“We made a ton of mistakes,” the boss of Tryon has conceded, but he is “unbelievably proud” of what has been accomplished at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) venue.
Mark Bellissimo, of Tryon Equestrian Partners, spoke to reporters at WEG on Saturday (22 September).
He spoke of the challenges faced by the venue, which had had less than two years to prepare for the Games, having stepped in when original hosts Bromont, Canada, pulled out.
“I’m so very proud of all the things that have happened in the last two weeks with the exception of the things we started on [early problems such as with grooms’ accommodation] I take responsibility for, I made mistakes along the way,” he said.
“If that’s what’s remembered about this WEG then shame on me, shame on all of us, as I think what we’ve seen is probably some of the best sport WEGs have had.
“All the people who said this would never be done: they were wrong. What’s most important to me is that we’ve stepped up in difficult circumstances and did our best. It wasn’t perfect but perfect is the enemy of the good. We accept the fact we’re human and we make mistakes but in the end they’ll hopefully become afterthoughts.”
Mr Bellissimo said WEG is a “very tough” event that “has to be restructured”, suggesting that in future it could be shared between two or three venues running the Games on a cycle, and that he would not decide on whether or not to run the event again until he had talked to his team.
High humidity after heavy rain forced cancellation of the competition today
“We made a ton of mistakes,” he said. “Great organisations take those mistakes and learn. If we ran it again, would it be unbelievable? Absolutely.”
The FEI has said there have been no bids to run the 2022 Games yet, but there has been interest from various countries, and that the organisation is to review the event’s cost-effectiveness, sustainability and format.
Horse & Hound had two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September.
In The Middle Are The Horsemen is a book newly written by Tik Maynard, where the international athlete and equestrian bares his soul to the world. It is a must-read for all those involved with horses. The ups and downs of his career with horses rings true, particularly if you are trying to make it in the horse world.
In 2008, 26-year-old Tik, who was a university graduate and modern pentathlete, faced a crossroads. He suffered both a career-ending injury and a painful break-up. The Canadian decided spend the next year as a working student.
Over time, Tik evolved under the watchful eyes of world-renowned figures in the horse world, including Ingrid Klimke, David and Karen O’Connor, Anne Kursinski, Johann Hinnemann, Bruce Loagn and Ian Millar. He was ignored, degraded, encouraged and praised. He was hired and fired, told he had the “wrong body type to ride” and that he had found his “destiny”. He got married to US eventing team member Sinead Halpin and lost loved ones. Through it all, the book’s blurb describes, he studied the horse and human nature, and how the two can find balance. And in that journey he may have found himself.
Taken from an extract in the book, here Tik recounts his time as a working student at Johann Hinnemann’s German dressage yard:
“Around the time I started my twentieth stall, Hinnemann wandered out, dressed in a dark suit with creases like knives. I watched his polished black leather shoes make their way through the courtyard to his Audi. I watched them step into the freshly vacuumed interior. I had been up already for almost two hours, but my arms and shoulders were used to the work by now, and I felt fresh. This will be every day and every week, I told myself: stay positive. This will be the day when you finally start getting more help. I still craved the feeling that this was all for something. I wanted a lesson. I wanted to learn so badly my brain itched.
“Sure, a part of me realised I was getting better, and though time has given me other perspectives, I felt like I was getting better despite Hinnemann, not because of him.
“‘Good morning,” I called neutrally.
“Hinnemann looked at me. We made eye contact. And then he turned his back to me and lowered himself into his new car. As he shut the door, I thought I heard a reluctant ‘Morgen’, but perhaps not. As his car wound along the tree-lined drive out to the road, I stood in the doorway of the barn, pitchfork in one hand, staring after him.
“The afternoon passed quietly, but monotonously, as did the following morning. It wasn’t until Monday afternoon that my suspicious that something was up were confirmed. Herr Hinnemann, his secretary, and his head rider were meeting in the glass-fronted office that overlooked the indoor. I was riding a young horse so I was taking plenty of walk breaks. I could see them as they talked earnestly, studiously avoiding looking into the indoor arena where I circled below. Only Hinnemann glanced my way a couple times.
“That evening while I was untacking my last horse, Julia marched in her efficient step down the aisle. She paused and looked at me. She looked so warm and clean. I felt like a ground-beholden soldier that see a pilot wrapped in fur walking to his plane. Her head held high, Julia, it seemed, flew in the sky above the sludge and muck of normal barn life.
