Alix and her horse Avatar flying over a big ditch!
On Monday October 25, we joined a clinic with Olympic Eventer Boyd Martin! Thank you to our friends at Bayboro Equestrian for putting on a top notch event and inviting MRC to be part of what was a truly amazing day!
We invited MRC members to join us as either auditors or riders. Thank you to Ericka Rose for mounting 6 of our riders on her fantastic crew of hunt horses. We also had 3 of our horse owning members trailer in their own horses to join our MRC groups at the clinic.
The day started bright and early at 8am, thankfully there was coffee and bagels waiting for us! As we grabbed our refreshments and hiked up to the XC field we were in awe of the beautiful October morning and the great facility chosen for the event!
To start the day off with as much action as possible, the first group were training/ prelim level and jumped some pretty amazing obstacles! These exceptional riders and their horses were inspirational to watch and provided some good visuals for us to take away for our own rides. Seeing the boldness, techniques, riding positions and how these riders approached jumps was really helpful and inspirational for those of us riding later in the day.
Alana and Pepper taking a big leap!
Boyd shared so much wisdom from how to line up jumps, set speeds, deal with tricky horses and get things done. “Whatever it takes” “Make it happen” “Keep trying” “You’re nearly there” "Just pop over it" were common phrases for some of the more challenging jumps and horses! Although simple support phrases, coming from him, they really sent a zing of bravery and perseverance through riders.
With most of the other riders there on their own horses who they know well and ride often, it was a different experience for us. One of our riders was on a horse she had never ridden before and three others were on horses they had only ridden a couple times, cheers to them for their bravery! All of our riders and horses were truly amazing and had some great rides, congrats team!
At the end of the day we filled our horses' deserving bellies with treats and headed over for an MRC exclusive social with Bayboro and Boyd! Nestled in one of the beautiful barn isles with bales of hay, pumpkins, flowers and cute market lights, it was the perfect setting for us equestrians. We all enjoyed some delicious cheese from around the world, yum, and wonderfully paired wines to go with. Everyone got the chance to chat a bit with Boyd and the Bayboro team about what a fantastic day we had and everything else horses. When it was finally time to leave we had spent almost 12 amazing hours at the farm and enjoyed every second. We all left with bags of horse treats and boxes of goodies, thanks to Purina!
Can’t wait for the next one!
Huge Thank You to:
-Bayboro Equestrian
-Boyd Martin
-Ericka Rose
-Jen Kostiv (photography)
-Skylar & Kailie Nolan (photography)
-Purina
-InterSource, distributor of artisanal cheeses (Cypress Grove, Sartori, Cowgirl Creamery, Fratelli Pinna, Vermont Creamery)
Thinking about growth and accountability...
What does it mean to be an athlete? The Oxford definition states “a person who is proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise.”
And what does it mean to be an equestrian? The International Equestrian Federation states in their values “Equestrian sport is one of the very few sports where men and women compete on equal terms all the way up to Olympic level. It is also the only sport which involves two athletes: horse and rider. The relationship and mutual respect built up between the two is the key to a successful partnership.”
For MRC, as mostly pleasure riders, participating in a sport that requires both athleticism and equestrianism, how do we define ourselves and at the same time push ourselves to be the best we can be, not only for us but for our horses?
We have a unique perspective as mostly non horse owning riders; we have a passion and various levels of experience and MRC provides an opportunity to live out that passion with little of the responsibility that horse owners take on. The luxury of being able to show up and ride a horse that has already been trained, sometimes even groomed or tacked for us can be taken for granted.
Horse owners have a responsibility to care for their horses daily, to feed them, exercise them, clean their stalls and paddocks, get them regular vet checks and farrier visits. They treat and ride their horses as their close companions, with a keen sense of responsibility, concerned about every ride or step that horse may take and how it could impact their health and overall lifespan. They provide a great trust in us when they let us ride their horses.
When horse owners have an issue or problem with their horse they are required to seek the training or use the tools they have to work through it and find solutions. Horses are living breathing animals and like us are constantly changing and adapting to their surroundings and as horse owners and riders we have a responsibility to be aware and in tune to how they communicate.
So while our horse owners are spending their weeks exercising, training and treating their horses, what can we do as riders to be there and be better for the horses we get to ride? We can work on being good athletes and equestrians. We can stay fit, work on our core strength, read and watch videos, and start to understand the anatomy and behavior of horses.
