If guests turned up at a meet in casual gear...

[Nancykitt]

...would they be turned away?
Just curious really. Say a couple of teenagers turned up at a meet with your pack wearing checked jods, bronte jackets, scarves, etc, would they have their cap taken and be allowed to go on - or would they be asked to come back when they are more suitably dressed for hunting?

 

[Herne]

In days of yore, they would have been turned away - no question.

These days hopefully not.

In my hunt, certainly not. They would have been made welcome and the correct dress codes explained to them. They would possibly be able to get away with incorrect dress once or maybe twice more - as long as they were smart.

But after that, they would have to bite the bullet and decide whether they want to carry on - and, if so, get the correct dress. Just like they would for showing or dressage.

Being smartly turned out when hunting is not about snobbishness - it is about showing respect to the farmers and landowners over whose land we hunt and that is why the standards must not be allowed to slip.

 

[hannah90]

i went on wednesday, for the first time, so think i ended up overdressed just in case ! a few of the people from the yard came to see us off, and follow on foot. They were in normal, not really smart clothes. They were allowed to follow, but asked to wear something more appropriate next time.

 

[LizzieJ]

So they weren't mounted?

 

[Nancykitt]

Just to clarify - I am referring to riders here rather than foot followers. Horses also unplaited - generally group hack sort of turnout rather than hunting.

 

[Lolo]

I this a potential situation, or a been situation?

If it's potential and they don't want to spend money, do they have plain dark coloured waterproofs, and plain, dark coloured jods? My sister and her clan have done several days wearing full on waterproofs or full chaps because it's been so cold and wet. You can't tell that under all the stuff, they are wearing proper gear!

 

[Nancykitt]

It's a 'been' situation. The discussion arose because this happened recently with a hunt I rode out with and a couple of people commented that the riders in question could have made a bit more of an effort, eg, plain coloured jods rather than checked, horse plaited up, and so on. Another person said that with another pack (that he used to ride with frequently) they wouldn't have been allowed on the car park.

 

[Alec Swan]

It's a 'been' situation. The discussion arose because this happened recently with a hunt I rode out with and a couple of people commented that the riders in question could have made a bit more of an effort, eg, plain coloured jods rather than checked, horse plaited up, and so on. Another person said that with another pack (that he used to ride with frequently) they wouldn't have been allowed on the car park.

And there are those who claim that hunting is an elitist sport, and that it doesn't understand the meaning of "Catholic". I wonder why.

Alec.

 

[NikkiF]

i went on wednesday, for the first time, so think i ended up overdressed just in case ! a few of the people from the yard came to see us off, and follow on foot. They were in normal, not really smart clothes. They were allowed to follow, but asked to wear something more appropriate next time.

As an ex-hunter completely understand the need for mounted riders to be smart, BUT, foot followers????

I quite often go to the meet and follow for a while, straight from mucking out, jods and dirty wellies Nobody has ever said a word to me, nor to the elderly farmers who are quite liberally caked in cow poo

 

[newalclover]

I think to an extent allowences should be made for newbees but I would of never turned up in dark breeches this is me my 1st ever time in 2010.. am wearing an everyday riding jacket as my showjumping jacket would of been far too cold!!

the next time I had bought myself a tweed jacket

 

[hannah90]

As an ex-hunter completely understand the need for mounted riders to be smart, BUT, foot followers????

I quite often go to the meet and follow for a while, straight from mucking out, jods and dirty wellies Nobody has ever said a word to me, nor to the elderly farmers who are quite liberally caked in cow poo

i did wonder ! i have followed on foot before, and never realised there was a dress code !!

 

[LizzieJ]

As an ex-hunter completely understand the need for mounted riders to be smart, BUT, foot followers????

I quite often go to the meet and follow for a while, straight from mucking out, jods and dirty wellies Nobody has ever said a word to me, nor to the elderly farmers who are quite liberally caked in cow poo

So do I! I've never heard of a turnout requirement for footies

 

[Springy]

Never heard of foot followers having a dress code??? lol

 

[Starbucks]

OP I think it would depend on the hunt.

I personally don't think it would be appropriate.. people make an effort to go to a local show / competition, why not hunting?

 

[Nancykitt]

Yes - I was just curious, really. I'm sure that different hunts would approach the situation in different ways.
I would be more concerned about guests not knowing general points about hunt etiquette/safety, etc - but some might say that if they turn up in casual gear it doesn't bode well for their knowledge of hunt etiquette!

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

We have had this and they would be made welcome but the secretary would have a quiet word to establish correct turnout. Ideally they would mention their lack of knowledge/kit when they ring ahead to get the meet details as not everyone has the full correct gear but if you discuss what they already have and suggest trawling Ebay etc for other items..many people will want to try hunting and shouldnt feel put off from having a go on a "run what you brung" basis

 

[Hunters]

I know of a hunt that was positively horrible to some polo people that came out in the wrong gear.

The secretary had made them feel welcome, but when one of them fell off, others in the hunt who considered themselves of 'higher Standing' rode on by. Later at a committee meeting of the hunt, it was expressed that these 'types' were not welcome.

The polo people, nice people, soon got the message and sadly left.

 

[Hunters]

Ironically, that hunt, I'm told now has fewer subscribers these days.

 

[newalclover]

Ironically, that hunt, I'm told now has fewer subscribers these days.

not supprised!! 2nd time I went was correctly dressed etc had an eventfull hunt the 17hh mare I had was running off with me the running gag I had borrowed snapped if people had run on by because I was a newbee I could of been in serious trouble!! the people on the quads repaired my bridle with that strong baler twine the sort you have on haylege bales and well later on my horse launched over a ditch and was catapulted and darkly dreaming helped me out!! the KH couldn't of been more accepting to a newbee surely that is how it should be??

