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.

Continued below…

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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.

With autumn hunting underway for a lot of packs throughout the country, take a look at this selection of hunters for sale that could be your perfect partner this season on the Horse & Hound website this week.

1. ‘Handsome’

Height: 17hh

Gender: gelding

Age: eight

Selling points: “This Irish gelding has a super temperament and is easy to do both on the ground and while ridden. He has a lovely character, works well on the flat, loves to hack, hunt and go cross-country. He is a good all-rounder with plenty of bone and hacks both alone and in company. He is quiet to ride and is a kind and gentle horse that wants to please. He doesn’t need to be be ridden all the time to stay calm and is an easy ride. No vices.”

View the advert

2. ‘Smart’

Height: 16.2hh

Gender: gelding

Age: nine

Selling points: “This is a very brave and compact horse that loves his hunting. He is very brave across any country and is snaffle mouthed. He is happy to go off and jump on his own at the front, is good with hounds and will hunt all day. He would easily make a hunt servant’s horse and is easy to do. He has been on hound exercise and is now autumn hunting. Not a novice ride.”

View the advert

3. ‘Fabulous all-rounder’

Height: 15.3hh

Gender: gelding

Age: 10

Selling points: “Chucky has hunted with the Berkeley, Cotswold Vale Farmers Hunt and Egglesford. He hacks alone and in company and has been cross-country and showjumping schooled. He has done fun rides and has a nice jump. He is easy to do and good in traffic, with a smashing temperament. Chucky is a good sturdy chap and has no vices.”

View the advert

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4. ‘Fantastic, safe and reliable

Height: 15hh

Gender: gelding

Age: 10

Selling points: “This registered Connemara is anyone’s ride. He has a pony brain, but looks like a smart, small horse. He has a snaffle mouth and has hunted six seasons. He has been ridden by all members of the family, from nine-years-old to nearly 50. He has hunted on Exmoor and Dartmoor (he goes superbly over moorland) and also regularly with the Tiverton and Silverton, plus the odd day with the Cotley, Beaufort, Heythrop and Taunton Vale. He has attended camps and fun rides, he can be ridden alone or in company and can be led out or lead others. He is always the same and doesn’t change if he isn’t ridden for a while. Very low maintenance and good to do.”

View the advert

5. ‘Wow factor’

Height: 16.2hh

Gender: gelding

Age: nine

Selling points: “This horse has very good bone and hunted the 2016/17 season with the Wilton, enjoying days out with the Ledbury, Portman and Blackmore Vale. He jumps everything, including the vale hedges, with ease. He transforms into the ultimate dressage horse in the summer where the judges love him and he also enjoys showjumping. He has been produced slowly and correctly and occasionally competes at BE90. He is super-safe, sociable and easy to do.”

View the advert

View more horses for sale on horseandhound.co.uk

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

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.

Continued below…

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Golden rules for first-timers

• Find out who the master is and say good morning
• Never overtake the field master, and always listen carefully to his instructions
• Always thank traffic that slows down or stops
• Never block the road
• Don’t park in gateways or driveways unless specifically told you can
• If you hear the shout “huntsman please!” or “whip please!” get out of the way sharpish so they can get through
• Always call them hounds, not dogs
• Always shut gates if you are the last through unless told otherwise, and if the person in front of you shouts “gate, please!” pass it back to the next person
• Do turn your mobile phone off, and talk quietly while standing at the side of a covert — the huntsman will not be pleased to hear you shrieking about what you got up to the night before
• Never ride across the middle of a field of sown corn, even if you see hunt staff doing so
• Do ask questions about what is going on. The more you understand about a day’s hunting, the more you will enjoy it. People will be very happy to answer your queries
• Do find the field master/master/secretary before you go home and say thank you and good night, which is the traditional way to say goodbye — even at 9am

It might be a month until the opening meet, but autumn hunting is well underway and hounds, hunt staff and followers all over the country are in the thick of one of the busiest times of the hunting year. Here’s what you need to know about autumn hunting…

1. It happens early. Very early. Get used to setting your alarm for 5am — and if you ‘snooze’, you lose.

2. It’s awesome. Fewer people, closer to the hounds, gorgeous misty mornings. Of course it plays a serious role in educating hounds, horses and humans, but really we love it because it’s the best bit of the season.

3. You can actually do a day’s work as well afterwards. You might not be that productive, but you can sit in the office and fiddle with a spreadsheet, surreptitiously yawning. Much coffee is needed.

4. Quite often, your hunting clothes appear to have shrunk over the summer. It’s not them, it’s you.

5. But we love tweed. So much lower maintenance than black or blue, which shows every bit of dirt. And brown boots look great — just remember to change your spur straps to brown as well.

6. And no plaiting, hurrah!

7. We’re not sure about hipflasks. Is damson gin before 8am a bit much?

8. Ooh, breakfast. A bacon and egg roll won’t help with point number four, but after a 5am start and four hours on a horse who thinks this new game is, like, totally exciting, you deserve it.

9. Planning is key. Get everything ready the night before and laid out for the morning. You do not want to be searching for your martingale or hairnet at 5am, waking up everyone else who is not so enamoured by an early start.

