ATTIRE
Out of the respect of our Amish neighbors, we ask all of our riders to dress conservatively.
Hound exercising and early cubbing during the month of July is casual. Riders should wear boots, rust or tan breeches, and polo shirt as well as an appropriate riding helmet.
Cubbing season (August – October) During cubbing months all members wear yellow Andrews Bridge shirts (short sleeve or long) available through the Honorary Secretary; necktie; rust, buff or tan breeches; and black or brown boots. Chaps are not correct attire. Andrews Bridge is traditionally known for rust colored breeches during cubbing as well as formal season.
Ratcatcher - Hacking jackets when worn should be earthtone color, very subtle plaids, checks, herringbone or houndstooth patterns. Ties, or colored or patterned stock ties are permissible. Black or brown boots.
Regular hunt style helmets MUST be worn. ASTM headgear is highly encouraged.
Formal Season (November – March) The Opening Meet of the formal season is the first Saturday in November. Formal attire is worn from Opening Day until the end of the season.
Gentleman Members without colors – Plain black hunting jacket/frock coat, with 3 black buttons; white stock tie; canary or tattersall waistcoat; rust, buff or tan breeches; and black boots.
Lady Members without colors – Plain black hunting jacket/frock coat or navy jacket with 3 plain buttons; white stock tie; canary or tattersall waistcoat; rust, buff or tan breeches; and black boots.
Gentleman Members with colors – Approved dark green hunting coat with ‘white’ collar and 3 silver buttons with MJH emblem; white stock tie; canary or tattersall waistcoat; rust, buff or tan breeches; and black boots with tops.
Lady Member with colors – Approved dark green hunting coat with ‘white’ collar and 3 silver buttons with MJH emblem; white stock tie; canary or tattersall waistcoat; rust, buff or tan breeches; and black boots.
To all Ladies – In the words of Wm. Wadsworth, MFH, from Riding To Hounds In America, “ Your locks may be your crowning glory at other times, but nothing looks worse on a woman in the hunting field than loose flowing tresses”. In other words, wear a hair net, and tuck it into your helmet if possible.
Stock ties should be neatly tied and ends should be safety pinned down to the shirt and low enough to be hidden by your vest and coat. Stock tie pins should be plain, usually gold colored and pinned horizontally directly under the knot. (Pins are worn vertically by staff only.) White stock ties should always be worn on Saturdays, Joint Meets and more formal days such as Opening Meet and New Years Day. Although white stocks are always correct, subtle plaid stocks may be worn during the week. (Riding To Hounds In America has an excellent diagram showing how to properly tie a stock.)
Hunt Colors – If you have been awarded colors from another hunt, it is not appropriate to wear those colors if you subscribe with Andrews Bridge. You should not wear your Andrews Bridge colors when hunting with another hunt unless you have been invited by their Master to do so. It is appropriate to wear the Andrews Bridge colors if we have an away Joint Meet.
Joint Meets and formal Hunt Teas - Following hunting, it is proper to wear a hacking jacket when attending a Hunt Tea/Breakfast. Spurs should be removed and boots should be clean.
The rules of etiquette associated with foxhunting can seem a bit overwhelming but they are for safety reasons, courtesy to others, and to preserve wonderful historic hunting traditions. We hope this answers any question you may have. Above all, have fun.