How to get involved in the hunt world?

[porter83]

Hello all!

I’m living in the central part of North Carolina, and would love to somehow get involved with a hunt. I’ve never hunted before, so I’m completely clueless as to how one would go about joining as a newbie. I know there is a great tradition of etiquette, and I’d really like to know how NOT to breach it!

My riding background started with 10 years of H/J, and then I boarded my mare at an event barn and got TONS of cross country rides. As of right now, I’ve stumbled into a great lease on an older TB who is still doing the jumpers.

What level of jumping is neccessary to really do it? I think the last show he went to he did 3’9", but his owner has been pregnant so he hadn’t been worked as much in this past year. Do hunts ever have horses they can “lend” to people who are not sufficiently mounted (once they get to know your ability, of course)?

My husband and I only plan on being in NC for another 3.5 years or so, then plan on moving back to Dallas. I think my best shot at getting involved would be living in this part of the country. I can’t imagine there being too many opportunities in flat, treeless, developed Dallas.

Any tips you could give me on how to get involved or meet people who belong to a hunt would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

[kellyb]

Not sure how close you are, but the Yadkin Valley Hounds are in central NC (http://yadkinvalleyhounds.com/). I’ve only hunter paced with them - but gosh they are the nicest people and the land is so gorgeous.

Last year they had a Hunting 101 clinic - just like it sounds it was an introductory thing to see if you/horsey are cut out for it. I missed it but REALLY wanted to go, I definitely want to go this year if they have it again! Anyway I would think their clinic would be a great place to get your feet wet.

[iechris]

Sedgefield Hunt is in Rockingham Co. They are super nice people!

http://www.sedgefieldhunt.com/

[ChristieNCritters]

The people of Yadkin Valley Hounds are terrific. I am not a member of the Hunt, but I participate in their hunter paces (timed rides) and I am a Horsemaster with the associated Yadkin Valley Hounds Pony Club, so I have met quite a few members. I was actually able to pair up with one of their whippers-in for a couple of paces when I didn’t have a partner. Great people, any of which would be glad to assist you. I don’t think the Hunting 101 clinics are until late summer/fall, so you might want to go ahead and contact someone now if you want to go ahead and get involved. I live in Winston-Salem also…welcome to the area!

[ideayoda]

Here is the MFA list of hunts, scroll down to NC. Talk to the secretary or master about ‘capping’, how much they require dress (or not). Ask their guidelines. Some hunts only allow a few times, others welcome new riders. You will be required to ride toward the back (behind members). There are likely some that just hilltop (no jumping), and others that do not. It’s fun to watch hounds work.

[clpony]

should you chose to take you’re own mount i’d take him on a hound “walk” or exercise first to see how he is with the hounds.

the hunt secretary can give you best insight on how that particular hunt operates in terms of hound walks, etc.
i hound walked my fellow a few good times and went hilltopping to make sure he was good for the whole process before i “committed”.

good luck and enjoy.
hunting can be addictive, i’ve learned.

[jawa]

I would contact the local hunt and see it you could car follow. This would allow you to see what it is about from a distance. I would then see if the local hunt knows of anyone that hires out made foxhunter horses. This would allow you to see what your horse would need to tolerate and also allow you to figure out the manners/etiquette in a more relaxed atmosphere. Also a great place to get ideas about foxhunting and ask questions is to go to www.foxhunters.org It is similiar to this site, in that you can post questions or stories and get responses from others. The main difference is that it is dedicated to foxhunting.

It is a really fun and exciting sport!! Welcome.

[Ray]

You sound like you have a great riding back-ground for hunting. Its such a blastl I’d say go for it :D:D:D

[QUOTE=porter83;4603422]

What level of jumping is neccessary to really do it? I think the last show he went to he did 3’9", but his owner has been pregnant so he hadn’t been worked as much in this past year. Do hunts ever have horses they can “lend” to people who are not sufficiently mounted (once they get to know your ability, of course)?[/QUOTE]

what level of jumping ? this varies alot, hunt to hunt and fixture (specific location that day) to fixture. The typical coop is ~3 feet, and many hunts have a way around jumps and many “jumps” are natural obstacles like stone walls or logs that are smaller. But the main thing is that its a different experience than schooling a horse XC, for both horse and rider. You would be well served to hunt an experienced horse for your first time, and yes, alot of hunts have folks that lease a horse just for the day. If you want to hunt your jumper, first, get him fitter and find out how long the hunt will be for so you dont get him into something he is not fit enough for, and second, get some advice about how to intro him to hunting, for both your sake and his.

and like others have said, go ahead and contact the secretary of hunts in your area. that is their job, to field queries from folks like you, and most hunts are very welcoming of newbies.

good luck