Continued below…

Expand 8 ways to avoid looking flustered on your first day autumn hunting

8 ways to avoid looking flustered on your first day autumn hunting

Take a look at our top tips on…

Horse & Hound’s top tip: If you have small children to take autumn hunting, there is nothing wrong with sending them to bed wearing their hunting clothes – minus the hat, boots and coat, obviously – the night before to save time.

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 21-28 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: Curre & Llangibby Hunt
Event: Meet at 10am on Saturday 21 October at The Hall Inn, Gwehelog, Nr Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1RB
Contact: Charlotte Breese at charbre22@gmail.com

Hunt: Dunston Harriers
Event: Early morning meet on Saturday 21 October
Contact: Please contact Hon Secretary Bridget McTear 07554 881588 for all details

Hunt: Hursley Hambledon Hunt
Event: Newcomers’ meet on Wednesday 25 October at 10am at Broomfield House, Southwick PO7 5SA
Contact: Helen Coker secretary@hursleyhambledon.com or visit www.hursleyhambledon.com

Hunt: Meynell & South Staffordshire Hunt
Event: Meet at Manor Farm, Caldwell DE12 6RS on Saturday 21 October and Penny’s Turn DE13 8BN (Scotch Hills Lane / Dunstall Rd crossroads) on Thursday 26 October. Plus The Deer Park, Hoar Cross DE13 8QR on Saturday 28 October
Contact: Rachael Morley on 07889 083194 or Louise Moore on 07803 778356 for further details and to book your place or more information is available on www.mssh.co.uk/newcomers-and-visitors

Hunt: North Cotswold
Event: Newcomers’ day on Saturday 28 October
Contact: Emily Hoyles on 07794 138360 for further details

Hunt: South Dorset Hunt
Event: Newcomers’ day on Saturday 21 October at 10am
Contact: The Hon Secretary Louly Thornycroft at loulythornycroft@gmail.com for further details

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Hunt: Taunton Vale Foxhounds
Event: Newcomers’ meet on Monday 23 October
Contact: Jenny Parsons on 01823 680238  for further details

Hunt: The Premier Harrier Hunt Club
Event: Newcomers’ meet on Sunday 29 October at Cahir, Ireland
Contact: Please contact hunt secretary Susan Long on +353864108362 for further details

Hunt: The VWH
Event: Newcomers’ week from Saturday 21 October
Contact: Please contact Sophie Scruton MFH if you would like to come at rogerandsophie@mac.com

Don’t miss the Horse & Hound hunting special issue, out on Thursday 26 October

A proposal to ban trail-hunting on National Trust land has been defeated.

Members of the National Trust voted yesterday (Saturday, 21 October) at the organisation’s AGM in Swindon on the subject. The result saw 30,985 vote against the resolution, while 30,686 voted in favour of it.

Polly Portwin, head of hunting at the Countryside Alliance, who attended the AGM, said: “While we are happy with the outcome of the vote, the resolution was ill-informed, unnecessary and has wasted a huge amount of the Trust’s time and money. In the end, despite months of campaigning by animal rights charities less than 1% of the Trust’s membership could be persuaded to support a ban on trail-hunting.

“After a very lively AGM and long campaign we are delighted that the motion put forward has been defeated and that the Trust’s board advised members to vote against it. Hunting remains an important element of the rural community and it is good news that hunts will continue to be able to access National Trust land as they have done for generations.”

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A spokesman for the National Trust said: “National Trust members at today’s annual general meeting have voted against a resolution for the cessation of trail-hunting on all land belonging to the charity.

“Prior to the vote, the charity’s board of trustees had recommended that the activity should be allowed to continue after recent improvements in licensing conditions to further safeguard conservation and access on the Trust’s land.

“The conservation charity has been carefully listening to both sides of a highly polarised and passionate debate for years.

“We are pleased members have had the opportunity to debate this issue and have voted to support the Trustees’ position.”

Under National Trust rules, members cannot now introduce another motion to ban hunting for four years.

Read more on this story in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 26 October

Five former racehorses will take to the hallowed turf at Aintree on Sunday (29 October), however, it won’t be a case of who can get their head in front this time — they will, instead, be showing off their skills and versatility developed on the hunting field.

The retrained thoroughbreds and their riders will be taking part in the final of the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) “Racing to Hunting Challenge”. Launched in January this year, it promotes ex-racehorses who have adapted particularly well in their second career of hunting.

The finalists — from a list of 30 — will face a series of challenges, including jumping obstacles that they might come across on a day’s hunting. They will also parade with the Holcombe Harriers hounds, with their behaviour and performance being monitored by the knowledgeable judging panel.

Commentator Mike Tucker heads the panel, which also includes H&H racing correspondent Marcus Armytage, the Hon Lucinda Cavendish and Rupert Nuttall, who visited each horse in action on the hunting field.

The winning rider will be the recipient of the Meriel Tufnell Trophy and £2,500 prize-money, while their hunt will receive £1,000.

Ahead of the big occasion on Countryside Day — which features the Grade Two Old Roan Chase, plus a charity race in aid of the Countryside Alliance — H&H found out more about the five finalists:

AccordintoLawrence ridden by Hannah Lloyd (Cattistock)

An 11-year-old by Accordion who was formally trained by Charlie Longsdon and was leased to run in the name of the TV show Soccer AM. Hannah was asked by Charlie to take him hunting and she quickly realised “Lawrence” preferred hunting to racing — she’s now had him for five seasons.

