What Makes It A Hunt Coat?

June 03, 2018

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Jackets

If you are new to showing a stock breed horse in hunter under saddle (HUS) or hunt seat classes, you're likely looking for a hunt coat. With names like show coats, competition jackets, riding jackets, hacking jackets, etc., it's no wonder people feel confused about the exact definition of a hunt coat.

If it's called a hunt coat, is it always a hunt coat? Usually. Is a show coat a hunt coat? Could be. Is a competition jacket a hunt coat? Sometimes. Is a riding jacket a hunt coat? It depends. The labels are applied so arbitrarily as to be interchangeable, even by the manufacturers.

Paint, Pinto, Quarter Horse and Appaloosa rules don't vary a lot where hunt seat attire is concerned. Even at the open show level, the stock breed standards carry over fairly consistently. For simplicity's sake, let's refer to what the [2018] AQHA rulebook says:

SHW320.3 In all English classes, riders should wear hunt coats of traditional colors such as navy, dark green, grey, black or brown. Maroon and red are improper. Breeches are to be of traditional shades of buff, khaki, canary, light grey or rust (or jodhpurs), with high English boots or paddock (jodhpur) boots of black or brown. Black, navy blue or brown hard hat (with harness for youth in any over fence classes) is mandatory. A tie or choker is required. Gloves, spurs of the unrowelled type that are blunt, round or that include a smooth rolling ball and no longer than one inch and crops and bats are optional. Hair must be neat and contained (as in net or braid). Judges must penalize contestants who do not conform.

The term "hunt coat" is actually rather vague in the rulebook. What is acceptable is predicated on what's currently passing as acceptable in the show ring. If you're fortunate enough to have a trainer or show friend guide you, you're well on your way to dressing the part. A reputable clothier can put you in what's correct, and what fits and flatters within your budget. Attending breed shows, reading breed magazines and participating in horse show forums are excellent resources to see real world examples of winning turnouts.

Hunt Coats

The style seen most often and accepted as proper in the stock breed show world is a 3 button, double vent back coat whose hemline ends approximately at your crotch, give or take. The coat's back length must not be so long you sit on it, nor so short your fanny isn't covered. Hunt coats have collars and lapels. The bottom of the lapel - the roll line - should begin no lower than your underarm and above the bustline. Solid navy, solid black, subtle pinstripes or herringbone weave over navy or black are the safest bets. If not wool, the fabric should be a wool blend or suiting fabric that appears like wool. Shiny, polyester and synthetic fabrics are typically a poor choice. Buttons should not be glitzy or loud, often solid color that match the coat fabric. Tailoring must be impeccable. Princess seams, two-panel sleeves and full lining are standard. Sleeves that are too short, baggy sleeves, baggy waists, too tight across the bust, back or shoulders are big no nos.

R.J. Classics Devon Show Coat in navy herringbone is a safe, conservative, classic choice for stock breed classes.

Hunt Coat Variations:
Beyond the safe bets (above), competitors have expressed their style and individuality with bolder fabric and color choices, including velvet/colored collars and accent piping. Within the acceptable color spectrum, tone-on-tone stripes, checks and subtle plaids are very on-trend and seem pretty well tolerated at the breed show level. In equitation and horsemanship, the safe bets are by far the most popular, while the variations are more commonly seen in pleasure classes.

Custom jackets like these from Custom Collars Boutique offer fabric combinations and designer details that allow hunt seat riders to express their unique sense of style and coordinate every aspect of their presentation.

The Arabian crowd has really pushed tradition with trendsetting hunt seat attire. You'll see outright fashion colors, more decorative trims and details, and beautifully coordinated ensembles from head to toe. While I admire many of the outfits from a fashion standpoint, the identical turnout might go over like a lead balloon in the stock breed show ring.

Competition Jackets

Competition jackets feature updated hunt coat styling with European details; typically shorter length, trimmer through the body, often made with washable and stretch/technical fabrics. Details might include collar style variations, piping, decorative topstitching, pick stitching, contrast stitching, zipper pockets, and any variety of button styles, not to mention a rainbow of fashion colors. Several competition jackets could cross over well to stock breed hunter under saddle events, but they're generally designed for open jumping and eventing competition where European fashion has explored less conservative interpretations of traditional styles.

Noel Asmar Equestrian Competition Jackets feature fashion colors, 4 bright buttons, piping and collar detailing. The length is shorter, and the cut is trimmer than most hunt coats. Technical fabrics afford freedom of movement, comfort and washability.

Show Coat

See Competition Jackets, above. Generally, tamer and more conservative than competition jackets. Depending on length, style and color, they may very well make an acceptable hunt coat.

