It has been many years since I have belonged to a club, thank God for that, but I have hunted with a few since those days.
And since human nature has not changed since the days of Plato and Socrates, clubs are still clubs.
So here goes:
Clubs generally are composed of two groups:
The first flight…hard riding serious as can be, top notch horses fit as chasers. Whether the horses are expensive or not, they are the best in ability and temperament.
The second field:
Composed of the elderly who still love it but are past the age of gambling on broken bones and most certainly on their old perfect hunter, those who come out rarely except for party days, holidays; beginners, and last but not least, professional horsemen out with green or untested horses.
In some hunts, there is a third field primarily children on ponies, etc., although in most hunts they are included in the second field.
Because that second field is such a diverse group there will always be some in it who through fear, ignorance or maybe in the case of the professional horseman, sheer necessity, who will stick their horse with something.
However, to brand the backbone of hunting, the members who hunt every day hounds go out, who turn out on top notch horses and care for them as though they are derby winners, is grossly unfair.
To be blunt, since hunting is not a competitive sport, he who does stick his horse with something hurts only himself. It is none of the OP’s business. The OP and others might rightfully question that person’s wisdom and ability as a horseman but other than that it is none of our business.
So OP, butt out. Go annoy your neighbor for letting leaves fall on your yard or for parking his car on “your” side of the street.
CSSJR
