Hunting for the first time (w/hireling) in DC area?

[AllTheCarrots]

OK, I’ve told myself I’m pulling the trigger this fall. I think I have enough basic skill to not embarrass myself or my host, and, more importantly, to not be a danger to (in order of my nightmares) the hounds, the horses, the people, and/or myself.

Could anyone please recommend a barn that offers hirelings and a human guide for my first time out? I think Hunter’s Rest used to be recommended, but I’m not sure if they do this anymore. Does anyone know anything about Red Gate Farm? (My lease is NOT a hunt horse. A lazy canter in company gets him snorting and pogo-ing across the field. I do not want to sit his Dance of Joy every time the field moves out, especially when I am learning the ropes myself.)

I’d primarily appreciate referrals to folks who hunt with the Northern Virginia packs, but could go up as far as Potomac or Goshen territory if there is someone you think I should contact. Please and thank you!

[FitToBeTied]

As far as I know Betsy at Hunters Rest is still doing this.

[McGurk]

Betsy Burke Parker at Hunter’s Rest, Heather Heider at Van Vixen Firm and Jennifer Taylor in The Plains all offer hunt hirelings and guide guests at a variety of hunts in NoVa.

They are all on FB, or please PM me for their individual contact info.

[McGurk]

I can confirm that Betsy is, though she’s pretty booked up. If you can hunt during the week, rather than the weekend, availability of hirelings is a little easier.

My recommendation for anyone going hunting on a hireling for the first time is to plan a ride pre-hunting day to hack your horse out in company and learn some hunting etiquette and skills, and get acquainted with the horse you’re hunting.

Another plus with hunting with Betsy and Hunter’s Rest is that she is Old Dominion’s third flight field master, so she can absolutely tailor the experience to your comfort level.

I have only heard good things about Heather and Jennifer, but I have lots of personal experience with Betsy and Hunter’s Rest.

[AllTheCarrots]

Thank you for all this info!

[kenyarider]

A friend and I went to Betsy Parker’s for a week. We trail rode every day except for the 2 days we fox hunted. She is amazing and runs a B&B that is wonderful! The horses were perfect and we got to jump on the trail rides and had a lesson from a friend of hers. Highly recommend her. She’s about an hour from DC.

[SonnysMom]

Hunters Rest gets my vote

[Alterration]

Hunters Rest - 100%. Betsy is awesome, welcoming, and her horses are fantastic.

[PopPopcorn]

I’d avoid Van Vixen - she has been known to Ace quite a few guest mounts. I just don’t tend to agree with this practice but that’s also my opinion.

Good luck have a blast! The land around the DC area is just lovely to ride through!

[McGurk]

Acing horses to hunt is regrettably VERY common. It’s not a practice I support. However, considering the business model of people who provide hunt hirelings and the potential liability, it might be one of the very few acceptable uses of Ace in a riding horse.

If I called you up cold, and told you I wanted to lease your horse to foxhunt, having never hunted before, and you had never met me or seen me ride and the horse you had available was a good, solid citizen that was none the less hunting fit, you might decide Ace was prudent. Again, I don’t support it and wouldn’t want to ride a horse that was aced, but I don’t provide hunt hirelings and I’m not going to second guess someone who does.

[AllTheCarrots]

I’m pretty amazed that sources for hireling exist, for just the reasons you outline.

To do Betsy and Hunter’s Rest justice (and thank you to all who recommended her!), she and I first talked by phone so she could get a feel for what I did and didn’t know. I got the impression she is very good at screening her prospective clients, as she should be, and that she puts a lot of thought into matching horse and rider.

The next step was to hack out with her and a few others as a sort of test drive, which goes a long way towards ensuring the comfort and safety of equine and human alike. I had an absolute blast on one of her terrific horses, but realized I need to tighten up my getting ready/getting on procedures — I tend to linger and putter, whereas you foxhunters roll up, hop on and move OUT! I’m working on that at my home barn this week so I can better acquit myself in the field.

I’m very excited!

[McGurk]

Post back after hunting and let us know how it went!

[AllTheCarrots]

WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!

(That’s all the bottled-up excitement I kept quiet during the actual hunting.)

I’m well and truly hooked, y’all. Betsy, Hunter’s Rest, and the Old Dominion Hounds provide an exceptional gateway drug. Gorgeous country, a reliable and responsive mount, and friendly and hospitable people — it was a terrific morning.

I rode third field, which was well within my comfort zone. As field master for our flight, Betsy was able to place us so we could really see and hear the hounds at work, which was absolutely fascinating. We rode through and around the beautiful properties of some very generous landowners (“‘ware party lights” was a new one for me!) and enjoyed picture-perfect fall weather.

If anyone else is on the fence about hunting, or is hunting-curious, I encourage you to go for it! I’m trying to figure out how to work more hunting into my schedule (and budget). It really is terrific fun!

[Rackonteur]

Yay! I’m glad you had fun! Thank you for posting the follow-up.
Next time we need pics.