 

[Springy]

I know of a hunt that was positively horrible to some polo people that came out in the wrong gear.

The secretary had made them feel welcome, but when one of them fell off, others in the hunt who considered themselves of 'higher Standing' rode on by. Later at a committee meeting of the hunt, it was expressed that these 'types' were not welcome.

The polo people, nice people, soon got the message and sadly left.

Sounds like a pretty ***** hunt tbh lol

 

[maccachic]

You plait for hunt meets?? Not in NZ I like a bit of mane just in case the normal seat belt doesn't work. My partner had just started last season and aprat from a few older fellas everyone was fine about him not being correctly attired to start out riding is a huge expense he went tidy in my old jodpurs and a nice guy lent him a jacket at one.

 

[Alec Swan]

That's what I've always liked about the kiwis, there's a way around everything!

Alec.

 

[Hunters]

Moomin - they are not a nice hunt at all & do not have a good reputation in the hunting world.

 

[turkana]

If newcomers turn up clean & smart but not in the correct clothes, it would be a shame to make them unwlecome, not everybody has already got the right gear & why buy it for your first time? You might find that you don't enjoy hunting.
Plenty of people also don't have friends with the correct stuff that can be borrowed. If they decide that hunting is for them then it's reasonable to ask them to start looking the part but it can work out expensive so I'd give them plenty of time to buy it gradually, to spread the cost.

 

[Kat]

I went along to a meet mounted last year, it was local to our yard and I took my youngster just to see the hounds with no intention of following. The secretary told me that I didn't need to plait or wear a jacket but to try to be tidy. So I arrived with my horse as clean as I could having hacked there, unplaited. I wore cream jodhs, black boots (clean) white short and stock with a black waterproof jacket and a black cover on my skull cap. I was welcomed and told I could follow a little way too.

For my first hound exercise I wore a tweed jacket shirt and tie etc although I didn't have a proper velvet hat so wore a skull with a cover.

 

[Baggybreeches]

We have had this and they would be made welcome but the secretary would have a quiet word to establish correct turnout. Ideally they would mention their lack of knowledge/kit when they ring ahead to get the meet details as not everyone has the full correct gear but if you discuss what they already have and suggest trawling Ebay etc for other items..many people will want to try hunting and shouldnt feel put off from having a go on a "run what you brung" basis

I was going say that this would be a preferable outcome. I see things that make me cringe out hunting but if nobody tells/shows them how will they learn?

 

[PortwayPaddy]

We have had this and they would be made welcome but the secretary would have a quiet word to establish correct turnout. Ideally they would mention their lack of knowledge/kit when they ring ahead to get the meet details as not everyone has the full correct gear but if you discuss what they already have and suggest trawling Ebay etc for other items..many people will want to try hunting and shouldnt feel put off from having a go on a "run what you brung" basis

Same here, no one would be turned away. A quiet word and pairing them up with an experienced member of the Hunt who could talk them through what to wear and why (i.e. stocks and their many uses) during quiet moments normally does the trick.

We would never turn anyone away. They would be made welcome even if they wore a tutu and ballet shoes

Paddy

 

[Kat]

Same here, no one would be turned away. A quiet word and pairing them up with an experienced member of the Hunt who could talk them through what to wear and why (i.e. stocks and their many uses) during quiet moments normally does the trick.

We would never turn anyone away. They would be made welcome even if they wore a tutu and ballet shoes

Paddy

My first hound exercise was with this pack and they did indeed make me feel very welcome and explained that the turnout would be a little different later in the season. Sadly I haven't been out again due to horse not being sound.

The hunt that said I didn't need to plait or wear a jacket were a different pack and not one that is particularly known for being friendly and welcoming (unlike Paddy's pack who have a fab reputation for being lovely to newcomers). In fact at the meet I went to had people there in top hats and full sidesaddle habits so I did feel very scruffy in my waterproofs but no one made me feel unwelcome or was rude.

 

[PortwayPaddy]

My first hound exercise was with this pack and they did indeed make me feel very welcome and explained that the turnout would be a little different later in the season. Sadly I haven't been out again due to horse not being sound.

The hunt that said I didn't need to plait or wear a jacket were a different pack and not one that is particularly known for being friendly and welcoming (unlike Paddy's pack who have a fab reputation for being lovely to newcomers). In fact at the meet I went to had people there in top hats and full sidesaddle habits so I did feel very scruffy in my waterproofs but no one made me feel unwelcome or was rude.

Thanks Kat, it's nice to know we have a good reputation. I hope you get to come out with us again soon. Ground is so deep and wet we have had to cancel some meets and re-arrange venues for others. Hope you get your horse sound soon.

Paddy

 

[Crosshill Pacers]

My local hunt isn't the stereotypical type hunt that most would think of when you mention 'hunting', from the country we cover to the type of riding we do (i.e. no jumping, mainly mountain/common ground terrain). There doesn't appear to be a strict dress code for mounted followers but I have always endeavoured to turn myself and my horse out as smart as possible.

I was completely shocked at the opening meet to see out of 41 horses, only myself and one other had plaited their horses. But what left me completely astounded was two new mounted followers (who had turned up with two other casual followers) both wearing jeans and waterproof jackets, with their horses not even remotely clean. Now there's a couple of local farmers who don't wear jods and jackets but they at least brush their horses; these two were from 'away', not farming people and had the audacity to turn up with their friends (who were in waterproofs but were both tidy with clean horses) looking like that. Bizarrely I seemed to be the only person who noticed, as nobody said anything to them. We're a very 'come one, come all' hunt, the more the merrier, but I found their inability to even turn themselves out half clean quite rude.