Red Mountain Hounds

Come As You Are Hunt

WWW.REDMOUNTAINHOUNDS.COM

Saturday, October 12th, 2019 8:00 AM RMH Kennels 1122 Moores Mill Road Rougemont, NC 27572

Founded in 1969, the Red Mountain Hounds takes pride in being a fun, friendly, and family-oriented club.

We invite anyone interested in trying out foxhunting to participate in our “Come As You Are” hunt. Any Tack Any Attire* No Cost

We invite you to experience the many aspects of hunting that bring us together, such as, the social atmosphere, the beautiful country, the working hounds and the thrill of the hunt. Western tack and casual clothes are welcome. After the hunt (as with most of our hunts) we will have a bite to eat and answer any questions you may have about Fox Hunting.

*Helmet and Boots are required Our Come As You Are Hunt is an opportunity for anyone that would like to give Fox Hunting a tr y without any pressure or restrictions. Here is some additional information that may be helpful if you decide that hunting is fun for you and your horse:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FOXHUNTING

What type of horse do I need to fox hunt?

Any breed of horse is acceptable, but it should be sound and sensible. To begin a season of hunting, a horse should be fit enough for a vigorous 1-2 hour trail ride. Conditioning for the longer hunts, 2-4+ hours, evolves through the season of hunting itself. A horse’s feet need to be tough against gravel and rocks to avoid bruising; one may consider front pads for horses with sensitive soles. The most mandatory quality required by a rider is control over his/her mount. This is critical to the safety and enjoyment for oneself and other riders. Fox Hunting is a learned discipline for most horses. They will learn to gallop sensibly in a group, stop quickly, stand quietly and maneuver around obstacles. Hunter paces and trail rides are great preparations!

How experienced a rider must I be to fox hunt?

To foxhunt, a rider should be confident and comfortable at a walk and trot to ride with the Hilltoppers, and at a canter and hand gallop for the faster fields. They should have some experience trail riding and riding with a group. Experience in jumping would be helpful but is not mandatory as all jumps are optional.

What tack and/or attire is required?

Fox hunting is a sport based on tradition and convention, thus proper tack and attire is required. For the horse, plain brown or black English tack, and a fitted white saddle pad are traditional. A hard hat must always be worn while hunting. Formal attire consisting of a plain black or dark hunt style coat with a white shirt, white stock tie and plain gold pin, tan or buff breeches, and tall black boots, is always proper. However, a newcomer doesn’t need to immediately purchase hundreds of dollars’ worth of riding equipment and apparel… newcomers are encouraged to outfit themselves with at least some of the basic tack and attire, but our members are happy to lend you what else you need until you commit to the sport.

Isn’t fox hunting "a rich man’s sport”?

There is a subscription fee to join the Hunt. Subscription fees are different for students, individuals and families. This fee helps to cover the costs of the huntsman’s salary and the year-round care and management of the hounds and kennels, and is relatively low compared to the cost of attending horse shows. All other expenses and labor are volunteered.

Membership Costs (per year) are: Individual Membership: $1275 Family Membership: $1775 Junior/Student Membership: $675 Social Membership: $135 Capping Fee: $50 (adult) $25 (junior)

Discounted First-Year Membership Cost: $725