Hunting is one of New Zealand’s oldest rural traditions, where etiquette reigns and a code of conduct is observed and upheld as strongly today as it was over 100 years ago when the hunt was brought here from England.
Today I’m a guest of the Waitemata Hunt, being held at a farm near Helensville, which is around 50km north-west of Auckland.
Hunting is an autumn/winter sport; the season usually runs from March to July with two to three hunts a week. The chase generally lasts around four hours with the action starting at a respectful time (around 11.30am) and finishing mid-afternoon.
Hunting is attended by people of all ages and different backgrounds who share a love for sport and horses, and seeing it’s not competitive, I was told to expect good times and a merry camaraderie.
Spot-on! I hadn’t finished unloading my mare Meg when I was greeted by friendly members who promised to educate me in the traditions of hunting and ensure I had buddies to escort me. I was much comforted, as this was my first ‘adult’ hunt and Meg’s first introduction to hounds.
Each Hunt has its own history, often threaded through the ancestry of generations of New Zealand rural families. Private farms are generously opened to the Hunt, and many of these properties have been hunted over each year since the Hunt’s incorporation.
But it’s not a closed shop – certainly the members of the Waitemata Hunt could not have been more welcoming to a newbie, and there was no sense of having to break into the ‘in-crowd’ to feel a part of it.
New Zealand’s first pack of hunting hounds was formed following importation of beagles by Governor Sir George Grey in 1868; foxhounds were later bred into the pack. New Zealand’s first hunt, The Pakuranga Hunt in south eastern Auckland, was inaugurated in 1872 and bloodlines from the foundation pack still exist in packs throughout the country today.
Waitemata runs harrier hounds, and I discovered that the fastest way to offend a hunt member is to refer to them as ‘dogs’. I also learned that hounds are always counted in couples, eg. 11 couples are 22 hounds. They have an amazing sense of smell, which they use to follow quarry up hill and down dale. But at Waitemata, it’s a false scent they follow – Waitemata is a drag hunt, as there are no hares in the region.
The drag layers ride out 10 to 15 minutes ahead of the field, laying a trail that will (hopefully) guarantee a great afternoon’s riding.
The aim is for hounds to try and find the scent and then follow it. The Huntsman and his Whips (also known as Whippers-in) control hounds, while the Master is in charge of the riders, called the ‘field’. The Field Master helps with this.
The Master sets the direction and speed of the field, and the riders follow him, with the aim of keeping up with hounds as they run after the drag until they eventually catch up with the drag layer; this always involves getting to the other side of wire fences.
Ideally, of course, you jump them – but you don’t have to be willing or able to jump wire fences in order to follow the hunt! Non-jumping riders are called ‘gaters’, and while they have to give way to the jumpers, they are not looked down on, and have to make an effort to catch up with the field as soon as they can.
The other thing I learned is that you don’t gallop non-stop for hours – at the end of each ‘run’ there is a pause while everyone catches up, has a breather and a chat, while the drag layers take off to lay the next run. Each hunt has around five runs in total.
There was much laughter and big smiles as we all rode out, and the horses shared the excitement, jogging up the metal track. Meg had no idea what she was in for but she was influenced by the enthusiasm of her equine mates – completely disregarding the pigs in the next paddock.
Nigel Tracey the Huntsman led hounds into the first field, and then ‘cast’ them, so they began to mill around and search for the scent. Once they pick it up, they ‘give tongue’, which is a very distinctive musical howling noise (also called ‘speaking’) and the chase is on!
Huntsman Nigel sounds his horn to alert the field, and, following the Master, Nigel McNeill, the field is off, with the brave and more experienced souls taking the direct route and jumping whatever stands in the way.
There were a couple of spills and spectacular bucks ridden superbly by members in the field during the first half hour, but after climbing some decent hills, the energy settled. As this was our first time out, Meg and I were gaters, at the back of the field.
An advantage of drag hunting is the planned route. The drag layers decide what terrain to travel, and jumps are well-prepared and have nearby gates for the non-jumpers.
The pace is fast, but it’s broken up with rest and ‘refuel’ breaks (called a ‘check’) before hounds pick up the scent again.
