Many hunts get by with a professional huntsman and honorary whips.
It already seems to be the most thankless job in the world. But how does your hunt honor these non-paid people?
I’m talking about a whip that hunts 20 to 30 times a season, not the political titles that can be bestowed upon the favored.
Thanks for your input.
I serve as an honorary whipper-in and find it a very rewarding job. I whip-in because I enjoy working with hounds. Our MFH/Huntsman (we do not have a professional) is very gracious and a joy to work with. Many members thank my husband and I after meets for whipping-in. It’s appreciated but never necessary as I simply love doing it! I am attachment to each and every hound and want to keep them safe and see them perform to their best ability. Some hunting days are long and cold and wet but that’s all part of the job. When it’s a great hunting day and the hounds are shining I feel like I had a share in their glory and when they are not perfect I know we can do better next time out. I’m always looking for ways I can improve as a"whip" so as to help them be the perfect pack.
ROFLMAO. They get lots of thanks from the huntsman/masters. Most of the people who are hunting have no clue how much work goes into running the hunt/kennels/working the hounds etc. Most of them could care less if the hounds are even out, they are they to socialize. There are some people in every hunt who are into the hounds and appreciate the staff, they are always very appreciative of the staff’s hardwork. THe rest could care less.
But OP, I think you are sweet to realize how hard we work and want to thank them for it, I know I would appreciate it. THe whips are the first to catch hell from the huntsman and it is a very thankless job.
Most of us do it because we love the hounds and are there to hunt, and don’t expect lots of kudos. But it is very much appreciated to know that people notice.
I do appreciate it when a member of the field thanks us after the hunt, or when we finally get to breakfast. Sometimes a member will bring little bundles of homemade cookies or something for the staff. Anything is appreciated. We love what we do, but it does take work and commitment.
Need to clarify. OK
My question was meant to ask more about formal thank yous.
Mudroom - I like the cookies being given to staff. Baked goods are always appreciated. Yum.
What about Balls or Master’s Dinners? Are the staff mentioned?
When I whipped in, no, there weren’t any sorts of formal thanks or recognition. In my opinion the job is its own reward. Yes, often thankless, often you intentionally have to miss a good run to provide a safety buffer. But there is nothing better than the privilege of working and playing with hounds!
I have to say that I am amused when hunting around- some honorary whippers-in do their job very well, others are pretty worthless. I think nothing is more frustrating for a huntsman than having to endure whippers-in which were not appointed based on merit. And I would add that there is nothing more frustrating for a whipper-in than riding in the field, seeing how things are about to go awry, and not being able to do anything about it.
[QUOTE=Beverley;3127263]
When I whipped in, no, there weren’t any sorts of formal thanks or recognition. In my opinion the job is its own reward. Yes, often thankless, often you intentionally have to miss a good run to provide a safety buffer. But there is nothing better than the privilege of working and playing with hounds!
I have to say that I am amused when hunting around- some honorary whippers-in do their job very well, others are pretty worthless. I think nothing is more frustrating for a huntsman than having to endure whippers-in which were not appointed based on merit. And I would add that there is nothing more frustrating for a whipper-in than riding in the field, seeing how things are about to go awry, and not being able to do anything about it.[/QUOTE]
AMEN! on all counts.
In our hunt the MFH gives out thank you gifts at the Hunt ball to all staff including Field Masters, Foxes (we are a drag hunt), and Whippers-in. Last year we each received saddle pads with our hunt’s initials and or flasks with the hunts name engraved. It’s nice to be recognized but I’d be doing it even if that wasn’t the case.
Our Masters are so gracious and well-mannered, I have no doubt honorary staff are given formal thank you gifts, or dinners, or something like that.
I try to do a little something for each of them at Xmas - usually just a little gift bag with sundries in it.
[QUOTE=MapleMeadows;3127433]
It’s nice to be recognized but I’d be doing it even if that wasn’t the case.[/QUOTE]
The truth of the matter!
[QUOTE=Beverley;3127263]
When I whipped in, no, there weren’t any sorts of formal thanks or recognition. In my opinion the job is its own reward. Yes, often thankless, often you intentionally have to miss a good run to provide a safety buffer. But there is nothing better than the privilege of working and playing with hounds!
I have to say that I am amused when hunting around- some honorary whippers-in do their job very well, others are pretty worthless. I think nothing is more frustrating for a huntsman than having to endure whippers-in which were not appointed based on merit. And I would add that there is nothing more frustrating for a whipper-in than riding in the field, seeing how things are about to go awry, and not being able to do anything about it.[/QUOTE]
Well said Beverley!
But I have to take issue with the “the job is it’s own reward”.
The honorary whips, in several cases, keep multiple horses fit and shod during the entire hunt season. When I have to chase down a farrier to get a shoe on my horse for the next days hunt, it’s more than a job. It’s a commitment to making sure the hunt club stays on schedule.
[QUOTE=J Swan;3127537]
Our Masters are so gracious and well-mannered, I have no doubt honorary staff are given formal thank you gifts, or dinners, or something like that.
I try to do a little something for each of them at Xmas - usually just a little gift bag with sundries in it.[/QUOTE]
Could you find out more specifics? Just curious.
Great idea!
I think we should thank them formally and informally. I like to send Xmas cards to them and thank them then for all their hard work & dedication and for making the season so wonderful for us field members. Even just a verbal thank you and pat on the back works ya know!
Our 1 master gave her whips a bag of goodies at Xmas as a thank you.
Nice touch!
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