Saturday, November 2, 2024

The hunting club run by women where no animals are killed

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In short:

A long-held English tradition is being kept alive by a dedicated group of mostly female horse riders in northern Tasmania.

About 50 horses and their riders gallop across farmland, on the trail of a pre-laid scent of aniseed or roadkill.

Tasmania has no foxes and no animals are killed by the Northern Hunt Club.

It’s a typically crisp winter’s day on this sprawling country estate.

About 50 horses and their riders, dressed in formal attire, gather together as a pack of excited hounds bound about, rearing to run ahead of the group.

You could be forgiven for thinking this is rural England.

But it’s actually Clarendon Estate at Nile, in the Northern Midlands of Tasmania.

Northern Hunt Club members gather for the annual feature hunt at Clarendon House, originally built in 1838.(ABC News: Morgan Timms)

For the last 70 years, members of the Northern Hunt Club have been traversing all kinds of farms and rural properties with their hounds.

The country sport dates back to the 1800s when colonial settlers in Tasmania took up the practice of hunting animals they introduced from England, such as deer and hares.

Four women wearing navy, red and black blazers pose for a photo on their horses outside a daffodil-coloured mansion.

Hunt club members Tayah Stalker, Reegan Heathcote, Tory Hood and Alice Scolyer on their horses — Stringer, Hampton Street, Worthy Opponent and La Premiere.(ABC News: Morgan Timms)

Members of this club don’t kill anything though.

Instead, the hounds are trained to chase the scent of aniseed or smell of roadkill, which has been laid down by another rider before the main field sets off.

Tory Hood is the club’s master, which means she’s in charge of the hunt field and the hounds. 

“We don’t want it to be a dying tradition, hunting,” she said.

A woman in a red blazer and black helmet holds a hound by its collar while standing next to a large chocolate-brown horse.

Ms Hood wears the traditional uniform of a Hunt Master, a red coat with four buttons.(ABC News: Morgan Timms)

“We want people to come along and enjoy it and see that it’s not a mad crazy gallop jumping barbed wire fences.

“We are quite sedate and we do make sure there’s an option for everyone, whether you want to trot at the front or you don’t.”

The field can ride up to 15km for a hunt, with multiple stops for riders and hounds to catch their breath.

Including the traditional tot of port, midway through the ride.

Horse riders are partially silhouetted by bands of sunlight glowing through clouds in a green field.

Sophie Roles rides Cellar Door during the club’s annual feature hunt.(ABC News: Morgan Timms)

Veteran rider still loves the sport

Sandra Atkins joined the Northern Hunt Club in 1961, when she took up riding.

She’s been the driving force behind many local equestrian clubs for decades and is a much-loved mentor to other riders.

“It’s the thrill of riding a horse, hopefully one that you know,” she said.

“And going across all these wonderful properties across Tasmania.

“Taking the ground as it comes, it makes the horses so amenable.”

An older woman in a navy blazer and black helmet grins next to her large, muscular, chocolate-coloured horse.

Ms Atkins is still happily riding at 83 years of age.(ABC News: Morgan Timms)

Ms Atkins can’t imagine giving up the sport, even after three hip and two knee replacements.

“I’m terrific on the horse, on the ground I’m on a crutch, I can’t go very far,” she said.

“My dual hip replacement is very weak.

“I’ve got a good horse, until we start cantering and then she gets a bit strong.

“I’m a bit old to keep hold of her,” she laughs.

Horse riders are partially silhouetted by bands of sunlight glowing through clouds in a green field.

Northern Hunt Club is the only club of its kind in Tasmania.(ABC News: Morgan Timms)

Can anyone hunt?

Tory Hood said the club was open to riders of all ages and abilities.

“You’ve got to be able to stop and turn your horse and have general etiquette when riding with others,” she said.

A large number of thoroughbreds used in other equestrian disciplines, such as eventing and showjumping, and retired racehorses are part of the hunting community too.

A woman rides a white horse over a jump on the bank of a river.

During feature hunts, trained horses and riders clear hurdles in showjumping fashion.(ABC News: Laurissa Smith)

Mercedes James started hunting when she was eight years old.

She rides Clyde, a former racehorse.

“I love it, because it’s something to do in the off season of competitions,” she said.

“It’s just so nice to get out and you meet so many new people.

“It’s also a nice chance to go fast.”

Women taking the reins

Surrounded by hounds, a woman in a red blazer and black helmet grins while sitting below her chocolate-brown horse.

Ms Hood’s horse is named Worthy Opponent.(ABC News: Morgan Timms)

In this club, women hold all the official positions for the hunt and on the committee, but it wasn’t always the case.

Tory Hood is the first woman to hold the role of hunt master in Tasmania.

“I’m pretty chuffed I can be that person,” she said.

Holding onto her dad's index finger, a girl in a purple jacket and pink helmet smiles while riding a cream-coloured pony

The Northern Hunt Club’s youngest rider, two-year-old Isabella Oliver.(ABC News: Morgan Timms)

“Traditionally, the Northern Hunt Club was run by men, and a lot of men did ride.

“Gradually that’s phased out and we’ve got a really nice group of girls who have stepped up through the ranks and given it a go.

“It is really cool, to set that up for the younger generation.”

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