Starbucks
Well-Known Member
I once fell off when my horse slipped on a cow patt --- I think the port had gone to my head!!! I fell in said cow patt too!! 
What has hunting come to?
- Thread starter Starbucks
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chestnut cob
Well-Known Member
I once fell off when my horse slipped on a cow patt --- I think the port had gone to my head!!! I fell in said cow patt too!!
Nice!! I bet you looked and smelt just gorgeous after that!! ;-)
I remember being at a meet years ago, glass of port in hand, and pony heard a noise and decided to spin round...cue me covered in port all over beige breeches, for the rest of the day...classy!! :grin:
I am soo excited about getting out and doing a bit this year. Although I don't go out often, I really missed it last season as didn't have anything to take.
Starbucks
Well-Known Member
haha, I think that has happened to us all!!
It is a skill in itself managing horse and drink at the same time!! Never quite got the hang of horse, drink and sauasge role!
sure you'll have a great season...
It is a skill in itself managing horse and drink at the same time!! Never quite got the hang of horse, drink and sauasge role!
sure you'll have a great season...
chestnut cob
Well-Known Member
It's either drink OR sausage roll, can't do both!!
Starbucks
Well-Known Member
My mum manages but she doesn't really have much control over the os... I think it's just because she's greedy she can't bring herself to say no to the food - and certainly not a drink!!! :smirk:
Chumsmum
Well-Known Member
I thought you had to down the drink in one? :grin:
IMO I think there are more people who have come in to horses later in life and subsequently hunting and haven't had the benefit of being a fearless child out on a mad pony. But saying that, I know plenty of people who in their younger years jumped everything but now pick and choose their jumps carefully or not at all.
I agree that you should find out if the meet is suitable for a newcomer - our local hunt asks visitors to telephone the Secretary prior to coming out.
And also agree with someone who pointed out earlier that we love watching people taking on the big fences but wouldn't want to do it themselves.
There should be a place for everyone to have a great day.
IMO I think there are more people who have come in to horses later in life and subsequently hunting and haven't had the benefit of being a fearless child out on a mad pony. But saying that, I know plenty of people who in their younger years jumped everything but now pick and choose their jumps carefully or not at all.
I agree that you should find out if the meet is suitable for a newcomer - our local hunt asks visitors to telephone the Secretary prior to coming out.
And also agree with someone who pointed out earlier that we love watching people taking on the big fences but wouldn't want to do it themselves.
There should be a place for everyone to have a great day.
Starbucks
Well-Known Member
Can you expand a bit SL, so you hunt on foot?
They might start encouraging the ramblers to join in and ask you to supervise the tea brakes! :grin:
They might start encouraging the ramblers to join in and ask you to supervise the tea brakes! :grin:
archoak
Well-Known Member
"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."
Doubt if she will get into trouble, it has just been noted I think and to clarify they were led over a fence that was not suitable for first time hunting pc children, the fence is never ever jumped that way on a pc meet
Doubt if she will get into trouble, it has just been noted I think and to clarify they were led over a fence that was not suitable for first time hunting pc children, the fence is never ever jumped that way on a pc meet
Starbucks
Well-Known Member
ok, fair enough. They'll perhaps get someone else to fieldmaster on the next PC meet!!
I still think though that people should take responsibility for themselves, even kids. Jumping onto roads/jumping wire etc. is just something that happens hunting, quite a lot.
You need to have your wits about you hunting and if you don't like the look of something or you don't think you/your mount is up to it then your common sense should tell you not to do it, if you are 7 or 70!
I still think though that people should take responsibility for themselves, even kids. Jumping onto roads/jumping wire etc. is just something that happens hunting, quite a lot.
You need to have your wits about you hunting and if you don't like the look of something or you don't think you/your mount is up to it then your common sense should tell you not to do it, if you are 7 or 70!
archoak
Well-Known Member
We'll have to agree to disagree I think :smirk: But at 7 you do what adults tell you to as you have absolute faith and trust in them.
Gamebird
Well-Known Member
Drink, reins, whip AND sausage roll... I'm a pro!
Oh and if you can manage the hip flask pass mid hunt-jump then you deserve an OBE!!!
Oh and if you can manage the hip flask pass mid hunt-jump then you deserve an OBE!!!
Starbucks
Well-Known Member
See, I don't think so!!
I did my first full season when I was 8, and i mean a FULL season, my mum and dad both hunted at the time, but were they going to wait for me or help me? No!
I had a 11.2 old pony (who was amazing actually!) but if I got left I got left, I had to make my way around. I managed!
Maybe I just have bad parents!