We can take lessons regularly, being mentally and physically present to build our knowledge and confidence for each of the horses we will ride in the future. And we can start to develop more awareness about the horses we ride, how are they breathing? What is the footing like, could it cause them to lose a shoe? Why are they tossing their heads? And we can start to take accountability that for most “issues while riding” there is a level of rider error happening.
When we take accountability for how a horse we are riding is behaving we can start to look at our own riding and skills and think through the steps of how to fix it.
As we become stronger athletes, we can manage horses that are also stronger athletes. And as we become better equestrians we can understand how to better communicate with our amazing partners, the horses we ride.
Not every ride will be our best ride, not every horse will be like the last horse but if we continue to grow we will always be better than we were yesterday.
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I was walking through our galleries a few months ago and saw an incredible saddle, a 15th-century German piece from the Tyrol that was not only covered in intricate carvings but was also made almost completely out of bone. I was stunned by the craftsmanship and the realization that it would be terribly uncomfortable to ride in, and I immediately wondered what other equestrian pieces we might have in the collection. Once back in my office, I had a look through our database and couldn’t believe how many wonderful objects I’d never come across before, though in all honesty, I hadn’t really thought to look until now. I promptly emailed Melissa and Alana about my discovery, and just like that, the MET x MRC tour was born.
Parade saddle, German or Tyrolean, ca. 1450, one, polychromy, wood, leather, iron alloy, 04.3.250, Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
At The Met, I conduct provenance research for the Robert Lehman Collection, which essentially means I investigate the ownership histories of its objects, beginning with the circumstances surrounding an artwork’s creation all the way up to the day it entered the collection. With an extremely varied taste for art by the Old Masters, Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, and Fauves, just to name a few, Robert Lehman amassed what is widely considered the most important private art collection ever held in America, which he then donated to The Met upon his death. However, especially with pieces of Impressionist and Modern art or works by the Old Masters, there is always a concern that during World War II, an object had been unjustly taken from its owner and could thus present the museum with possible legal challenges now or in the future. It’s therefore extremely important that we piece together its path into the collection as thoroughly as we can, both to better understand the life cycle of the object and to make informed choices about its loan and display.
It could be that the object was actively looted by the Nazis, who set up a specific taskforce, the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg (ERR), to systematically plunder all the important Jewish art collections in Europe. The plan was to fill a new Führermuseum, to be built in Hitler’s hometown of Linz, Austria, with the greatest pieces they could find while simultaneously eradicating what they called entartete kunst, or degenerate art, from the Reich. What we now consider some of the most important genres of painting— Surrealism, Dada, Fauvism, Cubism, Expressionism—all of these were considered depraved and suspiciously ‘Jewish’ and therefore had to be destroyed. In fact, most early supporters of the avant-garde, to which these ‘degenerate’ genres belonged, were themselves Jewish, and many were forced to sell their collections at ridiculously low prices in order to pay the fluchtgut, or flight tax, which would allegedly allow them to flee the country to safety. And while the Nazi regime would not approve of degenerate art remaining within Germany’s borders, they had no qualms about selling to foreign collectors what they had seized for a few Reichsmarks, almost always making enormous profits that still affect the art market today.
If you have a picture in your mind’s eye of me, sitting at a desk covered in documents and files, in a room filled floor to ceiling with dusty books, examining a mark on the back of a painting through a magnifying glass, you’re actually not far off from my usual day to day. But with COVID, as you might expect, there has been extremely limited access to the resources necessary to conduct my work, and it can at times feel frustrating not to make as much progress as I would like. That, coupled with the loss of most of my social life and my inability to find an emotionally mature man under the age of 40 (anyone else?), has really made me think about what makes me happy when I’m by myself. In short: it’s James Norton as Prince Andrei in War and Peace, my cat birdwatching while sitting like a rotisserie chicken, successfully financing my life around my addiction to Diptyque candles, and riding horses (particularly if they are named Winston).
Photo by Devin Jacobs of Sir Winston of Penwick, 1st Baron Sporthorse and rider (me), iPhone 8, 2021.
