Interest in Ladies foxhunting clinic weekend

[SmartAlex]

Still absorbing the wonderful weekend and meeting all my new friends. What an AWESOME weekend and hunt! Betsy went above and beyond to make this perfect for everyone, and there were so many contributions its hard to make a list. No one came empty handed, and some people worked their butts off to entertain us and make us welcome in the area and even in their homes. The weekend was not without it’s peculiarities…my husband just anounced he located stink bug stowaway #3 walking across our bathroom floor.

Betsy is an excellent instructor, and her string of field hunters is amazing. She got us paired up with our horses, and took us out to put us through our paces. My mount was the wonderful Remus. All 18 or so hands of him… supposedly white with a penchant for earthy camouflage. I managed to take some photos on our second ride out.

Bicostal did a wonderful narration of the hunt. Betsy got third field positioned at one side of a large field. Soon after the hounds opened, we headed across and down and some of us had a good long view of the fox and then a whip came up from behind us, and galloped on leaving us speachless in his wake. The staff horses are big, rangey, fast and powerful and they really move them out.

The first and second flight were not far behind. As they came across the field towards us, Betsy said “Ladies, you are in a hunting print”. This was exactly what we came to see. I captured it pretty well on my pocket camera.

We soon caught up to the car followers including Wateryglen, Bicoastal, and my husband who had just found himself swept up right in the midst of the hunt. He managed to get a few photos of our group coming up.

The hounds continued to hunt in a large circle scattering riders behind them, while we followed in a smaller inside circle listening and watching. My mount Remus hunted the whole time. All you had to do to find the hounds was watch Remus’s ears. We were in a wonderful psotion, and I guarantee you we saw more fox than the hounds did.

I put downloaded the best of my photos to this album:

View my photos here

[mortebella]

That moment Betsy said “Ladies, you are in a hunting print” still makes me teary eyed to think about it. What a wonderful, wonderful time, this whole weekend.
Hunting princesses, you rock. Betsy, you rock the mostest. Merci mille fois!

[Lesson13]

I owe a thousand thank yous! First to Betsy who put together an incredible weekend, an amazing dinner & breakfasts and even let me ride her very own favorite horse today (I am so not worthy and for that reason, the fox earrings made from the gold from 2 ex husbands which is probably enchanted but i’m sure you can handle it, goes to you in the event of my demise); and Whicker & Mr Whicker for hosting the princess party and Mortabella for the boas and beads and tiara & Bicoastal for those blondies & Mr and Ms Hinderella for dinner at the Princess Party and Point Blanc and Brooke and Pisces for hauling me around all weekend, and to Cammie for “Manson Lamps” and Young Sir Whicker for being a Prince, and Wateryglen for tying my stock tie (it is still willed to you) and Riding Again for the loaner hairnet;please come up for Upperville if you dont mind dog hair!) and Smart Alex for Oil of Olay and “living the life I want to live” which are truly words to live by! The rest of you I just so enjoyed meeting y’all and am pretty in awe of all of your accomplishments in both life and horses! I hope we can have a reunion some day in the future because y’all are so awesome!

I will be posting photos from the races and foxhound tour w/Melvin Poe on Flickr (all 1 word)http://www.flickr.com/photos/terriergirl/
Please pm me if you don’t want your picture out on the internet & I’ll try to edit them to keep you off.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terriergirl/

[Hunter_s_Rest]

(does a little curtsey, tugs forelock)
You honor me.
And … That. Was. The. Point. To be the early English foxhunting print.
: o )

[00pisces]

You are all the best ladies, and true princesses of the best sort. Next time, all of my body parts will be in working order, and I’ll be riding with you (knocked on wood).

[SmartAlex]

Has anyone heard how Cammie (Elizabeth) is feeling?

[Hinderella]

Let me also add my thanks, to Hunter’s Rest for providing our wonderful weekend home, for those unbelievable hunt horses, and for teaching us how to ride out safely, to Whicker and her entire family for hosting the wonderful princess party, to Lesson 13 for starting the wonderful Spring CotH expedition, and not least to Mr. Hinderella for coming along and donating his cooking skills to Saturday’s party.
It was an amazing weekend, and a terrific opportunity to see old friends and to make new friends.
And thank you to Bicoastal, for a marvelous description of the hunt, to Jawa for posting the hunt GPS map, and to Lesson 13 and SmartAlex for the photos!

