You say that like it’s a bad thing!?
I don’t believe that being inebriated would necessarily cause one to fall from one’s horse…but I don’t really know, I even passed on the stirrup cup on that lovely first hunt, because as the Aerosmith song says “I don’t want to miss a thing” (With my apologies to CarrieK for my inability to come up with anything more truly poetic.)
X-Rab, bring the old fella out…it will give the chicken hearted among us an excuse to go slowly…
I am so looking forward to March.
And I have to add that my post was not really the genesis of all this Virginia hospitality…I was inspired by PleasantMeadowFarms dressage rider “gone wild” post and her adventures in hunting.
Pleasantmeadow, Please…( The Beginning of the Saga)
The start of the Virginia hospitality came about because Pleasantmeadow started her thread. She was a dressage and occasional eventer who was lured to a hunter pace by Amwell Valley. Of course, it was scary new, required new skills and was enormous fun. (Even fumes of foxhunting will do that- It’s so addictive that one doesn’t have to drink the koolaid, just be near it:winkgrin:)
We responded with glee and advice. Eventually, Pleasantmeadow and I became friends with all the p.m.s and phone calls. She did so well with AVH, that she was ready to try our hunting. At that point, I asked Hunter’s Rest to join me in creating the perfect hunt experience. Boy, Did she ever!!:D:D
Hunter’s Rest and I really enjoy watching the lights come on in newbies eyes as they discover our beautiful new alternative universe. It is so rewarding to share the joy. Now that others, like JSwan and Wateryglen, have joined our merry band, it is even more fun as we can show more ways to enjoy the sport. I love how this joy has spread through our forum and we cothers can meet each other and develop more friendships.
I expect that Hunter’s Rest and the Hunting Princesses will continue to have these soirees as often as you all want to come and play. Certainly there will be another in the Fall, early enough that we might be able to get a second one in before the weather turns wintery in December. (We can work out individual playtimes for those of you who can’t make it to the rendevous.)
I do hope this becomes an annual or bi-annual event for me. how else would I justify my expenditures on appropriate (although second hand and non-glamorous) attire as I refuse to show up in VA hunt country looking like a damned Yankee!
Speaking of expenses, I need a new hat. HR mentioned that jockeys and eventers wear helmets with covers that have visors on them you can push up. I have a Charles Owens that cost a pretty penny but it does sit low on my forehead and the built in visor causes me to thrust my chin up to be able to see out from under it when I bend over the horse’s neck.
Recommendations for skullcap like helmets and hunting appropriate covers? Does the cover need to be velvet?
Right now I’m leaning towards this but don’t see a velvet cover.
www.doversaddlery.com/pro-ii-skull-cap-/p/X1-3676/cn/39/
Function, and quality are the primary concerns; gotta keep the old noggin safe to keep my day job and afford lessons!
If you want to mention pros and cons of what you have that would be great as well.
If you decided to go with a skullcap, you can buy a black velvet cover separately. They’re made out of stretch fabric and fit most helmets.
I keep one handy for when guests show up with creative headgear. :lol:
ETA - it’s not actually velvet. I think it’s velveteen. But no matter - it’s a black velvet looking stretchy thingy with a visor and designed to fit skullcaps.
My old skullcap was retired after years of use- but I never wore it for foxhunting. For hunting I prefer the traditional style hunt cap (but ASTM certified).
The only type skullcap that fits me correctly, and therefore, the only one I’ll wear, is a Champion Jockey skullcap. You can’t get them in the US, as they’re only BHS approved (good enough for me - plus that’s hte hat that kept me from dying in a high-speed steeplechase crash years ago, so … I’m all about the brand.) You have to order from Ireland or England, or there is a NJ racetrack vendor who imports them for resale here.
Charles Owen makes 2 or 3 good skullcaps but they don’t fit my head - they sit ‘on top’ too much and don’t go around the back part of my head. Same complaint I have with most helmets, esp. the vented/lightweight ones. But I get it that people’s heads are differently shaped.
Re: velvet covers or whatever. Just make sure its black. No big bows to hold it on. But, what you saw me hacking out in is what I hunt in. Racing helmet with racing silk (nylon) cover in black. No one cares. (To a point.)
What they care about is if you’re polite, and interested, and enthusiastic, and well-mounted, and trying, and pleased-to-be-there. Those are the things that’ll get you noticed.
