[QUOTE=AmarachAcres;7471619]
You guys make this sound so much fun but the idea of hunting terrifies me. I love watching videos on you tube but oh god.[/QUOTE]
Most hunts in the US do not resemble what you see on the videos from Ireland. Those terrify me, too!
[QUOTE=AmarachAcres;7471619]
You guys make this sound so much fun but the idea of hunting terrifies me. I love watching videos on you tube but oh god.[/QUOTE]
Many of the videos circulating are from Ireland, and that is a different type class of hunting. Generally speaking no one is jumping pipe gates, cattle grates, and 4’ ditches in the US.
Most hunts will have at least 2 fields (sometimes 3/hilltoppers), and this will accommodate riders and horses of almost every level and ability. Hunting can vary a lot by the type of territory/terrain, type of hound, huntsman. I’ve been with some hunts which feel more like a brisk trail ride.
You shouldn’t let your perception of hunting, or the extreme YouTube videos discourage you! If I thought Eventinig was all about jumping obstacles at 4* Rolex, I might not be inclined to try it either 
I have purchased several items from this guy http://www.thehuntingshop.co.uk/ He also has a FB page which is quite popular.
Most everything he has for sale is excellent quality, gently used, and some is bespoke. He also carries beagling attire which is a real godsend as it is hard to find in the US.
For those who hoard canary and rust breeches; he can have those custom made for you for about 200$.
Another excellent source of attire is http://www.huntingstockmarket.co.uk/ I’ve seen their products at the hound show - excellent quality for a good price.
I had actually seen 2 tweed coats at consignment shops that I thought looked like cubbing wear with a little tailoring - but passed them up! thinking I didn’t want to look “off”.
[QUOTE=AmarachAcres;7471619]
You guys make this sound so much fun but the idea of hunting terrifies me. I love watching videos on you tube but oh god.[/QUOTE]
I think it depends on the individual hunt. Our hunt is fairly sedate, and typically most hunts offer a second field.
[QUOTE=RoseTree68;7467545]
I am new to COTH but not new to fox hunting. As a teenager I hunted with Rose Tree Hunt Club in Rose Tree, near Media, Pennsylvania. I hope to eventually get back to hunting.
Fox hunting is not an inexpensive pursuit (pun, groan). One place to start is to order, thru the COTH website, RIDING TO HOUNDS IN AMERICA - An Introduction for Fox Hunters by William P. Wadsworth, MFH that was published by The Chronicle in 1987. After reading this booklet, reading this
and other COTH threads, asking questions and sharing ideas, you CAN significantly reduce your costs, particularly by avoiding some of the good in theory but bad in practice ideas that come up.
Good Luck to all those that can hunt, weather permitting. Also, Good Luck to those who are not currently so fortunate.[/QUOTE]
Hmm, I was boarding at Rose Tree in Media beginning in 1965. And riding with Carole & Buck Heller. Did you have a horse there? Perhaps we know each other!
Well I bought my ‘first’ hunt coat off eBay last night!! Found a pretty tweed hounds tooth jacket for a steal of a price.
I also found a nice flat hunt bridle but am holding off on it for a while since we are in the middle of fencing and the savings account is decreasing daily…
Newmarket Dehners! By the measurements, too small for me. besides, as a beginning foxhunter, I think showing up in flashy newmarket boots would be a bit much. But someone will love them:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151250721545?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Rose Tree in Media
Thanks for posting Dispatcher. We may know or know of each other.
I boarded at Rose Tree, probably from 1958 to 1964. My name back then was Pat Ridgway. I knew Carole and Buck Heller. I bought my heart horse Battlezac from Buck. “Tiny” was by Abbezac out of Buck’s mare Sky Battle.
I’m on my second marriage and only use my nickname within my family which makes reconnecting with some old friends more difficult. I haven’t seen Carole since the 60’s. Are you still in contact with her ?
[QUOTE=RoseTree68;7476603]
Thanks for posting Dispatcher. We may know or know of each other.
I boarded at Rose Tree, probably from 1958 to 1964. My name back then was Pat Ridgway. I knew Carole and Buck Heller. I bought my heart horse Battlezac from Buck. “Tiny” was by Abbezac out of Buck’s mare Sky Battle.
