Show-Hair Help

[equito]

Wondering if anyone could give me a few suggestions as to what to do with long, thick hair at shows... What is acceptable as far as hair style goes at hunter shows (and, though this is the hunter forum, dressage shows too)?
I have issues getting my thick hair to fit in my helmet, so I generally put it in a bun so it just barely sticks out. However, I have only done open 4H shows so far, and I'm not sure if this is acceptable for more serious competition... And even if it is, even my buns are not-so-perfect. :cry:
Any tips on how other hunt seat (or dressage) riders manage their hair at shows would be much appreciated! :D

[IsolaBella09]

Hunter Hair:

1. Part hair in middle. Brush on both sides.
2. Take hairnet #1 and place over hair, placing hair over ears.
3. Secure with ponytail.
4. Flip ponytail up and over your head, twisting to create a "union" of hair rather than hair all over the place. ;)
5. Take hairnet #2 and put on from back to front.
6. Put on helmet, back to front.

[Twisting]

A tidy bun at the base of the neck is just fine. Try using a thin hairnet over the bun to keep any loose ends from sticking out.

[HunterRider992]

I would recomend hunter hair in some form, either through IsolaBella09's method or another. I would highly recomend that you do not continue with the bun.

[Fashion Police]

A tidy bun at the base of the neck is just fine.

at a dressage show or a rural midwestern library circa 1950, maybe. At a hunter/jumper show - no. it is not.

Try IsolaBella's suggestion - keeping in mind that at step 1, you don't need a center part but it can make it easier, and at step 3, you are gathering any extra "loose" part of the hairnet into the ponytail, don't worry about the edges showing, they'll tuck into your helmet with the rest of the ponytail.

secret of the stars: not everybody uses a second hairnet.

[Twisting]

no. it is not.

You really honestly think judges care about your hair beyond neat and tidy, you think they have the time/energy to care? I've won championships at AA shows with my hair in a tidy bun at the base of my neck. Judges. do. not. care. To hell with everyone else.

[Fashion Police]

You really honestly think judges care about your hair beyond neat and tidy, you think they have the time/energy to care? I've won championships at AA shows with my hair in a tidy bun at the base of my neck. Judges. do. not. care. To hell with everyone else.

well aren't you defensive!

I didn't say judges care. I said it wasn't "just fine". And it's not. It's inappropriate, just like white shoes after labor day.

And to be honest, I doubt your assertions. If they're true, I would assume it is because the ONE other person in your division wore dredlocks under their pink Troxel and braided their pinto arabian mare in a running braid. And didn't get their lead changes. Or distances.

[Ghazzu]

Pay no attention to those who will tell you that, while it is perfectly acceptable to wear pantyhose on your head if your hair is short, that, if you have long hair, you must cut it before putting it in a bun.

They're deranged.

They will invoke "traditional".
Traditional is a bun, a silk hat, a veil, and sidesaddle.

Neat and workmanlike is what counts.

[Lucassb]

Any tips on how other hunt seat (or dressage) riders manage their hair at shows would be much appreciated! :D

Isolabella has described how most hunter riders manage their hair.

Those of us with thick/long hair tend to learn how to "fan" the hair in our ponytails out to avoid a big lump of hair under the helmet. That allows your helmet to fit normally/properly without shifting on your head - the layer of hair that is on top of your head is quite thin if you fan it out, so your helmet will fit properly and not shift around or create any uncomfortable pressure points.

I have very thick hair that is well below shoulder length, but have no trouble fitting it comfortably under my helmet by using that method. I do put an extra hairnet over the whole thing for neatness and to contain any wispies that might threaten to escape.

[Parysa]

To get those insanely tidy doughnut buns you see, there's a trick. I was an Army wife for five years and I finally got one of my ex-husband's female platoon-mates to show me how she got such a perfect bun all the time.

