Having witnessed some of the hunts around the castles and forests of my native country, it’s always been a dream of mine to one day ride along and be part of all the excitement. I now live in Colorado and would love to make that dream come true…
Where do I start?
I’m sure folks from CO can chime in on the individual hunts, but one place to start is the MFHA list of member hunts–they usually have websites or contact info per state:
Contact one of the Masters or the Secretary. They’ll let you know the details for visitors/newcomers. Most hunts will also have a foxhunting clinic or trail ride for people (and horses) to get their feet wet.
This is a good reference thread for somebody just starting out.
http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=35191
Enjoy!
The Arapahoe Hunt sponsors an annual hunter pace. This year I think it is Sept 29 at Plum Creek Hollow. They always put on an exhibition with the hounds and extend an invitation for interested riders to sign up for a guest ride with the hunt at a later date.
Posters are all over town right now giving directions etc.
That would be a good place to see a hunt in action and get an invitation.
I’m not a member of the hunt so that’s all the info I have. That and that the pace is a lot of fun and I am glad it is back at Plum Creek.
I’ve had the pleasure of hunting with Arapahoe, Bijou Springs and the newer Fort Carson. All very welcoming, very friendly, all have second fields, I would recommend any of them as a starting point! Arapahoe is south of the airport, Bijou is down near Castle Rock, Fort Carson is south of Colorado Springs, if commuting time is one of your considerations. Go forth and have fun!
Any Colorado foxhunters on this board? I’d love to hear more from the Arapahoe hunt. I’m currently horseless and looking for new adventures, is it possible to rent a horse to follow the hunt?
I’m not a member of the hunt, but here is their information:
I am going out with the Arapahoe hunt for my first time on Sunday.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
My first day hunting!
Had a great day! I’m hooked…
We had a kill fairly early on and I got blooded. (Is that the right way to word it?)
Wow! I wasn’t quite ready for that.
My four year old mare was really good. She was level headed and well behaved with the hounds and other horses. Walked back to the trailers on the buckle. She gave a couple bucks at the gallop out of sheer joy, I think, but settled down pretty easily.
Everyone was friendly and welcoming.
I’m basking in the afterglow of it all…
Great fun!
Sounds like you had a great day! Yes, ‘getting blooded’ is right.
Is Dr. Beeman hunting the hounds yet, or was Bob Knox hunting them yesterday?
Dr. Beeman was out today. He is amazing!
He was warm and funny and informative. He made everyone feel at home.
I went Cubbing with Bijou on Sunday. I was very impressed with how my horse handled it all (he used to be a total nutcase), and would love to do it again if it weren’t such a long drive for me!
BEARCAT, where are you driving from?
I am up in the mountains - Park County.
Although I have been on the Arapahoe Hunt website, read the newsletter, etc. I have been unable to find a cubbing schedule (Maybe I am not looking in the right place?)
Also, how does one become a member? Cost, requirements, etc…?
I’m researching fox hunting right now actually! I have a few connections out here in Virginia and I understand the hunting to be amazing here locally. We’re hoping to do a series on the fox hunting with HorseGirlTV so I’ll let you know when we get that going.
Best of luck finding hunts out there and if you find any exception information please feel free to pass it my way at angelea@horsegirltv.com
Angelea Kelly
CEO (Chief Equine Officer)
A friend of mine who is an Arapahoe member emailed me their schedule a few weeks ago…when I get home tonight I’ll see if I can find it and email it to you.
That would be great - thank you!
Oops
Well, I didn’t properly file my friend’s email so it seems to have fallen out of my inbox after thirty days!
Here is the schedule on the main page of their web site, www.arapahoehunt.com:
Saturday September 15th Hunter Trials Clinic with Lynn Klisavage
Sandwillow Farm – Fritzi Riahi 303-688-8167
Sunday September 16th Work Day at the Gooding’s Plum Creek Hollow Farm
(to prepare for Cross Country Pace Event)-Eve and Todd Bridges-
303-621-0194
Saturday September 22nd Arapahoe Hunt Hunter Trials
Sandwillow Farm-Secretary Liz Andrews-303-363-8852
Saturday September 29th Cross Country Pace
Plum Creek Hollow Farm
October 5th-7th Joint Meet, Burwell, Nebraska
MFHA Joint Meet-Red Rock Hounds, Nevada
Sunday October 14th Opening Meet The Range 10 AM
Saturday November 17th Huntsman’s Breakfast-Mary Ewing-303-761-1400
November 14th-17th MFHA Joint Meet
If you go to the ‘contact’ tab on the web site you will get the phone number and email for Rob Deline, their secretary- I’m sure he’ll be happy to give you the information you’re looking for. My recollection is that the capping fee is $70 but don’t hold me to that. The only requirement they have for newcomers is that they wear a safety helmet and safe boots with heels.
The capping fee for Cubbing is $35.00.
