Fab day hunting and a question

[Irishcobs]

Went hunting yesterday and had a fab fab day. The field master normally does Saturdays and we went into Saturday country so lots and lots of jumping and fast work, which we were very lucky to get.
My boss let me take one of his horses so I got to do all of the jumping and even jumped my first hedge!
The only bad thing was I got kicked (by one of the livery's horses!) in the foot about 3/4 hour in but with the adrenaline going I only really felt it when we stopped. But as my boss said thank god they got me and not his horse! It is a bit black and swollen today.

Then to my question..
The field master is quite young (twenties) but knows his job and has been amateur whipper in and field master for a few seasons, but very few of the field would pay any attention to him. For example he asked 4 times that the field keeps up with him down the road but at the end only me and one other were with him and he got a big telling off from the master, but it wasn't his fault at all. He also asked that everyone kept to the headlands but again they wandered off across the fields.
I asked him why he doesn't shout at them as all the other field masters would but he says he can't?!?
Now surely you should obey the field master as it is his/her job to keep the field safe and show them where to go, plus give them a good time? These people all obey the other, older field masters what difference should his age/experience make?

 

[Ravenwood]

Poor chap obvioulsy doesn't seem to hold much authority over the followers and they are extremely bad mannered to ignore his instructions.

Do you think he's the right man for the job? Perhaps the committee could send out an email expressly requesting that all hunt followers obey the Fieldmaster in order to continue hunting over the land they currently enjoy doing so - which could very easily be taken away if everyone is going to ride willynilly across the fields.

ETA: Glad you had an excellent day but hope your foot is not too painful!

 

[k9h]

Ditto what Raven wood said.

Regarless of age he should be "obeyed" as such as if they take their own actions hunting country could well be lost. I Know that Jnr Cowen of the Fernie field mastered from early 20's. The field respected him bt may have been todo with the fact his farther Joe is senior master & so everyone respected him to start with.

If he needs to bellow then he should, he is in 'charge' of the field regardless of age or sex.

Poor lad I bet he didn't enjoy his days hunting trying to keep the field "in check".

Glad you enjoyed your day & hope your ankle calms down asap!

 

[Gamebird]

I've done it on odd days and it can be very intimidating keeping control over people that have been hunting for twice as long as you've been alive! At the end of the day though they should respect you and if they aren't you need to instill a bit more discipline in your field!

 

[combat_claire]

There is no excuse for the field not to listen to whoever is fieldmaster, be he a full master of the pack or just someone appointed to oversee that day. His job is to ensure that the field stay where they are allowed to go, don't hold up other traffic and behave in a way that lets them return next season. If they can't obey his instructions then they should be ashamed of themselves as it is people like that who gets hunts banned, loss of country is the biggest danger to the survival of hunts.

Perhaps your pack could consider running some hunting seminars to jog the memories and teach newbies the etiquette etc. We had one at the start of autumn hunting and they were great fun, while brushing up skills.

Finally he should not be afraid either to yell at or send home these pillocks who will ruin it for everyone. As soon as they know he means business they will fall into line. Trust me, I have witnessed one bollocking of the mounted field over the riding on countryside stewardship strips and boy it got their attention!

 

[Haniki]

Perhaps the senior master/hunt chairman could have a word to the field at the start of the meet about obeying the master's instructions. My local hunt used to do this about 'hunting within the law' and they have also warned people to keep to the headlands in very wet conditions. A difficult situation I agree.