Caerphilly and District Hunt

Caerphilly Hunt had one of it's biggest Meets of recent times at the Black Cock Inn on Jan 2nd. 68 horses were present with 55 actually following hounds. Thank you all for coming and we hope you had a good day.
May we politely point out however that there is a recognised etiquette when attending a meet. CDH has worked hard over many years to ensure its standard of turn out, both of horses and riders is high. This shows respect to the pack, and also to the long traditions of the sport.
Whilst we do not expect everyone to appear in the correct hunting kit if they are a novice or just "trying out" we do expect riders to make an effort regarding dress. Safety helmets are, of course compulsory. Riders should not wear brightly coloured jackets, anoraks or windcheaters - especially those with stable names or other logos on the back. Riders should wear a hacking or show coat, a hunting tie, (stock) or a collar and tie. Green waxed jackets are permissible if the weather is especially bad. Polo necked sweaters are not acceptable. Riders should wear clean jodhpurs, preferably in cream, yellow or white. Navy blue is acceptable. You should not wear leggings, overtrousers, jeans, joggers or shell trousers. On your feet should be butcher boots or jodhpur boots. Black or brown half chaps are acceptable with the latter. Certainly NOT yard boots or wellingtons. Ladies and girls should wear a hair net, especially if they have long hair. A pony tail is found only on a horse.
Body protectors may be worn if preferred but these should be in dark colours. If you carry a whip, make sure you know how and when to use it, particularly in the vicinity of hounds. If you carry a crop do NOT carry it in your boot.
Your horse does not necessarily have to be plaited, but the time taken will be appreciated by other riders. Your horse should arrive at the meet clean and brushed. If it is a novice tie a green ribbon around it's tail. If it is a known kicker, tie a red one and keep it away from other horses at the meet and also the hounds.
Try to arrive early. Always make sure YOU have your cap for the day. The hunt officials have enough to organise on the day without having to chase around because my Mum/Dad/ Gran/Friend/Uncle Tom Cobley has it. Hunting etiquette dictates that YOU should have the correct cap, and you should endeavour to offer it to the collectors without being pointedly asked.
Listen to the Field Master and try to keep reasonably quiet.
Riders and followers should note that if you attend a meet it is assumed that you wish to be part of the event. We have no objections to youngsters or riders with young mounts attending so that they can 'see hounds' and then not following out. We all have to start somewhere but the above conditions apply and you WILL be expected to make a contribution.
Finally, on two meets per season, Opening Meet and Boxing Day, there will be TWO collections. One will be by way of thanks to the people who help out at the kennels 365 days of the year, skinning fallen stock and cleaning and feeding the hounds. This is a private, amateur hunt. No one gets paid, we all give our time freely and for nothing because we love this sport. Every penny we spend has to be collected from people such as yourself.
The other will be the standard day cap (your fee for following the hounds) If you are a subscriber (full member) you will still be expected to contribute towards the collection for Hunt Servants.
If you have read this far, then thank you very much. It is not a rant by 'hide-bound old colonels' but a polite request to observe the accepted rules of the game. In hunting, the more you know about the traditions, dress, conventions and language the more you will enjoy it.
Gareth Rees, on behalf of the The Hunt Committee.