“‘Tik, please come to the office when all the work in the barn is done.’”
“‘Of course,’ I said quietly. I made myself meet her eyes.
“For the last three weeks my motivation to sweep, muck, clean tack, and clip horses had been waning.
“You’re not here as a volunteer, I told myself. You’re here to learn, and in exchange, to perform physical labour.
“Shhh. I said to myself. Stop whining. Be patient.
“And then, No! Stand up for yourself.
“To muzzle the voices in my head, I concentrated on finishing with the horse, then cleaning the saddles and bridles, then sweeping.
“Back in my room I gathered my thoughts, and quickly prepared myself for the discussion I expected by making some notes. I took my notebook with me.
“In the office Julia sat at a desk, her hand around a steaming mug. Steffi stood, her arms crossed, not looking at me. Hinnemann was not there.
“The whole meeting lasted less time than it took me to clean a stall, and with me talking just about as much. There was no preamble — Julia just jumped right in.
“‘You aren’t good enough to be here,’ she said unemotionally. ‘And you aren’t improving.’
“I looked at Steffi, who briefly made eye contact but remained silent. I waited.
“‘This is a professional stable,’ Julia continued. And then just to make her point clear she added: ‘We can’t leave you alone on a horse for five minutes.’
“I said nothing. I felt myself turn inward and get in my own head, a weakness that admittedly often came far too close to self-pity for my liking. The only advantage, if I could call it that, was it meant a lot of potential arguments were avoided. I sat and looked at her, and kept my hands in my pockets, my notebook full of observations remaining closed on my lap. As Julia talked on, I studied her closely. There was a certain light in her eyes. She was beautiful, like a bird. A falcon maybe… or a hawk. Her mouth was still moving. Her lips glistened, and I wondered if she was wearing lipstick.
“‘Did you hear me?’ she demanded to know.
“I nodded.
“Then she said, ‘It would be better if you left’.
“I nodded again.
“She then offered me the chance to work until the end of the week.
“‘No,’ I said, speaking for the first time. ‘I’ll leave tonight.’
Price: £19.95 paperback, or from 10.46 onAmazon Published by: Quiller Publishing, 2018
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine out every Thursday
Hand of veterinarian holds syringe. Horse in background. Vaccination concept.
Vets have welcomed a government decision to relax restrictions on sales of an “essential” equestrian painkiller – but say they do not understand why they were not consulted about the move.
BEVA said it was “perplexed” by the move, without prior consultation with vets, as flunixin is the most commonly used painkiller for horses undergoing surgery and those suffering with colic and other conditions.
The VMD has now relaxed the restrictions by allowing the release of stock from manufacturers, and says it will let vets know when the drug is available to order.
“It remains a concern to BEVA that this mechanism was not put in place before the suspension of flunixin was imposed,” said association president Jon Pycock.
“Contrary to assertions by the VMD, wholesalers were unable to meet the demands of the veterinary profession and clinical use of this medicine was disrupted within 24 hours of the VMD’s initial announcement. We are surprised by the regulator’s lack of awareness of availability in the supply chain and question why there was no consultation with the veterinary sector before the suspension was enacted.
“The VMD has been aware of this issue since March 2018 and it appears no contingency was put in place to consider the animal welfare impact of this decision until it was too late.”
Vice-president and equine surgery specialist Tim Mair added that flunixin is a “unique” product in managing pain and sepsis in horses.
“The VMD appeared to believe that this medicine could be substituted for other veterinary medicines and this is simply not the case,” he said. “The release of stock from manufacturers is a short-term solution and, looking forward, we would like assurances that the VMD will fast-track applications for the modification of product licenses to ensure that equine vets have continued access to these products.”
Riders have been advised against a treatment being promoted on social media and in forums
The VMD said it stated when the restrictions were announced that it was “investigating potential ways to maintain the availability of injectable flunixin for use in non-food producing horses”.
A spokesman added: “The VMD is actively working with marketing authorisation holders to allow them to release further currently labelled flunixin product on to the market for non-food horses only, provided it is accompanied by a ‘caution in use’ letter (to be approved by the VMD) which outlines the conditions of use and restricts supply to non-food horses.
“We will inform vets when flunixin product is available to order.”
BEVA reminded all equine vets that horses’ food chain status must be checked when flunixin is used, either by checking passports or chips, on the Central Equine Database website.
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
A beautiful yet compact country estate set in prime Chiddingfold countryside in Surrey is looking for a new owner.
