It is a happy coincidence that the beginning of the puppy show season arrives just after bicycle hound exercise has started. For those lucky enough to attend a run of puppy shows, either as a judge or guest, the gastronomic excesses may soon start to show were it not for daily hound exercise. After all, every hunt wishes to entertain its guests royally.

For frequent judges it can be a double whammy. Even if the puppy show tea is served hard on the heels of a bountiful lunch, the sight of mountains of cakes and delicacies is often too hard to resist. There are some shows where the dash to the tea tent is preceded by an audible loosening of belts.

Every hunt has its loyal members who hover by the tea tent as if they haven’t eaten since last year’s show. It is, however, an important communal feasting for the whole hunt: subscribers, supporters and farmers.

Puppy show lunches vary from intimate affairs for masters and judges, to lavish banquets for the great and the good of not only the host hunt, but several others besides. One feature in common is often the local variety of coronation chicken.

Rather like a good sermon, a puppy show speech should be sharp and succinct. An early joke can settle the audience, provided it gets a laugh. It is vital to congratulate the puppy walkers and say something positive about the hounds. They are, after all, and quite rightly, swans in their eyes.

It may be prudent to thank the master for a sumptuous lunch — but try not to call his third wife by the name of his first. Both are likely to be present. Joke selection is crucial. I have an inability to remember a punch line so rely upon the odd humorous yarn. However, the level of “risqué” is inversely proportionate to the seniority of the deliverer. I recently heard a very senior master get away with a remarkable expletive, barely noticed by the dowager ladies of the hunt.

There is no greater honour than being invited to judge hounds, beloved of a hunt and the walkers. Such a privilege should not be taken lightly, but enjoyed and treated with respect and charm.

Huntsmen at work

The recent Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show — the focal point of the Festival of Hunting (reports, 28 July and 4 August) — attracted the highest quality of hounds seen for many years. Apollo looked kindly upon Peterborough, as those in hunt uniform gallantly performed in his sun’s rays.

This was not our year to win — far from it — but it was good to exhibit, nonetheless, and credibly fly the flag. The Festival is going from strength to strength and it is notable how many young people are enjoying its attractions.
It is always interesting to watch the class huntsmen at work with their hounds. A hound’s character
blossoms under their huntsman. Those hounds, for which the sudden gaze of several hundred eyes once they enter the ring is rather alarming, are calmed by the most natural huntsmen and often show well, calmed by trust.

Some hounds enter the ring as if they own it, while others are stilted and unsure. In the end, a good judge should be able to see through the evident showmanship, delightful as it is to watch, and observe
the essence of the hound: its conformation and movement.

Soon the shows will conclude and the hounds  will return to their day job. The season is almost upon us.

Ref Horse & Hound; 11 August 2016

The Rydal Hound Show in Cumbria is one of the highlights of the summer hound showing season. It is set in the beautiful surroundings of Rydal Park which is close to Ambleside.

Local pack the Coniston hold their own hound show before the open Fellhound classes take place, with their Dazzle taking the honours. The pack’s Lyric later went on to be awarded the entered bitch hound title before being awarded the reserve championship in the Fellhound classes.

Blencathra Saddler 14, winner of the entered doghound class stood as the Fellhound champion before going on to land the supreme show championship ahead of the winners from the harrier, beagle and terrier rings.

Aside from the hound shows, visitors could also enjoy the sheepdog trials and Fellhound racing as well as browsing through the trade stands.

A full report and results are in the 18 August issue of the magazine and to see further images from the show here

Somehow, no matter how many months there are between the last day’s hunting in the spring to the start of autumn hunting, the new season still manages to quietly creep up and it never gets any easier to be fully prepared.

The fat, unfit and long-maned hunters have been doing roadwork for weeks while you have been patiently watching the crops ripen and hounds have been building up their fitness, first with their hunt staff on bikes before mounted hound exercise took over.

Those with superstitious tendencies may have already got their lucky lightweight breeches out and their favourite hunting numnah washed and clean, however for those who aren’t quite so prepared, Horse & Hound offers a few tips on what to remember ahead of your first day autumn hunting so you don’t appear late, flustered and unkempt in front of masters and hunt staff — both new and old.

1. Track down your tweed hacking jacket and give it a thorough clean. The tweed may be adept at disguising the mud but it would be great to start the season with good intentions, even if they do slip slightly after weeks of early starts. Fish out any of last season’s mint humbugs that may have stuck to the lining and re-stock with fresh essentials.

2. Remember that autumn hunting mornings can be warm — especially if your horse gets lit up at the start of the season and you’re perhaps not as fit as you might be — so try to track down a short-sleeved shirt with a collar and leave your thermal stock shirt at home. You might want to check the top button is still on it too — nothing worse than stabbing yourself when trying to thread a needle at 4.30am on a hunting morning then blotting blood all over your clean shirt…

3. Find your hunting tie and get it cleaned if you need to — it is bound to still have either horse slobber on it or a bit of crusty egg-yolk from the last Hunt Supporters Club breakfast.

4. Makes sure you’ve visited your cobbler (or got yourself measured up for some new boots) if you find the soles have somehow come adrift from your hunting boots while sitting in the cupboard. Take a good look at the insides too to make sure they don’t need any holes patching up and track down the missing garter strap that had to double as a spur strap when one snapped on a gatepost last season. While on the subject of spurs, you had better find those too and give them a polish, and don’t forget your hunting whip.

5. Relocate your hunting cap, crash cap or headwear of choice and make sure it is comfortable — gentlemen should get a haircut if required and ladies should splash out on a new hairnet rather than wearing two with giant holes in the opposite way around to make sure errant hairs don’t poke out.

