Thank you for your interest in riding with the Green Creek Hounds.  Here are a few things that will help you enjoy the day.  Most of these are common sense guidelines that all horsemen follow when riding in a group in the country.

• Hounds always have the right of way. Be on the lookout for them and give them the opportunity to pass.  Please do not speak to the hounds in the field.
• If your horse is uncomfortable with the hounds, please pay attention to the hounds' position, and should your horse attempt to kick a hound, remind your horse with the appropriate reprimand that striking a hound is not allowed in the field. Experienced hunt horses are expected to ignore hounds, but horses new to hunting are not used to hounds and may take some time to learn.
• Keep a safe distance from the horse in front of you. The faster we go, the more “cushion” you will need to allow.  Sometimes the field has to reverse on a narrow trail.  We do a forward reverse-follow the horse in front of you as we change direction.
• When hazards are encountered on the trail, the warning is passed from front to back. When the person in front of you says “'Ware hole!” (Beware the hole!) and points to the hole, you do the same for the rider behind you, and on down the line. You may hear “ware wire” or “ware bees” (our least favorite).  “Low bridge” or "ware vine" means low branches or hanging vines - in other words, duck!
• If you are jumping and have a refusal, immediately go to the back of the group to try again. All of our coops have go-arounds. You won't be left.
• When the hounds are working, please try not to talk. Chatter interferes with the huntsman's ability to hear the hounds, and voices can turn and spook quary.
• Please no perfume or cologne in the field, and please turn cell phones to vibrate.
• If you are uncomfortable in the flight you are in or find you need to go in early, be sure to tell your field master. We accommodate all riders and wish for you to have a good time.
• Please give way to the whippers-in. When they need to pass, you will hear “Staff right (or left), please”.  Sometimes they will pass very quickly. It is very important they have the right of way. Turn your horse's hind end away from staff if possible.
• Have lots of fun!

FOX HUNTING ETIQUETTE

Masters, officers, and staff make the commitment to honor both the traditions of the sport and the practical considerations that help promote a safe and enjoyable experience for all in the hunt field. Etiquette in the hunt field contributes to safety. If you have a question regarding turnout, etiquette, or other hunt-related considerations, do not hesitate to ask the Field Master for a clarification or call a Master in advance.

 

The Hunt Horse: The most important quality in a hunter is safety. The horse should go quietly in a group, stop without a fight, stand patiently at checks, wait its turn at jumps, and jump without refusals. To avoid a kicking incident, allow sufficient distance between horses. A horse prone to kicking should be kept to the rear and have a red ribbon in its tail. Always point your horse’s head toward hounds. Unless directed to do so by the Master of Fox Hounds, do not address or rate any hound.  Attend Trail Rides and Roading during the summer to bring a new hunter along.

Hounds ALWAYS have the right-of-way in the field. It is the rider's job to assure the hounds can do theirs.

Tack: Hunting tack is not fancy. Bridles should be flat without embellished decorations. A standing martingale and breastplate is appropriate if needed. The bit should assure sufficient braking power. The saddle should be English style; brown leather, synthetic materials or black leather saddles.  As we move forward in the changing times, Green Creek is looking to embrace other riding disciplines and styles and try to develop a traditional fox hunting style for them.  Please talk to a Master if you have questions.

While many hunts only allow Staff to carry a hunt whip, you may carry a hunt whip as a member of the field.  HOWEVER, you are never allowed to use it unless directed by the Huntsman or a Master.  The chances of that happening are very remote in the Green Creek Hunt Field.

The Staff has duties from before the hunt until returning the hounds to the meet and hound trailer. Please understand if they are unable to socialize with you at times.

A call of "Staff please" or "Ware staff" requires that you quickly leave room for the staff member to pass safely. When a staff member passes by, turn your horse toward the staff member.  In the Green Creek hunt country, most paths are wide enough for the staff to pass you with ease.  In the event the field is standing as the staff member passes, you should back your horse into the sides of the path, directing your horse's head to the path as the staff goes by.

Listen if the Staff member gives instructions and try to follow them as quickly and safely as possible.

