Wednesday November 29, 2023
For National Pony Club updates and information please go to pcuk.org
Hunting Guildelines

A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO HUNTING

We thought it might be a good idea to give you some basic information about hunting. You can also download this guide.

WHO’s WHO

  • Field Masters – responsible for the ‘Field’ (all riders)
  • Huntsman – responsible for hunting the hounds
  • First Whipper-in (‘Whip’) – responsible for helping the Huntsman and collecting stray hounds
  • Second Whipper-in – same as First Whipper-in (Amateur – i.e. not paid by the hunt)
  • Terrier Man – responsible for digging out a fox if it goes to ground (down a hole)
  • Trail Setter and General Hunt Helper – responsible for laying the trail which the hounds follow
  • Hunt Secretaries – responsible for collecting your ‘cap’ (payment for hunting) and for general enquiries e.g. where to park
  • Hunt Supporters Club – these are the ‘followers’ who follow and watch the hunting by car and foot
  • Hunt Nanny – responsible for looking after a hunting beginner. (Not always available but do ask)

WEBSITES

Please check regularly for updates

A FEW WORDS YOU MAY HEAR AND WHAT THEY MEAN

  • Trail – An artificial smell set by someone on horseback or a quad bike which the hounds will later try to find and follow
  • Scent – The smell of the trail
  • Covert (pronounced Cover) – A wood, spinney or other overgrown area where the Huntsman sends the hounds to find a scent
  • Draw a Covert – When the Huntsman puts the hounds into a covert and asks them to cast around to pick up the scent

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO HUNTING, HERE ARE SOME GUIDELINES

  1. Subscription fees for children up to 18 years of age are approx £100 per year plus field money of £10 per day or £150 for whole season. Ask individual secretaries. If you would like to try hunting, but are unsure about becoming a subscriber, you may hunt for up to 5 days before having to pay an annual subscription. You then pay a daily cap of £20/£25 field money. You must make sure you find the secretary who will have a white arm band with CAP written in red letters at the meet and pay your cap.
  2. When you arrive at the meet, make sure to find the Field Master and say “Good Morning”.
  3. Make sure to have in your pocket:
    • Your name, address and phone number and the number of someone to contact should you have an emergency
    • Tissues
    • Money
    • Chocolate!!
    • Mobile phone (switched off and only to be used in an emergency or when you have finished hunting in order to link up with your parents! It is considered very rude to chat/text on your phone whilst hunting)
  4. Always make sure you and your pony look tidy and well turned out. Most people plait.
  5. Please make sure you are a member of The Countryside Alliance and preferably the rest of your family too!
  6. If your pony is new to hunting, tie a green ribbon round its tail to indicate to others it may be unpredictable. If your pony might kick, tie a red ribbon round its tail so others are aware and don’t get too close.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? 

From the top: any form of safety hat is acceptable, but preferably a dark ‘silk’ if not simply a black one (adornments such as logos and pom-poms are frowned upon). A hunting shirt and hunting tie (stock) is preferred, but a shirt and tie are acceptable under any safe black or navy blue coat/jacket or tweed jacket.  Brightly coloured coats should be avoided. Anoraks or rainwear is at the discretion of the Hunt Secretaries.  Fawn breeches are preferred, but white or dark-coloured breeches/jodhpurs are acceptable if they are all you have. Long boots or jodhpur boots are safest.  Spurs are completely optional.  Back protectors are acceptable and are indeed recommended for novice children.  Don’t forget gloves (and spare if bad weather threatens).

AND FINALLY . . . SOME HELPFUL HINTS WHEN HUNTING

  • Never overtake the Field Master (this is not just bad manners, but you may end up going the wrong way as his/her job is to lead all those on horses and to keep everyone safe so, be aware of where he/she is at all times)
  • Always turn your pony’s head towards the Field Master, Huntsman or Whip when they come by (this avoids them or you being kicked). You will often hear people saying something like “Whip on the left” – this means the Whip is coming through from behind and you move your pony out of the way so he can get through quickly and easily
  • When cantering or galloping, make sure to keep a straight line especially if approaching a jump (if you weave round, people behind may have accidents)
  • If you don’t want to jump, look around as you won’t be alone and go together to find a way round
  • Keep off the crops and keep in single file when going around fields
  • Always thank motorists
  • Remember to say “Good Morning” to followers and people watching and thank people for opening/shutting gates
  • If you are the last through a gate, make sure to shut it and ask those near you to wait. It is not a chore to shut gates and often means a good gallop to catch up
  • If you break a jump by accident, always tell the Field Master
  • Remember to say “Good Night” when you decide to go home even if it is early afternoon, it is not only polite, but lets others know you haven’t had a fall when they look around for you at the next draw and find you aren’t there .