What's a poor huntress wannabe to do?

[jeano]

I am a 55 year old re re rider who longs to go on a foxhunt at least once before I die.

In my favor, I can stay alive on a horse, know not to call a hound a dog, and have a horse who would probably be pretty well behaved around hounds, has plenty of sense and likes to go. I am a landowner who supports hunting and wildlife habitat preservation. I would most definitely be with hilltoppers.

However…I dont have proper tack, dont have proper attire, dont have a trailer, and am roughly 45 miles away from the nearest hunt (Belle Meade in GA) that I know of. I am a working stiff with a non horsey DH, and no connections to the equestrian set.

If I win the lottery I could address some of the above, but in the meantime, am I just spinning my wheels pining to do this? Am I forever doomed to pretend I’m foxhunting when I canter thru the timberlands and powerlines and back roads?

[TBlitz]

You can make it happen!!!

I’m sure someone from that area would be able to give you a ride to a hunt. Most hunts don’t expect guests to be fully attired, so you can just make so with what you have. Most hunts are used to having people come out in western tack and attire (mostly landowners in this case). Alot of hunts have hunting addicts (we have plenty on this board :uhoh:) who have a giant collection of extra clothing in various sizes that they outfit people in.

[Cita]

Definitely contact the hunt and look into buying used clothes or borrowing some extras from someone! Who knows, maybe there’s an avid hunter right down the street from you who is absolutely dying to split gas costs for trailering to the hunt. As foxhunting is somewhat a fringe sport (compared to, say, golf), I’ve found that hunters are always very excited to have potential new members and are almost always very welcoming and accomodating to first-timers. Some hunts will even have special days dedicated to hunting newbies in an attempt to teach them and get them hooked on the sport.

My father started foxhunting at about 60 years old, after having not ridden since he was 13, and after a couple of years ended up holding his own in first flight! Make it happen - you can do it!

[xeroxchick]

The Belle Meade people are really, super nice. I bet the secretary would put you in touch with someone to buddy up with. Foxhunting is making a real effort to reach out and get new members, so your chances are far better than you could imagine. I live in Newnan, so probably too far away to be of any use, but pm me if you have any interest in Midland.

[Tantivy1]

Why don’t you contact the hunt sec at Belle Meade and get on their mailing list for events and try to attend summer functions, horsey, huntry or houndy, and I bet you could easily make some wonderful connections with members and it would BLOSSOM from there.

[jeano]

y’all give me hope! thanks for the encouragement! Woo hoo, maybe I could do this before I am too far gone in decrepitude!

[cjmicro]

Don’t let that all stop you. If you can ride and have a suitable horse that’s most important (and of course that you really want to hunt!)

Check with some of the hunts near you and explain your situation. Most hunts have it listed on their websites that they don’t expect new people to come out fully garbed from the pages of Horse Country. I have purchased many of my tweeds from the Goodwill store, and you probably already have breeches and boots, and a helmet. You’re halfway there!

Good luck and have fun… it would be good to get out with them earlier now, like for summer rides, to get to know some of the members, too!

Cheryl

[Beverley]

Oh, Hail, Like the Nike Commercial Said…

Just Do It. Belle Meade is a very friendly bunch. Get in touch with them now, planning a fall do, and y’all can make it happen. Your tack will probably do for a trial, you can borrow clothing for a trial, bet somebody can give you a ride in exchange for gas money (a really growing incentive these days!).

[Ray]

[QUOTE=jeano;3293297]
Woo hoo, maybe I could do this before I am too far gone in decrepitude![/QUOTE]

and hey! none of that. I started hunting at age 42 and I am a youngster in our hunt; plenty of folks in their 60’s and 70’s.

and for attire and tack, one word: eBAY

[Whistlejacket]

Jeano -

Welcome! Great to have you.

While it sounds like you may have a suitable horse, hunting is just like any discipline in riding as far as training the horse. It is best done with a regular, progressive training program in which the horse is trained to address “hunt-like” questions and situations of increasing difficulty, which takes time.

So if you want to get a “taste” of hunting in the meantime, often times hunts will know of someone (usually a member of the hunt) that rents out horses for foxhunting. Often times, that person will bring the horse to the hunt meet fully tacked and has a variety of level horses - from hilltoppers on up. And the person renting the horse often times is not a member of the hunt.

It sounds like you have gotten good tips on how to contact a hunt. So when you contact the hunt, you can always ask if there is anyone that rents out horses for foxhunting with that group.

And when you do go out for the first time, be prepared afterwards to have a grin on your face that lasts for days!

Have fun! WJ

[wateryglen]

Been dere, done dat!!

Go for it! Your list of concerns is no problemo. Borrow! Even strangers will help you because hunt folks love potential converts! Enthusiasm is infectious! It’s not high school and this ain’t a clique! It’s a bunch of nutty grown adults with a fun sense of adventure and I can tell you’ll fit in just fine. It’s the first few steps that are the hardest. None of it is insurmountable. All doable!! And decrepitudes are da bomb!! All foxhunters suffer from SOMETHING!!! and many of us are quite poor too! So…connections shemections! Get on the phone, be creative, push (“market”) youself on them, they won’t notice or care! Life’s too short to not go. Don’t stand on the sidelines when you can play in the game! And age? Ha!! You just wait!!! :winkgrin:

[CarrieK]

[QUOTE=jeano;3293107]
I am a 55 year old re re rider who longs to go on a foxhunt at least once before I die.[/QUOTE]
I hear ya! (I just turned 46 and every time I clear one non-horsey obstacle, another seems to pop up! :: le sad sigh::)

Please keep us updated on your efforst! I’ll be cheering for you to make it! Good luck!!

[Hotspur]

You’re Gonna Love It!

Go for it girl! I started 3 years ago at age 55 and I just love it!

[Lauren]

Maybe get in touch with Hunter’s Rest (Betsy, who posts here on the BB) and take a nice vacation to Virginia? She an avid hunter and might be able to set you up with something… She runs a B&B and her horses are lovely :yes: :yes: :yes: experienced and have all the right tack. You’ll satisfy the “once in my lifetime” part, and maybe get a head start on hunting your own horse at home

[cjmicro]

Yes, take a vacation to Virginia!!

Lots of hunts would love to have you as a visitor

[scpezold]

@Ray;3294679

and for attire and tack, one word: eBAY

I second that. Purchased almost everything hunting related through ebay. Pretty much got everything except the dress boots. The old field boots from my H/J days are going to have to cut it. Sad because I have not been on a hunt yet but will sure be ready once the time comes :yes:. Good Luck!

I know someone who hunts in GA (might be Belle Meade) who is 80. She started riding when she was around 32. She recently was looking to purchase her next TB. She says she does not want a packer but she does want something she can bring along in the 6 yo old range :eek:. Last I spoke to her she was not letting up any time soon. I believe she is also the Master of second or third flight!

[chunky_munky]

My suggestion is that you should call Miss Rita Mae, of Oak Ridge Hunt. She would love your story and desire and i would bet could fix you up in a heart beat. Yes its Virginia, but she would SO get your situation and find you a horse. Oak Ridge is not snobbish at all. They would love that you want to be there! You would have a great time.

[SEPowell]

Pack up and move as close to a hunt as you can get :lol:

[naters]

Hey! i am in Aiken SC, and would love to have a hilltopping buddy!! I have friends at Belle Meade, and I am sure they would be happy to take you out!!!

[naters]

I am not sure that Hilltopping with Belle Meade is a good intro though. Its a fabulous hunt, but fast paced, and not for the faint of heart… let me know if you are interested. I can give you a couple of names.