WHO, what, why and how !
[PLEASE SEE FURTHER BELOW FOR THE WHO]
People opt for hunter hirelings for a variety or reasons, it may be that you don't own a horse of your own but you are a competent rider or that you don't have a horse that is suitable for hunting. Either way, if you want to experience a great days hunting, the hireling is definitely the way forward. Not only is it super fun, but by going for a hireling, you also have the benefit of the fact that your horse will turn up at the meet on time, immaculately turned out and ready to go, all you need is the ability to ride and a hip flask in your hand.
The practicalities are usually:
1) You pay the hunting cap (the day fee) to the hunt master on the day and you pay the hireling owner their fee for the horse separately (potentially in advance as they will prep your horse for you including plaiting and clean tack, immaculate turnout etc.) - check with your hireling owner to confirm this;
2) Although your horse will be ready to rock, you need to be on time, smartly turned out yourself in all the usual hunting attire (such as black jacket, black boots, light coloured jods, hairnet, white stock, black gloves and body protector).
3) Enjoy the day, have fun, jump boldly, gallop quickly and no doubt enjoy some great company. You may hand your horse back when you are ready to go home - your hireling owner will advise on how to meet them to return your steed.
4) Head home for a hot bath, red wine and a very relaxing evening with that warm heady feeling that a great day's hunting always provides.
Need some more information on hunting, see my hunting guide here.
The practicalities are usually:
1) You pay the hunting cap (the day fee) to the hunt master on the day and you pay the hireling owner their fee for the horse separately (potentially in advance as they will prep your horse for you including plaiting and clean tack, immaculate turnout etc.) - check with your hireling owner to confirm this;
2) Although your horse will be ready to rock, you need to be on time, smartly turned out yourself in all the usual hunting attire (such as black jacket, black boots, light coloured jods, hairnet, white stock, black gloves and body protector).
3) Enjoy the day, have fun, jump boldly, gallop quickly and no doubt enjoy some great company. You may hand your horse back when you are ready to go home - your hireling owner will advise on how to meet them to return your steed.
4) Head home for a hot bath, red wine and a very relaxing evening with that warm heady feeling that a great day's hunting always provides.
Need some more information on hunting, see my hunting guide here.
WHO TO USE ?
IN THE SOUTH
1) Those who I have contacted for references for Andi have had many brilliant days out hunting with her gorgeous hirelings. I have heard nothing but very nice things and enjoyable days out.
Contact Name: Andi O'Reagan Hunter Hirelings
Telephone: 07788 587 110
Est. Cost: 150 GBP
Location: Nr Reading
Hunting areas covered: Surrey, Kent, Berkshire & Sussex
Hunts Covered: Sandhurst Drag (Surrey, Kent, Berkshire, Sussex)
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2) A friend has also recently informed me that Polly at Chessington Equestrian Centre also offer hirelings. They had a fab day with a very nice horse, his wife was a little nervous having not hunted before and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of her hireling and his calm nature. Please note you will need to attend Chessington first for an assessment of your riding !
Name: Polly Bursby
Tel: 0208 398 7668
Cost: Approx 200.00 GBP
Location: Chessington, Surrey
Hunts covered: Surrey Union (counties bordering Surrey)
http://www.chessingtonequestriancentre.co.uk/
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3) For Kent and Surrey Bloodhounds is Alex and Jason Marsh who have been recommended to me through Surrey Union. They have been highly recommended by at least three different people so far and look to have it all set up. More information can be found here:
Contact Name: Alex Marsh
Contact: horseridingsurrey@gmail.com
Cost: 144.00 GBP
Location: Cranleigh, Surrey
Hunting areas covered: Sussex, Kent and Surrey
Hunts covered: Kent and Surrey Bloodhounds
Web: http://www.horseridingsurrey.co.uk/hunting.html
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4) Hilary Parren at Bekesbourne Stables providing some superb hunters for the East Kent with West Street Hunt covering most of Kent. Here is what one of their hireling clients has said:
“Looking for a hireling in my area for my daughter and her friend who had never properly hunted before (had previously mock hunted) - I contacted the hunt ( East Kent with West Street Hunt) and they recommended Hilary at Bekesbourne Stables. We contacted her directly and arranged a ride a few days before the hunt to "test out the horses" we turned up and rode the horses both of which had impeccable manners and seemed safe kinds- both horses jumped simply and easily. They day of hunting the horses were turned out immaculately- one is a grey and he was spotlessly clean, plaited neatly and all tack was well cared for and clean. We were made to feel very welcome and my daughter & friend loved their day out hunting the horses- they were safe and easy but gave an enjoyable day.
I would highly recommend bekesbourne stables for hirelings nothing is too much trouble!