6. Make sure you have your horses’ travel wardrobe sorted out too. A lightweight cooler — most probably at the very bottom of the rug pile — will almost definitely be of most use before clipping during early autumn, while a tail bandage or tail guard is a must (unless you want to arrive with the proverbial bog-brush excuse of a tail). You might also want to clean your “hunting bridle” with a stronger bit and noseband combination to ensure you don’t spend the morning having your arms pulled out of their sockets.

7. The condition of horseboxes and other methods of transport should always be of paramount importance and safety checks to ensure that lights are working, the floor and walls are safe and the tyres are properly inflated go without saying. Just remember to take the wheelclamp off and check the handbrake on the trailer hasn’t been pulled up firmly over the summer though — there’s nothing worse than hitching up and pulling forward to find all wheels are locked tight and you’re digging grooves into the area where you’ve parked… laying underneath it before sunrise banging the brake drums with a large spanner to release them in your clean breeches is not ideal.

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

8. And finally… don’t forget to have a shorter girth ready for when your horse eventually loses that extra inch or two of summer flesh. Trying to make-do with the long one you’ve been using for weeks could cause embarrassment when you leap off to open a gate then slide ungraciously round when trying to re-mount.

The Devon and Somerset Staghounds held a meet to raise funds for the Willberry Wonder Pony charity on Saturday, 27 August at Mounsey Hill Gate on Exmoor.

The charity raises funds to support research into bone cancer and to grant equine-related wishes to seriously ill people and their families. It was set up by cancer sufferer Hannah Francis who lost her battle in August this year.

The idea for the hunt to get involved in raising funds for the charity was that of Fiona Rawle, Alex Batstone and Sharon Routley who are all on the hunt’s supporters’ club committee.

“We felt that it was a good opportunity for the hunting community to get involved in raising money for this great cause,” explained eventer Fiona, who competed the next day at Treborough Hill.

“The story of Hannah Francis is very well known in the eventing world particularly but it is wonderful to be able to extend this into another equestrian discipline to raise awareness.”

“A large mounted field was in attendance along with a vast crowd of foot followers with the cap for the day being put towards the total raised, which is likely to exceed £1,000,” revealed Sharon Routley.

For part of the day both Donald Summersgill — the pack’s huntsman — and joint-master David Greenwood carried one of the charity’s Willberry mascots. The soft toy — adorned with a knitted green scarf — was loaned to the hunt for the special day by Jayne Smart, who was Hannah’s trainer.

Related articles:

• Inspirational teenage event rider Hannah Francis dies from cancer
• Wobbleberry for Willberry: an eventing challenge for ‘middle-aged, wimpy riders’
• Riders to shave off their hair for Willberry Wonder Pony

“Members of the hunt really got behind the initiative with many purchasing Willberry merchandise, wearing the t-shirts and some even had their horses quarter-marked with the Willberry mascot so there was a wonderful atmosphere on the day,” said Sharon, who added that the hunt has plans to organise further fundraising events for the same cause.

To donate to the charity, click here.

Never been hunting, but would love to have a go this season? Daunted by the idea of going out for the first time? Follow our guide to get the most from your day

How do I find out where to go?

To find your local hunt, visit www.mfha.org/hunts (foxhounds) or www.amhb.org.uk (harriers and beagles, click on “go hunting”). 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.

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

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

A huntsman has been found not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to a hunt saboteur.

Mark Doggrell appeared at Taunton Crown Court in a three-day trial that ended on 21 September.

He was accused of deliberately knocking down Nicola Rawson with his horse during a meet of the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt near Charlton Horethorne, Somerset, in August 2014.

Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner said: “We are very pleased Mr Doggrell has been found not guilty and that Miss Rawson, who was injured in this incident, has recovered.

“There are, however, some serious questions to be asked about how this case ever got to court.

“The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) initially decided, correctly, that there were not grounds for a prosecution, but its decision was challenged under the ‘victim’s right to review’.

“The CPS sought the advice of an expert witness who cast serious doubt whether Mr Doggrell could ever be considered responsible for this accident.

“Faced with a noisy animal rights campaign, however, the CPS changed its mind and took the decision to prosecute a case in which it had little or no chance of securing a conviction.

Following an initial decision made by the CPS in February 2015 not to prosecute, Miss Rawson — a member of the Hunt Saboteurs Association — challenged the decision and started a petition which gained more than 12,000 signatures.

In July 2015 it was reported: “After careful consideration of all the evidence in this case, including additional new evidence, I have decided that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to charge Mark Doggrell with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm,” said Rachael Scott of the CPS.

“The decision to prosecute Mr Doggrell has cost taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds and put him through a long, stressful and unnecessary process. It simply cannot be right that charging decisions are made on the basis of who can shout the loudest,” Mr Bonner said.

Related articles:

• Anti-hunt activists ‘bullied’ business which shared picture of foxhound
• 12 thrilling shots to get you in the mood for autumn hunting
• Quorn to launch hunting safety helmet

Mr Doggrell’s solicitor Jamie Foster told H&H: “Mark is obviously delighted that a jury has acquitted him so swiftly, clearly he was innocent of the charge brought against him.

“However Mark remains sympathetic to the injuries of the victim. The Hunt Saboteurs Association have really got to learn a lesson from this.

“They need to take far better care of the people they send out into the field.”

HAS spokesman Lee Moon said: “The verdict is depressing but unsurprising. We advise all our supporters to take all reasonable precautions as the hunts have the law courts on their side.

Crouching by the ladies’ lingerie section in Sainsbury’s to study the denier quality of opaque knee highs isn’t, perhaps, the most glamorous image of a Master of Foxhounds (MFH) going about his preparation for the season ahead… and without a single MP in sight. However, for anyone who has panicked with the agony of calf cramp when putting on or removing their hunting boots, talcum powder and smooth lower leg tights are life-savers.

