All New England Hunts Joint Meet - Myopia!

[Lifting_Chickk]

It’s this Saturday, Nov 1st, and boy am I excited to be going! I’ve been told it is an amazing hunt.

Has anyone on here been? Anyone gone to the ball that evening?

UPDATE! - hunt report.

What a hunt! Wow.

The weather was nearly perfect, if not a little on the warm side for wearing wool. It was said that there were about 86 horse and rider pairs in attendance…a super turnout! The largest group Daatje and I have hunted with so far!

Even with all the commotion, the young mare was on her best behavior. There were two fields, jumping and non-jumping. Mare is new still and I don’t know the territory, so we started in the non-jumping field. The master did a wonderful job of positioning hilltop for a perfect view of the hounds throughout most of the hunt. And how could there not be a wonderful view when you’re hunting territory such as Appleton Farms! Hamilton and Ipswich Massachusetts are beautiful towns.

About 1/2 way through, I felt mare had settled enough to move up to the jumping field. The Hilltop master told us when it was an appropriate time, and off we went to join the first field. What a time! A closer view of the hounds, the jumping…I’m still so very excited to have been a part of it.

I was amazed…there was another pure bred Friesian in attendance…a 4 year old gelding. He rode with the Hilltop field and from what I saw, was quite the gentleman.

Here are two photos of us that I’ve found so far. There seemed to be professional photographers around every bend, so I’m sure to find more photos as time goes on and they get posted to the internet.

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=0TAT001Z000201&po=201

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=0TAT001Z000366&po=366

In all, we were in the saddle for about 3 hours! I’m so sore it’s not even funny, but oh so worth it! This hunt is going to be an annual event for us, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Next year we’ll joing the first field for the whole hunt…

Ooh, I’m still on cloud nine! What a magnificent time.

[GoneAwayFarmCT]

Mr. GAFCT will be there with his big gray mare. I’m sad to miss it (haven’t been out at all this season due to work deadlines- urgh!). It’s a super fun hunt, over great country that they’ve done a ton of work on maintaining and improving, with lots of jumping options. Have a fabulous time!

[Flipper]

This may be a silly question but… does one have to be a member of a hunt to join in the joint meets? I’ve ridden with Guilford a few times, but am not a member.

[GoneAwayFarmCT]

I’m almost positive I’ve capped at the joint meet in the past, but I’d hate to give you a definite answer and get it wrong! It’d likely be best call to the Master, Secretary, etc. of the hunt you would wish to cap with, to get the info and the go-ahead.

[Lifting_Chickk]

[QUOTE=Flipper;3616434]
This may be a silly question but… does one have to be a member of a hunt to join in the joint meets? I’ve ridden with Guilford a few times, but am not a member.[/QUOTE]

I just got this email from Myopia:

[B]The Myopia Hunt

cordially invites you to join us for the

New England Hunts’ Joint Meet

Mrs. Francis Sears
25 Gardner Street, Hamilton, MA

Saturday, November 1
12:30 p.m. Check-in
1:00 p.m. Hounds Cast

Members of all Hunts and Cappers Welcome
Please complete and bring signed Liability Release
Available at www.myopiahunt.com

Directions:

From the North:
Route 95 South to Route 133 East
Route 133 joins Route 1A in Rowley
Continue through Ipswich
When Route 1A and Route 133 split, stay right on Route 1A
Continue 2 miles to Gardner Street. Turn left
Proceed ¼ mile to parking field on right

From the South or East:
Route 128 to Exit 20A, Route 1A North
Travel 5 miles to Gardner Street. Turn right
Proceed ¼ mile to parking field on right

Myopia Hunt Ball

Saturday, November 1
Myopia Hunt Club
6:30 p.m. Cocktails
8:00 p.m. Supper
9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Dancing on the Terrace

Attire:
Gentlmen: Black Tie or Scarlett
Ladies: Black or White Gowns

$140 Cocktails and Supper
$40 Dancing after 9:00 p.m.

RSVP: 978-468-4433[/INDENT][/B]

:D:D:D  I can't wait.

[LookinSouth]

oooohhhh… I’m jealous! I would LOVE to be going to the Myopia joint meet but I think it will have to be one of next season’s goals;) In addition, I don’t have anyone to haul up there with this weekend so it would cost me a fortune in fuel.

I hunted 1st flight last weekend for the first time. Suprisingly we survived and did quite well. I am hoping the joint meet will be in the cards for next year! One step at a time I guess…

Hope those of you that go have a blast!!! Be sure to tell us about it and take pictures:D.

[alacrity]

I don’t want to hijack the thread, but if anyone has advice on how to get started with hunting in New England, I would appreciate it! I’m a dressage rider looking to do something a bit different and get out of the ring this fall. Tonight I contacted Myopia about the Ladies’ rides they offer as an introduction. But, since I don’t know any members of the hunt nor is the horse I ride suitable, I’m wondering if I’ll be able to get involved. Do any local farms lease experienced hunt horses? PMs are welcome, I have tons of questions!

[linquest]

[QUOTE=alacrity;3620848]
Tonight I contacted Myopia about the Ladies’ rides they offer as an introduction. But, since I don’t know any members of the hunt nor is the horse I ride suitable, I’m wondering if I’ll be able to get involved. Do any local farms lease experienced hunt horses? [/QUOTE]

You have lots of options in MA:

Myopia is also a riding school. They do lease hunt horses and will also “rent” a horse to you for the Ladies Rides if you do an evaluation lesson with them first- http://www.myopiahunt.com/intro_rides.html

Barbara Davidson-Miles leases horses for hunting with Old North Bridge Hounds- http://bdmiles.com/lessons.htm

Boggastow Farm leases hunt horses to its students and goes out with Norfolk Hunt - boggastow@comcast.net

[alacrity]

Thanks so much for the info linquest! I’ll follow those leads.

[Ray]

what!??? no reports from All New England ??

[Lifting_Chickk]

Updated with report! See OP.

[linquest]

Heard someone got bucked off. Hope both horse and rider are ok!

[Lifting_Chickk]

[QUOTE=linquest;3623942]
Heard someone got bucked off. Hope both horse and rider are ok![/QUOTE]

Yup, I saw a few riders get separated from their horses. I think everyone was ok though.

One that got bucked off was behind us in hilltop…the horse ended up a runaway, blasting past Daatje and I and running through a cow field! The rider seemed fine, I asked her if she was ok, she said she was. The horse was captured and the hunt went on.