Cross-posting from GRS blog because it amused me enough to share here too :)
So GRS ventured into a new world today - that of fox hunting. To put this in perspective, I have been exactly twice before*, and my students have never been. We're pretty sure Bella knows the game, but all the other horses were on their first time out as well...
*Sidenote - previous adventures: first in Southern Pines and then in Hamilton <-- -="" a="" and="" educational="" fun="" hamilton="" href="http://laur-eventing.blogspot.com/2009/10/hunting-recap-christopher-kerr.html" if="" is="" more="" one="" re="" reading="" s="" sp="" target="_blank" the="" there="" those="" way="" you="">follow up to the Hamilton one from my friend Chris
So how did today's adventure come to be?
Well Adriana has been inviting me to come hunting for quite some time and somehow it never happened. But I wanted Jack to try hunting and didn't particularly want to hunt him myself, so she who often takes greenbeans out, volunteered. Sweet. So she agrees to take on the big 5yo with a sense of humour and is good to go. But almost as soon as agreeing to ride him, mentions "you should bring kids with you."
Which I of course promptly turned down as a Very. Bad. Idea. And then I thought about it, and about how much I would've *loved* to have gone when I was still young enough to bounce well. And I realized that I do have several students who are more than ready to give it a try. So why not? Well trailering works in two or four; I was taking two horses, so that left space for two more. Ran through the mental list of riders I felt were ready who would suit the horses I had left. And considered how very far both Paula and Hailey have come with their riding this summer. And figured their horses have a reasonably suitable temperament. Sooooo they got invited. Why not >;-P
So step one -- load and get to the meet. Shouldn't be an issue, except at the last second I decided I'd really rather take Athena than Lissy... hmmmmm
But she loaded like the civilized goddess she is we were off well on time and got there fairly early. Met a few people and caught up with A. Unloaded the two who aren't happy on the trailer and tacked them up. Then the other two (yeah for having trained Sienna to tie to the trailer - makes life so much easier!) and we were good to go. Made some new friends while waiting for the start and we were off.
We stuck to the back of the hunt with our excessive collection of greenbeans. Jack started out alert but not overly concerned -- didn't even really react to the hounds! Si was great to start - mostly hanging out grazing. Bella and Athena were less relaxed about the whole idea, mostly spinning slowly in circles. hahaha
And then the games began. Si didn't really understand the whole "hold your place in line" concept at the beginning. Fair enough - coming from the track she expects to be told to get as close to the front as possible. It took Paula most of the ride to convince her that she really was supposed to go the exact same speed as everybody else :) Strangest. Race. Ever. She bounced around a little and ran into Athena a couple times but by the end she had it figured out! At one point her proximity to Athena saved Paula as there was an abrupt group halt at just the point P had ducked to dodge a branch. Those laws of physics kicked in as Si realized she should halt and Paula couldn't see what was about to happen... She bounced off Athena and ended up back on Si who was clearly giving her the "Really?!?!" look >;-P
The jumping part though - every fence flawlessly (if, occasionally a little higher than *technically* necessary). Even the in and out :) Superstars!
Hailey, being the smartest one of the group, was on the *smallest* horse - enabling her to dodge far more branches than the rest of us :) She bravely tackled every jump she found and was grinning the whole way around. And Bella was clearly all for this game. XC AND friends without ANY dressage?!?!?! What could be better? The only thing she didn't care for was the holds. Standing waiting for no apparent reason when she *could* be running and jumping just seemed a fairly strange and pointless idea to her.
I, being less intelligent, traded my little 15hh quiet school pony for my 16.2hh horse who only sometimes has breaks and has a wickedly long stride. hmmmmm. Interesting decision. Right up there with randomly deciding to run 15k. Sheesh. But I have to say -- I was at least able to keep her in line! However, being a mare compromise was necessary. I could pick the speed - she would pick the gait. There was no walking. The entire ride. We did, however, have the most lovely passage for any time that didn't involve cantering or jumping. O.M.G. I suspect I will have a *very* tired horse tomorrow. But fun. So much fun. And now I know what she can do >;-P She also led Jack over one of the off-to-the-side fences he wasn't entirely sure about. I didn't see it, but apparently Jack felt the need to clear it by an extra couple feet, successfully introducing his rider to the branches well above them AND convincing her that I'm insane for doubting his ul jumping potential all at the same time. Made both of us grin though, so that counts for a lot :)
Overall an amazing day! All the greenbeans behaved themselves. Horses stayed between the riders and the ground. The members of the Wellington/Waterloo Hunt were incredibly welcoming and friendly. We even got a photo or two :) And the fox? Well she rode behind us for the first half hour or so before turning off to set a path for us. hahaha a dragged scent, that is, so no harm was caused in the makings of today's entertainment. And did I mention my horse apparently knows how to passage? >;-P The relaxation portion of things may need some work - but now we have a goal :) And unrealistic goals generally lead to entertaining blog posts, so stay tuned!
