James Delingpole, author

“Don’t worry, we’ll take things very carefully and bring him back in one piece,” Jane Spencer promised my wife, somewhat rashly, I thought.

Jane was talking on the eve of my first proper day’s hunting — in “Monday country”, with the Pytchley — and like most non-hunting spouses, the Fawn (as she’s known) wasn’t looking forward to the prospect one bit.

It’s not that the Fawn is anti-hunting. Her mother — quite rightly — thought that it was the greatest sport on earth and before she died she ceremonially handed down to me her cherished hunting whip.

But the Fawn knows what hunting is like and, worse, knows what I’m like: reckless, impetuous, irresponsible, immature, hopeless. As I demonstrated only the other week when I broke our daughter’s ankle.

I’ll spare you the ugly details. Suffice to say that it was a riding injury and as the parent supposedly in charge at the time, I got all the blame. It could hardly have happened at a more inconvenient moment — the day before school started and, worse, the beginning of the autumn hunting season.

How in God’s name was I to persuade the Fawn that riding isn’t dangerous when we had such strong evidence to the contrary, stomping round the house with her boot and crutches and being as bolshie as only a hobbled female teenager can?

Anyway, to my first proper hunt. I say “proper” because although I’ve been out one or two times over the years — once, with the Devon & Somerset staghounds, just before the ban, for an article in The Sunday Times; once with the Cotswold for a TV documentary in praise of toffs — I’ve only ever done the really important bit, the jumping bit, by accident.

Jumping petrifies for me, because though I’ve been riding on and off since I was a cold, reluctant eight-year0-old (“Ianto. T-rot!”), horses aren’t in my blood and I never did Pony Club or anything proper like that.

Plus I’m getting on: 50 this year. It’s not the getting hurt I fear but what the Fawn would do. If I got myself injured my life wouldn’t be worth living. Frankly I’d be better off dead.

So, very sensibly, Jane — who has been getting me hunt-ready at her Northants riding school over the last couple of years — insisted on taking things slowly.

First, she gave me a bomb-proof hireling — Eddie Stobart — who used to belong to the master so he knows what he is doing. Second, she forbade me from doing the tiger trap immediately as we set off and although I grumbled, she was right, for it was several riders’ undoing.

As indeed was the deceptively innocent-looking hedge that followed. It looked fine from the front but there was a big drop behind it: one poor girl said she had broken her hand as it thwacked into her saddle on landing.

Instead we took three post-and-rails in succession. Or rather Eddie did. I just pointed him, sat on top and let him do his stuff.

Isn’t it just the best thing when your mount takes care of you like this? None of that “will he, won’t he?” business I saw some other riders having to deal with as they approached their jumps.

Or am I being naive here?

We’ll find out soon enough because this marks the beginning of what I’m calling Mr Delingpole’s Sporting Tour. Like Surtees’s sporting hero, I suspect it might have to involve a degree of begging, borrowing and stealing because I too am skint. But very much unlike Soapey Sponge I haven’t yet mastered the art of horsemanship. Which could prove interesting.

Watch this space…

James

My first ‘proper’ hunt

Which pack: The Pytchley

Where: Walgrave, Northants

Country: Mainly gently rolling arable, with a tiger trap, one challenging hedge and about six post-and-rail hunt jumps.

Mount: Eddie Stobart; aged 10 (as he has been for several years, apparently); honest, wildly enthusiastic, a free sweater, bomb proof and I love him to bits.

Field: a friendly crowd of about 36, mostly around my age — including lawyers and an airline pilot — plus some girls on half term.

Best bits: surviving the various jumps.

Most surprising bit: watching Jane join the tumblers’ club in front of me, her first fall in five years. A fiver to the hunt please Jane.

Biggest mistake: not bringing my own booze: it’s antisocial swigging from other people’s flasks if you can’t reciprocate with some deadly anaesthetising concoction of your own.

Most vital lessons learned: trust your horse — he knows better than you; don’t bring along your mother-in-law’s hunting whip until you’re a better rider.

Other vital lesson: when squeezing through a narrow gap, hoick your leg out of your stirrup. Otherwise you’ll get your leg squashed. Thanks for the tip, Jane. Otherwise I’d be crippled now, just like my daughter, and that wouldn’t be popular.

PS – I’m keen to give credit, gratitude etc to all the hunts that host me. So please, if you’re happy to have your names in lights, just let me know and I will add accordingly!

There are not too many equestrian disciplines where those from several generations of the same family can all take part alongside each other, however hunting is an exception.

It’s not rare to see a grandfather riding with his daughter and her children on pint-size ponies all in one shot, with grandpa often being coerced into jumping fences that he might have otherwise decided not to consider.

We take a look at some hunting families seen out so far this season…

A showing dynasty: Allister Hood (centre) on Horse of the Year Show champion Cashel Blue, with sons Oliver and Ben who is kennelman and first whipper-in to the Dunston Harriers

Embracing the rain: Zoe Rowe hitches a ride while her children Archie and Beth enjoys a wet morning hunting with the Four Burrow Hunt in Cornwall

Picture credit: Amy Jones

Continued below…

Watch this space: 10 hunting stars of the future *PICTURES*

• 24 October, 2015 - 17:55

Those early season nerves at the meet are all too familiar… As is the moment you look across to see More…

Michael, Deborah and Barney Treneer, who hosted the Dartmoor’s meet on 24 October

Point-to-point jockey Charlotte Wyatt who works for Newmarket trainer John Ferguson, hunts regularly with her mother Cherry, out with the Dunston Harriers

Members of the Dawe family at the Dartmoor’s meet on 24 October

Neill Millard MFH and his son Will (on the grey) and other young members of the Crawley & Horsham field enjoy their opening meet from Knepp Castle

Picture credit: Sarah Farnsworth

Paula Hendriksen with daughter Lexi at the opening meet of the Crawley & Horsham at Knepp Castle

Picture credit: Sarah Farnsworth

Grant, Freddy, Tracey and George Laing at the Crawley & Horsham’s opening meet at Knepp Castle on 31 October

Picture credit: Sarah Farnsworth

Father and daughter Alun and Sarah Jones at the opening meet of the Irfon & Towy foxhounds in Powys, Wales. Alun is 66 and back hunting having not been on a horse for 15 years

Picture credit: Sarah Jones

Don’t miss all the hunting action in Horse & Hound magazine this week — where we celebrate the start of the season, capturing opening meets from around the country PLUS we head out with the Dartmoor

Racehorses who have found successful new careers in dressage, showing, eventing, polo and endurance were presented with prizes totalling £17,500 at the RoR awards in Newmarket last night (Monday, 16 November).

