SPRING ROADING, WHAT DO YOU WEAR?

The beautiful Gems McCormick showing us how to wear ratcatcher.

{Photo courtesy of Nico Morgan Photography, all rights reserved}

Our season started yesterday; spring roading is upon us.  Time to polish our boots and brush off our coats, cause the season is about to begin.

Spring Roading is one of many seasons that we go out Hunting.   It is typically a slower pace as this is a period when horses, hounds and riders are being conditioned.  With all that said, what are we supposed to wear?  First, let me say, if you’re new to Hunting, come out with any turnout that is neat and tidy, we’ll convert you to the dark side later.

The attire for Spring Roading is referred to as ‘Ratcatcher’ (we’ll get into where the name came from on another day).  So the most important piece in this “Kit” (we call our hunting outfits kits) is a tweed coat.  Remember, it takes years to build a great kit, so do the best you can with what you have.  Email us if you have any questions!

RATCATCHER HUNT KIT

1. Tweed Coat, muted wool, single or double vent, with three buttons.
2.  A collared shirt with a man’s tie or a hunting shirt (show shirt) with a tattersall stock tie.
3. Breeches, buff, tan or rust.
4. String gloves or light tan, never white.
5. Boots, brown or Newmarket field boots if you’ve got them.  Black field boots are fine too.
6. Helmet, black or brown, ribbons up please, we are not staff.

Hope this little refresher helps as we all get ready for Hunt season.

As everyone is getting ready to go, I have a new challenge on my hands.  I haven’t sat on a horse since my accident in November.  My back is “healed” as much as it’s going to be and it’s time to put on my big girl pants and get back in the saddle as they say.

Shortly after my accident, I decided I probably needed a slower horse or large pony.  Lucky for me one of my good friends, who just happens to be one of our joint Master’s offered my one of her horses, which honestly I have been coveting for years!!!!  He is an imported Irish Sport Horse like Sage, but he’s a bit on the big side. I’m confident his wonderful mind, age, and good manners will make up for his size.  Here is a picture of them a few years ago in Aiken.  I am standing next to Sage, and Big Chief is looking at the camera.  I will be sure to Blog about my experience getting back on.  Chief is leaving Aiken next Friday and will get to me sometime on Saturday.

I just love these Irish Boys; they melt my heart!!  Wish me luck!