Belle Meade loves company! Our founders' outlook was "the more, the merrier", and that sentiment lives on today. We genuinely enjoy sharing our passion with visitors and newcomers, so we offer a range of options to suit riders and horses at just about every skill level.

In foxhunting, riders are grouped into "flights", each led by a Field Master. At Belle Meade, we have four flights. For everyone's safety and enjoyment, it's important that riders go in the flight best suited to their ability and their mount's experience.

First Flight, also referred to as "the Field", is only for advanced riders on experienced horses. The group stays close behind hounds and the Huntsman, taking every jump, crossing and obstacle encountered, usually at speed, especially when hounds are in full pursuit of a quarry. Riders and their mounts must be able to stop quickly and stand quietly when needed ("Hold Hard"); confidently jump as high as 3'6"; cross challenging creeks; perform a reverse or traffic reverse; and maintain control at a walk, trot, canter, hand gallop, or fast gallop. One should not ride in the First Flight their first time out with Belle Meade; Second Flight is recommended for those visiting who ride in the first flight with their home hunt but who have not yet experienced hunting through our challenging, wooded terrain.

Second Flight generally follows the same route as First Flight, but at a slower pace. Occasionally, the Second Flight might opt for a less-challenging crossing or bypass a jump that has a convenient way around. Riders and their mounts must possess the same skills and abilities as those described above for First Flight.

Third Flight at Belle Meade is comparable to the Hilltopper field at most other hunts. It is a non-jumping field, though logs fallen across the trail are fair game for those who wish to encourage their horse to jump rather than step over. With the exception of jumping, riders in the Third Flight must possess the same skills as riders in the First and Second Flights. In addition, riders in the Third Flight should be willing and able to dismount and mount in order to open and close gates as needed. Third Flight is ideal for the experienced rider on a horse that is new to hunting, and for the novice rider on an experienced hunter.

Fourth Flight is for beginners and for experienced riders on green horses. It is a non-jumping field that goes at the pace of the most conservative rider in the group. Generally Fourth Flight only walks and trots, but might canter only when all riders and the Field Master are willing and able. Riders and their mounts must be able to stop quickly and stand quietly when needed ("Hold Hard"); walk and trot across uneven terrain and through woods; perform a reverse or traffic reverse; and dismount and mount in order to open and close gates as needed.

Within each flight, riders generally remain single-file. This differs from hunts in other parts of the country where the terrain is more open. Here at Belle Meade, where most of our territory is wooded, single-file is necessary for safety. Also, it is important to maintain one's position in the order - this is also for safety as well as courtesy. Lastly, going single-file requires that every rider keeps his or her horse at a safe distance behind the horse in front.

If a rider wishes to change flights during a hunt, her or she may do so but only at a check and only with Field Master permission. The rider may then join the desired field at the back of the single-file line.