Hounds and horses aren’t packed away in the spring while the masters and staff go to Barbados for the summer, returning for the puppy show and occasional hound parade. Financial and organisational arrangements for the new season should have been confirmed months ago. After all, the autumn is the busiest time of year for masters and staff and it all needs to click into gear. Every aspect of hunting needs to be addressed prior to the season starting. Hounds and horses need to be suitably exercised. New farmers must be visited and all of the country covered to ensure that farmers are happy. Any broken fences need repairing and new ones built. Tack and all equipment — including the hunt vehicles — must be in good order.

Before hunting starts, the older hunt coats receive their annual makeover with my inexpert needle and thread. Any new kit needs breaking in and fitting properly to avoid an early morning crisis. Importantly, does that new “beginning of term” haircut mean your hat wobbles?

Hound lists are printed for kennels, to ensure that accurate records are kept of who hunted and when. Today’s masters should check that the trail-laying equipment — including camera — is all up together along with the Daily Record Sheets that must be completed after each day’s hunting to aid our proof of legal compliance.

A good start

The last few weeks of hound exercise, in particular, demand careful management. In our busy, well-used countryside, hound education is as important as fitness. Hounds must become neither bored and sour, nor like a rattling tin of jumping beans, ready to fire off in every direction. Boxing up to exercise around the hunt country gets the hounds used to the lorry and different places. It is good for the hounds to be seen, “off games”, by farmers, supporters and the general public away from kennels.

New hunt horses may have been introduced to hounds and of course, young hounds have to become confident with horses. Only a handful of the larger establishments (and some of the smaller ones) stable their hunt horses away from the actual kennels, so most young hounds do get to see horses every day, either in the yard or walking out in the fields during the afternoon.

It is a constant and necessary challenge to open new country each summer. My professor of composition at university used to say that if a composer’s music isn’t regularly performed, then there’s usually a good reason: it isn’t any good. If you have a well-run country, then it follows that there are unlikely to be too many large, huntable areas not already open. That said, it is nearly always possible to improve and add to existing country.

The apocryphal tale that Captain Wallace never hunted a piece of country more than once in the same way is probably a little farfetched, given his length of remarkable masterships, however it is vital to give the punters a fresh approach and ring the changes.

Thanks to our summer arriving better late than never and increasingly large, efficient machinery, the harvest has been relatively prompt. Most hunts have been out autumn hunting for several weeks trying to catch the best of the early morning conditions before they are burnt off by the sun. Once the first hound spoke on a crisp morn, the hound shows were but a distant memory. Hounds now have a serious job of work to do, which fortunately, they adore.

Ref Horse & Hound; 22 September 2016

Whether you are concerned about making a fool of yourself by saying or doing the wrong thing, or simply want to brush up on your technique over a fence, a pre-season hunting clinic can be a great way of preparing for what you may encounter on the hunting field.

Clinics tend to combine work within an arena with action on cross-country courses, commonly with a fun social element — and often including lunch. While they may lack the highly unpredictable nature of hunting with hounds, when combined with time spent autumn hunting, they provide an education for those new to the sport and can be a useful refresher course for both experienced horse and rider.

Izzy Taylor, event rider and field master for the Bicester with Whaddon Chase says: “There is nothing better than autumn hunting for a young horse because it tends not to be as fast and furious as meets later on into the season. Hunting clinics are excellent for getting the rider’s and horse’s eye in and are particularly good for those who might not perhaps ride from the end of one season to the beginning of the next so are looking for a confidence boost.

“Equally they are great for those who have never hunted before because as well as helping to educate inexperienced horses and riders, the clinics can also provide a good understanding of hunt etiquette.”

Pre-season hunting clinics 2016

Pontispool Equine Sports Centre

A hunting schooling day will take place at Pontispool Equine Sports Centre on 13 October. The popular day takes place every autumn and is hosted by the Taunton Vale Hunt. Participating riders are presented with similar scenarios encountered on the hunting field and after two hours of tuition ride a trail hunt with hounds. For more information or to book your place (£60 per person) contact Pontispool on 01823 461196 or e-mail: info@pontispool.com.

Cotswold Hunt clinics with Jonty Evans

A chance to brush up on cross-country riding skills by gaining quality advice from eventer Jonty Evans. The session will include jumping in a schooling environment followed by hunting-style fences around the respective estates. Refreshments provided. £75 for non-Cotswold Hunt subscribers, £65 for Cotswold Hunt subscribers. There will be two clinics on 8 and 15 October. For further details contact Kathryn Kent on 07973540131 or kathryn_griffin85@hotmail.com.

Pre-season hunting clinic with Sam Griffiths

Toomers Farm, near Templecombe in Somerset is the setting for this clinic on 11 October. For those who are unable to bring a horse, there is an opportunity to walk around with Sam while he is instructing. All places must be booked and paid for in advance. Please contact Sheena on 01963250237 or 07773280803 for further details.

Mendip Plains Equestrian Centre

This offers the perfect opportunity to brush up on your hunting skills before the season commences, helping you get back in the saddle and revise the cross-country riding skills you need to be safe and to have fun this season. This pre-hunting clinic on 16 October will cater for everyone including children and adults, new combinations as well as experienced horses and riders. The aim of the clinic is to give each person some simple pointers that will make a big difference to their way of going, and banish those pre-season nerves. For further details visit www.mendipplainsec.co.uk

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

Vine and Craven Hunt clinics

Taking place on 9 and 30 October near Newbury, these will include a one hour arena session and then two miles of galloping with optional hunt jumps, including rails and hedges. The course will be followed by a roast lunch in the nearby Fox and Hounds Pub. Instruction provided by Clare Chamberlayne BHSI and international event rider. Email clarechamberlayne@hotmail.com for further information and bookings.