Showing posts with label #foxhunt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #foxhunt. Show all posts
Of Facebook and Foxes
Posted by
Lauren Cude Horsfall
comments (0)
Gather around and I'll tell you a story... A story of times long past and never-forgotten traditions. And how Facebook brought them together.
The never-forgotten tradition is the sport (art?) of foxhunting. Now those who've been following my blog from it's beginnings might remember my virgin foxhunting adventure (here) when I was down south. And that post has some of the whole history/psychology of the sport so I can skip that this time and just go to the FUN aspect. Later :)
Now if you go back even before the days when foxhuting was in its glory, you eventually hit the days when jousting was *the* sport to win. Until yesterday I didn't know this was still practiced. I'd certainly never met anybody who'd participated. Now I've met three :) One of whom by all accounts is evidently pretty good at it. Gotta admit that's not one I'd ever be even slightly inclined to try -- I see nothing good coming of it!
And then you get the more current times and the whole social networking idea. And the fact that through Facebook I've "refriended" people I haven't seen since highschool, and in pre-internet times would probably never have seen again... One of whom, somewhere along the way, learned to ride :) And invited me to go foxhunting w/ him :) And now you see how the stories connect. And he amazingly found seasoned horses for both myself and a girlfriend of mine to borrow (yeah Sienna's just not doing this!) and away we went...
Now I have to admit I wasn't entirely sure about this. I enjoyed the last time I went, but was sort of iffy about this one. Catch riding a horse I know nothing about, belonging to somebody I've never met, who's a friend of somebody I haven't seen in more than a decade, across territory I don't know. . . AND it was rainy and miserable all week. But J *really* wanted to go (on her "something I've always wanted to do") list and when I got up on Sunday morning it was bright, sunny and just about the perfect temp out. Ok so that made the day seem much better :)
So we find the farm where we're meeting our horses and the woman who brought them for us was super-friendly and welcoming. J's horse was a HUGE chestnut draft named Charlie whose tail was entirely burrs that M was doing everything she could to battle. Charlie was chosen purely for his "safe" quotient. He's the ultimate babysitter -- as long as he can stay w/ one of his girls! Big, quiet, and bombproof. Happy enough to gallop, but not going to be dumb on the way. My horse for the day was Painter, a TB cross (I *think* Holsteiner but don't quote me on that -- sorry T if that's not right!) who I just adored.
Ok everybody on and ready to go. Have to admit I was somewhat amused by the last second filling-of-the-flasks. hahaha and head out to hack over to the starting point. C (hs friend who set everything up) met us half way, which was somewhat of a relief as I wasn't entirely sure how I was going to find somebody I haven't seen in years in the chaos of a hunt getting ready to head out. My plan was to look for the horse who I'd seen pics of (yeah FB!) who looked a little like a giant Zel hahaha but this made life much easier. At the meet pre-ride shots were served and the "welcome" message from the Hamilton side of things (was a joint meet and Hamilton was hosting).
And then the games began :) We figured we'd start in the second flight partially to get to know our horses and partially to see how well J's back would hold up. Now J's horse was being a wonderful couch. Walking along quietly entirely undisturbed by the surrounding chaos. Mine was bouncing. hahaha I have no idea what that gait we were doing was but it was highly athletic and somewhat amusing. Finally the others started to trot so I had hopes she would settle -- and she did, but not to the trot. Instead we had the most gorgeous collected canter I've ever sat on. N I tell you, pirouettes would've been a complete non-issue. Was very tempted to try it *g* hahaha but given how closely packed together everybody was that just wouldn't've been a good idea at all!