Ginny, Kent”
Need more info, see below and go to their website here.
Contact Name: Hilary Parren - Bekesbourne Stables, Kent
Telephone: 01227 830910
Cost: £200 GBP per day
Location: Canterbury, Kent
Hunting areas covered: Kent and boarders
Hunts Covered: East Kent with West Street and The Ashford Valley Hunt
Info: http://www.bekesbournestables.com/
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5) Hannah Good at Sussex Riding School have been well recommended as providing many horses on which riders have a lovely time ! Covering a large proportion of the South. They provide horses for the following hunts:
- The Staff College Drag
- Surrey Union Hunt
- Kent and Surrey Bloodhounds
- The Kimblewick Hunt
- Coakham Bloodhounds
- The Chid'NLec Hunt
- Old Surrey and Burstow Hunt
Contact Name: Hannah Good
Telephone: 07739 411 553
Email: info@thesussexridingschool.co.uk
Cost: From £180 GBP per day (not inc. cap)
Location: Gatwick, Sussex
Their website: https://thesussexridingschool.co.uk/about-us/
Contact Name: Andi O'Reagan Hunter Hirelings
Telephone: 07788 587 110
Est. Cost: 150 GBP
Location: Nr Reading
Hunting areas covered: Surrey, Kent, Berkshire & Sussex
Hunts Covered: Sandhurst Drag (Surrey, Kent, Berkshire, Sussex)
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2) A friend has also recently informed me that Polly at Chessington Equestrian Centre also offer hirelings. They had a fab day with a very nice horse, his wife was a little nervous having not hunted before and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of her hireling and his calm nature. Please note you will need to attend Chessington first for an assessment of your riding !
Name: Polly Bursby
Tel: 0208 398 7668
Cost: Approx 200.00 GBP
Location: Chessington, Surrey
Hunts covered: Surrey Union (counties bordering Surrey)
http://www.chessingtonequestriancentre.co.uk/
--------------------------------------
3) For Kent and Surrey Bloodhounds is Alex and Jason Marsh who have been recommended to me through Surrey Union. They have been highly recommended by at least three different people so far and look to have it all set up. More information can be found here:
Contact Name: Alex Marsh
Contact: horseridingsurrey@gmail.com
Cost: 144.00 GBP
Location: Cranleigh, Surrey
Hunting areas covered: Sussex, Kent and Surrey
Hunts covered: Kent and Surrey Bloodhounds
Web: http://www.horseridingsurrey.co.uk/hunting.html
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4) Hilary Parren at Bekesbourne Stables providing some superb hunters for the East Kent with West Street Hunt covering most of Kent. Here is what one of their hireling clients has said:
“Looking for a hireling in my area for my daughter and her friend who had never properly hunted before (had previously mock hunted) - I contacted the hunt ( East Kent with West Street Hunt) and they recommended Hilary at Bekesbourne Stables. We contacted her directly and arranged a ride a few days before the hunt to "test out the horses" we turned up and rode the horses both of which had impeccable manners and seemed safe kinds- both horses jumped simply and easily. They day of hunting the horses were turned out immaculately- one is a grey and he was spotlessly clean, plaited neatly and all tack was well cared for and clean. We were made to feel very welcome and my daughter & friend loved their day out hunting the horses- they were safe and easy but gave an enjoyable day.
I would highly recommend bekesbourne stables for hirelings nothing is too much trouble!
Ginny, Kent”
Need more info, see below and go to their website here.
Contact Name: Hilary Parren - Bekesbourne Stables, Kent
Telephone: 01227 830910
Cost: £200 GBP per day
Location: Canterbury, Kent
Hunting areas covered: Kent and boarders
Hunts Covered: East Kent with West Street and The Ashford Valley Hunt
Info: http://www.bekesbournestables.com/
-------------------------------------------------
5) Hannah Good at Sussex Riding School have been well recommended as providing many horses on which riders have a lovely time ! Covering a large proportion of the South. They provide horses for the following hunts:
- The Staff College Drag
- Surrey Union Hunt
- Kent and Surrey Bloodhounds
- The Kimblewick Hunt
- Coakham Bloodhounds
- The Chid'NLec Hunt
- Old Surrey and Burstow Hunt
Contact Name: Hannah Good
Telephone: 07739 411 553
Email: info@thesussexridingschool.co.uk
Cost: From £180 GBP per day (not inc. cap)
Location: Gatwick, Sussex
Their website: https://thesussexridingschool.co.uk/about-us/
IN THE MIDLANDS
1) Hon. Diana Pritchard Jack has been providing hunters for seasons and seasons with many clients that go back year after year for not just hunting but for horsey holidays in general. They are based in Leamington Spa in Warwickshire but cover a huge range of hunts in the surrounding areas with her great team of hunters. For more information please see below and visit their website here. They cover hunts all across England, so if there is somewhere you want to try, it is likely that they can help.