Harry Meade

Harry Meade plans to run his autumn hunting clinics again this year. His clinics are extremely popular with heaps of positive feedback. He endeavours to “equip each person with one or two simple pointers that will make a profound difference to their way of going”. Harry caters for beginners through to experienced riders. For more information email rosie@harrymeade.com or call 07966 021536.

I have followed with interest the recent e-petition to ban driven grouse shooting organised by Mark Avery and supported by TV presenters Chris Packham and Bill Oddie. Under government rules they must consider for debate any topic reaching 100,000 signatures through such petitions.

Mr Avery launched a near-identical e-petition in 2014 and received support from just over 33,000 people. This time, after considerable effort, he has obtained more than 100,000 signatures, ensuring the issue will be considered for debate by government (a good thing too).

Quite why they have singled out grouse shooting is not clear to me but what is clear is that these people, and the League Against Cruel Sports, wish to nibble away at the shooting fraternity — as was always going to happen.

The saying goes “hunting, shooting and fishing”, so beware anglers — you too are odds-on to suffer at the hands of a future e-petition organised by a professional blogger like Mr Avery. Don’t forget those wishing to see hunting banned started by creating similar small debates back in the early 1980s.

I am pleased to say that any such debate brought about by an e-petition is unable to change the law directly, although the results of last week’s trial of huntsman Mark Doggrell — where the victim’s right to review meant the Crown Prosecution Service’s original decision not to prosecute was overturned, resulting in a three-day trial — was also a reminder of the power of the e-petition. Thankfully the jury saw sense and Mr Doggrell was acquitted.

Unbroken will and passion

At the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent (OSB&WK) we have attempted to adapt since the hunting ban by simulating a day’s hunting as closely as possible while remaining within the law.

We lay a fox-based scent over fields, through woodland and in hedgerows and ditches for our huntsman and hounds to find and follow.

We have an obligation to our subscribers, members and supporters to do so. We are invited by landowners and farmers to cross their country and our hunting community continues in much the same way as it always has.

We are a broad church and all are welcome. The will and passion of those involved in hunting was never going to be broken by a few bigoted individuals who did not understand our way of life, and we now know that unjust and bad law forced upon largely law-abiding citizens cannot flourish in our country. Thank goodness for that.

Hunting enjoys widespread support and it is no coincidence that at every agricultural show I’ve attended this year I’ve witnessed a packed main arena whenever a pack of foxhounds appear — be it parading, in a cavalcade or as a celebration of hunting. The same cannot be said for many of those who inhabit the same arena at other times of the day, often including the main attraction.

The OSB&WK have had our first few mornings’ autumn hunting and I found myself waking up at 2am, 3am and 4am just as I had some 45 seasons ago. We continue to respect the past and live in the present, but above all embrace the future.

I suspect Mr Avery and his supporters are singling out grouse shooting because they believe hunting is finished and it is time for them to focus on shooting. Hunting is thriving, not finished, and hunting, shooting and fishing must more than ever before stand shoulder to shoulder and support each other. After all, simulating a day’s shooting is just not possible.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 29 September 2016

The painfully early mornings are worth it when you're following hounds at the most magical time of the day. In this week's issue of Horse & Hound magazine (13 October 2016) we round up autumn hunting reports from across the country.

Hunting and rural communities have come together to donate a horsebox load of rucksacks and sleeping bags to refugees in the Calais’ “Jungle” camp.

The lorry will take the items to the camp on Friday (October 21) ahead of its scheduled disbandment early next week, when around 1,000 unaccompanied children, among others, will be moved to smaller bases around France.

Following a successful track record with last winter’s Country Coats 2 Syria campaign, which resulted in thousands of warm jackets being donated to Syria, the current appeal was launched by the Beaufort Hunt and coordinated by Angela Meade, mother of H&H eventing columnist Harry.

“This started because a friend [Ali Criado Perez] who is a member of Medicine Sans Frontiers has been out to Calais and came back and said it was going from bad to worse,” said Angela.

“The refugee crisis might be an unsolvable problem but we can try to do something for them by giving them warm sleeping bags and bags to carry their belongings in. It’s a small gesture but hopefully it might make life a bit easier.

“After the success of the Coats 2 Syria campaign, we thought ‘hey, we’ve got a network established and a lot of willing people’,” she said.

Angela will drive the lorry to a warehouse in Calais to drop off the bags, returning on Friday night. While this trip is likely to be a one-off, the strong response means more campaigns will probably go ahead in future.

Related articles:

• Campaign co-founder ‘humbled’ by volume of coat donations to Syrian appeal
• Gold medal-winning showjumper sold to Syria
• Syrian showjumper’s father unable to watch his son at Greenwich

“I’m sure something else will come up,” she said. “We must have collected nearly 30,000 coats for Syria. The hunting community has a very wide network and has a lot of very generous people.

 “It’s been a good way to get things out there. Donations do seem to come in from far and wide.”

Each year, the Countryside Alliance‘s hunting newcomers’ week provides the ideal opportunity for those new to the sport to have a go. Newcomers’ week runs from 22-29 October this year with hunts from around the country putting on special meets and events to encourage people to get involved.

Last year, the week introduced hundreds of new people to trail hunting and hunting under the Act. Those hunts taking part are listed below.

