Turnout guidelines
Official Turnout Attire
Guidelines for Turnout Classes
Before discussing ‘what is correct’ for turnout classes, it must be stressed that, while there are many hard and fast rules, there are still some contentious issues and points where it is simply a matter of personal opinion as to what is correct. The criteria stated below is aimed at top class competition (i.e. Perth Royal Show, Horse of the Year) and therefore judges officiating where the standard falls short of this level, must decide for themselves the ‘lesser of the evils’ and decide which faults they will take into consideration over others.
Costume: Formal Black bowler worn level on the head with lanyard, which is attached to the brim, centre back and anchored to a loop inside of the riding coat. Hairnet encasing the hair that is not short enough to sit flat is worn in a neat bun, French roll or drawn up under the bowler.
White cotton, collarless shirt with double cuffs and either no sleeve visible beyond the coat cuff, or 1/4” or approx 1/2 cm visible. Plain gold cuff links with a chain.
Well starched stock, correctly tied with the final crossed-over pieces passing right over left for lady’s, left over right for gentlemen. The stock is attached to the front of the shirt top-most button by the buttonhole provided in the stock and to the shirt again at the back to either a button or stud by the loop provided on the stock. Plain gold straight bar stock pin, which sits horizontally across the final folds of the stock and anchors the stock to the shirt. Small gold safety pins concealed underneath should attach the stock tails to the shirt.
Waistcoat of toning check or plain colour (e.g. colour of breeches). About 1/2” or approx 1 cm of the waistcoat should show underneath the riding coat collar at the lapel. All buttons except those below the waist (if any) should be done up. Hand picked if possible.
Riding coat, wool or wool blend, black, dark grey or dark navy is acceptable in WA. Single vent at the back. Buttonhole in right lapel for lady’s and left for gentlemen. Definitely no brightly coloured lining. Correct length—the coat should rest in the palm of the hand if the arms are stretched downwards and the fingers curled towards the thigh. All buttons done up unless they are below the waist.
Breeches of beige or yellow wool or wool blend, hand picked with cream or beige suede strapping.
Well fitting black leather top boots with a bootstrap at the top, which passes through the second and third buttons of the breeches. The buckle of this strap sits slightly to the outside in line with the buckle of the spur strap. The shape of this buckle should match that of the spur strap buckle. (i.e. square or oval— not one of each). The bootstraps should be of kid leather, lined and double
stitched. No excess length through the keeper. The soles should be slightly roughened.
Spurs should be plain dummy type, which must fit firm on the boot and level with the heel seam of the foot. Like the bootstraps, spur straps should be double stitched and the buckle should sit slightly to the outside of the instep. They should be measured to the correct length so there is no excess length of strap.
Gloves should be stringed backed with leather palms, if possible matching the breeches. The gloves should be secured at the wrist with a button.
Hacking cane should match the saddlery and be of plaited or plain leather.
Lapel flowers are worn only in memorial classes, in which case they should be small, white with no greenery attached and worn in the right lapel for ladies.
No earrings or other jewellery.
JUNIORS
Juniors Approved safety helmet, which must fit correctly. The hairnet and hair as for lady’s.
Cotton shirt, white or pale cream, with double cuffs and either no sleeve visible beyond the coat cuff, or 1/4” or approx 1/2 cm visible. Plain gold cuff links with a chain.
A plain tie should tone with the riding coat and a plain tie bar anchoring the tie to the shirt should be worn.
Short boots (preferably kid leather), dark brown in colour with slightly roughened soles.
Riding coat—wool or wool blend, tasteful, quiet tweed or plain colour (not black or too dark) with unobtrusive lining.
Waistcoat as for lady’s.
Other specifications as for lady’s.
Jodhpurs of beige or yellow, preferable with hand picking. Self-strapping on knees with cuffs and small concealed zips which should be inside of the ankle.
Spurs—plain dummy which sit firm on the boot and are worn level with the lowest part of the elastic inset of the boot. Spur straps, double stitched kid leather to match the boots in colour and the buckle sits slightly to the outside of the instep. No excess spur strap.
Gloves and hacking cane as for lady’s.
Smartest on Parade: All competitors are required to walk, trot and canter around the ring. The judge selects the finalists off the ring.
The finalists will then be closely inspected for cleanliness and fit and quality of gear, conformation and soundness of horse, presentation and rider costume.
A workout to further ascertain rider ability, general appearance and manners and paces of horse will determine places.
Rider does not have to dismount.
Rider’s attire may be formal or semi formal.
Saddlery: (Same for all Turnout Classes) Brown gear is correct and desirable, but black may be used. Correct fit and condition of gear is a paramount priority. Leather must be top quality, worn in, soft, flexible and serviceable. All gear must be spotlessly clean and stitching “picked out”. Well fitting used gear should always mark better than new gear.
Saddle: Dressage type saddle with three short girth straps to accommodate a leather Fitzwilliam girth with three buckles. It is desirable to have studs and dees covered with leather.
A numnah of natural sheepskin should be the colour of the saddle. A numnah need not be used.
Double Bridle: Buckles of cheek pieces, throat lash, bradoon strap and noseband to be approximately level with the horse’s eye. Both reins to have buckles. Bits—shiny and spotless. It is preferable and correct to have a flat browband and noseband. The curb chain should sit neatly into the chin groove with minimum number of spare links and to include a matching leather chain guard and lip strap.
Points System: Conformation and Soundness 40 Manners and Paces 40 Riding Ability 40 Saddlery 30 Costume 30 Presentation 30 General Appearance 20 Total: 230