Flying Over Huge Hedges with the Ledbury Hunt - Second Time Lucky! | Equestrian

Tonic, my pure Irish Draught, keeping up with the Thoroughbreds doing what he loves most. Great to meet like-minded people that enjoy a thrusters day as much as I do!!
Tonic making light work of the Ledbury Hedges that are notoriously challenging. Looking at the first hedge trying to work out where's best to jump and galloping up to it aiming at a different much bigger part but trusting Tonic enough to keep kicking on.
We did have a bit of a tumble, but both Tonic and I are fine, just my ego - still better than last year though!
My Instagram: montgomerythe3rd

[@emcc8598]

You and Tonic make a great pair. Glad you found him 😊

[@canteringtroughlife]

it's so wonderful to see how you encourage and praise your horse the first 5 minutes with the HUGE hedges. it makes me so happy by even watching it, how you help your horse to get over the hedges.

[@sarahcooper3378]

That was a bit scary! What a horse he is. He deserves a good wash down, feed and free time, and you deserve a large snifter of something. Great day .

[@egeegee7146]

He’s such a honest horse Monty. Be careful not to over face him. He can stall a bit in flight and straightness is key with already massive hedges. But I’ve jumped plenty with a dodge the bodies on landing ! It’s a rush.

[@tomonhorse]

Well done tonic and Monty !! Great job giving the thoroughbreds a run for their money in Ledbury big hedge country !! What a star 🌟 🎉❤

[@horstdawin5018]

You are such a good rider. Thank you to take me with you and Tonic, to watch you

[@lavenderhillfarmwales]

So good to see you testing out new terrain and simultaneously supporting other packs. I would have loved to have ridden with the Ledbury a while back, but I doubt I would have had the guts to take on those monster hedges. I know I have said it before but I will say it again. Tonic is a phenomenal horse and so genuine. What I would give to have one chance to ride a horse like that. You are so fortunate and you don't take it for granted. What a fantastic time you are having with him. All the best for the rest of 2023.

[@MrMousley]

exhilarating, challenging. I'm exhausted just watching it. Have missed your videos, glad you've posted.

[@karinstrothenke3856]

Incredible hedges and fences ! Thanks for also showing the jumps from a different angle. Then you can tell how high those hedges are 😯👍🏻

[@lois4155]

I field master for the Highmoor Bloodhounds, we don't have vast amounts of jumping country - and watching this I'm grateful for that! Scares me shitless just watching you - what a horse though, as you say!

[@ericaknesek3266]

Wow I’ve never seen so many adrenaline junkies in one place😂😂 looks like great fun🗽☘️

[@ursulatevis5146]

Wow! Fantastic hedge hopping. Those were some big ones! So glad you both were ok after the tumble. Tonic is a trooper and just goes on. So relaxed. Thank you for the video of the trail hunt. I was holding my breath over some of the hedges!!

[@juliaseabrook3712]

Thank you Monty and Tonic for another thrilling and fast paced outing.

[@philippcheyne9987]

Well done Monty and Tonic, it looked really bloody scary!!

[@lyncheeseman]

Fantastic watching from an armchair. Tonic is certainly a great horse. Have you got a horse called Gin. Lol

[@user-gc3lm2nh7b]

Brilliant!! Its great that you include parts that go a bit ***s up!! Its soooo encouraging!!! Glad you're both ok!! Your videos are easily the most fun to watch!! Keep them coming!! 👍

[@ec.showjumping]

What a horse! You two are machines 🔥

[@amandanewman9189]

I was frightened to death just watching that!

[@almirakline6070]

😮 exciting! Glad you & Tonic were both ok.

[@niawebbon]

Those hedges were GINOURMOUS. WEll done tonic and you

[@tomkibbe2124]

That was certainly heart in your mouth time. Good honest horse. Well done.

[@Roheryn100]

I agree about the field master - he must have nerves of steel to lead you lot ! PS Love your full skirted hunt coat. Make please ?

[@jacky3580]

I’ve watched this a couple of times and my heart still jumps with you! Tonic is special, you’re a lucky man.