Hunt: Carmarthenshire
Event: Newcomers’ meet on Saturday 29 October at 11am
Contact: Annette Kemp on annette2484@hotmail.co.uk for further details

Hunt: College Valley and North Northumberland
Event: Newcomers’ morning on Saturday 22 October at 9am
Contact: Andrew Taylor on 07973 256915 for further details

Hunt: Cottesmore
Event: Newcomers’ meet on Saturday 22 October
Contact: Clare Bell on 07854 587366 for further details

Hunt: Crawley & Horsham Hunt
Event: Newcomers’ day on Saturday 22 October
Contact: Amanda Bentley, amanda-bentley@sky.com for further details

Hunt: Dartmoor
Event: Newcomers’ social evening at 7pm on Friday 21 October. Come and meet a ‘hunting buddy’, try your hand at horn blowing and take part in our quiz. Bar and nibbles available. Followed by our Newcomers’/childrens’ meet on Saturday 22 October
Contact: Amelia Eyston on 07801 108050 for further details

Hunt: East Kent With West Street
Event: Newcomers’ meet on Saturday 22 October at 9.30am
Contact: Lucinda Thompson, lucinda.thompson@btinternet.com for further details

Hunt: Fitzwilliam (Milton)
Event: Newcomers’ meet at 8am on Saturday 29 October
Contact: Karen Silcock on 01487 841722 or secretary@fitzwilliamhunt.com for further details

Hunt: Gelligaer Farmers Hunt
Event: Newcomers’ meet on Wednesday 26 October
Contact: David Burles on 01495 371097 for further information

Hunt: Golden Valley Hunt
Event: Newcomers’/children’s fun Autumn hunting day followed by BBQ on 29 October at 10am. Join us for a “meet the hounds session” before the meet and a hunting knowledge quiz after the meet at the BBQ, with prizes
Contact: the Masters, Darren 07970 623275 or Mike 01982 510231 for further details

Hunt: Hampshire Hunt
Event: Newcomers’ day on Saturday 29 October at 10am
Contact: the secretaries on 01420 562090/07778 393200 info@hampshirehunt.co.uk

Hunt: High Peak Hunt
Event: Newcomers’/Pony Club meet on Wednesday 26 October at 7.30am
Contact: Pip Clayton, Field Secretary on 07970 120966 for further details

Hunt: Jedforest
Contact: Jennie Pole on 07760 238596 for information

Hunt: Lauderdale Hunt
Event: Newcomers’ meet at 9am on Saturday 22 October, to include bacon rolls
Contact: Claire Bellamy on 07929 543693 for further information

Hunt: Meynell & South Staffordshire Hunt
Event: Newcomers’/Pony Club meets at 9am on Saturday 22 October, Thursday 27 October and Saturday 29 October
Contact: Rachael Morley on 07889 083194 or Louise Moore on 07990 550547 for further details and to book your place

Hunt: Middleton
Event: Newcomers’ breakfast meet on Saturday 22 October followed by a ‘meet the team’ day on Monday 24 October
Contact: Brian Tarver brian.tarver@btinternet.com or 07802 906093

Hunt: Modbury Harriers
Event: Newcomers’ meet on Saturday 22 October
Contact: Sorrel Dryden on 07534 222980 for further details

Hunt: North Cotswold
Event: Newcomers’ day on Saturday 29 October
Contact: Emily Russell on 07794 138360 or emily.russell1@me.com for further details

Hunt: North Norfolk Harriers
Event: Monday 24 October 11.00am-12.30pm – Newcomers’ morning at The Kennels. Open to all and is a chance to meet the hounds and staff, explain the hunting day and answer any questions you may have. Followed by a Newcomers’ meet on Tuesday 25 October at 8.30am
Contact: Amanda Brownlow 01263 740446 for further details

Hunt: Oakley Hunt
Event: Newcomers’ meet on Saturday 29 October
Contact: Caroline Evans MFH 07734 418598 for further details

Hunt: Puckeridge
Event: Newcomers’ meet on Saturday 22 October at 7.30am
Contact: Neil Pearson on 01799 584182 (evenings) or 07801 349315 (days) for further details

Hunt: Seavington Hunt
Event: Newcomers’ meet on Saturday 22 October
Contact: Annabelle Boucher on 07946 805696 for further information

Hunt: South Dorset Hunt
Event: Newcomers’ day on Tuesday 25 October. 10am talk from Dominic Jones MFH, 11am mounted meet followed by autumn hunting. Barbecque/burgers etc from 1.30pm
Contact: The Hon Secretary on 01258 860614 for further details

Hunt: South Tetcott Hunt
Event: Newcomers’ meet on Saturday 22 October
Contact: Karen Chubb on 07796 263953 or by email, Karen.chubb71@btinternet.com for further details

Hunt: Spooner’s & West Dartmoor Foxhounds
Event: Saturday October 22 Newcomers’ meet. Breakfast with the Master at 9am
Contact: the Kennels on 01822 852178 for further details or the Secretary, Kate Shobrook on 07966 968578 or secretary@spoonerswd.co.uk

Hunt: Stevenstone
Event: Newcomers’/Pony Club meet on Saturday 22 October at 10am
Contact: Wendy Chope on 07891 329638 for further details

Hunt: Suffolk Hunt
Event: Newcomers’ day on Tuesday 25 October 8am. Breakfast afterwards and meet the team, have all your queries answered
Contact: Clare Brown, hawsteadlodge@gmail.com for further details

Continued below…

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

Hunt: Surrey Union
Event: Newcomers’ meet on Saturday 22 October at 2.30pm
Contact: Catherine Heilbron on 07798 676250 for further details

Hunt: Thurlow Hunt
Event: Newcomers’ day to coincide with breakfast meet on Saturday 29 October at 7.30am
Contact: either Jane Sheppard on 01440 783209, s.j.sheppard@hotmail.co.uk or Mel Sharp on 07714 263601, melsharp@tb-horse.demon.co.uk for further details

Hunt: Warwickshire
Event: Newcomers’ day on Saturday 22 October at 8am
Contact: Charmian Green on 07868 328675 for further details

Hunt: Western Hunt
Event: Newcomers’ meet on Saturday 29 October at 10am. Bacon rolls and hot drinks available
Contact: Sarah Baker on 07818 407484 for further details

Hunt: Woolaston Basset Hounds
Event: Newcomers’ day at the Kennels on Sunday 23 October starting at 2pm
Contact: John Carter on 07968 996725 for further details

There are few better ways to spend a winter's day than on the hunting field. If you fancy having a go, here’s some simple guidelines to bear in mind so you can enjoy your day as much as possible

1. Ring ahead

If you are planning on going hunting, ring the hunt secretary at least one day prior to the meet to introduce yourself and ensure they will be expecting you. This is also a good opportunity to check where parking for the meet is and how much your cap (the fee you pay for your day’s hunting) will be.

