Hunting vacation -- where to begin?

[juliep]

Hi hunters! I’m hoping to plan a 3-5 day hunt vacation in the U.S. somewhere this fall/early winter to celebrate my big 4-0! I’m a re-riding amateur eventer and have been on several introductory rides with hounds/without, and went to my first hunt as a guest last December with Cloudline in Texas. What fun! I do understand the very basics now (terms, dress, etiquette, etc) and also that some of these items (like dress) will tend to vary from one hunt to another.

Since that fateful December day, I’ve been dying have some fun new hunting experiences in pretty country. I will need a horse. I do want to jump, but if the hunt is extremely fast going (like all out over dicey terrain and jumping big things over 3+ ft), I think I would be more comfortable going second flight over first in that scenario. I am fit and can comfortably w/t/c/gallop/two point for extended periods and jump approx. 3 ft (again though on a new-to-me horse I would like to have the option to start smaller and work up to that). But I am not a total weenie, I promise

Does anyone have any reccs as to who I should talk to or where I might head? Hunts that might be especially a blast for someone like me? Thank you!!

Also, I’m in Texas for location reference. But willing to travel!

[LetItBe]

Contact Hunter’s Rest in VA(http://www.huntersrest.net/) you’ll find lots of recommendations here! Also Blackberry Farm (http://www.blackberryfarm.com/) used to have hunting with TVH but not sure if they still do.

LetItBe

[juliep]

@LetItBe

Contact Hunter’s Rest in VA(http://www.huntersrest.net/) you’ll find lots of recommendations here! Also Blackberry Farm (http://www.blackberryfarm.com/) used to have hunting with TVH but not sure if they still do.

LetItBe

Thanks! I will definitely check into hunter’s rest. Blackberry farm also looks beautiful but man $645/night for a queen room is bit steep for my budget. :eek:

[LetItBe]

Yeah Blackberry is definitely you have money to burn or it’s a once in a life time.

LetItBe

[asterix]

Pleasant Prospect Farm in Maryland (between Baltimore and DC) has hunt horses for hire and is run by very knowledgeable people. They hunt most often with Howard County, which is a nice hunt. They are also very very close to Goshen, which hunts quite fast over trappy terrain (I hunt with them so know their fixtures better) but is less formal and very friendly. Pleasant Prospect is also proximate to several other hunts, each with their own character. Dale at PP could work with you on where to go. You could stay at a local place a few minutes from the farm and literally adjacent to Goshen’s kennels, Tusculum, an old farm estate recently renovated as an inn and BnB. We just put some dressage judges up there for a show and they said it was very nice. https://pleasantprospectfarm.com/ and https://www.tusculumfarm.com/

[dynamite0319]

@juliep send me an email at tntibbetts@gmail.com. I whip-in for Brazos Valley Hounds near Fort Worth. I’ve hunted with Green Creek and Tryon in NC, and folks from Big Sky Hounds in Montana and Red Rock Hounds in Nevada in the past year and all were crazy fun, but very different. The hardest part is finding a horse to ride. Many hunts don’t really have a way of formally renting a horse and in my experience you have to prove that you know what you are doing before people will volunteer a horse for you to ride. Red Rock in Reno does have horses for lease and so does Big Sky.
But we’d love for you to come out with us this season if you’re wanting more hunting close to home!

[jawa]

I second contacting Betsy with Hunter’s Rest. She leads 3rd flight with Old Dominion Hounds and has horses for hire that are fantastic. She has a BB&B (Bed Breakfast and Board-if you bring your own horse). They hunt from her farm as well. So if your dates lined up, you could trail ride to get to know the terrain and horse a day and then hunt from Hunters Rest the next. Being in Northern VA, if you wanted to go out with another hunt while staying with Betsy, she could connect you with another place that has hirelings.

Mid Oct to December are the prime hunting weeks in Virginia. Most hunts have Opening meets at the end of Oct- beginning of Nov.

I believe Loudon and Old Dominion are offering free or reduced caps this year to encourage folks to come out and try hunting.

[alternatesideparking]

Second, third and fourth the recommendations for Hunter’s Rest in Flint Hill, VA.

I have a thread on this forum about my early experiences there.

I spent my 60th birthday there because I wanted to ride a fit, schooled horse in new, open country. I got what I wanted in spades! I allowed as how I would like to hunt again someday; and Betsy said she didn’t know why I wasn’t hunting then. I hemmed and hawed and complained about clothes that fit. Time between my birthday trip and Betsy taking me hunting? 3 months. :D:D:D:D

I have had a blast.