Long or short hair on either a lady or a gentleman should be restrained within a hairnet. If a rider’s hair is long enough to be braided and can then be tucked down into the back of the coat, this is also acceptable. However, long hair, hanging out loosely from beneath the helmet, braids, pigtails, or ponytails are not proper. Hair clips and ribbons are also not appropriate but, then again, there should be no hair showing to which they could be attached.  This guideline is not enforced with female, junior riders.  They may wear braided hair and ribbons.  BUT not free-flowing out the back. As well as being neat and respectful turnout, it is also for your own safety! No one wants long hair getting caught in branches or vines.

Only a minimal amount of jewelry, if any, should be worn in the hunt field and what is worn should be plain. Dangling earrings or loose bracelets that could catch on tree branches or other objects should not be worn.

Fragrances should not be used on a hunting day. This applies to both ladies and gentlemen. They can easily distract the hounds and mask the more subtle scents of the quary.

Riders may carry either a pocket flask or a bayonet-style flask in a holster case affixed to the front of the saddle. Riders may carry a sandwich box affixed to the back right side of the saddle. Passing and partaking of the flask is a long-standing fox hunting tradition, practiced often in the Green Creek hunt field.

Although the hunt is likely to be canceled if heavy rain is falling, there are occasional days when the sport goes forth, even in a rain. On such days, the masters may choose to allow hunting coats to be replaced or enhanced with rain gear. If so, the jacket should be a rubber-lined Macintosh (or Mackintosh) with leg straps, a Barbour, or similar style, preferably in a black, tan, green or brown color, and should not have loose pieces that flap in the wind. All other elements of attire remain the same as on any other hunting day unless designated by the Field Master or exception granted.  BUT, you do not have that style of raincoat for riding, safe and dry is acceptable.

Warm Weather can happen any time in the Foothills of North Carolina.  Whether Autumn Hunting or Formal Hunting, jackets can be waived by the Masters at any time, either before the hunt or during.  September Autumn Hunting is Shirt and Tie for Staff, and the Field may wear polo shirts.

Formal Hunting begins at Opening Meet in November.  Then, only weekends are Formal until the close of the season.  Weekdays are Informal Hunting attire.

It is correct, and expected, to braid manes for formal days such as Opening Meet and Blessing of the Hounds. It is also proper, although not required, to braid for joint meets. If a horse’s mane is braided, it should be done neatly. An unbraided mane that is nicely trimmed is preferable to a bad braiding job.

Upon arrival, it is proper to greet the Masters before the start of the hunt and to announce your presence to the Field Master. If you have brought a guest, the Field Master must be informed, the guest introduced, and the capping fee paid. Guests must have a signed liability waiver.  Any Social members that are hunting must also announce their presence to the Field Master and Masters, and pay the capping fee.

Order In The Field:

The generally observed custom is that members with their colors and awarded buttons are entitled to ride in front of the field behind the Master. This may be referred to as the right of colors or a privilege awarded to those members who have not only been consistent and knowledgeable foxhunters, but who have worked diligently in the interest of the hunt for some time. Awarded colors or not, they should be a “riding member”. Past riding members, awarded colors, who are capping; or now social members are considered guests and should ride behind Riding Members. This is not to say that a hunting member who has not yet been awarded colors cannot ride in the front with those who have, but suggests that in the case of a chase the regular hunting member should give way to a member wearing colors. However, if the member with colors does not keep up with the pack during a chase, then the regular member has the right to pass in an open field and move to the front behind the Master provided he or she does not interfere with or impede the member with colors or, for that matter, any other rider. Courtesy and safety to all other riders is always foremost in our thinking.

After Colors and Buttons come members, then guests, then Junior members.  This is “proper”.  If you are wondering where to be in your flight, follow proper.  Green Creek is very easy-going, and there is never an issue here. Feel free to ask the person in front of you where you should be.   Remember, green hunters, or new to hunting at the flight you are in – stay in the back of the flight.  Junior members, who are known to be good riders are often encouraged to hunt with or near a Master by the Masters.

If a horse refuses a jump, the rider should move to the back of the line before making another attempt.

