Advice to Moingona Foxhunters

1. Greet the Masters and staff on arrival at the meet. Be on hand early enough to warm up your horse, as the Hunt will move out promptly at the hour designated. Make your presence known to the Secretary at the meet; pay capping fees, if required. Should you wish to leave the field, please request permission from the Field Master or the Honorary Secretary, as they may wish to direct your return to the place the meet started.

2. Remember to show courtesy and consideration to the landowners at all times. Without their continuing support, we would not be able to hunt.

3. Close all fences and gates that the hunt opens, to prevent stock from escaping.

4. Do not ride over crops, even if someone else does.

5. If your horse kicks, tie a red ribbon on its tail and ride in the back of the field. Keep clear of other riders. If your horse is
unmanageable, please excuse yourself from the field.

6. Do not allow large gaps to develop in the field. Keep the length of a horse between you and the next horse and, when following at a fence, do not jump until the horse in front has cleared the fence. If your horse refuses the fence, you are required to move to the back of the field.

7. Do not circle in front of other horses. Do not pass other horses too close or at high speed.

8. Do not ride on top of hounds. Always make room for the huntsmen, staff and hounds. Move out of their path and turn your horse's head toward them promptly.

9. Do not talk loudly when hounds are working. Do not rate a hound unless requested to do so by one of the hunt staff.

10. Never ride ahead of staff or hounds. Stay behind the Field Master at all times, unless permission is given to pass when hounds have opened.

11. No smoking please, while riding in the field or at checks. We have promised the landowners there would be no smoking, to prevent blame in case of fire.

12. Riders displaying improper conduct in the field will be excused from the day's hunting.

13. Riders with colors, when choosing to ride at the rear, should invite those without colors to ride ahead of them.

14. Members are totally responsible for their guests, including attire, conduct, payment of the capping fee, signed waiver of liability and reservations for other activities.

15. Absolutely do not pick-up or kennel any hounds that have scratched (quit the hunt), unless by direction of the staff.

16. If a rider sees or causes any damage, please inform the Field Master immediately.

17. Hound exercise dates are for the training of hounds. Field members are permitted only at the discretion of the huntsman. Please call ahead for permission.

18. Warning! No one is allowed to ride on hunt country at any time other than at a scheduled hunt.

Traditional Dress & Appointments

Gentlemen (over 17) with colors:
Top hat or hunt cap, scarlet coat (morning, swallow-tail or shadbelly), white breeches, top boots, whip, sandwich case or flask as desired. White stock tie with stock tie pin. The ends should be pinned down for safety.

Gentlemen and Junior members:
Hunt cap or bowler, black coat, tan or canary breeches, black hunting boots, sandwich case or flask as desired. White stock tie with stock tie pin. The ends should be pinned down for safety.

Ladies:
Hunt cap or bowler, black coat, tan or canary breeches, black hunting boots (patent leather tops optional for those with colors), sandwich case or flask as desired. White stock tie with stock tie pin. The ends should be pinned down for safety.

Ratcatcher:
Tweed coat (brown or gray), dark sports coat or hacking jacket. This coat is worn with canary, brown or buff breeches. Gentlemen should wear a shirt and tie and ladies wear a riding shirt with choker collar or tie. The boots should be brown, black or dark cordovan. You should wear a black hunt cap. Spurs, whip, flask and sandwich case are optional.

Notes:

An ASTM approved helmet with harness is recommended for all hunting.
The hunt colors and button are worn by invitation of the Masters only. Men with colors wear three brass buttons; Masters, four brass buttons; and Masters who hunt the hounds and staff, five brass buttons. The gray collar is worn by gentlemen on a scarlet coat, and by ladies and juniors on a black coat.
White breeches are to be worn only with the scarlet coat.

Dress Code

Cubbing and Midweek Ratcatcher
All Others Formal Attire

Capping Policy

Capping fees of $30 per person per meet are paid by visitors of riding members for the privilege of riding to The Moingona Hunt hounds. Capping fees for members of another hunt are $50. There is a limit of three cappings per person per lifetime unless prior arrangements are made with a Master. Riding Members who have dropped back to a Social Membership are not eligible to ride to hounds during the Ratcatcher or Formal season. Capping fees should be presented to the Honorary Secretary (or another member in her absence) in a sealed envelope in which the correct amount, either in check (payable to The Moingona Hunt) or in cash, is enclosed before the hounds move off. The outside of the envelope should state name and date, and, in the case of a visitor, the name of The Moingona Hunt sponsor.

Ground Testers

A Ground Tester is any rider with an unscheduled dismount during a hunt, for any reason. The ground tester will be noted by the Field Secretary and a $15 fee per fall (up to 3 falls) will be collected at the meet that day. Awards will be presented at the annual meeting for the most spectacular falls!