Hunting/Eventing

[linquest]

[QUOTE=Outfox;3465971]
Interesting that most of the people mentioned are in the past.
I’m looking for people who are doing it today, 2008.[/QUOTE]

Then again, how many people are hunting now versus the 1960’s-80s? I’d think you have to look at it percentage-wise rather than just straight numbers.

Spinoff question- ARE there a lot less people hunting now than in the timeframe I mentioned? I imagine that with the rate of development and lack of open space these days, there are a lot less clubs/hunters now.

[Beverley]

@linquest;3466263

Then again, how many people are hunting now versus the 1960’s-80s? I’d think you have to look at it percentage-wise rather than just straight numbers.

Spinoff question- ARE there a lot less people hunting now than in the timeframe I mentioned? I imagine that with the rate of development and lack of open space these days, there are a lot less clubs/hunters now.

I have the impression there are more clubs. Which is to say, offhand I can think of more clubs estabished since the 80s than gone out of business since then. I could compare last year’s Hunt Roster with my rosters from the 80s, but too lazy to go upstairs and fetch them just now.

As a percentage of the population- no doubt in my mind, fewer foxhunters, just as there are fewer horse owners (2 million total for US, how many of those get out of the arena let alone hunt?). Parenthetically, also fewer gun and bow hunters, even in a solidly pro hunting state such as Utah.

As to hunting horses or not for fear of injury- not a consideration for me. In 37 years of hunting I have never (and yes I am knocking on wood as I type) had a horse have anything worse than a pulled shoe or minor strain. Except for the one horse that ran a stick up his frog. Stick extracted surgically, no infection, back hunting two weeks later. Two points- horses can and will hurt themselves in padded stalls, and, in my experience, cheap horses just seem to avoid troubles more than really good pricey horses. Unscientifical and anecdotal observation, mine you.

[Painted_Wings]

Yeah mine have been hurt at home way more than hunting or eventing. Hunting I’ve had one that punctured a sole with a sharp creek from a rock. Treated like an abcess, rideable a few days later. The other one hit herself on the back of her front leg with a back hoof. Hacked home sound but by the time I untacked her and went to put her up she was pretty lame. She was sound three days later but I didn’t hunt her for two weeks to be on the safe side. Never had one hurt eventing but then I haven’t gone above training in years.

[Elghund2]

Hunt events that are coming up

Somebody asked about hunt events like trails rides.

Rappahannock Hunt (www.rappahannockhunt.com) has two events in October that are open to the public. The first is a Fun Hunter Pace that will be held at The Hill on October 12th at 8:30. I’ve been told that the course will be 5-6 miles with a variety of divisions. So everyone should find something that suits. The Hill is about 6-7 miles west of Culpeper on Rt. 522.

The second RH event is the fall trail ride and chili contest on October 19th at 11AM. This is a trail ride with some optional jumping. The ride is usually about 2 hrs. The venue is Pine Rock in Reva, VA which is about 8 south of Culpeper off of Rt 29. The chili contest follows the ride.

On September 21, Bull Run Hunt (www.bullrunhunt.com) will be have a fun hunter pace at Locust Hill Preserve at 9AM. Locust Hill Preserve is about 10 miles south of Culpeper on Rt 15. Last year the course was about 9 miles. Again there are multiple divisions and everyone should be able to find something that suits.

The hunt websites will have information and directions for the events.

[Elghund2]

Another reason I think you see fewer eventers out hunting is because eventing has become almost a 12 month season. It used be to be the spring season started in Georgia/Carolinas in March and ended by the beginning of June. The Fall Season started in September and ended by mid-November. So eventers tended to fox hunt their horses over the winter and give them the summer off. Now event horses campaign almost year round.

[fooler]

[QUOTE=Outfox;3465971]
Interesting that most of the people mentioned are in the past.
I’m looking for people who are doing it today, 2008.[/QUOTE]

About half of the folks mentioned are no longer eventing today. The other half are eventing, most with younger horses at lower levels - not unusual as they may not have a top event horse at this time.

Check out Lellie Ward’s website. She is an active competitor, trainer, coach, event organizer plus she has hunting training sessions.