Contact Name: Hon. Diana Pritchard Jack - Waverley Equestrian Training Centre, Leamington Spa
Telephone: 07778 333433
Cost: One horse until 2:30pm £195 / with change of horse at 2:30 and hunting until dusk £370.
Location: Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Hunts Covered: Atherstone, Duke of Beaufort's*, Belvoir (Duke of Rutland's)*, Berkley (Earl of Berkley's), Old Berkshire, Bicester with Whaddon Chase, Cheshire, Cotswold, North Cotswold, Cottesmore*, Croom & West Warwickshire, Fernie, Grafton, Heythrop, Ludlow, Meynall & South Staffordshire, Oakley, Pytchley, Woodland Pytchley, Quorn*, Vale of Aylesbury, Vale of the White Horse, Warwickshire, Wynstay (Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn's).
Accomodation: Can be arranged.
Info: http://www.stoneleighpark.co.uk/hunting.html
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2) Michael Grange is so blooming popular that he is regualrly booked out, I would recommend booking in advance !! Lovely hirelings with good manners that are beautfiully turned out.
Contact Name: Michael Grange
Telephone: 07811 100311
Cost: Approx 200.00 GBP
Location: Cambridgeshire
Hunting areas covered: The Midlands
Hunts covered: The Fitzwilliam Hunt and The Woodland Pytchley Hunt
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3) Dawn Lounds
Contact Name: Dawn Lounds
Telephone: 07886 529 481
Cost: Approx 200.00 GBP
Location: Warwickshire
Hunts covered: The Warwickshire, The Pytchley, The Grafton, The Atherstone
Email: d.lounds@hotmail.co.uk
Contact Name: Hon. Diana Pritchard Jack - Waverley Equestrian Training Centre, Leamington Spa
Telephone: 07778 333433
Cost: One horse until 2:30pm £195 / with change of horse at 2:30 and hunting until dusk £370.
Location: Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Hunts Covered: Atherstone, Duke of Beaufort's*, Belvoir (Duke of Rutland's)*, Berkley (Earl of Berkley's), Old Berkshire, Bicester with Whaddon Chase, Cheshire, Cotswold, North Cotswold, Cottesmore*, Croom & West Warwickshire, Fernie, Grafton, Heythrop, Ludlow, Meynall & South Staffordshire, Oakley, Pytchley, Woodland Pytchley, Quorn*, Vale of Aylesbury, Vale of the White Horse, Warwickshire, Wynstay (Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn's).
Accomodation: Can be arranged.
Info: http://www.stoneleighpark.co.uk/hunting.html
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2) Michael Grange is so blooming popular that he is regualrly booked out, I would recommend booking in advance !! Lovely hirelings with good manners that are beautfiully turned out.
Contact Name: Michael Grange
Telephone: 07811 100311
Cost: Approx 200.00 GBP
Location: Cambridgeshire
Hunting areas covered: The Midlands
Hunts covered: The Fitzwilliam Hunt and The Woodland Pytchley Hunt
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3) Dawn Lounds
Contact Name: Dawn Lounds
Telephone: 07886 529 481
Cost: Approx 200.00 GBP
Location: Warwickshire
Hunts covered: The Warwickshire, The Pytchley, The Grafton, The Atherstone
Email: d.lounds@hotmail.co.uk
HUNTING IN IRELAND
1) Contact Willie Leahy, Dartfield Horse Museum, Loughrea, County Galway
Telephone: 0035391843968
Hunt covered: The County Galway Hunt
2) Johnny Geoghegan, Lisnagranchy Stud, Craughwell, County Galway
Telephone: 00353868659807
Hunt covered: The County Galway Hunt
More Information: http://www.countygalwayhunt.com/visitors.html
I have had extremely good reviews for these hireling providers, very fun days out galloping accros the open spaces of Ireland, jumping huge walls. Accomodation can be arranged, have a look at the link above.
Telephone: 0035391843968
Hunt covered: The County Galway Hunt
2) Johnny Geoghegan, Lisnagranchy Stud, Craughwell, County Galway
Telephone: 00353868659807
Hunt covered: The County Galway Hunt
More Information: http://www.countygalwayhunt.com/visitors.html
I have had extremely good reviews for these hireling providers, very fun days out galloping accros the open spaces of Ireland, jumping huge walls. Accomodation can be arranged, have a look at the link above.
PS: Another awesome benefit of a hireling is that when you are finished, usually merrily knackered, there is no un-plaiting, watering, hosing off, rugging, feeding, checking, skipping out, turning out............and the list goes on.........you simply jump straight in to ones car !!
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