2. Don’t be late

It sounds obvious, but you don’t want to miss out on any of the action, plus it’s polite to be prompt! If you’re not a regular, leave yourself extra time to get your stuff together and get on board so you’re not rushing about getting flustered, which your horse is bound to pick up on.

3. Say good morning

When you arrive at the meet, introduce yourself to the hunt secretary who will also take your cap.

4. Dress appropriately

Ratcatcher (hacking jacket) should be worn if you are autumn hunting (prior to your hunt’s opening meet) and a blue coat (for ladies), black coat (for gentlemen) or a hacking jacket may be worn for hunting during the season. It’s also important that you don’t wear anything that could get caught on trees and cause damage to you or your horse. Your horse doesn’t need to be plaited for autumn hunting, but should be clean and tidy.

5. Right of way

Hunt staff and hounds should be given right of way at all times. Turn your horse to face hounds or hunt staff as they pass.

6. Overtaking

Stay behind the field master at all times, follow them wherever they go and pay attention to any instructions they give, such as riding in single file around a headland to avoid ruining crops and field margins.

7. Don’t be noisy

Hunting is a sociable day out, but when hounds are being cast to find a laid-line, speak quietly so that they can get on with their job without any distractions.

8. Know the lingo

While hunting, you are likely to encounter hidden dangers such as holes. It is courteous to warn those behind you of these by saying “ware hole” or “hole on the left/right”. Likewise if the huntsman, whipper-in or hound needs to pass the field, you should let others know by saying “hunt please”, “whip please” or “hound please”. If you pass through an open gate say “gate please” to warn those behind you that the gate needs shutting by the final follower (this applies where there are no gate-shutters in the field or a helpful foot follower present who has offered to open and close the gate — in which case always say thank you to them).

9. Ribbons

If your horse is prone to kicking make sure it is wearing a red ribbon in its tail and keep to the rear of the field. If your horse is young or new to hunting it is recommended that your horse wears a green ribbon in its tail — this not only ensures the safety of others, but will also make your life easier as fellow followers will endeavour to give you extra space.

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

10. Jumping

Don’t approach the jump too closely behind someone else — always try to make sure the horse in front of you has jumped the fence three or four strides before you do. This means that if there is a problem, you have enough time to take appropriate action. Don’t queue-jump when lining up for a fence — it’s a sure fire way of annoying fellow field members! If your horse refuses, don’t immediately pull him left or right away from the fence as another follower might be approaching the fence and you could cut them up and cause an accident — have a look around you before you circle away. Don’t forget, if you don’t want to jump there is nearly always a non-jumping route available.

11. Be courteous

If you come across members of the public while hunting say good morning, always thank traffic as it passes and don’t block the road. When you decide to go home, make sure you say “good night” to the field master even if it’s still morning — this will prevent any confusion as to your sudden disappearance.

12. Have fun!

Most importantly, enjoy your day’s hunting — hopefully it will be the first of many.

Retired jockey Ryan Mania made a successful return to a racecourse on Sunday (23 October) when claiming victory in the charity race at Aintree.

The former Grand National winner teamed up with trainer Donald McCain — who along with his late father Ginger also has a great record at the Liverpool course — to land the 1m5f flat race on Lexi’s Boy.

“It was an incredible feeling to be back here and it brought back so many great memories,” exclaimed Ryan after his victory. “I’m just so grateful to both Donald McCain and Lexi’s Boy’s owner Tim Leslie for giving me the ride.”

Now joint-master and huntsman of the Berwickshire Hunt, Ryan lined up against eight other amateur jockeys — some race-riding for the first time — in the Countryside Alliance Charity Race.

Bloodstock agent David Redvers, joint-master of the Ledbury, claimed second place on board Chapter Seven, just easing out Molly Dingwall, who finished strongly to take third on the Gordon Elliott-trained Steady Major.

A number of the jockeys, including both Mania and Redvers, had worked incredibly hard to make the 12-stone weight.

“I’ve lost over a stone and a half since agreeing to take part,” explained Mania. “Although I miss the competitive — and winning — side of racing, the dieting and travelling for this one race reminded me just how difficult it was so I won’t be reapplying for my license.”

Molly Dingwall, who works for Aintree and won her first ever charity race back in May, was disappointed not to quite snatch second from Redvers: “He finished so strongly and I thought I had just done enough to catch up on the line.”

“Despite all the hard work, early mornings and aching muscles, it’s been well worth it after such a brilliant day — I can not thank my sponsors and supporters enough as well as the connections of my horse including Gordon Elliott and the Racing Club who provided me with my Irish raider.”

In addition to the race, a fundraising lunch and auction were held after the race where the jockeys returned to a heroes’ welcome.

“Thank you to Aintree for hosting the race and for all the support from those at the Countryside Alliance,” said eventer Tessa Dollar who was enjoying her first taste of race-riding. “We — the jockeys — provided the entertainment but the generous winning bidders in the auction really made it a very successful day.”

