Sandhurst Draghunt

[MontyandZoom]

Having made the decision to sign up for a whole season this year after my two days hunting last season, I have been looking at the hunts that are close enough to go out with.

I thought I had decided on a pack but I may have to work Saturdays from October so now have to rethink. I know the RMA Sandhurst go out on a Sunday and are within an hour and a half from me.

However, having read that Draghunts are very fast and furious, I'm a bit worried about going out with them. My jumping confidence is definately improving but I am never going to be hedge-jumper (especially since pone only has one eye and is a recent convert from polo!) Does anyone regularly hunt with them?

Is it all fast and furious or will me and pone be ok?

 

[CobGal]

Sandhurst are lovely!!

Very considerate!!

 

[Mike007]

Feel free to tuck in behind my horse ,we keep a steady hunting pace.Look out for an 18 hh black horse with a blaze.

 

[MontyandZoom]

Great! You should be easy to spot then (as am I since Zoom has a big hole where her right eye should be!)

I am very excited since I have never had a horse I could hunt before and Zoom was beautifully behaved when we went out last season. Is it ok to hunt in a ratcatcher? I don't know whether I can stretch to membership, diesel AND hunting coat and I already have a nice tweed,

Different hunts seem to have slightly different expectations on dress codes.

 

[Mike007]

I am sure that whatever jacket you have,you will be smartly turned out ,so it will be fine.Plaiting is reccomended by the way.Have you looked on the hunt website for other events betwean now and the start of hunting?

 

[Lollii]

Is this the hunt?

http://www.sandhurstdraghunt.co.uk/index.html

I am still looking for a hunt in East Sussex but this one is too far from me

 

[Gucci_b]

I hunt with Sandhurst and have made many, many good friends off to peterborough with them all tomorrow for the show. Plaiting is best but 1 or 2 never do, but it does look smart for the hunt and the hunt does prefer this... They have many days where jumps are op and also days where hunting is'nt for the faint hearted.... There are many hunts around this area, Surrey Where are you?

 

[Lollii]

I'm in East Sussex, right down near Hastings!

We have a place near here called Sandhurst so I got all excited - but wrong place!

But, I have just come across The Coakham Bloodhounds, I will check them out!

 

[MontyandZoom]

I'm in West London. I went out with the Surrey Union but their days aren't too good for my schedule so a season membership wouldn't be worth it and the day caps are pretty expensive so Sandhurst would be better for me.

It sounds like this could be a great option for Zoom and me. We were definately braver jumping out hunting and I'm sure we will keep improving but maybe on the big hedge days we can just come on foot and cheer you all on!

 

[star]

i am going to get a whole season's subs for Sandhurst this year. I went out 3 times last year and then got a half season subs for the beginning of this year. My horse is only young and we dont do hedges at all. Most days the jumping is optional - it normally says on the website if there'll be compulsory jumping and most of it is 2ft9 timber anyway. Have only been on one utterly terrifying day full of ditches when I nearly killed myself landing in one. Otherwise it's all been fab and I cant wait to get going again. Have new jumping saddle now too so hopefully might stay in the plate a bit better!

 

[joey3074]

Come out with the Coakham! We have great hunting, and suit all types. Even on the days with some big hedges everyone can get round and have fun. We have a web site: http://www.coakhambloodhounds.com/ with lots on this summer, inlcuding a sponsored ride and an Open Cross Country day so you can come and meet us. We also will be starting Summer Hunting in September, another good way to see if we suit!

 

[Lollii]

I will be there!! I looked at the website, it looks great!

I will need a 'trial' day first with my new horse, (stomach does somersaults at the thought of it!) we will need a quiet day for the first time out so that we don't embarrass ourselves!

Is summer hunting ok to do this? will the venue's be put up on the website?

 

[MontyandZoom]

The Coakham looks fun but I think it is a little too far for me to travel. Maybe I'll come summer hunting and check it out anyway.

 

[joey3074]

Yes, they will be on the site with map links to get you there. The first days will be very short as the puppies are starting their training and need some encouragement to leave the huntsman! They get longer as we get nearer to the opening meet.