Beginners Guide to

HUNTING

With The Portman Hunt

September 2008

Who’s Who

Masters

Mr Charles Frampton (Huntsman - who hunts the hounds)

Mr James Gibson Fleming

Mr William Gronow-Davis

Field Masters – responsible for the ‘Field’ (all riders)

Mr Tom Riall

Mr Mark Pearson

Mr James Gibson Fleming

Mr Peter Wade

Mr Tony Ingleton

Whipper-in (‘Whip’) – responsible for helping the Huntsman and collecting stray hounds

Michael Stokes

Trail Setter & General hunt helper – responsible for laying the trail which the hounds follow and for maintaining the countryside eg building jumps.

Scott Garrett

Hunt Secretary – responsible for collecting your ‘cap’ (payment for hunting) and for general enquiries e.g. where to park

Mrs Janet Tory, 01258 857531

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hunt Supporters Club – for a £5 subscription you get emailed all the hunt news.

Annie Plowman, 01258 820275, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Annie also collects the car followers cap.

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 16yrs are £200 per year, from 17 – 22yrs it is £400 per year.  Alternatively you can pay by the day, up to 16 yrs £20 per day, 17 – 22 yrs £40 per day.  You must make sure you find the secretary at the meet and pay your cap.  If you are under 11 yrs you do not need to pay.

2.         When you arrive at the meet, make sure to find the Masters and say “Good Morning”.

3.         Make sure to have in your pocket:

            -            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.  It is not essential to plait your pony’s mane/tail but you can if you wish.

5.         Please make sure you are a member of The Countryside Alliance and preferably the rest of your family too!  Membership is free to anyone under 19yrs, see the Countryside Alliance website.  

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.

 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 ponies 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 on the left hand side and you should move your pony out of the way so he can get through quickly and easily.

-                     You should always turn your pony’s head towards the hounds.  If you think your pony may kick a hound it is very important to keep out of the way.  If by accident your pony does kick a hound, you should tell the Field Master or Huntsman straight away and say sorry.

-                     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.  There is an annual prize for the pony club member who is most helpful.

-                     If you break a jump by accident, always tell the Field Master

-                     Never ride on people’s mown grass – you may think that it is a verge but it should be respected as their property.

-                     When you ride through a narrow gap or a trappy area always wait for the next person to come through safely before charging off. 

-                     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.