Rockbridge Hunt
Junior Hunt Meet

We've tried to provide basic information on this page. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact one of the following people.
Cindy Morton (current Master, office 540-458-8109, home 540-463-6025, email mortonc@wlu.edu)
Carol Atwood (current President, home 540-463-1000, email carol@broadviewranch.com)
Anne Howard, home 540-384-6008, email Anne3338@aol.com
Bernard & Candi Hylton, home 276-930-1269, email gammy51@hotmail.com


On Saturday, March 1, we'd like to invite junior riders (including college students) to join us at Rockbridge Hunt for a day of hunting. Juniors will join the regular membership and ride along to watch as our Huntsman, David Conner, hunts Rockbridge Hunt's pack of foxhounds across the countryside. Juniors are also invited to bring their guests (a parent or friend or riding mentor). No fees will be charged for juniors or their guests. (Donations are always welcome.) And we'll finish the day with a potluck meal, known in the hunting world as a "breakfast."

The group of riders, known as "the field" will split into three groups. The first flight will be expected to keep up at any pace and to jump whatever obstacles come up. Strong riders and those with experience in group trail rides will have no problems.

The second flight will go at whatever speed is appropriate to keep up but will not jump any fences. There will be creek crossings and small ditches and logs to negotiate. Riders should have a secure position and good control of their horses.

The third flight will go more slowly but there will still be the typical cross-country hazards such as hills, creeks, and ditches.

We'll try to organize car-following for interested non-riders. The territory we hunt over includes a lot of wooded land so car-following is not very satisfactory but we'll give it a try.


The Preliminaries

• Check the hunt line before you come -- 540-462-1113. If we have to cancel or change the time, the information will be there. It's a voicemail account so you can call at any time. Information should be on there by 7 PM, Friday, February 29.

• Plan to arrive early; at least 30 minutes prior to the stated time. You should be on your horse and ready to go at least fifteen minutes prior to the start time.

• Every junior will need a copy of the waiver or release signed by a parent. Every horse or pony will need a negative Coggins. The waiver is available online as a PDF or as a Word document.

  
  Riding Guidelines
  

• Most of the time we'll be riding in single file. It's important that you stay in line and do not pass unless there's plenty of room to do so safely. And if your passing someone will upset that horse, please refrain.

• Don't follow too closely. If you are close enough to get kicked, you're too close. And you'll need additional distance between horses as the speed increases.

• You may need to use a stronger bit than usual. Many horses are somewhat excited in the group and tend to get a little strong.

• If you're not willing or able to keep up with the required pace, please move to the back. If one rider can't keep up, the entire group will get separated.

• If you need to leave, at any time, for any reason, speak up. We will have members who can escort you back to the trailers if needed. You should NOT leave without telling someone.

• While the hounds are hunting, riders should be quiet. The hounds are working hard and excess noise is distracting. Quiet talk is fine at some times but there are times when it's important for everyone to be silent and to keep their horses still. Watch the more experienced riders around you for hints.

• If horses or hounds have to pass you, turn your horse's head toward them to avoid any kicking. Try to give them room.

  
  Attire and Turnout
  We always receive questions about attire. Every sport has its uniform and hunting is no different. However, we do not expect our guests to buy a new wardrobe! We want you to come and hunt and have fun! Attire must be conducive to safe riding. Please keep in mind that it's likely to be cold and we're likely to ride for several hours. Wear warm clothing!!! We want everyone to be safe and have fun! Being miserably cold isn't fun and it can definitely hamper your ability to ride effectively!

• We absolutely REQUIRE everyone to wear safety headgear (helmet or hunt cap). If you can add a thin headband, it will really help you stay warm. If it's too tight you'll be uncomfortable!

• We absolutely REQUIRE everyone to wear safe riding footwear. Tall riding boots or short riding boots are fine. If you've got insulated boots or ones you can wear with extra socks, that's great.

• As far as trousers go, wear something comfortable. Most foxhunters find breeches with long underwear to be the most comfortable option. If you're more comfortable (and warmer) in jeans and chaps, that's fine. Remember, you'll be on the horse for awhile so wear something comfortable!

• White shirts are traditional. You may prefer to wear a turtleneck. A stock tie is not only correct but it adds warmth. If you need help finding or tying a stock tie, just ask! Every foxhunter can help you with this.

• We hope to have Rockbridge Hunt members in formal hunt attire. This makes them easy to identify in case anyone needs help. That means most people will be in black wool hunt coats. If it's a warm day, juniors may want to wear a horse show jackets or something similar. If it's a cold day, we'll abandon the wool hunt coats in favor of something warmer (parka, ski jacket, whatever). Our guests are welcome to do the same.

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact one of the following people.
Cindy Morton (current Master, office 540-458-8109, home 540-463-6025, email mortonc@wlu.edu)
Carol Atwood (current President, home 540-463-1000, email carol@broadviewranch.com)
Anne Howard
Bernard Hylton

In addition, we're available to make presentations about foxhunting to groups or meetings. We have a slide show for more formal meetings. We are also happy to come to riding clubs or local stable groups, for formal presentations or informal discussions.

If there is a group of riders who might be interested in coming out to hunt, we are available for mounted educational programs. We're happy to travel to a local stable, with horses, to do this or we can host a program at the Hunt's property. Generally, a mounted program would start with a brief overview of the basics. The rest of the time might be spent in a trail riding situation to simulate various parts of a day of hunting. If you're interested in something like this, contact Cindy or Carol, as listed above.

Directions From Interstate 81 take Exit 180 (one of two Natural Bridge exits) and go north on Route 11 (Lee Highway) for about two miles. Turn left on Fox Hunt Road (Route 739). When the road forks, stay to the left on Fox Hunt Road. Take the next possible right turn (Harkto Loop) into the parking lot. There is overflow parking on the opposite side of Fox Hunt Road. It's a grassy spot just across from Harkto Loop.