I went on one hunt as a teen and it was one of the biggest learning experiences of my riding career.
It was a 10 hour drive one way, so a Pony Club family hosted us. I fully expected a lot of pomp and circumstance, and woke up at 4 am to braid my horse and get ready. We trailered from the host's barn to the hunt and I was shocked that no one else braided. It was a very informal affair (well, riders were still all dressed up, but no formality beyond that). I felt welcomed and enjoyed the blessing of the hounds and horses before the ride, and was shocked my horse didn't mind the bagpipes.
When we got on and started out, I went with the rest of the guests to the back of the field of riders. I had only had my horse for about 3 months at that point and was still getting to know him. We had to get two abreast for a stint through the woods and that was when Hank started playing up, obviously agitated not to be in the front. As soon as the forest trail opened up into a clearing Hank went crazy and I came a cropper (got launched over his head) as he raced as fast as I have seen a horse go in real life, right past the hunt master out of sight.
This hunt was held adjacent to a military training grounds, and there were drills occurring, so my heart went into my throat as Hank went directly towards the training grounds. The hunt stopped, two riders went after Hank and a very kind hunt member had me get on double behind her on her Clyde. Unfortunately that horse did not appreciate being ridden double and began to buck. I slid off before I was ejected. About 15 minutes later and after profuse apologies on my part for holding up a section of the hunt and separating them (the master and others had gone on), the riders who rode after Hank came back leading a muddy and ornery grey TB. He had also interrupted the military drill and was fixated on a Sherman tank when they got to him. I thanked the riders, one of whom was my host mother and mounted back up. She suggested a small group of us (about 4) ride separate and just work on getting Hank calm in the middle and then back of a pack.
So I didn't get to finish the hunt behind the hounds, I didn't get to fly over jumps, but I did get a great hack out and a great learning experience on how to handle a very hot, reactive horse. She also suggested I try and look into Hank's history, the way he ran and passed other horses and when she followed him over some jumps, she bet me he had raced before. And indeed, when I got home, I did research, talked with previous owners and found out he came from Ireland as a steeplechase horse.
The other pony clubbers from my club who had traveled up had a great time, and learned a lot about how to jump in stride at speed. They had good, calm horses. One was advanced, one was a beginner, with about 18 months riding under her belt.
Moral of the story, if you have a good, calm horse, it can be great fun, even without a lot of prior experience. I did have a lot of fun, and the gathering at the end of the hunt was a blast. I took a good ribbing from a lot of members, but it was all in good fun.