“He’s a dream to have in the yard and I’m very lucky to have been given him by my old boss,” says Hannah. “I’ve put many of my friends up on him for a day’s hunting as I know he is safe, but fun. His love for the hounds and hunting is extraordinary.”

Brumous ridden by Melanie Duff (VWH)

The 17-year-old gelding was gifted by his former trainer Oliver Sherwood to Melanie in 2009. He has since not missed a season — regularly hunting two-and-a-half days a week.

“He is a true legend on the hunting field, he has mastered, whipped in and been a part of the field,” says Melanie. “He stands at the meet, will wait quietly in line before a fence and potter around happily on the more quiet days.

“Come to the big days, he is in his element — brave as a lion and as reliable as a Labrador.”

Prince Car (below, right) ridden by Lauren Poulton (Radnor & West Hereford)

Described by Lauren as her “horse of a lifetime”, the 14-year-old had a successful career point-to-pointing before switching to hunting, which they have done regularly for the past seven seasons.
Alongside taking part in both showing and showjumping, the pair also completed the famous Golden Button hunt race.

Seaniethesmuggler (main picture, top) ridden by Stephanie Finlay (Ludlow)

The former point-to-point schoolmaster, who is now 19, enjoys his “retirement” on the hunting field with Saturday master Stephanie.

“Seanie was immediately pitched straight in at the deep end to fieldmaster on Saturdays, such was my trust of this horse,” she says. “He did not only have impeccable manners, but also the raw ability to cross the trappy Ludlow country with ease.”

Sound Of Cheers ridden by Isabel Barker (Yorkshire Farmers Bloodhounds)

A son of world champion miler Zilzal, the 20-year-old started his racing career in Hong Kong before returning to the UK — in total he ran 76 times, wining over fences and a hurdle race.

“He is never strong but will always keep up and stay with hounds taking hedges, timber, dykes and ditches in his stride,” says Isabel. “He will go first being the jumping fieldmaster or hang at the back and shut gates. He is great with hounds and has proved himself ‘whipping in’ for the bloodhounds on a few occasions.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

If you're keen to show willing and impress on the hunting field, take a look at these useful tips from Tessa Waugh

• You have far more of a chance of being helpful if you pay attention to what is going on around you. Stop chatting (not all day — we’re allowed a bit of fun) about last night’s party or so and so’s new horse, and look and listen.

• When you come to a closed gate and you see the field master looking around, quickly volunteer to open it. If you have to get off your horse, so much the better. It’s great for your hunting-cred — everyone will file past thanking you and thinking that you’re marvellous.

• Similarly, if you see the huntsman or master and the hounds heading in the direction of a closed gate with no-one to help him, ask the field master if you can go and open it.

• If you hunt with a pack which doesn’t have nominated gate-shutters, try and close a few gates after everyone else has gone through — and not just the nice swingy ones with the latches that you can do from your horse. Get off and do the miserable one off its hinges in a bog. With any luck, someone else will be there to hold your horse.

• Look out for any stock in the fields you are going through. If you see a herd of cattle charging towards an open gate which members of the field are exiting, position your horse between the gate and the cattle to prevent them from escaping. If any stock get out, offer to help get them back in.

• Try to get to know the farmers whose land you are crossing so that when you come across them, perhaps holding a gate open, you can smile and politely pass the time of day, rather than barging through and shouting “gate please” without giving said farmer (whose land you are on) a second glance.

• If one of your fellow field members is struggling with a piece of tack or wanting to get off for any reason, volunteer to hold their horse. Likewise, if you see the master or hunt staff getting off their horse for any reason, offer to go and hold it for them.

Continued below…

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A fear of blackthorns — and 24 other signs you’re addicted to hunting

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• If you see a loose horse, try catching it and taking it back to its rider. It is a massive bore going back, particularly if hounds are running, but the shoe might be on the other foot another day.

• When you are on a road, be aware of any traffic that can’t get through, get out of the way quickly and send the message forward by shouting “car please”. Any communication that encourages better relations between hunting and non-hunting people is a good thing.

Don’t miss the hunting special of Horse & Hound magazine, out today (26 October 2017), with our hunting directory and a quiz to find out if you’re a ‘real hunting person’

Offering your hipflask around is the perfect ice-breaker on the hunting field. And who doesn’t get braver after a swig of booze on an empty stomach? But what’s the perfect hunting tipple?

I have to admit I started young — my mother considered cherry brandy (which does, after all, taste like high-quality cough medicine) completely acceptable from about the age of 10 onwards.

No point ringing Childline now, but probably safer to stick to Ribena for the younger generation… The standards are port, whisky, sloe gin and cherry brandy. But there are almost infinite variations of hipflask recipes, from the sublime to the ridiculous.

H&H canvassed some hardcore hunting people for their opinions:

Hannah Vowles: plum gin or rhubarb vodka. “Jumping juice for the Portman vale.”