[Hinderella]

I’ll leave it to Cammie to post the details of her hunting experience, but she is fine and rode out with us Sunday morning.

[Bicoastal]

A green SUV pulls in the open gate of the hilly pastured hemmed in by white 3-rail fence. The tiny green trailer carries the prize we are all here to watch. They plop out of the trailer in an endless stream of black and blue fur punctuated by a couple of splashy white tri-colors. Each picks their own spectator to rush to as if they planned it on the ride over. One rears up to lean his 4” long forelegs on my thigh but he is excited and top-heavy: his momentum swings him completely vertical -90’ to the ground-then his heavy front end pendulums him backward in a near somersault. I grab his scruff and pull him toward me, his balance secured by my offered leg. Ear scratches and kisses earned.

The smiling Master welcomes all, discusses business, then starts the pack down to the bottom of a hill and to three marshy patches of woods. The field of followers in hats and sunglasses march after them with walking sticks and cameras. The whippers branch a hundred feet or more out from the pack, stationed to turn any hounds that sniff out a fox or head toward the road.

The hounds sniff, circle, and mill about, seeming to me unaware that they are supposed to be hunting a rabbit! The field talks quietly and soak up the sunshine on a clear and cool Sunday afternoon. Within fifteen minutes the first harooooh is heard and others sing with him, galloping into thick wet cover, bellies leaving trails in the tall grass. The blue and black pack disappear in the bramble. The action may be invisible but it can be heard. So much rustling and howling as if a bear is about to burst out makes me thankful I am uphill! Then the whipper-ins start screaming, Raccoon!, whip lashes crack into the bramble Leave it! One tri dutifully abandons the false target only to hear a team member haroo : he circles right back to where he was too mesmerized to obey.

Finally the master draws them away and the whippers keep them out when Tally Ho as a cottontail breaks cover, skimming a foot above the ground as it flies from one bunch of trees to another. Off they go running like their prey: stride-stride-leap as basset butt sails into the air, long tail flinging skywards. Suddenly the pack stops racing and converges in the marshy ground between the patches of trees. Eee Eee Eee Peter Cottontail is caught.

[Bicoastal]

Ashland Bassets Sunday, March 20, 2011

Pics!

A green SUV pulls in the open gate of the hilly pastured hemmed in by white 3-rail fence. The tiny green trailer carries the prize we are all here to watch. They plop out of the trailer in an endless stream of black and blue fur punctuated by a couple of splashy white tri-colors. Each picks their own spectator to rush to as if they planned it on the ride over.

One rears up to lean his 4" long forelegs on my thigh but he is excited and top-heavy: his momentum swings him completely vertical -90’ to the ground-then his heavy front end pendulums him backward in a near somersault. I grab his scruff and pull him toward me, his balance secured by my offered leg. Ear scratches and kisses earned.

The smiling Master welcomes all, discusses business, then starts the pack down to the bottom of a hill and to three marshy patches of woods. The field of followers in hats and sunglasses march after them with walking sticks and cameras. The whippers branch a hundred feet or more out from the pack, stationed to turn any hounds that sniff out a fox or head toward the road.

The hounds sniff, circle, and mill about, seeming to me unaware that they are supposed to be hunting a rabbit! The field talks quietly and soak up the sunshine on a clear and cool Sunday afternoon. Within fifteen minutes the first harooooh is heard and others sing with him, galloping into thick wet cover, bellies leaving trails in the tall grass. The blue and black pack disappear in the bramble. The action may be invisible but it can be heard. So much rustling and howling as if a bear is about to burst out makes me thankful I am uphill! Then the whipper-ins start screaming, Raccoon!, whip lashes crack into the bramble Leave it! One tri dutifully abandons the false target only to hear a team member haroo : he circles right back to where he was too mesmerized to obey.

Finally the master draws them away and the whippers keep them out when Tally Ho as a cottontail breaks cover, skimming a foot above the ground as it flies from one bunch of trees to another. Off they go running like their prey: stride-stride-leap as basset butt sails into the air, long tail flinging skywards. Suddenly the pack stops racing and converges in the marshy ground between the patches of trees. Eee Eee Eee Peter Cottontail is caught.

