Those early season nerves at the meet are all too familiar… As is the moment you look across to see someone a sixth of your age and a quarter of your size, on a pony with barely-there legs merrily enjoying the occassion.
And then there is that heart-sinking moment when your 16.1hh “experienced hunter” is turning himself inside out at an insignificant set of rails, and that pony you spotted earlier sails over in front of you.
All hail for the budding thrusters of the future — they certainly know how to put us in our place…
Oliver Gillman
Hi ,
These are some pictures of our at the time 4 year old son Oliver Gillman and his 26 year old pony Tuffty enjoying their first days hunting with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale last season .
Julie Gillman
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
All the gear: four-year-old Oliver Gillman and his 26-year-old pony Tuffty enjoying their first day hunting with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale last season.
Martha German
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Fine style: Martha German shows the field how it’s done with her smart dun pony.
Livvia Krajnyk
6 year old Livvia Krajnyk on Belchford Gwenno
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Six-year-old Livvia Krajnyk gears up for a day out on Belchford Gwenno.
If you weren't excited enough already, we've dug out nine photos of followers and hunt staff on flying form with
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Kathleen Curtin and Isobel Curtin
Sisters, on the left Kathleen Curtin on Milly with their grandfather Pat Curtin & Isobel Curtin on Freddy
All waiting for The County Clare Hunt to arrive in Kilmihil Co Clare
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Sister act: Kathleen Curtin on Milly and Isobel Curtin on Freddy wait for the County Clare Hunt to arrive in Kilmihil, Co Clare, with with their grandfather Pat Curtin.
Holly and Seth
Hi,
This is my daughter Holly and her best friend Seth on their ponies Star and Bart. Picture was taken when they had both just turned two at the Chatsworth House meet with the Barlow Hunt.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Worthy of a pairs’ competition: Holly and her best friend Seth, both two, on their ponies Star and Bart at the Chatsworth House meet with the Barlow Hunt.
Freddie Shutler
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Freddie Shutler’s legs might not quite reach the bottom of the saddle flap, but he looks ready to get out autumn hunting with the Kimblewick.
Molly Oman
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Bad hair day? Molly Oman’s pony’s mane is certainly not holding them back… Look out for mention of Henry the super hunting pony in the feature about marvellous hunting ponies in H&H’s hunting special issue, on sale from 22 October.
Sasha Lawes
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Mud, mud, glorious… Sasha Lawes would have been frantically searching for the vanish after her day out with the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray last season, however it hasn’t deterred her and she is all set for the season ahead.
Hunting mad? Don’t miss this week’s 20-page hunting special of Horse & Hound magazine, where we look at some of the best hunting ponies around, hunting literature that you won’t be able to put down PLUS the full hunting directory
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
A graduate from Durham University, Madeleine joined H&H in 2011 and became Features Editor — producing content across the magazine and website, including the popular inside back cover article ‘The horse that made me’ and the weekly ‘The best of my fun…’ interview. She has written on topics as diverse as hay making and headcams, to hot totty in the horse world and circus horses. Madeleine now works as a freelance feature writer for Country Life, The Telegraph, Horse & Hound, cntraveller.com, The Spectator and The Field, as well as writing obituaries for The Times.
