Dress Code - What to wear and when...

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WHAT TO WEAR AT RALLIES – FULL DAY

There will always be a tack and turnout inspection at full day rallies. Your instructor will check your tack and give you turnout marks which will be added up throughout the year with a cup being awarded to the rider with the most marks.

You will need:

  • Hard hat – with a pony club hat tag (see the DC if you haven’t yet had yours tagged or if you have bought a new on). Hats must be worn at all times when mounted – and fastened! With plain hat cover (black or navy).
  • Shirt & tie or stock (preferably long sleeved)
  • Jacket (either hacking jacket or plain navy or black jacket) – with pony club badge and correct felt indicating your test passed worn on the left lapel.
  • Jodhpurs or breeches – plain and preferably fawn/beige
  • Jodhpur boots with plain black or brown chaps or gaiters or long riding boots
  • Gloves
  • Hair – should be tidy.  Girls should securely tie their hair back and wear a Hair Net
  • Optional – body protectors if desired (compulsory for cross country)
  • Optional – Whip may be carried. Spurs may only be worn at the discretion of the DC.

NOTE: If the weather is wet or cold, extra clothes, warm waterproof coats or similar may also be worn – but no hoods please.

Horse/Pony will need:

  • Grooming – Your pony must be clean and well groomed, preferably plaited and your tack must be clean and well fitted.
  • Tack should also be plain and free from any ‘bling’ – your pony probably looks much better without it!
  • Your numnah should be plain and have no logos or braiding on it.

NOTE: If you are hacking to a Rally please ensure you & your pony are wearing bright hi-visibility clothing/equipment!

What not to wear . . . wellies/muckers/trainers or jeans and hoodies. Nor should you wear sleeveless shirts or ANY Jewellery (except a watch) or even nail varnish. This is for your own safety. Your horse or pony should never wear badly fitting tack.

Please speak to the DC or chief instructor about anything you are not sure about.

WHAT TO WEAR AT CROSS COUNTRY RALLIES

  • You will need to wear hat (must not have a fixed peak), gloves, boots etc as above PLUS your pony club sweat shirt, body protector and medical armband.
  • Your Horse/Pony wont need to be plaited but will need to be clean. As will your tack.

WHAT TO WEAR FOR, HALF DAY RALLIES, TEAM TRAINING AND GAMES/FUN DAYS

You should always wear:

  • Hard Hat – see above
  • Boots – see above
  • Gloves
  • Plain jodhpurs or breeches
  • Hair – as above
  • Pony Club Sweatshirt or Polo Shirt.  Hoodies are not allowed for any ridden activities under any circumstances. Long sleeves are compulsory for ALL jumping – without exception.
  • Your Horse/Pony should be clean but plaiting is not required. Your tack must be clean and well fitting.

WHAT TO WEAR FOR PONY CLUB TESTS

For all tests, you must pay a great deal of attention to your turnout – first impressions do count! Both you and your pony should be turned out to the highest standards as you would for a full day rally.

If you are participating in any Road Rider sessions, please ensure you and your pony wear all your hi-visibility equipment and clothing.

WHAT TO WEAR AT AREA TEAM COMPETITIONS

YOU MUST consult the Rule Book for the discipline in which you are competing. You can download the rule book from the Pony Club website.

As a general rule the following will apply:

  • Horses and ponies must be fully plaited, polished and sparkling clean!
  • Riders – please consult with the other members of your team whether you would prefer to wear plain or hacking jackets (that will depend on what you all have available).
  • Plain white numnah/saddle cloth – strictly no trimmings
  • Make sure your hat is tagged.
  • Clean and well fitting PLAIN tack – please check the rule book for relevant discipline.  NO bling, coloured or metal clenched browbands or coloured brushing boots etc.
  • As a general rule in Dressage please remember it is snaffle bits only and no martingales.
  • With the Cross Country element please remember no fixed peak hats are allowed and you must wear ‘up to current standard’ body protectors.
  • Please take your horses passport to all Area Competitions showing up to date inoculations.