I’m on my second marriage and only use my nickname within my family which makes reconnecting with some old friends more difficult. I haven’t seen Carole since the 60’s. Are you still in contact with her ?[/QUOTE]
Hi Pat,
I sent you a PM! I was always in awe of Sky Battle–even with her Man’ O War temperment…
We do know each other !
Sent you a PM. Thanks for following up on your hunch ! Sky Battle raced and was a broodmare. She was also very pleasant to ride, although, I tactfully did do some things her way. I remember her classic “shotgun” nose and just how good-looking she was ! I am glad we have COTH and were able to reconnect. Hope to see you and Carole in April !
my (this) post showed up on wrong thread - pls delete.
There is a Chinese saying that I’m told translates as “buy the best and you only cry once.” That having been said, if you want to get in the field quickly, buy cheap. EBay is terrific as are any number of Facebook sites, As JSwan suggested above, thehuntingshop.co.uk is wonderful - as are a number of other international sites (be sure and search “second hand” rather than “used” for our UK friends).
Fairbank’s Port cost about $6 a bottle - for both flask and breakfast. After the first tumbler, nobody can tell the difference. Pie is always popular at breakfast/tea and can be had for about the same money.
Whatever tack you are using now, be it show ring or trail rides, is probably okay to start off with. And your habit - black boots, tan britches and a $5 Goodwill tweed coat will put you in good stead almost anywhere.
Hell, my truck an trailer cost less than some people’s hunt coats!
So never been hunting, but horse with trainer this winter while I work and have no time. She is hunting him regularly and he loves it. I want to go along some time, however I have not showed in years and have nothing but schooling attire. I bought some buff britches. I need boots as I only have paddocks and half chaps. But was wondering if my mom’s tweed wool hunt coat from pre WW2 be acceptable? Does have elbow patches, but in generally good shape.
cbv,
I would call the hunt secretary and ask if paddock boots and half chaps and the tweed would be ok for the first few times hunting to see if this is something you REALLY want to invest in. Without knowing which hunt, it is hard to say if it would be OK. Some are sticklers for turnout, while others have a come as you are philosophy.
If the hunt is a stickler, the secretary may know of someone with a extra coat that would fit you that you could use for the day.
If you do find that this is something you want to jump into, buy the best you can quality you can afford…if that means buying used over new…buy the quality used item over new.
You can find many lovely used saddles that have thousands of miles and hours left in them for a fraction of the new price. The same can be said for a melton coat and good boots.
I’m glad your horse is going well. That is a huge part, being able to enjoy the hunting, because your horse is enjoying it as well.
I have a lovely pair of Vogels that date back to B.C. times, purchased on ebay for $41. Brown. They lack the bells and whistles of some of today’s boots, but I don’t doubt they’ll probably last another ten years at least.
Then again, I’m the one competing at “A” shows in my $36 tall boots. Oopsie. Impulse purchase. Not bad, eBay, not bad…
If you visit or live nearby, I encourage you to visit Middleburg Tack Exchange in Middleburg, Virginia. Especially during off-season, everything is marked down on the consignment hunt jackets, etc. During the season prices can double, but it is still reasonable compared to buying them new.
The best thing about consignment shops like Middleburg Tack Exchange is you can try stuff on. I’ve bought jackets used on eBay and had to pay to tailor them to me, that can get very expensive very quickly. Plus, some jackets I bought online just had very bad odors - can’t be helped, people do sweat when hunting, especially early in the season when it is warm, and no amount of dry cleaning can get it out. So buying in person is a great option as you can check the product.
$20 handmade and unique, beautiful stock ties I found on Etsy. Brand new, too. Why pay $40 or $65 for a brand new stock tie from one of the big corporate manufacturers (generic-looking plus other people already have it), when you can have one that is thoughtfully and tastefully made by a fellow fox hunter?
AA, if you ever come east, check out Hunters Rest. Betsy runs a B&B that caters to beginner, want- to-try foxhunting, riders. I rode there a few years ago and she put me on an absolutely reliable mount that calmly and safely took me through the day. You go out with the third field, which means no jumping, and you ride to the lowest common denominator. Everyone is safe and has a great time.
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