Cap with Tryon Hounds

Tryon Hounds welcomes guests - come and cap for a day of hunting with us!

1. Please contact our Honorary Secretary, Susan Haldeman, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let us know you wish to hunt and for directions.
2. Complete all necessary paperwork online by clicking here.
3. Pay your cap fee online using a credit card or with Zelle by clicking here. You can also bring a check for your cap to the meet.
4. Please arrive at least 20 minutes early and look for the Honorary Secretary or the Field Secretary to check in.

We look forward to sharing a wonderful day in the Hunt Field with you!

Get Your Paper Work In!

All riders hunting with Tryon Hounds must submit an up to date (within 1 year) Coggins for any horse ridden and must sign all the applicable waivers. Hunting licenses from NC and SC are required for riding members.

Are you a Tryon Hounds Riding Member submitting paperwork for the season?  Click here.

Are you a Tryon Hounds Social Member or Guest, submitting paperwork for capping?  Click here.

Notes from the Masters

The Masters would like to take this opportunity to review some key points of field etiquette for hunting with Tryon Hounds.

PREPARATION

• Your horse should be clean and properly tacked including a contoured (not square) saddle pad.
• Your attire should be neat and clean. Hunt coats appropriate for the season should be worn unless excused by Masters for weather conditions. Polo shirts are acceptable in September. Ratcatcher is appropriate starting October 1 and on Wednesdays during the Formal Season, which starts on Thanksgiving Day. Hair nets should be worn by anyone with hair longer than helmet length.
• Arrive at the meet at least 15-20 minutes ahead of the official carded time so you can be mounted and ready to start on time. 
• Make sure that all your paperwork, including cap fee if necessary, is completed and in the hands of the Honorary Secretary or the Field Secretary before mounting.

WHILE HUNTING

• Keep up with your Field Master. A compact field helps our huntsman and hounds show the best possible sport. 
• Select the flight best suited to you and your horse's experience level and fitness. If needed, ask your Field Master for permission to change flights.
  • On most days, Tryon Hounds offers 3 flights. First Fight, a jumping flight, moves at speed and follows the huntsman and hounds closely. Second Flight, a jumping optional flight, follows First Flight and moves at a slower pace. Third Flight (Hill Toppers) offers sport without moving at speed or jumping.
  • Tryon Hounds may occasionally have only 2 fields - First Flight & Hill Toppers.
  • Please respect the following order of priority in the hunt field: Masters, Field Masters, Members with Colors and Guests invited by Masters to hunt up front, Members without Colors, Guests and Members riding with Guests, Juniors and Members riding with Juniors, Professionals. If you have an unruly horse, please ride at the back regardless of your status.
• Our huntsman asks us to keep on moving with a 'Forward and Reverse' action when she approaches from the front. When she approaches from the rear and needs to pass, we should keep moving forward at speed until we can turn down a trail and quickly remove the entire field from her path.
• Do not chat with your fellow riders in the field - chatter is very distracting to the staff who are providing sport.
• Always be watchful for a hound that may come through the riding field. Say, "Hound, please," and let him have room to come forward. Never speak to the hounds.
• Always stay to the edge of a planted field.
• Ask your Field Master to be excused if you need to leave early. You may be asked to wait for a more appropriate time to leave, or to take a specific path on your way back to the meet depending on where hounds are.

IN GENERAL

• Foremost is courtesy to, and consideration for, the landowners. Do not ride on crops, hay fields, nor deep wet areas; spread out in fields to avoid making "cow paths" which help to cause erosion; go quietly through livestock. DO NOT hack over private land on non-hunting days unless you have the express permission of the landowner.
• It is customary to thank the Huntsman, the Masters, and the Staff after a day of hunting. They will surely appreciate it!

Kick On! The Masters Mrs. Charles Lingerfelt | Mr. Nelson Minnick | Mr. James Ritchie