Ouch!
I know, does this hunt just not fix it’s jumps? Maybe it is up to the property owner over there?
I’ve just remembered - I have jumped a 5’ fence out hunting. It was an invisible one :lol:
I’d only had my horse a few weeks and when we came into a 3’6 fence on a slightly long stride I gave him an encouraging kick. I thought we were going into orbit - especially because the ground sloped away on landing. Miraculously I managed to make contact with the saddle on landing and on we went. My friend behind me was the one who said how big he’d jumped - judged off the size of the fence and how much he’d cleared it by. Sadly I have no photo evidence of this, but a few people saw it and all agreed that “he gave it some air”
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I know the feeling of going into orbit! The first time I jumped a five-footer when I was a kid I remember thinking we were never going to land. :lol:
It could be that a prior rider broke the fence. I’ve seen that happen.
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I jumped one five-footer, once, when I was in my 20s. I was working at a show barn that had a Grand Prix jumper in for sale and while exercising him one day, the trainer asked if I wanted to see what he could do. It pretty much felt like we went straight up, followed by straight down.
Once was plenty. 
The biggest coop in our territory is about 3’3, I would guess. I have taken it while hunter pacing, but always go around while hunting. Too many miles to go before we sleep.
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I doubt any hunt in the US routinely jumped 5’, especially stone walls, which are rarely that tall, but there are a few hunts left that do still occasionally jump some truly big fences. We’ve jumped a large hedge at EHHC twice this year, which is unusual enough that one of the members mother went out and measured it: 4’6" and equally wide. The first time several members who aren’t trainers or jockeys had a go at it, but most of first flight went around. The second time, one licensed trainer, 4 licensed jockeys, and one non-racing field member jumped it - that was all. So, it can happen, but rarely, and when it does, few riders have a go in any event. That said, at EHHC, when on a run, it’s not uncommon to jump fences with the riders up or line (paddock) fences, which are not 5’ but certainly can be 4’+.
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I watched a few other videos from that hunt, and a lot of people seem to fall off, and I didn’t see any hounds despite huge groups of people galloping.
I seem to be in the hedge!
Also, poor Tom.
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Heck of a fall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zolaxYeKU8o
This is an overhead drone video of one of their hunts. There are no hounds. Are they elsewhere or can you hunt without?
Hunting in the UK and Ireland isn’t like it is here. They jump anything and everything and don’t bat an eye about things being wildly imperfect. Falls happen and everyone gets back on and keeps going. It’s a very different mindset and best not to impose our American ideals on it. If it bothers you, don’t do it.
When I hunted in Ireland this past January, the hounds were so far gone we rarely caught sight of them. Queueing up at the various ditches and crossings slows everyone way down and throws you out of the hunting action.
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Another one told often at the hunt brunch (as it was seen by more than a few) was when my horse jumped a stick (branch) that was kicked up by another horse in front of him. Fortunately we were coming into view of the hilltoppers when it happened, so I had witnesses to his splendid leap over an airborne stick --of course same horse jumped a hound crossing his path and a fallen rider at the base of a jump (we were following too close, I admit). But every story improves with the telling . . .
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… and I didn’t see any hounds despite huge groups of people galloping
There is a saying “Some ride to hunt, some hunt to ride”.
The Ledbury is currently fashionable as it has a big reputation for big hedges and big runs, so on a Saturday there are big numbers out. To see hounds working I go out with Bassets.
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Yes, POSSIBLE. Just like it is possible that fish your neighbor/husband caught was “THIS BIG.”. But look around the countryside. How many land owners are fencing their pastures to 5’, and then remember that a hunt will usually choose to jump the LOWEST section of fence. And then with hedges/brush you will usually hear an exaggerated report about about the HIGHEST leaf in the whole hedge. Not the height that the horse actually jumped to clear (or crash through) it.
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Keep in mind that a stone wall is normally stones laid on top of each other so some physics rules enter into how tall and wide a wall can be. A 5’ stone wall would have to be pretty wide or it would fall over. I don’t think you could jump a 5’ tall stone laid wall and not be jumping 7-8’ width.
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a professionally built 4’ drystone wall is usually less than 3’ wide at the base (depending on rock and country) so a 5’ tall one wouldn’t be over 4’ wide. And I grew up in an area where a 5’ is not uncommon since sheep can jump…
Heres a diagram:
https://goo.gl/images/cLKwkE
I heard a similar story from a few riders from a hunt around me…they were always going on about this 4’ stone wall! OOOooo the stone wall, how big and scary it was etc. Well one day I went out hunting with them, and this stone wall was maybe 2’9, and my green horse jumped it no problem.:lol:
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^ OK. That was REALLY funny!! Thanks for the laugh, Jealoushe!
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More scary is the jumping wire fences. I remember reading an article in the Chrono years ago where the picture showed them jumping wire and “ware wire!” was the phrase to use when approaching. My warmbloods have on their own jumped hot wire many times, but I would not jump a wire fence with them.
I know of a BNT/Olympian who is very proud of jumping a 4’9" section of fence as the first fence of a meet to get rid of the “rif raff” Needless to say I was not impressed by his hunting prowess.
