D

Any help would be great!

[Mehitabel]

hacking jacket, shirt and tie, gloves, hat, smartish trousers (ideally black if horse has light legs, or cream/light brown/beige if dark legs, but black is fine regardless) and discreet shoes you can run in. i wear jod boots, some people do wear smart trainers or yard boots.
this is my inhand gear for county showing - that outfit would be fine. http://historicalfact.com/~es/pony%20pictures/petal.jpg

[Jessica23]

Thanks for that!

Is that just a normal riding hat or do i need some special hat??

I have a stock, is that any good or does it need to be a tie? The horse is black so i shall see about some lighter coloured trousers!

[Jessica23]

Oooh, and probably a good idea to ask what the horse should wear after seeing that picture!! The horses in that seem to have halters on?? I was planning to show her in a bridle... Is that wrong??

Im useless at this!!lol

[Mehitabel]

normal riding hat fine - i have a beagler (the tiny caps with no straps that aren't suitable for riding in) for inhand, but wouldn't hesitate to wear a harnessed hat if i were handling an unknown or exciteable horse. tie is much better than a stock - at local shows you'll see people in both, but if you can get a collared shirt and tie without too much stress then i would.

that class was a new forest class, and white halters are correct for that. bridles are fine for adult horses, inhand bridles (no bit) are fine for babies. i'm not sure if friesians have any particular rules, but if you look down here at the foreign breeds thumbnail, you can see another friesian inhand, wearing a bridle. http://rehorses.com/classes.html if you click on his thumbnail it goes to him in ridden dress.

[Jessica23]

Oooh, ok, just a normal smart bridle will do then! Thats easy..

Im sure i can find a shirt and tie somewhere. Im thinking now that the judges comments might be something along the line of "nice horse, shame about the clueless handler!!" :D