Anyways, after the first trot set, my horse was still bouncing (although to give her credit she was willing to stand when everybody stopped -- she just didn't really want to walk...) and J was happily doing well w/ Charlie so voted for joining the first flight. Woohoo. Switching groups we got right away to a reasonable canter -- which was *much* easier to ride than the bouncing walk. Prob the nicest canter I've ridden since Zel actually, so I was quite enjoying that. This group was way more fun to play with. Within a very short time got to go on our first gallop and I'm afraid Painter and I left Charlie and J way behind. hahaha oops :) Was a solid gallop though and she's reasonably quick *g* Not actually as fast as I'd thought she might be given the pent-up adrenaline but still fast enough that it was hard to see through the wind in my eyes *g*
Got the opportunity for a much faster gallop shortly thereafter when somebody's horse had an issue getting through a tight spot, causing a backup... So then each person who got through said spot after had a nice FAST run across a flat field -- and since there was no group, there was no rating against the other horses -- just go as fast as you can till you get to where the others were stopped. That was a riot. Bridge reins and go. Definitely the fastest run of the day, and early enough into the ride that she was still in bouncing mood. Has amazing breaks though -- gallop to halt w/ nothing inbetween. A sit-up-or-else scenario *g*
There were some places with rather iffy footing thanks to all the rain the day before. One rather large sinkhole ate one of the horses... Horse and rider went swimming. Fortunately both were ok -- if a little muddy. All, of course, because the rider was wearing a new hat. We all know the first outting for a new hat will get it dirty, so really this was a given...
As for getting dirty.... One run through the woods we were going possibly a *little* faster than the terrain might've warranted and we whipped around a corner to find a rather large low branch -- the kind that's not going to move out of your way. So I ducked and then turned around to shout a warning to the people behind me, but as I turned back I got beat by the little branch I didn't see cause I was too busy warning the people behind me. Sheesh. Not tragic, but rather ugly looking. Going to either have to actually invest in makeup again (and we're back to the whole highschool thing) or invent some good stories for the clients at the day job. At the barn -- no problem. hahaha but somehow expectations are different in the office and a nice red scratch across your face is not exactly socially acceptable. Sheesh.
Throughout the day we got in a reasonable number of jumps (even got sent ahead of the master @ one point when *his* horse didn't want to jump!), some fast trots/slow canters through very twisty woods, fun fun fun. Somehow, despite my intention to remain @ the back of the pack, I ended up right at the front and stayed there for most of the ride. hahaha poor form perhaps, but all the other people up there were very welcoming :)
Unfortunately J's horse got winded and had a bit of a bloody nose part way through so she and T dropped back and spent the last hour or so walking. She assures me she still had a good time though and Charlie? He couldn't care less -- his main goal was "find food, stay with the girls" and he managed both goals so seemed pretty proud of himself :) Others in the field disappeared at about the same time. I'm not sure where they went, I just know our group shrunk significantly. hahaha And they missed one of the most entertaining runs of the day... There was some really tight brush and then a clearing w/ a slight uphill. This was followed by a reasonable downhill (more than you'd think until you crested the first one) and back up again the other side. So the first few got through the brush no problem and trotted off up and down the hills -- way out of sight of all of us who were on the other side of the brush -- but then somebody got tangled in it (does this sound familiar anybody?) and they got free so that was good, but the rest of us had to get through. Now there are times when you can trust your horse, times when you can't, and times when you have to. This was a case of the latter! I know she's not going to go somewhere she can't fit -- but I also know she's not about to account for the rather upright person on her back. So I gave her her head, ducked down beside her neck as close as I could get to her, closed my eyes (literally -- I'd already been beat up once!) and told her to go. And she did. Got us through there no problem! But unfortunately the woman who was right in front of me had a little more of an issue and ended up on the ground. Now as the other horses by this point were long out of sight, her horse stayed with us. C got off and gave her a leg up and we were good to go. One of the other riders had come back to find out what was going on and now everybody was through the brush. Well clearly -- have to go catch up! Except I don't know if anybody other than the one who came back knew about the hills. hahaha judging from the commentary afterwards I suspect not. As we crested the first one flat out and I saw how steep it was I had one of those crystal clear moments where the voice in my head speaks very calmly but in a tone not to be ignored -- in this case telling me "you'd really better sit up and ride." hahaha it's really easy to end up on autopilot out there but this was not an appropriate time for it *g* Anyways -- that was an awesome run w/ just a *touch* of an adrenaline rush (if for no other reason than "please jump the ditch at the bottom or we're going to die").
