Opinions on "Newcomers" hunting...

[xspiralx]

And good for you, however I still think its snobbish to look down your nose at somebody who isn't dressed up as well as you. Theres a difference between not making the effort whatsoever, and simply not realising - and when I first went hunting, as I said, not only could I not afford a proper jacket, I wasn't privy to the ins and outs of the "rules" anyway.

I think if I'd read this stuff before I'd ever gone, I probably never would have, because it would have put me off. I know that hunting is a traditional sport, but I still don't think its fair to decide somebody shouldn't even go simply because they aren't turned out to your standards - and its not always because they can't be bothered.

All I can say is that I'm glad I went out with the Old Berks who were completely welcoming and friendly and really kind to somebody new.

 

[xspiralx]

But you had a horsey mum, and the kids you work with are surrounded by horsey people, so you've always been aware of this "etiquette."

None of my family are horsey and the first yard I was at was a private one run by two old crones who were pretty clueless about anything much.

I fully agree that people should make the effort, and I *did* look clean and tidy. I loved hunting, I had an absolute blast.

I just think its a shame that based on the comments on this thread, people like me shouldn't even dare to show up.

 

[Starbucks]

People wouldn’t expect to turn up for a dressage competition or an event wearing dark jods and a rain jacket – I don’t see why hunting is any different.

 

[RunToEarth]

Im not snobbish in any way, you wouldn't be able to go into a show ring if you wern't wearing the right things, just as you wouldn't be able to compete in a dressage competition if you didn't have a dressage legal bit in. I don't think anyone 'looks down' on anybody not coming dressed properly, I think its a little dissapointing when the hunt goes to such lengths to stress the importance of turnout and etiquette, and most of its members go to such troubles to comply with that. I don't have all the right equipment for everything- this year I had to borrow a hacking jacket off of a friend for a show, I think the problem of turn out lies mostly with the ponyclubbers, who often could borrow from friends. Starbucks and I are members of the same hunt, there are two girls who come out with us regularly who just wear bring blue pony club jackets in cold weather, when I know then have proper jackets, to me this is bigger problem then people coming out once a season not in the correct stuff- as you say spiral- some people just don't have the equipment.

 

[Starbucks]

Well said rosiie!! :grin:

 

[*hic*]

QR - ooo you're all making me nervous for my daughter. She's desperate to go hunting and she's emailed the hunt to ask when would be a good day and could they ask someone to look after her. We come from a non-hunting Pony Club so opportunities to find out what to do are pretty much non-existent.

We know to plait up, clean standard tack, hacking jacket, plain jods, clean boots,hair in net and when she asked for more info was just told "clean and tidy". So we're all a bit at sea and it's been 30 years since I last hunted and even then it was just occasionally for a treat.

So if there's anyone hunting in North Cambs who would like to "nanny" a quiet polite 16yo who's a capable jumper with a very sane 15hh Welsh Cob who has been a stand-in hunt servant's horse, I'd be very glad to hear from you.

 

[icklemadame]

Oh no don't be worried for her, I'm sure she'll have a wonderful time and I wish you luck finding a nanny!! The fact you and she care that she's nicely presented is the main thing, your little list of things for her sounds perfect, my bugbear is people who don't care a damn and its just an unfortunate coincidence that the same people tend to also be rude and unthoughtful as well...

 

[soph21]

I've had requests from some of the kids who ride with us to take them out hunting, and I've now spent up to a year preparing them in various ways to ensure they do not cause too much trouble and are aware of what hunting involves... its not a jolly round a very large xc course but a full on day in varying terrain where you will get shouted at if you're not concentrating or in control, you are expected to scramble into the brambles/trees/ditch to ensure a clear path for hunt staff (& hounds who will get under your ponies feet), and you can't have twenty goes at getting over a jump... I've taken them out on very fast rides, taken them onto the toll rides in our area where there are jumps and taught them not only 'jumping etiquette' but also that not all hunt jumps are in nice accessible places on even ground etc. They all have to come out following with me at least once to understand what happens and that its not all just fun and games, but an integral part of the countryside and peoples livelihoods.. on top of all of this I've written a 2 page 'essay' of instructions and etiquette, copies of which have been requested by other people in the hunt as guidelines... god I sound so strict!!

Blimey can you come to Cornwall and show me the ropes LOL, i think id be safe if i had you giving me instruction !!!!

Sophie xxx

 

[xspiralx]

I used to showjump in dark jodhs as well. Apparently I'm a disgrace to the horsey world. :smirk:

 

[BeckyD]

I completely agree with you Sprial. I know that there's a lot of pomp and ceremony to hunting and the fear of making mistakes always stopped me from going hunting when I was younger (then I got a slightly mad horse who was totally unsuitable). Now I have a suitable horse and am still nervous about making mistakes, but I've read every hunting article going, several books, done all the CA marches, and if I forget something on the day, then I'm sorry but I've tried my best

People who've been doing it for years and turn out immaculately have every right to be proud of themselves and their hunt. But please don't look down on those of us who would be new to it and may miss certain aspects of the turnout/etiquette. If the people who know what they're doing keep doing it correctly then the rest of us will fall in line in the end

And thanks to everyone who encourages newcomers, it's much appreciated.