George Bowyer: Percy Special (one part whisky to one part cherry brandy), or Rusty Nail (Drambuie and Scotch)

Ruth Edge: orange gin

Jo Geddes: Skittles vodka (put Skittles and vodka in a bottle through a cycle in the dishwasher to shake it all up)

Flora Watkins: sloe and blackberry gin, or toffee vodka (Werthers Originals and vodka) — the latter is also a favourite of FEI vet Ali Butler’s

Belinda Sparey: blackberry whisky

Jane Starkey: ‘Singing Johnny’ – blackcurrants and whisky

Simon Hodgkinson: cherry gin

Harry Wallace: Percy Special

Daniel Crane: Kentucky Lucky (50% Kentucky bourbon, 50% port. “Try it if you dare!” he says.

Max Douglas: plum rum (damsons and Bacardi)

William Fox Grant: damson gin with almonds

Carrie Tucker: raspberry vodka

Netty Higgins: Damson brandy

Jane Hedley: one part gin to two parts peach schnapps

Charles Landless: mixture of sloe brandy, port and ginger wine

Charlie and Clare Gundry: Stroh ‘80’ or Spiritus Rektyfikowany. Clare says: “Will put you in hospital, but by God you will cross the country first…” (ed — don’t try this at home unless you are a Gundry).

Other votes went to gooseberry gin, rhubarb gin, greengage gin — you get the gist.

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Popular ingredients for hipflask recipes (over 18s)

• Tesco Dry London Gin 70Cl from £11
• Gordon’s Sloe Gin 70Cl from £14
• Gordon’s Special Dry London Gin 1L from £16
• Tesco Ruby Port 75Cl from £6.75
• Cockburns Fine Ruby Port 75Cl from £10
• Tesco Finest Cherry Brandy 50Cl from £9
• The Famous Grouse Scotch Whisky 1 Litre from £16
• Bell’s Original Whisky 1 Litre from £16

Both Matthew Wright and Emily MacMahon suggested poitin, a spirit distilled from potatoes and for a long time illegal… “You become as brave as a lion and can’t feel the cold — but after a few gulps you can’t feel anything!” says Emily. Matthew adds a drop of crème de cassis, so you can enjoy the taste while going blind…

And Sophie Wythe suggested Killepitsch, apparently a blood-red herb liqueur from Germany. “Its taste is verging on medicinal, but it gives you bravery, warmth and the courage to kiss the most handsome chap around!” Bottle for the hunting editor, please.

But beware. Oliver Blackwell keeps it simple. “Neat gin. I say it is port and enjoy watching the reactions…” And in a similar vein Ginny Gilmore says: “Whisky every time. Hardly anyone likes it so you get to have it all to yourself.” No wonder she’s so brave over a Wynnstay hedge.

And, lest some readers worry that all hunting people are serious alcoholics, Cottesmore hunt secretary Clare Bell can allay their fears. “I am doing sober October — which is very over-rated — so took a Bottlegreen ginger and lemongrass presse [BUY NOW] in my hipflask to the opening meets of the Quorn and Cottesmore. It was 17ºC and my flask was much in demand!”

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Other ingredients for hipflask recipes (over 18s)

• Drambuie Liqueur 70Cl from £25.50
• Smirnoff Red Vodka 50Cl from £12.50
• Russian Standard Vodka 1Lt from £19.50
• Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum 70Cl from £14.50
• Archers Peach Schnapps 70Cl from £12.50

Hannah Vowles’ rhubarb vodka and plum gin recipes:

“Cheap vodka, ripe rhubarb. Slice rhubarb into long, thin strips and take off tough outer skin. Put into half a bottle of vodka. Add a few big spoons of caster sugar and leave. Turn once a week. Leave as long as you — I do nine months minimum — and it goes a really lovely pink colour. Extra sugar to taste as the rhubarb can be a bit tart.”

“For plum gin, use a quarter of plums to three-quarters cheap gin. Leave skin on and shove into gin with a few spoons of sugar and leave. Give a good shake once a week and taste often. Decant when it tastes right!”

Don’t miss the latest issue of Horse & Hound magazine, out now (26 October), for the hunting special, with our full directory and a quiz to find out how hard-core you are on the hunting field

Our pick of equestrian properties for sale in enviable hunting country

1. The Old Rectory, Gloucestershire

Hunting country: Duke of Beaufort’s
For you: a beautifully restored Cotswold rectory from around 1865 with later additions. There are eight bedrooms, a cloakroom, cellar, swimming pool, gym, boot room and a four-bay oak-framed garage. There’s also a two-bedroom converted coach house.
For the horses: a block with two looseboxes, complete with water and electricity. The paddocks amount to four acres and are walled and fenced, with a water supply.
What’s the damage? £2.5m
Agent: Butler Sherborn
Telephone: 01285 883740
Visit: butlersherborn.co.uk

2. The Manor, Oxfordshire

Hunting country: Vale of The White Horse (VWH)
For you: a Grade II-listed house with five bedrooms, five reception rooms, a garden room, a double garage with a first- floor games room/office above, wood store and attached stone barn with loft storage. The landscaped gardens feature distinct areas, including formal gardens with box hedging.
For the horses: a block with three stables and a tack room. The property is set in an idyllic location, surrounded by parkland, with 10 acres.
What’s the damage? £1.35m
Agent: Butler Sherborn
Telephone: 01993 822325
Visit: butlersherborn.co.uk

