The Camden Hunt

1. Careless riding is prohibited, as it may hinder others’ ability to control their horses.
2. Equestrians are to refrain from riding too close to privately owned barns, houses, paddocks, dirt roads, and driveways. On accessible roads, always ride to the side to help prevent divots for cars.
3. It is appropriate to say, “Good Morning” to the masters, if possible, or at least to your field master. At end of the day, thank the masters, huntsmen, and staff for the good day of sport.

Riding in the Field

1. All riders are to ride behind the field master in one of the fields, taking the same line and keeping pace.

2. The order of riding in the First Field is as follows.

   1. The first group should be those riders who are jumping all the jumps which the field master takes: subscribers with colors first, followed by those without.

   2. The next group should be those riders who are jumping only some of the taken jumps: subscribers with colors first followed by those without.

   3. The last group should be those who are not jumping: subscribers with colors first followed by those without.

3. In the Second Field:

   1. Subscribers with colors

   2. Those without colors.

4. It is appropriate to share the more forward riding positions of your group. It is always acceptable for a higher ranking subscriber to move back to a lower ranking position. If no subscriber with colors shows interest in riding forward, any subscriber may take a forward position.

5. Junior subscribers are to be accompanied in the field by an adult member who is responsible for their safety and etiquette.

6. The huntsman, hounds, and staff have right of way. If a subscriber of the staff needs to pass you, be sure your horse’s head is turned in his direction.

7. Riders should be quiet during actual hunting. If you need to warn another rider of staff or a hound coming up, a hole in the path, or any other danger, do so as quietly as possible.

8. Riders should never speak to the hounds unless requested to do so by the staff.
9. If the field master has called for a field reversal, continue to ride forward up to the point of changing direction. Then ride one more horse length before actually turning your horse around. This will ensure that those behind you can continue forward travel.

10. If a rider wishes to leave the hunt early, he must ensure that his timing and his return travel will not interfere with hunting. If he is unsure, he must ask the advice of the field master. It is important that the retiring rider inform the field of his leaving so that his absence is not mistaken for him being lost and perhaps in trouble.

11. Remember that our hunt is the guest of those that own the territory we hunt. Please be respectful at all times of the territory and our landowners. If any damage occurs while hunting, it must be reported to the field master.

1. All equestrians must have signed waivers on file with TCH.
2. Riders are advised to wear hard hats or riding helmets.
3. Equestrians are to comply with “Do Not Ride” signs posted in certain areas.
4. Equestrians are to ride only on obvious trails and take care to avoid damaging new pine tree seedlings.
5. Dogs or other pets are NOT permitted in Hunt Country.
6. All juniors must be accompanied by a subscriber adult over 18 years.
7. A current negative Coggins is required for all horses ridden in Hunt Country.
8. All Friends of Hunt Country are to carry an “Annual Riding Tag” when riding in Hunt Country.
9. All trailers are to enter Hunt Country at one of the following locations: at the Red Fox Road clubhouse property and the intersection at the North/South and East/West power lines.
10. Subscribers are required to carry a current South Carolina hunting license and photo ID.
11. It is acceptable for subscribers to carry cell phones for emergency purposes. However, cell phones are to be silenced and not used for other purposes. In an emergency, the field master should be called since he/she is responsible for deciding on the course of action. Field masters’ cell phone numbers are published in the Hunt Directory. If a member is going to carry a cell phone for emergency purposes, these numbers should be added to the subscriber’s contact list. 

1. Riders are advised to use identification for both rider and horse to assist in reuniting the two in the event of a fall/separation in the woods.
2. The Field Masters have the responsibility for positioning the fields to allow the best view of actual hunting without interfering with the huntsman, hounds, or staff and to deal with any problems arising in the field. Field members should kindly support their field masters.

To show respect for our time-honored sport of foxhunting, subscribers should be well turned out in traditional hunting attire.

Horses should also be well turned out in traditional hunting tack.

Conservative colors, please.

For cub-hunting: subscribers should wear ratcatcher.

For formal hunting: starting with Opening Meet, subscribers are to wear formal attire.

Warm Weather: the masters may announce that coats are not required. Then, for cub-hunting, a riding shirt with sleeves and a collar (may be open at the neck) is required, or, if formal hunting, a shirt with sleeves, a stock tie, and a vest are required.

Cold Weather: If the morning starts out at 20 degrees or below, traditional attire is not required. Cold weather clothing is allowed but must be in conservative colors.

1. The following activities are prohibited: no smoking, no fires nor burning of any sort, no camping or overnights, no firearms, no littering, no motorized ATV/four wheelers. No hunting of any animals except activities by TCH. Please report suspect behavior to TCH. therealcamdenhunt@gmail.com.
   
   
2. In an emergency, the field master is to be notified and is the only one to decide on the course of action. Send word up to the field master or, if you have been separated from the field, turn on your cell phone and call the field master. If a subscriber is in trouble, one or two other subscribers should stay with that subscriber until the trouble is resolved.
   
   
3. Each subscriber must keep his horse well back from the horse in front of him while moving. The faster the pace, the more distance is required. Even when standing still, a subscriber should never allow his horse to invade the space of another horse or rider. If a subscribers’s horse is agitating the horse in front of him, he should find another position in the field
   
   
4. When jumping, a subscriber should never commit to a jump until he knows that the horse in front of him has landed safely and that hounds are well away. If a subscriber’s horse refuses a jump, the subscriber must wait until the field has gone by before attempting another try. Then the subscriber must stay in the rear of the field until a safe time to quietly reposition himself back in the field.
   
   
5. A red ribbon must be put in the tail of horse that may kick. No confirmed kickers should be brought to the hunt field. If a horse does kick, the horse should be promptly reprimanded. If a hound is injured, the field master must be immediately notified.

6. Unruly horses must be ridden in back of the field and out of danger to other riders. Severely unruly horses should leave the hunt field.

7. While moving on, a subscriber should never pass another rider without receiving permission. When leaving a group that is standing or moving quietly, never do so at a high rate of speed.

8. If a subscriber’s horse cannot keep the pace, that subscriber should move his horse to the side, allowing others in the field to pass. He should tell the other field members of his intention to either ride in back or drop out. If his intention is to drop out, someone in the field should notify the field master.

1. All equestrians are to be aware of times of special events occurring. Hunting activities are scheduled for Wednesdays and Saturdays from September until mid-March (8:00 am until 1:00 pm). Hunt Country is closed to other riders during those times but re-opens at 2:00pm. Please check our website for special events.
2. Subscribers should arrive in time to greet everyone and to settle the horses.

1. Those equestrians who do not ride in Hunt Country more than 3 times a year may ride as a non-subscriber guest of a subscriber. All guests must register at one of the two sign-in places detailed in item #10 and pay a fee.

2. Subscribers who wish to bring guests to hunt with us should call a master for permission to do so.

3. Guests and social subscribers are allowed to cap 5 times during the season.

4. Guests must be accompanied in the field by their sponsor who is responsible for their safety and etiquette. Sponsors are to introduce their guests to a master or field master at the meet.

5. Sponsors of guests are responsible for getting the guest’s signed release form and capping fee to a master, field master or hunt secretary. These should be placed in an envelope with the name of the guest and sponsor printed on the front.

6. When we have a joint meet, it is appropriate to invite the subscribers of the visiting hunt to ride forward in the fields.