A 13-year-old retrained racehorse who hunts, jumps and wins showing classes was named 2015 RoR Horse of the Year.

Liverpool (pictured, top) was retired to the hunting field in 2010 after winning two point-to-points with amateur jockey Joanna Mason. Her mother Susan owns the horse and father Ian hunted him.

He had run under Rules six times in 2006/07, finishing fourth twice.

Joanna has competed in RoR competitions reaching the finals of the hunting and Elite series at both Hickstead and Windsor.

While recovering from an operation due to breaking her back in a fall at a point-to-point in March, Joanna tried riding Liverpool side-saddle.

The horse was “took it all in his stride” and the pair were fourth in their first side saddle showing class at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show on 12 July.

They went on to win the RoR/TARRA ridden qualifer class at the RoR National Championship show at Aintree on 29 August and were third in the side-saddle class.

“We chose to recognise Liverpool as this talented horse is a great all-rounder in hunting, showing, jumping and side-saddle. He epitomises the adaptability and versatility of so many retrained racehorses in their new careers,” said RoR chief executive Di Arbuthnot.

The RoR elite dressage champion was Green Warrior (Sam) a seven-year-old bay gelding ridden and owned by Linda Davis.

Sam ran in 28 races on the Flat before being retrained by British Horse Society instructor Linda at her Durham-based livery yard in 2013.

The pair have had many successes this season with British Dressage gaining 104 points to win the RoR elite dressage championship.

“Sam is like a small pony on long legs, he is very short, fitting in 5’9’ rugs but has lengthy legs to make 16hh, so he is very powerful. It’s been a great season for us,” said Linda.

A 16-year-old mare retrained by Hartpury College student Charlotte Gibbens was the RoR’s elite showjumping champion.

Bluegrass Hopper (Hop) overcame a serious field accident last year to come back in 2015 to qualify for Blue Chip National Winter Championships and Horse of the Year Show.

The RoR elite eventing champion was awarded to event rider Paul Tapner and Counterparty, a seven-year-old mare who raced five times under rules before starting her eventing career.

Norfolk rider Allister hood and 13-year-old Jack the Giant took home the RoR elite show series supreme champion title.

England International polo player Ollie Cudmore’s retrained racehorse Costa Lotta was the RoR elite polo champion and 14-year-old Beths Choice owned and ridden by Lynn Harvey from Dorset was named as RoR elite endurance champion.

The trophy for the RoR elite show series champion was presented to by Lizzie Harris the owner and rider of Wild West after the pair won the RoR/Tattersalls Show Series at the Hickstead Derby meeting in June.

“Westy has proved just how versatile former racehorses are at adapting to life after racing. He has taken so well to retraining and already has evented, team chased and hunted,” said Lizzie.

The winners were each presented with a trophy and cheque for £2,500 by RoR patron Clare Balding.

There are now no registered hunts with Hunting Act cases outstanding against them after the final case collapsed today (Thursday 3 December).

A case against the Lamerton Hunt collapsed three days into a scheduled 10-day trial at Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court, when private prosecutors, the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS), withdrew all evidence.

Yesterday (Wednesday, 2 December) the court sought confirmation from absent LACS acting chief executive Rachel Newman, a qualified solicitor, that she had advised expert witness Professor Stephen Harris not to disclose a close personal relationship between himself and LACS head of operations Paul Tillsley.

Professor Harris had also been accused of embellishing his experience of hunting while giving evidence. The LACS this morning withdrew all charges.

In a private prosecution, the LACS had summoned six members of the Lamerton Hunt in West Devon to face allegations of illegal hunting and pursued them through the courts for more than 18 months after Devon and Cornwall Police correctly ruled that they had no case to answer.

“We were confident from the start that we had done nothing wrong and that all our hunting was legal, but our names and the allegations that the LACS were making were all over the local papers,” said David Lewis, huntsman of the Lamerton Hunt.

“The whole thing seemed to go on forever and whilst we are happy it is now all over it was not a pleasant experience.”

The defendants were represented by barrister Peter Glenser and solicitor Jamie Foster.

The Countryside Alliance’s Tim Bonner added: “This appalling case raises a series of fundamental questions about the abuse of the criminal justice system by vindictive private prosecutors. LACS spent more than a £100,000 of charitable funds on a case that the police had correctly judged simply did not stand up. In desperation it has then sought to present as independent an expert witness who was clearly deeply prejudiced against the defendants.

“LACS sought to corrupt the criminal justice system and use it to harass six innocent people over an 18-month period. Questions need to be asked about this abuse at the highest levels.”

This was the last outstanding case from the 2013/14 season, while there were no prosecutions in the 2014/15 season.

With the hunting season in full swing, take a look at our A-Z of hunting from newcomers and Ireland to unseated riders and X-rays

A — Autumn hunting

One of the favourite times of the year for those who don’t mind early starts, autumn hunting is a vital time in particular for educating the young hounds in their first season.

B — Buttons

Every hunt has their own unique hunt button that is worn by hunt staff, hunt officials and those granted permission to wear the hunt button.