Riding Jackets

Riding jackets run the gamut between very conservative and traditional to sportswear styles. Riding jackets are often tailored with single vent backs, in longer lengths, sometimes longer lapels, and 3 or 4 button fronts. They come in solids, plaids, tweeds, heathers, houndstooth, and other color and pattern details that set them apart from standard issue hunt coats. Ironically, many of these are made by centuries-old - even famous - fashion houses in England and Europe, who happen to know a thing or two about "proper" English attire. In the stock breed hunt seat ring in America? Nope, not proper. Freedom fries!

Equetech Marlow Deluxe Tweed Riding Jacket offers the cut of a hunt coat with more pattern and color.

Hacking Jacket

See Riding Jackets, above. Often shorter lengths, closer to a hunt coat. May have double or single vent back, 3 buttons or 4.

Frock Coats

Wildly popular in Victorian and Edwardian fashion, frock coats were often worn as riding and foxhunting jackets back in the day. While still seen foxhunting, today they're more often associated as dressage or "Olympic" jackets here in the States. With new rules in dressage competition, the basic black or dark blue frock coat has been reinterpreted in a myriad of colors, cut, and detailing, including luxury accent fabrics and even rhinestones. While a solid color, 3 button, shorter length frock coat might squeak by in hunter under saddle classes, it may not be considered traditional in the eye of some judges. History says otherwise, but history isn't deciding who gets the ribbons.

(Left) Equetech Ladies Keeper Frock Riding Coat, 3 button style with double vent back (discontinued). (Right) Vintage Jean Hardy English Riding Jacket / Olympic Frock Coat pattern; 4 buttons, single vent style, darts in front and princess seams in back.

Wear It Well

Whether you play it safe with a black or navy hunt coat or get a little more adventurous, make sure your jacket fits properly. Have friends snap photos from front, back, and side when you're in the saddle to determine any problem fitting areas. If need be, take it to a tailor to get the look of custom for a fraction of the price. If you're shopping second hand, especially with growing children, remember buttons can be updated and velvet added to collars relatively easily. With a good, basic jacket that fits well you can still look every inch the part until you're able to upgrade or step up to custom made.

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Sew Your Own Custom Hunt Jacket: Pre-Planning

June 01, 2018

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Sewing Patterns

I've been sewing and altering my clothes for decades, but I don't consider myself any kind of tailor. Sure, I know my way around a sewing machine, but as far as couture techniques, draping and grading, no. In fact, I don't even like zippers.

I hate hand sewing, welt pockets, linings, and making buttonholes. Can I do those things? Certainly, and I have, but I don't like doing them. I'm more of what one would call a quick 'n' dirty sewer. If there's a hack or shortcut, I'm on it.

The reason I made so many of my own show clothes is because I am hard to fit, and in the horse world I'm comparatively poor. Even when I'm not-so-poor, I'm still cheap because I'm wired to think like a thrifty person. Since I'm built for custom made and a creative sort, it just always seemed better to sew my own.

My fitting issues: Looooong back, short arms, busty, small waist, big booty, long thighs, short legs, tiny head, tiny feet. Fact is, I'm built like a dachshund. Or a T-Rex. Or something designed by committee.

She's smiling because she didn't have to bust out extra paper and a roll of Scotch tape to add 3" to her back waist length. She's also reading her pattern cover from 3 feet away without glasses. #NotRealLife

Off the rack jackets fit like a joke, no matter the price point. Tight through the back, tight in the bust, baggy at the waist, too long in the arms, and the waistline sits just above my last rib, acres above my real waist. Sure, I could alter something, but that involves picking out stitches and linings, and then there's usually a welt pocket parked right in the middle of a seam I need to reduce.

Reducing a seam that intersects a welt pocket? Nope. I'd rather put forks in my eyes.

I have three such jackets hanging in my closet, ranging from almost-fits to WTF was I thinking? They're waiting for complicated alterations I can't face beginning. Linings, welt pockets… ugh.

Honestly, it's easier to make my own. Obviously, not easier than handing someone a wad of cash for a custom, but easier than trying to make something work that doesn't work that I'm never really happy with.

I've been fancying the European competition jackets. I like the technical fabrics, the washability, the overall cut, and details like piping and velvet. What I don't like is the often haphazard topstitching over squidgy polyester, sometimes so crooked you'd swear it was sewn by Stevie Wonder. I dislike the gaping buttonholes and wobbly buttons. As even a half-assed seamstress, I notice those things and it really bothers me. Be damned if I'd pay for it, let alone the prices for brand name stuff made in China. In that respect, I'm very much a traditionalist. Besides, my elderly aunt would beat me senseless if I made something that sloppy. "It's just not done that way."

