The last thing you didn’t need to know was why do we leave the bottom button of our vest undone. This is another one of those things that everyone will have a different opinion about, but this is what we have always been taught.
If you are a lady, the spur strap bar on your spur should be round,
and if you’re a man yours should be rectangle/square.
.
We know it’s splitting hairs, but we just love these fun facts, it’s all in the details!
Thanks, Sissi! It looks like someone is ready for a Corinthian class in the “ladies spur” photo! Are those classes a thing anymore? All those beautiful hunt appointments…
Happy Snow Day!
Donna V.
Sissisays
Ha, ha, that’s my leg getting ready to go into an appointments class. They do still have Corinthian classes at some shows, but not ours….We LOVE all the appointments!
Will you participate in the Cheshire Point to Point again this year? I love your blog.
Sissisays
Hi, Ellie!
Thank you for following the Blog, it’s an awful lot of fun!! We wouldn’t miss Cheshire, who knows what will happen in the Hannum bathroom this year! As a matter of fact Chasing a Fox and Middy n’ Me are sponsoring the Sidesaddle race, and the best turned out prize again this year. I hear there is a tailgate contest at the race; I wish I could fit all my crap in my suitcases I love to rock a tailgate!!!!! Anyway, please find me at the race and say “Hello”! The countdown is on!!
XO
Susan Monticellisays
Thanks so much for this tidbit but it begs another question – it is my understanding that for foxhunting, hammerhead hunt spurs are the correct choice, not POW etc. However, have never seen hammerheads with a round end as you advise is correct for ladies. Any insights? Love all the details – everything has a reason.
Sissisays
Great question Susan! We did a little digging and it’s our understanding that it’s hammerhead for the gents and Prince of Wales for the ladies! We did find a ladies hammerhead made by Metalab, but we don’t like the big logo on the side. Have a great weekend!
“Be Scared and Do It Anyway” is about hunting, nerves, and wanting to go badly enough that you go—even while privately questioning your judgment. You don’t have to ride to know that feeling. Although horses do give you some excellent reasons. Come read it on Chasing a Fox on Substack. We can question our judgment together. Link in bio.
Before I had opinions about proper turnout, I apparently had these braids. This is me, about eight or nine, at my first Myopia Horse Show aboard Mrs. Saltonstall’s horse, Henrietta. Yes, I braided her myself. There is quite a lot happening along that neck, and I appear very pleased with all of it.
I rode at Pine Grove Stables with Patty Murray, and I would ride my bike from Beverly to Hamilton to muck stalls in exchange for lessons. I wanted to ride, and that was how I could do it.
Looking at this picture now, I can have a good laugh at the turnout, but I’m rather fond of that little girl. She was willing to pedal her way there and shovel whatever was necessary to get on a horse. The braiding needed supervision. The enthusiasm was taking care of itself. And look at the helmet not even an elastic strap holding it on!
Bobby Costello was riding with Patty then, too. He went on to the Olympics, which does make me wonder where my invitation went. Perhaps someone saw this photograph.
After recording the podcast about proper turnout, finding this feels like being confronted with evidence. Here I am, having developed rather firm opinions over the years, and Henrietta has been quietly holding on to my early work. Fair enough. We all started somewhere, and someone had to be patient while we learned. I was lucky to have people who gave me that chance and a horse generous enough to wear my handiwork in public.
Who remembers their first horse show. And, more importantly, is there photographic evidence?
Cold Sunday morning. Dog in my lap, absolutely nowhere to be—and yes, my pajamas are monogrammed. I know. I’m insufferable. But I’m also very comfortable.
There is nothing particularly practical about riding sidesaddle. The habit contains enough fabric to furnish a small drawing room, mounting requires a certain amount of planning, and once everything is finally arranged, one tries not to disturb it by doing anything rash. And yet, sitting there with Thomas beneath me, it all felt perfectly sensible. Tradition is rather good at making the impractical feel indispensable.
A handful of old toy horses, tiny riders and a pack of hounds have somehow become an entire world in the woods behind my house. I never quite know what Frank is going to get up to next.
🦊 Want to meet Frank? Tap my name above, then tap the link at the top of my page to read the story.
Thanks, Sissi! It looks like someone is ready for a Corinthian class in the “ladies spur” photo! Are those classes a thing anymore? All those beautiful hunt appointments…
Happy Snow Day!
Donna V.
Ha, ha, that’s my leg getting ready to go into an appointments class. They do still have Corinthian classes at some shows, but not ours….We LOVE all the appointments!
Will you participate in the Cheshire Point to Point again this year? I love your blog.
Hi, Ellie!
Thank you for following the Blog, it’s an awful lot of fun!! We wouldn’t miss Cheshire, who knows what will happen in the Hannum bathroom this year! As a matter of fact Chasing a Fox and Middy n’ Me are sponsoring the Sidesaddle race, and the best turned out prize again this year. I hear there is a tailgate contest at the race; I wish I could fit all my crap in my suitcases I love to rock a tailgate!!!!! Anyway, please find me at the race and say “Hello”! The countdown is on!!
XO
Thanks so much for this tidbit but it begs another question – it is my understanding that for foxhunting, hammerhead hunt spurs are the correct choice, not POW etc. However, have never seen hammerheads with a round end as you advise is correct for ladies. Any insights? Love all the details – everything has a reason.
Great question Susan! We did a little digging and it’s our understanding that it’s hammerhead for the gents and Prince of Wales for the ladies! We did find a ladies hammerhead made by Metalab, but we don’t like the big logo on the side. Have a great weekend!
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