Puppy show protocol

[4x4]

Does anyone know if there is a protocol for inviting ex-masters to the puppy show? it seems we have one from this season just gone not invited and others from previous seasons. Is this correct - it seems a bit bad mannered to me, after all, they can always say no.

 

[Countrygirl]

It would be no differerent if it were a master or huntsman, if they finished on 30th April this year they would not be invited or expect to be invited to this years puppy show. Although, next year depending obviously on the reason for them leaving, they could be invited again.
It's purely one of those things that happen, there would be nothing worse than a new person having to look over their shoulder because their predecessor had turned up - Puppy Shows are pressure enough for all concerned - especially the hunt staff.
Hope this helps a little bit.

 

[Hunters]

I'm afraid I disagree.

Most hunts welcome ex masters and huntsmen alike. Huntsmen put hours and hours of work into their hounds and should certainly be welcomed at the annual puppy show. It is often an indictment as to how 'well liked and respected' as to how many other huntsmen turn up to a puppy show.

Should you ever be invited to the Duke of Beauforts puppy show, you will see countless huntsmen all delighted to be there.

Regarding masters, en ex master should always be invited. It should be at their indiscretion as to whether they attend or not. Most masters will gladly help their incoming master and will have already done this, whether it be by passing records/notes or doing introductions to landowners. Masters work for no wage and usually very hard for a hunt. How awful to think that just because they have left they should then be snubbed at a puppy show. Quite odd and the reverse is the norm, not least as if there are (lesser spotted) landowners at the puppy show the smoothness of the 'handover' can also be done over a civilised cup of tea.

And finally, what if there is a presentation to the outgoing master? Should they just receive it in the post?

 

[Herne]

It would be no differerent if it were a master or huntsman, if they finished on 30th April this year they would not be invited or expect to be invited to this years puppy show.

I am afraid that that is pretty much completely incorrect - and I am one who, as regular readers will know, is always saying that there are very few hard and fast "rules" in Hunting and that local traditions nearly always apply.

Although it usually, by necessity, falls after April 30th, the Puppy Show is for Puppies that were bred and sent out to walk by the previous season's Mastership and it is therefore the last function of the previous Mastership to run it - so they should therefore not so much "be invited" as be the ones who are doing the inviting.

So, in short, "this year's" Puppy Show is still part of "last" season.

If anything it should be the new Masters who should not expect, as of right, an invitation to an event that is not their business.

And it should not be for the new Masters to decide whether or not this is the way it will work. The Hunt Committee should enforce it.


As a general rule of thumb, I would think that most Hunts would automatically include all previous Masters on their Puppy Show lists - however both local politics and financial constraints will often affect this.

 

[farriersmum]

I have only just seen this post and would like to say to 4x4 that if it is the case that I think you are referring to, you will find that hardly anyone associated with this ex-master has had an invitation, through no fault of anyone, and the particular master is not being presented with anything, despite having raised sevral thousands of pounds for the hunt in question. Happy days!

 

[Alec Swan]

It would be no differerent if it were a master or huntsman, if they finished on 30th April this year they would not be invited or expect to be invited to this years puppy show. Although, next year depending obviously on the reason for them leaving, they could be invited again.
It's purely one of those things that happen, there would be nothing worse than a new person having to look over their shoulder because their predecessor had turned up - Puppy Shows are pressure enough for all concerned - especially the hunt staff.
Hope this helps a little bit.

Were I an outgoing master, then I would be offended were I not invited to a Puppy Show. By just the same token, I would politely decline the invitation, as I would be irritated to see another make a better job of it, or a lesser, for that matter!!

Alec.

 

[farriersmum]

Sadly, Alec, I believe 4x4 is talking about the hunt that cannot be mentioned on this forum and the resignation of the female master last season. She should most definitely have a presentation but I understand so far not even an invite!!

 

[Alec Swan]

farriersmum,

I apologise, but not being that political, I failed to grasp the possible intent! I will stand by my thoughts though, none-the-less!

Alec.

 

[farriersmum]

No worries Alec!