Narrowing down my pattern choices. Olympic style frock coat or mod a tailored jacket pattern, or something else entirely? Whatever pattern I choose, it will take plenty of pattern alterations to truly fit.

I've read endless discussions on forums about what's in and what's out in the HUS show ring, how judges "hate" this or that, and I've grown immune. I mean, if you're riding the A circuit on the east coast or qualifying for the AQHA World Show that might apply, but it really doesn't affect me either way. I show locally, I like what I like, try to kinda/sorta color between the lines, and that's as much worrying about offending anybody as I have energy for.

If my coat isn't melton-y enough, plain enough, black enough, navy enough, long enough, too short, has four buttons instead of three - is it really the end of the world? Am I really taking that much of a dump on tradition? Is it such an affront to the senses I should be flogged, disqualified, lead my horse out in shame?

I could go the safe route, and create a navy or black jacket that would never offend anyone. I could even push the boundaries with dark brown or green; three button front, double vent back, and call it good.

(Left) Traditional bottle green jacket by Moore's Riding Wear, New Zealand. (Center) R.J. Classics very safe, very conservative, very traditional show coat in navy. You can't go wrong at any show, any level, with a tailored navy show coat in your closet. (Right) Tone-on-tone black plaid is still far from rebellious, though not as conservative as solid black. Images: Pinterest.

Frankly, if I'm going to make something, I'd like it to be just a little more exciting. A little color, a little texture, something not so dry white-toasty.

(Left) Winning Couture brown check plaid with white piping and perfectly paired custom shirt might not be considered conservative or necessarily traditional in some circles. Personally, I think it's classy and beautiful. (Center) The Arabian crowd constantly pushes the envelope in hunt seat show attire with fabulous, fashionable turnouts. This yummy, plummy brown and tan check with coordinating custom shirt by Show Season is still quiet and elegant, but perhaps not traditional in the purest sense. (Right) Peach piping adds a fun twist on traditional dark gray pinstripe from Winning Couture. This is just a tiny bump beyond conservative, and could easily dress up or down depending on which shirt is worn underneath. Images: Pinterest.

Once I have the fabric, color and pattern figured out, there's the question of how many buttons. Generally, in stock type Hunter Under Saddle you're only going to see 3 button fronts. In America, 3 button fronts are typically associated with hunt seat and 4 button fronts with dressage jackets. Worldwide, that isn't the case, but here in the States that seems to be the unwritten rule. Who wrote the rule? Somebody with a button hangup. Somebody who chases "those young whippersnappers" off their lawn and counts people's buttons and hits children over the back of the hand with a ruler, that's who.

With my long torso, I can easily wear 4 buttons. Or a dozen. Also, 4 buttons help keep the girls in check without gaping between buttonholes. I'd like to avoid wardrobe malfunctions if at all possible.

OMG! A riding jacket with 4 buttons can't possibly be a hunt jacket, right? Call the button police! This beautiful jacket made by Moore's Riding Wear in New Zealand.

I love the cut of frock coats too, but here in the USA frock coats are generally dressage attire. Historically, frock coats weren't uncommon in the hunt field, but the stock breed show ring ain't the hunt field, no matter how traditional they pick-and-choose to be.

Will the "authentic" show coat please stand up? Three lovely variations of hunt-type jackets. Left: Equetech Marlow Deluxe Tweed Riding Jacket, specifically a "hacking" jacket cut on traditional lines with double back vents over honest-to-goodness canary breeches. Top right: Equetech Ladies Keeper Frock "Hunt" Coat with 3 button front and double vent back (discontinued). Bottom right: Ariat Bronte Show Coat in a very safe navy color with - gasp! - a 4 button front and the preferred double vent back.

We've evolved from tube radios, drive hybrid cars, have dishwashers, wear Spanx, have 24 hour mascara, use penicillin, inject Legend, love memory foam knee rolls… I think there's a little wiggle room, or should be, where tradition is concerned. I'm not saying let's turn stock breed HUS into Comic Con, but it's time to let go of some hangups.

I'm more concerned about sloppy equitation, to be honest. My own, in particular.

If I have a good trip in the show pen and feel like I looked good, that's what I'm in for. Just maybe, if I feel like I look good, I may ride better.

I think a new jacket that fits would make me feel better. I already know the ill-fitting stuff hanging in my closet makes me feel sad and guilty, and who needs that? Who needs to dedicate 10 linear inches of closet space to that kind of negativity?

I need some chocolate cake to ponder which pattern I should use, which color, how many buttons, and how far on the fringe is too far. What I know for sure is jackets that don't fit make me feel bad and chocolate cake makes me feel good.

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