Continued in this vein for a while. Was just sooooo much fun. All different types of terrain with times to sit and chat and relax inbetween. Took a few photos -- but I wasn't nearly as good as some who were taking pics while galloping! hahaha my excuse is that my camera doesn't have a wrist strap *g* Which is entirely true, but I suspect it wouldn't've made any difference if it had :) Of course these are the same people who had no problem passing the flask around at a gallop either!
This hunt had a very different feel from the one I did in the States. That one had more jumping (yeah!) but less really serious gallops. And no hills *g*. It was also far more formal. This group was a younger crowd and far more entertaining :)
We got back and jumped a few fences and then I hacked back alone to the farm where I'd started -- somehow lost the like 8 other people who had started there :) But everybody regrouped eventually! I couldn't believe how super-friendly and welcoming everybody was. Absolutely amazing. Had *such* a good time. There was a dinner afterwards which we were invited too but by the time we were done bathing the horses and chilling out with the people who kindly lent us said horses, there just wasn't enough time left (damn responsibilities!) so I just stopped in to say bye and thanks and then we headed home for the day...
And the fox? (who I think was actually a coyote...) he escaped to play another day. Much to my great relief.
The never-forgotten tradition is the sport (art?) of foxhunting. Now those who've been following my blog from it's beginnings might remember my virgin foxhunting adventure (here) when I was down south. And that post has some of the whole history/psychology of the sport so I can skip that this time and just go to the FUN aspect. Later :)
Now if you go back even before the days when foxhuting was in its glory, you eventually hit the days when jousting was *the* sport to win. Until yesterday I didn't know this was still practiced. I'd certainly never met anybody who'd participated. Now I've met three :) One of whom by all accounts is evidently pretty good at it. Gotta admit that's not one I'd ever be even slightly inclined to try -- I see nothing good coming of it!
And then you get the more current times and the whole social networking idea. And the fact that through Facebook I've "refriended" people I haven't seen since highschool, and in pre-internet times would probably never have seen again... One of whom, somewhere along the way, learned to ride :) And invited me to go foxhunting w/ him :) And now you see how the stories connect. And he amazingly found seasoned horses for both myself and a girlfriend of mine to borrow (yeah Sienna's just not doing this!) and away we went...
Now I have to admit I wasn't entirely sure about this. I enjoyed the last time I went, but was sort of iffy about this one. Catch riding a horse I know nothing about, belonging to somebody I've never met, who's a friend of somebody I haven't seen in more than a decade, across territory I don't know. . . AND it was rainy and miserable all week. But J *really* wanted to go (on her "something I've always wanted to do") list and when I got up on Sunday morning it was bright, sunny and just about the perfect temp out. Ok so that made the day seem much better :)
So we find the farm where we're meeting our horses and the woman who brought them for us was super-friendly and welcoming. J's horse was a HUGE chestnut draft named Charlie whose tail was entirely burrs that M was doing everything she could to battle. Charlie was chosen purely for his "safe" quotient. He's the ultimate babysitter -- as long as he can stay w/ one of his girls! Big, quiet, and bombproof. Happy enough to gallop, but not going to be dumb on the way. My horse for the day was Painter, a TB cross (I *think* Holsteiner but don't quote me on that -- sorry T if that's not right!) who I just adored.
Ok everybody on and ready to go. Have to admit I was somewhat amused by the last second filling-of-the-flasks. hahaha and head out to hack over to the starting point. C (hs friend who set everything up) met us half way, which was somewhat of a relief as I wasn't entirely sure how I was going to find somebody I haven't seen in years in the chaos of a hunt getting ready to head out. My plan was to look for the horse who I'd seen pics of (yeah FB!) who looked a little like a giant Zel hahaha but this made life much easier. At the meet pre-ride shots were served and the "welcome" message from the Hamilton side of things (was a joint meet and Hamilton was hosting).
And then the games began :) We figured we'd start in the second flight partially to get to know our horses and partially to see how well J's back would hold up. Now J's horse was being a wonderful couch. Walking along quietly entirely undisturbed by the surrounding chaos. Mine was bouncing. hahaha I have no idea what that gait we were doing was but it was highly athletic and somewhat amusing. Finally the others started to trot so I had hopes she would settle -- and she did, but not to the trot. Instead we had the most gorgeous collected canter I've ever sat on. N I tell you, pirouettes would've been a complete non-issue. Was very tempted to try it *g* hahaha but given how closely packed together everybody was that just wouldn't've been a good idea at all!
