English Attire – Hunter Under Saddle vs Equitation

by Tammy Schuster

Over the past two years, we have seen many trends regarding English show shirts. Tradition has always been the acceptable way to go in the quarter horse show ring and it’s really a matter of personal preference as to how traditional or non-traditional you would like to be in an HUS class.  Many professionals, youth and amateurs are kicking it up a notch and wearing fun, colorful prints and chokers under their hunt coats.  We are seeing custom shirts made in wonderful paisleys, stripes and prints of many types. These shirts give that extra “pop” under the hunt coats and certainly dress up the look.

Boring is certainly still not an option.  This year at the Congress, several of your Top 10s in many different HUS classes, futurities and maturities were sporting the new looks and loving them. However, in the equitation and over fences classes, the appropriate look still includes pale, plain colors and traditional collars, and, of course, white shirts are so smart for the equitation classes.  The most popular hunt coats are still dark shades of navy, black, grey and chocolates. A very smart, clean look is still always the way to go in the show ring.  You will never go wrong with tradition but adding a great shirt is a really nice opportunity to change it up.

All our best this month at your upcoming shows and remember, that first look from the judge as you enter the ring is the most important and leaves a lasting impression, so catch that judge’s eye the first time!