What has hunting come to?

[Starbucks]

I'm not going to beat around the bush - this is to do with the post below, and what my hunt has become.

it's a bit bad to talk about "the good old days", especailly as I'm only 25, but I've got to say - they were so much better!!!

I really do not agree with all this "non jumping field master" crap, newcomer days and all the rest of it.

Why can't people just be of the correct standard of riding, have a fit horse and get on with it??

I'm not saying people have to jump everything or anything in fact, but they could at least have the initiative to find their own way round, rather than blaming the hunt for not looking after them.

GET A GRIP people!!!

Rant over.

 

[LindaW]

To be fair, I think the newcomer days and non jumping fieldmaster days are getting riders and horses up to the correct standard in a lot of cases. The non jumping master simply finds them the way round fences and helps them enjoy their day - a nanny for the grown ups, and I can't see how having one at the back changes what goes on at the front? We certainly don't hang about for them - but Fred soon has them back with the field.

People know they can come out and have a go without worrying about huge fences, and after a few days out are joining the main master (well they seem to be with us).

It's helping hunt funds and opening the door to many more people who wouldn't otherwise come and so increasing general support for hunting. Some people are lucky and brought up to it, but others haven't had that advantage.

 

[Maisy]

We dont have any problems in that department, as pretty much the only thing we jump (other that specially erected fences) are ditches!!.......Which is a good job, as I would never go if I have to jump anything and everything that got in my way!!!

 

[archoak]

I've replied to you on the post you are referring to. Yes you are only 25 and have quite a bit of growing up to do. I never slated hunting, just asked a question as I thought what had gone on in a pony club meet for children new to hunting was a bit extreme.

 

[Maesfen]

I'm really cheesed off! I wrote a scathing reply to SB, asked her to not be so childish and arrogant and it's disappeared; I've even looked on your post to see if I was mistaken but it's not there either so I'm clueless as to where it's gone!

Anyway, my point was to SB, that not everyone has had her advantage to almost be born on a pony or possibly to be as brave as she seems to be; she shouldn't look down her nose at people who are trying to learn how to do what is probably engrained in her.

Suffice to say I said the field master in your case, then should have been ashamed of himself for leading the children that way.
Anyone can fall off, that's understood but to lead children where there is no other 'escape' is stupid and thoughtless.

I'd still love to know whereabouts it was; pm if you'd rather!

 

[Haniki]

I missed the original post but I am off to look for it in a minute.
I agree with LindaW - especially her last paragraph.

 

[Maesfen]

Agree entirely with you, meant to say so and forgot!

If I have to be honest, it's people with SB's attitude that seem to give hunting a bad name which frightens off a lot of people when we should be encouraging them IMV.

 

[Haniki]

Well said Pat. Also some older horses/riders may not be up to jumping 3' odd but still enjoy their hunting. (This often includes farmers/landowners/older hunt supporters in our country).

 

[Gamebird]

We are having a lot of discussions on this front at the moment. I feel that the people who want to blast ahead, jump everything and follow a talented fieldmaster across tricky country, and more importantly have the horsepower to do so should be catered for.

I also feel that people who are new, novice, young or nervous (or have horses which are any of the above) shouldn't end up lost, excluded or stuck behind a wired-up gate with no option but to jump it or go home.

You mustn't 'dumb-down' the whole day (my hunt's current way of thinking) or you will lose the bold, brave (lunatic?) element. Conversely you can't exclude the nervous or novice or you will rapidly run out of subscribers.

I think in these climates it is going to be prudent to provide a second field-master, or at the very least someone to take up the rear to ensure stragglers are mopped up, that the lady on the stopper at the back (and there always is one) doesn't ruin the farmer's winter wheat taking 42 attempts to pop a hunt fence, that gates are pointed out (and closed) and that people wanting to go home are pointed in the right direction (ie. not through the next covert to be drawn or across the next section of trail that has been laid).

It is not traditional, but then the way we hunt now is hardly traditional and very few of the mounted field are there to watch Huntsman and hounds at work, but for a day out in the countryside with their horse and good company. If they are paying for hound fodder and Huntsman's wages it is not prudent to alienate them.


Rant over!!

 

[Starbucks]

ok I'm off my high horse now, appologies if I've offended anyone.

I guess I just don't understand why it has changed so much.

 

[katie_southwest]

I think there has probably always been the less experienced/younger or more nervous rider, who wanted to join in. But these days more allowances are being made for them so more people are joining in

 

[Starbucks]

It's helping hunt funds and opening the door to many more people who wouldn't otherwise come and so increasing general support for hunting. Some people are lucky and brought up to it, but others haven't had that advantage.

I know what you mean, and I know I sound like an arrogant arse!

