HUNTING WITH THE QUORN

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HUNTING

 WHAT DO I WEAR TO GO HUNTING?  Normal rally dress with hacking jacket.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST PER DAY?  Please contact Natalie Mulligan on 07816 262324 or nsmulligan@yahoo.co.uk  or click here for subscription prices

HOW DO I GET THERE?  You should either hack to the meet if it is quite close, or you should unbox your pony well away from the meet and hack on quietly to settle him before you arrive.

HOW DO I FIND OUT WHERE AND WHEN THE HUNT MEETS?  By contacting the Hunt Office on 01664 813661.

WHO DO I HAVE TO ASK IF I CAN GO OUT WITH THE HUNT?  Usually the Hunt Secretary or the Pony Club DC (Pony Club members are welcome at all meets).

WHAT IS A “MEET” AND HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?  It is the chosen place where everyone meets at  a set time to gather together to begin the hunt.  The meet usually lasts around 15 minutes – so be there on time.

For example:       3 Dec                  -   The Kennels                                 11.00 am

HOW DO I RECOGNISE THE MASTER AND OTHER HUNT STAFF?  The Huntsman and 1st Whipper-in wear red coats and are in charge of the Hounds.  They will be with them at the meet. The Master (who is the person in charge of the mounted field), usually stands quite near to them, and will speak to the “Field” before leaving the meet. (This is how you will recognise him/her).

AM I ALLOWED TO SPEAK TO THEM?  Yes, but politely address them as “Sir” or “Madam”. You may say Good Morning.

AM I ALLOWED TO RIDE WITH THE HUNTSMAN AND HOUNDS?  Only if you are invited to, otherwise stay with the other riders behind the “Master”.

WHAT DO I DO IF HOUNDS COME NEAR OR ROUND MY PONY?  Always turn your pony to face hounds so that he can see them.

WHAT DO I DO IF I AM RIDING A NOVICE PONY THAT HAS NOT BEEN HUNTING BEFORE, OR THAT MY PONY KICKS OUT AT OTHERS?  Put a green ribbon on his tail if he is novice, a BIG RED one if he kicks.

DO I HAVE TO STAY OUT ALL DAY?   No, but you must let the person know who is looking after you, that you are going home, and you say “Good Night” to the Hunt Staff (if you see them).

WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE A PROBLEM OR I SEE SOMEONE WHO HAS FALLEN OFF?  Find the person who is looking after you for help and ask anyone else that many be near you for help.  Before you go out hunting you should always make sure that there is someone to look out for you whether it be the ponyclub hunting babysitter or an adult.  Please do not expect other mounted riders to look after you without asking first.

ALWAYS FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS FROM OTHERS – IF YOU HEAR THE PERSON IN FRONT OF YOU SHOUT “GATE PLEASE” AS YOU ARE GOING THROUGH AN OPEN GATE, YOU SHOULD SHOUT THE SAME MESSAGE TO THE PERSON BEHIND YOU – IF YOU ARE THE LAST PERSON THROUGH THE GATE – THEN YOU MUST CLOSE IT BEHIND YOU.

It has been decided that from a safety point of view that it was a very good idea for pony club members to wear their medical armband whilst out hunting.  We would not encourage any youngster to go out unaccompanied as hunting is fast and furious and there are always big horses at speed and it can be dangerous for little ones on small ponies.  we know that any small person can become adrift from whoever is looking after them and if anything happens there is no way of knowing who the child belongs to if the parent is not with them.  Therefore, WE WILL MAKE IT MANDATORY FOR ALL QUORN HUNT PONY CLUB MEMBERS TO WEAR MEDICAL ARMBANDS WHILST OUT HUNTING.  If you need to purchase a medical armband these are available from our DC Sue Henton.

Any QHPC member who hunts, should do their Hunting Certificate so that they have a sound knowledge of hunting, and should also be prepared to help out at hunt functions (e.g. at the Point to Point).  Tracy Warren has kindly agreed to organise training for the Hunting Certificate, so please fill in the slip and send it to her.  Unless you subscribe to the hunt, you should book in with Natalie when you want to go hunting.  She will give you the information you need and tell you how much the cap will be.  It is important that you know how hunting works, and very important that you know how you and your pony should behave in the hunting field.  Members who achieve the Hunting Certificate will be awarded a green ribbon to wear on their jacket.   

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO GET TO THE QUORN HUNT WEBSITE