3. New House Farm, Shropshire

Hunting country: Sir Watkin Williams Wynn (the Wynnstay)
For you: a sympathetically refurbished Edwardian farmhouse with six bedrooms, an office, cellar, cloak/boot room and an orchard in the gardens.
For the horses: four stables, two youngstock pens, a tack room, an outdoor arena, a store providing undercover parking for lorries/machinery as well as about 22.5 acres of paddock land divided into various enclosures, all with water drinkers.
What’s the damage? £925,000
Agent: Jackson Equestrian
Telephone: 01743 709249
Visit: jacksonequestrian.com

Continued below…

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Put down horsey roots in wonderful Warwickshire

Our pick of properties in the county, from a moated manor to the perfect equestrian plot

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4. Heatherlea, Co. Durham

Hunting country: Braes of Derwent
For you: an extended four- bedroom Edwardian country house with galleried landing. There is also a double garage.
For the horses: four stables, outbuildings and a paddock, with post-and-rail fences. Set in 4.3 acres with a further 18 acres available by separate negotiation, including three trout ponds.
What’s the damage? £795,000
Agent: Finest Property
Telephone: 01434 622234
Visit: finestproperties.co.uk

Next week: Equestrian properties for sale in Dorset

Don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (26 October 2017), with our hunting special

Ref: Horse & Hound; 26 October 2017

Followers of the Bicester with Whaddon Chase were surprised when Ben Stockley arrived on the hunting field last Monday (23 October) with his horse wearing no bridle – just a headcollar.

“He hunted for about four hours and had more control than several members of the field – including me – whose horses had lots of brakes fitted!” reported Fiona Dunlop, who was hunting that morning.

It wasn’t a deliberate move on Ben’s part, however. He just forgot his bridle.

“The worst thing is, it isn’t the first time I have forgotten to bring a bridle to that meet!” said Ben. “I was running late already because I put the wrong postcode into my sat nav, and there wasn’t time to rummage through friends’ lorries looking for a bridle, so I just thought, ‘sod it’, and hopped on.”

Ben, who runs a competition yard near Bicester with his partner, Ed Eltham and who is chief instructor to the Whaddon branch of the Pony Club, was riding a nine-year-old mare called Bonny.

“She’s just been sold to Liz and Amy Hulbert and will go eventing next year,” said Ben. “There aren’t many horses I could have done that on – she was good as gold. She’s such a sweet-natured, easy mare and we had a lovely morning.

“She was already wearing her breastplate, martingale and saddle, so I just attached the martingale to the headcollar and we set off. My brakes were fine!

“There was a lot of laughing when I first appeared.”

Horse & Hound’s hunting special is on sale now. Don’t miss our complete guide to packs in Britain and Ireland, as well as an interview with Wynnstay joint-master and huntsman Richard Tyacke, Grafton huntsman Mick Wills on the man who inspired him most, Beanie Sturgis on how to educate your horse in the hunting field and more.

To celebrate this week’s hunting special of Horse & Hound magazine (26 October 2017), 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.

Continued below…

12 ways to make sure your day’s hunting goes as smoothly as possible

To help you enjoy your day as much as possible, here are some simple rules you need to bear in…

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 this week’s hunting special of Horse & Hound magazine (26 October 2017), with our hunt directory and a quiz to find out how hard-core you are on the hunting field

An “absolute saint” has taken the £2,500 top prize in the first Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) racing to hunting challenge.

Melanie Duff’s Brumous, who hunts with the Vale of the White Horse, was named the winner at the competition final at Aintree on Sunday (29 October).

The 17-year-old gelding was given to Melanie by his former trainer Oliver Sherwood in 2009 and has not missed a season in the field since.

“I’m thrilled to have won and couldn’t have done it without real teamwork,” Melanie said.

“I am privileged to have him, he’s an absolute saint and as good as hunter anyone could wish for. He’s a pleasure to do in all ways; he’s been half-asleep all day, which is a testament to his incredible nature.”

The competition was aimed at showcasing the versatility of thoroughbreds, and judges were looking for a horse who “really made a contribution to a day’s hunting as well as jumping big hedges; one who is well-mannered enough to be on gate duty, for example”.

From the first 30 nominations received, a judging panel including Mike Tucker, Joey Newton, The Hon Lucinda Cavendish, Sir Jonathan Clark and Marcus Armytage reviewed the submissions.

The judges then asked for video footage, or visited the horses in action during the early part of the current season, and the five finalists were invited to Aintree for Sunday’s final.

Each combination had a short warm-up, after which a hunting horn announced the start of their round. They were required to jump two “sizeable” fences, open a hunting gate and jump one final fence.

The second part of the final was a hound parade with the Holcombe Harriers in front of the judges.

RoR chief executive Di Arbuthnot said: “Congratulations to the five finalists, especially to Melanie and Brumous, they have set an extremely high standard for this challenge going forward.

“The horses were a credit to their connections and this was a tremendous start to this inaugural racing to hunting challenge. Thank you to all involved especially Aintree Racecourse and our fantastic team of judges.”

Former equestrian commentator and challenge chairman Mike Tucker announced the winner, with The Hon Lucinda Cavendish presenting the £2,500 cheque and winner’s rug to Melanie Duff and Brumous.

Each of the four runners-up won an RoR decanter and two glasses.

