Hunting for the non jumper?

[jennywren07]

Is it actually feasable? I've always wanted to hunt but neither me nor my mare jump. Our local hunt is the kimblewick and finally after liverying at a farm where parking is often arranged with a meet around the corner (we dont have transport) both me and the nag are fit enough to give it ago, but im a bit worried as its not so much as case of my nerves - a swift brandy will deal with them - in that she doesnt jump full stop.

Would i still be able to attend a meet? i know i need to speak to someone at the hunt (Master? secratary?) but i just thought i;d get you guys oppinions on how feasable it is to go out for the day without actually jumping anything?

 

[doodleberry]

there is always a way round and you will find there are quite a few little ones sometimes who don't jump as long as you dont get in the way if you go round .. nothing worse than meeting hounds head on after you have just taken a shortcut thru the next intended covert!! a lot of hunts these days have a non jumping master so they can cater for everyone .i dont jump anymore so try and pick days where i know the country well enough to avoid the jumps !! but at least you can give it a go !! enjoy

 

[Ella19]

Give the secretary a call, most hunt meets have a way round BUT some don't so call to be sure! I used to go out on 12hh ponies with the warwickshire and surrey union, both had ways round the fences at most meets.

 

[Addicted to Hunting]

Hi yep, there is plenty off people who come with us who don't hunt, not sure were abouts you are? As person above said the more you come out the more you know the jumps and ways round etc, it is best to speak to the secretary (we have more than one depending were you are based) as we often have meets that are mainly none jumping, and they tend to know who doesn't jump and will pair you up . I never used to jump out hunting and am now normally up the front jumping most fences, and on most horse/ponies, depending who I've got or begged/borrowed/stealer etc for that meet! It's actually now normally commented on if I don't jump. Hope to see you out soon

 

[Addicted to Hunting]

Sorry just seen that your post says it's more her than you, however you never know if peer pressure may help her, and there is plenty of ways round if not.

 

[jennywren07]

Hi were in Bovingdon, herts. theres two of us at the farm who want to give it a go but don't jump. It good to know we could be paired up with someone else who doesn't jump. Also very glad to here that we wont be thought of as wimps!!

 

[jsr]

I don't jump, well I do but not when hunting except if I know it's safe and he's not being a complete loony!! My cob is very over exciteable and gets too strong so I tend to let him gallop out his energy (usually by the last line he starts to flag) rather than risk an accident while jumping. I do alot of XC and some SJing with him so don't want to damage himself or me out hunting so minimise the risks by only doing ditches (which I love and he's immensly brave over!) or little things I can see the landing over!

We're drag hunting around here so the lines are very non-jumping friendly and it's easy to find your way around, usually there are plenty of other riders not jumping either so don't feel you will be the token 'wimps' because no one thinks like that...or they don't in my hunt anyway.

Enjoy you'll be hooked I promise you.

 

[Jerroboam]

Always a way round, make sure you go to a meet where you know the local geography... theres nothing worse than avoiding a jump and getting lost! I bought a wonderful pony from Bovingdon at the beginning of the summer who is also now a hunting nut! Good luck and have fun! You'll love it I promise!

 

[Addicted to Hunting]

No you won't be considered a wimp don't worry, there is quite a few pep round that way who do t jump, I'm normally out around there as well, allthough I do jump but alot off the time we are all very close. We are all freindly, if you go on our website and then get up the secrteary for the northen end; Lucy Holmes, contact her and she will let you know off the meets, and who to pair up with, hope to see you and your friend out soon

 

[JenHunt]

there's a fair few with us who don't jump at all, and a lot of us who pick and choose fences. I try to hold off until most of the chaos is out of the way then go for it, otherwise I end up jumping small ponies who stop in front of Ron!! (no really, he's a pain!)

there's almost always a way round, and there's likely to be someone else who will go with you!

 

[jennywren07]

well i've taken the plunge and will be going hound exercise on thursday. Eeek!!

Any top tips?

 

[Addicted to Hunting]

Hope you would be out thurs should be a good day! If the weather has got colder make sure you will be warm enough. Make sure you will hopefully have control if not normally ridden in a martingale then one may be useful take a mobile but on silent, also take polos in your pocket for horsey and you! Ooo and also any distingushing features so I can find you, I'll be on a pale blue and white horse which is hogged, somebody who is a freinds friends is over from USA and coming out on her coloured as well . Wear tweed, no need to plait. Apart from that have fun I want to see you smiling all day )

 

[jennywren07]

i livery at the farm where were starting from so i decided there was no excuse!

i've got a hairy bay welsh D x mare, hogged and with a tracer clip (and im ashamed to say a heart on her bum!). Oh and i'll be the terrified white as a sheet one!!

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

Hope you have fun- we are out tomorrow so cant do Thursday too there will be plenty of non jumpers who know the way around so look out for Becky jane and enjoy

 

[Addicted to Hunting]

They are lovely hosts at that farm I will be jumping 2morro as the one I'm up is for sale so got to show him off, but there will b pep who won't be. If u ask basically anyone were I am they will prop know, see you tomorrow

 

[jsr]

Have a fantastic time and you will enjoy it.xxx

 

[leflynn]

Good luck, can;t wait to hear the report, might give me some brave pants to do the same

 

[jennywren07]

They are lovely hosts at that farm

brill to Livery with too i think i'm all sorted, borrowed a martingale, although it suddenly dawned on me i have a dressage saddle :/ but i'm thinking since i usually hack in it (and we hack long and fast) i should be allright.

See you tomorrow if i don't pass out before i even get on!!