C — Couples

Hounds are always counted in couples and when there are an odd number of hounds out, the odd one will be referred to as a “half”. For example, 35 hounds would be 17½ couple.

D — Drawing

This is what hounds do when they are working a covert searching for their trail.

Continued below…

Foxhounds to bloodhounds, puppies to retirement: H&H celebrates the hound *PICTURES*

• 29 November, 2015 - 17:55

Although jumping big hedges and crossing country that you wouldn't usually have access to can be some of the things More…

E — Etiquette

Manners are essential on the hunting field and most hunts have a code of conduct that supporters are expected to follow.

F — Farmers

Without the generosity of farmers and landowners, there would be nowhere to hunt.

G — Gone Away

The horn call blown by a huntsman to signal that hounds have left the covert and are hunting their trail.

H — Hunting Act 2004

The law came into force on 18 February 2005.

I — Ireland

Where traditional foxhunting is still legal and a large number of hunters are sourced from.

J — Jumping

Not the be all and end all for some, but the highlight of a hunting day for many.

K — Keepers

With an ever-increasing number of shoots taking place across the country, liaising with shoot keepers is vital in ensuring the country is accessible.

L — Laughter

Hunting may be taken very seriously at times but it is important to remember that it is supposed to be fun.

M — Master of Foxhounds

The person responsible for hunting and the organisation of the country, quite often also the field master on a hunting day whose instructions must be obeyed.

N — Newcomers

Welcomed at any time of the year, a ‘Newcomers’ Week’ is held by most hunts during October.

O — Opening meets

These take place around the beginning of November and signal the end of Autumn hunting and the start of the main season.

P — Peterborough

Home of the Royal Foxhound Show and the Festival of Hunting which takes place in mid-July each year, this is one of the highlights of the summer hunting calendar.

Q — Quarry

Before the Hunting Act 2004 came into force, the quarry was the hunted animal such as fox, hare or deer, depending on the type of hounds. However today the quarry is a trail-hunt laid using artificial scent and often laid using a quadbike or from a horse.

R — Ratcatcher

Hunting attire worn during autumn hunting and by some packs throughout the season, consisting of a tweed hacking jacket.

S — Secretary

Often the first point of contact for those wanting to visit a hunt and the person to whom your daily cap or subscription should be paid to.

T — Trail hunting

With traditional foxhunting banned under the Hunting Act 2004, legal trail hunting following a laid scent is the way in which hunts now operate.

U ­— Unseated rider

Empty saddles are not an uncommon sight on the hunting field and membership of the hunt’s own Tumblers Club becomes compulsory.

V — Visiting

If you want to experience hunting with a different pack, visiting is great fun and well worth making the effort.

W — Whipper-in

Seen assisting the huntsman with the hounds, whippers-in can be fully professional full-time members of staff who also work in kennels or an amateur who volunteers.

X — X-rays

Incidents leading to these should be avoided at all times if possible because they are known to curtail your hunting activities…

Y — Young

Children and younger members of the field are the future of hunting and can often be a great source of giving a lead over hunt jumps.

Z — Zetland

A pack in North Yorkshire, this is the last hunt named in the Masters of Foxhounds directory. An alternative is zillions… the amount of money spent on hunting that is never dared to be mentioned when discussing the financial implications of going hunting!

Don’t miss all the hunting action in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (3 December 2015), where we’re out with the Quorn and Eggesford and report on thr Dianas of the Chase Cup

The Cottesmore Hunt’s traditional Boxing Day meet in Oakham has been saved.

The hunt has been meeting in the town on 26 December for at least 100 years.

However, at a meeting on 25 November Oakham Town Council denied the hunt permission to hold the meet in its usual location of Cutts Close.

Rutland County Council has now stepped in and given the Cottesmore permission to meet in one of its car parks.

“Oakham Town Council has been clear that its objection to holding the Boxing Day meet at Cutts Close is a response to damage to the park and health and safety concerns relating to mess left behind by the hunt in previous years,” said county council leader Roger Begy.

“Fortunately, the county council is in a position to offer Catmose car park as an alternative location for the event.

“The car park is a large tarmacked area which can be marshalled and cleaned with ease.”

Hunt secretary Clare Bell said they are “absolutely thrilled” with the news.

“The county council has been hugely supportive,” she said.

“I completely understand the town council’s point of view — if you put 100 horses, 40 hounds and 700 people on foot on grass, it is going to make a mess — but they just did not handle it terribly well.

“Luckily the county council has offered a large car park in Oakham that will suit our needs brilliantly.”

She added that they will continue to carry out a collection for the charity For Rutland – In Rutland, which usually raises about £1,000.

A statement from the county council said that it will consider the venue as a “long-term solution” for future Boxing Day meets.

The car park is opposite Rutland County Museum and the meet, which often attracts between 700 and 1,000 people, will start at 10.45am.

The number of hounds will be capped at five couple, both horses and hounds will be confined to hard standing areas only and arrangements are in place to clean up the car park as soon as the hunt moves off at 11.25am. No vehicles will be allowed.

“Collections made at the meet have raised thousands of pounds for Rutland charities over the years,” said Cllr Begy.

“Many of our local hostelries also benefit from increased trade due to the crowds which attend.

“A large number of people within the community have expressed sadness and disappointment that the event might disappear entirely.

“It would be a shame if this were to happen simply because a suitable location could not be agreed.”

Stuck for inspiration for a Christmas gift to buy a hunting enthusiast? We provide you with something for all tastes, from those with realistic expectations of what might be wrapped under the Christmas tree, to those where dreams have taken over.

