Just curious as to the reasons folks prefer one hunt over another and what criteria you have for a “good” or “great” hunt.
For me, the territory, jumps, PEOPLE, and proximity to where I live play a big part. Obviously, the actually hunting (hounds, foxes, and chase) are a big deal.
Good sport.
Good people.
Good territory.
Good commute.
Good fun!
[QUOTE=FitToBeTied;7744111]
This pretty much sums it up but I would also add to this, welcoming and friendly field masters (who I would like to see as the MFH as well). I have seen some variability on this and this was a deal breaker (i.e., would not go back) with one hunt I went out with a decade or so ago.
Fit, hard working hounds. Good huntsman. Large well paneled territory. Field master that can keep up with the huntsman.
Pet peeves… Losing the hounds as a common occurrence, drama, glorified trail rides.
Kid friendly!
I love how strongly our hunt supports and encourages our juniors, no matter how beginnerish they are. Learning and education is a priority.
Good Country is tops on my list because if we don’t have great land to ride, best hounds and staff in the universe aren’t going to make a difference. Then I’d say good huntsman, good pack, and good whips. As far as the membership, I rather ignore drama, and the field masters discourage chit chat while hunting --sometimes I skip the brunches to avoid drama and I do try never to create it myself. And I try not to enjoy it either although when at the club bar a lady member decked a gentleman member for riding into her horse as he tried to pass OVER A FENCE and caused her to fall, I must say I quietly applauded her and thought she was right (but not correct --she should have taken it outside so not to spill the drinks) since I’d seen him do it to her and to others. Big Man Big Horse Big Ego --knocked on his seat by a little lady member (who also did MMA in her spare time).
And I will take exception (politely) to rhymeswithfizz --as a dues paying member, I don’t enjoy kids in first flight --none have hunted out with us in the past ten-fifteen years who knew what they were doing. (Maybe fault the parents or grandparents who brought them, dropped them off, and stood back and took pictures) -or the parents rode second flight and the kid assumed he/she could ride first. The kids who’ve ridden out in first flight don’t know or haven’t been told to stay behind members, not to talk, and not to school over fences holding up the ride. The talk to the hounds, offer opinions on members’ riding and horses, try to chat up the staff, and worse, when I was asked how long I’d been hunting, and told the kid it was my 50th year, she asked what kind of dinosaurs we rode fifty years ago --trying to be funny, I’m sure. It has been kids on the field that have caused two of the worse accidents I’ve personally seen (the kids couldn’t control their horses and one kicked a member and broke her leg) another kid’s horse kicked a hound and that ended his hunting career (broken shoulder). The second accident was a kid standing still at a check and her horse reared straight up and came down on a member sitting on her horse --broken collar bone that time, both rider and horse fell under the weight. Our rules call for riders under 16 to ride with their member/sponsor, but it’s not enforced as it should be. Anyway --Good land, good staff, good hounds --what I like in a hunt club.
Foxglove
I haven’t joined a hunt…YET…but when I do, one of the primary things I’ll be looking for (in addition to great fixtures, hounds, and people) is a dedicated group for hilltopping. I’m an OK rider on the flat, but scary jumps are never going to be my thing, unfortunately.
I have hunted with two different hunts in our area, and first and foremost in my mind is safety. One hunt that I hunted with several times and will NEVER do so again had a field master that proceeded to take our second flight over coops after telling us that we would only be jumping a few logs. One “gentleman” literally jumped his horse into mine, a child fell off twice with the pony taking off. Needless to say, it was not an enjoyable day, and in my opinion, it was very irresponsible on the part of the filed master. After that experience I will never hunt with that hunt again.
What I like about my hunt is we adhere to hunting traditions which makes the entire experience different from a trail ride but we aren’t so embedded in tradition that having boots with zippers or a regular black show coats and not having appointments doesn’t banish you to the back room.
Our Field Masters are safety minded in this sport that exposes horse and rider to unknown risk. We have fields for jumping and non-jumping at every hunt. Our Huntsman is a true sportsman with the pack and the quarry. He is also the kindest, most cheerful person you could ever meet. Our Masters are comfortable with their duties and fair minded when making decisions that impact the members.
