Newbie inquiry: How should one prepare for possible hunting?

[Hinderella]

I’m a late 40’s rider who’s dreamed for some time of hunting. I’m still a ways off from actually trying it, but I’m looking for some guidance on how I might prepare.
By way of background: I rode as a youngster, then took a long hiatus to grow up, work and pay bills, returning to riding in my 40s.

1. I had never jumped until three years ago, and even now I top out at 2 feet.

2. Upon my return, my first horse was a completely unsuitable hot-blooded Anglo Arab who did not jump. While she’s not longer with me (put her down at 26) I mention her because my frightening experiences with her in the field (broken arm, concussion, bolting bucking, you name it) have left me nervous and timid when riding in the open.

3. I now have a completely sane, safe, brave little pony, probably quarter horse, maybe some Morgan…an all purpose sturdy pony. I have jumped her once on an open/field course including very small (2’ brush jumps, coops, up and down hill) and she never blinked.

4. I ride daily, weather permitting.

5. My pony had colic surgery last September, and while she’s recovered completely, her long layoff has us back in the starting blocks as far as jumping is concerned; we’re doing only small cross rails once or twice a week.

6 .Tanheath Hunt and Tyrone Farm, near me, offer an introduction to foxhunting clinic, as well as a clinic on riding in the open.

Enough background, now the questions:

1. Is it at all reasonable for a timid middle aged rider to consider hunting? Or does hunting require a certain level of confidence, and I should steer clear if I’m nervous? Please be honest!

2. Due to the pony’s recovery period, I don’t expect to be doing anything in terms of clinics until next year. In the meantime, what skills could I work on for myself, and what conditioning for my pony?

3. Can one remain a hilltopper forever? I love doing the little jumps I do now, but I know I’d be frightened by larger jumps, and I wouldn’t want to be an anchor on the ride for others.

Thanks for your time…I know it’s “off season” for hunting, so I’m hoping to find some of you who are filling the time on the board.

[Bullet]

I think if you audit the clinic at Tyrone Farm put on by Tanheath Hunt, you will be reassured that you should give foxhunting a try, if not this year then definately next. The Hilltopping field at Tanheath Hunt is not just for beginners or green horses, it’s for those who wish to hunt at a slower pace. You can stay there forever if it suits you. Most of our jumps are in the 2’ to 2’6" range and all of them are optional. Your horse needs to behave well when riding in company and be fit enough to walk and trot for up to an hour and a half, with stops along the way as hounds check and work out a line.The pace is slower in September so your horse can become hunting fit along with the hounds. It is never too late t begin foxhunting.