[@niawebbon]

Amazing riding

[@whichypoohs]

What a mum you have she’s amazingly calm

[@Loocarrx]

You’re my fave person and horse - ever ❤

[@lindamorton7496]

Tonic! What a horse!

[@kazBrown4350]

That's 4 of your clips I've watched now and I love how you tell him he's a good boy at every fence, he's a superstar and what a gentleman! Which could not be said for the cutting up that still goes on! I miss jumping so much but I broke my back 7 years ago and gave up jumping 😂firmly in a dressage saddle now or showing 😊

[@mustangsally4362]

That was a bit scary Mary, but well done to you both you are a formidable team 💪

[@canteringtroughlife]

the fall was really scary! but it's wonderful you immediately checked if tonic was alright before you checked if you were alright.❤

[@dorothywhiting3453]

😃....I love your little ''heehees''..........😅😆😁

[@dorothywhiting3453]

he is incredible for a 5 year old......

[@rumkugel9376]

Oh mann, was für ein Schreck 🙈 Zum Glück ist Euch nichts schlimmes passiert!! 🍀 Ihr seit großartig 👍

[@craigmauricecowming5859]

Great footage, ur horse is a good jumper. but boot him into a few more of the ditches , he should be winging some of them, as i said great footage keep it coming 👍

[@cynthiakranz1899]

Awesome hunt, Tonic is so calm and talented. Sorry about the fall but all is well. I enjoyed watching

[@mollymarshall5710]

Well done!

[@bethje30]

Hi Monty, wow those are some hedges!! Did Tonic just salute the other horse after the first hedge, casually on the go? He is seems like such a kind horse. I love that you are still so enthusiastic about what you guys are doing, genuinely happy and not blasé. Lot's of fun to watch and so impressed....Oh I didn't even finish the video....oh dear you guys fell!!!!

[@katherinestead708]

wow, way to go, those hedges were huge!! glad both of you were ok, very scary moments.

[@ywaiming]

Thanks for sharing. It must have been a challenging ride. There were so many riders falling off...hope everyone's ok.

[@victoriacollier8121]

Tonic is an absolute gun Monty!! You are such a kind rider and you give him the confidence. Not sure about the hedge jumps though. I would be worried about my horse falling or being scratched by the branches😁😁

[@andrewelliott4436]

I can feel every jump.

[@juliaforsyth8332]

Tonic is a cracking horse. Please, please don't overface him.

[@PersonalTriumph2022]

Wow two horses fell at that one jump, crazy !

[@staceybarnhart2611]

Ole Tonic is a beast

[@HollyJordan15]

I’m not trying to be a kill joy as I love your videos; but are you ever worried about jumping him so young (and over some fairly big jumps at that) together with the terrain you go over? As you know just with regards to his growth & potential injuries. I understand most of the ground will be soft, you must hit some hard bits from time to time. Also that was some hard fall you both took.

[@jacky3580]

That drop after the jump, the horses falling are a scare. Riders assume the risk but the horses loyally following direction. I hope no injuries.

[@susanbilodeau7793]

For once a sunny day and the ground was not all mucky!

[@MLOCharmer]

You have a tendency to float to the left. Keep your horse straight and that will cure falling at drops on the opposite side.

[@josephhelyenek9203]

Happy to see you again. Does your season stop at the end of March

[@niawebbon]

I love how you praise hm so much

[@susantobias33]

I must say I think you are a little insane, almost too scary to watch! Those hedges take great courage on the part of both horse and rider!

[@sjh4803]

Some massive hedges, but well worth 10 quid in the Tumblers fund to cover that country. Great day out.

[@CarolStJohn-ev9ry]

That was some gnarly jumping going on! Glad you and Tonic are okay. Geez, how many people/horses get hurt on those rides?

[@josephhelyenek9203]

Yes sir, unfortunately here in the states the hunts are loosing territory because of development and the anti-hunting crowd. I enjoy reliving my youth through your cap-cam

[@susanford6926]

I think you &tonic did great, can you tell me what kind of bit you use with tonic?