Take a long, thick men's sock (new, preferably) and cut the foot part off of it, then roll it into a doughnut shape.
Put your hair into a ponytail at the base of your neck.
Slide the sock over the ponytail until it's tight up against the base of the ponytail.
Split your ponytail into two sections and fold it out from the center over the sock so that it completely covers it and the hair is pointing at your head.
Take another band and put it around and over the hair and sock so that it is laying over the first hairband and use your fingers to push it toward the center or double it up (if you have thick hair, you probably won't be able to double it unless it's a large hairband).
You'll now have a nice, tight bun with hair sticking out in all directions behind it.
Take the excess hair and, twisting as you go around, lay it between the bun and your hair over the hairbands.
Either use a third hairband, a ribbon that matches your hair color (or doesn't if you want some color), or bobby pins to then secure the rest of the hair.
You'll now have a nice, neat bun at the base of your neck.

It's really a lot simpler than it sounds.

[IsolaBella09]

well aren't you defensive!

I didn't say judges care. I said it wasn't "just fine". And it's not. It's inappropriate, just like white shoes after labor day.

And to be honest, I doubt your assertions. If they're true, I would assume it is because the ONE other person in your division wore dredlocks under their pink Troxel and braided their pinto arabian mare in a running braid. And didn't get their lead changes. Or distances.

HAHAHA! This totally made my day.

[Pirateer]

I didn't say judges care. I said it wasn't "just fine". And it's not. It's inappropriate, just like white shoes after labor day.


Winter white baby!:winkgrin:

[Lieb Schon]

If you shower in the morning, super condition your hair, brush through wet, and braid from the nape down and band. At show time just pull up and use a flat barrett on top or for the hunter look, rewet hair and brush straight over ears, use pins to hold form, and rebraid tightly from nape. To keep tight and reduce amount of hair under helmet, twist braid to look like a knot at base, and barrett flat under helmet. Practice at home before show to ensure comfort. Also , consider thinning/haircut. :)

[kateh]

Just a quick tip in addition to the other advice-straightening your hair can make it a little thinner and may help it go up easier.

[avicia]

My daughter's just starting out, and in my own riding days I didn't show - so this whole hunter hair bewilders me since we'll have to face it one she's too old for braids. We're a family of very long hair...so with my daughter there's almost more hair than girl. It sure does seem to be a good solution for women with layered and shorter hair to imitate what women with traditional hair can do...make a neat bun just below the edge of most helmets (or hats.) We otherwise like a pretty traditional look so I'm embarrassed that I want to avoid the hunter hair thing.

How long has this hunter hair way been the standard? Some of the methods sound pretty interesting though...some hair/dance forums make little youtube videos with how to make certain braids and buns. Has anyone made one for the hunter hair? I'd like to see Lieb Schon's! (Hint?)

[bumknees]

What I normally do with my mid back leingth hair is put in a pony tail at the nape of my neck With the hair covering half my ears. then split the pony tail into 2 halves. Take the right half up the left side of your head then with those snap clips thingies clip to above the hair line. the with the left side up the right side of head and clip above the hair line. I will also take some bobbie pins and place them where ever hair appears not to be corporating. Usually one below and above the ears.
I take it up the oppsite sides of the head to cover the pony tail holder thing. I guess you could do it with out the pony tail but I am not that talented.

[HunterRider992]

My daughter's just starting out, and in my own riding days I didn't show - so this whole hunter hair bewilders me since we'll have to face it one she's too old for braids. We're a family of very long hair...so with my daughter there's almost more hair than girl. It sure does seem to be a good solution for women with layered and shorter hair to imitate what women with traditional hair can do...make a neat bun just below the edge of most helmets (or hats.) We otherwise like a pretty traditional look so I'm embarrassed that I want to avoid the hunter hair thing.

How long has this hunter hair way been the standard? Some of the methods sound pretty interesting though...some hair/dance forums make little youtube videos with how to make certain braids and buns. Has anyone made one for the hunter hair? I'd like to see Lieb Schon's! (Hint?)

