1. Members should arrive at the hunt at least thirty minutes before the hunt is scheduled to begin. This allows enough time to get horses ready and enjoy a stirrup cup.

2. Often an MFH or Field Master will make announcements just before moving off. Special warnings about hazards ("please don't let horses eat the grapes on the second run,") or social announcements ("Drinks are on the house at Mattei's Tavern after the hunt") should be closely attended.

3. Listening and watching hounds should be your main reason for hunting. Conversation while hunting should be very limited and softly spoken.

4. Learning about the hounds will add immensely to your enjoyment. Included in the roster is a list of the SYVH entry. Study it and try to learn the names and breeding of our pack.

5. Never do anything that might harm a hound. Do not jump a fence or approach a water trough until all hounds are clear. Turn your horse's head toward passing hounds to prevent kicking one.

6. Never damage a landowner's property or allow livestock to escape.

7. The cry "staff, please" requires your immediate yielding of the right-of-way to the huntsman or whipper-in. Back your horse off the trail with its head to the passerby and remain until the staff member has passed.

8. "Hold hard," signalled by a vertically raised forearm, requires that you stop where you are, standing still and quiet. Raise your own arm to alert riders behind you.

9. The call "Gate, please" indicates that the last rider through the gate must close it. The nearest member of the field should wait and assist.

10. Do not crowd the horse ahead of you. It is neither polite nor safe, and it may result in a kick. A rider holding an arm horizontally behind his back is warning you that his horse is annoyed and may kick.

11. Horses are known to kick on provocation must wear a red ribbon in their tail and must stay at the rear of the field.

12. Riders having difficulty with their horses should stay to the rear. If your ineptitude or your mount's misbehavior interferes or slows the rest of the field, ask permission to return to the stable. This courtesy to other riders also saves you the embarrassment of being asked to leave.

13. Under no circumstances is smoking permitted while hunting.