SHOW RING APPOINTMENTS
The harness should be of black patent-leather with square wire buckles.
Crests, monograms, or initials should be small and inconspicuous: for a
single horse, placed on the standing martingale; for a pair, on the
breast plates.
Loin straps, which are part of the appointments of a victoria or other
trap driven by a servant, should not be used for ladies’ traps driven by
a lady. Pole chains with oval links are permissible or pole pieces, when
the owner drives; chains are never permissible on any trap driven by a
servant. The chains should fasten at the pole and no extra links should
be allowed to hang.
[Illustration: PERFECTLY APPOINTED LADY’S PAIR]
Phaetons for use in the country have been shown of late, built on the
lines of the George IV and finished in natural wood, and with them
russet harness instead of black patent-leather is very smart, and, if
the trap is a light one, Dutch collars may be used instead of Kay
collars. All formal ladies’ traps finished in dark colors should also be
lined with the owner’s colors, either black, dark blue, dark green, or
maroon, and the servants’ liveries should match the lining. Country
traps of a light color should be lined in light colors, and it looks
smarter for the lining to match the country livery, although gray
liveries may be worn with any light lining. Ladies’ traps may also be
lined in leather instead of cloth and in the same colors, and it is most
important that the trimming of the lining should be strictly in keeping
and very plain. The driving cushion should always be covered with the
same material as the lining. The mat in the bottom of the trap should,
of course, match the lining.
[Illustration: LADY’S SINGLE BASKET PHAETON]
The running gear of all ladies’ traps should be finished in dark colors
with inconspicuous striping, and the striping should be in keeping with
the lining; that is, if the lining is other than black, the striping
should be of the same color. All light colors for the striping, such as
primrose, light red, and light green, should be confined to sporting
traps and runabouts; light hues do not seem appropriate to formal
ladies’ traps.
[Illustration: WESTERN STYLE OF GIG HORSE]
With all formal ladies’ traps, plain square lamps are more appropriate,
and round lamps belong rather with sporting vehicles. Illustrations of
a number of smartly appointed ladies’ traps will be found on page 209.
The owner’s rain coat and storm gloves should be carried folded in the
hood. The rubbers, comprising the rubber apron and groom’s rain coat and
cover for his hat, should be folded and placed under the seat of the
rumble.