so is a person without colors ever right?

[bigbaytb]

I have been hunting quite for the past couple years. I had hoped to earn my colors this year but don’t think I have enough hunts since a majority have been cancelled due to weather. I rarely can make the week day hunts, so I am usually delegated to weekends, holidays and have 20+ hunts under my belt… I do have two horses that I do loan out when I’m not hunting. Both are excellent in the field and are in the first flight and we have been asked to lead the hounds or my horses have been used as a field master’s horse.

Anyway, I am a bit at a quandry and wonder how to handle something. Pretty much I keep this to myself but have found a couple others without colors have mentioned the same thing to me. just curious if I should say anything or just deal.

There is a member with colors that just gets into a snit about things. She usually hill-tops, but on occassion, if we aren’t doing alot of jumping, she will ride up ahead as designated where she should since she has colors. She will place herself behind the field master, and then lopes along and gets 30-40+ yards behind the field master. She knows the territory well, but that leaves the rest of us unable to watch the hounds at work. (our fields have been small due do weather). Everyone is quite good about riding our horses backwards and staying slow and to hide from the whithering glares if we get near her.

I always thought her horse was just slow. But, A couple weeks ago, she ran up on the Field Master and had to circle around to stop, and taking the rider behind to do the same. The field master went on so I continued straight behind the FM. I thought she would just catch up at the next check. we were all in a good gallop when she comes barrelling up on the outside to get her spot back. (isn’t that a no-no?) my young horse thought it a race, but I was able to pull up to let the other rider with colors to get her spot back. the third rider opted to stay at the back of the line until the next check.

We did have a hunt meeting earlier this year where the Hunt Master did remind us where we are to be in the line, but also those with colors that if they cannot stay up with the field to allow people to pass. But then one always asks permission to pass.

I have asked this rider and another to pass twice this season since we were loosing the FM (50+ yards ahead). I was allowed, but she was in a complete snit afterwards so I just stay back wherever I’m placed and lope or trot along.

She spends alot of time telling us without colors not to run up on her horse. recently she did get mad when an experienced horse/rider ( w/o colors) spooked in close quarters when surprised by hounds jumping out of a bush and it rearended her horse, who kicked and made contact with the riders foot. She then lectured that person on controlling ones horse and that horse shouldn’t have spooked since its so experienced.

Usually if I have a rule/etiquette question, I’ll call a staff member and ask. I want to make sure I am doing things correctly. I have never called about any person. I wonder if I should mention this or just keep the course I have now and just not say anything.

[Timex]

Ugh, she sounds like a royal PITA. Wish I had some advice for you, but you’ve got my sympathy! Is there anyone with colors that you’d feel comfortable asking about it? Maybe someone who has seen the situation, and knows what a pain this woman is? Good luck!!

[Beverley]

When hounds are running, colors or not is irrelevant. Just let this person be in a snit, and keep on passing. It sounds like your MFH is already onto the issue having reminded folks with colors that they need to keep up or get out of the way. If this person says something to YOU- smile sweetly and remind her of the Master’s instructions to keep up. Otherwise, continue to ignore.

[altjaeger]

I would ask the fieldmaster what distance is considered “falling behind” and every time that person exceeded that distance, ask to pass. Every time. Maybe she will get the hint, or maybe she will complain to the fieldmaster, in which case she will be set straight.

[bigbaytb]

Timex: I do have a couple really good friends that have colors. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t out of bounds prior to asking.

While we may have a hunt or two left til next season, I will definately keep the suggestions in mind for next year too! I’m usually really good at ignoring things, but her snits have been getting bigger and thus why I started to wonder if I was causing problems.

Thanks!

[Beverley]

@bigbaytb;4703152

I do have a couple really good friends that have colors. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t out of bounds prior to asking.

Honestly, no, you aren’t. Whether or not a hunt member has colors- your money’s just as good as anyone’s, and you are not getting your money’s worth if someone is selfishly interfering with your right to do what you are capable of doing- keeping up with the Master so you can see the hounds work. If I were queen of that hunt I’d have long since have had a word with the member with colors not keeping up- even before receiving complaints from others in the field. There are, in my experience, ‘PITAs with colors’ in most every hunt- but they need to be reminded that their colors mean they are supposed to representing the hunt and upholding hunting standards, and that includes getting the heck out of the way if you can’t keep up!