Our membership is diverse and yet the common bond of hounds and sport makes us all equal when gathered. A new member is smothered with sincere welcomes and how can we help you.
The horses are the icing on the cake! From Currier and Ives breathtakingly beautiful TB’s to draft crosses to Quarter horses of all sizes to jug headed no idea of the breed- if it hunts well it is adored!
All of the above produces a fun filled day and new friendships.
[QUOTE=Foxglove;7745933]
she was right (but not correct --she should have taken it outside so not to spill the drinks) [/QUOTE]
:: raises glass to Foxglove :: Indeed!
[QUOTE=Foxglove;7745933]
And I will take exception (politely) to rhymeswithfizz --as a dues paying member, I don’t enjoy kids in first flight --none have hunted out with us in the past ten-fifteen years who knew what they were doing. (Maybe fault the parents or grandparents who brought them, dropped them off, and stood back and took pictures) -or the parents rode second flight and the kid assumed he/she could ride first. The kids who’ve ridden out in first flight don’t know or haven’t been told to stay behind members, not to talk, and not to school over fences holding up the ride. The talk to the hounds, offer opinions on members’ riding and horses, try to chat up the staff, and worse, when I was asked how long I’d been hunting, and told the kid it was my 50th year, she asked what kind of dinosaurs we rode fifty years ago --trying to be funny, I’m sure. It has been kids on the field that have caused two of the worse accidents I’ve personally seen (the kids couldn’t control their horses and one kicked a member and broke her leg) another kid’s horse kicked a hound and that ended his hunting career (broken shoulder). The second accident was a kid standing still at a check and her horse reared straight up and came down on a member sitting on her horse --broken collar bone that time, both rider and horse fell under the weight. Our rules call for riders under 16 to ride with their member/sponsor, but it’s not enforced as it should be. Anyway --Good land, good staff, good hounds --what I like in a hunt club.
Foxglove[/QUOTE]
Goodness, I would not enjoy that either! I don’t blame you a bit! To clarify, I didn’t mean kid friendly as in any kid is welcome to ride anywhere. (Our club is just the opposite, actually.) So we are in complete agreement there! I meant that they are kid friendly as in supportive of proper development and education of young riders, from pony line up through the ranks, as fox hunters. After all, who will carry on the next generation of the hunt if we don’t teach the young people? It’s a legacy that needs to be passed on or the hunt won’t survive. I’m glad that our hunt recognizes this, but of course our master is proof that it works, since he started hunting with his father when he was only 6.
We also have a hunt based pony club to help support and teach the juniors. It’s still pretty new but I’m excited about the potential! I feel very, very fortunate that I have been able to share this with my girls. As a mom of 3 kids (two that ride), honestly, I would likely not have become a member if it was more of an adults-only sort of thing. It would have been a lot harder to justify, anyways. 
I think our hunt has taken a wise approach with this, especially considering our area and demographics, and it has most certainly increased our membership.
Of my three daughters, two hunted from age 12 on and my granddaughter occasionally rides out as she has since age 10. But I ride with them on solid hunting horses and make sure the girls follow the established traditions. All have left hunting with the same complaint: it’s too cold! While the membership is somewhat supportive (we do have a pony club, too), I think we all felt “burned” when great allowance was made for a couple of juniors to ride out (gave them a break on dues and obligations) and both were difficult “members.” The one actually wrote a bad check to the club (or her parents did) and was never seen again; the other never understood the traditions and although still comes now and then as a social membership adult, complains loud and often about too many things. Not a good idea for someone who never came to work days or paid the “penalty” due for not coming. (Members like me who are too old to work and live too far to drive to work days can buy ourselves out with a “fine” --I’m glad to do it as the gas alone to drive to the club is more than the “fine.”)
I do think your club is wise --and recently we have attracted some young adult members with CHILDREN so perhaps BCHC will continue to exist for another 90 years.
Foxglove
Foxglove
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