Growing up in the Midwest, I rode regularly for years, but with two majors in college, a year abroad in London, and then a trip back across the pond for a Master’s, I fell out of it like so many do when life starts to change. That said, discovering MRC, as well as the amazing community of equestrians it’s brought together, was exactly what I needed at a time when the world collectively pressed pause. For better or for worse, I’m now back in my riding boots and spending all my spare time and money in the saddle (minus one or two “unscheduled dismounts” which some of you may have witnessed). From the first ride I joined, MRC became such a wonderful outlet for me during this past year, not only as an escape from the city and excuse to buy more tweed clothing, but also as a way for me to get back in touch with the (dare I say it) ‘horse girl’ I used to be.
Now that the museum is open again, I have that part of my life back, though it is not without a new perspective. After the initial ‘wow’ moment the first time one sees the galleries empty after closing time, it can be easy to start seeing the museum as one’s office, rather than one of the most culturally significant buildings in the world; I personally began to explore the collection less and less as time went on. So, after switching it up and heading to the American Wing for my mid-morning caffeine boost instead of my usual stroll to the coffee cart outside on 5th Avenue (excellent lattes, FYI), I saw the Tyrolean saddle and it all clicked. As New Yorkers, The Met is such an incredible institution that we’re so lucky to have in our backyard, and we often forget it’s there. In terms of encyclopedic museums, I would say only the British Museum and the Louvre have comparable collections, but even then, I would be granting them better selections of 19th and 20th-century art than they actually have (enter, Musée d’Orsay). The Met is truly singular in its geographic breadth and chronology, all under one roof no less, and I’ve tried to reflect that in this tour.
Other than the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas department, which is currently being renovated, I’ve selected pieces from each of our departments that I think are interesting from an equestrian perspective as well as art historically significant (though my shortlist is by no means exhaustive). We’ve got pieces of tack from the ancient world, a phenomenal series of bronze horses by Edgar Degas, one of the only George Stubbs paintings in New York, and even an American foxhunting scene set not far from where we ride today. On the website, I also include general introductions to each department and a quick overview of the pieces chosen, as well as maps of the museum with the relevant galleries marked so you can create an itinerary. I hope you get a chance to visit the museum soon, and if anyone is there on a Friday, feel free to shoot me an email and I’ll come say hi. Finally, if there’s anything else you see and think I should include—please let me know! Happy perusing.
Zoë
MRC x The Met Guide Links:
8. European Paintings and Sculpture
Our April 18 MRC group who toured The Met using Zoë's fantastic guide
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Hunter paces are low-key competitive riding events that originate from foxhunting. Teams of 2-4 ride together through a marked course that typically covers 4-12 miles. Trail terrain ranges from open country fields, wooded trails, water crossings, road crossings, up hills and down hills with optional jumps spread throughout. Riders walk, trot, canter and gallop to navigate the course. Typically 50-150 riders and their horses show up to ride.
Prior to the event, the pace time is set by a member of the hunt club or the event organizer, by riding the course at the standard of the various flights.
*Read MRC’s Blog Post on Foxhunting for more information on hunting.
DIVISIONS
JUMPING
Depending on the hunter pace’s territory, the number of jumps can range from 10 to 100 on a ride that typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours to complete. Jump obstacles include coops, logs, ditches, fences, gates, stonewalls, water elements and hedges and are always optional with go-arounds marked.
Note: the more go-arounds you do, the slower your time is.
THE GOAL
The primary goal is to have a wonderful ride through the beautiful countryside in the company of MRC members and fellow equestrians. For our competitive riders, the goal is to match the time set by the event organizer without exceeding it by riding too fast. Typically it is better to be slightly behind ideal time than to exceed it, which sometimes disqualifies you.
MRC SUPPORT
What's included when you book with MRC:
All of our riders are given pre-ride mentoring to ensure they are prepared and well-informed about the type of riding that takes place on a hunter pace. This mentoring includes how to look after your teammates, how to properly pass other riders, what to do if someone falls off and how to approach different types of terrain.
Riders are paired with horses suited to their level and ambition. The horses are leased to MRC by our select partners who train their horses from this type of riding. It is each riders responsibility to ensure their horse is protected during the ride by ensuring proper walking breaks, looking out for unsafe footing and controlling speed.
Each team of riders is matched based on a variety of factors to ensure a fun and safe experience for all. If you are looking to attend your first hunter pace we ask that you attend a Bedford Hack or Hunter Pace Evaluation first.
We also suggest a uniform for the day so all riders are coordinated and look like an official team. The uniform is optional but most of the time riders do follow the suggestion. Sometimes pace fees include a lunch provided by the event organizer for after the ride, if not we sometimes plan a lunch nearby for everyone to get a bite and chat about the excellent ride had!