1. Hunting tie (stock)

There are only a number of times that you can re-fold an old hunting tie in order not to show the stubborn shadows of mud that have resisted every stain remover on sale. For those people a new hunting tie is always an option! Whether it be four fold, shaped, white, cream or coloured is another matter but the options are all available at www.huntingstockmarket.co.uk

2. Homemade hip flask tipples

A bottle of sloe gin or perhaps something slightly more peculiar such as raspberry vodka, is always welcomed by those who like to carry a hip flask on hunting days. A little bit of forward planning is required for this and it won’t get delivered by next day delivery, however you may well get the opportunity to sample your own creations out on the hunting field over the course of the following season!

3. Rubber hunting boots

These are a must for anybody who has been caught out on gate-shutting duties, when their favourite leather boots with a few cracks in have just not kept out the mud when standing in the boggiest of gateways trying to do up frayed pieces of string. Available with or without leather tops for both ladies and gents at www.bestboots.co.uk

4. Saddle flask

Ideal for those whose hunt coat pockets are showing signs of wear and tear having suffered for years under the weight of a hip flask. Or perhaps you know somebody who owns a flask where the lid isn’t attached and has a tendency to land on the floor just as hounds start speaking. Some hip flasks simply don’t have sufficient capacity, so a saddle flask might be the only solution. Try one of these: http://thehuntingshop.co.uk

5. Breeches

They may possibly be one of the most difficult items to select as presents, but nobody can have enough pairs of hunting breeches. This is particularly the case over the Christmas period when it’s possible to hunt virtually every day of the week and hanging washing on the line to dry isn’t necessarily an option. These breeches from Alexander James combine being washable with a traditional look and they also have belt loops as well as garter strap buttons which eliminates any need to choose standards over practicality: www.alexander-james.co.uk

6. A new lorry

We’ve all seen the adverts for smart new lorries in the back of the classified adverts in Horse & Hound, or wandered into one on a stand at Badminton, dreaming of driving away in a lorry that starts first time or has racks for your tack and rugs. Perhaps a new two-horse lorry under 3.5T would suit so that anyone who can drive a car is able to drive it without passing a further test. For the full range of options see: www.equi-trek.com/uk

7. Thermals

The temperatures might not have taken a dip so far yet this season but it is inevitable that at some point they will so it’s best to be prepared with a thermal stock shirt, available from: www.huntingmad.co.uk

8. Side-saddle lessons

Perhaps the special person in your life has always admired the elegance of those who ride sideways but has never been brave enough to give it a go. If so, perhaps a lesson would be the push they need for them to try it. For further details, contact: www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk

9. Waterproof riding mac

With Storm Desmond having caused havoc over the past few days and soaking everyone to the skin, a smart, waterproof riding mac to put over a hunt coat could be just the answer. Visit: www.ri-dryclothing.co.uk

10. Hunting stationery

The email and text message have not yet completely replaced traditional thank you letters, especially when it comes to writing to thank meet hosts for their generosity or masters of visiting packs. Hunting-themed correspondence cards are perfect for such communication. Try: www.ruralwrappings.co.uk

11. Commissioned painting

The ultimate, exclusive and lasting gift for anybody with a favourite hunter or hounds, has to be a commissioned oil or watercolour painting by sporting artist and Master of Foxhounds Daniel Crane. Visit: www.danielcrane.co.uk

Any sports horse can get hurt, but the unpredictable demands of the hunting field can result in unforeseen injury to horse, rider or both, says Agnes Stamp

Whether you’re hunting for the first time, or a seasoned hedgehopper, it is important to recognise where the dangers lie and how to avoid them, and if bad luck does strike, the best course of action.

Helen Van Tuyll, an equine vet and joint master of the South Dorset has been hunting since she was five-years-old and puts the majority of injuries she sees out hunting down to rider error.

“A high level of rider awareness is required when hunting. Not only must you know your hunt country, but you must also exercise a degree of common sense.”

Laura Andrews, stud groom at the BHWC for the past seven years adds: “After hunting, wash your horse off properly, check him over thoroughly for injury and deal with any accordingly.

“I also do a late check at night for chills, colic and lameness after a horse has been hunting. If you leave him until the following morning and something has gone wrong, you’re then on borrowed time. You can save thousands of pounds in vets bills, and potentially your horse’s life if you just use common sense.

“The best thing you can do is to develop a good relationship with your vet,” she adds.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions and try to develop an understanding of various injuries. This will help keep you calm in future stressful situations.”

1. Over-reach injuries

A common injury on any hunting field, caused either by the horse clipping its own front heels with its hind legs, or a horse behind getting too close and striking the hind legs of the one in front.

Galloping fast in deep ground also carries its own risks, notes Helen. “A really bad over-reach can strike a tendon above the fetlock.”

Action: Over-reach wounds in the heel are often small, but release a surprising amount of blood. Clean thoroughly, bandage and if you think you’ve struck the tendon or the horse is displaying a high degree of lameness, call the vet.

2. Bruised soles

Concussion injuries in hunters are mainly associated with trotting on stony tracks or over stones hidden in long grass, which is often unavoidable.

Action: Good, regular shoeing is an effective preventative measure against this kind of injury and if you’re out hunting, be sensible — go home if you’ve lost a shoe and be aware of muddy tracks that might hide stones.

If your horse does come home with a bruised foot, poultice and pad the foot, and rest the horse on a deep bed so it isn’t standing on its sole. Again, if your horse is displaying a high degree of lameness, call the vet.

Continued below…

Horse & Hound‘s ultimate A-Z of hunting

• 5 December, 2015 - 12:23

With the hunting season in full swing, take a look at our A-Z of hunting from newcomers and Ireland to More…

3. Flint cuts

Seen in areas such as the Chiltern Hills or by hunts such as the Kimblewick, flint is a type of rock that is so sharp, it was once used to make arrow heads in the Stone Age. Look out for flint cuts into the tendon sheath, at the back of the fetlock and cuts on the sole of the hoof.

Action: Laura advises to assess the size of cut (if your finger goes first knuckle deep into the wound, it will need a stitch), clean it and check for lameness. A small cut with a high degree of lameness needs to be looked at immediately, as does a cut of any size with any discharge. Deep cuts will need to be stitched within six hours.