Well Meadows is located is a part of Surrey which is renowned for its accessibility to Central London. Despite these super communication links, the property is slap bang in the middle of some of the prettiest countryside.
While the area is perfect for lazy weekend hacks, if you like to compete, check out equestrian centres in the area. These include: Parwood (12 miles), Silvermere (23 miles), Great Bookham (25 miles) and Oldencraig (45 miles).
There is a cross-country course available just seven miles away at Slades Farm.
Pachesham EC (27 miles) also hosts regular BD and hunter trial events throughout the season.
Local hunts include the Kent & Surrey bloodhounds and the Old Surrey & Burstow Hunt.
If you fancy hitting the show ring, get signed up to BSPS Area 14 or NPS Area 20.
There is a point-to-point track seven miles away at Peper Harow, and don’t forget about the racecourse at Epsom Downs (31 miles).
Offered for sale by Knight Frank, this delightful estate could be yours for the tidy sum of £2.7m.
How would you rate this horsey nest out of 10?
The grounds extend to just under 16.5 acres. Located just a stone’s throw away from the stunning house is the immaculate stable yard…
The equestrian facilities comprise four spacious loose boxes, two additional foaling boxes, a feed room and an alarmed tack room. Note: this little guy isn’t included, sadly.
There is also a large barn used for hay and lorry storage
The outdoor school — which has an all-weather surface and is fenced with post and rail — is located west of the yard and is raised above the surrounding paddocks.
There is plenty of pasture within the acreage for grazing.
The main house was completed in 1999 and then extended in 2004. It has five bedrooms and on the ground floor is this scrumptious country kitchen, which is adjacent to a cosy family room.
One of the main features of this home is the fully fitted wine cellar.
Outside, there is also a tennis court.
As well as a one bedroom cottage complete with a living/dining room and a bedroom, there is an office which overlooks the tennis court.
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday
An estate with circa 40 acres of luscious land and a recently constructed equestrian centre of some 21,000 square feet is being offered for sale…
Elm Hill Estate occupies an elevated position with views over the Severn Valley in the county of Worcestershire.
It is situated in the village of Sinton Green, bordering the western banks of the River Severn within the spectacular Malvern Hills. The property is also well placed for access to Worcester (6 miles), Birmingham City Centre (32 miles), Wolverhampton (32 miles) and Cheltenham (32 miles).
Equestrian centres just a stone’s throw away include: Gracelands EC (12.5 miles), Hereford Equestrian (29 miles), Allens Hill (19 miles) and Hillgrove Stud and Training Centre (1o miles).
If you like to show you won’t be far from the Royal Three Counties Show Ground, which is a 35 minute (16 mile) drive away from the door step. Make sure you also get signed up to BSPS Area 15A for a range of local fixtures.
Riding clubs in the area include: Worcester & District, Bromsgrove & District and Malvern Hills Riding Club.
Get involved with the Worcestershire Hunt if you like to head out with hounds and you can use cross-country facilities at Bissell Wood Equestrian Centre (16 miles) or Lincomb Equestrian (11 miles).
Offered for sale by Fine & Country, this well-placed equestrian haven does come at a price; £3.5m to be exact.
Come and see if you think Elm Hill lives up to the hype (Hint, it certainly does…)
Set in 40 acres, the property has stunning hacking opportunities around the Worcestershire countryside. There is a 270 degree view across the Severn Valley.
The recently-built equestrian centre includes a main arena measuring 22x42m.
There are also 14 spacious loose boxes, one foaling box, a tack room and a rug room.
In the same building is the staff room as well as a WC and a galleried landing.
In addition the original stable block remains. It incorporates five loose boxes, a feed store and a tack room.
The main house is a Grade II listed country home, which is set in perfectly manicured mature gardens.
It comprises a kitchen at its heart which includes a range of units and a central island. There is a dining area next door.
There are seven bedrooms in total, with six on the first floor and one on the second. The house has several traditional features — such as exposed wooden beams — throughout.
The perfect rural retreat for you and your squad of horses.
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday
A Kentish property set in 4.2 acres and surrounded by luscious countryside has come on the market and is waiting for a new horsey buyer to call it home.
Kippings Cross Oast is nestled in a rural yet convenient location with access onto the A21 and to Tunbridge Wells (4.3 miles), Tonbridge (6.8 miles) and Paddock Wood (2.7 miles). The local village of Matfield is approximately 2.5 miles away.
