Some think that we chase foxes
But in our club we do not
We’re all here as social riders
To run and jump a lot!
We still have a red coat master
The one who leads the field
The rest of the hunters ride behind
Because to the master we yield.
We still wear traditional hunting coats
Our breeches, boots and stocks
Most carry well used hip flasks
In case their courage is lost.
Some riders have a seasoned horse
Others bring out a brand new mount
We hope that no one does fall off
But occasionally some are out for the count
The horses who have hunted before,
Often stay ahead of the pack
To give the newer horses confidence
While they cruise along at the back
The horses who haven’t been hunting
Can be unpredictable in behaviour
Will they jump that massive log?
With practice they will be braver.
Will they bounce upon the spot?
Some want to run like lightening.
Can you ride your excited steed?
Or are they mighty frightening!
The hunt is no place to school a horse
You’ll hold up all the rest
Practicing at home we say
You don’t want to be a pest!
You want to find a brave horse
One who likes to jump
If you ride them lots at home
You’re less likely to go bump!
You need to get your fitness up
It can be a 3 or 4 hour session
A very different type of ride
To your regular one hour lesson.
Forest rides are brilliant
To train your horse and rider
Transitions up and down the gaits
To slow the heart beating inside her
Combination training works quite well
To get your fitness up
Because if your horse is really unfit
You may not make it to stirrup cup!
Lunging in the evening
When you finish your work day
Forest riding on the weekend
In the saddle you will stay!
Jump your horse maybe once a week
You don’t want to wear them out
Keep them fresh for the weekend hunt
Because it will quickly come about!
Don’t forget your transitions
To train a responsive horse
When your horse chooses to listen
It’s easier to hunt on course
You want to train them off the leg
They’re easier to bend
So when time comes you do fall off
Your horse is one that you can lend!
Balance is so important
But it needs to come from below
If you balance on your hands
At some jumps he will say no!
Practice in a two point seat
Without pulling on his mouth
If you can do that neatly
You’re ready to jump about.
If you cannot balance your whole body
You can kneed your hands into his neck
Because the jumps on the hunt field
May have you yelling “what the heck!”
Don’t ride up someone else’s butt
Give them lots of space
Because although we call it hunting
It really is not a race
If you see a red ribbon
In a tail tied into a bow
Give them plenty of room behind
Even if they’re going slow
A red ribbon is a well known sign
We need to stay away
Maybe they’re a kicker
Or having an off day
A green disc upon a bridle
Or on their saddle pad
Means that we have a stallion
Respect and space is to be had
Riders wearing red coats
Can be masters of the past
Let them ride ahead of you
Even when they’re going fast.
Never pass the master
Or field master behind them too
You’ll have to buy them a bottle of scotch
As punishment if you do.
Look out for all your fellow hunters
Incase one should hit the ground
Then you yell at the top of your lungs
The phrase is “rider down”
When you’re heading to a jump
Don’t cut someone off
Be courteous and wait your turn
You need space for your horse to takeoff
If you should see loose wire
Sitting on the ground
It’s time to shout “ware wire”
On a leg it can wrap around!
When you arrive at stirrup cup
Take care of your horse first
They’ve worked even harder than you
Despite your need to quench your thirst!
Grab the bag you’ve packed at home
With halter, blue string and rug
Loosen a hole on their girth
And give them all your love
Make sure they’re happy and they’re safe
Before attending your own needs
Because you wouldn’t be here today
Without your trusty steeds!
Then head on over to join the group
To eat, drink and to be merry
To raise a glass to the landowners
Some like port, some may like sherry.
Like all our fellow hunters
We are grateful to our hosts
We thank the convener of the run
For replacing broken posts.
Without our generous landowners
We wouldn’t have a sport
So to all you wonderful people
We raise our glass of Port.
And to our Master who led the ride
We thank you for your direction
Aren’t you glad you got our vote
At the annual club election?
I look around me now and see
A bunch of happy faces
Throughout this coming hunt season
We visit some truly magical places
There is no competitive rivalry
We help each other out
For the hunting family is truly strong
Of that I have no doubt.
So join us please, for stirrup cup
The charging of our glasses
And if we’ve been lucky this day
There will be clean, not dirty arses
Thank you to our landowners
Who thoughtfully their land provide
Without you we wouldn’t have a hunt
Or jumps over which to ride.