Chose what fits
Lesson 13,
If you would be more comfortable in a different kind of helmet from the Charles Owen, then chose that. As long as it is black covered and looks somewhat hunt cap-ish, it is fine. We do want you to have some form of safety helmet with harness, as we like you the way you are now.:winkgrin:
I personally can’t wear the Charles Owen, so I use another brand that fits me better. One does go under low hanging branches and vines, so the hat does need to protect your head. There are times when we use the horse’s neck to provide some protection, but the helmet will still get hit. (We hug our horses around their necks a lot)
Preciousness!!
Carrie K! I love you! Quoting Shakespeare and tossing back for the team? Whats not to love!??!:yes:
As a prefallen Hunting Princess who walks like Festus AND Snobbington Hunt member…I say she gets a free cap if she comes! I do hereby proclaim it!!
Yeah…fell off my stool with the “manhood” thing!! :lol:
Boa’s? Boa’s? I don’t need no stinkin’ boas!!
Wateryglen bows low to CarrieK in admiration…we are not worthy! :p:p:p
[QUOTE=wateryglen;5356711]
Wateryglen bows low to CarrieK in admiration…we are not worthy! :p:p:p[/QUOTE]
Indeed! [bowing as well]
And the party continues!!!
It’s my first time logging on in a weeks time! So glad to see that the party continues.
Although foxhunting in general is without doubt is a euphoric experience (each and EVERY time out), the Virginia contingent makes the entire experience SOOO much more fun!!! You can’t have better baby-sitters than this crew. Their knowledge of horses, hounds, hunting is awe inspiring! I can’t forget to mention, they are hostesses extraordinaire! Yes, they are enablers. Evil, evil enablers :eek::lol: I love 'em all!!!
Hinderella, you make me blush. My beautiful mare is almost back to normal and I’m crossing fingers I can bring her down for the next VA adventure. Otherwise, the new kid on the block is going to have to fill some big shoes!
So what is the headcount up to now???
I will definitely be there. I’m not sure if Mr. Hinderella (and his cooking skills) will join me. I hope I will see you, PMF, but if not this time, then perhaps a road trip to NJ would be in order. I would love to experience spring hound work.
Bwaa-ha-ha! Virginia is calling…
I have lured pleasantmeadow to stay at my farm. The beautious mare just happens to fit nicely into one of my stalls. When the coth hunt is over, the mare will suddenly and mysteriously refuse to go back to N.J. PleasantMeadow will have to stay longer, and longer. Hunt box hunting will ensue. Just happen to have one near me…
Twirls moustache and laughs evilly while rubbing hands in glee!:eek:
Like Kesha says…
“Hot and Dangerous! If you’re one of us then roll with us…”!!!
(love that song, love it!)
The Hunting Princesses are coming!
The Hunting Princesses are coming!
But I sooooo want Carrie K to come…:sadsmile:
And Whicker may be evil but she’s a sweetie!! :yes:
Aha, Carrie K, I know the answer to the Shakespeare trivia question…
Act IV, Scene 3, if memory serves.
1 Like
Unfortunately, my skillz, they are not mad. I am very, very rusty. (and I have mounting block issues. For realz.) Also, I seriously violate the rule that states one’s ass should not be bigger than one’s horse’s. Although, in my defense, Drummer is a very narrow Saddlebred. But still…
I will confess, though, that I’ve been thinking that by next October, a trip south could be in the works, and figuring out how to make it happen, skillz-wise.
[QUOTE=Beverley;5370168]
Aha, Carrie K, I know the answer to the Shakespeare trivia question…
Act IV, Scene 3, if memory serves.[/QUOTE]
Um… :: rushes off to google :: Yup. Sure. :: shifty eyes :: I’m not a Shakespeare fraud!!! I am not!!
bowing again!
Jeez! Once again I am in awe!! Who knew Ms. Beverley was a brainiac!! That kinda Shakespeare knowledge is well…amazing! WG bows low again in admiration to both of you!!
And Carrie K? Thats the very reason I ride draft crosses…so my butt doesn’t look fat…well…not SO fat I should say. And remember we can car follow if you don’t like your skilz! :winkgrin:
CarrieK,
We neeeeed you in our expeditions! You plan on coming next Fall. Hunter’s Rest will have a horse for you who will make your butt look tiny. Check out her Irish horse,O’Reamus. He is about 18.2 h! And he is white grey, so he looks even bigger, especially from behind him. You will have that color contrast going for you, since you be wearing a dark coat and non-white breeches. (Rust does wonders:winkgrin:)
