Do any of your hunts allow Pony Clubbers to hunt for free? I remember hunting for free as a pony clubber but that was many, many years ago. Just curious about the current state of affairs.
Thanks
The Wentworth Hunt has a “Junior Hunt” where all under 25 years of age are welcome to hunt for free that day.
This year, we’ve also introduced two “hunt clinics” after the hunts at the tea. These have attracted quite a few pony clubbers that have peaked their interest in hunting with us.
Juniors (under 25) have greatly reduced capping fees through out the season and I believe much lower dues as well, if they join.
But, the Junior Hunt is the only day they hunt for free. 
Thanks for the info, I am the DC of the local pony club so i am trying to work out a good plan for kids as a couple of them like to hunt and I would love to get more of them involved.
MFHA and Pony Club have been working to revive old
traditions. There’s now an award for hunt with greatest PC participation. May be more info at MFHA web site.
I thought I wasn’t crazy… I remember hunting with many different hunts when I was a wee pony clubber because we were welcomed by all…
I’ve heard of some having “PC” meets, and those days are free. I have also heard of hunts having a reduced rate if you belonged to a pony club, but I don’t think it was free. I am speaking of what I’ve heard to be done more recently.
Radnor Hunt allows the members of the pony club to hunt for free. Our pony clubbers are very appreciative and a number of them take advantage of the Hunt’s generosity. They have participated in the Live Oaks Challenge that Beverly referred to earlier.
Pony Club also is now offering a Foxhunting Certification program to encourage its members to participate.
Our hunt allows all pony club members to hunt for free. Children are actively encouraged to hunt at any time and we host several Junior Meets throughout the season. At those meets certain pony clubbers serve as honorary staff members and honorary field masters to encourage those who show an interest in hunting to learn more about the inner workings of the sport. All capable children are also invited to ride at the front of the field. I believe there is a mounted inspection before the first junior meet where children must demonstrate that their mounts are safe outside of the ring and with hounds. There is also a guaranteed hilltopper/third flight on junior meet days.
Los Altos Hounds (CA Bay area) has a reduced capping fee ($60 I think? -not exactly free) for Pony Club members (and does not restrict the number of hunts you can attend).
They also hold a few “mock hunts” a year which are great for the young PC’ers to get oriented with the sport.
Pretty sure ‘our’ juniors have super-cheap rates, along the lines of $100 annual membership and $10 to cap. This year, some junior-only hunts (the only adults are minimal staff) have been added on school holidays and seem to be very popular.
All of the ones around Tryon & Aiken do.
Old Dominion is free for pony club members, $15 for non-pony club members. We also have a ‘young adult’ subscripton rate for under 25 (or maybe under 30.)
A realllllly good and realllly innovative thing we have, too, is a ‘pony club parent’ subscription rate - like $200 for 8 hunts or something - to encourage pc parents (or in my boarders’ case, grandparents!) to hunt along with their kid. It paves the way for family membership and lifelong involvement.
Long live pony club and long live the marriage of pc + foxhunting.
OCH NY
Hi all,
We have two junior days a year (no capping fee) and we always have scholarships available (free membership) for juniors. We have also made it really easy for juniors to hunt even if their parent or instructor can not hunt with them. I know of more than one family that has provided horses for kids that otherwise could not afford it. The next junior day is October 13th for any juniors out there in the Albany, NY area. Feel free to PM me
Tennessee Valley Hunt has a $25 annual fee for juniors, no capping–whether or not they belong to pony club.
The Sewickley Hunt has a Junior Hunt every year. All Juniors are invited. We encourage Pony Club members. The Juniors ride for free that day.
The Junior Hunt is October 6, 2012 at 8:30 am. Please see our website for more information. www.sewickleyhuntclub.com
Amwell Valley Hounds allows Pony Clubbers to cap for free, and juniors at a lower rate than adult cappers.
I’m recalling that…
MFHA has a booklet about just this subject I believe. Look on their website. Also a good one on doing foxhunting camps/clinics.
