Ashford valley hunt

[[59668]]

Hi

Well, another year has passed and again I am thinking about going hunting for the first time.

I am in the tunbridge wells area, so think the AVH would be my local one.

I am a fairly nervous rider, but would love to take my boy out.

I would like to go to a quiet meet, maybe soon before the season starts.

I am worried that it would ruin my lad's calm behaviour though, and wind him up for days and then every time we go anywhere.

Can anyone help calm my nerves or suggest a local calm, quiet meet with either no jumps or a few small (2ft) options?

We compete every weekend and he is calm in warmups with 8 or more horses cantering around, we've done a sponsored ride and he is good to hack and canter in company of 4 other horses.

What do you think?

 

[Suziq77]

I'm near Tonbridge and I go out with the Old Surrey & Burstow West Kent. Today we went out near Tonbridge but last Saturday we were down in Sussex. T Wells is pretty much in the middle of the OSBWK country, whereas the AVH is further east, as you'd expect being towards Ashford (bordering the East Kent country). Look on google for maps showing how Kent, Sussex and Surrey are divided as regards hunt country.

Definitely try autumn hunting first. I went out this morning before work and it was very quiet, no more than 20 horses as the children are all back at school. Autumn hunting goes on until the end of October. There is almost always a way round the jumps, or you can wait in the field with access out - not everyone jumps!

Saturdays are much busier than mid week with a lot more foot followers, even before the Opening Meet.

If you give the Hunt Secretary a ring they will be able to talk you through it all. The OSBWK are very friendly, I've never been out with the AVH although I went to their ball last year which was a lot of fun.