We offer curated lessons and programs to get less experienced riders prepared for these open space rides. Email us if you would like more information on those and check out of Rider Evaluation Blog to get started on process!
Hunter Pace Etiquette:
This evaluation worksheet is to help YOU define what your experience is. We consider the following areas of the sport to be important when reflecting on your abilities to include in your Rider Profile. Self evaluations are a humbling exercise that really help you understand your capabilities and potential areas for development.
Does the Rider...
Does the Rider know how to...
Does the Rider know how to...
Does the Rider know how to...
Consider these things when reflecting on your confidence level.
Despite years of experience and knowledge, riders’ confidence level can be independent of skill set.
For example:
In a controlled situation, on a well-trained horse that has a temperament to put up with a lot of mistakes by its rider, a beginner with the right mental and physical will can be comfortable at the trot and canter. This does not mean that such rider should call themselves an intermediate unless they have taken a considerable amount of lessons and trained regularly in the English style on how to properly ride at these gaits.
Does the Rider know how to...
If you are determining your skill level for your MRC Rider Profile, we hope you find this chart helpful in your self- assessment. These levels based on the english style of riding.
Please don't hesitate to let us know if you’d like to explore advancing in level, trying new rides or different disciplines. MRC is here to safely support equestrians on their riding journey and encourages riders to try a variety of riding styles and training to become well rounded, multi-disciplinary riders.
]]>My first hunt with The Royal Artillery in Salisbury England
Although I started riding at age 8 and have spent a considerable amount of my life around horses, I had never heard of foxhunting until 2017 while living in London. Like many riders I meet, I spent most of my equestrian life belonging to one stable that focused on a few disciplines; dressage and arena jumping with some minimal pleasure hacking. I never really thought to explore more aside from the occasional beach ride while on holiday somewhere.
Living in England really gave me a whole new perspective on riding. The sport has such a deep history and connection to the culture and has really inspired the vision for MRC. I made friends who invited me on adventures to try new things. Horse owners were so willing to leave their precious animals in my hands, for wild outdoor adventures, a far cry from the arenas I had been confined to. People were more relaxed around horses and it allowed me to relax and invite a sense of adventure and curiosity to try new things.
A friend of mine asked if I wanted to try foxhunting with her, having no idea what that meant I didn’t even think about horses being involved and politely declined. As a lifelong animal lover, I had no interest in being the catcher or killer of any creature. I thought it was odd that she would even invite me; she realized I had no idea what it was.
Silly me, how did I not know what foxhunting was? My friend smiled and said I must try it, it is the most incredible riding experience I will ever have, wow quite the upsell! I then learned it was what I had seen in some old period films of nobility riding with hounds, elegant and majestic, something I had no idea still existed. She also mentioned that the killing of foxes had been banned and the hunts were all “drag” where they trail a scent for hounds to follow rather than them seeking live fox.
As I began to do my research, googling about what to expect, many intimidating things arose. I read of strict etiquette, tradition, uniform and the risky encounters during the ride (large hedges, ditches) and felt ill prepared to handle what was ahead. Luckily, I was able to join an “Intro to Foxhunting weekend” with the Royal Artillery, it would include a luncheon with powerpoint presentation for do’s and don'ts, an informal uniform and approachable ride for newbies like myself, led by military style masters of the sport.
The weekend was fantastic, I learned so much! First off, my Barbour jacket was not anything close to a tweed informal coat, oops. Also don’t call them dogs, they are HOUNDS! Please don’t ever pass the masters (red coats) it’s very poor form. Horses with red ribbons in their tails kick, green ribbons are inexperienced, give space between jumps, be prepared for horses to be much stronger. When to be quiet, when to make noise, repeat what others say, close gates, don't be alarmed when you are passed a flask of booze (pre-pandemic). Most importantly, DON'T let your horse get in a position where they could possibly kick a hound, this is the cardinal sin! Always turn to face hounds, call to riders ahead of you when a hound is behind and always be on alert.
It was quite a lot to take in and my nerves were running high but once I settled in, the ride was truly a dream. This particular hunt had no jumps, which was a relief at the time. But we galloped in a wide spread herd and whipped around turns and through trails where we had to be in a single file line. The horses were magnificent, the iconic view of hounds and a beautifully decorated hunt master calling with his horn made me feel like I had joined an 18th century painting hanging in Buckingham Palace. This day was truly memorable and I could not wait to do it again.
