I'm finally going hunting, in Red Rock! Newbie questions...

[Egioja]

Needless to say I am very excited! I am finally going out hunting, for the first time ever, and I’m going out with the Red Rock Hounds! I live/train out here in Reno and have known Lynn for a few years now, but I still have no idea what to expect! I know it’s a Sunday hunt (March. 21st to be exact…any COTHERS going to be there?), so I know I need formal attire…but I’m not sure if I should be wearing my nice hunter green coat, or my black (dressage) coat! And does the color of my ratcatcher matter? Any faux pas’s I need to be aware of? Anything I am not thinking of?

And any ideas on what I should expect-I know it’s a crazy crew out there…but I can’t say I truly know what that means! I’m on a fabulous horse (the Irish hunthorse Safety Pin, who I’ve also been competing in some small grand prixs with-so I’m very confident in him, and comfortable on him), so at least I don’t have to worry about that part! But I’m still very excited, and a bit nervous about the whole thing-and want to make sure I don’t make any major mistakes!

[WilfredLeblanc]

You’re in for a hell of a good time!

Lynn can speak for herself, but I’m pretty sure she doesn’t give a rip what you or your horse wear if you’re just trying the sport out for the first time. See here: http://www.redrockhounds.com/rules.html for the ideal. Come as close to that as you can, but don’t sweat it if you lack something. Do what you have to do to stay warm.

As for faux pas, this is not an uptight crowd you’re riding with, and they have beginners hunt with them all the time. Just stay behind the fieldmaster, and don’t interfere with the hounds. That’s about the size of it.

And try not to get so jacked up on adrenaline that you’re unable to eat at the hunt breakfast (an issue for me the first couple of times I was out there).

[WilfredLeblanc]

P.S.–The Red Rock website is altogether accurate in what it communicates about Lynn, the hunt, the fixtures, the horses, the hounds, etc. There is no more truthful advertising out there. You can trust them, absolutely.

[SLW]

Dang, hunting w/ RR for your first hunt is like having the Pope give you your first communion. Enjoy!!

[JSwan]

Sniff.

I hate you.

I’m going to go sit in a corner and pout and feel sorry for myself.

I’m pea green with envy. Have a great time and report back!!!

[Beverley]

I’ll be there! Arriving March 20 for a solid week of hunting- foxhounds in the morning, Waldingfield beagles in the afternoon. Life will be good.

Do Not Worry about attire, just make sure whatever it is is tidy, even if cowboy wear!

On the 21st, I will probably hack to the meet (will be stabling next door to kennels) on my young, never hunted, hardly ever been out with a large group of horses qh mare of pony dimensions. I intend to discipline myself to completely ignore whatever the hounds might be doing (yeah, sure, well, I am repeating that to myself!) and focus on putzing along in the rear on my mare for probably a couple of hours tops as she is not very fit, not clipped, and, well, she will get plenty of exercise that week alternating with my more or less ‘made’ 7 yo.

[rivenoak]

Waldingfield will be there? Kiss those little beagles—and Arie—for me, Beverley!

[Blueshadow]

I don’t think my body’s adrenalin production rate has ever fully recovered from riding with Lynn and the group … and it’s been several years! Amazing experience, have a wonderful time!

[sunnycher]

Makes me homesick!!!

I was a member with RRH for 10 plus years, it’s so fun. I’m thinking that is the BIG weekend - hunter pace, ball, opening (if not, it’s the next weekend).

Everyone will be so gracious and happy to have you, not to worry if you don’t have everything ‘perfect’, they will appreciate your effort and intention!

Feel free to ride at your own pace, it will be a large crowd, probably, so several fields to start off with. You can start off with a slower field and move up or vise versa, as you feel comfortable.

Have a stirrup cup for me, and please tell Lynn that Gina G says hi and wishes I was there, too!!!

[Egioja]

Now I’m even more excited!And I feel much better about my attire options and knowing that it won’t be a huge big deal if every little thing isnt just perfect. I will certainly report back on how things went after the hunt and I have a feeling that you guys are right-after this there will be no turning back! Though I am sure the idea of galloping over uneven terrain is going to be a bit unsettling for me (bring back the groomed arena, or at least the easy to follow trails!), I have full faith in this horse to help me out.

the hunter pace is actually the weekend after, and I think the way things are looking I will be attending the hunter pace with a few of my students as well, so I’m very excited for that too!