[Bicoastal]

Thank you

Thank you to Hunter’s Rest and Whicker for organizing and hosting. Thank you to every COTHer who traveled to make the weekend the event that it is. Thank you to everyone who found the funds, bravery, and sense of adventure to participate.

Thank you Wateryglen for shepherding me Saturday and Sunday. Such great fun and education! Jawa and horsedrs are two of the coolest riders I was so lucky to meet. To every single person who answered a question or welcomed me into their conversation: thank you. I shed a couple of tears on my dark drive home Saturday night, and I shed them now writing this, but as long as horses are an inspiration to heal, my heart will keep breaking and re-mending.:sadsmile:

The day was cool and the sun was full. The hounds were fit and fox was willing. The horses were keen and the riders were game. Thank you for sharing with me the ancient appeal of foxhunting.

[SmartAlex]

[QUOTE=Hinderella;5497962]
I’ll leave it to Cammie to post the details of her hunting experience, but she is fine and rode out with us Sunday morning.[/QUOTE]

Good to know.

[Hinderella]

Thank you again, bicoastal, for your reporting. I enjoyed your description of Sunday’s basset hunt, but I must say, if the pack actually caught Peter Rabbit, I’m just as glad I wasn’t present…I have a weak stomach for such things.

[Cammie]

I am absolutely fine!

Hunting was fine, and the “injury” is not a big deal. I only skipped dinner because I was exhausted after getting up at 2:30am west coast time to go hunting, and I wanted to take a muscle relaxant for my increasingly stiff neck. I knew there would be no way I could stay awake on the drive home from Whicker’s.

I had a great time with JSwan and TimelyImpulse. The horses were very irritated with the idea of slumming it in the 3rd field, but overall were fine. My boo-boo occurred with a massive spook at an imaginary creature living in a forsythia bush. I stayed on, but managed to smash myself in the jaw. There was a little swelling and numbness, and now some pain in the hinge of my jaw, but nothing to be worried about. I just had a stiff neck for a few hours, which is why I wanted to dope myself up. Hopefully in another day or two my jaw will realign itself.

I may go out with Betsy and ODH tomorrow if the weather holds out.

[SmartAlex]

And how is the horse’s neck feeling?

We missed you guys at dinner.

[JSwan]

My apologies for taking cammie away from what was a fantastic day of hunting with ODH. But I did hear all about it and it sounds like all of you had a blast. It’s a fantastic club, isn’t it. And Hunter’s Rest can always be counted on to position you exactly where the action is, and in the most picturesque spot.

We hunted in the mountains too - not far from where ODH was. There was a Joint Meet and B-day party - so I had to drag cammie away to come hunt with that club.

My horses took great enjoyment in the rapid change of weather from warm to cool. Experienced horsemen will know what I mean. :lol: But being generally good natured they adapted to the pace we insisted on setting. Eventually. What cammie didn’t tell you was that I was muttering dire threats to my Big Horse, as well as the “little” horse cammie was riding. They’re usually such gentlemen. Really. I swear!

Of course, when we got back and loaded them they instantly fell asleep in the trailer. Silly horses. Now they’re quiet. sigh…

Had a view! Of a Turkey as well as a red fox.

Like cammie, I was destined for an evening of medication; my back is just a disaster and, well, there it is. The spirit is welling but the flesh is weak. I forsee another year of drs and pt.

Sorry not to meet more of you out rabbit hunting, but I know there are more COTH hunting adventures in the future and will catch up with you then, I know.

Bicoastal - you have a way with words - thanks for the lovely hunt reports. It was so very nice to meet you and please do come out rabbit hunting again.

For those in the area, the season may be at an end but that does not mean our hunting community disappears.

Clubs will soon be busy walking hounds, working with puppies, and getting ready for the Hound Show, to be held at Morven Park. In late April the National Beagle Club will hold field trials at Aldie; come see all the bassets! This summer will be filled with hunt trail rides, hound walking, and eventually roading and cubbing.

Don’t be a stranger!

[gjp]

And a good time was had by all!

A very special thanks to Betsy for pulling this weekend together, and a big hug and carrot to Tip for lugging me around for 3 days.

