The photo, taken on 17 March 1900, is of Second Lieutenant Francis Baring, 5th Baron Ashburton, in the undress uniform of the Hampshire Carabiniers. His uniform is the blue frock which is described in the 1900 Dress Regulations as being loose-fitting so that warm clothing could be worn underneath. The breeches have a double white stripe down the side. He has a folding blue and white side cap worn on the right side of the head. He has a gold laced pouch-belt on his left shoulder. His sword and sabretache are slung from a hidden waist-belt.
The fact that he is wearing a sword demonstrates the historical reason that horses are always mounted on the near side. The sword would get in the way if the rider mounted on the off side. The bridle has a white horsehair suspended at the throat, and a white head rope that is not plaited as was the custom a few years earlier.