[@smalloscar1]

Hey well done, hope that fall didn’t knock your confidence . do you think some jump training over bigger jumps would help? The bigger they are the more correct one has to be. Tonic is a scopey jumper. Look forward to more videos.

[@andrewhunter9770]

the problems seems to be the landing zone

[@angelstar5313]

I love watching your videos. What breed of horse is Tonic? He's beautiful

[@CourtneyBlythe]

He's an Irish Draught!

[@ericaknesek3266]

1 question. I was always told not to let a ‘ hot ‘ horse drink after a ride like the one you completed… or did tonic have a bit of a cool down ?🗽☘️

[@lafonevc5663]

That’s actually a myth, while some overworked horses develop cramp / colicky symptoms that’s actually due to overwork not the water. Important to let them hydrate and cool down ..which is why you’ll see horses being bathed in cold water / hoses and water showers and allowed to drink after intensive competition etc. if your horse gets sick after a lot of work it’s your work that made them sick. You can look up research on horses competing in the olympics for interesting information on the importance of hydration and cooling.

[@equine2020]

Its been proven you can allow a drink.

[@marysheehy4733]

Those hedges look 5 ft or more

[@niawebbon]

How did he jump sideways!!!

[@josephhelyenek9203]

Opps

[@PersonalTriumph2022]

Why is there a cap over the helmet ? I see this a lot, curious

[@lafonevc5663]

It’s not a cap it’s a hat cover or a silk. It gives a traditional riding hat like look to helmets that do not have a peak and provides a tidy and smart appearance (the wrong sort of peak can cause severe injuries in a fall so hat covers have a very soft fabric peak). They can be had in a range of colours, so they can be dark like those on a lot of riders in this video (smart for hunting where colours are mandated) or coordinated with silks or colours for racing, cross country riding etc.

[@gracex650]

how do you get your horse back when it takes off?

[@cyxxmm]

they go with the heard. people will catch them and help you most of the time

[@liannahq]

They run to the other horses most likely so someone else from the hunt will catch it

[@clairewerthman2467]

Fences & ditches yes. Large brush hedges no. Most of you seem to plow thru the hedges not jump them 🙃

[@josephhelyenek9203]

Why do we seldom see the hounds

[@msgpoloeventing]

On big thrusters days we go out to jump and not some much to watch the hounds. I love watching the hounds but sometimes it’s good to let off some steam!!

[@andrewhunter9770]

What about this agreement: after a horse fell the event has to end for this horse. Horses tend to keep on running especially when in a herd, ignoring pain and injuries for a while, as riders (should) know.

[@charlotte.eq1]

u talk so quietly lol u did a very good job tho my heart dropped when u went over the hedges sad u fell hope u r ok

[@liannahq]

Yall ride well but i don't get why this can continue and is called off safe when multiple people have a rotational fall and fall with the horses which is very dangerous for rider and horse. I find that really dangerous

[@clairewerthman2467]

Like your videos…..but this one is questionable, sorry. I thought this was more “plowing” thru the hedges not jumping. Well done but not my cup of tea for horse or rider.

[@cyxxmm]

this is what you do with hedges as its like a brush jump. the top of the hedge may have been to big to jump straight over it and the horse was stalling mid air and rotating and thats what caused the fall. most horses do it out hunting you find though and it dose not look as bad as it does using a camera.

[@mandycook9037]

Cruel and unnecessary should be stopped

[@pumpkinhead8593]

​@lucane6820 It's illegal fox hunting. A cruel blood sport.

[@lucane6820]

@pumpkinhead8593 Most 'Hunts' are fake, and the dogs are chasing a scent that has deliberately been placed to mimic what it would be like without harming a fox. These hunts are perfectly legal and have been planned out for riders and horses to enjoy. Basically, all they're doing it running around and jumping fences. I'm not sure if this one is real or not though.

[@Wherethereisnodarkness]

​@@lucane6820that's weird

[@Lagolop]

These horses must be worth their weight in gold. We don't do anything like this where I live, which is in Alberta Canada.