Hunting in & around Shropshire

[NaughtyMagpie]

Hi, I'm moving myself and my horse back to Shropshire. I've been living away in the flat Fens for nearly three years now & miss the rolling hills of Shropshire.
I bought my TB when I moved to Cambs and I've not hunted him, due to fitness, lameness and seasons, but he has hunted extensively before I bought him.

Anyway, even though I'm really familiar with all of Shropshire & most of the Midlands, I don't know where to start with getting into some hunts/meets. It's been about 5 years since I last hunted (on a crazy Appaloosa) so not sure if I can just turn up, like I used to!

Can anyone recommend a good friendly hunt for me?

I'm moving in mid January 2009 and I'll be living in Bridgnorth, Shropshire so hunts near to or close to there would be fantastic.
Plus, if anyone lives close to there & fancies a bit of company on a hunt, feel free to come & pick us up! I'm afraid I don't have transport so relying on getting to know people sharpish!

Any advice, recommendations or comments would be very much appreciated.

Hannah.

 

[Nailed]

Youve got the flint and denbigh.
The wynnstay
The staffs,

Dunno any more as not really hunted this way.

Lou x

 

[JanetGeorge]

Youve got the flint and denbigh.
The wynnstay
The staffs,

Not near Bridgnorth though. For Bridgnorth your LOCAL hunt (kennels 3 miles down the road) is the Wheatland; as the name suggests quite a heavy country (renowned for MUD!) They are my local pack although I don't hunt any more and my husband is Joint Master of the United which is further west - based at Bishops Castle (you'd be looking at 40 miles+ to most of the meets of the United - though some of them are worth it - it's a cracking good country with very little by way of roads!)

You're also not too far from the South Shropshire - more Shrewsbury way - or the Albrighton Woodland (over the river and very built up) - or the Albrighton - more into Staffs. - with a more open country than the Wheatland.

 

[NaughtyMagpie]

Thanks JanetGeorge, I've hunted with the Albrighton many years ago, think it was 2004. I'd like to hunt with the Wheatland as yes you're right, it's my closest one.
I've heard of the United & heard some cracking stories of past meets - I wouldn't mind going to Bishops Castle, I LOVE that part of Shropshire & will be found doing the roads early Sundays on my bike.
I don't really mind the journey if the country is good, which I know it is, over your way.

Is it simply a case of calling up & asking when the next meet is? Sorry to be thick, I just want to do things properly, as I remember the Wheatland being very cliquey when I tried to join in 2000-1. Sure it's all different now!

 

[Chumsmum]

Hiya

I keep my ponies in Alveley so not far from you.

I follow the Albrighton Woodland occasionly on foot, I think Quatt is the nearest meet (but this was a couple of weeks ago) and maybe Enville Hall? I can PM the secretary details if you want to go out with them? They are friendly and not too mad lol.

I've never hunted with the Albrighton but I think they are on the move and jump more than us.

Perhaps go to the tack shop in Bridgnorth (Everything Horsey) - they have a good notice board with all local events on so you can make some friends.

I can't hunt my pony but could follow you on foot until you get to know people if that helps?

Good luck with the move

 

[NaughtyMagpie]

Hi Chumsmum, thank you so much for your reply! I know Alveley very well, I kept two small ponies there in Turley Green.
Yes if you could PM my details over to the secretary that would be really appreciated. I'll PM you in a moment.
I've only got until April 2009 with my horse (I'm emigrating) so I want to have as much fun on him as possible.
I'm up in Bridgnorth visiting my folks around the 10th December so I'll pop into E-Horsey and grab a few names & numbers.
The offer of following on foot would be brilliant too! Wish I had a spare horse for you.

 

[Springs]

If you go to the master of Fox Houns web site there will be contact numbers of the sec for the local hunts. They will be able to let you have a card showing all of the meets on etc.

If your stcuk for transport there are a number of local (shropshire) companies that hire out trailers, you would just need a car with a tow bar.

If you get mobile and want to go out with the North Shropshire PM me.

 

[Chumsmum]

Have pm'd you.

I used to keep mine in Turley Green too - probably the same field lol.

I don't mind following on foot - a lot less stressful in my experience :grin:

 

[JanetGeorge]

Is it simply a case of calling up & asking when the next meet is? Sorry to be thick, I just want to do things properly, as I remember the Wheatland being very cliquey when I tried to join in 2000-1. Sure it's all different now!

I'll PM you with names and numbers for the Wheatland and the United. The Wheatland used to be a bit cliquey - I think they've improved quite a bit.

 

[blackcob]

Oh, Bridgnorth is not far from me at all. I'm in Much Wenlock, a few miles down the road.

Wenlock Edge is somewhat the border between the Wheatland and South Shropshire, and as an earlier poster said you are not far from the Wheatland kennels at all. Being on the border I tend to follow whoever's closest on the day.

If you ever want to meet up I'd be glad of the company, I do find both of the hunts rather cliquey and tend to have to go around on my own on my mad nutter cob!

 

[seche]

BRIDGO!!!!
The Wheatland are SOOOOO friendly its untrue! - Im "new" to Shropshire having grown up down south and only been west mids for 3 yrs now - they have been so welcoming and nice - I should really hunt with the Ludlow as they are on my doorstep but they are so snooty and stuck up. (I think they think blonde hair, a navy coat and a fast TB clearly means your a clueless towny...) I think not I have generations of masters on my father's side...
I am a Wheatland subscriber and hunt a very spindly NZ TB - he loves it - it is wet but certainly manageable and I look after him so he stays sound all season. A truly great bunch!!

Look forward to meeting you!

 

[chestnut cob]

I've just done the same but moved from Oxfordshire back to Shrops!

I used to go out with the North Shrops years ago and always found them quite friendly, but you might be a bit closer to the South rather than the North. I'm not sure who else is down that way as I'm in North Shrops so we've got the N Shrops and the N Staffs, who some from my yard go out with.

If you manage to blag a lift, keep a space free and swing by my place and pick me and my boy up too ;-)