The challenge was then how to get invited. It’s not something where you can just call them up and register, especially if you do not own your own horse or know an existing member. Luckily, we did finally find a way to join the North Cotswold Hunt for their closing meet, by way of a hireling yard. We chatted with the horse owner, he reserved us on 2 of his safest hunting horses and told us where to show up. In my mind this would be similar to what I had previously experienced however, it did require me purchasing a formal uniform, black wool coat (3 buttons, vented), white shirt and stock tie, tan breeches, black boots, black helmet.
We showed up on the day, with a quick introduction to our horses and rushed to mount and join the meet. The meet was at a stunning old manor house in the Cotswold countryside and upon arrival we joined what I would say was 100 impeccably dressed riders on their cleaned, plated and fit horses who were literally chomping at the bit. Hounds rustled around and the master made some announcements while supporters on foot passed around sherry and warm potatoes for us to scarf down and some candy to fill our pockets for what would be a 5 hour day of extreme riding.
Close up of the mud splatter from hunt #2 with North Cotswold Hunt
Things happened so fast we just fell in behind some other riders and set out on the most thrilling ride of my life. It was muddy and I quickly found my new coat and face covered with the splatter from galloping hooves ahead. It was no matter, my focus was on staying mounted and not making any vital mistakes. That first gallop seemed to last for 30 minutes and by the time we stopped in a field I was already feeling the beginnings of exhaustion. However, a kind gentleman came around with a flask in hand and offered a bit of liquid courage.
We set out on our next gallop, with what seemed like a never ending hedge ahead, I imagined it to be 5ft in height, much larger than anything I had jumped. With no way to avoid it and no way to stop my horse who was intent on staying with the pack, I closed my eyes and reminded myself of every skill I had as we swiftly landed and continued our chase.
The day went on like this and by the time that 5th hour approached I was proud of my ability to stay on and go with the flow even, if at moments, I was filled with anxiety and fatigue. My legs were shaking, my hands frozen and numb, toes? Everything hurt but oh was it worth it!
Cubbing with friends at the North Cotswold Hunt
At this point I knew I had a new addiction. As I hunted more I became aware of the sabs or antis, people who disagreed with the sport and would jump out of bushes or hold up signs and say nasty things to riders. It was always quite dangerous and scary as a rider to encounter these individuals. I was not quite sure what the problem was since this was drag hunting after all but I was made aware that there is a community of people who are quite upset about the sport. I rarely saw any real live quarry on any of the 10 or so hunts I joined during my time in England.
Did I just jump a gate face with the Surrey Union Hunt
After moving to Manhattan and starting MRC, I was introduced to New York’s foxhunting community and relieved to know my new passion could continue. Feeling somewhat seasoned in the sport at this point I didn’t think there was much difference in how things happened here versus England. I even naively assumed everyone drag hunted. However, I soon realized that foxhunting was perfectly legal in the US and most hunts followed the original traditions of the sport with hounds chasing live quarry.
As MRC grew and we introduced more riders into the mysterious world of foxhunting we began to receive more and more questions and even criticism about foxhunting. At times I struggled with the correct response. I am after all an animal lover and would prefer not to be involved in the killing of any living thing. However, I do accept that it happens and as I have expressed, I had become a huge fan of the sport of foxhunting. I began to ask more questions as it seemed to me that everyone involved really does it for the riding and the adventure rather than for actual ‘hunting.’
Our first MRC Intro to Foxhunting Group with the Windy Hollow Hunt
I am no expert but what I have found is quite a relief to me and has changed the way I respond to the questions about foxhunting. When the sport began in 16th century England, farmers struggled to produce enough crops and protect their livestock, many regions faced famine. Fox were quick to find chickens, sheep and crops making them vermin to farmers and landowners. Noble members of the community began to train hounds and follow on horses to chase the fox off the farmland. Hounds also being predatory animals have been known to actually catch and kill the fox but it is not always the intent. Fast forward 400 years, foxhunting continues but for the sake of equestrian sport, tradition and preservation of open space.
