A Guide to Hunting with the Tipperary Foxhounds
Dress code:
Both horse and rider should be dressed tidily, respectfully and appropriately for the conditions. Your horse should be clean and neatly trimmed with a plaited mane and tack should be well oiled and in good repair.
When hunting with the Tipperary Foxhounds, gentlemen should wear a plain black hunting jacket with black buttons unless awarded Tipperary Hunt buttons by the masters. With a black coat, buff breeches and black leather hunting boots are the correct. Ladies should wear a navy hunt coat, again with plain or Tipperary Hunt buttons, buff or yellow breeches and plain black leather boots. Hair should be secured in a hairnet, makeup kept to a minimum and piercings discreet. A plain white stock with a pin is correct for both ladies and gentlemen.
Safety:
For everyone's safety, your horse should be well schooled and trained to deal with the inevitable excitement of the day. Before going hunting, ensure your horse goes quietly in a group, stops easily, stands patiently and waits its turn at jumps. If your horse is new to hunting, you should tie a green ribbon in its tail. If it might kick, tie a red ribbon.
Always keep your distance from the hounds and other horses and turn your horse's head so that it faces the hounds, field-master or other staff as they pass. If a Whipper-in or the huntsman is approaching they should always be given right of way. If they need to pass through the field, let others know by calling "Whip please" or "Hunt please". If a hound is trying to get through the field, calling "Hound(s) please" will alert members to give the hound the right of way.
Conduct:
Please arrive early to the meet, allowing plenty of time to mount up, as the hunt will move off sharply at the appointed time. Take care when parking your trailer or lorry to avoid obstructing the road or local access. If you arrive late due to unavoidable circumstances, do not ride into the country to find the field but rather wait on the road to rejoin them at the earliest appropriate opportunity.
Shortly after arriving, locate the Secretary or the person responsible for collecting cap (your contribution for the day's hunting) and ideally have the correct amount of money ready. Please offer your cap to the appointed cap collector rather than waiting for them to approach you.
Those following the hunt on horseback are known as "The Field". The Field have a “Field Master” who knows the country and ensures that they do not stray from the acceptable path. Always follow the Field Master's orders and stay behind them at all times all times. If the Field Master asks the field to “Hold Hard!” they mean “Stop now and stay still". If he or she crosses a field by hugging the edge or shouting "Headlands", do likewise and try to keep as close to the hedge as possible to avoid damaging the land.
Do not ride over crops, and keep off all seeded fields. Close any gates you open and if you take down any wire or railings put it back up. “Gate please” is another call that is passed ‘down the line’ to alert the next rider to close a gate. If you are the last rider through such a gap, it is your responsibility to ensure it gets shut and secured. As a courtesy to our landowners, without whom the Tipperary Foxhounds would cease to exist, we ask all of our field members to leave everything as you found it. Report any damage to those on gate closing duty or the fencers.
Be courteous and friendly to the public. Always try to thank those who move over to allow you to pass by smiling and raising your hand and Gentleman often touch the peak of their caps when greeting people as a sign of respect. It's good manners to hold gates for people and to thank those who hold gates for us. Do not impede traffic while on your horse and always yield to oncoming cars immediately. Be careful not to ride on mown grass verges or to block people's entrances. Public relations are everyone’s responsibility.