4. Wire cuts

Perhaps you attempted the hunt jump and your horse ran through the wire next to the fence, or you tried jumping a ditch and got caught in a line of wire you didn’t see.

Action: Laura advises to err on the side of caution with wire cuts and call the vet. If the cut is deep, get picked up as close to the accident as you can, to save walking back through mud. “The cleaner you keep the wound, the happier your vet will be and the easier it will be to stitch,” says Helen.

5. Stone-walls

Most likely to be seen in traditional stone-wall country such as Cornwall, Derbyshire and Gloucestershire, dragging a knee or a fetlock over these sharp stones can puncture into the joint.

Action: Clean thoroughly and bandage. If you’ve caught the joint or tendon sheath, you’ll be very lame very quickly and you’ll need to get the lorry home. Helen adds: “It’s not the size of the injury, but the location of the wound that you need to be concerned about — if you’re into the joint then this is going to be a big problem. Call the vet immediately.”

6. Blackthorn

Hunts going over big hedges such as the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale see a lot of blackthorns into joints or tendon sheaths, says Helen. “Most of the time the thorn comes out, but you can’t count on that.”

Action: “If you’ve jumped hedges, and one-to-two hours afterwards your horse is non-weight bearing lame, you’ve probably picked up a thorn in the joint,” says Helen. “He will need to see a vet as soon as possible, ideally that night as it may need to be flushed.”

While you wait for the vet, try and locate where the thorn may have entered, and pull it out if it’s still embedded. Make sure you show the vet exactly where you pulled the thorn out from and mention that you’ve been jumping hedges.

Laura also advises to keep a pair of clippers and tweezers close to hand in the yard. If you’re checking your horse over and you feel a thorn under the skin, clip the area and pull it out with tweezers.

7. Suspensory ligaments

Most likely to be seen in deep clay country, check ligaments, suspensory and suspensory body and suspensory branch injuries are a common hunting injury that take a great deal of time to repair. Helen adds: “Rider awareness must come into play here — for example, don’t try to gallop over really deep ground to catch up and be cautious when jumping out of really heavy ground.”

Action: Prevention is better than cure. A good fittening programme before hunting starts will help look after legs of the horse. Laura gets the majority of fittening work done in the summer.

“First horses come in on 1 July. We do four weeks of walk work, then two weeks of trot work before continuing with mounted hound exercise and if the ground is ok, canter work. You need to make sure the legs are hard before the season starts.”

8. Kicks

Often unavoidable when horses get close on the hunting field, but as a rider it is your job to look out for potential kickers (if they are prone to it they should have a red ribbon in their tail) and do not get too close behind another horse, especially when queuing for a jump or queuing for gates.

Action: Little swelling will appear if the kick has landed on a fleshy part of the body. However, do be aware of kicks to bony areas. If he’s very lame he will need to be x-rayed. Helen adds: “If he’s been caught between the knee and elbow or kicked on the inside of the radius (where there is no flesh, just skin on bone) he may have a hairline fracture.”

9. Flesh wounds

Approaching an open gate too fast can easily result in catching a stifle on a latch or large wounds to the flanks. Partially open gates or gates that are swinging back are just as dangerous.

“Getting caught in gates is completely rider error,” says Helen. “Everything you should have learnt in Pony Club about walking through gates should apply as an adult. Even if you’re approaching a gate at a flat out gallop, always pull up, ride through the gate at a walk and check the person behind you before moving on.”

Action: “People often get very excited about big wounds, but ultimately they’re ok,” says Helen. “It’s the small pinprick wounds in awkward places over the top of joints and tendon sheaths that cause the biggest problem.”

If you have been unlucky (or stupid) enough to get caught in an open gate, travel the horse home or to the nearest veterinary clinic as quickly as possible for stitching.

10. Putting a foot down a hole

A foot down a rabbit or badger hole can result in very nasty injuries for both horse and rider. Depending on what speed you’re going at catching a limb in a hole can result in a sprained joint, pulled ligament or tendon or worse case scenario, a broken leg.

On a similar vein, be careful when riding over bridges, warns Helen. “I recently had to anaesthetise a horse so it could be lifted out of a broken bridge by a front end loader.”

Action: If you see a hole, make sure you warn others about it – this is good hunting etiquette anyway – and don’t ride over partially broken bridges, there is always another route. Also look out for recently ploughed field where the holes might be lightly covered.

If your horse has sprained a joint or pulled ligament or tendon it will need regular cold hosing, icing and box rest. Speak to your vet about getting it scanned.

When the terraces at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club erupt on a Saturday afternoon with a rousing rendition of Sussex by the Sea, every Sussex man and woman is touched by its earnest camaraderie.

At the end of November, another local tradition reached its annual conclusion — mercifully so for horse owners. Sussex takes its bonfire parties very seriously. One town was reputed to have a blinking Pope as the effigy on its bonfire this year. But like many traditions, its political origins fade over time and are lost on many enjoying the dazzling spectacle.

Local private displays, often unannounced, cause horse owners huge problems — fatal injuries are not uncommon. Fireworks are spectacular and an integral part of our local culture.

Although I am instinctively against banning anything, over the past few years several injuries, a colic and distressed hounds during two months of fireworks have convinced me that they should be enjoyed at organised community events or private, licensed celebrations that are required to advertise locally.

Early learning

As this year’s young entry establishes itself in the pack, next year’s cohort arrives back at kennels, offering their walkers a well-earned rest.

The forgotten heroes must surely be the long-suffering family pets who shudder with resignation every spring when a couple of puppies lollop into their yard and proceed to hang off their ears and steal their beds.

After months of abuse, it’s no wonder the helpline at the “Society for Pets of Puppy Walkers” is constantly engaged. Luckily for the hound puppies, instruction from dogs not afraid to put them in their place offers invaluable life lessons.

