Dress and Appointments
Hard hats must be worn while mounted at all hunt activities.
Colors and Buttons: The Hunt Colors and Buttons are worn only by invitation of a MFH; the French Blue collar piped in Old Gold by the gentlemen on the scarlet coat–and by the ladies and juniors on the black coat. Junior earned Colors are not transferable to senior status. Buttons earned are permanent.
Masters: Black hunting cap with ribbons down, square cornered 4 button scarlet frock coat, white shirt & stock tie, plain stock tie pin worn horizontal, canary or tattersall vest, white breeches, brown topped boots, traditional hunting whip, wire cutters, spurs of an English type, and gloves. Gentlemen may carry either a flask or sandwich case or a combination flask sandwich case.
Gentlemen Member: Black hunting cap with ribbons up, scarlet 3 button frock coat, white shirt & stock tie, plain stock tie pin worn horizontal, canary of tattersall vest, white breeches, brown topped boots, traditional hunting whip, wire cutters, spurs of an English type, and gloves. Gentlemen may carry either a flask or sandwich case or a combination flask sandwich case. When a gentlemen does not have his “colors”, he will substitute a black coat, tan breeches and black riding boots.
Lady Member: Black hunting cap with ribbons up, black or dark blue hunting coat with hunt colors, white shirt & stock tie, plain stock tie pin worn horizontal, canary or tattersall vest, buff, canary or tan (not white) breeches, black boots (for ladies with colors, black patent leather tops are optional), traditional hunting whip, wire cutters, spurs of an English type, and gloves. Ladies may carry either a flask or sandwich case or a combination. Hair should be neatly confined. Hair nets are advisable and correct. When a lady rider does not have her “colors” she will substitute a black coat without the blue & gold collar.
Juniors (under 18): Formal attire same as lady members. Safety headgear with chin harness properly fastened must be worn. Jodhpurs may be worn with appropriate shoes.
Informal Hunts: Autumn Hunting is Informal Hunting done before the actual season starts. This is an opportunity to continue training new hounds or get your mount in shape. Dress shall be ratcatcher,– tweed coats in muted colors with white shirt and neck tie or polo shirt. Turtleneck shirts are usually for very young children only. Ladies may wear a choke collar. Black hunting cap and breeches of earth tone colors–buff, tan, grey or rust may be worn. Field boots, black, brown or cordovan may be worn.
Extreme Weather: In extreme hot weather the tweed coat may be optional, and white “polo type” shirt may be worn with no tie. Cold weather gear may be worn when the temperature has fallen below freezing. Raincoats of muted colors may be allowed. Any decision about extreme weather gear is to be made by the Masters prior to the hunt.
English Horse Tack: Horses with be outfitted with brown or black tack of an English design in clean, safe riding condition. No colored browbands, polo wraps or tail wraps are permitted. Martingales, breastplates, and splint boots are permitted. Saddlepads shall be plain white, or white trimmed with the NHH colors.
Western Attire and Tack: Riders shall wear hard had, western boots, long sleeve light colored shirt, and black or tan pants. Western tie is optional. Weather permitting, a seasonal dark jacket. Horse will be outfitted with funcitonal outdoor tack in clean, safe riding condition.
Formal Evening Attire: Gentlemen with colors wear scarlet, full dress coat with blue facings, if convenient; or ribbon sash designating the colors of the North Hills Hunt with formal evening attire. Military dress is also acceptable. Gentlemen with out colors may also wear formal evening attire.