I just joined a hunt club this year…I’m 43.
I just started hunting last year…at the age of 27. I didn’t start riding until the age of 24.:winkgrin: If you have a good mount for foxhunting anything is possible! I never in a million years thought I would foxhunt in my lifetime. A local venue that hosts XC clinics, events and hunter paces that I have attended was hosting a foxhunting clinic through a local hunt club. I called some friends who I thought might be interested. We all signed up, had a blast and this year I hope to get out hunting more.
I do agree with those that suggest taking out an experienced hunt horse.
I was in elementry school… mom would tell the office I had an appointment with “Dr. Fox” and pull me out of school during the week so we could go hunting. Had a hard time explaining how I snapped my collar bone when I was supposedly at the doctor’s, though!
I was a lot braver in my youth… sigh!
I rode at a lovely barn growing up that was a h/j barn primarily, but many foxhunter’s boarded there. The farm was/is landowner’s for the local hunt. Also helped that the barn owner’s husband (now ex) was a MFH and huntsman (of a different hunt, but all the same). The barn always took a huge following of young rider’s to the local hunt club’s Junior Day. I believe my first exposure was at 15. I then started riding 'chasers, and hunted a bit more regularly as a groom from 16-18. I then became a member of another local hunt that a friend helped me join from 20-24, and I am now just a supporting member of yet ANOTHER hunt due to my time constraints of working full time and going to law school. I’m hoping in 2 years when I’m done with school, I will finally have time to hunt again! (and my 2nd generation hunter will be just old enough to start hilltopping :))
I just started hunting this year, I’m 31. I evented through college. Spent the past 7 years raising the horse of my dreams who isn’t going to be much of an eventer (doesn’t like going off alone in unfamiliar territory)
She has fallen in love with hunting, and so have I! I’m beyond thrilled to have found a sport we can participate in together.
It’s never too late to start!
I just started hunting this past year, too. I’m 32, 33 next month. I grew up doing the hunters, Pony Club and eventing. But always wanted to try a real hunt. (We mock hunted in PC; we acted as hounds when we’d spot a pop corn “scent” left by our PC DC on the trail. Great fun! Of course chasing and “tagging” the “fox” when we’d spot her [she was also mounted] was probably not the safest of plans, but it was the '80s and children were still allowed to get hurt. You did get to keep her felt fox ears if you tagged her, so definitely a prize worth scarificing life and limb!) :lol:
For our first time it was helpful for us to go out behind someone who is very exprienced hunting and was on an experienced hunt horse. I knew I could handle my horse as long a he had a sane horse in front of him to bounce his energy off of.
Anyways, I’ve taken the little blond monkey out four or five times now and he finally understands it’s not a race nor a time for showing off airs above ground.
Hunting is so much more fun than I had even hoped for! We’re both hooked!
Not too late!
Go for it! I was 50 before I put my leg over a horse. My wife is an evernter, andI was a once a month trail rider for 2 years before I got serious. By serious, I mean that I became interested in going foxhunting and started taking lessons.
I have been hunting for 4 years now and it’s just the best!
Hotspur
Metamora Hunt
I refuse to answer your question, but I will tell you LBJ was President 
Wow, am I glad I asked!
Not only am I encouraged by all the responses here, but I’ve also had the opportunity to talk with a very nice lady from one of the local(ish) hunts (not a lot of open country near Myrtle Beach, as you might imagine;) ). She was very gracious and welcoming.:yes:
Yes, wanabe, it looks like so far you win the prize, followed closely by hotspur (:lol: love the screen name), for the most senior starter.
Painted Wings - I agree, fat little paint horses should one day rule the world.:winkgrin:
Please, y’all, keep adding to the thread - I love reading your experiences.
thoughts on maturity!
You have no idea how many of us took it up as “mature adults”…well…“grown ups”…well…over 40 yeah that’s it!! :winkgrin: A lot of us aren’t mature nor grown up yet so we better go with the over 40 thing.!!! 
Hunting at any age is good. You know my motto…Take Your Pills, Shutup, & Ride!!!
And be sure to just Hilltop, Hilltoppers Rule!! :yes:
My first hunting experience?. Out trailriding with a landowner in hunt country and dang if the hunt wasn’t out!! We followed from a distance. My horse was fine with it. I was enamored with how it all looked & sounded and all the people smiled as they rode by and invited us to join them!!! Unbelievable! I just HAD to do it!!
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Another 42 year old who took the leap here. At first it was something to try to avoid the show ring or eventing track. Then it all came together with the right horse, the right hunt country and great people. Now I’m in deep, very deep. Just do it, quitely gather the clothes and tack, watch for foxhunting symbols on trailers and follow at a discreet distance. They will welcome you with open arms.
I hunted as a teenager with my trainer who was MFH back then. We did live and drag hunts and I LOVED it…
I have not hunted in 30+ years, but can’t wait to start again with my current OTTB who is destined to be a field hunter, he is brave and bold and unflappable
My instructor was a field master with a hunt in central FL and she was the one who introduced me well under 3 years ago when I was 25. capping the maximum allowed of 3 times.
Unfortunately a career change meant that I moved to the Memphis area not long afterwards. I did ride at a stables associated with a hunt there, but didn’t get to hunt there like I had planned and hoped. :no:
All ends well though as I moved in with the girlfriend who is up in NE Ohio and I know have subscribed to my first hunt up there with her at my current age of 28.
What a fun discussion!
I’m 46 and still in the “hoping to one day” stage. I’ve had some issues the past couple years that keep delaying my plans, but I refuse to give up.
Thomas, what an adorable pic!!
I started hunting at age 6 alongside my father, & no leadline. I have since kept hunting and this is my 48th season out. I have been whipping in since my teens and still do so. There is nothing like hunting, even on a blank day!
Find me the horse and I’d be out. Hunted all my life but now have osteo and a red hot TB…and I’m ancient.
You are so right… a blank day of hunting beats the heck out of the best possible day in the office!
I went foxhunting for the first time earlier this year, at 27, then found out I was pregnant the very next day! So my first time hunting was also my baby’s first time I can’t wait to get back in the saddle, and back in the field… and I hope the baby wants a pony!
37 year old fell hook, line and sinker! I second Hunter’s Rest - no need to jump, to watch, learn and love! Second flight rocks! Often, our Second Flight will see just as much if not more hound work than First Flight.
Just go out and give it a try. You’re already making connections with your local hunts, now you need to find out who has rock steady livery hunt horses and you’re ready to rock and roll!!!
Hey Centaurian,
When is the baby due? Sounds like your foal may have hit the ground already.:winkgrin:
I hope you get to hunt this season.
