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COURTESY
One should behave in the hunt field as one would expect to behave at the hunt ball. Greet the Joint Masters and Staff before hounds move off and thank them at the end of the hunt. Members should introduce themselves and other members to cappers. Smoking while mounted is not considered good form.Members with "colors" have earned the privilege of riding up front. Members accompanied by their specific guests should ride behind members with "colors". Cappers should ride behind members.Members and guests should present a neat, clean appearance to uphold the tradition of the Hunt and in respect for the landowners: clean boots, clean tack, clean horses; saddle pads should be white and fitted - no rugs. No colored boots, decorated bridles or other accouterments on the horse. All riders should wear their hair under their hats or in a hair net.Do not talk in loud tones. Your conversation in the field should not be easily overheard by other field members. Do not shout "ware hole" or "ware hound"; pass the message quietly to the rider behind you who in turn should do the same.Never render assistance to the hounds unless specifically asked to by someone in authority.If you bring a guest it is your responsibility to inform them of proper etiquette and ride with them.
COUNTRY
Respect the landowners' property at all times; consider yourself to be a guest. Never ride on lawns, driveway borders or planted fields. Beware of young trees.At all times of the year when ground conditions are heavy or wet, keep to the edges of open fields.DO NOT JUMP HUNT FENCES on the way to or from meets or when pleasure riding. NEVER LOWER OR IMPAIR jumps in any way throughout the year. Fences broken or lowered accidentally during the hunt should be repaired on the spot if possible. A make-shift is imperative if necessary to contain livestock. Ride up immediately thereafter to your Field Master or Secretary to report location and extent of damage and to make arrangements for a payment. Please also report damage incurred by someone else if necessary.Do not leisure ride areas used by the hunt that you do not definitely know to be part of the trail system. Please also report throughout the year any repairs needed on the trails to the Masters. Ask your friends following in cars to be thoughtful of our landowners' privacy. Have them observe from main roads. Be sure that in their enthusiasm, they do not enter or turn around in private driveways.
Suggested reading to learn more, "Riding to Hounds in America," by William P. Wadsworth, MFH | | ATTIRE
Lady Member AstrideBlack hunt cap with safety harness or black bowler hat with hat guard.Formal with ColorsRegulation black hunting coat; collar maroon velvet; black bone buttons with initials SVH in white. Breeches - buff or canary yellow. Boots - black calf dress boots (not field boots); black patent tops optional but encouraged.Neck wear - plain white hunting stock tie, simple gold safety pin. Vest - canary.Formal without ColorsSame as for Formal with Colors with the following exceptions: collar of same material as coat; plain black buttons; plain black dress boots. Vest - canary.Gentleman MemberBlack hunt cap with safety harness or black silk hunting top hat with hat guard.Formal with ColorsScarlet hunting coat, maroon velvet collar, brass buttons engraved with SVH. Breeches - white. Boots - black dress hunting boots with brown tops and tabs. Neck wear - plain white hunting stock tie, simple gold safety pin. Vest - canary.Formal without ColorsRegulation black hunting coat, plain black dress boots, buff breeches. Neck wear - plain white hunting stock tie, simple gold safety pin. Vest - canary.Lady & Gentleman - InformalRiding jacket. Breeches or jodhpurs. Ladies - ratcatcher shirt and collar; Gentlemen - shirt and tie preferred. turtleneck shirts acceptable; Boots or jodhpur boots; Black hunt cap with safety harness.Informal attire is worn until Opening Day mid-October and thereafter on Wednesday hunts only. Formal attire - is worn weekends and holidays. The wearing of safety headgear is strongly encouraged. Removable black velvet covers are not permitted. | |