Oh and for everyone saying "not everyone is lucky enough to be born into it" etc. I was, My parents weren't. They are from rough estates in Sheffield. My mum rode what she could as a kid, got a horse in her early twenties when dad decided it looked like fun. They started hunting in their late twenties and fitted strait in. In fact our HUNTSMAN is 40 odd and only started riding about 6 years ago!! So that is no excuse IMO!
I did my first full season when I was 8, and i mean a FULL season, my mum and dad both hunted at the time, but were they going to wait for me or help me? No!
I had a 11.2 old pony (who was amazing actually!) but if I got left I got left, I had to make my way around. I managed!
Maybe I just have bad parents!
Oh and for everyone saying "not everyone is lucky enough to be born into it" etc. I was, My parents weren't. They are from rough estates in Sheffield. My mum rode what she could as a kid, got a horse in her early twenties when dad decided it looked like fun. They started hunting in their late twenties and fitted strait in.
In fact our HUNTSMAN is 40 odd and only started riding about 6 years ago!! So that is no excuse IMO! 
minesadouble
Well-Known Member
I've read this thread with interest. It's been a good while since I hunted, I plan to start again this season with my daughter's cast off super-pony! and will be interested to see how much things really have changed. Even 20odd years ago there were non-jumpers in the field, young and old - and they were never looked down upon the way they seem to be on this thread. They were actually welcomed - believe it or not!
Yes I agree that a F.M should not be responsible if somebody takes a tumble but when I was a kid Pony Club meets were very well 'nannied' and all abilities/confidence levels were catered for to ensure all attending enjoyed their day. If hunting cannot take one or two days a season to encourage the young entry then hunting may have an even bleaker future than the one it is faced with now.
I think that, sadly, for the vast majority, hunting has little to do with the art or science of working hounds and more to do with inflating fragile egos. Reading this thread has done nothing to diminish that viewpoint.
Agree totally with S.L in that for many hunting is little more than an opportunity for social climbing, name dropping and bragging. (Apologies if you feel I have paraphrased that wrongly).
If I had never hunted in my life, knew no-one that did so and read this thread I have to say I do not think I would ever be tempted to try it - what a poor impression to have made when hunting needs all the support it can get!
Yes I agree that a F.M should not be responsible if somebody takes a tumble but when I was a kid Pony Club meets were very well 'nannied' and all abilities/confidence levels were catered for to ensure all attending enjoyed their day. If hunting cannot take one or two days a season to encourage the young entry then hunting may have an even bleaker future than the one it is faced with now.
I think that, sadly, for the vast majority, hunting has little to do with the art or science of working hounds and more to do with inflating fragile egos. Reading this thread has done nothing to diminish that viewpoint.
Agree totally with S.L in that for many hunting is little more than an opportunity for social climbing, name dropping and bragging. (Apologies if you feel I have paraphrased that wrongly).
If I had never hunted in my life, knew no-one that did so and read this thread I have to say I do not think I would ever be tempted to try it - what a poor impression to have made when hunting needs all the support it can get!
Starbucks
Well-Known Member
Fair play to you.
If I'm honest I'm a rider kind of hunter, BUT there is nothing better than a good run, where you follow the hounds no matter what. THAT is what hunting should be, to me.
Not going round the "safe"way for the newcomers and kids to keep up. :smirk:
If I'm honest I'm a rider kind of hunter, BUT there is nothing better than a good run, where you follow the hounds no matter what. THAT is what hunting should be, to me.
Not going round the "safe"way for the newcomers and kids to keep up. :smirk:
LindaW
Well-Known Member
Minesadouble, the reality is that on the whole newcomers and children are made welcome. A few years back I was a newcomer, and I'd have been mortified to be thought of as a numpty, but I was lucky to go out with a hunt that supplied a very generous spirited FM who looked out for us, got us going, and more often than not these days I find myself giving a lead, or up near the front.
Like most people, I always greet newcomers, and if need be, have them ride with us for a time until they find their feet. This attitude is far more typical than some of the frankly quite selfish views posted.
I took my 6yo daughter out on her pony a few weeks back, not a childrens meet either. No one was looking after us but me, and no one did (or was expected) to wait for us. We got left behind, we caught up, wasn't a problem. No one went the 'safe way' to allow us to keep up.
People were lovely to, and about her, she had a ball and can't wait to go again.
If I didn't know better, elements of this thread would have put me off going. They make it sound like kids and newbies are a pain. Well they're not, they are fab to come out and give it a bash.
Like most people, I always greet newcomers, and if need be, have them ride with us for a time until they find their feet. This attitude is far more typical than some of the frankly quite selfish views posted.
I took my 6yo daughter out on her pony a few weeks back, not a childrens meet either. No one was looking after us but me, and no one did (or was expected) to wait for us. We got left behind, we caught up, wasn't a problem. No one went the 'safe way' to allow us to keep up.
