[QUOTE=MontysGal;8406549]
Holy cow - I just looked up this place and found the pampered ladies’ foxhunting camp: http://www.huntersrest.net/ladiescamp.php
I am now saving my pennies!
Definitely report back on how it was, please![/QUOTE]
Had to LOL at this “Home Away from Home for the Discriminating Equestrian” TeeHee!!
I have hunted twice at Hunter’s Rest and it was a blast. I would go again in a heartbeat.
And the bucket list adventure begins! I am in Middleburg and just got new to me breeches and a coat good for capping/ low level dressage/ wearing on days like today. I got them from Middleburg Tack Exchange, with the sage advice of Yellow britches. Now lunch, next stop Hunter’s Rest!
[QUOTE=HorsesinHaiti;8426943]
And the bucket list adventure begins! I am in Middleburg and just got new to me breeches and a coat good for capping/ low level dressage/ wearing on days like today. I got them from Middleburg Tack Exchange, with the sage advice of Yellow britches. Now lunch, next stop Hunter’s Rest![/QUOTE]
Have a great time! So jealous!
LetItBe
Wishing you Happy Hunting and can’t wait to hear about your experience!!
[QUOTE=Hunter’s Rest;8405977]
For crissakes you guys. It’s Virginia in early December, not Ancorage in February. You likely won’t need any extra layers. [/QUOTE]
I remember years ago when you told me this. And by golly you were right. Another lovely weekend on it’s way with mild tempertures.
In a word: AWESOME!
I got back home this evening, a little sore but happy from my weekend intro to foxhunting. It certainly lived up to expectations! I got to Hunter’s Rest’s place on Friday early enough to change clothes and ride. Hunter’s Rest took me on a shakedown cruise for her to check out my skill level, give me a tune-up for riding across country, and let me get acquainted with my horse. I highly recommend that, it was very helpful in getting my ‘trained ages ago in H/J, rode slow and western lately’ body rebalanced and tight in the saddle in hilly country.
The Old Dominion Hounds meet was down the drive and across the road – yes! – and started at 10 so we weren’t up at a crazy hour to get ready. We had a wonderful 2 ½ or so hours of riding, mostly walk and trot (with a couple canters but only when everyone felt up to it). We got to see and hear the hounds working. Didn’t freeze or roast, saw pretty country, the horses got in some quality lawnmowing time while we watched for hounds and foxes. Some folks from faster flights joined us for a break/ to put overly fresh horses in ‘timeout’ 'til they chilled. 3-4 days of heavy rain that week made for some fresh horses, it seemed. But the additions were no problem, if those horses kept acting up their riders took them home early. HR put me on a BTDT former police horse who looked after me, let me shut a gate other horses were being silly over, and generally said 'tell me when you need a problem solved, otherwise let me navigate/ mow this pasture for ‘ya’. The hunt members were helpful and very welcoming to me as a capper, no snobbery or nitpiking.
In the afternoon we checked out a carriage parade in Orleans. Cammie (here on COTH) joined us and we had a good evening chatting. This AM we three and a couple others went out on an easy trail ride to enjoy the day and loosen up my stiff muscles from the day before. We finished up with an invite to a hunt member’s open house before seeing the Christmas parade in that town.
The whole weekend was a great intro to foxhunting and to VA hunt country, worth every penny. And it was very doable, even for someone who’s been riding slow and western for a few years, so long as you have a reasonably sound seat, some experience out of the ring on unlevel terrain, and some common sense in your noggin. Hunter’s Rest is a great teacher and guide for new cappers.
Excellent! SO glad you had fun hunting and also joined in with social side. One day…
[QUOTE=HorsesinHaiti;8430038]
I got back home this evening, a little sore but happy from my weekend intro to foxhunting. It certainly lived up to expectations! I got to Hunter’s Rest’s place on Friday early enough to change clothes and ride. Hunter’s Rest took me on a shakedown cruise for her to check out my skill level, give me a tune-up for riding across country, and let me get acquainted with my horse. I highly recommend that, it was very helpful in getting my ‘trained ages ago in H/J, rode slow and western lately’ body rebalanced and tight in the saddle in hilly country.
The Old Dominion Hounds meet was down the drive and across the road – yes! – and started at 10 so we weren’t up at a crazy hour to get ready. We had a wonderful 2 ½ or so hours of riding, mostly walk and trot (with a couple canters but only when everyone felt up to it). We got to see and hear the hounds working. Didn’t freeze or roast, saw pretty country, the horses got in some quality lawnmowing time while we watched for hounds and foxes. Some folks from faster flights joined us for a break/ to put overly fresh horses in ‘timeout’ 'til they chilled. 3-4 days of heavy rain that week made for some fresh horses, it seemed. But the additions were no problem, if those horses kept acting up their riders took them home early. HR put me on a BTDT former police horse who looked after me, let me shut a gate other horses were being silly over, and generally said 'tell me when you need a problem solved, otherwise let me navigate/ mow this pasture for ‘ya’. The hunt members were helpful and very welcoming to me as a capper, no snobbery or nitpiking.