Although most US hunts chase live quarry, kills are actually rare and not the goal. Often hounds are trained to chase fox to their holes then called off before a kill could happen. In all of the hunts I have attended in my 2 years being in New York I have never seen a kill. The goal is to have a long and adventurous chase through beautiful protected terrain, to soar over old stone walls and fallen trees, to cross over rivers and follow the hounds into the forest land. We need fox alive and well to draw the hounds, who in turn lead us on the most thrilling of rides! In addition to needing the fox, we need the land, the fox need the land.
Me and JJ on our first Golden's Bridge Hunt
In the US we see rapid development all around us, populations multiply and humans take over more land. As equestrians this poses an issue, horses need space to live, to graze, to be horses and run free and we need space to ride. Foxhunting clubs work with landowners to create protections and easements that prohibit land from being developed. The clubs work hard to preserve open space for the sport which in turn protects the space for wild animals to live. Additionally, they help groom and keep these open spaces healthy and vibrant. Land owners receive tax breaks and other benefits from working with hunt clubs.
I hear hunt members refer to foxes as beautiful and they are excited to see them scurry across a field, not to kill them but to know they are there, that we will all be able to ride another day. I can’t think of many things that match the energy and excitement of 30-100 fit and excited horses, a pack of well trained hounds, riders dressed in the traditions of old England, the sound of the horn against the brisk morning air alongside the chirping birds and wild animals rusting in the bushes, the wide open space that makes you feel one with nature and appreciate the little things we often take for granted.
My suggestion to every equestrian who seeks a bit of adventure, who is curious about this seemingly private and hidden sport, is to join us on a ride! We are a group of city equestrians who wish to respect the sport, the animals and learn about the tradition and groups that have made our hobby and passion such the thrill that it is. Ask questions and meet the masters of the sport, be a first-timer along with other first-timers, experience what I have and I hope you will love it as I have.
Melissa, MRC Founder
]]>Has it been months or years since you last were in the saddle but you have some fears holding you back? Whether you're worried about not being as strong as you once were, hurting yourself or just not ready to commit to a training program in this uncertain world, we are here for you!
MRC wants to offer you a community, space and experience to help you Get Back in the Saddle if the fantasy of riding again is strong enough to overpower your concerns!
1) Don’t get frustrated when you aren’t as good as you remember
Muscles and skills fade when you don’t practice. But relearning is quicker than you might expect. MRC offers a community of equestrians who understand the nuisances of getting back in the swing of it. Be easy on yourself and the rest will come into play.
2) Spend some quality time AROUND horses before you get on one
The groundwork of grooming and handling the horse around the stables is foundational to feeling comfortable and half the fun. MRC’s Back In The Saddle dedicates the first part of the lesson to Horsemanship/groundwork before you get on.
You want the freedom in a riding program to allow your riding courage to naturally grow. MRC offers riders single or package lessons to give you the flexibility. Back In The Saddle Clinics are a constant running riding program so you can decide when and how you want to get back into riding.
4) Go for a trail ride
If you aren’t sure you want proper lessons yet, try out a trail ride to see how comfortable you are in the saddle again. MRC offers some beginner riding experiences (Clydesdale Ride & The Bedford Hack) for you to try first.
5) Get some horse friends
MRC is NYC based (but not limited to) equestrian community. Our riders, our partners and supporters are part of the collective experience you get when riding with us. We love getting to know other, new and advanced riders and coming together in the love of horses!
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I look back now, 14 years later and realize how much I didn’t know…but isn't’ that always the case with hindsight? Fairfield Count Hounds used to conduct foxhunting Clinics before the start of each season to give guidance to riders that are new to foxhunting and horses that weren’t yet familiar with hounds and moving in a herd of horses. The way of riding when riding to hounds is significantly different to the ring or even trail riding I had done in the past. I had to learn to give up ‘control’ and understand that Hunt horses knew their job and best not to mess with them about it. One of the first things that I learned was to keep my horse up close to the horse in front of them, about a horse length between but not much more than that because if you do the result is wrestling with horse for most of the day. The horses don’t want to be left behind and some are comfortable at a few horse lengths back, most are not and it doesn’t work to force the issue too much, you just make unnecessary problem. The second thing that I am very aware of each hunt is who I am riding near for that day. The energy of the ‘field’ (this is what the group of riders are called) can be very influential on your individual ride and on your horse. If I am on a green horse, I want to pick a seasoned hunt horse with a confident rider to be behind and avoid having a young, bouncy horse behind me. If I am on a more seasoned horse, I put myself in a spot that allows me to be away from more aggressive riders (jostling for the position to be in the front). The protocols for riding to the hounds are outlined to keep horse, hounds and riders safe. Riders with colors are behind the field master, members and their guests stay more to the back of each field. Green horses or horses that kick go in the back of whichever field they are joining. The hunt field can seem disorderly and with careful examination, there is a systematic order to things.