My hair is mid back, and some of the thickest hair you've ever seen. It still fits perfectly in hunter hair. It's not as scary as it sounds, you just have to try out a bunch of ways at home and see what works for her, and I promise, something WILL work, and you CAN do hunter hair, even with ridiculously thick hair like mine :) (BTW, the most important part of hunter hair is that your hair must cover your ears, this actually helps for thick haired people)

[Pirateer]

My hair is pretty thick, but not outrageously so since I've had it razored for the past few years.
It has been every length from barely chin length and layered, to currently mid-back. (Obviously different helmets)

I ride in hunter hair, with hairnets, every ride. Practice at home, get the right tools. If you can't figure it out, as your trainer. If your trainer can't help, or is a man, then cut it.

[Madeline]

If you shower in the morning, super condition your hair, brush through wet, and braid from the nape down and band. At show time just pull up and use a flat barrett on top or for the hunter look, rewet hair and brush straight over ears, use pins to hold form, and rebraid tightly from nape. To keep tight and reduce amount of hair under helmet, twist braid to look like a knot at base, and barrett flat under helmet. Practice at home before show to ensure comfort. Also , consider thinning/haircut. :)

Barettes under the helmet are a really bad idea. If you hit your head, the barette will concentrate pressure on that part of your skull, as opposed to allowing the helmet to disburse the force over your whole head.
Plus , if you have room under your helmet for a braid and a barette your helmet does not fit. Period.

[chawley]

Isolabella has described how most hunter riders manage their hair.

Those of us with thick/long hair tend to learn how to "fan" the hair in our ponytails out to avoid a big lump of hair under the helmet. That allows your helmet to fit normally/properly without shifting on your head - the layer of hair that is on top of your head is quite thin if you fan it out, so your helmet will fit properly and not shift around or create any uncomfortable pressure points.

I have very thick hair that is well below shoulder length, but have no trouble fitting it comfortably under my helmet by using that method. I do put an extra hairnet over the whole thing for neatness and to contain any wispies that might threaten to escape.

I also have long, thick hair and never have trouble putting it up in this way.

[LeCorbusier]

If you are having trouble fitting your hair in your helmet, why not go to your stylist and have them thin it out? (Ask your stylist to "texturize" your hair... it involves scissors that looks like this: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=texturizing%20shears&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi ) My hair isn't too long, but is super thick, and I do this to keep things comfortable. You don't need to change the length or style of your hair at all, and it will be a lot thinner and easier to put up in traditional hunter hair.

Please consider this option before considering a bun (*shudder*). Think of all the other sacrifices you make to get to the show ring... heading to the salon is just one more.

[equito]

Wow! Thanks all... so much info! :winkgrin: I think I'm going to take an inch or two off (yeah, I know it doesn't sound like much, but whenever I take off even a half an inch, my hair feels super short so it should help at least a little) and try the hunter hair that IsolaBella09 and others recommended. Also, I'll definitely ditch the bun, except perhaps for dressage. Thanks again!

[BearWithMe]

My hair is mid back, and some of the thickest hair you've ever seen. It still fits perfectly in hunter hair. It's not as scary as it sounds, you just have to try out a bunch of ways at home and see what works for her, and I promise, something WILL work, and you CAN do hunter hair, even with ridiculously thick hair like mine :) (BTW, the most important part of hunter hair is that your hair must cover your ears, this actually helps for thick haired people)

:D
yep! my hair isnt super thick but it is longgggg. i ride with hunter hair everyday and its straightened most days which helps. but putting the ponytail in the loop of extra hair net is the best trick EVER. fan it out inside there and your hair will fit and it wont fall out all over the place.
and to the bun people: hunter hair has been the norm for at LEAST 4 years. do it. buns are not acceptable.

[danceronice]

Slighty OT but (as Clinton and Stacey of "What Not To Wear" will happily inform you) it is perfectly acceptable to wear white after Labor Day, as this is not the 1950s any more.

And hunter hair looks idiotic, whether it's in or not. The helmets already make you look like a mushroom. I cannot figure out why someone was dumb enough to exagerate it. But then I also am boggled by the sheer amount of debate over hunt-coat colors when I flip open the Dover catalog and see mostly minor variations on navy blue that are more or less indistinguishable.