Article continues below…

Expand No bridle? No problem! Forgetful hunt follower uses headcollar instead

No bridle? No problem! Forgetful hunt follower uses headcollar instead

Followers of the Bicester with Whaddon Chase were…

Expand ‘I don’t do things by halves’: from absolute beginner to Boxing Day hunting in five weeks

‘I don’t do things by halves’: from absolute beginner to Boxing Day hunting in five weeks

The owner of a building company took an…

Expand 32-year-old hunting mare going strong in her 27th season

32-year-old hunting mare going strong in her 27th season

Queenie's 77-year-old owner regularly takes her out, with…

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“Thank you to RoR for running this fantastic challenge,” Melanie added. “None of us really knew what today would hold, but it’s been great fun and a real pleasure.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

With opening meets taking place across the country, we take a look back at some memorable autumn hunting moments from 2017: think misty mornings, technicolour sunrises and stubble fields worthy of an oil painting...

Don’t miss our hunting special of Horse & Hound magazine (26 October 2017), out now, complete with our hunting directory

Gloucestershire-based eventer Beanie Sturgis, 43, knows a thing or two about running a slick yard.

She gained her best-ever Badminton result and four-star placing in 2016 (11th with the recently retired Lebowski) and in 2017 she was awarded an Armada Dish 
(the prize awarded for completing the competition at Badminton five times).

Beanie is also a field master for the Duke of Beaufort’s, 
a listed show judge and a cross-country course-designer.

Here she shares her no-nonsense tips for saving time and money on the yard:

“These [tips] might not suit everyone, but they work for us,” says Beanie.

1. A loose tail-bandage after washing off helps stop horses breaking out [in sweat].

2. A loop of string on a hoof pick is a perfect one-man twitch. Put it on and push the pick, pointing out, through the nose-buckle of a headcollar. It saves you being clonked on the head by a wooden-handled one, too.

3. For hoof oil, mix one-third Stockholm tar with two-thirds cod liver oil. Both are good for feet and it is shiny and cheap.

4. For tail conditioner, we use supermarket own-brand furniture polish.

5. Use long-nose pliers for pulling the sides of tails.

6. For saddle soap, melt four bars of glycerine saddle soap, then add three-quarters of a pint of milk and quarter of a pint of water and let set.

7. Travel saddled up with stirrups pulled down [when you’re going hunting] — it saves ruining saddles and rugs when horses lean on partitions.

8. Use a summer sheet under your rugs which can then be washed weekly to keep horses clean.

9. Use the wheelbarrow handles to hook haynets on when filling.

Continued below…

14 things that make the perfect livery yard

We asked you what you love or dream of on your livery yard and this is what you came up…

11 tips to speed things up around the yard

Here are a few time saving horse care tips to make life at the yard run that little bit more…

10. My secret weapon is a neck strap. I ride everything with one, even when I’m judging show horses. I’m sure everyone thinks I’m terribly windy, but if they want to follow me around Badminton, they can.

11. How to save time around the yard? Don’t have coffee breaks. By the time you’ve made a cup, you could have been riding a horse.

Don’t miss this week’s hunting special of Horse & Hound, where Beanie Sturgis gives her  tips for introducing horses to the hunting field, plus you can take a quiz to find out how hard-core you are when it comes to hunting — and much more

For these horses, as one door has closed, another has opened. We take a look at the equine stars that have made a second career for themselves on the hunting field…

Lenamore

The 2010 Burghley winner, who also completed Badminton seven times in a row, finishing in the top 12 five times, retired to the hunting field when he finished competing prior to the 2013 eventing season. Earlier this year, US rider, Theresa Sanders, secured a day’s hunting with the Warwickshire on Lenamore (pictured) thanks to a successful bid of £1,100 in a charity auction and the generosity of his owner Lexi Jackson.

Denman and Big Buck’s

This pair of former National Hunt stars, who were both trained by Paul Nicholls, retired to the hunting field, before being fully retired earlier this year. Denman (left), the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, was ridden by Charlotte Alexander, while Big Buck’s, a hurdling hero who won 18 races in a row, has been hunted by Lucy Tucker — the pair pictured here with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale in 2014.

Bob’s Worth

Charlie and Tracy Vigors, who run Hillwood Stud in Wiltshire, took on former National Hunt star Bob’s Worth following his retirement from racing in 2016. The 12-year-old, who was trained by Nicky Henderson, won the Hennesy Gold Cup in 2012 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2013. He is pictured here hunting with the Vine & Craven in November 2016 with Charlie and his son Harry.

Chance Du Roy

The Philip Hobbs-trained 2013 Becher Chase winner, who was also sixth in the 2014 Grand National, is pictured here autumn hunting a few weeks ago in Somerset with Laura Parker.

Another Breakfast

This 15-year-old was evented successfully to three-star level with H&H blogger Rosie Fry before he was retired. He is pictured autumn hunting a few weeks ago with the Cattistock.

Lebowski

This quirky horse was evented to four-star level by Beanie Sturgis. Before retiring in September, ‘Rotter’, who was bred for polo, was 11th at Badminton in 2016 and notched another two cross-country clears at this event this year and in 2013. He can now be found enjoying his second career with the Beaufort and is seen here being held by Beanie’s daughter, Ruby.

Menorah

Menorah, who was trained by Philip Hobbs, was retired from National Hunt racing in March this year. He won the Oaksey Chase at Sandown four times and can now be found hunting with his former jockey, Richard Johnson, with whom the 12-year-old also lives.