Inside foxhunting there is a fascinating world. Learning about the hounds, the horn, the clothing, and the history can be a (and often is) a lifelong education. If you are interested in learning more there are several good books on the subject. A must read is ‘Riding to Hounds in America’, by William Wadsworth. Rita Mae Brown writes several humorous books that are fun reads. Hope to see you in the hunt field.
Rachel Medbery
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Learning to Ride with MRC, new riders are offered an additional layer of experience unique to any other riding experiences.
We have set up a 4-part learning clinic covering the following:
Lessons are offered every Wednesday. To see results, it is wise to sign up for at least 3-6 lessons to maximize this experience. Space is limited so please don’t hesitate to sign up if you’re ready to get in the saddle! Reach out to us if you have questions, we are happy to help!
Cheers!
MRC
It is tradition.
In the 15th & 16th century in England’s countryside, foxhunting (hunting) originated. A local event, where residents set out on horseback alongside a pack of hounds to find and kill any vermin. This type of pest control (fox, deer, rabbit) was the community effort, mostly of nobility, to protect farmers’ crop and livestock. Landowners would mutually agree to allow the “hunt” to ride through their properties. Horses would cover miles of land and jump over any obstacles that stood in the way (stone walls, gates, hedges, logs, ditches).
Foxhunting became more recreational toward the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1753, 18-year-old Hugo Meynell, often called "the father of modern foxhunting," helped turn the sport into a chase of speed, endurance and athleticism. To match this style of hunting, Bloodhounds were being bred especially for speed, stamina and keen sense of smell.
With the Industrial Revolution and the creation of railroad transport, city dwelling socialites were also connected to the rural farmlands for a day of recreation on horseback. Foxhunting events became immensely popular not just for their sport and tradition but also for socializing. Women were invited 1878 to the Rose Tree Hunt, and rode sidesaddle, also soaring over hedges and other obstacles, creating quite the sight. Today in places like England and Ireland it is still common to see a few women riding in this style.
Today, while the killing of any animals has been outlawed in England, the tradition is still active as ever. The scent of the fox is dragged through prior to the hunt for the hounds to follow instead of any live animal, this is called a Drag Hunt.
Objective: To preserve the tradition of one of the oldest equestrian sports, preservation of land.
Season: Informal from August - October, also called cubbing and a time when both hounds and horses are getting fit and typically warmer weather is had. Formal from November - March when hunts are longer, weather is colder and all parties are consider much fitter. Sometimes over 100 riders can be seen participating in a single hunt on special days like Opening Meet, Boxing Day and Closing Meet.
Attire:
Informal or cubbing season: Ratcatcher- a tweed coat in muted colors like beige, brown or green which may be lighter and therefore less hot than a full wool coat. Paired with beige or rust breeches and brown or black field boots. Gentlemen wear a tie with a light colored shirt other than white, again in muted tones. Ladies wear a colored stock tie, necktie or choker. Tan, beige, brown or black gloves can be worn as well as a vest in a similar style to the jacket. It is also customary for women to tie their hair up with a hairnet. A black or brown helmet can be worn.
Formal Season: Black or navy wool coats are worn with a white shirt and white stock tie with a stock pin affixed. Beige or tan colored breeches paired with black boots and a black helmet or cap (traditionally the velvet hunt cap) are worn. Women's hair should be tied up with a hairnet. A canary vest is traditional as well as black gloves.
You will see other colored coats such as red and green, well as boots with both brown and black leather, which are strictly reserved for hunt masters and members who have received special privilege to wear these colors.
Riding Etiquette: The traditions of hunting are still very strong and respected today as they were in the 1800’s. Here are some of the notable points to know...