Equestrian centres just a stones throw away include: Duckhurst Farm (12 miles), Blue Barn EC (24 miles), Chelsfield EC (23 miles) and Willow Farm Equestrian (33 miles).
Saddlesdane Equestrian Supplies is 30 miles away and hosts a range of fixtures across the season. You are also a 45 minute drive from Charing Racecourse.
If you fancy heading out hunting, go with either the West Kent hunt or the Ashford Valley hunt.
Up the pace of training at one of the local cross-country courses in the area which include: Bonfleur XC (12 miles), Chilham Park (33 miles) or Lodge Farm (12 miles).
Sign up to BSPS Area 14 for a range of local showing fixtures in the area.
The property is advertised at a guide price of £1m — £1.1m and is being offered for sale by Batcheller Monkhouse.
Let’s have a snoop…
The property is approached by double opening electric gates and wooden gates lead into a parking area for trailers and horse boxes, leading onto the stable yard.
There is an American style barn which has eight spacious loose boxes, a tack room, kitchen, wash area and solarium.
There is a further timber block of five stables and a separate hay store. The dressage arena measures 30x40m and there is a Claydon horse walker available by negotiation.
The house is a detached oast and barn conversion with an additional detached barn with scope for conversion.
The classic country decor is intertwined throughout the home. Check out this kitchen/breakfastroom complete with cupboards and granite worktops with an Alpha range cooker and a stable door.
The two roundels as seen above both have doors to the outside are currently house a dining room and a family room.
The master bedroom is set into one roundel and has an en suite shower room. The guest bedroom in the second roundel has stairs to a mezzanine office/study area. There are three further bedrooms.
The gardens have a paved terrace and a summer house as well as trees and hedges to either side. Do we spy a hot tub?
Is this the home for you?
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday.
A barn conversion with an equestrian set-up and a swimming pool, located in prime Suffolk hunt country, has come up for sale.
Situated in Little Henny on the Essex/Suffolk border, the property is nestled in the beautiful surroundings of the Stour Valley, immediately to the south of Sudbury.
Despite being within a daily commute of London, the rural position offers access onto various bridleways and country lanes. Hacking is also available on the riverside tracks in the valley along the River Stour.
Agents The Zoe Napier Group have pitted Lodge Farm — which is in the heart of scenic East Essex Hunt country — as the ideal base for the hunting fan: “located between The Colne & Stour Valleys, The East Essex Hunt have some stunning country, mainly ditches (sometimes big ditches), plough and grassland with much jumping. There are four or five meets within hacking distance, with some of the best exercise routes and bridleways in the region.”
Local equestrian centres include: Topthorn Arena (29 miles); Bardwell Manor (26 miles) and Barrow Hall Stables (29 miles).
If you fancy doing some cross-country schooling, head over to the fabulous course set in 150 acres at Boundary Farm (30 miles).
Showing societies you should sign up to include: BSPS Area 16 and NPS Area 15.
Set in just over 13 acres, the land at Lodge Farm is currently split into seven post and rail paddocks. Two of the fields have shelters and there is also a high-fenced stallion pen.
The farm-style equestrian facilities include three interlinking but separate yard areas. In total there are 13 stables of varying size, ranging from smaller stables to larger stallion boxes.
As well as a horse walker, a wash bay and various other outbuildings — including a groom’s rest room and a pole barn — there is a 20x60m outdoor arena…
The main house is a five-bedroom barn conversion with features including exposed timbers.
Ground floor reception rooms include a sitting room with wood burning stove, a dining room and a drawing/garden room with sealed brick flooring.
The farmhouse kitchen has an AGA and a central island.
On the first level, there are five double size bedrooms, two bathrooms and a cloakroom/w.c.
The property is situated behind its own woodland and the gardens include a central lawn and terrace. A separate swimming pool area has stoned and decked terraces with a summer house.
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday
Welcome to Sparrows Farm, a picturesque set-up — for both you and your four-legged companions.
Located in the village of Debden Green in Essex, the gorgeous four-bedroom farmhouse is like something out of a fairytale, with it’s high beams and rustic features. Head outside, and the super-dreamy facilities just keep on giving (see pictures below).
The property is surrounded by countryside and is discretely set down a byway, which continues a fair way beyond to Cutlers Green — perfect for hacking and country dog walks.
Equestrian centres in the area include Beechwood EC (31 miles), Barleylands EC (40 miles) and Runningwell EC (32 miles).
If you like to hunt, get out in the field with The East Essex hunt or the Essex Fox Hounds.
