Hunting in the morning

[jawa]

Just waiting for my old guy to finish his slop, nom nom nom he goes. Pony is eyeing the slop jealously. The stars are out and the bugs are noisy for such a cool night (51 now).

And I am SO excited to be hunting with my son tomorrow. He went for what was supposed to be a 20 minute ride this morning and it ended up being closer to an hour and 10 minute ride. He rode in the barn yard, then a small paddock, then across the open to the ring with ground poles and a few fences that I made into half a cross rail at 18".

He was able to trot circles around me as we walked to the ring and guided around a “course” of his own design. The ponly trotted most rails, but threw in a “jump” and a couple of canter strides here and there. DS took it all in stride, not perfect by any means, but we should make it through a slow second flight.

I’m so excited about tomorrow and I think he is too!!

[ManyDogs]

Jealous Jealous Jealous :winkgrin::winkgrin:
I just hauled the nightly slop to my 4 but we aren’t hunting tomorrow. It is cold, breezy, and spitting rain down here in SW VA.
Have FUN esp when your son is going with you.
Pics?

[wateryglen]

You go girl!

We’re all thrilled for you. I can’t imagine the pride & giddiness a parent has when their kid gets the bug. When I watch my friends get ready to go hunting with children; I’m always in awe of their patience, willingness, organization & energy. I just couldn’t do it I fear. I admire ya’ll and bow down low to you…we are not worthy! :yes:

It’s another life changing time I suppose! We’d like to hear more…and don’t forget some pics!

[jawa]

Ok, it was a moving along hunt, so I didn’t have an opportunity to get a photo of us together with my phone, but I got a couple of snap shots while we were going along.

There was a pro photoghrapher out and I’m sure she got so great shots. I’ll share her web site as soon as she uploads them.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=286926144668192&l=a2524e4b2b

We started off down a gravel drive and turned into the woods and then…the hounds struck and were filling the woods with some glorious music. We could hear them in the distance for awhile and continued to move along at a quick trot, but after a bit we were too far behind to hear.

We caught up to first flight eventually, but it wasn’t long before they were off and running again. Another long quick trot through the woods and then we decided after that after just over 2 hours of hunting, it was time to head in.

I have to say that I was excited and nervous, but it was great. He managed to maintain his position in the field and the trappy territory we went through. Lots of tricky creek crossings; narrow, winding, wooded trails; trotting down hills; field reversals; downed logs across the trail approached at a quick trot.

He rode a bit yesterday, played in a tough football game, watched a friends football game, went out to dinner with friends, cleaned bridles while I feed last night, got up and helped load up this morning, on the spot getting ready at the meet, was a step ahead of me doing the after hunt clean up, enjoyed a great hunt breakfast, slept the whole way home (just over an hour), and when I parked he woke up and looked at me and asked “Can we ride in the ring?”. I hated to tell him no, but the pony had a LONG day.

I hope I’m able to pass a junior cup of Kool aid!!!

[Hinderella]

How very exciting! It sounds as though you had a terrific day to hunt, and a super first day out. The Kool- Aide has been passed to the next generation.

[jawa]

These are photos from March when he came out for the first time. I borrowed a friends horse and we were in second flight. That was a very slow, dry, breezy day. We mostly walked. There are some good photos through the series.

http://www.jodyc.printroom.com/ViewGalleryPhoto.asp?userid=Jodyc&gallery_id=2518567&image_id=4&pos=5

I can’t wait until she uploads the ones from yesterday.

[SLW]

Congrats on the fun day together!!

[AlanMandell]

Wow man amazing!!! I am sure you had very nice experience.