The Masters
welcome subscribers old and new and visitors young and old for the
coming season. Our aim, with the blessing of our farmers and
landowners, is to create a simulated and legal alternative to proper
hunting and to hold the infrastructure of the Hunt and community
together until such time as the present Act is either repealed or
amended. The points below are to assist you to help us all derive as
much enjoyment as possible from our temporary activities, whilst
ensuring they are perceived by others to be within the law:
To this end we shall be undertaking legal activities,
inclusively but not exclusively, hound exercise and trail hunting. More than
one trail may be laid at any one time to simulate the activities of normal
hunting, and to provide a challenge to hounds and huntsman. Mounted and foot
followers are asked NOT to holloa unless under instruction by the Field
Master.It may be difficult for
bystanders to judge whether hounds are hunting legal quarry, a trail or inadvertently
a fox, especially if they happen to follow a similar route. Therefore mounted
and foot followers are asked not to attempt to stop hounds themselves if they
believe they are hunting a fox, but to inform Hunt Staffurgently. In any case, hounds only react to
those they know.
If mounted,
please ensure you follow the Field Master at all times (unless
specifically asked to do otherwise). Please keep to the edge of sown
fields, including stubble drilled with oilseed rape. Please keep in
single file, do not cut corners and if there is a track, use it.
Please do not ride on public footpaths, this includes many headlands
that are also public footpaths. Be aware of
Countryside Stewardship strips around fields that look like “set
aside” or newly drilled grass -these must not be ridden on.
Any practical, neat and tidy clothing is acceptable, though no red
coats are to be worn.
On Saturdays
please park as directed on the meet card, taking care not to block
access to grain stores, barns and farm machinery. On Wednesdays park
where directed, or make your own arrangements, asking permission.
For your own security ensure that your transport is locked.
Remember to
be considerate to the public. Do not ride, park or drive on mown
verges and keep the road clear for traffic to pass: nothing
infuriates drivers more than being held up by the hunt. Gates must
be shut that you pass through. If lost or when hacking home, please
go to the nearest road or track. Remember that you are the guest
whilst hunting of the farmer. Take time to acknowledge and thank him
and his staff if you meet them. It does not
mean that you can ride over his land at other times.
Hunt followers whether mounted, on foot or in cars are asked not to
bandy words or exchange abuse let alone have physical contact with
saboteurs or hunt monitors.
If there is
an accident and the emergency services are needed please inform the
Field Master or one of the Secretaries who will know what to do.
Please only use your mobile if absolutely
necessary: the hunting field is not the
place to carry on social conversations, any noise makes it hard to
hear the huntsman and hounds. If you are aware of any incident during
the day where members of the public have been upset, please tell the
Field Master or the Secretaries as soon as possible.
We expect all followers
to become members of the Countryside Alliance before
they come hunting, not only because it is the
only body campaigning for all country sports, but also because CA
membership provides automatic cover for Third
Party Liability Indemnity for anyone engaged in legal hunting
activities. Unless you have appropriate insurance cover, you must not
come hunting. Please help the Hon.
Secretaries and find one of them with your cap yourself – do not
give it to someone to give to them!
In
order to locate meets it is recommended you have the street atlases
of Hertfordshire and West Essex or Ordinance Survey Landranger
Series; sheets 154, 166 and 167.
Children are
always most welcome but please ensure in advance that they are
properly accompanied until they are sufficiently competent to be on
their own. Please make them or any visitor you bring aware of this
letter.
These
guidelines are not onerous and ensure that the Hunt remains welcome
so we can all enjoy ourselves.
GOOD
HUNTING !
Other Helpful tips for the mounted field
On arrival at the meet it is customary to say “Good Morning”, find The Secretary
and offer your Field Money for the day. Don’t wait for the Secretary to find
you. The rates for the Season will be sent to you or by contacting the Secretary. We encourage everyone to be a
current member of the Countryside Alliance.
As from the Opening Meet we return to wearing traditional dress but if you do not have
a black jacket please don’t worry. So long as you and your horse are smart and
tidy that is fine. Please avoid brightly coloured anoraks and you will look a
lot smarter if long hair is either plaited or contained in a hairnet.
Always make way for the Hunt staff and Hounds. Always turn your horses head
towards Hounds. If you hear someone behind you call “Hounds please” keep well
out of the way, into the side to allow them to pass.
Always keep with the Field Master, do not over take them. Listen to and act on
his or her instructions which may be given out at the meet or throughout the
day. Followers have no right to cross private land unless in the company of the
Field Master or their appointed representatives. This applies during hunting and
also when hacking home. Please do your best to keep up. It may be necessary
to lay a trail behind the followers and you should not be in danger of spoiling
the scent for Hounds by riding over it. Remember also that foot followers may be
waiting for you to pass before closing and securing a gate behind you..
If your horse is not behaving please take it to the back of the field so that it
cannot endanger others. If your horse is likely to kick, tie a red ribbon in its
tail to warn others. If your horse is new to hunting then tie a green ribbon in
its tail. In both these cases it is better to keep towards the back of the
field. Putting a ribbon in your horses tail does not mean you can forget about
his manners, it is still your responsibility to avoid accidents to people,
horses and hounds.
If someone follows too close behind you put your arm behind your back with the
palm spread and facing outwards as a warning to the following rider that they
are crowding your horse.
When going through a gateway wait your turn, do not crowd in. Every follower is
responsible for making sure that gates are closed. Never leave a gate open - if
in doubt SHUT IT! If you are unable to close it yourself please don’t leave
until you are certain someone else has closed it. Always thank anyone who deals
with a gate for you. If you are the next to last to pass through the gateway do
not ride off and leave the last person to close it alone.
If your horse stops at a jump, clear the way for following riders immediately.
If waiting in the road always be aware of and allow vehicles to pass and thank
them with a smile for slowing down or waiting.
At the end of the day or whenever you decide to make your way home, it is
customary to say “Good night”, whatever the time of day. This is not just polite
but lets others know that you have gone home and are not just left behind.
Neither the Hunt nor any farmer or landowner can be held responsible for any
accident or injury to horse or rider or anyone else who follows the hunt.
Hunting can be dangerous and it is your responsibility to take all reasonable
care and caution for the sake of yourself and other in the Field. Above all we
wish to encourage everyone to have a safe and enjoyable day.
If you need help with any of the other terms you hear out hunting please have a look at this glossary at foxhuntersnet.com If you ever have any questions or doubts please ask.
It is always our intention to hunt within the rules of The Hunting act 2004.
