When was your first Hunt?

[PinkTulips]

Well im just nosey really but wondering how long you had been riding before you attended your first hunt?

Im along way off yet as iv just started learning to ride but its something i would be open to trying in the future

 

[Andyy123]

I've been riding since october 2009 and will be going hunting in the 2011/2012 season, i would have gone last season but sold my horse.

I believe it all depends on the horse you have...
has it been hunting before? If so how did they get along??
And if they haven't been before i would reccommend a more experienced rider, a friend or relative, to take them first to see how they react.

As for your riding only you will know when you are capable of going hunting, you'll have to be well balanced in all gaits and not be afraid of jumping high!!! lmao x

 

[Enfys]

I think I was about 8, riding a bloody minded dartmoor gelding called Duster. As I remember he had me off about 4 times and I kept getting back on, or being picked up and put back on! I got blooded - for persistance! I hunted with that pack (Axe Vale for another 10 years)

I had been off the lead rein for about 2 years by then. It was a completely different world back then (think about 40 years) we got on our ponies, stuffed a sandwich and an apple in our anorak pocket, got collected by friends on their ponies and about 8 of us from the village would go off to the forestry for hours.

 

[loverly]

I've been riding for about 5 years now (on my own horse, but been riding longer at a riding school) and went hunting for the first time in the 2009/2010 season.. Just come back from my first hunt of this season today... Was a brilliant day all in all!

 

[TJP]

When I was about 11, on Copper - my 1st pony. He was a little sod who took great joy in bucking me off, but proved to be a star out hunting. That'll be about 27 years ago!! Was riding since I was 6.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

It was 1969 on a freezing cold winters morning, on a dear little grey pony. Happy times, all so very different then.

 

[EAST KENT]

I was eight,and had been riding since I was five;the pony..an evil black welsh mare called Zulu was twenty one .We stayed out all day ,with the old Chiddingfold Farmers. I think the Pony Club cap was a shilling!!

 

[PinkTulips]

Thanks Very much. This has deffo gave me something to work towards as i would love to give it ago someday

 

[Piglet]

OMG I can't remember, I was born into a hunting home so it was probably before I could walk although I do remember mum always making sure that she was never in the muddle of the field, if I remember rightly she was always worried that I would get kicked off my pony

 

[JenHunt]

I think I was about 6. I went on the lead rein for about half an hour (as much as dad could run!) then I was let off the lead rein for another half hour before going home.

OH had two riding lessons, a couple of hacks on my horse then went hunting.

 

[aramis]

yesterday! and hopefully the next time will be in a few days! have been riding for 12 years, but never really had the chance!

 

[paddi22]

i stated riding when i was five, hunted at 8, back in 1985. absolutely loved it and had no sense of danger - i wish i was still as brave!

 

[rosie fronfelen]

I was 21, employed in a hunting yard within VWH country, from there on i was hooked-

 

[VoR]

Started riding in 2004, first hunt was in 2009 having had three horses in that time, one not up-to-it, spending too much time lame on light work, one too mad to even think about a novice hunting it, the other (chestnut mare) who was taken out by a friend and spent most of the time going backwards, so again, probably not a sensible first hunting ride!
My latest had never hunted before but thankfully has adapted brilliantly!
First day was (as I have learned now) a truly awful day in the worst bit of the country but I loved it anyway and can't get enough now !

 

[JenHunt]

First day was (as I have learned now) a truly awful day in the worst bit of the country but I loved it anyway and can't get enough now !

I was always told that there's no such thing as a bad day's hunting, it's just that some are better than others but I know what you mean. Hunting from my parents house is never the most exciting day, but it was clearly enough to get a 6yo me hooked!

 

[Daddy_Long_Legs]

I was 10! I had been riding since I was 5. I was hooked but I didn't get a chance to go mounted again until I was 15.

 

[Judgemental]

With the Vine now the Vine and Craven in 1958.

The hounds met at The George in St Mary Bourne and found a fox in Doles Wood.

The late Bob James was the Huntsman and the Master was the late Col Frank Mitchell.

 

[Fiagai]

I was always told that there's no such thing as a bad day's hunting, it's just that some are better than others ...!

Agreed

From The Sport Of Kings , written by W. Scarth Dixon

A Story is told of a veteran sportsman who was asked upon one occasion as to what he thought were the three most enjoyable things in the world. As to what was the best he had no doubt, it was a good day with hounds. He hesitated a little before replying to the query as to what was the next best thing, but it was only for a short time, and then he replied, "A bad day with hounds." What was the third best thing was a poser after that, but after a long and careful consideration he shouted out to his tormentor in answer to the question, "______ it, sir, a blank day with hounds."