People were lovely to, and about her, she had a ball and can't wait to go again.
If I didn't know better, elements of this thread would have put me off going. They make it sound like kids and newbies are a pain. Well they're not, they are fab to come out and give it a bash.
Starbucks
Well-Known Member
Its not about anyone being unwelcome though!!!!!!!
That is exactly my point you went with your daughter and had fun, looked after yourselves and found your way round, great! Glad you enjoyed it!
I dont really get why people are saying as if people not jumping is a new thing it isnt at all!!
If anyone would be put off by a few coments on an internet forum, then they obviously are not very keen!
I'm gonna stop digging now and leave the thread.
Happy hunting people.
That is exactly my point you went with your daughter and had fun, looked after yourselves and found your way round, great! Glad you enjoyed it!
I dont really get why people are saying as if people not jumping is a new thing it isnt at all!!
If anyone would be put off by a few coments on an internet forum, then they obviously are not very keen!
I'm gonna stop digging now and leave the thread.
Happy hunting people.
combat_claire
Well-Known Member
Now I know why so many of the mounted field are on the ground after jumping - they're looking for the hip flask they dropped...!
LindaW
Well-Known Member
Aggggghhhhh no I was trying to make the point that "whats hunting come to" doesn't apply in my experience. Thay aren't taking the safe route for kids and newbies, we had to just get on with it.
You have said several times that they ARE taking safe routes etc for people.
Not to worry....
Do I get points for passing the flask in canter having a swig and passing back without dropping?
no I was trying to make the point that "whats hunting come to" doesn't apply in my experience. Thay aren't taking the safe route for kids and newbies, we had to just get on with it.You have said several times that they ARE taking safe routes etc for people.
Not to worry....
Do I get points for passing the flask in canter having a swig and passing back without dropping?
Tharg
Well-Known Member
Times change, waste of energy thinking about the old days. Fact of the matter is insurance and litigation are two very big subjects.
Starbucks
Well-Known Member
Yes you get extra points for that!
Beware though, you get major negitive points if you drop it!
combat_claire
Well-Known Member
Yes you get extra points for that!
And what is the penalty for dropping a glass saddle flask!!
Starbucks
Well-Known Member
OMG I am always seriously worried about having a drink out of one!! They are just such a silly thing!! Look pretty but not at all practical!
My dad had a stainless steal one - it looks shiney all the time and doesn't bend like the pewter ones (or smash!). I think they are the way forwards!
skewby
Well-Known Member
I have never hunted. But from this I think it's just, hunting is changing. Things change to stay alive.
LindaW
Well-Known Member
Ah! So I get mega points this is an antique glass/crystal one lol (my mates, not mine)
Agent XXX999
Well-Known Member
Newcomers days are an essential way to welcome newcomers to the hunt which in turn means hunting goes from strength to strenth and the infrastucture remains despite the ban.
YorksG
Over the hill and far awa
Well SB 20 years your hunt were very much kinder to 'numpties' than you are currently! Admittedly I was with a friend, on her horse, who nannied me throughout the day. (She also changed the bit next time that horse went hunting, to one that actually had some effect on the beast) I jumped nothing and was treated pleseantly by all who were out.
siennamum
Well-Known Member
I'm suprised you even remember the good old days SB, I would have thought you were too young. I know that I grew up in the 70's hunting in the Midlands and the field master played a real role in supervising the field and ensuring everyone was safe. I would go so far as to say the really good field master had a role in ensuring everyone had fun...
Imagine my horror recently when joining a South West hunt, with a child on a new pony, and a friend on a young horse. Paying £70, standing in the field for an hour and then having the hunt staff & 40% of the field promptly gallop off over a stiff fence leaving all the children (apart from a couple who had crashing falls) and many of the adults on younger horses or more nervous people behind!!
None of us saw the field again. We trotted round on the roads for an hour, found quite a few lost children & eventually gave up.
That was nothing like the 'good old days' I can assure you....
Imagine my horror recently when joining a South West hunt, with a child on a new pony, and a friend on a young horse. Paying £70, standing in the field for an hour and then having the hunt staff & 40% of the field promptly gallop off over a stiff fence leaving all the children (apart from a couple who had crashing falls) and many of the adults on younger horses or more nervous people behind!!
None of us saw the field again. We trotted round on the roads for an hour, found quite a few lost children & eventually gave up.
That was nothing like the 'good old days' I can assure you....
LEC
Opinions are like bum holes, everyone has one.
Unfortunately Mendip are an incredibly rude hunt. I was totally pissed off when I visited them and they left me on my own to do a gate in country I have never been to before. My horse was going spare as they had all galloped off. That NEVER happens with the WBH.