 

[icklemadame]

I'd gladly do it Sophie221 It's been really fun helping them and getting them prepared, and you feel so proud as they get braver and braver, and you look behind you after jumping someting quite big or with quite a drop and they're all still behind you, grinning madly I'm doing early morning 'get fit' sessions at the moment, taking them for a whizz round the fields a couple of mornings a week in an attempt to lose the grass bellies!! We're so lucky as a lot of the farms round us that we hunt over are either on trot rides or are happy for us to use the fields during the winter months, so we can fly round over the hunt jumps and not even have to open gates, which are just a waste of time when you've only got 20 minutes before work!!

 

[MillionDollar]

I have to say this post has REALLY put me off going hunting now :crazy: I'm a farmer so the hunt comes over our land, I follow them sometimes by car/foot and my sister goes hunting. I don't have a suitable horse at the moment, but I'm looking at buying a hunter for next season....now I'm not so sure, especially if I don't want to jump.

I'm not acussing anyone of being a snob, etc but I do think saying its annoying if a newcomer doesn't want to jump or isn't wearing the right jacket/jods is quite inappropriate. Surely if you don't have newcomers hunting will die out.

Also I think big, sociable meets like Boxing Day really promote hunting and regular hunters should be there to help out the newcomers, not see them as a nuisance.

 

[RunToEarth]

Claire- I don't think anyone is moaning about people who don't want to jump, most hunts have a non jumping fieldmaster to made sure everyone has a good day. The problem on big social days where you say regular members should be out is that there are 4 or 5 times the regular number out. People bring horses that have not hunted before, a lot of them end up kicking out in excitement, and I personally am not willing to risk my horse in that way. A lot of the social meets are dominated by newcomers, which is GREAT for the hunt and I love having them out, but sometimes children don't understand that horses like mine don't know manners when they see the rest of the field jumping, and anything that gets in Oshk's way on his way to a fence just adds more fun to him. I would hate to think I have hurt somebody in my horse's frustration but he has been known to jump ponies bottoms, which is why I either borrow a hunter for social meets or steer WELL clear.

 

[hunter4eva]

I agree that it is best to be properly turned out hunting. I have never ridden to hounds yet, however I do know it is important to look smart and be polite and certious. I think the price you can get things now ie cheap jods, jackets ect there is no excuse really to not be wearing the right clothing.

A girl turned up to out opening meet last Saturday in a bright pink tweed jacket and a pink charles owen hat, she really stood out but for all the wrong reasons...

 

[walker1234]

Wow this thread makes me feel really lucky to have South Notts. Those guys are so accomodating and welcoming, they will always have a non jumper HM around and have never felt looked down upon, even when my green horse kept spraying everyone with froth or ramming up peoples behinds. That said, I dont know what they *really* think of me. Perhaps they mutter behind my back so I guess the importance of this thread should be that the HM/regulars take the time to point out these annoyances to the newcomers when they see it rather than relying on them attending a newcomers meet (I never managed to go to one myself so eventually just bit the bullet). It does make me reluctant to visit another hunt though as it seems they are not all as accomodating.

 

[carmenlucy123]

i went out yesterday for the first time in a long time....

and the children were fantastic! they jumped everything and the master sent them to the front...

there was some rudeys however... i found myself at the back alone at quite alot of the meet and after everyone had got going towards a jump the couple infront of me were still walking so i asked if they were jumping.. to wich i got a yes with out so much of a turn of the head.

later down the field i'd got stuck behind again and one jump was the fence line allong the track so in order to jump it you had to turn in the corn feild.. i double checked with some one who looked senior but i could already see the tracks so went ahead and the same man shouted at me... this is a man who made no effort to spreak to me and neither did his wife... (i am 22 however i look about 12 when in the saddle...)

again later the field master asked us all to move behind the hounds which everyone did apart from this man and his wife when told they were directly in line of the hounds he replied "how would i know that? its not visable" to which it was pointed out he had been asked to move twice..."yes, but i didnt like the way i was asked"

and i think he was well known on the field i have to say as always being treated like a kid even though i am 22 own and fund my own horse/car/horsebox/ and full time university course its the older ones i always find rude.

now i may have turned up in a showjumping jacket and beige jods (and primark gloves) and a whip i retrieved from a dustbin lol but i am nice

 

[KrashnBurn]

I have not hunted for bloomin years, and will be going to my next meet on Dec 1st.
It will be a different hunt to the one I went with when I was a kid, so I am quite excited about it.

I would not consider myself a newcomer, it is more of a re-cycling!

All I am worried about is getting my legs into my leather boots!

I have not found the comments in this thread to be snobby, but I can relate to a lot of what people have said, from both angles.
I am from a totally non-horsey family, but as I was in a 'hunt' Pony Club, it was slightly easier for me. I never asked to be looked after at the meets, even at 12! The thought never entered my mind, my parents just told me to be home before dark (yes I had to hack everywhere) I just remembered my manners and had a fabulous time.

I just think that perhaps a quick call to the hunt secretary to check on a few things before you turn up never hurts. Also it introduces you to them before you turn up randomly.

Really looking forward to the 1st!

 

[Eagle_day]

"yes I had to hack everywhere"

I did as a child - I was known as the last hacking member of the Blankshire Hunt.

I hope you have a lovely time on the 1st.

 

[JenHunt]

I agree, out hunt doesn't have a lot of jumping, and are trying to put more jumps in with landowners help, but they always make sure a)the jumps don't have wire in and b)there's a way round, we have a lot of kids and older folk who don't or can't jump. why stop them enjoying their day?