Anyways, after the first trot set, my horse was still bouncing (although to give her credit she was willing to stand when everybody stopped -- she just didn't really want to walk...) and J was happily doing well w/ Charlie so voted for joining the first flight. Woohoo. Switching groups we got right away to a reasonable canter -- which was *much* easier to ride than the bouncing walk. Prob the nicest canter I've ridden since Zel actually, so I was quite enjoying that. This group was way more fun to play with. Within a very short time got to go on our first gallop and I'm afraid Painter and I left Charlie and J way behind. hahaha oops :) Was a solid gallop though and she's reasonably quick *g* Not actually as fast as I'd thought she might be given the pent-up adrenaline but still fast enough that it was hard to see through the wind in my eyes *g*
Got the opportunity for a much faster gallop shortly thereafter when somebody's horse had an issue getting through a tight spot, causing a backup... So then each person who got through said spot after had a nice FAST run across a flat field -- and since there was no group, there was no rating against the other horses -- just go as fast as you can till you get to where the others were stopped. That was a riot. Bridge reins and go. Definitely the fastest run of the day, and early enough into the ride that she was still in bouncing mood. Has amazing breaks though -- gallop to halt w/ nothing inbetween. A sit-up-or-else scenario *g*
There were some places with rather iffy footing thanks to all the rain the day before. One rather large sinkhole ate one of the horses... Horse and rider went swimming. Fortunately both were ok -- if a little muddy. All, of course, because the rider was wearing a new hat. We all know the first outting for a new hat will get it dirty, so really this was a given...
As for getting dirty.... One run through the woods we were going possibly a *little* faster than the terrain might've warranted and we whipped around a corner to find a rather large low branch -- the kind that's not going to move out of your way. So I ducked and then turned around to shout a warning to the people behind me, but as I turned back I got beat by the little branch I didn't see cause I was too busy warning the people behind me. Sheesh. Not tragic, but rather ugly looking. Going to either have to actually invest in makeup again (and we're back to the whole highschool thing) or invent some good stories for the clients at the day job. At the barn -- no problem. hahaha but somehow expectations are different in the office and a nice red scratch across your face is not exactly socially acceptable. Sheesh.
Throughout the day we got in a reasonable number of jumps (even got sent ahead of the master @ one point when *his* horse didn't want to jump!), some fast trots/slow canters through very twisty woods, fun fun fun. Somehow, despite my intention to remain @ the back of the pack, I ended up right at the front and stayed there for most of the ride. hahaha poor form perhaps, but all the other people up there were very welcoming :)
Unfortunately J's horse got winded and had a bit of a bloody nose part way through so she and T dropped back and spent the last hour or so walking. She assures me she still had a good time though and Charlie? He couldn't care less -- his main goal was "find food, stay with the girls" and he managed both goals so seemed pretty proud of himself :) Others in the field disappeared at about the same time. I'm not sure where they went, I just know our group shrunk significantly. hahaha And they missed one of the most entertaining runs of the day... There was some really tight brush and then a clearing w/ a slight uphill. This was followed by a reasonable downhill (more than you'd think until you crested the first one) and back up again the other side. So the first few got through the brush no problem and trotted off up and down the hills -- way out of sight of all of us who were on the other side of the brush -- but then somebody got tangled in it (does this sound familiar anybody?) and they got free so that was good, but the rest of us had to get through. Now there are times when you can trust your horse, times when you can't, and times when you have to. This was a case of the latter! I know she's not going to go somewhere she can't fit -- but I also know she's not about to account for the rather upright person on her back. So I gave her her head, ducked down beside her neck as close as I could get to her, closed my eyes (literally -- I'd already been beat up once!) and told her to go. And she did. Got us through there no problem! But unfortunately the woman who was right in front of me had a little more of an issue and ended up on the ground. Now as the other horses by this point were long out of sight, her horse stayed with us. C got off and gave her a leg up and we were good to go. One of the other riders had come back to find out what was going on and now everybody was through the brush. Well clearly -- have to go catch up! Except I don't know if anybody other than the one who came back knew about the hills. hahaha judging from the commentary afterwards I suspect not. As we crested the first one flat out and I saw how steep it was I had one of those crystal clear moments where the voice in my head speaks very calmly but in a tone not to be ignored -- in this case telling me "you'd really better sit up and ride." hahaha it's really easy to end up on autopilot out there but this was not an appropriate time for it *g* Anyways -- that was an awesome run w/ just a *touch* of an adrenaline rush (if for no other reason than "please jump the ditch at the bottom or we're going to die").