Given the social nature of this sport, there is always a temptation to engage in conversation, a practice referred to as “coffee housing.” It should, however, be avoided at most times. Chatting among the field can distract the Huntsman and Masters, thus detracting from the integrity of the sport. This does not mean absolute silence must be always observed, but attention should be paid to the focus of the day’s activity—i.e., hound work. Attempts to engage the Field Master in conversation, particularly when he or she is trying to monitor hound work, should be especially avoided.  If the Field Master wishes for conversation, he/she will engage the conversation.

Ideally, everyone should come out with the intention of remaining for the duration of the hunt, no matter how long the day lasts. However, situations do arise—lost shoe, lame horse, rider injury, illness, etc.—that necessitates heading back in while the hunt is still in progress. When such a situation occurs, word should be passed to the master or field secretary so that he or she is aware of the departure. The withdrawing member should also ask the master for directions back to the meet, even if he or she knows the territory, to avoid interfering with the work of hounds. Where possible, the return route should use hard-surfaced roads.  Green Creek will always allow you to go home when you or your horse have had enough but come to the hunt with a plan to hunt for the whole hunt.  Green Creek hunts last about two to three hours.

The hunt waits for no one. Hounds move off at the appointed time and hunting begins immediately. Certainly, the unforeseen impediment befalls us all eventually, but every effort should be made to arrive at the meet with sufficient time to be mounted and ready to move off with the field. If something has occurred to cause sufficient delay, it may simply be best to forego the day’s sport rather than risk ruining it for others. If you do arrive late and the hunt has begun, ride to the road, and follow the road in the direction of the sound of the hunt.  Look for a Road Whip and he/she will guide you as how to catch up with the field. They can call on a radio to a Field Master for instructions. Once you have joined up with the field, the first obligation is to apologize to the Master for your tardiness.

It should be noted that the Masters are empowered to excuse riders from the field if a sufficiently egregious transgression has been committed. Riding with the hunt is a privilege, not a right. The authority does rest with masters to send a rider home if he or she deems such action is necessary. A faithful observance of proper etiquette is the surest way to avoid such an unpleasant occurrence.

 

How to Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk, and Dress the Part for a Proper Foxhunt
By Adrienne Rubin
https://www.foxhuntinglife.com/foxhunting-horse-a-hound/norman-fine/825-fox-hunting-attire-no-single-truth
(This article was originally printed in Fox Hunting Life, has been edited for GCH members.)

Foxhunting is deeply rooted in tradition, and many traditions which originated on the hunt field are still carried out today in other riding disciplines, like plaiting manes or wearing a stock tie for dressage. If it’s your first time foxhunting, it’s important to dress the part. While some of these items vary for different hunts, this list is applicable to most. Here at Green Creek Hounds, we encourage newcomers to try fox hunting. Besides our “Come As You Are, Free Hunting Day”, anytime we will overlook some of the traditions of fox hunting to allow a fresh face to experience our sport. If you are in need of a specific item, let our masters know, and a member or two may have just what you need.

All Season Long - The Horse
September through March

There is a lot out there on proper hunting bridles, bits, and saddles. Generally, flat bridles with no “bling”, but the most important is safety for you and your horse. So, the tack you choose to use for your horse is your decision. Here are some standards though:

• White, fitted saddle pad.
• Horse is clean, maybe even a little shine.
• Tack is clean and buckles, bits, and buttons are polished.

Treat fox hunting as a “B” Rating Pony Club turnout. Now, we all have issues and many are excused. We live in the “red clay” area of the country, and sometimes your horse tries to sabotage your hunting morning. Do your best and be safe. Try to respect Fox Hunting with the 100 plus years of history in our country it deserves. Showing your horse and tack at its finest is also a compliment to the landowner of any fox hunt. Spend an extra few minutes cleaning things.

Informal Autumn Hunting
The Month of September

From your waist down, the Informal Hunting Attire below in the next section is correct. But, due to weather conditions in the South, we allow Polo Shirts to be worn during the month of September. Please wear a solid color short-sleeved polo. Do not wear red unless you have been told you can wear red.

The Hunt Staff will be dressed in button-down shirts with a tie of their choice. Members of the Field are allowed to dress in shirt and tie as well. Over the past few years, this dress code has given many people to collect and wear colorful hound, fox, or horse ties.

Informal Foxhunting Attire (Ratcatcher)
October through Opening Hunt in mid-November, and Weekday Hunts during Formal Hunting Season
There is a very high likelihood that jackets will be waved on any given hunting day until it gets cold.