So much of a hound’s education takes place on the hunting field at arm’s length from the huntsman. When hunting there should be a natural order — quarry (trail), hound, huntsman.

All the hours of hound exercise, puppy walker’s love and attention, puppy show training and kennel routine mean nothing if a young hound is more interested in hanging around the huntsman’s horse than joining in with the rest of the hounds. Instinct (formerly known as fox-sense) and industry are fundamental and careful breeding over countless generations should principally take these into account.

Fortunately, un-varmity hounds are rare and they are more likely to be found running around with their eyes on stalks for the first few days, like a child in a sweet shop. Channelling this enthusiasm, when free from the immediate clutches of the huntsman, is an art that relies on the strength of the pack and the will of the individual hound, as well as its desire to hunt intelligently and learn off its elders.

Each season I am amazed by those hounds who possess remarkably old heads on young shoulders and get stuck in instantly like experienced sages. How do they know how to scale 5ft of stock fencing and barbed wire or cast round a farmyard?

I have just mowed the lawn, in December, which probably explains why scent has been moderate of late. The sun and mild wind have sucked it off the wet ground. Hounds have worked hard in sweaty, balmy conditions to keep everyone on the move. Save for the occasional day, really decent sport won’t arrive until the jet stream moves, slashing the temperature in half, and a few frosts have cleaned the ground. The best is yet to come.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 10 December 2015

Do you fancy going hunting on Boxing Day to support your local hunt, but don’t know where to start? Horse & Hound offers some tips on how to go about it, including who to contact and how to prepare.

It’s important that you and your horse enjoy the day. If you have a good experience, hopefully you will want to go out with hounds again so don’t overload yourself with concerns about buying new equipment or getting everything right — everybody has to start somewhere.

There will be plenty of people out hunting who are able to offer advice so don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand what is going on or where you should be.

Which pack?

If you don’t know which is your local pack, take a look at the websites of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (www.mfha.org.uk) or the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles (www.amhb.org.uk) where you can search by county. Details of some Boxing Day meets will also be available on the Countryside Alliance website (www.countryside-alliance.org.uk).

Alternatively download the complete H&H Hunting Directory for full details of foxhounds, beagle, harriers, draghounds, bloodhounds and minkhound packs in the UK and Ireland — Download 2015/2016 hunt directory [PDF, costs £1.49]

Who to contact

Once you have decided which pack you wish to visit, contact the hunt secretary. Contact details are usually available on the hunt’s own website, or sometimes they have a Facebook page. The secretary will be able to advise you the location and time of the meet, the cap (how much it will cost) and usually where you may be able to park your horsebox or trailer on the day.

Continued below…

A beginner’s guide to hunting

• 12 September, 2013 - 11:15

Never been hunting, but would love to have a go? H&H explains how to get started and answers your questions More…

What to wear

Make sure you, your horse and your tack are clean and tidy. Although plaiting is not compulsory, manes should be short and neat, and if you have a particularly hairy horse, it might be worth considering getting him clipped. Hunting tack and equipment is generally quite conservative so try to find a brown, black or white numnah and limit the amount of bling (although tinsel on a browband on Boxing Day is acceptable with most packs).

A tweed hacking jacket or a black or navy jacket is desirable, with a coloured or plain hunting tie (stock) and pale breeches with leather boots or smart short boots and half-chaps.

How to prepare your horse

Although there is no set amount of time you need to stay out, the chances are you will enjoy it once you get there so make sure your horse is fit enough to make all the effort worthwhile.

You may consider using a stronger bit than you would usually for hacking, just to give yourself some extra brakes if required.

Jumping is not compulsory and there is usually an alternative non-jumping route for those who prefer to avoid obstacles.

On the day

Arrive in plenty of time. Travel tacked up with a rug if needed, and a headcollar over the top of your bridle if you can to save unnecessary hassle when you park. It’s quite common for horses to perk up at the sound of hounds in the vicinity and you might end up in a battle trying to put the bridle on.

As soon as you get to the meet, find the hunt secretary to introduce yourself and pay your daily cap. Ask who the field master will be so you know who to follow and take notice of any particular instructions given throughout the day.

But most importantly — enjoy yourself! We hope you and your horse have a fantastic time.

H&H will be introducing specialist news pages in dressage, showjumping and showing next year, alongside the existing equivalents in hunting, eventing and sport horse breeding.

In addition to our weekly eight-page news section at the front of the magazine, the Life pages in the three Olympic disciplines and showing will rotate each month, so that readers can enjoy one in every issue.

Dressage Life kicks off the series on 7 January, followed by Eventing Life (14 January), Showjumping Life (21 January) and Showing Life (28 January).

“These pages are the ideal place for all the little titbits which might not make our main news pages — where the pressure for space is always intense — but which are still fascinating to our readers,” explained eventing editor and acting print director Pippa Roome.

“I’ve been trialling Eventing Life since July this year and it has proved very popular, which is why are extending this across the disciplines.”

Featured stories on Eventing Life have included the new coaches for the Irish eventing teams, Alice Dunsdon’s trip to compete at Adelaide CCI4* and four-star rider Lucie McNichol’s retirement from eventing.

This week the main report examines the Olympic individual qualification race, updating on who is leading the regional rankings as the 2015 season draws to a close.

In addition, the page has included fun photos of weddings, babies, balls and awards ceremonies, as well as sponsorship news and a regular update on the FEI and British Eventing rankings.

Dressage editor and acting print director Alice Collins said: “These pages are like the best bits of Facebook in paper form — all the news and gossip, curated by our expert section editors.”

If you have news for our Life pages, please contact:

Eventing: pippa.roome@timeinc.com
Dressage and sport horse breeding: alice.collins@timeinc.com
Showjumping: hannah.lemieux@timeinc.com
Showing: aimi.clark@timeinc.com
Hunting: polly.portwin@timeinc.com

Ref: H&H 24 December, 2015

Don't miss these edge-of-your seat, hair-raising moments from across the disciplines that caught us (and those pictured) by surprise this year...

