Is Hunting a possibility in my future?

[Golden_Girl]

I have been trying to make a decision what I want to aspire to… I am an ‘older’ gal and have been riding over 40 years. I am bringing along yet another mount for my personal use, and really am not sure what I want to do with him.

He is a 5yo, TB X Appendix horse, and has been brought along slowly. His flat work is nearly perfect, & he is great on the trail with another horse. I have jumped him over small logs and my little red coop at home. In the ring he will jump a small (18" to 2") course. He is quite and sensible, but I do not ride him that often or that hard at this point…

In the past I have shown both Hunter or Jumpers, but nothing over 3’9", and have trail ridden tons too. I am not sure if I want to show this horse, I don’t think I am motivated enough to ‘get it perfect’ which is what it takes to get me into the show ring. I love jumping, and in the ol’ days the outside course was lots of fun, and I like the idea of combining both trail riding and jumping. I do realize that the Hunt does get fast paced, and have no problem with that.

Is there anyone on this forum that is a member of the Shakerag Hounds of Georgia? I really don’t want to bother their Secretary until I know that I want to, and can do this. It may be WAY out of my league, or it may be the answer to my prayers too :yes:

Thanks

[Nlevie]

Hopefully someone local will contact you too, but I have to say you sound like a perfect candidate for hunting and most any hunt would be happy to welcome you and help you get started ! You have a good background and sounds like your horse has a nice start and good potential as a hunt horse as well. Hunting is something that you can’t duplicate in
an arena or even on a trail ride, so you just have to get out there and try it and see if it appeals to you ? You would be surprised how many people start out with a lot less riding experience than yourself, and even at a later age ? So it’s more a matter of attitude and having the guts to try it. Good luck - I hope we hear an update from you soon !

[Trixie]

If you want it to be, why NOT? Go for it!

You can start small with hilltopping and if you think it’s for you, move up.

[relocatedTXjumpr]

I think the first meet is October 17th. I also think you can be a guest a couple of times before you commit to being a full member.

I’d really like to give it a shot too!

[Simbalism]

I say go for it. I also am an older rider, and have thought I would like to try hunting. In the past, I just never had the horse that I thought would do it. I currently have a lovely TB mare who is very level headed and quiet who I think will actually let me attempt it. I have several friends from riding club who have invited me to come hunt with them. So I plan on capping with about 3 different hunts in the area, to see if we like it and decide which group is a fit for us.

[nightsong]

I don’t think that hunting is something that you can ‘decide to do’ without FIRST finding out how you, AND the horse you anticipate doing it with, take to it. Go SEE!!!

[Golden_Girl]

Firstly; thanks for ALL the reply’s and support, they are most appreciated :yes:

I have since done some reading/research and found that Hunting is extremely formal, example; the horses are braided for the hunt, your tall boots should be dress not field boots, black coat, stock tie not rack catcher, the list goes on.

I knew that I would have to go buy the correct appointments and start my horse on the ‘bluebird’ , but the ‘deal breaker’…there are NO full seat breeches allowed! :eek: Those only help to stick you better to the saddle.

Again I am left frustrated and without a direction for myself and horse I shall continue to school and train at home and await for an epiphany to come

[tullio]

Golden Girl, don’t get discouraged so easily. Especially as a newcomer, few hunts will expect you to arrive in all the perfect gear and attire as delineated in the written rules. Who would try hunting if that was the case???

For example, we have been cubbing with our local hunt and guess what? Cubbing attire is polo shirts, breeches, and boots. My husband is relatively new to riding and wears his paddock boots and half chaps (they are the nice Ariat ones that look like a boot, but still!) I’m certain I’ve seen full seat breeches, too. I’ll be hunting in field boots - and I’m sure others will as well. Braiding… well, that’s a necessary evil :lol: But is it really that bad? Again I am thinking that most hunts will want braids on big important days, but not EVERY time out.

Of course all hunts are different, but I bet your potential hunt is not as strict as you might think. Our hunt is happy to have enthusiastic new members and has been very gracious about turn-out as we get started. Contact the hunt secretary and I’ll bet you are invited to join in. Like you I have a background in H/J and hunting is one of the most fun things I have ever done on horseback! And the people are wonderful!

[Eventingjunkie]

Gosh, I didn’t know that about full seat breeches…no one has ever said anything to me about mine. Now I’m going to be self-conscious.

