I remember some joke going around that described the attitude of the riders of each discipline. Show hunters didn’t like the field hunters because they ran their horses at fences, field hunters didn’t like the show hunters because they couldn’t get over a course if their trainer didn’t tell them how many strides there were, no one liked the dressage riders because they didn’t ride real horses - remember that one? It was pretty funny. Maybe because it held a kernel of truth - I dunno.
I’ve seen some of the best riding in the hunt field. I mean really classy, elegant, lovely equitation. Poetry in motion. I’ve seen people that could use a little help (me among them to be honest) etc. And the horses - well - you know - a field hunter is priceless. Which is why I had to make my own - can’t afford one.
I think a lot of people who complain about field hunters are also the ones insisting that their clients take endless lessons, only do certain shows, get rid of a horse that doesn’t have whatever the trainer thinks it needs to have (but they just happen to have the perfect horse for you) etc. Or maybe they have become so used to the arena, perfect footing, and the desire to show that they forgot what a good cross country gallop feels like. If they ever knew it at all.
Oddly enough, I think many of these apparantly substandard horses end up in the hunt field - where they carry their riders boldly and joyfully over hill and dale - with the wind in their manes and the sounds of the horn and thundering hooves in their ears. The riders may not have the perfect equitation, but they can get their horse fit, keep it sound, take a fence at high speed in uncertain footing without batting an eye (although a stiff drink afterward is an option)
Perhaps I’m romanticizing - yeah - almost time for bed. Sleepy. Sorry.
I recently saw my old dressage instructor - I learned a lot from him. But he was strict - I was forbidden to canter my horse for a year (yeah - like that was going to happen)
Anyway - he told me how disappointed he was to hear I took up hunting and how I’d wasted all the money I’d spent on dressage training. I said no way - I use more dressage in the field than I ever did in the arena. He looked surprised.
But really - there are all kinds of horses and riders hunting - and the skills and abilities vary. I’m not an adrenaline junkie myself - but there is a bit of an “extreme sport” aspect of foxhunting that many people just don’t identify with. That’s perfectly ok. As much as I love dressage - I’d rather apply it as it was meant to be used than practice it endlessly. Just my preference.
As far as the field hunters not training their horses to jump properly - consider this. If your horse messes up in the arena you knock a rail down. Foxhunting - a mistake can kill you. Those coops and fences are meant to keep livestock in. They don’t budge. And you are far from ambulances and helicopters. Nah - the horses may not be flashy jumpers - but they’re good ones. Generally. If not - they hilltop.