*Say “Good Morning” to the Huntsman and other riders you approach no matter time of day
*Provide warnings of hounds near the horses, “ware hound” “hound left” “hound right” (one of the worst things that can happen is for a horse to kick a hound)
*Pass along information like “gate”, “single file”, “jump”, “tree down” (as a new hunter it is best to stay somewhere near the middle or back of the group so you can observe and mimic the riders ahead of you)
*Do not call the hounds "dogs," they are hounds
*Horses should be clean and properly tacked, boots and equipment should be cleaned and polished
*Never pass the field master (the member of the hunt who leads the riders)
*Single file through crop fields to avoid destroying fertile land
*Give some distance for jumping
*Red ribbons on tails of horses who kick
*Green ribbons on tails of new or young horse
Join us on a hunt! Find out what we have coming up here.
Cheers!
]]>We have jumped right into summer, literally! With 2-3 rides selling out per week and lots of new riders we realize there are some frequently asked questions and we are going to attempt to answer a few of them here. As always if you can't find the answers to your questions PLEASE send us an email at manhattanridingclub@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram or Facebook.
1. Do I need to have my own horse to ride with Manhattan Riding Club?
Nope! One of the main reasons our founder created this club was so non-horse owning equestrians could participate in activities you would typically think you need a horse for, like hunting and hunter paces! All of our ride costs include a horse for you, which is paired according to your riding experience and comfort level.
2. Do I have to be a jumper to go on the rides?
Not always, our Bedford Hacks for example are a great open space ride for non-jumpers and jumpers alike. Due to the openness of the trails all the jumps have really easy go-around's right alongside the jump and we can simply split into two groups as we approach. For hunter paces all jumps are also avoidable, however not always so easy, sometimes it requires taking another route from the group which could take a couple minutes before you rejoin, however trails are marked so it's fairly easy to do. If you want to participate in a hunter pace and are concerned about jumping we recommend reaching out to us so we can suggest the right pace and help answer any other questions.
3. What is a hunter pace?
Hunter paces are cross country rides with optional jumps that follow a specific marked course. You are put into teams of 3-4 riders and released into the course 5 or so minutes apart so that to stay separate from other groups. There is an ideal time determined before hand, by the host of the event, as to how long it should take to complete the course, this time is not given to riders, as the challenge is for you to complete the course in a time frame that you feel is not too fast or too slow.
It's a bit of friendly competition, every team has a number and is timed and after everyone completes the course, the times are released. Teams closest to the ideal time set by the event host are often awarded ribbons or some prize. Hunter paces are usually hosted by foxhunting clubs, stables and trail associations who want to open their trails to the public and also raise some money. Typically a hunter pace will also include a nice buffet style lunch under a tent for everyone as they finish the ride.
Aside from the fee we charge for your horse, the pace itself also has a fee which ranges from $50-$100, we include this in our price and handle all the payments and registrations together to make this an easy and seamless process for you. These are really fantastic and fun rides with anywhere from 50-100+ riders and horses attending and who doesn't love to see a field full of trailers, horses and other equestrians for a bit of fun?!
4. Riding equipment, what's needed?
For the horse:
All of our rides will come with a horse and full tack, sometimes they are tacked for you and sometimes you will be required to tack them yourself, however the tack will still be provided. If you have your own saddle or other horse equipment and want to bring it, please let us know in advance. You are welcome to bring your own riding crop however it will be completely up to the horse owner as to if you are able to use it on their horse.
For the rider:
A proper riding uniform includes breeches, boots and a helmet. If you do not have a helmet please make sure to let us know in advance and we will see if there is one available for you, however we do recommend if you plan to ride regularly to purchase one of your own. Breeches are proper riding pants however if you have legging or something similar that you prefer to wear that is fine for most rides. To purchase new gear we have a partnership with Manhattan Saddlery and you can receive a discount there by mentioning Manhattan Riding Club.
Other items we recommend are gloves, safety vests, half chaps (if you wear paddock boots), a water bottle, sunscreen and layers if it's cold.
Sometimes for hunter paces we will try to coordinate outfits so we look like an official team and also foxhunting requires a specific uniform which you can learn more about on our blog post here.
5. Recommendations for Transportation to and from rides:
We try to create riding experiences that are accessible by train and will provide those details to you when available. Additionally, we will try to connect riders in advance for any carpooling opportunities that may be available. Many of our riders use Zipcar and GetAround as well as rental companies. Although we will do our best to help, ultimately it is each riders responsibility to arrange their transportation.
6. Are the rides COVID safe?
We do require that when not mounted you wear a mask and respect social distancing guidelines. Most of what we do is outdoors and once on the horse you are able to remove your mask if you wish.
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