Continued in this vein for a while. Was just sooooo much fun. All different types of terrain with times to sit and chat and relax inbetween. Took a few photos -- but I wasn't nearly as good as some who were taking pics while galloping! hahaha my excuse is that my camera doesn't have a wrist strap *g* Which is entirely true, but I suspect it wouldn't've made any difference if it had :) Of course these are the same people who had no problem passing the flask around at a gallop either!
This hunt had a very different feel from the one I did in the States. That one had more jumping (yeah!) but less really serious gallops. And no hills *g*. It was also far more formal. This group was a younger crowd and far more entertaining :)
We got back and jumped a few fences and then I hacked back alone to the farm where I'd started -- somehow lost the like 8 other people who had started there :) But everybody regrouped eventually! I couldn't believe how super-friendly and welcoming everybody was. Absolutely amazing. Had *such* a good time. There was a dinner afterwards which we were invited too but by the time we were done bathing the horses and chilling out with the people who kindly lent us said horses, there just wasn't enough time left (damn responsibilities!) so I just stopped in to say bye and thanks and then we headed home for the day...
And the fox? (who I think was actually a coyote...) he escaped to play another day. Much to my great relief.
Talley-ho!
Posted by
Lauren Cude Horsfall
comments (2)
So today I went fox-hunting for the first time (think old-british photographs). I've wanted to go for quite some time, but more for the experience than cause I really thought I'd enjoy it. Well omg I had SO much fun!!!! Wow. STILL grinning :) It was, admittedly, nowhere near the adrenaline rush of XC, but it was just fun. Everybody was plesant and welcoming, an awesome ride, and time just flew.
When I mentioned my concern about the actual "hunting" aspect of it, I was told not to worry because "the fox is way too smart to be caught by a pack of loud dogs." hahaha and sure enough, the fox survived the encounter -- although admittedly probably wasn't very happy about the whole experience, but he's still alive and well :)
How often have you been ready to go in the show ring in the middle of August, sweltering in your jacket and wondering whoever thought long, black sleeves were a good idea for a summer sport? Well of course we all know the tradition dated to hunting in England where warmth was likely a good thing... Today was the first time ever I've looked at my show jacket on a day where I had to wear it and thought "this isn't nearly warm enough!" hahaha fortunately for me, Lin, who owns Smokey, kindly lent me her warm hunt coat, so it was all good.
Well I have to admit the tradition and pagentry of the whole event appealed to me -- even if I did have to tie a stock tie stupidly early this morning *g* The colours and history... It was probably a pointless sport even a few hundred years ago (hunting in the King's forrest in England) but much of the tradition has lasted. The master we were following is 82 yrs old. I will be THRILLED if I'm going that strong at that age! Galloping and jumping in the woods. Wow. The huntsman, who does this full time as a profession, is responsible for training the dogs, managing them on the hunt, caring for them, and I think (but I could be wrong here) breeding them as well. This particular huntsman is the third generation to do so for this hunt, and his neice and (I want to say granddaughter, but that might not be right -- def some of the 3rd generation below) were both whips -- taking care of preparing the next two generations. Whips basically help corral the hounds and make sure they don't stray tooooooo far off course. Was quite the sight to see one at one point sitting alone probably a mile away, across a pond and up a hill, inbetween two trees, intent on the scene in front. A Roman sentry on guard... Or maybe just a rider watching a hound in the distance -- but my imagination is more fun :)
Oh more on the imagination gone wild -- the hounds rushing through the brush was a total horror-movie moment! Where the "creature" is approaching and all you can hear is the brush rustling and you can see the leaves move, but no sign of an actual being...
So some of the things I learned today:
- the dogs are not dogs, they are hounds. Fortunately I was warned about this *before* I went so no social blunders there.
- never pass the master. hahaha this one I actually knew about and was the primary reason I was concerned about hunting Zel :)
- Under no circumstances allow your horse to kick a hound (dogs are fair game, but don't kick the hounds :)
- It's also bad to allow your horse to kick another horse.
