Would you try hunting?

As a nervous rider - how are you treated by more confident riders?

  • Total voters
    0
C

charleymay

Member
Joined
11 August 2009
Messages
18
Visit site
Dear All

The Countryside Alliance are organising 'Hunting Newcomers Week' from 10-17th October.

The week will allow you to hunt FOR FREE and is designed to give an introduction to hunting for horses and riders who have never hunted, or only hunted a few times.

The hunts will tailor the day with optional jumping and riding over some of Britains most beautiful countryside.

It would be FREE so available for all to try!

What do you think?
cool.gif
 
There needs to be an 'other'!
Selected yes because I would if I had a horse to try it on as have never been before; a) because of having no such suitable horse and b) I would need an easier day with optional jumps etc as opposed to jumping in at the deep end as it were and c) the cost.

Sounds like a great idea
smile.gif
 
In theory I would love to take my baby horse hunting but
1. I have a bad back and can't jump, so I can only do it if all the jumps are optional.
2. I've done "introductory, children and beginners hunts" on other horses and they were organized chaos. Lots of people out of their depth, horses randomly tear-arsing about and people screaming and falling off left right and centre. I'm not in a rush to repeat the experience. I preferred proper hunting, but for that I'd need to jump.
smirk.gif


Actually, I ticked maybe, but I'm changing to no. I'm just too old and sensible now.
grin.gif
 
I've never tried it before, I wouldn't mind at all if I had a horse suitable.

No, confession time - suitability of the horse has got nothing to do with it in all honesty. The only reason I've never been hunting is because yours truly is petrified of jumping anything bigger/scarier than your average fallen log.

Otherwise I'd happily give it a go.
 
[ QUOTE ]
There needs to be an 'other'!
Selected yes because I would if I had a horse to try it on as have never been before; a) because of having no such suitable horse and b) I would need an easier day with optional jumps etc as opposed to jumping in at the deep end as it were and c) the cost.

Sounds like a great idea
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Hello, in answer to your questions....

a) do you have a horse? Or could you borrow one?
b) It would be an easier day with optional fences
c) The cost is £0...it is a totally free day
grin.gif
grin.gif


Hope this helps!
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
In theory I would love to take my baby horse hunting but
1. I have a bad back and can't jump, so I can only do it if all the jumps are optional.
2. I've done "introductory, children and beginners hunts" on other horses and they were organized chaos. Lots of people out of their depth, horses randomly tear-arsing about and people screaming and falling off left right and centre. I'm not in a rush to repeat the experience. I preferred proper hunting, but for that I'd need to jump.
smirk.gif


Actually, I ticked maybe, but I'm changing to no. I'm just too old and sensible now.
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

grin.gif
grin.gif
Fair enough! We hope the hunts will be more than 'organised chaos' .... perhaps you could follow on foot (it is what many older and wiser people do, I think it is more fun - you tend to enjoy the port at more regular intervals)

Hope this helps!
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
How do we find out more about this?

[/ QUOTE ]

Details will be available next week on the Countryside Alliance website, as well as in Horse and Hound. We are just finalising details with hunts from around the country
smile.gif
grin.gif
 
I used to hunt when I was a child and would love to do so now but there is no way I would ever be able to afford it with my local hunt (Beaufort). There doesn't seem any point in a free week for me when I know I could never carry on.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hell yeahh! I would jump at the chance! I doubt my pony would be thinking the same though...
tongue.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

He looks like he would jump at the chance too! You should give it a go
smile.gif
cool.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
a) because of having no such suitable horse and b) I would need an easier day with optional jumps etc as opposed to jumping in at the deep end as it were and c) the cost.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear, that's why I've never hunted up until now.
If it was optional jumps and free as you've outlined, then I'd love that idea- if I had a horse suitable.
I do have my own horse but arthritis and unpredictable temperament means I don't risk hard work/unlevel ground/lots of strange horses with him. Which sadly rules out hunting! And the other horse I ride is still only a baby and I'm not that brave/stupid to take him out!
If I were to go hunting I'd need to borrow a been there, done it, got the t-shirt type! (Any offers?! lol)
 
How will you qualify for this? I only get to hunt a few times a year due to time and fitness constraints am a member of the CA yet doubt I will be entitled.
 
YES, YES, YES!!!! I'd so love to give it a go as never done it before. Cost has always put me off plus not having a horse that isnt broken. I have a horse that works now, no idea if he's been before but yeah, 2 inexperienced one's here will go. Any more info on this and are they doing any in somerset...? ps i'll need to cadge a lift as have no transport, if anyone from near me wants to do this...!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I used to hunt when I was a child and would love to do so now but there is no way I would ever be ablHe to afford it with my local hunt (Beaufort). There doesn't seem any point in a free week for me when I know I could never carry on.

