Mock Hunts-Your First Time Out

Something to know if its your first time out.  If you haven’t been before don’t worry just let one of the Masters know and they will keep an eye on you or you can stay with them for support.

The ranges from £10 members to £25 non-members although Beginners Mock Hunts will be cheaper but check website for this if you’re worried. Payment is called a cap and is taken on the day so no advance payments needed, just turn up.

 If you are a novice or riding a novice horse you should wear a green ribbon if your horse is likely to kick wear a red ribbon.

All our jumps are optional at Warren Barn with a few on other hunts that may not be although they will not normally be any bigger than about 3ft.

Warren Barn in Woldingham is ideal for Beginners as its run on one large farm so easy to find your way home if you do retire early i.e. throw a shoe, toilet break, horse not fit enough etc. The postcode for farm is CR3 7HN (just in case you have a Sat Nav).  We have toilet facilities at Warren Barn but no refreshments so remember to bring your own (a hip flask comes in handy). Although you will always get the opportunity to have some mulled wine to warm you up before the off.

Talking of warming up make sure you are adequately dressed for the weather winter hunting can be really cold especially at the top of the Downs so wear plenty of layers and bring a hot drink for afterwards.

You must wear correct headwear and be turned out neatly i.e. show jacket or hacking jacket, riding boots, beige or white jodhpurs. We also have a prize for the best turned out so well worth the effort of plaiting up and wearing a hair net (where applicable).  Also we advise you to wear back protectors as with any event with horses but this is not compulsory. We do also have a paramedic that follows us on our beginner mock hunts, just in case.

Generally mock hunts starts at 10.30 for 11.00 but check website or phone if in doubt i.e. due to weather conditions. Although the weather or ground has to be seriously bad before a meet is cancelled so don’t worry.

The Mock Hunts involve a fox who wears a red jumper who will know a predetermined trail and  will interpret a foxes nature (where possible) and we will have hounds which are counted in couples (pairs i.e. 2 and a half couples 3 hounds) and will be chosen by the number in the field (people riding) with priority to members of WDHC and their jumping ability. I will be looking for hounds to follow the fox (good riders who can jump without a lead) and the field (riders) stay behind the Field Master who then dictates the route and pace of the hunt which is done for your own safety and others when riding unknown country.

Have a look at our website www.wdhc.org.uk or Visualise  www.visualise.uk.com   and you will be able to see some action shots!

Foot followers can also come along and we can point them in the direction of the best places to stand although they may want to bring some binoculars.

Visualise will try and attend most of our events so you can purchase a lovely picture after the event too.

Any enquiries on the Mock Hunts should ring

David Wickham           01883 654 867