- Kicking a person is also frowned upon, but really they should be able to get out of the way. But don't kick a hound >;-P
Somebody today told me that hunting was all about relationships, and I found that an interesting concept. There is the relationship between the huntsman and the individual hound; between the huntsman and the pack of hounds; between hound and hound; between the huntsman and the whips and the masters; between the master and the field (there were 3 masters and fields at this hunt); between the rider and their horse; between the horse and horse; between horse and hound; and of course, between all of the above and the fox! hahaha
There were just over 60 people in the hunt today. Apparently that's big for a Monday -- sort of wonder how nobody has to work, but hey more power to them :) Everybody there fell into one of two categories: those who ride to hunt or those who hunt to ride. I would def be in the hunt to ride category -- go out cause it's a fun ride, but if the horses weren't involved there'd be absolutely no point. And it was pretty easy to guess by looking around who was in each category *g*
Possibly the most impressive moment was the complete and instant silence when the hounds lost the scent. That much more intense for the cacophony of sound that preceded it. And followed it :)
Ok well I think that's enough of a novel for now :) Only one pic, just before we headed out, here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5610916&id=823765365
When I mentioned my concern about the actual "hunting" aspect of it, I was told not to worry because "the fox is way too smart to be caught by a pack of loud dogs." hahaha and sure enough, the fox survived the encounter -- although admittedly probably wasn't very happy about the whole experience, but he's still alive and well :)
How often have you been ready to go in the show ring in the middle of August, sweltering in your jacket and wondering whoever thought long, black sleeves were a good idea for a summer sport? Well of course we all know the tradition dated to hunting in England where warmth was likely a good thing... Today was the first time ever I've looked at my show jacket on a day where I had to wear it and thought "this isn't nearly warm enough!" hahaha fortunately for me, Lin, who owns Smokey, kindly lent me her warm hunt coat, so it was all good.
Well I have to admit the tradition and pagentry of the whole event appealed to me -- even if I did have to tie a stock tie stupidly early this morning *g* The colours and history... It was probably a pointless sport even a few hundred years ago (hunting in the King's forrest in England) but much of the tradition has lasted. The master we were following is 82 yrs old. I will be THRILLED if I'm going that strong at that age! Galloping and jumping in the woods. Wow. The huntsman, who does this full time as a profession, is responsible for training the dogs, managing them on the hunt, caring for them, and I think (but I could be wrong here) breeding them as well. This particular huntsman is the third generation to do so for this hunt, and his neice and (I want to say granddaughter, but that might not be right -- def some of the 3rd generation below) were both whips -- taking care of preparing the next two generations. Whips basically help corral the hounds and make sure they don't stray tooooooo far off course. Was quite the sight to see one at one point sitting alone probably a mile away, across a pond and up a hill, inbetween two trees, intent on the scene in front. A Roman sentry on guard... Or maybe just a rider watching a hound in the distance -- but my imagination is more fun :)
Oh more on the imagination gone wild -- the hounds rushing through the brush was a total horror-movie moment! Where the "creature" is approaching and all you can hear is the brush rustling and you can see the leaves move, but no sign of an actual being...
So some of the things I learned today:
- the dogs are not dogs, they are hounds. Fortunately I was warned about this *before* I went so no social blunders there.
- never pass the master. hahaha this one I actually knew about and was the primary reason I was concerned about hunting Zel :)
- Under no circumstances allow your horse to kick a hound (dogs are fair game, but don't kick the hounds :)
- It's also bad to allow your horse to kick another horse.
- Kicking a person is also frowned upon, but really they should be able to get out of the way. But don't kick a hound >;-P
Somebody today told me that hunting was all about relationships, and I found that an interesting concept. There is the relationship between the huntsman and the individual hound; between the huntsman and the pack of hounds; between hound and hound; between the huntsman and the whips and the masters; between the master and the field (there were 3 masters and fields at this hunt); between the rider and their horse; between the horse and horse; between horse and hound; and of course, between all of the above and the fox! hahaha
There were just over 60 people in the hunt today. Apparently that's big for a Monday -- sort of wonder how nobody has to work, but hey more power to them :) Everybody there fell into one of two categories: those who ride to hunt or those who hunt to ride. I would def be in the hunt to ride category -- go out cause it's a fun ride, but if the horses weren't involved there'd be absolutely no point. And it was pretty easy to guess by looking around who was in each category *g*
Possibly the most impressive moment was the complete and instant silence when the hounds lost the scent. That much more intense for the cacophony of sound that preceded it. And followed it :)
Ok well I think that's enough of a novel for now :) Only one pic, just before we headed out, here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5610916&id=823765365
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