 

[EAST KENT]

Sadly, Alec, I believe 4x4 is talking about the hunt that cannot be mentioned on this forum and the resignation of the female master last season. She should most definitely have a presentation but I understand so far not even an invite!!

OOOohhh a scandal then???? How very un British!

 

[farriersmum]

East Kent, as you are a veteran on this forum I would ask you to cast your memory back a bit...not really a scandal just a very sad demise of what was once a very nice little friendly hunt which has now totally disappeared.

 

[Hunters]

Oh yes there was a scandal!

It was headlines in Horse and Hound a few months ago.

I know the lady master I think you are referring to and she did not want to support the hunt that cannot be mentioned any more. Her resignation was not announced and those at the 'top' were embarrassed by it. Since her leaving, the chairman has resigned also. Says a lot??

She was a master who stood by her principles and raised the most amount of money the hunt had ever seen as well as bringing in more subscribers than everyone else. However, there were always jealous people who disliked her popularity.

Those with sour grapes in the 'said hunt' would rather forget she ever existed and from that no good will come. Many have left the hunt from all parts of the country

 

[4x4]

Oh my dear Hunters, it looks as if I have opened up a can of worms here with my innocent question.

 

[farriersmum]

I have just heard that, not only has the lady in question still not received a Puppy Show invitation, nor have the main body of what was then the branch of the Suporters Club which raised the most money received one either, however, she HAS had an invite from at least one adjacent hunt. What a shambles. Manners? Hounds please!

 

[Maesfen]

farriersmum, get your facts right please.

The Puppy Show is held by The Masters as a thank you to the puppy walkers who have done the hard work, the farmers for the land they hunt over and subscribers; even so, they have to be invited; anybody else (including Hunt Supporter officials) are entirely at the discretion of The Masters and do not have a God given right to be there.
While the amalgamation of so many hunts meant that some of the contributing supporter clubs were lost as such that is no reason for you still to be driving wedges between you all and trying to create ill feeling. For the sake of hunting you should all be pulling together now to support the Kimblewick, now, for the future not holding old grudges that are getting very tiresome and which were no fault of anyone other than the country now having to be so large. If you hadn't amalgamated, you would have lost your hunting altogether so thank your lucky stars that you still have something which you can be part of and stop trying to cause ill will.

 

[Addicted to Hunting]

Well said Maesfan!!! Thank you, some off us know how to enjoy out hunting, and see no reason to keep trying to divide the hunt, and believe me we have had some good days, perhaps if some people actually came hunting rather than just writing on forums and trying to cause problems, they would realise this.
Thank you again Maesfan!

 

[Hunters]

Farriers Mum - What is done is done & I and many others do not believe the outcome was as it should be, but it is where it is. I am both an ex master of a hunt although not of the Garth/Kimblewick/Vale whatever their name is now, but I was a subscriber of them. I have not received an invitation either. Nor do I expect one.

I do, however, still receive an invitation to the MFHA lunch and their annual meeting. The MFHA perhaps understand keeping 'supporters in' and not out in the cold..

The puppy show's priority is to it's puppy walkers and land owners. That said, good manners never cost anything and personally (if I were still a master) for the sake of peace and good willing I would have invited all who have left as an 'olive branch'. I doubt they would have attended, but it would have showed that I had the moral high ground and was the better person. I doubt this will ever happen though - so don't hold your breath.

Finally, I would be disinclined to post any more remarks or comments on here as you will only be shouted down. Move onto another hunt and put this one down to experience.

 

[farriersmum]

No worries Hunters - we are long gone away!

 

[4x4]

It seems they're all SOO popular they just had to cancel their 5 a side football matches due to lack of interest (say no more)!

 

[4x4]

Well Puppy Show is tomorrow and still no invitations have been issued to interested parties. Shame.

 

[Maesfen]

Are you sure?

 

[EAST KENT]

Ah Well..it all proves that this hunt is no more than the usual bickering back stabbing Committee..just like our revered government in fact.Ordinary Human Beings..now there`s a revelation .
Never be on any Committee for anything ..my personal rule after ten years on one,they all turn at some point ,like a pack of terriers,on this month`s chosen subject.One day it will be YOU.Avoid at all costs.