Modern day controversy aside, there’s still no more iconic image of the English Gentleman than those like the one shown above – dressed in “pinks” and ready to join the fox hunt or to go riding to hounds. The Duke of Wellington did it, though he wore a light blue jacket, and the present Duke of Rutland is known for his Belvoir Hunt. But what, in this day and age, is the actual cost of kitting oneself out for the hunt?
Plain cream silk stock – £35.00
Frock style hungting coat £430.00
Bespoke moleskin breeches £165.00
Bespoke hunting cap £275.00
Hunting whip £45.00
Silver hunting horn £698.00
Hunting boots approximately £450.00
Saddle approximately £1,000.00
A decent mount approximately £5,000.00
Total approximate cost – £8,098.00
Or $12,944.37, excluding shirt, gloves, socks, bridle, spurs, hounds, rifle or flask
And when you add your hunt association (member) fees, or if a guest or follower, the cap fees, the maintenance and transport of your mount–the costs soar astronomically! Speaking from experience.
… and you can't (legally) chase a fox in the UK – doesn't seem worth the expense, does it?
It might well be worth it simply to justify buying those boots – ha!
I once had a horse that would have qualified, a former race horse, a lazy one fortunately for me.
To me, it is worth the expense. Nothing like a cool, crisp autumn morning some baying hounds on the hunt and you flying across a coop to keep up.
It's all fun and games until you approach a monstrous hedge with a ditch full of water on the other side and at the last minute your mount says "You first!" Limping across an open field soaking wet with half a hedgerow sticking out of your hair is not the best way to prove "the Yank lass has a bit of spunk," but it proved sufficient enough to get me invited on the next hunt. Of course I was younger and bounced better in those days!