Visitors and those who wish to give hunting a try are always welcome at the Braes of Derwent Hunt with prior permission from the Secretary. We aim to be inclusive and the Secretary will gladly recommend particular meets for any rider unfamiliar with our Hunt country, whether you want to find a good jumping day, have a slow day in the woods, a short day or a day that avoids jumping altogether. Remember that anyone can come hunting: you don’t need a special horse to have some fun, although a well-mannered and fit horse will always increase your and his enjoyment. We don’t expect everyone to buy a new wardrobe for their first outing, so if you don’t have the correct clothing, don’t let it put you off. Just come along looking reasonably tidy and we will make you very welcome.
Equally, if you wish to come on foot, the Secretary will be happy to recommend a good viewing day.
If you have never been hunting before, please contact our Hunt Secretary via the ‘Contact Us’ page to find out where and when the meets are, and where you should park. If you would like someone to look after you on your first time out, make sure you ask the Secretary in advance and he or she will find someone experienced and friendly to look after you. Do give the Secretary as much information about you and your horse’s abilities as you can and tell him or her whether you wish to jump. However, don’t worry if you are faced with an unexpected jump on the day – there is always someone who knows a non-jumping way round something that looks too fearsome, and there is absolutely no shame in staying with the non-jumpers, everyone you will ever meet on the hunting field has done that at some point in their lives!
The most important thing to remember is that you have come out to have FUN and everyone involved wants nothing more than for you to go home with a big smile on your face.
NEWCOMERS’ DAYS
Newcomers are, of course, welcome throughout the hunting season by arrangement with the Secretary but special Newcomers’ Days are sometimes arranged during the season by the Masters. These are meets where newcomers are made especially welcome and they may be held in less challenging country. Regular hunters and subscribers are strongly encouraged to bring a newcomer on these special days and express permission from the Secretary is not required. We do ask, however, that newcomers are escorted by or are kept under the eye of a competent hunter so that they gain the maximum enjoyment from their day out.