[HunttoLive]

I do think this question begs a wider discussion of what exactly does the awarding of colors mean today?

When I started hunting and would talk to the old timers, their view was that colors signified a person that could lead the hunt in the field. Or step in as staff if needed. Some hunts only awarded colors to those that hunted first flight.

Obviously that really isn’t true anymore and how hunts award colors varies widely. There are hunts that will award colors after a person has hunted one year. There are some where there is a mandatory waiting period which can be five years of more. The original poster talked about a minimum number of hunts before they can expect to get colors. Are their other requirements?

Yet, on most hunt websites they list the order of the field in the very traditional matter. So is that valid anymore? If I am a guest at another hunt can I rely on a member wearing colors as an indicator of their capability in the field?

You would hope that members with colors would have the sense to hunt in a position in the field that doesn’t disrupt the hunt or impair other’s enjoyment of the hunt.

For the purpose of this discussion, I do have my colors.

[strawberry_roan]

Well said, Beverley!! If only those with colors would remember that they ARE representing the hunt.

[bigbaytb]

getting colors is an honor!

hunttolive: our hunt does have a required minimum rides, but I believe one also needs to support the hunt in various activities or doing something “extra-ordinary”. I believe one also needs to be recommendation of the Master of the Hunt to be considered for colors.

So it is a great honor to get colors, something I take seriously and know it’s not arbitrarily awarded. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t doing anything wrong in the process of hopefully gaining my colors in years to come or that getting a rider with colors in a snit could get me banned or keep me from getting my colors. However, I will still hunt even if never get my colors, but it’s a nice goal to have!

We do have an order in field, but the next line states that “those with bolder horses move ahead” ( it’s understood that the horse is controllable though). We try to start per the order, but that tends to change once the field gets going. Most people know whose horse can to what and pretty much wave people ahead if they know a bolder horse is behind them.

Earlier this season, there a few times where the hunt master has placed me where she wanted when the field was small. She placed me right behind a bold moving field master a few times because we could easily keep up. Also there are those with colors who have told me and others to go ahead and move up so we could enjoy watching the hounds work. I thought that was wonderful!

[gothedistance]

@Beverley;4703148

When hounds are running, colors or not is irrelevant. Just let this person be in a snit, and keep on passing. It sounds like your MFH is already onto the issue having reminded folks with colors that they need to keep up or get out of the way. If this person says something to YOU- smile sweetly and remind her of the Master’s instructions to keep up. Otherwise, continue to ignore.

:yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:

Your obligation is to be polite, but in all cases when the hounds are running, your obligation is to also keep up with your Field Master.

Reason being (for those who aren’t aware) when the field gets strung out it can hamper the work of the hounds if the fox circles and tracks over the path of the horses. Riders getting left behind can negatively influence the choice of the game on which way it will go. It irritates the Master, the Huntsman, the staff, and many times the landowner.

So… your job, as a member of the field, is to keep as close to the Field Master as reasonably and safely as possible when the hounds are running, and when the hounds are checked you should (without making eye contact) just casually move back to where you had been in the field, behind any guests of the Master or any riders with colors.

[Camstock]

[QUOTE=Beverley;4703148]
When hounds are running, colors or not is irrelevant. Just let this person be in a snit, and keep on passing. It sounds like your MFH is already onto the issue having reminded folks with colors that they need to keep up or get out of the way. If this person says something to YOU- smile sweetly and remind her of the Master’s instructions to keep up. Otherwise, continue to ignore.:)[/QUOTE]

Yep.

