IF you’re a maid of honour tasked with organising a one-of-a-kind bachelorette weekend here in Blighty, your choices can feel quite limited, even more so now Covid-19 has risen its head.
We can no longer head up north to Liverpool or descend into the streets of London en masse for a weekend of 24-hour clubs, doner kebabs and sticky dance floors, and chances are the local malestripper service won’t be able to navigate a socially distanced lap dance for the bride in question.
All may not be lost, though, if your “hen” has hunting blood coursing through her veins. Foregoing phallic memorabilia, UK party towns and strippers in favour of galloping across the countryside on a “hunting hen” could end up being the best decision you make.
Rachael Horton-Pyle did exactly that last season when she headed to Ireland, flanked by her horse-loving nearest and dearest.
“We’d always said as a group how much we had wanted to experience hunting in Ireland, and I knew that unless I gave us a reason to go, it would always be one of those things we’d never get around to doing,” she says.
Shunning the traditional all-girls guest list seems to be a common theme with hunting hen dos. Charlotte Morphet, who also took on Irish hunting country for her pre-wedding party, headed off to Galway with an entourage of nine. The selected included “Bridesmaid Mark”, Charlotte’s Pony Club best friend, who wasn’t going to let a small thing like gender get in the way of him and a great night out.
“He just comes with the team,” says Charlotte.
Being slightly out of the ordinary, if you go for a hunting hen party, expect your guest list to snowball.
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
New Year Honours for those who change people's lives
Bob Champion and leading figures in racing, the Riding for the Disabled Association and equine therapy are named
New horizons
Covid has put huge pressure on the job market, but some horse owners have diversified and reaped the benefits of different roles, writes Stephanie Bateman
Sports psychologist
Michael Caulfield on why any form of sport helps make a person whole
High And Mighty
The dun gelding took consecutive Badminton titles in the 1950s, and put the “glamour girl” of eventing Sheila Willcox on the map. Madeleine Silver charts his swift – and turbulent – rise to the top
Katy Green
The showing rider draws huge inspiration from her mentors and has big plans for the working hunter scene. Alex Robinson checks in with Katy Green to find out how she juggles business and competition
First ladies
Male and female riders may now compete as equals, but a few skilled horsewomen paved the way in a historically masculine sport, finds Jennifer Donald
Louise Hoadley
The East Essex hunt secretary is the first person to offer a helping hand, and has passed her love of hunting on to her “mad keen” daughter
Aimee Devane
The mountain and moorland specialist on pursuing her dreams, her laid-back personality and what motivates her to get out of bed in the morning
Better out than in
A diseased or damaged molar that is beyond repair is best removed, but how? Neil Townsend MRCVS explains
7 ways top riders deal with nerves
Even the world’s elite riders aren’t immune to competition nerves. Martha Terry discovers how they channel their jitters into a winning performance
The Inspiring World of Irish Crochet
Traditional Irish crochet, with its beautiful lacy motifs and the intricately cabled fisherman sweaters of the last century, still inspires modern crochet designers today. Recently we asked crochet designers and good friends, Bonnie Barker and Jennifer E. Ryan, to chat about their friendship and Irish-inspired crochet designs. The following is an excerpt from their video chat. Make sure to visit their websites to watch the complete video between these two good friends.
Olga Starostina & The Timeless Beauty of Irish Crochet
Years ago, when I was new to crochet, I heard a woman say she stopped knitting “because there’s nothing new to learn.” I was shocked. With new techniques and stitch patterns emerging, there is so much to know about crochet and knit work.
BOOZE HOUNDS BEN ON IRELAND FILM SET
REFORMED party animal Ben Affleck is stressing out while filming with pal Matt Damon in Ireland, insiders said — where he’s surrounded by booze!
LOCKDOWN LEADING COURTENEY TO ALTAR!
CAN’T TAKE BEING APART FROM ROCKER JOHNNY
Pub Perfection
Our selection of world-beating public houses for the town’s signature day of carousing.
A GLIMPSE INTO THE HISTORY
Future of the Oldest Shooting Sport
GO AROUND THE WALL
When we go around the wall instead of trying to walk through it, we can experience the transient nature of all things.
par excellence
Luxury and warmth combine at this country manor with a Ryder Cup-worthy golf course and Michelin-starred dining
News From Around Our Wonderful World
West Deptford Township, New Jersey Some of Austin Schwarz’s favorite childhood memories were spent on his dad’s fishing boat.
Plants That Changed Our Lives The Potato
Despite originating in South America, this plant was the cause of the worst famine to occur in 19th century Europe