Brenda Simmons, ex-MFH, at Glenmore Hunt Opening Meet, 2014Brenda Simmons is an ex-Master of the Glenmore Hunt (VA). While an active Master, Brenda, who also whipped-in at the time, wore a scarlet coat.
Brenda asks, “Being an ex-MFH, is it still correct to wear my scarlet coat even though I am a lady?”
When visiting other hunts for joint meets, Brenda tells us that she wears a black hunt coat with Glenmore buttons, colors on the collar, and black boots with patent leather tops, even though Glenmore members may have been invited to wear their colors. When capping at other hunts—no joint meet—Brenda wears a plain black hunt coat, no colors, and plain black boots.
At Glenmore, however, she continues to wear her scarlet coat and wonders if she is correct in doing so. We asked two members of our Panel of Experts for their opinions, and your editor weighs in as well!
Jerry Miller, MFH, Iroquois Hunt (KY)
Jerry Miller has served as MFH of the Iroquois for more than twenty years and has hunted the Iroquois hounds for the better part of that period. He believes that Brenda is correct in her choice and distinctions of attire.
Jerry writes, “A former Master, man or woman, should continue to wear their red coat at their own hunt, but should not wear it when riding as a guest of another hunt.”
C. Martin Wood, MFH, Live Oak Hounds (FL)
Marty Wood and his wife Daphne established the Live Oak Hounds in 1974 and have been Masters since that time. Marty hunted the Live Oak hounds for many years.
Marty writes, “A person designated as a member of the hunt staff would wear the designated uniform of their hunt while on duty with their hunt. If that person goes visiting to another pack of hounds, he/she should obtain permission from the other pack’s master before wearing the colors of their home hunt. This permission is rarely denied.
“To answer her primary question, a person awarded the colors of a certain hunt is always entitled to wear them when hunting with that pack of hounds. The issue of wearing scarlet or black once she has stepped down from her position as MFH or whipper-in will depend upon the custom of that hunt. My own position would be that she wear black or navy blue with the colors and buttons of that hunt. Since she is an ex-master, she would probably have four buttons on her coat and, in the name of saving a lot of money in terms of refitting a completely new outfit, that would be acceptable.
“Once upon a time, these dress standards were much more rigidly adhered to than today. I remember well visiting in England and wearing my black visiting coat with the proper five bone buttons (master and huntsman) and everyone asking about my pack and hunting career. It also gave me great pleasure to sort of blend into the riding field.
“I recommend that the hunt establish a policy to be adhered to in the future. This is a question that should be left up to the individual hunt.”
Your Editor
Traditionally, all hunts are free to establish their own hunt livery and customs, which often develop out of that hunt’s unique culture. As Marty Wood says, the customs of each hunt will apply to questions of attire in that hunting field. Beyond one’s own hunt, the universally accepted guidelines to correct attire allow foxhunters to confidently visit other hunts in other hunting countries without offense to the customs of those hunts.
As to Brenda’s quandry, if there is no precedent at Glenmore that addresses her question, and if lady Masters have worn scarlet because they are Masters, then, as Jerry says, she would be perfectly correct in continuing to wear scarlet. The prestige and respect afforded by her former office—even the title, ex-MFH—will continue. However, if her scarlet coat was worn because she was a whipper-in, then, having retired from that job, in my opinion the scarlet coat may no longer be appropriate.
There’s another wrinkle to this question of which neither Jerry nor Marty were aware: Brenda leads the second or third field at Glenmore. If the Glenmore Hunt were to decide that Field Masters, gender notwithstanding, are entitled to wear scarlet coats, that would be another reason for Brenda to do so.
Thank you, Brenda Simmons, for posing an interesting and nuanced question for our experts. Questions of attire have always held a special fascination for foxhunters!
Posted December 5, 2015