Anyone reading this, don't take much notice of what I say, I don't want to put anyone off going!

 

[Starbucks]

I think there has probably always been the less experienced/younger or more nervous rider, who wanted to join in. But these days more allowances are being made for them so more people are joining in

Yes I was just thinking that. In the case of our hunt there are less member than there used to be but a lot more visitors on opening meet/boxing day etc. I guess the money has to come from somewhere. It's not coming from me either because I can't afford to go much this year - so I'd better shut my trap!!

 

[archoak]

I've pm'd you, I have a picture of the fence on my phone but son has forbidden me to put it on here (and can't anyway without his help!).

 

[dwi]

I wasn't fortunate enough to be able to hunt as a child and coming to it as a 27 yr old with a mortgage to pay is a bit scary. I really love it and I'm getting braver every time I go but it is a dangerous sport. I need to be able to go to work on a Monday morning with all of my bones intact so I can't take the risk with bigger and more difficult fences. We're gradually getting braver about what we jump but i wouldn't go out with a hunt where I was expected to jump everything that was put in front of me. People new to hunting need to be able to choose what fences to tackle so they don't overface themselves or their horse. In a few years time with more money I can see myself becoming a subscriber but when I do it will be with a hunt that made me feel welcome from the start.

 

[Starbucks]

haha yes, it's good to be able to pay your mortgage - or be around to pay it!!

I really wasn't having a dig at people who don't jump everything or whatever. I just don't see why hunts are expected to have someone to look after everyboby what ever they want to do, do you see what I mean??

I go round some stuff if I don't like the look of it, i'm a bit wimpy with horrible boggy woods and stuff like that. It's not that hard to find your way round and catch up again though... I don't need a no horrible boggy woods field master. I do know the country well though which I guess makes it easier.

I am really sorry that my post came across a bit mean. It just annoys me personally as our hunt has become more about looking after the kids/newcomers/non jumpers than having a good day! I'm probably just being selfish, so ignore me!

 

[LindaW]

Your hunt did an absolutely fabulous newcomers day today, smashing bit of PR work and an awful lot of newbies - a fair few of whom were at the front and jumped everything - left with a smile on their faces.

I'll tell you though, the field was split 3 ways, people who wanted to go faster, a middle group who weren't sure, and non jumpers at the back. Middle group was twice as large as the front, and the back was bigger again. People moved up the groups as time went on.

Why has it changed - economics. It's a simple case of supply and demand. Hunts now largely supply a service to people wanting to go out with their horse for the day, the money is in getting that big group at the back to keep coming back, improving and paying. Hunt support then grows.

Today, they achieved that in my opinion.

 

[LouBerry]

If i'm being a bit thick here then just excuse me and bear with me

As far as I was aware hunts have different days for different "levels" if you like don't they? Round here Monday country is decent days, Tuesdays and Saturdays are better suited for the less confident, the young horses, people not wanting huge fences etc. Or that's the way i've always seen it. I do agree with both sides in a way. I think it's the individuals responsiblity to ring the hunt and find out which days are suited to their levels and the hunts responsibility to provide good information so people don't come out on the wrong days. I agree that in this day and age everyone has to be catered for to help bring the money in. I think the idea of having a member of staff at the back to help is a good idea but only on certain days. I don't think they should need to provide this service on big decent days because everyone should be of a good enough level to go out there and cope otherwise they're on the wrong day. But i do believe on the smaller days or newcomers days it is a definite need to help prevent accidents.
I have seen it in the past where people haven't bothered to check information properly and have turned up on a big fence day when not capable. They've then whinged about the size of the fences and the fact they can't get round and one of the field staff have had to babysit them the whole way round. This to be honest did annoy me a bit because it was a notoriously big day, the information was there stating this and yet they still blamed the hunt. :crazy:

 

[AmyMay]

I really do not agree with all this "non jumping field master" crap, newcomer days and all the rest of it

Because, quite simply, not everyone is as brave as you. I certainly don't want to be jumping over bloomin great hedges, but am thrilled to see others doing it.

As for newcomer days, hunts are a business - in order for that business to operate effectively and grow new members need to be recruited and encouraged.

Not everyone is lucky enough to grow up in a hunting house hold, where the rider skills and standards you speak of are developed from an early age.

Your attitude is rather high handed and snooty - and it's attitudes like yours that put people wanting to experience new things off.

You are not a good ambassador for the sport or your hunt - which is a real shame, because you are clearly an excellent horsewoman, who could inspire and encourage new members to aspire to be better than they are. Encouragement from people like you are what got me in to hunting in the first place. Your attitudue however is one that only serves to put people off.

 

[Starbucks]

I'm glad it was a good day Linda.