[Hannahsmom]

We don’t have a hunt in my area. I think it’s more about the schedule as someone said if you are asking about the ‘pro’ eventers vs. horses getting hurt. That said, I think many of the pros are spending more time in the show jumping and dressage rings as the XC courses are so different nowadays.

[Ravencrest_Camp]

[QUOTE=Elghund2;3466606]
Another reason I think you see fewer eventers out hunting is because eventing has become almost a 12 month season. It used be to be the spring season started in Georgia/Carolinas in March and ended by the beginning of June. The Fall Season started in September and ended by mid-November. So eventers tended to fox hunt their horses over the winter and give them the summer off. Now event horses campaign almost year round.[/QUOTE]

It’s call the hunterjumperfication of eventing. :lol::lol::lol:

Around here that use to hold true forHuners & Jumpers as well. The show season would end in early Sept. Then most people would do fall fairs and hunt. When hunt season was over they would give their horses some time off, and then start thier horses back up over the winter. The winter would be used for schooling and working on problem areas before the start of show season.

Now days the season never seems to end and horses get no time off. People either head south for the winter or if they can’t swing that, there is a never ending list of indoor winter schooling shows.

[LisaB]

You want an honest answer from an eventer?
Hunting is really rough. It’s like when you’re living up north. The folks have a beater car that they use in snow. They don’t mind if it wrecks or slides into another car. Same goes for hunting. A lot of eventers that you see out hunting use another horse than their competition horse.
Yes yes yes eventers are supposed to be tough. But the horses are getting expensive and there’s a TON more to learn about it all that even 10 years ago. And all that knowledge can go quickly while out hunting and the horse jumps over something unsafe or rips a tendon on bad ground. A lot of eventers just plain old don’t want to risk it. So, they go x-c schooling a lot, trail ride on their own, possibly through a fixture so they can pick and choose where to go and how fast they want to go, etc. They rather put mileage on the horse that way. And they want to keep the horse for as long as possible.
All this said, it’s with a horse that can mentally handle the field. A lot of event horses can’t.
I’m talking generalizations here folks. There are always eventers who hunt with their event horses but it’s becoming a lot less common. So, don’t pipe up and say, ‘Well, I hunt my eventer’. We know that. I’m giving you the big picture here.

[flyingchange]

I think that some eventers are turned off by some of the riding that they see out in the huntfield by people who insist on riding up front in the jumping field but who, well, shouldn’t be. And the riders who can’t control their horses, whose horses blindside you while you are galloping along. The riders (usually middle-aged men who have taken maybe a few lessons and are learning to ride as adults) who buy hot ex-steeplechasers and can’t control them but insist on riding them anyway - in a way that some might call “abusive.” Bitted to the nines, horse scared, rider scared but trying to act like the “big man.” They usually have their colors and so you have to ride behind them if you do not. Field masters in several hunts I have hunted with won’t deal with these people because these people’s money is needed to keep the hunt going.

For me, this has been my biggest problem with a couple of hunts I have been out with and subscribed to. I am going to be trying a new hunt this fall - one that I have trail ridden with this summer and that seems to maintain proper order in the fields. Hopefully I’ll have more fun.

[Beverley]

Flyingchange, your point is valid, but I’m going to give you the long time hunter’s corollary. Some folks I see in the xc phase- heck, even in the stadium phase- would be the ones causing the hunt field problems you describe owing to lack of control and experience. Just to make the point that ‘everyone’ out hunting, regardless of their background, has to be in control.

As for having to stay behind those with colors in the field- traditionally that rule is suspended when hounds are running, you may pass ‘anyone’ in front of you (except the Field Master) if they are holding you up. Obviously, you need to pass safely and not blow someone off a single track in the woods. If the hunts you’ve been with don’t know that’s the way it is supposed to be, then shame on them.

[rivenoak]

I plan to, with the new mare, but I’m a smurf, so not sure if I “count” in your book.

She begins to learn to be a whip’s horse on Sunday.

My plan is to go to our 1st HT in mid-October.