What a great bunch of folks you all are. I hope we can do it again some day. Whicker - thank you and your family for putting together such a nice Princess party for us all. :winkgrin::yes:

[mortebella]

I miss all of you! <sniff>

[wateryglen]

Whaa?!!

WG slowly raises her head off the floor and wonders…how’d I get here?!! Whaa happened?! What’d I do?!! Ruh-roh…God, I just survived the Hunting Princess weekend didn’t I?!
Am I in one piece?!!

Thurs night - I house clean with a wild frenzy (snork! NOT!) then it’sdinner/drinks at Griffin Tavern in Flint Hill for 20. Crazy people in green everywhere and the best irish food I’ve ever eaten (Its all about the food for me you know…) We made attempts at sorting out our call signs and REAL names before dinner which while drinking on empty stomachs can be kinda funny! :uhoh: Like "Hi, I’m Goodie 2 Shoes but my real name is Mary Smith and my email name is George but my horses name is Misty and my farm name is Heavenly Valley and I live in New York but I hunt with the Snobbington Hunt of Va. " Like I’d remember ANY of that so…all weekend I’m calling people by their Coth names…How rude! /BTW…the Snobbington had a good showing this weekend too!

Friday - AM spent house/barn cleaning with a frenzy…well…forget that part. Jawa and Horserdrs arrive noonish with full coolers of beer, mojitos, snacks, food, cakes. I mean SERIOUS food here! Horses turned out while my 3 gallop around, their 2 gallop and before you know it sweating commences. Their 2 under covers to “keep clean” but we laugh many times watching them attempt to get dirty anyway. We sit on porch and have tastings! Turns out my 2 guests are my kinda peeps! Don’t seem to mind my ghetto farm. Then we’re off to Melvin Poes for the kennel tour & visit. Totally charming; specially the part where he tells us in great detail how you skin a horse before feeding to the hounds!! :eek::yes::eek::D:lol: Tells us lotsa hunting stories, we ask questions. Went in their home and looked at all the Marshall Hawkins framed Photos on his walls. My fav was the one of Jackie Kennedy hunting w/OCH where she’s written a personal inscription to Melvin…he tells us he’s on a first name basis with her!! Then we caravan to Betsys where we are wined & dined by candlelight and the buzzing of stinkbugs(our little friends in abundance!). She built a fire in fireplaces, showed us hunting video’s, we talked and yacked and laughed and got to know each other much better.

Saturday - whew, can’t believe we even survived saturday!! Firedrill preparations for leaving for early meet at 9am from my place. We help my 2 guests get ready and I lead them over to meet. While they’re tacking up I got to barn where the HP’s are getting ready and there’s lotsa nerves. I help tie 3 stock ties. Help with some tack adjustments, wipe some boots, call for any car followers to join me in my van, meet SO’s, greet ODH members (who inquire why I was walking around a meet with a tiara and pearls on and get the scoop that they were in the presence of hunting royalty! :winkgrin:) After the fields move off I organize a 2 car following “field”, we pile in and follow. Turns out we were in the right places at the right times. The first view was like 20-30 secs from maybe 25 yds away and totally tickled everybody. Could we have had better luck!!! Second was further away. We saw lots of hound work, heard well, saw all 3 fields all day - super day following.! But we got hungry and decided to go in as the hunt was thinking like us! We saw the HP’s coming in w/big smiles! Had quick hunt breakfast of chili/cornbread/desserts/pastys and home we went to get horses home and get ready for the races…
More to come.!!!

[SmartAlex]

[QUOTE=wateryglen;5500313]
Then we’re off to Melvin Poes for the kennel tour & visit. Totally charming; specially the part where he tells us in great detail how you skin a horse before feeding to the hounds!! :eek::yes::eek::D:lol: [/QUOTE]

gjp and I got a peak in the shed to see “dinner” before we drove off. Hey, who can resist an offer like that? Two dark bay hind legs from the stifle joint down.

Thank you for giving Mr. Smartalex an excellent view of the fox and the hunt. He was just going to sit on the porch. Boy would he have missed out!

So, is anyone stiff and sore yet? I haven’t felt a thing, and considering I spent more time in the saddle in three days than I normally would in three weeks, I have concluded my horse is an even more complicated ride than I thought!