• Helmet or Riding Hat: An ASTM-approved helmet is generally recommended anytime you’re riding, especially if you’re jumping. For informal hunts, your helmet can be black or brown. Long hair should be pinned up in a bun or tucked into your helmet with a hairnet.
• Coat: Tweed (in many patterns) and muted earth tone coats are acceptable for informal hunts and cubbing or autumn hunting. If you don’t have one, a black or navy coat is fine, as well.
• Shirt: A light-colored, collared shirt with sleeves, or an Oxford shirt with a neck tie.
• Stock tie: Any color stock tie except white during cubbing season, and for informal hunts white or any other color or plaid or patterned is alright, fastened with a horizontal stock pin. Stock ties may be decorative, but other jewelry is discouraged. This is also a chance for personalities to be exposed as many people have started to collect many different patterned Stock Ties.
• Vest: Vests are optional but can be canary yellow, tattersall, plaid, or patterned.
• Breeches: Tan, buff, gray, or rust.
• Boots: Black or brown dress or field boots.
• Belt: Belt should match the boots and shirt should be tucked in. Leather belts are advised, as they can be substituted as a rein or stirrup leather if needed.
• Gloves: Black leather, brown leather, or string gloves. Stock pins may be decorative.

Formal Foxhunting Attire
Opening Hunt (mid-November) through the end of the season in March, Weekends Only and some Holiday Hunts

• Helmet or Riding Hat: Although you might see some riders wearing top hats or hunt caps without a chinstrap, an ASTM-approved helmet is generally recommended anytime you’re riding, especially if you’re jumping. For formal hunts, your helmet should be black velvet, with the bows in back pointing up (unless you’re a member of the staff). Long hair should be pinned up in a bun or tucked into your helmet with a hairnet. Top hats should only be worn with coats with tails.
• Coat: Black, lightweight for warm weather or wool frock for winter. Some hunts specify navy, hunter green, or other colored coats for the members and/or masters, but black is usually a safe choice. Three buttons in front, two buttons on each cuff.
• Shirt: White, long-sleeved (like a show shirt), tucked in.
• Stock tie: A plain white stock tie should be fastened with a plain, gold pin. Some hunts specify a different type of pin, but a plain, straight, gold pin is a classic safe choice.
• Vest: A canary yellow or a tattersall vest is acceptable for most hunts.
• Breeches: Tan, buff, or canary breeches. For some hunts, masters and red coats will wear white breeches.
• Boots: Black leather dress boots are traditional, although many riders wear field boots (with laces).
• Belt: Belt should be black and shirt should be tucked in. Leather belts are advised, as they can be substituted as a rein or stirrup leather if needed.
• Gloves: Gloves may be black or white, depending on the hunt.

All on – All hounds present and accounted for.

Babble – To give tongue on scent other than fox, or on no scent, or on a scent too faint to follow.

Bitch pack – A pack of hounds consisting only of bitches (females), referred to only as bitches, not as bitchhounds.

Blank – A covert is blank or has been drawn blank when no foxes are found. A day is blank when hounds do not find a fox or coyote.

Brace – When counting foxes, two equal a brace and three equal a leash.

Breakfast – The meal after hunting is over, no matter the time of day.

Brush – A fox’s tail.

Buttons - Club-specific buttons worn by members only at the invitation of the Masters.

Capping Fee - A Fee paid by non-members for each time hunting to help in the cost of insurance and regular costs of the hunt such as maintaining the hounds, grounds or equipment.

Casting – Hounds attempt to recover the line after a loss. Hounds may cast themselves or the Huntsman may cast hounds.  Hounds are also Cast in search of a scent.  The hunting time each hunting day is often referred to as “We Cast at 8:00”, or the time we start hunting.

Check – When scent has temporarily disappeared.

Coffee Housing – When people are chattering instead of paying attention.

Colors – A club-specific colored collar worn by members only at the invitation of the masters.

Coop – A brace of boards placed over a wire fence providing the “safe” place for mounted riders to jump when crossing a fixture-fenced boundary.  Today, it is simply a brace of boards placed in a fence line.

Country – The area where a pack of hounds operates.

