Dress and Etiquette

Most of us know what we wear and what we should or should not do when riding to hounds. For those who may have forgotten or for those new to hunting, here are a few basic guidelines.

Dress

You should dress presentably. These guidelines are not rules and we would rather see you out hunting if you don’t have every item of the correct apparel than miss your company because you stay at home.

•In the hunting season, from November to the end of February it is customary for those riding in the field to wear a black coat and cream or buff breeches with a white stock and hunting shirt and black boots.

•Masters and officers of the hunt are entitled to wear a scarlet coat (or a blue coat, in the case of a lady Master) with brass buttons and white or buff breeches and black boots with a tan top.

•For Autumn Hunting in September and October and in March, you may wear “Ratcatcher”. This is a hacking jacket and a shirt and tie (or coloured stock) and cream or buff breeches. Young riders may wear a hacking jacket and tie, jodhpurs and jodhpur boots and chaps the whole season.

•Your safety is important and you should wear a well fitting riding hat, which may be a traditional or modern style, ribbons should be sewn up except for Maters and Hunt Servants. Most youngsters wear back protectors and if you wish to do so as an adult, that is fine.

Etiquette

Please acknowledge those who help us by letting us hunt over their land, hold gates for us, slow down on the road and generally take an interest. A cheerful “thank you” or “good morning” to them goes a long way. We are ambassadors for the sport every time we go out hunting. Courtesy costs nothing and some of those people on the ground may own the land you are riding on.

•The Fieldmaster leads the field – you should follow him, not overtake him, nor take your own route.

•Please give Masters and Hunt Servants due deference. This means that you allow them to go first at gateways and fences, etc.

•If hounds are trying to pass the field, always turn your horse’s head towards the hounds. This is not for them to say “hello”, but to avoid hounds being kicked by your horse.

•If the Huntsman, the Whip or those out on point are seen approaching at speed, please make way for them. It is much safer for you and it enables them to better do their job.

•If your horse is new to hunting put a green ribbon in its tail to let other people know and if your horse kicks, put a red ribbon in its tail and stay at the back of the field where it will not be a danger to other horses and riders. Ride in control and do not ride into the horse in front of you – even the best mannered horse will kick in such circumstances.

•If your horse refuses at a fence you must turn away, avoiding the field behind, and go to the back and then try again.

•If you break a fence you will not be asked to pay, but you must report it to one of the Masters.

•When riding alongside a planted field the Fieldmaster will ask riders to go in single file. You should always do so, causing as little damage to the crop as you can.

•Gates should be shut unless the Fieldmaster says they can be left open. The riders at the back of the field are responsible for shutting gates behind them.