I hunt in Maryland with an easy going group…very accepting of a 45 year old newcomer and her family.

Braids…only on opening hunt and very special formal hunts.

Half the people I see hunting are wearing field boots.

You can usually get away with a dark blue hunt coat that you see all the time at hunter shows.

White stock ties are cheap and you just wear them over a white show shirt for formal hunts.

My husband only hunts a couple times a year, wears black rubber riding boots, and an oversize black wool jacket I bought at Goodwill.

Wednesday hunts are tweed and ratcatcher days, but formal attire will do as well. Everything is informal for Cubbing up until Opening Hunt the last weekend of October. We can wear our tweeds or polo shirts depending upon the weather.

Don’t know about Shakerag Hounds, but our club would rather have you out hunting with them than worrying about every little detail of what you are wearing (within reason of course).

I was so worried about not fitting in, it took me years to actually go on a hunt. I could kick myself knowing what I missed. Just Do It!!!

[Ponyclubrocks]

A couple of added comments, each hunt has it’s own set of rules so check with the hunt you are going to ride with. As others mentioned most hunts allow great leeway for guests or newbies. Our hunt gives new members 2 years to get themselves fully equipped to meet the rules. My hunt allows full seats, some don’t. etc etc etc. Go by the rules of the hunt you ride with.

The best way to check things out is to just go do it. Some horses just cant handle the environment, even horses that do it all otherwise. And some horses take to it like a duck to water. If you go I would definitely start with the hill toppers. If your horse has a meltdown, just ask the master if you may retire and go back to the trailers. You don’t use the hunt field for schooling.

I hunted in my youth, took a long (30 plus years) hiatus, and then started back up a few years ago as a “gift” to myself in retirement. Best thing I ever did. Try it, but fair warning, you could get seriously hooked!

[Romany]

[QUOTE=Golden Girl;4405019]
Firstly; thanks for ALL the reply’s and support, they are most appreciated :yes:

I have since done some reading/research and found that Hunting is extremely formal, example; the horses are braided for the hunt, your tall boots should be dress not field boots, black coat, stock tie not rack catcher, the list goes on.

I knew that I would have to go buy the correct appointments and start my horse on the ‘bluebird’ , but the ‘deal breaker’…there are NO full seat breeches allowed! :eek: Those only help to stick you better to the saddle.

Again I am left frustrated and without a direction for myself and horse I shall continue to school and train at home and await for an epiphany to come ;)[/QUOTE]

Aren’t there any other hunts within driving distance for you that might be a little more flexible? Not all hunts are sticklers for turnout - our hunt, for instance, lists the desired turnout on its website, but in reality, so long as riders and horses are safely kitted out in appropriate colours, etc, our MFHs are more than thrilled to have them join us.

And for the record, our huntsman and staff and many of the better riders in the field wear fullseats. Better safe than sorry, right!

[Golden_Girl]

OKAY! :lol: You all have won me over, including the nice PM I have received! I will move forward and call… I’ll stop being a ‘wall flower’ and do something that I have in my blood, ride!

Thanks to you ALL I’m feeling all motivated now, and at age 51, I need all the motivation I can get! :winkgrin:

[carolinagirl191]

GG, there is “formal” and there is accepted. I rode in full seated throughout my days in the field and ride in full seats as a member of staff. I was rooming with one of our Masters at a joint meet and pulled out a pair of knee patches and she said “What are you doing w/ those”. My response was a bit like “I know you put up w/ me and allow them but I want to be appropriate if we are in someone else’s territory.” (Not reflect poorly on my hunt) She called BS and said wear what makes you comfortable to do the job and they can deal with it.
She got a huge laugh and pinched me on the rear then the host Masters stood upon the stone hearth to welcome us, one in white breeches with BLACK full seats.

Be neat and tidy, have a clean, capable horse. Have your reasons for the things you MUST have outside of “tradition” and work toward being as proper as you can be. As for the clothing and appointment nazis/ fashionistas someone will always be out there “judging” or having an opinion. Hang with the folks who are there for the sport/the HUNTING, the hound work. They will never care what you are wearing if you are truly there for the hounds. You are “in” and will be welcomed back. It’s not like you are coming in purple endurance tights, that might be too much. You will want to blend as it grows on you, if it grows on you. As for full seats, only the person behind you hunting and anyone looking at you behind at the breakfast will know and they should be looking at other things anyway! JMHO