hat help ???

[sarah21]

Hi, i need some help and advice with inhand showing. i have never really done showing properly, however i am going to be doing some this year.

I look after a 14hh skewbald gelding, 4yrs and will be looking to do some inhand classes with him. We will probably be looking to do coloured classes, under 14.2 showing and part bred welsh classes at local level. As for my outfit, i have most things, apart from a hat. My jacket is blue/grey tweed (i know that green or brown is preferable but i can't afford one ) so i am wondering what hat to wear and what colour. I only have a black riding hat, not velvet though do have a velvet hat cover, just for general riding, and i cant really afford to buy a new velvet show hat (being a skint graduate is not a good thing! lol)

Do you have to wear a 'riding' hat, or is there any other type of hat you can wear?

Sorry for the long post, any advice would be very much appreciated x

[Tywood]

It depends on how old you are?, if you are 16 or under you usually have to wear an approved riding hat, if you are older you can wear any suitable hat like a tweed cap or the Australian stock style ones. As you are only doing local shows your skull cap hat with a blue or black velvet cover would be fine, the main thing is to look smart and tidy, make sure your hair is neatly tied back if you have long hair and your tie done up to the collar of your shirt, have fun and smile

[sarah21]

thankyou im 22, so i may wear my hard hat for the first few times and see how we get on, and then maybe look to getting a tweed cap or something like that. i am so excited, lots of fun will be had

[madmum]

flat caps look smart as long as hair is neat and tidy underneath or some people wear a waxed or suede western type ( can't describe very well)! This could be what Tywood means and she has a better description. Go and see some old relative they'll have loads of flat caps to choose from for free! Or charity shops always have loads! Or just mug an old man in the street!