Barry Geraghty adopts an unorthdox position aboard Uxizandre at Newbury. Credit: racingfotos.com

Taunton Vale amateur whip Sam Matthews earns top tumble of the season with this spectacular and gymnastic effort

An infrequent sight: an unscheduled dismount for Michael Jung as he and FischerRocana FST take too close a look at Burghley’s lake

Michael Jung suffers a wardrobe malfunction at Burghley Horse Trials with La Biosthetique-Sam FBW

Continued below…

PICS: 16 riders reach the point of no return

• 21 June, 2015 - 12:05

We’ve all been there — one minute you’re enjoying the ride of your life and the next you experience that More…

‘Yippee, we won!’ — Maikel van der Vleuten’s VDL Groep Verdi TN NOP enjoys the moment as the Dutch showjumping team celebrate gold

‘I reckon we should try an alternative approach here, Mum’ — Katey Cuthbertson’s Imbroglio considers the options at Barbury CIC2*

Making a splash: Gina Ruck and Rehy Too suffer a dunking at Burghley

Poised for landing, if on the wrong set of feet: Ellen Whitaker and Le Beau at Hickstead

Neat, but not right: hometime for Midnight Wispa and Caroline Harris

Unex Billy Dream puts the brakes on, leaving Pieter Clemens hanging

Those pristine breeches aren’t staying like that: David McPherson bids adieu to Gloria Van Zuuthoeve at the Hickstead Derby Meeting

Not as planned: Andrew Hoy and Rutherglen provide not quite the drama they would have hoped for the crowd at Badminton

Back to front: a surprising moment for Jess Hawkins and Franklyns Ranger in the Pony Club Championships open showjumping

Why does there have to be a photographer around when that happens? A member of the South Durham field attempts to hang on to the reins — and their dignity

Ben Maher velcros himself to Diva II as she gets a bit overambitious

Call this a jump? Tim Lips and Concrex Bayro take a sideways approach to a skinny at Aachen, Germany, in August thrills and spills

Gravity is about to get the better of Lewis Ferguson after he parts company with Merrion Square and somersaults over the last at Wincanton

If your body is aching and tired after your Boxing Day meet, take a look at Equestrian Pilates' Sue Gould-Wright's key exercises to keep you riding fit for the whole season

Even a few hours hunting can leave your body tired and aching: the leg muscles work hard, the lower back can ache if your core isn’t working correctly and if you have a strong horse you can end up feeling like you have wrestled a rhino by the time you get back to the yard.

The following tips from Equestrian Pilates can help keep you fit to ride the whole season…

Engage your core

To get your core muscles working correctly think of pulling your tummy in gently, as if you were trying to pull the area behind the zip of your breeches inwards to the back waistband of your breeches (see picture right). That will stop you overusing other stomach muscles higher up which act to tip forwards. Check as you are doing it that you don’t clench your bottom muscles.

Loosen those legs

The legs are your shock absorbers as you travel cross-country on your horse so you need to keep them supple. Ideally you should do these before and after you ride but just when you remember is better than nothing.

For the back of the legs

Stand at arm’s length facing a wall or door, put your hands on the wall and then step back with your right leg, keep the right leg straight as you press the heel to the floor bending the left knee at the same time; you should feel a stretch all the way up the right leg (see picture below left). You should have a line from your ear, shoulder, hip and ankle — don’t arch your back sticking your bottom in the air please. The larger the step back, the greater the stretch but remember, it should be a stretch not a screaming pain. Do the same to the other side.

For the front of the leg

Stand side-on to a table or stable surface using the hand nearest the table to support yourself if you feel unbalanced, bend the outside knee taking the heel up towards the backside, hold onto the foot (or whatever you can reach) and, keeping nice and upright, try and push the outside leg backwards until you feel a stretch in the front of the thigh. Repeat to the other side.

Balance

At some point when you are out you might need to dismount, or your horse may decide that you need to, and getting on from a gate or the back of a quad as elegantly as possible is the name of the game. So practise standing on one leg whenever you get a chance — boiling the kettle, waiting for water buckets to fill, brushing your teeth… the possibilities are endless. Make sure you work on both legs as you never know when you might have to mount from the ‘wrong’ side. Once you can balance perfectly, try bending and straightening the leg you are balancing on to strengthen it even more, but do ensure you are keeping your pelvis and upper body upright throughout — it should just be the knee, hip and ankle moving.

Continued below…

Watch this space: 10 hunting stars of the future *PICTURES*

• 24 October, 2015 - 17:55

Those early season nerves at the meet are all too familiar… As is the moment you look across to see More…

Whoa there!

You are cantering along, passing up through the field a tad faster than you would like until, horror of horrors, you are nearly taking the lead: hanging on with the arms and shoulders will make them ache for days and isn’t particularly effective, you need to get the bigger muscles of the back involved. Engage your core (this will support your lower back) and then think of drawing your underarm down towards your waist; this does take practice so do it off the horse first, it has the added benefit of correcting rounded shoulders and making you look great too. Once you and your horse have tried this, you can use it as your half-halt too as it is a much smoother, less ‘argumentative’ feeling for the horse.

Pass the flask

Most horses will move from a change of weight in the saddle so when turning to pass a flask to someone behind you we need to keep your pelvis still, only rotating through the body. Start the movement from the base of the skull — imagine you are trying to take a sneaky look at that fab new horse Mrs P. has just brought over from Ireland: you turn ever so slightly through the neck, looking behind you out of the corner of your eye. Now nosiness has got the better of you so you turn fully through the neck, then allowing the shoulders to turn and then keep turning, one bone at time until you can easily pass the flask while your horse stands perfectly still. Try not to lean back as you do this as this may put pressure on the lower back.

