Guidelines

If you are interested in learning more about hunting with the Smithtown Hunt, we encourage you to come capping with us. Please contact the Hunt Phone at (631) 909-2940 or our Hunt Secretary at secretary@thesmithtownhunt.com. Get an idea of what to expect by reading an article written by Cathleen Springer, "Riding with the Smithtown Hunt" here.

On the day of the hunt, mark an envelope ("capping envelope") with your name, address, telephone number, emergency contact and email address.  Enclose your capping fee in the envelope, along with the date of the ride, your horse’s name and your signed release (Adult Release, Minor Release).  Give the envelope to the Secretary before the ride.  All forms are found in the Forms section. You may also pay your capping fee via Venmo @TheSmithtownHunt.

• Cappers are permitted to hunt with the permission of the Masters.
• Clean and neat English show attire is appropriate for cappers.
• Cappers must check-in with the Secretary at the Hunt.
• Capping fee: Sundays $90 for Senior, $45 Junior.
  Wednesdays $75 for Senior, $30 Junior.
  Opening and Closing Hunts $120 for Senior, $50 for Junior.
  Thanksgiving and New Year's Day Hunts $120 for Senior, $50 for Junior.
• Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
• Children under 12 ride free.
• It is essential that gates be closed and damage to fences promptly repaired and reported to the Masters or the Secretary. 
• Please review At the Meet for more information regarding attire and fox hunting in general.

Download the appropriate releases and capping envelope here and bring it to the hunt.  

• Riding membership is by invitation of the Masters only.
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent.  A senior in the Smithtown Hunt is 18 years old or older.
• Horses and riders must qualify to ride in the hunter trials and special classes in the horse show by hunting a defined number of times during that hunt season.
• Never pass the field master.
• Stallions are permitted in the field with special permission only.
• No smoking.  No drinking on roads.  All cell phones are to be used only in the event of an emergency.
• Subscribers may not contact landowners, public officials, etc. without prior permission from a master.
• All expenditures must be reviewed by a Master first.
• When you prematurely leave the hunt, do not interfere with the working of the hounds, staff or huntsman.  Get directions from the field master.
• Any horse found to refuse fences will be asked to ride to the rear.
• Kickers may be asked to leave the field.
• When riding first or second flight, you are expected to keep up.  Guests who are unsure of their mounts should start in third flight.  Inform your field master if you wish to move up.

RIDING PRIVILEGES ARE SUBJECT TO THE DISCRETION OF THE MASTERS.  ANY RIDER, REGARDLESS OF SENIORITY OR COLORS, MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE FIELD FOR ANY REASON, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SAFETY OF HORSE AND/OR RIDER, IMPROPER ETIQUETTE, INTERFERENCE OF HUNTSMAN, HOUNDS OR FIELD, DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.

The Smithtown Hunt was organized in 1900 and recognized by the Masters of Foxhounds Association in 1906.  The Smithtown Hunt is now the only hunt surviving on Long Island.  For many years, we hunted both live and drag, but in recent years have become exclusively a drag hunt.  This means that a scent is laid on the ground, and it is that scent of the fox that the hounds follow.

The Smithtown Hunt maintains and breeds a pack of foxhounds that are registered with the masters of Foxhounds Association. The hunt staff assists in the care, feeding and exercising of the pack which is supervised by the huntsman who is under the master’s direction.

The Smithtown Hunt is a Section 501(c) (3) non-profit charitable organization, whose mission is Conservation, Preservation and Education.  The following pages are your guidelines when hunting with the Smithtown Hunt.  They will prepare you for a safe and knowledgeable day of hunting.  You will learn the traditions, the thrill of watching the hounds work and make new friends.  TALLY HO!