Any breed of horse can go hunting, but looking around the field many riders chose sturdy Clydesdale-crosses and stationbred-type mounts. The most important attributes in a hunter are good manners, obedience, surefootedness and trustworthiness. A cool-headed horse is preferred over a nervous nelly, but I’m told that high-strung and excitable horses generally calm down after a couple of outings once they work out what it’s all about.
It’s generally accepted that horses will get stronger out hunting, so stepping up your bit is a good idea – over-taking the Master or even worse, crashing into the hound pack, is one of the biggest sins you can commit, so you need reliable brakes!
Of course, hunters have to be sound, and fit enough to canter/gallop for short spurts over a period of several hours over hilly country.
Today, the jumps were spars (where a piece of timber is placed over the lowered wire) but in other parts of the country you will find hedges, creeks and full-wire fences. The height of the jumps is usually under a metre with the majority around 70cm–90cm.
Horses who stop or run off have to wait at the back of the queue before trying again, but after three unsuccessful attempts, the rule is to use the gate.
When the day’s action is over, we ride back to the starting point, with most of the horses content to walk (though some are still jogging!). It’s customary for the field to stay mounted until the Huntsman has secured hounds back in his truck, and thanked the officials.
We’re then allowed to return to our own vehicles to untack, wash, water and feed our weary mounts.
Then – at least when social distancing rules are not in force – it’s time for the hunt breakfast, which is in fact more like an afternoon tea feast! Master Nigel makes a speech thanking the landowners, and Huntsman Nigel awards the hound points for the day before the adventures of the day are recounted and embellished.
I had such a great time, Meg was a superstar, albeit a little heavy in the bit. I was stoked with our first high-pressure outing as a new(ish) partnership. I’m not a gutsy rider but we had an amazing day! If I can do it – anyone with the ability to control their horse in a group situation can also.
Want to try hunting?
- You don’t have to join a hunt to give it a go. Most hunts will allow non-members to ‘cap’, paying a fee for the day. You pay this fee to the field secretary before the hunt.
- Like many hunts, Waitemata also runs events outside the season, including treks and clinics. Before the season starts, hunt schools are held which are great for newbies to introduce their horses to hounds, learn hunt etiquette and practise jumping wire.
- Arrive early, with plenty of time to prepare your horse so you are ready when hounds move off
- Greet the Master, and if bringing friends, introduce them to the Master, Field Master, and the secretary to pay their capping fee before setting off
- Never overtake the Master, and always follow his (or her) instructions
- Give way to officers of the Hunt (anyone in a red coat), hounds, and the Whippers-in
- Do not crowd hounds; turn your horse’s head toward hounds to avoid a potential kick
- Keep quiet if hounds are working around you, as your voice could distract them from the scent
- Never address or discipline a hound
- Red ribbons must be worn in the tails of kicking horses and these horses kept to the rear of the field
- Green ribbons are worn in the tails of ‘green’ horses
- Report any property damage to a committee member so repairs can be arranged
- Jumpers first, gaters last – do not open a gate while horses are jumping
- When riding through a gate that has been opened say ‘Gate please’ so the rider behind you can pass the message down through the field and the gate gets closed
- Thank the hunt officials at the end of the day, and also the landowners.
Who’s who in the hunt?
Traditionally, these roles were held by men. But today, women are just as likely to be huntsmen, masters or whips.
The Master: The most important person in the Hunt – his or her word is law. All the riders are under the Master’s direction, and must take his or her requests or orders without discussion or hesitation! Wears a red coat. Can be assisted by a deputy master, also in red.
The Huntsman: Responsible for training, breeding and caring for hounds, and guides and directs them on the hunt. He or she is the one with the horn! Wears a red coat.
Whippers-in or Whips: Assist the Huntsman with hounds. Their main job is to keep the pack together, to prevent hounds from rioting (straying).
Field Master: Responsible for the observance of rules and manners in the field, and wears a green coat. If you have questions you can approach a green coat for assistance.
Secretary: Collects capping fees and subscriptions from members, and administers the hunt communications.
To find a Hunt near you, visit http://www.huntingwithhounds.co.nz/
- This article was first published in the May 2013 issue of NZ Horse & Pony