130 Beluga

After serving for many years with the King’s Troop, this mare, called 130 Beluga, is now loving her new hunting job with her loaner, Natalie Poulton

Continued below…

Expand Horse & Hound’s ultimate A-Z of hunting

Horse & Hound’s ultimate A-Z of hunting

To celebrate this week’s hunting special of Horse…

Izzy Taylor

A busy day yesterday field mastering with the kids out enjoying their hunting too. Today marks the start of our eventing…

Posted by Izzy Taylor Eventing on Sunday, March 6, 2016

It’s not just famous horses that can be found on the hunting field. Izzy Taylor, who has enjoyed a bumper season of competition, resulting in her being second in the British Eventing rankings and 13th in the world, also enjoys squeezing in as many day’s hunting as she can, predominantly with the Bicester with Whaddon Chase.

William Fox-Pitt

Adventures of Emily and Harvey

A post shared by Alice Fox Pitt (@alicefoxpittplunkett) on Dec 3, 2016 at 2:02pm PST

This event rider, who needs no introduction, is partial to the odd day with the Portman.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

A family has paid tribute to their long-serving veteran hunter, who is set to retire at the end of this season after 21 unbroken years in the hunting field.

Twenty-five-year-old Irish Draught Ross was bought as a just-backed three-year-old by then novice rider Seamus O’Rourke and began his hunting career the next year.

While on paper they may not have seemed the most likely partnership, the gelding has gone on to be the horse of a lifetime.

“He was daddy’s first horse and he went out and bought himself a three-year-old — he doesn’t do things by halves,” said Seamus’s daughter Julie Kinkaid. “He was probably ill-advised by my uncle who used to hunt and is a bit of a free spirit!”

Julie explained that her father had never sat on a horse until he was 30, when she acquired a pony that could be naughty.

“He’d ride it for us because he was stronger. That was it then, he was bitten by the bug,” she said. “I think with Ross it was probably having no knowledge that helped him get away with it — they just tore on.”

Incredibly, the 15.2hh gelding has never been “sick or sorry” in all the years Seamus has owned him, and has faithfully hunted every season, usually once a week.

“He picked up an injury four or five years ago in the field when he cut himself on a rock on his hip. He has a impressive scar there but it was in the summer and it didn’t do him any lasting harm. He was fine by the time he needed to hunt again,” said Julie.

The long partnership has included a spell fieldmastering for the County Down Bloodhounds, before they were disbanded, while they currently hunt with the Newry Harriers in County Down, Northern Ireland.

“You’d see all these expensive horses and they’d not want to go over the jumps and then wee Ross would come flying along and lead them,” Julie recalled.

Julie said that while “he hasn’t got a bad bone in his body”, the horse can still be a bit of a handful.

“I rode him a couple of years ago and he took off with me and I couldn’t stop,” she said. “People can’t believe he’s 25, he’s still as mad as a hatter. I can hardly lead him to the field as he bounces along like a dressage horse.

Expand ‘I don’t do things by halves’: from absolute beginner to Boxing Day hunting in five weeks

‘I don’t do things by halves’: from absolute beginner to Boxing Day hunting in five weeks

The owner of a building company took an…

Expand No bridle? No problem! Forgetful hunt follower uses headcollar instead

No bridle? No problem! Forgetful hunt follower uses headcollar instead

Followers of the Bicester with Whaddon Chase were…

Expand 32-year-old hunting mare going strong in her 27th season

32-year-old hunting mare going strong in her 27th season

Queenie's 77-year-old owner regularly takes her out, with…

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“If you give him four days off he’ll go sideways down the road when you take him out. He’s full of life — that’s what daddy likes about him so much, his spirit. He wishes he could box it.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

The 8 Outdoor Melton Hunt Club Ride, which takes place this Sunday (19 November), is an extraordinary test of horse and rider. It demands an extremely high level of fitness from both, as well as bravery, scope and stamina from the horse – and mental agility and planning from the rider.

Between 30 and 40 horses usually line up to race across natural Leicestershire hunting country – this year the Cottesmore Saturday country south of the Oakham-Tilton-on-the-Hill road. They will tackle hedges, hunt jumps and the odd ditch, but what makes the Melton special is that there are very few direction flags on the course, and riders must choose the line across country that best suits their horse.

Between the start and the finish of this year’s course – created by Cottesmore farmer Richard Walker – there are only seven red or white flags. This means that there are a variety of ways to tackle the three-mile track and competitors must walk the route very carefully to suss out all the options.

The course has Withcote Hall as its pivot point and there are at least two possible routes round the house. Those on fast thoroughbreds may prefer one route, which is slightly longer but only contains hedges, while those who find it easier to ‘pop’ and turn may take the twistier, shorter route through the orchard and over hunt fences.

Among those expected to be among the leaders are last year’s winners Rowan Cope and Arthur, Ollie Finnegan and Rivage D’Or, Dominic Gwyn-Jones and Another Puzzle, and a pair of former winners in Zoe Gibson and Rory Bevin.

Viewing this year will be good for spectators – the early part of the course is easily visible from the hill above fences four and five, and those at the finish will also be able to see quite a lot.

