Clothing for BHS Exams

[Horsey Bird]

Hi all
I will sit BHS Stage 1 in March and in order to "look the part" I need to buy the required button-up jacket. BHS refer to it as a "hacking jacket".

Would anyone have one that they want to sell? I would be looking for ladies size 12 or 14 depending on whether the fit is tight or loose.
thanks

[Mossy]

The dress code for the "non elitest " exams has been a bone of contentiion with me for ages,bu tfor stage 1 they will let you wear a smart sweat shirt. have alook at the dress code section on the BHS web site. Long boots or short ones without chaps are de rigeur though. Chaps are not allowed gaiters are.

[Elfin]

Why aren't you alowd to wear half chaps, that's what I wandered when I read it in on the BHS site...

[Wally]

The ever open minded BHS reckon they had folk turn up in badly fitting, baggy, loose chaps which were dangerous! What's more some folk's chaps had fringes, just not cricket what?

Any item of clothing can be dangerous if not right for the job, I'd have though it would be more sensible to take things case by case, if the chaps worn are dodgy then ask that particular candidate to remove them before riding. But as usual everyone gets the benefit of the BHS knee jerk reaction to one or two candidates.

[Elfin]

gawd! thats really stupid! and I agree Wally about asking people to remove dodgy clothing, but if ya are k, then whats the point??? GRRRRRRRRRRRRR! :)

[myEllie]

I don't think it is a bad idea to have a dress code. I think that you should have pride in yourself and enough respect to others to want to look nice. If I am just riding out at the barn I will probably just wear paddock boots and chaps, but if I have a lesson or am going to a clinic or something, I will dress proper, with breeches and high boots.

BTW, the only time chaps with fringe are used are by western riders in horse shows.

[Wally]

Nope, they sell half chaps in Robinsons and Cam with fringes! Some with snazzy bright pink fringes!

If you look at any photos of me at formal events you will see nobody has a higher standard of turn out, I am on show, my animals are on show, I want folk to look and buy what I am selling!

However I have spent a lifetime with horses and have saved up and bought the best quality gear I can afford, it's taken me years to get all the stuff together that I have. Some folk just cannot afford to buy lots of expensive gear just to take an exam which is just to further their feeling of acheivment.

I can compete at the British Icelandic Horse Championships if I want in coloured jodhs and a sweat shirt, they are judging my ability and that of my horse not how much money I've spent on gear. I don't though, I wear the full kit, but I would never try to stop anyone wearing casual stuff if that's what they feel is right for them. HAving pride in one's turn out is one thing, but having the bamk balance to match the pride is another.

Riding should be a sport for all, hat and safe boots are the only thing that really matter when all's said and done. I don't know of many riding schools which on a daily basis require tweed jackets and beige jodhs any more, one or two. Most places the instructors are turned out in smart practical wear, washable and easy to care for.

[Mossy]

When I was seven I rode in a hacking jacket, wide leggged jods and joddy boots. Mother insisted and I kicked up because I was overdressed and stuck out like a sore thumb! Stretch trousers and tops were just coming in and were the latest must have. 39 years later the BHS insist on a hacking jacket for exams as it is a "working day" so a black jacket won't do. The BHS are an up-to-date modern organisation!!!!?????

[Elfin]

oh well! strange!:)