Ah, the semi-annual fixation
on 'what is correct' or not. For those new to the sport, I offer
(again, I think) my opinion on how to get yourself out hunting,
and how to get invited back, if you decide you like it.
1. If you know no one in
the particular hunt where you wish to give it a try, call a Master
or the Secretary (big hint: look at the hunt's entry in the Chronicle of the Horse
Hunt Roster, which I think is out, or about to be, for this season?
Among the details
it will typically say 'Visitors welcome to hunt, contact the
________ ' (usually says Master or Secretary, that's who you
should call).
2. When you make that contact,
give full confession: You've never hunted before, are interested
in trying it, is there a particular upcoming meet that you could
attend? This leading question is helpful because the Master or
Secretary may know, for example, that the next scheduled meet
is a quadruple joint meet with a gazillion people coming, probably
not the sort of thing a newcomer would want to start with (particularly
if horse's bonafides for hunting are unknown or if horse has
never hunted). There may be a particular meet that springs to
Master's/Secretary's mind that is favorable terrain, for example,
or where a smaller crowd might be expected, the sorts of things
that would make for a better first time experience all the way
around. A Real Hunt is both looking out for you as a newcomer,
and looking out for the landowners, membership and quality of
sport.
3. Having established that
you can/should attend a particular day's hunting, next inquiry
is, how much is the capping fee, and to whom should I pay it?
The payee is generally the Secretary or Treasurer but sometimes
it is a field secretary. It is important that you know that person's
name. When you get to the meet, check in hand, the first thing
you will do is seek that person out, introduce yourself, hand
over the check, and sign a release if the hunt requires it. I
recommend a check rather than cash so that there is evidence
that you paid. I paid cash entries at a hunter trials once, I
think the hunt in question still thinks I stiffed them because
I didn't insist on a receipt!
4. Next step, after the
money details are nailed down: This is the time to make any and
all attire/tack inquiries. There is no question to dumb to ask,
at this point, and if the hunt official to whom you are speaking
implies that you have asked a dumb question, this ain't a Real
Hunt. The hunt official to whom you are speaking will (or should)
appreciate that you are making the effort to 'do the right thing'
and inform yourself. This is also the time at which you can learn
a lot about whether the hunt in question needs a shipment of
dinosaurs or has its priorities in order. If, for example, you
only have square saddle pads, say so! No reasonable hunt will
require you to go out and buy new stuff for a trial run at the
sport. As for tack color, type, figure 8 or not, raised bridle
or not, etc, Don't Even Ask - what you have is just fine, provided
you follow two rules:
1) use what you need to maintain control of your horse
at all speeds, at all times,
2) whatever tack you are using should be scrupulously
clean BEFORE you get to the meet (I just hate it when I see people
at the meet polishing their boots or 'wiping off' filthy tack
that wasn't cleaned after the last day of hunting, to me it sends
a message that clean tack/tack in good repair isn't a priority
for such folks). And not just the leather- take some Brasso to
those stirrups and dee rings and nameplate and buttons, believe
me, it makes a difference and is way impressive! And if you use
a Wintec, well great, that much less leather to clean, but make
sure it's clean and spot free. As for attire, you can never go
wrong with black coat, beige breeches, PLAIN BLACK BOOTS. These
are always correct even during cubhunting. If it happens that
you don't yet own all of these, ask if you can wear your green
show coat or whatever you've got, and maybe a neutral colored
turtleneck if you don't own a stock tie, a Real Hunt will always
say yes, of course.
5. So, now you've established
your day of hunting. The day BEFORE the meet, get your stuff
organized, clean your tack, polish your boots, lay out your hunting
clothes, load the right stuff in your trailer, even hook up your
trailer if convenient so you are Ready to Roll and have the least
possible number of things to stress out about on the Morning
Of. Bathe or thoroughly groom your horse.
6. Morning Of: THOROUGHLY
groom your horse before loading. Yes, he'll get a little dirty
on the way, but you'll have a far easier time just touching him
up as needed at the meet. I recommend tacking at home (possibly
except for the bridle) and hauling to the meet tacked up, it
has always helped me to make sure I get there with everything
I need, but if you don't tack, triple check that you have everything,
saddle, pad, bridle, horse, before pulling out of the barn. Plan
to arrive at the meet an hour early. Gives you plenty of time
to get organized, pay capping fee, greet Master, field master
(if different) and others, and be groomed, tacked, and on your
horse 5 minutes before the appointed hour. Much more pleasant
experience than frantically rushing while simultaneously stressing
about First Day of Hunting.
7. When hounds move off,
go to the end of the line. Two reasons: members get to go first,
and at your first meet you will want to stay in the back, out
of trouble. If the field master or MFH invites you to the front,
by all means, go and enjoy! If hounds are running and there are
slow pokes in your way, feel free to pass even the most senior
of hunt members. Just remember to return meekly to the rear when
that run is over. Won't go into the excruciating protocol details
here, just rest assured that if you follow this advice at a Real
Hunt, those in charge/those to whom it matters will be mightily
impressed.
8. Two rules for your first
day, no, three.
1) hounds have right of way at all times, do whatever
it takes to ensure your horse does not get in a position where
he might step on or kick a hound or block its path. This rule
is orders of magnitude more important that what you or horse
are wearing or anything else for that matter.
2) Be quiet! No chit chatting or shrieking in terror
when hounds are working. If others come to you to initiate conversation
(and they will, there are lots of yakkers out there), whisper,
keep it short, etc - you are fundamentally there to enjoy the
hunting, the chit chat can happen afterwards. Those involved
in providing the day's sport will MUCH appreciate your contribution
to as quiet a field as possible so the hounds can find what they
are lookin' for.
3) At the end of the day: Thank field master, MFH (if
different), huntsman, and whippers-in for the day's sport. NOTHING
is more important than your expression of gratitude for the hard
work they have put in; if you've showed up bareback on a dirty
zebra and remember to thank them at the end of the day, you will
be In Like Flint.
9. Day After. A good old
fashioned Thank You Note to the Master. No matter how many mistakes
or faux pas you think you might've made the day before, spending
37 cents to say thanks one more time will wipe any demerits clean
and give you some brownie points in the bank, too.
I think those are the highlights,
and as always, Just My Opinion.
Regards, Beverley Heffernan
Sandy, Utah, USA