[GBTeventing]

Lellie Ward does foxhunt, she is one of the masters for the Aiken Hounds I believe.
I hunt is well and event at the lower levels for now (Tr/Prelim) but not on the same horse. I have a homebred mare that was made for the hunt field (though she was bred to be a dressage horse). She went out for the 1st time in the 1st field and has never looked back. She whips, leads the field, can go with hilltopers, be ridden by an older gentleman, and a 12 year old where-ever you want her, around jumps, over them, all in a snaffle and a loose rein. Oh yeah, she’s barefoot too:) She’s getting ready to start her 5th season. She also events at Novice but she’s just not motivated over the stadium fences.
So I bought another that is my event horse. I wish he could hunt so that I could sell my mare, but oh well. I don’t think he’s too valuable and I don’t think he’ll get hurt but he’s aggressive. He could whip or lead the field but he will try to rough-house and intimidate and will occasionally go after a hound, so he just doesn’t go.
I’ve been hunting for 7 years, since I was 15 and I believe it’s done wonders for my riding. First of all, you get really fit during hunt season:) Second, it really makes you comfortable jumping at speed and judging the suitability of the footing. Third, it exposes you to lots of people from lots of different backgrounds and they all have something to teach you.
I really hope the sport continues and that young people get involved to make them better horsemen. I know $ and geography are a bit prohibitive for some, but it’s really not an experience to be missed.

[LookinSouth]

@Beverley;3480606

Flyingchange, your point is valid, but I’m going to give you the long time hunter’s corollary. Some folks I see in the xc phase- heck, even in the stadium phase- would be the ones causing the hunt field problems you describe owing to lack of control and experience. Just to make the point that ‘everyone’ out hunting, regardless of their background, has to be in control.

Agree. Mind you I have very limited experience out hunting but the times I have been out hunting I would say safe riding and having control of your horse is even more important out hunting than in the lower levels of eventing. I know exactly the types of riders Beverly is referring to and most of them would have a very difficult time in the hunt field. Heck I had no problem controlling my horse in LL eventing, he is fairly easy out alone and BN is a joke to him. But out hunting I had to work 3 times as hard. It really put my ability as a rider in perspective. I realized I would need to focus alot of time /energy on riding in groups and getting an even stronger position on variable terrain. That being said I’ve learned over the past year that having control out in hunt field is very important because not only are you affecting yourself but everyone else in the field as well. Most of the hunts in my area wouldn’t welcome a rider/horse who would threaten the safety of everyone else in the field and I wouldn’t ride with a hunt that DOES.

As far as hunting being dangerous and risky for the horse? I suppose if your careless or hunt with a wild group that’s a valid concern. I have yet to witness anything that would be make me believe it is more dangerous than riding the XC phase. One thing I like about hunting is the ability to walk through bad muddy footing or taking the go around option for a jump with a questionable take off etc… You can drop back to 2nd flight or hilltoppers if your having an off day. If it’s raining you can stay home in your warm dry house rather than risk losing your entry fees.

In the hunts around here quite a few of the members are also eventers. I think the biggest issue that keeps many eventers (around here anyway) from hunting is time and money. The fall hunting season also clashes with alot of the fall events. Often times people have to pick one or the other unfortunately.

[cjmicro]

I’m no big name rider, just an occasional novice weenie (a few events a year), but both my horses have evented and hunted, at the same time. I worried about injuring my “event” horses when I started hunting, but once you get going regularly, you find the horses really acclimate to the different footings and such and it’s not really a problem any more then them just being horses. 2 worst injuries of both horses were done in the pasture doing who knows what.

I’m still careful but I am the fieldmaster so if I decide we need to go slow through a big muddy area, or a steep rocky hill, we do. I try to keep everyone safe as well as keep up with hounds and show them a good time.

Cindy & Lee (eventing at Prelim) also compete and she is joint MFH at Wicomico, and her event horse leads the field too.

One thing I will metion is it’s almost impossible to do both full time. As someone else said, events are almost all year, and hunting is 2-3x a week for a good part of the year, so I don’t really see how you could do both full time. Money and timewise it’s almost impossible unless you pretty much are riding for a living.

Foxhunting wins for me, but I still try to do some events too… knowing I have events keeps me working on my riding, and the sports complement each other nicely.