Continued below…

Headcam video: Melton Hunt Club Ride 2012

Enjoy a rider's eye view of the challenging Melton Hunt Club ride

It costs £5 per car to enter, and the race starts at 12 noon. There is a hog roast and bar available, and the weather forecast is good!

The postcode is LE7 9XN, and the race will be signed from the Oakham-Tilton-on-the-Hill road.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

When it comes to elegance and hunting there’s one real benchmark — Martha, Lady Sitwell. Which is why her new collection of British-made hunting clothes and accessories for Harry Hall has got us madly raiding our piggy banks

When mud is spraying in your face, you’re wondering where on earth your right stirrup is and whether you will ever feel your left little toe again, glamour isn’t your most pressing concern on the hunting field.

But occasionally, just occasionally, when you’ve had a bath and the adrenaline has died down, you wonder whether it might ever be possible to look a little more elegant as you’re going hell for leather across the country.

And when it comes to elegance and hunting there’s only one real benchmark — and that’s Martha, Lady Sitwell. Which is why her new collection of British-made hunting clothes and accessories for Harry Hall has got us madly raiding our piggy banks.

The five-piece collection is made up of moleskin and corduroy breeches, a hunt coat, waistcoat and wax coat, while side saddle aprons can also be made to order, with a hint of the 1940s in the cut of the breeches, the skirt of the jacket and the elegant waistlines.

This all sounds to us like a fast track way to adding a bit of glamour to our get up — without going to the trouble of riding side saddle or wearing a veil.

“The idea is to make women look and feel like goddesses again,” says Martha. “For this range I’ve skimmed the cream from different periods. The jacket’s fuller skirt and slightly leg o’mutton sleeve don’t restrict movement while accentuating the waist and keeping the bodice snug. These designs are as comfortable and stylish riding aside as astride.”

Continued below…

When equine royalty hits the hunting field: how many of these stars do you recognise?

For these horses, as one door has closed, another has opened. We take a look at the equine stars that…

Horse & Hound’s ultimate A-Z of hunting

To celebrate this week’s hunting special of Horse & Hound magazine (26 October 2017), take a look at our A-Z…

“We could not be more proud of this collection. Martha’s designs re-establish Harry Hall at the forefront of sporting tailoring — we’ve been dressing hunt followers for over 125 years,” adds Rachel Bowles, sales and marketing director of Harry Hall. “We can’t wait to see them in action.”

Everything is British-made in Harry Hall’s workshop in Walsall. Fittings are available. Prices start from £180 for the waistcoat, £225 for breeches and the hunting coat is £1,470. The hunting and wax coat are made to measure.

Pictures by Georgina Preston

For all the latest hunting news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

The hunt race season kicked off on Sunday (19 November), with Zoe Gibson winning the 8 Outdoor Melton Hunt Club Ride in Leicestershire and Yvonne Goss taking the Daylesford Hunt Cup in Gloucestershire.

Zoe, who was riding her own Jaffa, a thoroughbred she bought in Ireland as a four-year-old, has now won the Melton race five times.

Second was Ollie Finnegan, riding Rivage D’Or, and third was Jack Quinlan (Easter Meteor). Full report in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 23 November.

The Daylesford Hunt Cup, held on Sir Anthony and Lady Bamford’s Daylesford estate in the Heythrop country, is now in its second year. Three races were run over a course of rails and newly laid hedges, designed by Daylesford “countryman” George Hyatt.

Yvonne Goss leading with Jaffa, second Pandora Bailey and Offshore Account and eventual fifth place finisher Maurice Linehan on Kitney Wood. Credit: xcphotos.co.uk

Yvonne Goss won the open race, also riding a horse called Jaffa. The pair were fresh and fit after an autumn team chasing campaign and they held off Pandora Bailey on ex-racehorse Offshore Account. Iona Hoare came third and won the best Heythrop prize. Retraining of Racehorses sponsored prizes for the good number of ex-racehorses that competed.

“The course gave a great ride and the cup is amazing!” said Yvonne. “I must remember to add it to the house insurance!”

Continued below…

Want to look as glamorous as Martha Sitwell on the hunting field? Of course we do

When it comes to elegance and hunting there’s one real benchmark — Lady Martha Sitwell. Which is why her new…

When equine royalty hits the hunting field: how many of these stars do you recognise?

For these horses, as one door has closed, another has opened. We take a look at the equine stars that…

Four-star eventer Beanie Sturgis’ 11 top life-hacks for fellow equestrians

Gloucestershire-based eventer and field master Beanie Sturgis, shares her tips for saving time and money around the yard

The intermediate class was won by another team chaser, the Hair Raisers’ Larry Brown, ahead of Amber Bradshaw. The best Heythrop trophy went to third-placed Jessica Fleming, who runs Red Barn Stud near Northleach.

Rory Richmond-Watson took the junior cup, which was judged on hunting etiquette by John and Jane LLoyd, over whose land part of the course ran. Not only did he ride really well and competitively to come in fourth behind Isla Hughes, but he also thanked the “field master” for the race, Emily Seal, daughter of Heythrop Saturday field master Nick Seal.

There were 70 entries in total for this new raceday, organised by Heythrop Tuesday field master Tom Gittins. As the hedges mature and the course develops, it will become an exciting addition to the hunt race calendar.

For all the latest hunting news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday.