HUNTING WITH THE FITZWILLIAM
Anyone wanting details of meets etc, in the first instance please contact Fiona Baylis. The Fitzwilliam Hunt also plan other events such as pleasure rides, hound exercise and Milton Show – details of these will be made available.
Important points to remember when hunting are:
- 14 years and under must be accompanied by a mounted adult who is responsible for them, and this must be arranged in advance by the parent/guardian
- On arrival at the meet go and say ‘Good Morning’ to the Masters, Huntsman and Whipper-In. Find the Secretary and pay them
- Follow instructions as to where to unbox, check with the secretary first. Do not unbox in villages. Unbox off the road on the same side as other boxes. A short hack to the meet will settle your pony. Do not ride on mown grass verges. Do not ride on any sown crops
- Be ready to jump off your pony to open and close gates without being asked. Also pass on ‘Gate Please’ so that others behind hear the message
- Always face your pony towards the hounds
- If your pony should stop in front of a jump, get out of the way as quickly as possible and go to the back of the queue. Do not have another go and stop again
- Always say ‘Thank you’ to anyone holding open a gate. This could be the farmer or landowner and without their kindness of allowing the Hunt across their land there would be no hunting
- If possible, thank the Master and Huntsman at the end of the day
Please respect other riders, who will be paying a larger subscription to hunt with the Fitzwilliam Hunt.
Dress code
- Please remember to look very smart, be clean and tidy
- Tweed jackets preferable. Pony Club tie and badge, gloves, hair tidily in a hairnet, no jewellery, no bling whatsoever
- Black, brown or sheepskin numnah (not saddlecloth)
- Brushing boots only if absolutely necessary, mud and thorns can lodge inside the boots causing pain to your pony
- Medical armbands to be worn on the arm if child has an allergy / known medical condition
Hunting Certificate
Any FHPC 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). We will organise training for the Hunting Certificate. 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 the Pony Club hunting badge to wear on their jacket.