Hunting Newbie doesnt know where to start

[cmarychapman]

I did a bit of Autumn hunting with the Berkeley years ago and recently been thinking it would be nice to go again. I currently share a very forward going cob who is lovely but the one (and only) time he went drag hunting was a complete and utter nutcase and got sent home so he's not an option.

I'm a fairly competent rider, happy to gallop so long as it stops when evryone else does, jump up to around 2'6"-2'9" but not 5ft plus hedges!!

I was thinking maybe treating myself to a post Christmas day out if I could hire a horse. I dont have any hunting friends so dont know where else to ask;
So three questions
1)Do you think I sound a good enough rider to go hunting in the first place?
2)Does anyone know anywhere near either London (or could possibly travel to Gloucestershire) that does hirelings?
3) Would a hunt do a "day pass"? I think I could only afford to go once.

Thanks sorry if its long.

 

[MontyandZoom]

I'm new to hunting and am lucky enough to have a well mannered little mare but I took my cousin out on a hireling the other day. Unfortunately she was terrified and so didn't last long but the hireling was great and the lady was very professional. I keep my mare in West London and went out with the surrey union. I don't have a subsription and have been out twice for the day.

Where abouts are you?

 

[cmarychapman]

That sounds interesting. I'm in NW London, cob is in Uxbridge but I have a car so can travel. Did the lady come out with you and your cousin? It would be nice to have someone to show me the ropes again!!

 

[MontyandZoom]

The lady came out on a youngster but I don't think that she always comes out. I am new to it too but would be more than willing to come out with you if you would like a friendly face. To be honest I have found the pack to be very welcoming and helpful so I'm sure if you email the secretary she can let you know which meets would be good for you.

My horse is in Osterley and I live in Ealing so I'm not too far away.

 

[Holloa]

Well my local hunt is the Vale of Aylesbury with Garth and South Berks, our country is oxfordshire, berkshire, bucks- http://www.valeofaylesburywithgarthandsouthberks.com/
Our saturday cap is £70- weekday £40.
Its always nice to meet new people and to be honest, you don't have to jump if you don't want to, there's usually a group of non jumpers or a way round...
I think the cost of the hireling is around £200.....i'm not sure whether this is the norm, but for that price you get a safe steady hunter that tends to know its job, and its clean and plaited for you!!
Try and come out!- its lots of fun and you'll see some lovely countryside!

 

[cmarychapman]

Hi,

Thanks for your post, having looked on the websites I'm quite keen on Vale Aylesbury as it seems they have some meets which are reasonably accessible from me as i'm not too far from M1 and M40. I've found someone who will hire me a horse (that was the easy bit)I just need to pick a date!! I rang one of the secretaries who was going to send me some dates . Apparently I have already missed a lot of the "local" ones

Thing is I havent heard anything back since then I dont want to hassle them, I know this is a busy time of year. Do you think I should have sent a reference?? Would it be worth contacting another one of the secretaries if I dont get anything by say 5th Jan?

Melsk1 if you have any recommendations for dates/locations in the new year that are fun and relatively easy jumping wise please could you PM me.

I have emailed the SurreyUnion too so see what info they send me.

I'm really excited now!!!