[Jleegriffith]

I had this same question when I began hunting being mounted on Tb’s who had huge strides, big jumpers and forward thinking. Sometimes we would be on a run and someone would be putting so much distance between the rest of the field that I was getting my arms pulled out because my horse could see that gap. We have a lot of territory where it is in the woods and only one horse width so hard to pass. I was told that I could pass as the goal is to stay up with the field. Use your brain in terms of passing and give notice but passing is allowed. My horse wasn’t out of control by any means but I also wasn’t fond of holding because someone couldn’t keep up.

I am new to hunting (2yrs) so I always speak with the field master to check before I do something wrong. This season I hunted two very green horses who have moments of misbehavior and a I sought advice on how to best handle it without disturbing those around me. I got some great advice from the masters and felt much more at ease. It always helps when their horses aren’t 100% perfect on occassions so I don’t feel so bad when mine are:lol:

[Triplicate]

When hounds are really running, it is everyman for himself. In other words, first flight is for anyone who rides well, controls his horse properly, and doesn’t ride a stopper.
Colors aren’t just rewarded for good manners, but also for being a good member - one who walks puppies, goes cubbing and offers to help whenever help is needed, like watching at the road crossings for the field, staff or hounds, opening or closing gates, etc.
Get some great old hunting books and read up on how thing used to be done - fascinating - and mostly still true today.
Make sure you and your horse are turned out absolutely the best. Clean tack, shined bits and boots, pulled manes, etc.
No gum, no chatting, no perfume, and all the stuff you most likely know .
Never arrive late at the meets.

Best advice - forget about getting your colors and you will most likely get them sooner !

[JSwan]

@Camstock;4703758

Yep.

Ditto. If you continue to have problems with the member - bring it up with the Master. (again)

Whether or not the member has colors really is really beside the point. It sounds like the individual is just a PITA.

Never understood why some folks just won’t drop back, retire to the back of the field - or call it a day. There is no shame! :no:

[Alagirl]

I am not a hunter, so I am not familiar with ettiquette…

BUT, this lady seems to instigate. No, wrong word, but I am in a stooper this morning. Seems she is inviting the situation to be in a snit over, so comply and have her snitty!

Yep, some people are most happy when unhappy. so be kind, and get her to that state, ask to pass, every time, thank her gracefully and ride on.

I mean, if you can’t keep up, why be in first flight, if you don’t want to be up close then why the heck bother…

So in essence she is taking it leasurely, no problem there, but at the same time rubbing it in she has her colors?

Sorry the ramblings…need more cough syrup…

[Trakehner]

Buy the silly cow some fresh batteries…sounds like she needs em!

Smile and suggest since you didn’t sleep with her last night, you don’t have to put up with her behaviour this morning.

She got colours! Woohoo! Is this her only claim to fame? Never did anything on her own except spend Daddy’s or Husband’s money so is hell-on-wheels in her own little part of life?

I’d suggest talking with the real staff and determining what they consider “manners”. Take em’ up on their word and ignore her with a “Bless your heart” smile.

I hate bullies.

[Alagirl]

@Trakehner;4705475

Buy the silly cow some fresh batteries…sounds like she needs em!

ROFLMAO!!!:lol::lol::lol:

[Camstock]

[QUOTE=Alagirl;4705454]
Seems she is inviting the situation to be in a snit over, so comply and have her snitty!

Yep, some people are most happy when unhappy. so be kind, and get her to that state…[/QUOTE]

ROTFLMAO! Love it and agree!

[Equibrit]

This is something you should discuss with the Field Master. Just mention your confusion and could he/she clear it up for you. Then do what HE/SHE says. Field Master would probably ask “SIR” to have a word with little Miss Snitty.
Your FM may even have the gonads to tell Miss Snitty to keep up or step off!

[bigbaytb]

[QUOTE=Trakehner;4705475]
Buy the silly cow some fresh batteries…sounds like she needs em!

Smile and suggest since you didn’t sleep with her last night, you don’t have to put up with her behaviour this morning.

She got colours! Woohoo! Is this her only claim to fame? Never did anything on her own except spend Daddy’s or Husband’s money so is hell-on-wheels in her own little part of life?

QUOTE]

:lol::lol::lol::lol:
I just read this and spit my coffee all over my desk. ROTFLMAO! That was a good one!!