Beverly we will have to try and meet up! I don’t think I’ve ever actually met another COTHER before! I will be on a big grey gelding(BIG-17.1 hand Irish Draught), and I do belive that I have been informed that I will be riding up near the front of things. I’m going with Bernie (the owner of said BIG horse)-he will be hanging out in the rear on his chestnut mare (big chestnut, 4 whites and a blaze)-he will tell stories to anyone around who cares to listen about the grey horse-so if you run into him you’ll be able to find me!

This is going to be so much fun!

[PVBZoE]

have fun!

My mother, Susie and I will be there, but we will arrive on Sunday. We’re bringing our beagles to hunt on Wednesday with John and his harriers.

It will be great to meet you and hear of your first time hunting! You won’t forget it, or ever get tired of telling it!

[Painted_Wings]

I have a Waldingfield Beagle. She’s a real suck-up. Went home to the mother-in-laws for some doctoring and never made it back to the kennels. She’s a house dog now.

[Beverley]

@Egioja;4737666

I will be on a big grey gelding(BIG-17.1 hand Irish Draught),

Well, I’ll be on a tiny 14.2 grulla mare, (well not that tiny, she’s around 1000 lbs) unless I change my mind, in which case I’ll be on a ‘smallish’ (compared to yours!) 16.1 h appendix qh.

[Egioja]

It was a blast! So much so in fact, that I plan on going again this Thursday!

I had a great time-it was a wonderful amount of fun, we traveled somewhere close to 20 miles, with lots of verticle feet (no idea how much, but there was hardly any time spent at all on flat ground). I had been invited to ride in Lynn’s pocket for the hunt, but I wasn’t sure if that was going to happen or not-so I didn’t want to jinx it at all by saying anything before hand, but I did get too! I spent most of the ride riding in the first field, and did ride in Lynn’s pocket for a little while as well. The expirience was amazing-my horse was fantastic, absolutly knew his job and was very surefooted. We traveled through the sagebrush, desert, hills, muddy fields and water crossings, jumped a coop or two, and had to travel through some snow that was deep enough to cover their hocks.

I can’t wait to go again on Thursday, and I am definitly going to be spending some time next season out in the hunt field!

I got to meet a few COTHER’s as well, and it was so great to meet everyone and put a face to the names I can’t wait till Thursday!

[Beverley]

It was indeed a fun week! I skipped the Thursday morning meet- having been out once on Sunday and twice on Monday thru Wednesday (foxhounds in the am beagles in the pm) that stiff breeze made sitting in the living room window sipping a cup of coffee and watching y’all head on up to the pinnacles very appealing. Not to mention the horse was grateful for the little bit of rest. All told I went out with hounds 11 times from Sunday thru Friday- skipped the hunter pace on Saturday, never mind the horse, I needed the break and helped to serve mimosas at the checkpoint right in front of where I was staying. I think Mountainbells made every single meet plus, she and her partner won the flat-optimimum time division in the hunter pace! She is still driving home today so I expect she’ll get back to us later.

I did get some pics of you last Sunday, will post tonight or, maybe, tomorrow night!

[Beverley]

Here ya go Egioja, a few pictures mainly from your ‘first day!’

http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=3622391007/

[mountainbells]

Made it home a few hours ago. Turned the horses out in the arena to buck and fart after being in the trailer for 8 hours.

Fabulous time…Really fun meeting Beverely in person and Egioja also…She was great with her horse…right up there with the first field in her first and second hunts…go girl!! Beverely was a wonderful source of info about hunting beagles(as she has been for some many other things hunting wise). Those little Waldingfield beagles are way too fun. Actually all the hounds were great to watch.

Lots of wonderful friendly folks from all over, including a Master from England.

I won the Hunter Pace only because my partner was so good at setting the pace so accurately…I just did my best to keep up! We thought for sure we had the winning poker hand…3 Jacks and 2 Kings…only to be bested by 3 other teams who each had 4 of a kind!!! I think there were some big smiles there.

Lynn Lloyd and Angela really know how to put on a fun hunt week and make everyone feel at home. What a crew, those RRH folks!

[mountainbells]

Beverley,

Snapfish says the album is no longer availabe…what to do?

[mountainbells]

Forgot to also add…met Zoe and her mom and their beagles…they hunted Weds and worked really hard! Zoe is a great hand and super friendly! You folks down there who hunt with them are a lucky bunch!

[Beverley]

@mountainbells;4775008

Beverley,

Snapfish says the album is no longer availabe…what to do?

Hmmm. I just clicked on the link again and it fired right up for me. Worst case I can zip and email you that folder. I might just throw in the picture of you dancing on the table at no extra charge. I will also send the entire collection to Joy, she’s assembling the photos from the entire week.