 

[Starbucks]

AmyMay I have appologised so you don't have to keep saying what a bad attitude I have - i know!!

Like I said I'm just being selfish so ignore me!!

 

[Mickeymoo]

I am 45, work full time to keep my horse - which I cannot afford to buy another, or have this one down with an injury.

Hunts offer this optional / non jumping service, so they should be around to make sure everyone is safe. As for not running through bad ground - no, I don't expect to have my horse put at risk by someone that may have a string of horses to ride.

When you are older and break a bit more easily, and if you have a restricted budget, then you may understand a bit more.

 

[Starbucks]

What has abd ground got to do with it and how do you know what my budget is??? String of horses?? I wish!!

No where have I said that I think everyone should even jump - have I???

 

[combat_claire]

We don't have a formal non-jumping field master, but those who don't want to jump are paired up with other experienced non-jumpers. This ensures we don't piss off farmers by having newbies cutting across drill, trying to find their way round.

Pony Club are welcome at all meets, but there are specific meets arranged for them and these are clearly marked with the clear understanding that adults may come, but their job will be to chaperone 1 or 2 youngsters on ponies.

We welcome anyone and everyone be they on their feet or on a pony, and having taken their cash it is only fair that someone makes sure they enjoy their day. The Pony Club DC will very often take older first timers out with her string of Pony Club members. The newcomers are the future of hunting, if everyone took your attitude SB then hunting wouldn't continue for very long. Ban or no ban.

 

[Starbucks]

Well it's a good job i'm in the minority then!

 

[chestnut cob]

I'm not going to comment about whether hunting now is different from 20 years, or even 10 years, ago as I haven't been doing it long enough but I do agree with the comment that people should be able to be responsible for themselves. When I first started hunting I was terrified half the time and on a horse who either came out of the trailer and jumped everything, or pretended all day he'd never jumped in his life. I used to chat with the Secretary about which meets would be suitable for someone who didn't want to jump big and I just went to those. I wouldn't have dreamt of going along to one where I knew there would be huge hedges and the like - but I did take the time to find out which those meets were.

A few years down the line and I now have a horse that, I am told, will jump anything asked of him on the hunting field (only been cubbing with him so can't comment yet but the owners say he's superb and never stops). Hopefully my riding has improved an awful lot compared to when I first started going out so I might just be a bit more adventurous about the days I chose.

I suspect the comment about non jumping field masters is aimed at me because I commented on another thread further down that I'd been out with a pack a few years ago who had a non jumping master. I never set out especially to go out on days when she was master but if she was, everyone knew there wouldn't be any jumping (and it was pretty dull then anyway!).

I think they need to strike a balance between all elements, but if I'm honest whilst I wouldn't want to be jumping huge fences, I would be disappointed to go and have very little jumping.l

 

[Otis]

I'm not going to beat around the bush - this is to do with the post below, and what my hunt has become.

it's a bit bad to talk about "the good old days", especailly as I'm only 25, but I've got to say - they were so much better!!!

I really do not agree with all this "non jumping field master" crap, newcomer days and all the rest of it.

Why can't people just be of the correct standard of riding, have a fit horse and get on with it??

I'm not saying people have to jump everything or anything in fact, but they could at least have the initiative to find their own way round, rather than blaming the hunt for not looking after them.

GET A GRIP people!!!

Rant over.

At last! Some common sense - especially about having a fit horse! If people don't have a decent horse then they shouldn't be on the field. SIMPLE AS! I'm sick and tired of having my fun ruined by idiots on old nags who need to be mollycoddled over anything taller than a dandelion stalk. By all means follow on foot instead - as long as you pay your subs, don't get in our way and don't expect to be invited to the hunt ball!!!

 

[AmyMay]

Ah the old elitist attitude Otis. How original!

 

[Starbucks]

I suspect the comment about non jumping field masters is aimed at me because I commented on another thread further down that I'd been out with a pack a few years ago who had a non jumping master. I never set out especially to go out on days when she was master but if she was, everyone knew there wouldn't be any jumping (and it was pretty dull then anyway!).

Nothing aimed at you at all CC. I think most hunts have a non jumping FM these days at least some of the time.

Only post I was refering to was the one where it sounded like a feildmaster was getting into trouble because he went over a fence and a kid fell off.

good luck for this season!

 

[chestnut cob]

FM shouldn't be getting into trouble because someone fell of...kids fall off hunting, adults fall off. You just learn to stick better next time! The last time I fell off hunting was when my horse spooked at something we went past...did he bother about the fences, no, did he tank off and play up, no...he spooked and leapt sideways, I fell off and he buggered off!! V embarrasing but you learn to stick on.