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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.”
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.
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.
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
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.
“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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