26 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2011
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
H
O
R
S
E
S
H
O
W
My Line
Readying for My First Hunt
By Sarah Ward
While I may have been competing in the hunter
divisions since my early teens, I have yet to go on an
actual fox hunt. Sure, I’ve had success and grown
as a rider and graduated from the Pre-Childrens
and Childrens to the Juniors and now the Amateur
Owners Hunters. I have worked my way up from the
2’6” division to the 3’6” and 4’ classes offered in the
International Hunter Derby classes that are becoming
so popular. Yet I have yet to go to on a meet and
ride out with a group of fellow equestrian enthusiasts
behind a pack of handsome working hounds! I feel it
is time for me to add that to my riding “resume” and
having received an invite, I plan on doing it this year.
Like every show rider that I know, I find it exhilarating
to pick up a nice hand gallop and try to put in a
seamless and fluid trip on my amazing horses in the
show ring. I love riding challenging courses, featuring
beautifully decorated fences that resemble those found
in the hunt field, including walls, hedges, ditches, and
coups. The Handy Hunter Class, which often features
trot fences, opening gates and even dismounting, is
one of my favorites. Wearing my elegant shad-belly
jackets, pristine white shirt, shiny black custom boots,
I just love the formal attire.
Each time I enter the arena, I try to put in the most
brilliant round possible. My horses make it all look
easy, but anyone who has ever ridden the hunter
courses knows differently! I asked a bunch of friends
who enjoy fox hunting, and they assured me that my
competition experience is child’s play compared to
what I will encounter on the hunt field.
It’s true; I can honestly say that I don’t feel even
remotely prepared for what I will encounter during a
meet on a real fox hunt. I adore all animals, so I’m
happy to hear that American hunts are more about the
“thrill of the chase” then actually capturing the elusive
Renard. Better yet, there is often no fox involved at
all and they lay a drag that morning, which promises
a fast and focused outing, fun for all. That’s fine with
me; I’m there for the riding!
But before I even think of mounting up, I realized
that I had to become familiar with the all important
dress code etiquette. Sure, I have a white rat catcher,
stock and pin, and both a navy and black jacket to
wear, though I will have to count the number of buttons
on the jackets. I know my comfortable Der Dau boots
will be polished to high shine and my breeches are
appropriate, so in that respect, I think I’m set.
Yes, I did my homework and perused the internet
and fox hunting books to make sure that I am properly
attired for my debut. I’ve learned many things; who is
allowed to the wear Pinques, who sports hunt colours
on the collar and paten leather tops. I even found
when you were supposed to wear the lovely top hats
found in old fox hunting paintings, and why they are
Sarah Ward is currently living in Atlanta. Sarah rides with Finally
Farm’s Jack Towell and Liza Towell-Boyd and competes with
Finally Farm in the hunters and jumpers in both the amateur and
open divisions.
no longer in vogue (safety being key here!). I already have
a bit of a dilemma with my head gear; participating amateur
members wear their hunt cap ribbon up; professional staff
wears theirs down -- but my helmet has no ribbon what-so-
ever and while it may be approved for the show ring, I’m
not so sure that the M.F.H. will approve the diamond “W”
featured on the back! It seems that I have already made my
first faux pas before I have even arrived for my first outing.
Sure, I love the beautiful the old English paintings depicting
riders, horses and hounds in full chase, galloping wildly
across lovely fields and jumping formidable stone walls, as
the hounds lead the way. These harrowing scenes can be
a bit intimidating, with men astride and women often side
saddle jumping en masse over stone walls, horses falling
and often riders as well! These are artist interpretations I
know, and from a long time ago, and I’m pretty sure that this
is not the norm. Yes, I am ready to mount up on a lovely and
fit field hunter for my first field meet and this new equestrian
adventure… I have talked to many veteran fox hunters, and
they agree that a day in the field is a far cry from the show
ring, and one of the last thing I’ll be worried about is finding
the perfect distance - staying on and keeping up is much
more top of mind…November begins the season, so Tally
ho…here I go! Wish me luck, and see you back in the show
ring!
Editor ’s note: Whenever Sarah wants to try hunting,
she has a standing invitation to go out with Whiskey Road
Foxhounds as my guest. THEN we’ll get the real story of her
adventures!