Couple – Two hounds. Hounds are always counted in couples, i.e. eleven hounds equal five and a half couples. Tradition has it that the extra half couple (hound) is the one who finds the fox.

Couples – A device for keeping two hounds joined for training, Coupling.

Covert – (pronounced “cover”) A patch of woods or brush where foxes are apt to be found.

Cry – The sound given by hounds when hunting.

Cub – A weaned fox in his first year of life.

Cub Hunting - Starts usually in August prior to Opening Hunt. Opportunity to train hounds/mounts.  TODAY, this is called Autumn Hunting, as we do not hunt Cub Foxes or Coyotes.

Closing Hunt – Last Hunt of the Season, usually March 17^th.

Den – A fox or coyote hole.

Dog Fox – A male fox.

Dog pack – A pack of hounds consisting only of doghounds (males).

Drawing – Looking for a fox or coyote in a covert. We Cast the Hounds in a Covert, and Draw it.

Earth – Any place a fox or coyote goes to ground for protection.

Entered Hound – A hound which has been hunted for one season or more. Un-entered hounds have not yet hunted.

Feathering – A hound “feathers” when he indicates, by actions rather than by voice, that he is on a line or near it. The stern (rear end) is waved and activity is concentrated and intensified.

Field ("the field") – The group of members and guests, excluding the MFH and staff, gathered to follow hounds on any particular day. There is a distinct protocol traditionally followed within the field.

Field Master – The person who is responsible for the field while out hunting. This may be the MFH or someone designated by the MFH. The field master has a difficult job. Most field masters would like to encourage members’ interest and enthusiasm in hounds and hunting and will try their best to get the field where they should be. (Please, don’t pass the Field Master.) Our Hunt has Three Field Masters every hunt:

Flight 1 – Stays with the hounds, at all speeds and over any obstacles.

Flight 2 – Same as Flight 1, except they do not gallop downhill, and generally go around most obstacles.

Flight 3 – Walk, Trot, perhaps Canter on flat, dry ground.

Field Secretary - Assists Honorary Secretary, collects capping fees, liability releases, assists Field Master in accountability of who is riding in the Field.

Fixtures - The lands and properties on which we hunt.

Fixture Card – The printed schedule of hunt meets, listing times and locations. The Green Creek Fixture Card is on the website, and emailed monthly to the members.

Full Cry – When the entire pack is speaking to a line.

Ground – When the fox “goes to ground” he takes shelter, frequently in a hole or pipe.

Hark – 1) “Please be quiet and listen.” 2) Hounds rushing to a hound that has opened.

Heading a fox – To head a fox is to cause it to turn from its planned direction of travel. Every effort is made to avoid this.

Hilltoppers – Traditionally, Hilltoppers would follow the hunt by riding from hilltop to hilltop, observing from a distance. Nowadays, Persons riding, following the action at a slower pace without jumping (great place for green horses to be tested/trained). This is Flight 3.

Hold Hard – “Stop quickly, please.”  IF YOU HEAR THIS – STOP!!!

Honor – One hound honors another when he gives tongue on a line that another hound has been hunting.

Honorary Secretary - Secretary of the Hunt business, collects capping fees, liability releases, and is responsible for communication with other hunts.

Hound - Foxhound or recognized breed of dog used in foxhunting. Fox hunters do not ever call the hounds “dogs”.

Hunt - In the old days, what we call a "good chase" or a good run would have been called a good hunt.

Hunt Breakfast - the meal and social gathering after a formal hunt.

Hunt Ball – A Hunt’s annual formal dinner dance.

Hunter Trials - Held early in the fall. An opportunity for friendly competition between hunts

Hunter Pace - Late in the spring and early in the Fall, cross country event where optimum time is the key to winning.

Huntsman – The person who hunts hounds and is responsible for the care, breeding, and training of the hounds. At some hunts, the Masters direct the breeding program. At some hunts, one of the Masters acts as Huntsman. The Huntsman may be professional (in which case he is paid for his services) or he may be an amateur.

Kennel – The place where hounds are kept.

Joint Meet - Planned joint hunts with 2 or more Hunts participating.

Lark – Unnecessary utilization of the horse which expends energy and enhances risk needlessly.

