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Rules & Regulations
To be read before taking part in Drag hunting with Anglesey
Draghounds.
It is essential for your own safety and enjoyment, that you have
an understanding of how the hunting day is arranged. If you
have any questions or problems during the day, ask. This may be a
Master, who will wear a red coat, or a senior member of the hunt,
who may wear distinctive hunt buttons and / or a blue collar.
You should understand as with all horse riding, there are risks
involved and knowing what goes on and what the rules and regulations
are will help you to manage those risks.
- There are three people who wear red coats; these are the
Masters and the Huntsman.
- The Masters control the days hunting and must be obeyed at
all times.
- At the start of the day one or both of the Masters will
introduce himself, or someone else as Field Master.
He or she will lead the field (you are a member of the field)
and it is ESSENTIAL THAT YOU LISTEN TO HIS / HER INSTRUCTIONS AT
ALL TIMES AND ON NO ACCOUNT MUST YOU OVERTAKE HIM / HER.
- If you hear an instruction being passed through the field
such as “beware rabbit holes”, you must pass that instruction
back to those behind you.
- You should at all times follow the route taken by the Field
Master, or if you are not jumping, follow the instructions of a
senior member who will direct you to the alternative route.
- You should try to keep up with the field, but if delayed,
try to find another rider or foot follower who will direct you.
- The Huntsman rides ahead of the Fields Master with his
Whippers-in. They control the hounds and must not be
interfered with in any way. LEAVE THE HOUNDS ALONE.
- Only jump obstacles jumped by the Field Master.
- Do not commit yourself at a jump until the person in front
has cleared it.
- Always report any damage to a fence to the Master at the end
of the line.
- Never overrun the hounds and keep an eye open for any hounds
that are coming up behind.
- If the hounds are brought past you, always turn your horse
to face them, to minimise the risk of your horse kicking them or
standing on them.
- If your horse is unruly or ill-natured with other horses,
keep it away from the rest of the field at all times.
The use of a red ribbon in the tail to indicate a kicker should
make the field give a wide berth, but it does not absolve you,
the rider from ensuring that it does not get into a position to
kick out at other horses.
- Riders must report any falls from their horse, whether
injured or not. Only you can decide if you are fit to
continue or not.
- Children who fall may well not be allowed to continue if
there is the slightest doubt as to their ability to continue.
The decision of the Field master is final.
- Riders who cannot control their horse may be asked to leave
the hunting field. The decision of the Field master is
final and will be based on his/her judgement as to whether you
are a danger to yourself and others.
- You should have third party liability insurance, BHS Gold
membership or full Countryside Alliance membership will give you
this.
- Only you will know if you have sufficient riding ability and
a suitable horse to drag hunt.
- Only you will know if you have the required ability to jump
the jumps or ditches.
- Remember that there is no need for you to tackle any jumps
or ditches if you do not wish to do so, there is always an
alternative route which will usually be lead by a senior member
of the hunt.
- Care of a farmer’s stock and crops ALWAYS takes priority
over our enjoyment. It must never be forgotten that
without the goodwill of farmers, the Hunt would not exist and no
sport would be enjoyed by the members.
Etiquette and Conduct
At the Meet
- Arrive at the meet with enough time to pay your cap and get
yourself ready for a noon departure.
- When un-boxing, park sensibly. You should make sure
that you are not blocking a lane or driveway. You should
not do anything that may cause congestion or inconvenience to
other road users.
- On arrival at the meet, as a matter of courtesy, say “Good
Morning” to the Masters, Huntsman and Whippers-in.
- Seek out the Secretary to pay your cap. Do not leave it to
him/her to come and seek you out.
- Thank the farmer whose land we use, if you know who he is
and thank the person who has provided the stirrup cup.
- Hunting is a sport to enjoy. The more people you talk to at
the meet, the happier the atmosphere. Remember to greet people
on foot and try to make those out for the first time feel
welcome.
- At the close of the meet, everyone should make a point of
seeing the masters to say “Good Night” and thanking them for the
day’s hunting.
During the Hunt
- On the way to the lines, thank those car users who slow down
or stop to allow us to pass.
- Make sure that you stay behind the Field Master, Huntsman
and Whippers-in.
- Thank people who are kind enough to hold a gate whilst you
ride through.
- Never fail to thank a farmer or farm worker who may be
holding a gate or helping in some other way. Not only is
it discourteous to ride past ignoring them, or taking their
assistance for granted, but without their help and permission,
we would not be able to hunt.
- When jumping hunt fences, remember that nothing annoys the
other members of the field more than someone who barges in.
Wait your turn. This also applies to gateways.
- If you horse is a persistent refuser, go around – the farmer
will not thank you for churning up his field.
Dress Code
- Gents should wear white or fawn breeches, black boots, black
or tweed coat, white hunting stock, silk hat, bowler or velvet
hunting cap.
- Ladies should wear light coloured breeches, black boots,
black coat or tweed jacket, white hunting stock (coloured
permissible with tweed), bowler or velvet hunting cap.
- Children (under 17 years of age) should wear the same as
ladies, but jodhpurs and jodhpur boots are permissible.
- All should be encouraged to wear hats and body protectors to
the current recommended standards.
- Remember, all the farmers get out of allowing us to cross
their land is the spectacle of the hunt.
Don’t let us let them
down by untidy turnout.
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