What to Wear in an Evening Performance

As Championship time looms ever closer I am often asked “ …… and what is meant by evening wear?”. As “images always speak a 1000 words” [or so I am told] I thought I would put together a collection of photographs that would help answer this question.

Ridden

Evening turnout for ridden classes is quite simple. The women would wear navy jackets even when they would traditional wear tweeds during the day, and the navy jacket would be accompanied by a stock and top hat. However you must always remember that wearing a top hat is contravening the hat standards laid down by most insurance companies and show secretary’s and you will need to sign a disclaimer to wear one, or you will invalidate the show’s insurance policy. Children under 16 MUST wear a three point hat connector.

The men would similarly wear long black jacket, teamed with black trousers or they would wear full hunting regalia, as seen on the left.

IN HAND

The men are easy – they would be expected to wear a black suit with a bow tie.

… but for the women? This is your opportunity to shine ladies, as there is no hard and fast rule about what you should be wearing! Over the years I have seen some gorgeous outfits, but I think we need to consider that you will be showing a horse or pony and that you need to be safe and comfortable whilst doing that task. With that in mind trousers are by far the safest teamed with safe flat shoes, but you can shine out in the line up by teaming with a sequined top, waistcoat or jacket.
My image searches on the Internet were easy for the above descriptions until I came to trying to find a picture of a lady showing an in hand equine dressed in evening turnout. So, at great hardship to myself, I had to seek out fashion sites that produced such items. Here are just some of the variety that are out there and my tip is to try stores like Debenhams and John Lewis – large department stores – or some of the Indian Internet sites.

AND FINALLY – Lead Rein
There are some truly lovely turnouts for evening wear for lead rein handlers and riders but, whatever you choose to wear, the outfits must complement each other just as they would in the daytime. Navy turnouts with both wearing stocks and the handler wearing a top hat won us a first at PUK champs in the Concourse Class one year, but here is a picture of my two year old grandchild and her mum at Royal London last year. Her rosette was for being the cutest …… and she was, but then I am totally biased!
Medwin Broad