[/ QUOTE ]

How about the Berkley, Cotswold, Cotswold Vale Farmers, North Cotswold, Croome and W.Warks foxhounds, Ledbury, VWH, and Warwcs?
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
How will you qualify for this? I only get to hunt a few times a year due to time and fitness constraints am a member of the CA yet doubt I will be entitled.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am sure you will be, if you are not a regular hunter, all support is welcome. Your horse is gorgeous by the way
grin.gif
 
Ideally, you should go on a horse that has been before, but if your horse is relatively sane at shows or on fun rides, he should be fine.
As long as you listen to the field master and use some common sense (ie not riding up the back of anyone, galloping past someone who is having problems, or leaving someone who is struggling to do a gate) it should be a very enyjoyable day.
However, if your idea of fun is trotting endless circles in the school, you probably won't enjoy it...
smile.gif
smile.gif

As for the risk of getting 'hooked' and not being able to afford it, this IS a possibility, but lots of hunts are desperate for people to hunt for free in exchange for gate shutting (which is exactly what it sounds like - you ensure gates are shut and any broken fences are cobbled together with string before notifying the field master), or offer cheap days for under-25s.
And I have a number of friends who scrimp and save to have a couple of days' hunting a season at their favourite meets and enjoy every minute of it.
I was lucky enough to hunt a borrowed horse for eight seasons - he loved it, I loved it and it did his owner a favour as the horse was a bit nutty if he didn't get his fix!
Give it a go!
 
Sounds good, thanks for letting us know charleymay. Will look at the countryside alliance website next week, will vale of aylesbury or surrey union be on there as these would be my local hunts?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sounds good, thanks for letting us know charleymay. Will look at the countryside alliance website next week, will vale of aylesbury or surrey union be on there as these would be my local hunts?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think both of those hunts are very keen to take part
grin.gif
 
yes, absolutely I went once last year so think I would qualify. Was great fun, Frank had a lovely time and can't wait to hopefully go more this year and hopefully jump a bit more.
smile.gif


oh and have my trailer test now so can get myself there too!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ideally, you should go on a horse that has been before, but if your horse is relatively sane at shows or on fun rides, he should be fine.
As long as you listen to the field master and use some common sense (ie not riding up the back of anyone, galloping past someone who is having problems, or leaving someone who is struggling to do a gate) it should be a very enyjoyable day.
However, if your idea of fun is trotting endless circles in the school, you probably won't enjoy it...
smile.gif
smile.gif

As for the risk of getting 'hooked' and not being able to afford it, this IS a possibility, but lots of hunts are desperate for people to hunt for free in exchange for gate shutting (which is exactly what it sounds like - you ensure gates are shut and any broken fences are cobbled together with string before notifying the field master), or offer cheap days for under-25s.
And I have a number of friends who scrimp and save to have a couple of days' hunting a season at their favourite meets and enjoy every minute of it.
I was lucky enough to hunt a borrowed horse for eight seasons - he loved it, I loved it and it did his owner a favour as the horse was a bit nutty if he didn't get his fix!
Give it a go!

[/ QUOTE ]

FANTASTIC post, and very true
smile.gif
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I used to hunt when I was a child and would love to do so now but there is no way I would ever be ablHe to afford it with my local hunt (Beaufort). There doesn't seem any point in a free week for me when I know I could never carry on.

[/ QUOTE ]

How about the Berkley, Cotswold, Cotswold Vale Farmers, North Cotswold, Croome and W.Warks foxhounds, Ledbury, VWH, and Warwcs?
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Are all of the hunts mentioned in on the free hunting? I'm with the Croome and W.Warks hunt but have only been once or twicea and have just got back from hound exercise
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
yes, absolutely I went once last year so think I would qualify. Was great fun, Frank had a lovely time and can't wait to hopefully go more this year and hopefully jump a bit more.
smile.gif


oh and have my trailer test now so can get myself there too!

[/ QUOTE ]

Brilliant, glad you had fun
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I used to hunt when I was a child and would love to do so now but there is no way I would ever be ablHe to afford it with my local hunt (Beaufort). There doesn't seem any point in a free week for me when I know I could never carry on.

[/ QUOTE ]

How about the Berkley, Cotswold, Cotswold Vale Farmers, North Cotswold, Croome and W.Warks foxhounds, Ledbury, VWH, and Warwcs?
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

We are still waiting to hear back from a few owing to it being summer holidays for many, but all hunts participating in Hunting Newcomers Week will be providing the day for free
grin.gif


Are all of the hunts mentioned in on the free hunting? I'm with the Croome and W.Warks hunt but have only been once or twicea and have just got back from hound exercise
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top