Some things to know:

Hunter’s Rest has a barn full of lovely, experienced, fit, schooled, exceptionally well mannered field hunters, suitable for a variety of experience levels.

ODH has incredible country to ride over.

ODH is an friendly, welcoming, hospitable hunt. GREAT group of people. They also have lowered caps for cubbing and have unlimited capping for September. Can’t say enough nice things about them either.

Hunter’s Rest is a B & B, but please bear in mind - it’s not a spa. It’s a horsewoman’s home on a working farm. It is clean, tidy and comfortable, but not fancy. Your room comes with a choice of cats (there is a no cat option, but I do not recommend), and a rooster will wake you in the morning.

ODH has had an incredible start to their hunting season - I went out twice over the weekend, viewed once and heard and saw incredible hound work.

I agree with the suggestion to go for a couple of days, hack out and get used to a horse and the territory, and then hunt the following day. 3 - 5 days would allow you to hunt at least twice. There are meets there at Hunter’s Rest and in hacking distance, that just makes early mornings easier.

Please PM me if you want more info.

[juliep]

@asterix

Pleasant Prospect Farm in Maryland (between Baltimore and DC) has hunt horses for hire and is run by very knowledgeable people. They hunt most often with Howard County, which is a nice hunt. They are also very very close to Goshen, which hunts quite fast over trappy terrain (I hunt with them so know their fixtures better) but is less formal and very friendly. Pleasant Prospect is also proximate to several other hunts, each with their own character. Dale at PP could work with you on where to go. You could stay at a local place a few minutes from the farm and literally adjacent to Goshen’s kennels, Tusculum, an old farm estate recently renovated as an inn and BnB. We just put some dressage judges up there for a show and they said it was very nice. https://pleasantprospectfarm.com/ and https://www.tusculumfarm.com/

Thank you so much, I will reach to them both to explore my options.

[juliep]

@dynamite0319

@juliep send me an email at tntibbetts@gmail.com. I whip-in for Brazos Valley Hounds near Fort Worth. I’ve hunted with Green Creek and Tryon in NC, and folks from Big Sky Hounds in Montana and Red Rock Hounds in Nevada in the past year and all were crazy fun, but very different. The hardest part is finding a horse to ride. Many hunts don’t really have a way of formally renting a horse and in my experience you have to prove that you know what you are doing before people will volunteer a horse for you to ride. Red Rock in Reno does have horses for lease and so does Big Sky.
But we’d love for you to come out with us this season if you’re wanting more hunting close to home!

Thank you! I would love to talk more about capping in with Brazos Valley Hounds, a friend of mine that is local as well may be interested too. I will send you an email.

[juliep]

@alternatesideparking

Second, third and fourth the recommendations for Hunter’s Rest in Flint Hill, VA.

I have a thread on this forum about my early experiences there.

I spent my 60th birthday there because I wanted to ride a fit, schooled horse in new, open country. I got what I wanted in spades! I allowed as how I would like to hunt again someday; and Betsy said she didn’t know why I wasn’t hunting then. I hemmed and hawed and complained about clothes that fit. Time between my birthday trip and Betsy taking me hunting? 3 months. :D:D:D:D

I have had a blast.

Some things to know:

Hunter’s Rest has a barn full of lovely, experienced, fit, schooled, exceptionally well mannered field hunters, suitable for a variety of experience levels.

ODH has incredible country to ride over.

ODH is an friendly, welcoming, hospitable hunt. GREAT group of people. They also have lowered caps for cubbing and have unlimited capping for September. Can’t say enough nice things about them either.

Hunter’s Rest is a B & B, but please bear in mind - it’s not a spa. It’s a horsewoman’s home on a working farm. It is clean, tidy and comfortable, but not fancy. Your room comes with a choice of cats (there is a no cat option, but I do not recommend), and a rooster will wake you in the morning.

ODH has had an incredible start to their hunting season - I went out twice over the weekend, viewed once and heard and saw incredible hound work.

I agree with the suggestion to go for a couple of days, hack out and get used to a horse and the territory, and then hunt the following day. 3 - 5 days would allow you to hunt at least twice. There are meets there at Hunter’s Rest and in hacking distance, that just makes early mornings easier.

Please PM me if you want more info.

Thank you @alternatesideparking ! Love hearing about your experience at Hunter’s Rest and I will definitely connect with Betsy!