If showing is your discipline, make sure you don’t miss out on local events by signing up to the BSPS Area 15branch or NPS Area 14.
If you want to polish up on your cross-country skills, Berwick Farm Cross-country course could be the place for you, while Pony Club branches in the county include the Essex Hunt North Branch or the Puckeridge Hunt Branch.
Offered for sale by Fine and Country, the property is currently on the market with a price tag of £2M.
We can’t wait to show you round…
There are seven stables, including one large foaling box, set around an L-shape yard. The end stable has its own small turnout yard area. Each stable has an optional rear view window with shutter door and are fitted with Equisoft sealed rubber flooring and automatic drinkers.
As well as a five-bay horse walker, one of the main features of the yard is the 20x60m arena. It has two five bar gated access points, low level lighting, training mirrors at one end and a seated viewing box.
There are 10 separate paddocks with post and rail fencing and via separate negotiation, you could have access to a solarium.
The house is also something of a delight…
Downstairs, timber beams and oak floors are found in most rooms…
…and there is a farmhouse-style kitchen at the heart of the home, which is completed with an AGA.
One of these could be your new bedroom…
We think it’s love…
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday
A charity race held at York as part of the biggest fundraising day in British racing ended in a dead heat on Saturday (16 June).
The Macmillan Charity Raceday’s finale, the 5.40pm Best Western Hotels & Macmillan Ride of their Lives, concluded in a tie between X Rated and Apterix, ridden by Sarah Fanning and Chris Brownless respectively.
Chris Hughes, star of ITV2’s Love Island, also took part in the race, crossing the line in fifth place after a late run on the Richard Fahey-trained Carnageo.
“I was so nervous at the start; it’s surreal that I’ve won with Chris,” said 37-year-old Sarah, who fell off in her previous attempt at a charity race at Cheltenham. “Everyone has done amazingly well and raised so much money for Macmillan. That’s what it’s all about.”
Chris Brownless, who at 64 was the oldest of the jockeys, was motivated to take part in the race after losing his younger brother Malcolm to cancer at the age of 57.
“It’s a special day. I was riding today in memory of my brother who died from cancer in 2015. He would have been 60 today,” he said.
Eleven riders took part in the 1 mile, 1 furlong challenge which is run outside of Rules. They had to pass the charity race-riders’ training course, as well as sourcing their own horses. Between them, they raised more than £110,000 for the charity.
Chris Hughes said the six months leading up the race had been an amazing experience, as had the day itself.
“The support from the crowd was unbelievable. I’m disappointed not to win but I’ve loved every minute of the race, the day and the months of training leading up to today, and just want to have another go now,” he said.
“I would like to thank Coral, Jonjo O’Neill, Richard Fahey and Dominic Elsworth and all the other people who’ve all made this possible. It’s one of the best things I’ve done. My fellow jockeys have all been incredible supportive and we’d like to thank everyone who has raised money for Macmillan Cancer Support.”
As well as being is the biggest single fundraiser in Macmillan’s calendar the event is the largest charity raceday in Britain.
This year, more than 21,000 people passed through the course’s gates, raising more than £470,000 for Macmillan and other beneficiaries, including York Against Cancer, St Leonard’s Hospice, Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund.
The relationship between York racecourse and cancer charity Macmillan began in 1971 and this year’s raceday also resulted in their passing a landmark £8million in total funds raised.
H&H’s very own Gemma Redrup has started her training in earnest
“To have raised over £8m is an amazing achievement and a tribute to everyone past and present who has contributed to make this raceday such a wonderful event,” said William Derby, York racecourse chief executive and clerk of the course.
“Countless individuals and organisations have been so generous with their time, involvement and support of the day from throughout the racing and Yorkshire community – it is a special day everyone associated with it can be very proud of.”
Lynda Thomas, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, added: “At Macmillan we rely on donations to fund our services and help people living with cancer life live as fully as they can, so we’re hugely grateful to everyone that has been involved.”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
Never been hunting, but would love to have a go? H&H explains how to get started and answers your questions during hunting’s Newcomers’ Week (19-26 October 2019)
How do I find out where to go?
To find your local hunt, visit www.mfha.org.uk/pack_directory. Then ring the hunt secretary. This applies for any day’s hunting when you are not a subscriber to that particular pack. Ask him or her whether you can come out, where the meet is, where you should park and how much you have to pay. This is called the “cap”. It will vary enormously between hunting countries depending on how old you are and whether you are planning to follow on a horse or on foot. Packs often do good deals for under-25s and people who farm in the hunting country.