Related articles:

• Auroras Encore wins the Grand National
• Hold on tight! 11 team chasing pictures that will have you covering your eyes
• 37-year-old pony wins dressage competition

Polly Portwin, H&H’s hunting editor, finisihed fifth riding Ferdy, a seven-year-old trained by local trainer Paul Green. “The whole day was incredible — we were made to feel like complete professionals and it was fantastic to be given the opportunity to ride around this course,” she said.

“Thank you to everybody who made it possible — every one of us that lined up at the start had been given a huge amount of help, advice and support from people involved in racing up and down the country, ensuring we were all well mounted and kitted out correctly with suitable horses and a little extra race-riding knowledge which helped us all to get home safely.”

The other jockeys taking part included joint-master and huntsman Richard Tyacke (Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn’s), Oliver Dale MFH (Ludlow) and Charles Clark MFH from the Holderness, as well as David O’Brien, the 2016 point-to-point season leading veteran and novice rider in the North West who hunts with the Cheshire.

Reports from the ever-popular Countryside Alliance Newcomers’ Week indicate large numbers of people are enjoying hunting for the first time. It looks as though the impact of Brexit may yet be felt in many aspects of our everyday lives, however thankfully hunting continues to be a wonderful distraction from that for all those who follow on horse, on foot or in a car.

Spectacular images from the first of the opening meets have already been coming through, but excitement builds ahead of the big day for the packs getting under way over the coming week. In our hunting special, Adrian Dangar reminds us that however well prepared meets may be, weather conditions on the day will usually determine the sport hounds can provide (see p38), so expectations must be managed.

The number of people riding to hounds continues to grow but the demographics have changed. Many packs now offer day-tickets and packages to make a hunting day more affordable — though this may not make the treasurer smile when frosty weather sees outgoings outweighing income.

Other pressures such as urban growth and rising costs are making it harder for some packs to make ends meet. Frank Houghton Brown considers the viability of hunts and tackles the delicate subject of how amalgamations could help hunting continue to thrive (p32) in certain areas.

For now, let’s celebrate the start of the season and kick on!

Ref Horse & Hound; 27 October 2016

Horse & Hound’s hunting special issue goes on sale today (27 October).

The 22-page hunting special includes the following features:

• A special souvenir cover
• The first in the Hunt Heroes series
• A full hunt directory of mounted and foot packs in the UK and Ireland
• Embarrassing moments on the hunting field
• The effect of weather conditions on the scenting ability of hounds
• How hunts can survive in times of change
• Families that hunt together

The magazine features a special cover that readers can unfold to see the beauty of the Dartmoor hunt country — a simple reminder that riding to hounds is one of the best ways of being able to cross wonderful countryside.

The nine-page detailed hunt directory provides all the necessary information required to set you up if you want to visit another pack this season. Contacting the hunt secretary is the best place to start and they can usually help with meets and parking arrangements.

Hunting is a great way to spend the day with the family but have you ever wondered just how some families manage to turn out six horses and ponies without appearing to turn a hair? Getting one hunter plaited and turned out immaculately can be hard enough so look out for some top tips on saving time that might come in useful.

For those who have ever had the misfortune of embarrassing themselves on the hunting field — perhaps by failing to do up the girth tightly enough before attempting to mount in front of the master then sliding ungracefully under your horse, or “missing” when being given a leg-up — this is a very entertaining read not to be missed.

Related articles:

• 12 ways to make sure your day’s hunting goes as smoothly as possible
• Misty mornings, tiny tots and golden leaves: autumn hunting 2016
• Huntsman acquitted of GBH ‘should never have been prosecuted’

The finer details of how a huntsman decides which way to take his hounds into a covert or how the weather conditions may influence the order of the draw on a day’s hunting are the subject of former master and huntsman Adrian Dangar’s feature on scent. Meanwhile Frank Houghton Brown tackles the delicate subject of amalgamations and other ways that hunts can survive in difficult financial times.

Opening meets are upon us so let’s make the most of every day following hounds this season so you too can concur with Whyte-Melville when he said: “I freely admit that the best of my fun, I owe it to horse and hound.”

The H&H hunting special is on sale today, 27 October.

Tributes have been paid to an equestrian centre owner who died following a fall out hunting yesterday (26 October).

Claire Lowe, who had worked as a constable with Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI), was out with the North Down in the New Line area of Ballygowan when the tragic accident happened.

It is reported the 39-year-old fell while jumping and died shortly afterwards of her injuries.

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said a rapid response paramedic was called to the incident at around 3.20pm.

Carol Mitchell, secretary of the North Down Hunt, confirmed Claire had been out with the pack at its opening meet of the season.

“It was a freak accident and the thoughts of everyone are with Claire’s family and friends during this very difficult time,” she said.

“Claire was an experienced rider who enjoyed her hunting and it really is just a terrible tragedy.”

PSNI superintendent Sean Wright said: “Claire was an experienced and professional police officer with six years’ service.”

“Claire was in the prime of her life. We all knew of her love for horses and for her sport but we also knew her for being a committed police officer who found challenge and reward in serving the local community and in keeping people safe throughout the Lisburn and Castlereagh district.

“Claire’s untimely death has caused shock among her friends and colleagues across PSNI. She will be very much missed by all of us and her loss will be deeply felt for a long time to come.

“Our thoughts are with Claire’s family and friends at this tragic and difficult time.”

One tribute on social media said: “What a beautiful person — you touched the lives of all who crossed your path. A very sad day for the horse world. Thoughts and prayers are with all loved ones at this sad time xx.”

Friend Mary Ann Johnson posted her thoughts on social media last night, shortly after the news broke: “The whole equestrian community must be in complete shock tonight having heard the devastating news of the loss of Claire today,” she wrote.