Bums of steel!

When you are riding up out of the saddle for long periods the muscles in the backside are working as hard as those in the legs. You need to keep these muscles from becoming overly tight as they can be responsible for lower back pain and sciatic-type pains; the best way to do this is to find yourself a tennis ball and a wall or bolted stable door. With your back to the wall, put the tennis ball between your butt and the wall, roughly where the top of your back pocket would be and then GENTLY lean into the ball. Now you might want to make sure nobody is around because I now need you to rub your backside with the ball like your horse would scratch his bottom on tree or post… There will be areas which are tight and sore, just keep the pressure bearable and it should ease the longer you do it. Repeat on the other buttock.

Article photographs courtesy of J.A. Allen from Equestrian Pilates – Schooling for the Rider by Sue Gould-Wright.  Published by JA Allen, £15.99, available from www.allenbooks.co.uk

For more exercises visit www.equestrianpilates.co.uk

Over a quarter of a million people turned out to attend Boxing Day meets across the country

More than a quarter of a million people turned out to show their support for hunting at Boxing Day meets around the country yesterday (26 December), according to figures released by the Countryside Alliance (CA).

On one of the biggest days of the year for hunting, more than 300 packs in the UK held their traditional Boxing Day meets in towns, pubs or in areas where large numbers of people could congregate safely.

The Cottesmore Hunt’s annual meet that had been moved out of Oakham town centre due to health and safety concerns, proved to be “very well supported in the new venue of a large car park kindly provided by Rutland County Council.”

One of the largest turnouts of the day was for the Heythrop Hunt’s annual meet in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, where more than 6,000 people attended to see hounds in the Square.

The Glamorgan Hunt in south Wales saw people lining Cowbridge High Street as they left the meet to cheers and applause, scenes that were replicated across the country.

Pictured above is the Southdown and Eridge Hunt that met in Lewes, East Sussex (photograph courtesy of www.arwphotography.co.uk).

The Holcombe Harriers met in Anglezark, near Bolton, Lancs where over 100 people were mounted and in excess of 2,000 people supported on foot.

Joint-master Sue Simmons said: “We were delighted to be able to parade our hounds in this traditional meet on Boxing Day and for so many people to be there to show their appreciation of country sports.”

Although there were no cancellations due to frost or snow — as would usually be expected at this time of year — some meets were affected by above average rainfall and flooding that had taken place across the country.  

The Hunting Act 2004 came into force in February 2005 however the CA and the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) continue to fight for repeal of the Act.

A spokesperson for the CA told H&H: “The Hunting Act has failed — not one hunt has been prosecuted in the last year and more than 94% of those convicted under the Act have not been related to activities of registered hunts, they have been for poaching or casual hunting offences.”

H&H takes a look at some of your photographs from Boxing Day meets held across the country that were supported by over a quarter of a million people http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/wp-admin/profile.php

Fitzwilliam huntsman George Adams — who will retire at the end of this season — on the way to his final Boxing Day Meet at Stilton (picture courtesy of Claire Wright)

A keen young follower out gets a helping hand with the Tanatside (picture courtesy of Sarah Hannah Bowker)

The Dumfriesshire and Stewartry field looking out across some spectacular country during their Boxing Day meet (picture courtesy of Gordon Nicol)

Hounds look on with interest during a festive moment at the Minehead Harrier’s kennels

A wet day in North Yorkshire didn’t deter Gemma Stanish, huntsman of the Claro Beagles, or her whippers-in from enjoying their Boxing Day meet (picture courtesy of Andrew Bloomfield)

The Glamorgan hounds move off down Cowbridge High Street — with huntsman Jacky Thomas MFH (picture courtesy of Heather March)

Four-year-old Paddy Finnegan and 27-year-old Polo take a moment to relax during a visit to the Grove and Rufford’s meet at Bawtry (picture courtesy of Rachel Finnegan)

Jonathan Gittoes leads hounds away from the meet in his first season as huntsman of the David Davies (picture courtesy of Jenna Sherrard)

A young huntsman of the future? From a hunting family, two-year-old William Staniland and Trevor make the most of every moment of their first Boxing Day meet with the Ludlow (picture courtesty of Katie Staniland)

Young followers and their smart ponies out with the South Notts where a large crowd congregated to show their support

Sisters Martha German (11) on Poppy and Felicity German (6) on 26-year-old Sugar Puff out with the Cheshire Forest where their father Andrew hunts the hounds (picture courtesy of Sonya German)

A special guest makes an appearance with the County Clare Hunt at Corofin, Co. Clare in Ireland (picture courtesy of Finbarr Keating)

Robert Walker — a well-known face on the showing circuit — with his two-year-old daughter Izzy and son Sam riding up Tarporley High Street with the Cheshire Hunt (photo courtesy of Lynne Shore Photography)

Huntsman Guy Allman leads the way through a very crowded Winslow High Street in his first season hunting the Bicester Hunt with Whaddon Chase hounds (picture courtesy of David Bunn)

Billy Hancock, the Banwen Miners longest serving master who is now the hunt chairman, leading the field from the Castle Hotel in Neath for their traditional Boxing Day meet (picture courtesy of Simon Rees)

Tilly Rumens on her “elderly” Shetland Bobby who reportedly became “young again” when enjoying a day out with the Avon Vale Hunt at Lacock in Wiltshire (picture courtesy of Steve Parsons)

Young Arthur enjoys his day with the Duke of Beaufort’s where a huge crowd in excess of 6,000 gathered at Worcester Lodge, Didmarton, Glos

The period between Christmas and New Year is typically a pretty busy time for the hunting community (weather and ground permitting), but if you do find yourself with a few spare moments, why not test your knowledge with our fun online hunting quiz below?

How did you get on? Why not post you score on social media and invite your friends to take part as well? They you can find out who is the most-informed among you.