boxing day? does it tend to be a bit less scary

[Rhodders]

A friend of mine is desperate to go hunting, I've been as a child and once as an adult, my horse was a nutter, no brakes and a bit of a fruit loop for about 3 weeks afterwards.
I'm not really an adrenalin kind of rider as far as jumping goes but I love a good gallop as much as the next person, are boxing day hunts a bit tamer? I went on boxing day as a child and don't recall being scared or jumping anything.
I'd like to go with my friend because I know how much it means to her, she's been wanting to go for years but I don't want to have the life scared out of me really

 

[spacefaer]

Boxing Day would be a nightmare day to go for your friend's first time. Massive crowds, usually in a town centre or very high profile place, big turnout of mounted and foot followers. ....

If you want to go on a quiet day, with less adrenaline and limited fast work and little or no jumping, I'd go now - or at least in the next couple of months before Opening Meet. Autumn hunting is slower, quieter and designed to introduce young horses and hounds to hunting

I've been hunting all my life and have never gone out on Boxing Day!

 

[Rhodders]

ahh so my theory of more children being there, therefore more sedate bimble round the countryside was way off, thanks

 

[AdorableAlice]

ahh so my theory of more children being there, therefore more sedate bimble round the countryside was way off, thanks

There is only one place to be on Boxing Day, that is with a turkey sandwich and a good pickled onion on the sofa watching Kempton.

The all the gear and no idea's are out hunting on boxing day, normally ends in tears or A&E.

 

[Shay]

Boxing day is fantastic - but usually not for the inexperienced I'm afraid. There may well be kids out - my daughter always is - but they are experienced and usually more fearless than the adults! Most packs run a newcomers day - usually in autumn before the opening meet. Call the hunt secretary, explain what you need and they will help you. Newcomers days would be perfect - it is after all what they are designed for!

 

[Goldenstar]

Boxing Day hunting the second worse day of the year to be out .

 

[L&M]

Opening meet being the other?!!! I actually dread our childrens meet the most.....

 

[PorkChop]

Opening meet and Boxing Day meets are the two days that you should always be mounted on a seasoned hunter imho!

 

[Goldenstar]

Opening meet and Boxing Day meets are the two days that you should always be mounted on a seasoned hunter imho!

That's the problem I never get the seasoned hunter.

 

[neddy man]

a lot of the hunts are now doing hound exercise on a midweek evening , usually about 1 1/2 hrs and the odd small jump or two enquire with your local pack. (a lot less nerve racking than a full days hunting and cheaper )

 

[Happy Hunter]

Agree with others.
Go to boxing day on foot - (preferably with a nominated driver) - and enjoy more port, more sausages rolls, a better view - and less madness!!

 

[Ditchjumper2]

If you are out Boxing Day there are 3 places to be. At the very front, the very back or whipping in. Anywhere else is just not safe!!

 

[unicornystar]

Boxing day hunts are the one's I tended to avoid as generally you get people out for the day that havent ridden for years or just go out that once a year out of tradition!!! Mostly a little tipsy and not fully in control, if you want less scary I'd go early in the season!!!