Do I need a companion?
If you can persuade a hunting friend with a well-behaved horse to accompany you, great, particularly if your horse hasn’t been out before. But it’s not essential. Tell the hunt secretary this is your first time, or that you are fairly inexperienced on the hunting field. He/she may be able to suggest someone to look after you for the day, and at least will be aware and able to keep an eye on you.
Is my horse suitable?
The answer is that you don’t really know until you get there, but there is no reason why any horse shouldn’t learn to hunt well. Many horses get a little overexcited by being at such a terrific “party”, but can you blame them? Autumn hunting is perfect for horses who haven’t hunted, and for young, green animals because things happen at a more gentle pace. There is often more standing-around time for them to absorb what’s going on. If your horse is used to busy collecting rings and doesn’t mind dogs around his feet, there’s every chance he’ll be fine. Use your brain and stay to the side of the main field so your horse has a chance to look at what’s going on, rather than throwing him straight into the middle of the pack.
Do I need to plait?
Not during autumn hunting, which extends until the opening meet at the beginning of November. After that most people will, out of smartness and courtesy to those whose land they are crossing, but it’s not compulsory. Manes should be neat, tidy and clean, but you shouldn’t get sent home for not plaiting.
What should I wear?
During autumn hunting, a tweed jacket and shirt and tie or coloured stock, pale breeches, clean boots and gaiters/half-chaps or long boots, dark gloves and a hat with a dark cover. In the season proper, with most packs adults tend to wear black or navy coats, but you will see some in tweed too. If you don’t own a tweed coat for autumn hunting, don’t worry about it too much. Girls: hairnets, not flowing locks, please. Make-up is fine, but not Jordan-style, and take off jewellery unless you want to risk tearing your earlobes off on low branches. You may wear a body protector, but preferably under your jacket rather than over it.
What should my horse wear?
If you aren’t sure about your brakes, err on the side of caution or take a stronger bit/martingale in the lorry with you. Numnahs should be dark and follow the shape of the saddle — save that white dressage square for another day. If you know he might kick, put a red ribbon on his tail and stay well out of the way whenever possible. Kicking a horse or a rider is bad enough, but kicking a hound is the worst thing you can do. You will get sent home, so make sure your horse’s head is turned towards hounds, not his backside. A green ribbon denotes a young horse, and if someone puts the back of their hand in the hollow of their back, it means “don’t get too close”.
Should he wear boots?
This is up to you. If you live in wall country, knee boots are de rigeur. Otherwise it’s your choice, and you know what suits your horse. But remember the boots will be on for a lot longer during the course of a hunting day than they would be during a cross-country round, and the risks of rubbing and overheating are greater. You’ll find plenty do and plenty don’t.
Will I have to jump huge hedges?
Of course not. Even if your hunt has a reputation for being a serious jumping pack, you can always go round — and there will be other people taking the roundabout route, too. Only jump what you feel happy with; it’s not a competition.
How fit does my horse need to be?
Very rarely does hunting involve galloping flat-out for very long, and autumn hunting in particular can involve a lot of standing around. Your horse needs to be fit enough to canter up a hill without collapsing, but really doesn’t need to be racehorse-fit. And you can go home whenever you like — don’t feel compelled to stay out for hours if you and your horse are knackered.
Autumn hunting is a gentle introduction for young hounds, new hunt staff, horses and followers to the forthcoming season. Carina
Credit: TI Media
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Golden rules for first-timers
Find out who the master is and say good morning
Never overtake the field master, and always listen carefully to his instructions
Always thank traffic that slows down or stops
Never block the road
Don’t park in gateways or driveways unless specifically told you can
If you hear the shout “huntsman please!” or “whip please!” get out of the way sharpish so they can get through
Always call them hounds, not dogs
Always shut gates if you are the last through unless told otherwise, and if the person in front of you shouts “gate, please!” pass it back to the next person
Do turn your mobile phone off, and talk quietly while standing at the side of a covert — the huntsman will not be pleased to hear you shrieking about what you got up to the night before
Never ride across the middle of a field of sown corn, even if you see hunt staff doing so
Do ask questions about what is going on. The more you understand about a day’s hunting, the more you will enjoy it. People will be very happy to answer your queries
Do find the field master/master/secretary before you go home and say thank you and good night, which is the traditional way to say goodbye — even at 9am