Lift – To carry hounds forward. The huntsman lifts hounds by encouraging them forward.

Line – The trail of the fox or coyote.

Mark – When a hound indicates that a fox has gone to ground.

Mask – A fox’s head.

Master – This almost always refers to the Master of Fox Hounds (MFH), the person responsible for the hunting and the organization of the country. As long as you are in the hunt field, the Master’s word is “law”. At the meet, this is the person in charge and responsible for the entire proceedings. The MFH is the host, making sure everyone is having a good day, and the chief of protocol, making sure rules and traditions are upheld, and the safety officer, making sure everyone is under control and behaving courteously and kindly. There may also be a Field Master appointed to lead the field.

Master of Foxhounds – They can be Elected officials aka Joint Masters or Appointed, depending on the hunt structure. They oversee the Hunt activities, manage assets and funds, and interact with landowners on behalf of the Hunt.  Green Creek is a “Private Pack”.  The Master of Foxhounds, in which there are two, are the sole deciders of all hunt activities and owners of the hounds.

Meet – The assembling of the hunt for the day’s sport. The actual place is also called the meet.

Mixed pack – A pack of hounds consisting of both sexes.   This is how Green Creek hunts.

Music – The baying of hounds indicating they have scented quary.

Nose – The ability of a hound to detect and interpret the scent.

Open – When a hound first gives tongue on a line.

Opening Hunt - The traditional beginning of the hunt season. An event steeped in tradition. Horses are braided, tack sparkling clean, the hounds are blessed, an extensive breakfast follows the hunt.

Pad – A fox’s foot.

Panel – A jump built into a fence line specifically for foxhunting.

Puppy – A young foxhound that has been weaned but has not been entered.

Ratcatcher - Informal attire for cubing and hunting. Tweed coat, stock or neck tie, field boots, hunt cap or helmet.

Rate – A vocal warning given to correct hounds.

Release of Liability - A document acknowledging release of liability which must be signed and witnessed prior to leaving the trailer area for the Hunt. Children must be signed for by legal parent or guardian.

Riot – When hounds are hunting any game other than the intended quarry.

Run – Describes the action after hounds find the line of a fox. A “good run” is also a “good hunt” (the term “hunt” should refer to a “run” and not to a “meet”).

Running Heel – When hounds are hunting a line in the wrong direction.

Scent – The smell of a fox and the physical and chemical phenomena by which the smell gets from the fox’s footprints to the hound’s nose. Scent can be good or bad, easy to follow or not, depending on various factors including the weather.

Speak – When a hound gives tongue. (One would never say a hound was barking . . .)

Staff - Also known as Hunt Staff. The Huntsman, whippers-in, and Field Masters make up the Hunt Staff.

Stern – The hound’s tail.

Stirrup Cup – The morning drink before the hunt starts.  Typically a Port Wine.

Tag – The white tip on a red fox’s brush.

Territory – The area officially designated by the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) where a hunt is allowed to operate.

Thruster – A member of the field who rides too close to staff or hounds.

Tongue – Cry. A hound “gives tongue” when he proclaims with his voice that he is on the line of a fox.

Types of Fox Hounds – English, American, and Crossbred. There are two breeds of foxhounds, English and American. Crossbred fox hounds are a mixture of English and American. Pennmarydels are a unique strain of American foxhounds, which many consider to be a separate breed or type.  Green Creek is Pennmarydels.

View – To actually see the fox or coyote. Should a member of the field view, he or she should quietly inform the Master right away.

View Holloa – The high-pitched cry given only by a staff member when a fox breaks covert. Tally-Ho!

Vixen – A female fox.

Ware – A shortening of the word beware, i.e. ware hole, ware wire, etc. Should not be used to alert the field to passage of individuals. Instead use, “staff, please” or “huntsman, please,” etc.

Waving his stern – When a hound is wagging his tail.

Whelp – 1) A foxhound puppy prior to weaning; 2) an un-weaned fox cub.

Whippers-in – The staff members who assist the Huntsman with discipline and behavior of hounds in the hunt field. They may also assist with kennel duties and hound exercising.

Workday – Also Path Clearing Day. Days set aside to clear trails, repair jumps, work on projects for maintenance of the property.