By Chloe Hester

While we all love the Christmas period, relaxing in front of the fire, eating till we fall asleep, for many Christmas is about the Stephens day hunt. There is nothing more exciting on Christmas day than waking up early to sneak out for a quick hack, then while the food is being cooked going out for an ‘hour’ to prepare your steed, you boil the kettle for hot water to soak the tail, final touch up with the clippers, then covering them head to toe as you know well, they will use their poo as a pillow.

Then back into brush off our hunt coats, starch the stocks and of course polish your boots to the point you can see your own reflection.

Then Stephens day your up at the crack of dawn, no need for alarms this morning, your up and out the door, plating your horse’s mane and tail, and removing any final stains. The horses receive their breakfast, while you run back in for the full fry, and watch on your phone the YouTube tutorial on how to tie your stock. Then back out to tack up for the final lick of hoof oil, a flick of the brush and you’re ready to load.

The buzz of Stephens Day is like no other, the hounds are singing, everyone in great spirits exchanging Christmas story’s, of course, the hot port and whiskey help to calm the nerves, and the spirits are high, then comes the sound of the Bugle and your away, trotting down the road through all the supporters, showing off your clean horse, as he strides out feeling equally as proud, smiling for the camera (that’s one for the wall) you think as you trot by and enter the field to the first draw, the hounds set to work straight away, then there he goes up the wall 100meters from you, a big red dog Fox, you stay quiet till he’s out of sight, the Huntsman calls Tally Ho, and you’re away. The Field Master is off. You approach the first wall your heart is in your mouth, you clear it, now nothing can stop you, your jumping walls you would never dream of jumping on a normal day, galloping across land calling “KEEP TO THE HEADLANDS” (out of courtesy to the farmers and their land) mud splattering you, you don’t care because at this point your and your horse are a partnership, nothing can stop you, you pat him after every wall you clear, this is what you have waited for the whole of Christmas. 10, 15, 20 walls you lose count, you pop a drain then you’re slowing down. You don’t realise but you have been out for 4 hours. You’re heading back to the boxes with hounds in font tails wagging and your horse walking along happy with his days hunting, while riders reminisce over the walls and country they have crossed.

Hunting for many people is a way of life, with 41 registered hunting packs, only an estimated 6 registered packs were able to hunt Stephen’s days 2021 due to the insurance crises.

While people look at hunting as a pompous sport, it’s a great way of bringing together all walks of life, as hunting is a level playing field! On your left someone who hasn’t slept after working the night shift, while on your right a CEO of an international business. It brings together local communities, holding hunts at local Venus while raising money for local charities. It’s an education as well not just for the riders but an excellent day out for the young horse!

There is nothing nicer than the children’s day meet and seeing white pony’s, shiny boots, children with a sandwich in one hand and a hot chocolate in the other while their poor parents holding the lead rope, safely securing the other child in the baby carrier, is getting ready for the 5mile run ahead of them, but you don’t mind as the laughter and smiles can be seen and heard for miles. The picture will be on the wall, memories to last a lifetime.

I know even for my young horses, it’s a great opportunity to introduce them to a crowd, to get them going forward with confidence and most of all enjoy themselves.

It is a high-risk sport, but like most drugs it’s addictive and leaves you wanting more, but we as riders need to be responsible for ourselves, you are going to fall, there will be accidents, but let’s not blame farmers and hunts, let’s take reasonability for our own actions. No one can force you to put your foot in the stirrup. So, let’s keep tradition alive, let’s support our hunts, not just for us but for the next generation.