“The nicest, most genuine person we had the pleasure to meet, will be sadly missed. Total shock and thinking of Claire’s family at this very sad time.”

If you’re looking for a sizeable hunter to help make the country you need to cross this season appear small, take a look at our selection of hunters over 17hh for sale on the Horse & Hound website this week.

1. ‘Opening meet ready’

Height: 17.1hh

Age: seven

Gender: gelding

Selling points: “Very smart looking, sweet, easy horse both on and off the ground. Hunted with the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale and Axe Vale. Autumn hunted 2016 with a number of packs by husband and wife. He has a rubber snaffle mouth, jumps ditches, hedges, wire and timber. Goes in front or at the back and is happy to go off on point. He has evented at BE90 and BE100 level with a clear cross-country record. He is being sold as Brexit has not slowed our business down as we thought it would, so we won’t have as much time for hunting and it is a waste of a seriously good horse.”

View the advert

2. ‘Lovely temperament’

Height: 17hh

Age: 10

Gender: gelding

Selling points: “This Shire X warmblood weight carrier has hunted since he was four-years-old with the Middleton and Derwent. He jumps hedges and ditches etc and is well-schooled. He is easy to handle and is excellent in traffic. He is currently autumn hunting.”

View the advert

3. ‘Exceptionally kind’

Height: 17hh

Age: 12

Gender: gelding

Selling points: “An Irish Draught X thoroughbred by Marmite D’Or. He is an all-round gentleman, with a bold, comfortable and economical jump. He hunts in the front, middle or back of the field in a snaffle and is good in the trailer, with the farrier and in all traffic.”

View the advert

4. ‘Gentleman’s hunter’

Height: 17hh

Age: 13

Gender: gelding

Selling points: “This is an imposing and up-to-weight, well-mannered hunter. He is excellent as a master’s horse, is good to hunt in the field and is also good with hounds. He is easy to clip, box, shoe and in traffic. He is never sick or sorry and is fit and ready to go. A sound, upstanding horse who has real presence and character.”

View the advert

5. ‘Amazing hunter’

Height: 17.2hh

Age: 11

Gender: gelding

Selling points: “This horse has hunted and showjumped in Northern Ireland before going to the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale. He also whipped in for the North Hereford and has hunted with the Ledbury and Worcester. He is an amazing hedge, timber and gate jumper, whether in the field, in front or on his own. He is an extremely loveable, well-mannered gentle giant who is fully fit and ready to go. ”

View the advert

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

6. ‘Will jump anything’

Height: 17.2hh

Age: 10

Gender: gelding

Selling points: “This horse, by Catherston Liberator, has a superb temperament and is very kind and well-mannered. He has hunted with draghounds, foxhounds and bloodhounds and he has also field mastered for the Southern Shires bloodhounds. He is happy in any position within the field, isn’t strong and will jump anything. He has a smooth but careful jump and will look after you. During the summer months he competes in unaffiliated dressage, showjumping and hunter trials. He has three balanced paces, is well schooled and hacks both alone and in company. Good to do.”

View the advert

NB: Horse & Hound has not checked the accuracy of the claims made in these adverts and cannot be held liable if the information included above is inaccurate in any way

View more horses for sale on horseandhound.co.uk

Don’t miss our 22-page hunting special, in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (27 October 2016)

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.

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.

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

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 (17 November 2016), where we’re out with the Royal Artillery, Pytchley and Western

An Essex rider is celebrating her return to the hunting field, three years after she broke her back in a fall and was told she may never ride again.

Kelly Ward sustained a catalogue of injuries in the accident in 2013, when her ex-racehorse Chloe slipped and fell on top of her while out with the Essex hunt.

While Chloe escaped the accident with scrapes, hairdresser Kelly had to be put into an induced coma. The next day, she underwent 10 hours of surgery to repair her spine, which was fractured from T12-L5.

She also broke her foot, tore ligaments in her ankle, punctured her lung and has been left partially sighted in her left eye.

“I was told there was the possibility I may not walk again because of my back, it wasn’t just broken, there was also slight rotation,” said Kelly. “But I was only in hospital for a week after it happened and six weeks later I was back in work.”

Kelly was out of the saddle for 18 months and sold Chloe as she didn’t believe she would ride again, but she kept her other ex-racehorse Bailey (pictured), who went out on loan as she recovered.

Eighteen months later, she got back on Bailey — who had faced his own troubles, losing an eye.

“He’d not been ridden for 18 months and I’d not ridden for 18 months but I got on and we walked, trotted and cantered. He’s been the horse of a lifetime,” she said.

“I have to go out in total body armour now as because of the rotation, a bad fall would risk severing my spinal cord, but we’ve done everything together. Before the accident I just used to hack and hunt but now we go out and do dressage.”

Last week Kelly’s best friend Becki Trembath encouraged her to have her first taste of hunting since the fall, when she lent her ex-point-to-pointer Gav to take to the opening meet.

“Becki was with me when I had my accident and Gav was the horse she was riding,” Kelly explained. “He hunts every week, he knows his job and adores it —he always comes back smiling.

“Two or three days before the meet, Becki asked me what I was doing on Monday — I said I was going to go along and see everyone but she asked me if I wanted to ride.

Related articles:

• Misty mornings, tiny tots and golden leaves: autumn hunting 2016
• Huntsman acquitted of GBH ‘should never have been prosecuted’
• Rider who was a ‘hair’s breadth from being paralysed’ comes back to win BE event

“I said ‘my horse isn’t fit enough’ and she said ‘you can take mine’.

I hadn’t been out for several seasons and I stupidly agreed! It was amazing — I anticipated being nervous but I didn’t feel nervous, I was quickly raring to get on and jump some ditches!”