Anyone here hunt with SC & RMAS? First timer!

[Fly_By_Wire]

Hi

I've finally been persuaded by a friend who's hunted a couple of times before to go hunting with her (possibly the meet in Eversley next weekend), after meaning to go for ages. I can'r decide if I'm nervous or excited! Beware, many questions coming up!

My horse is usually very well behaved, by no means slow but he has good brakes. He can get excitable out hacking when we go for a good gallop, but I've been working a lot recently on cantering calmly behind another horse, and cantering slower than it is so watching it get further away from us without having a nervous breakdown (this is all in a snaffle). I'm going to wear a gag (normal xc bit) when I go, but what do I do if he get's excited and I begin to lose control? What's the ettiquette in this situation? Is it best to stay at the back of the pack? Should he wear a green ribbon?

I saw the article in H&H last week about standards out hunting. I'm 17 at the moment, should I offer to open gates? I can get on from the ground quite easily, and my horse is usually well behaved with gates so if I needed to I probably could do it without too much difficulty.

Sorry for the barrage of questions, I'm just trying to find out as much as possible before I go to try and stop myself from making any major mistakes!

Thanks =)

 

[j17bow]

I dont hunt with those hunts, but I am just replying anyway! I am 22 and also read the article, and I jump off and open gates if I am the youngest there, which is quite often during the week as less kids are out, so if i were you I would be prepared to jump off unless any other kids do before you. Try and anticipate this as you approach the gate, and trot ahead if needed to open gate.

Try and go with another horse/rider who is experienced, this will minimise the risk of you being left on your own and losing control of your horse. If it does happen and you really do lose control, I would take him home.

Have fun!

 

[winterhorses2]

Hi (waves) Huntsmans wife for the SC & RMAS here;

Hope you do join us on sunday. What do you ride? So i can look out for you.
As we are a Drag pack and have predetermined lines if you feel totally out of control, try and make it to the end of the line. Then when everyone else is pulled up; it will be easier for you to stop, but also gives you the option to continue or not.
Unless your horse kicks, i wouldn't say stay at the back. You will only end up stressing yourself and the horse by trying to keep to the back. You will find your own rhythm, but that also means don't try and be right up the fieldmasters bum lol.
There are no gates for you to worry about, so sit back and enjoy the ride. :grin:

 

[star]

i hunt with them - they're a really friendly bunch so you'll have a great time! No gates so relax about that. Main etiquette things are to not pass the master (or sit right up their bum!), dont wipe people out coming into jumps and try not to charge past them completely out of control. i went at the back for my first meet and it was hard work keeping him back but it prob was the best place for us on that very first time. i lost control completely on the last line and had to turn a big circle, face him away for a second to rest my arms and then we were off again. after that i experimented with where i put him and yesterday i put him 2nd right behind the master and he was fab - most people want to be at the front though so you have to fight a bit to get a good position up there! if your horse tries to bolt to the front, try anchoring a hand in the neck and using one rein or bridging the reins and sitting down so horse pulls against himself. dont just pull back or horse will set its jaw against you and go even faster. screamign past people (inc the master) yelling i'm out of control isn't quite the way to go! also, make sure you follow the line the master takes - there's a reason why they'll take a different line to perhaps the most obvious one inc holes, cattle grids, ditches, ravines etc depending on what ground you're hunting. only exception is if said master is heading towards crazily large hedge or ditch and you like to live!

have a look on www.digitalpicy.com for pics of the draghunt and the website www.sandhurstdraghunt.co.uk for more info.

most of all enjoy! I cant make it out this sunday as working which is gutting as think this sunday will be better than next and last!

 

[Fly_By_Wire]

Thank you!
Is there any chance that someone who's hunted a lot before could help me along the day a bit? (Even just for the first line until I get a feel for it, I realise a lot of people won't really want a beginner tagging along with them!)

My horse is a 15:3 light bay, usually looks a bit scruffy so I'll be up at silly times in the morning trying to get him looking respectable. He's got a shamrock clipped into his bum at the moment (a bit tacky I know lol!) so he should be fairly easy to pick out.

Here's a picture of him, (excuse my concentration face, I can never manage to organise my face as well as my body over a jump!)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14886562@N08/4148695218/

Thank you! =)

 

[star]

there's often a 2nd fieldmaster for newbies and also a few regulars who stick around near the back. dont be afraid to ask anyone for help. i had no idea on my first time but everyone was so helpful. the group wont really split up, so you just kind of go with the flow. do what everyone else does, dont jump anything you dont feel happy jumping (almost everything normally has a way round)

 

[Mike007]

We are a very friendly bunch so If you have any sort of a problem just ask. I shall be following on foot and will try to spot you. From your picture,you wont have any problem with the normal fences.If you dont like the look of a fence or feel the ground is too deep,just give it a miss.Its all about having fun ,not scaring yourself silly.

 

[winterhorses2]

Hi,
well i will be out, and if all goes to plan, on a horse too.
will look out for you and then try and introduce you to a few people.

 

[Fly_By_Wire]

Thank you so much everyone! I'm really looking forward to it now, can't wait! =D

 

[surreyhorsechick]

Fly_by_wire......we'll be hunting for the first time on Sunday at Eversley with you too so you won't be alone!!! Look out for a little chestnut and a skewbald cob!!!

Really lookig forward to it too

 

[Fly_By_Wire]

Hi again =)

Just wanted to say thanks to a fantastic drag pack! I had a brilliant time yesterday (and something tells me that Fly did as well!). Thanks to everyone who was there, everyone was really friendly and helpful (especially a certain foot follower in a scary yellow jacket who covinced fly that actually, he did want to jump the fence and not the big rail beside it! hehe). I think I may well be hooked now, I can't wait to go out again! :grins:

http://www.waynejonesphotography.com/photo4100401.html

http://www.waynejonesphotography.com/photo4100529.html

http://www.digitalpicy.co.uk/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewImage=126122

http://www.digitalpicy.co.uk/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewImage=125972

 

[winterhorses2]

The foot follower was MIKE007.
I was fox for the day in the end so was on the quad bike.
Hope we do see you out again .

 

[Mike007]

Yup twas me, I have this effect on horses :crazy: :crazy: Another convert, allin all a good day. So tell me N ,does being the fox make you a foxy lady??

 

[Gucci_b]

I saw the pic's on wayne's website you done very well are you coming out again!!!

 

[winterhorses2]

Well now Mike007, surely you should tell me if i'm a foxy lady lol

 

[Gucci_b]

Well now Mike007, surely you should tell me if i'm a foxy lady lol

LOL N.... we'll have to get you a tail next time !!!!

 

[Fly_By_Wire]

Yep, will definately be coming out again as soon as I can!

 

[simplyme]

Hey.... It looks like you've had an amazing time!! Your photos are amazing...

Do you (or anyone on this post!) know of anyone who can assist with a Hireling in the New Year for the SC&RMAS hunt? The horse that I ride has decided self mutilation is the way forward and has injured himself....

Thank you in advance for your help