In the afternoon we checked out a carriage parade in Orleans. Cammie (here on COTH) joined us and we had a good evening chatting. This AM we three and a couple others went out on an easy trail ride to enjoy the day and loosen up my stiff muscles from the day before. We finished up with an invite to a hunt member’s open house before seeing the Christmas parade in that town.
The whole weekend was a great intro to foxhunting and to VA hunt country, worth every penny. And it was very doable, even for someone who’s been riding slow and western for a few years, so long as you have a reasonably sound seat, some experience out of the ring on unlevel terrain, and some common sense in your noggin. Hunter’s Rest is a great teacher and guide for new cappers.[/QUOTE]
Sounds like you rode Brooks - he was my teacher as well. I have to find a time to get back there and reacquaint myself with the rudimentaries of hunting. I spend a lot of my time in my half-seat these days and I expect my horse to carry himself, this way, I’m ready to hunt if the opportunity appears.
[QUOTE=HorsesinHaiti;8430038]
I got back home this evening, a little sore but happy from my weekend intro to foxhunting. It certainly lived up to expectations! I got to Hunter’s Rest’s place on Friday early enough to change clothes and ride. Hunter’s Rest took me on a shakedown cruise for her to check out my skill level, give me a tune-up for riding across country, and let me get acquainted with my horse. I highly recommend that, it was very helpful in getting my ‘trained ages ago in H/J, rode slow and western lately’ body rebalanced and tight in the saddle in hilly country.
The Old Dominion Hounds meet was down the drive and across the road – yes! – and started at 10 so we weren’t up at a crazy hour to get ready. We had a wonderful 2 ½ or so hours of riding, mostly walk and trot (with a couple canters but only when everyone felt up to it). We got to see and hear the hounds working. Didn’t freeze or roast, saw pretty country, the horses got in some quality lawnmowing time while we watched for hounds and foxes. Some folks from faster flights joined us for a break/ to put overly fresh horses in ‘timeout’ 'til they chilled. 3-4 days of heavy rain that week made for some fresh horses, it seemed. But the additions were no problem, if those horses kept acting up their riders took them home early. HR put me on a BTDT former police horse who looked after me, let me shut a gate other horses were being silly over, and generally said 'tell me when you need a problem solved, otherwise let me navigate/ mow this pasture for ‘ya’. The hunt members were helpful and very welcoming to me as a capper, no snobbery or nitpiking.
In the afternoon we checked out a carriage parade in Orleans. Cammie (here on COTH) joined us and we had a good evening chatting. This AM we three and a couple others went out on an easy trail ride to enjoy the day and loosen up my stiff muscles from the day before. We finished up with an invite to a hunt member’s open house before seeing the Christmas parade in that town.
The whole weekend was a great intro to foxhunting and to VA hunt country, worth every penny. And it was very doable, even for someone who’s been riding slow and western for a few years, so long as you have a reasonably sound seat, some experience out of the ring on unlevel terrain, and some common sense in your noggin. Hunter’s Rest is a great teacher and guide for new cappers.[/QUOTE]
Sounds like you rode Brooks - he was my teacher as well. I have to find a time to get back there and reacquaint myself with the rudimentaries of hunting. I spend a lot of my time in my half-seat these days and I expect my horse to carry himself, this way, I’m ready to hunt if the opportunity appears.
[QUOTE=MontysGal;8406549]
Holy cow - I just looked up this place and found the pampered ladies’ foxhunting camp: http://www.huntersrest.net/ladiescamp.php
I am now saving my pennies!
Definitely report back on how it was, please![/QUOTE]
Anyone from the New England area want to rideshare to HR for this?
CC - yes indeed, I was on Brooks!
I know people want some photos, HR took a few for me:
http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/Dawnjohnson/ODH_120515_DawnJohnson1.jpg
http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/Dawnjohnson/ODH_120515_DawnJohnson2.jpg
Nice pictures. Funny thing is I have only hunted down their twice but know exactly where the 2nd picture was taken. My saddle had slid back a bit and I used that rock as a mounting block after I fixed it.
It sounds like you had a great weekend. I am jealous.
I’m glad you had a great time. And I’m sure you were more than warm enough. I find that if you’re cold but not shivering when you mount up you’ll be about right when you get going.
Cheval convert, I think that link is from a previous year, March 4 is not on a Thursday in 2016. But I’m in CT and would be up for a spring road trip if you’re interested. I haven’t been able to hunt my own pony at all this year & would love to get out on one of Hunters’ Rest’s tried & true mounts. PM me and we can exchange email addresses.
If enough of y’all find a weekend that works for you, I’m sure Hunter’s Rest can design a Pampered Foxhunter’s camp for you.
I’m sad to say I had to cancel. My leave got denied for training requirements that came up. I just couldn’t go, maybe someday really soon.
[QUOTE=AirForceWife;8436939]
I’m sad to say I had to cancel. My leave got denied for training requirements that came up. I just couldn’t go, maybe someday really soon.[/QUOTE]
I am sorry to hear that. Maybe later in the hunt season you can make it. Maybe some CoTH members can join you.
AFW, we missed you!
Enjoy! Have someone take a photo of you:winkgrin:!
sorry, maybe later:yes:
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