Remind/tell everybody about the MH parade etc. and other goodies going on that weekend, JJ. 
[QUOTE=jetjocky;7226295]
Hi folks - just wanted to let everyone know that the date for the COTH hunt will be Dec. 8 NOT Dec. 15[/QUOTE]
Unfortunately, that means I can’t make it. Dec 8 is the last day of the USEA Annual Meeting in Cincinnati
Dumb question, but what does the cap price cover?
Cap fee pays to the hunt. It covers your going out with them. Nothing else, unless they happen to have a breakfast after. (And-or stirrup cup before.)
So excited! I’m officially in!
Trying to convince DD she needs to try this!
[QUOTE=jetjocky;7226295]
Hi folks - just wanted to let everyone know that the date for the COTH hunt will be Dec. 8 NOT Dec. 15. [/QUOTE]
Ah, darn, that will knock us out then. Christmas in Middleburg is on Dec. 7, which is our huge meet – we are usually out about 4 hours – and I don’t feel right hunting the same horses the next day (since we have weekend horses and Monday horses). Sigh. Are you sure it can’t be on the 15th? 
Crud. Can’t do it this time. Bah humbug.
I will drown my sorrows in Nutella. Or G&Ts.
Carol
SSR (and other ‘regular’ Va. hunters) – I face this all the time - having my Tuesday horse needing to go Friday (with Poe) and Saturday b/c of one thing or another.
**** That’s what 3rd field was invented for!!! ****
Heck, as a for instance – last Friday I was out of horses, I mean, scraping the bottom of my herd. I had a choice betw. my 2yo (ready, but … still!, that would have been a stretch even for me!) and my 30 yo veteran – not exactly retired, but hadn’t hunted in a while!
I took the elder - Brook (many of you know him) – we walked, we shuffled, we even loped a few strides when hounds struck over in the ‘fox playpen’ woods behind Hume. I kept up at walk-jog without any trouble, and Brook didn’t even break a sweat after 2 hours.
INHO this is why many people are shy about ‘trying’ hunting - b/c they think it is only about the fabulous videos from ditch-and-bank country in Ireland, or only about legendary 10-mile points at Piedmont, or only about the “Buckland Races” around the Civil War scuffle near Casanova.
Not so. Not so.
Heck, I defy a hunt to fully ‘lose’ me given a still day (so I can hear) with humidity at 30% or better (so sound carries), even if I’m limited to a walk for some reason!
Many dogs, definitely go with the G&Ts, and I’ll have toast you long distance with a margarita!
If it weren’t for hilltopping, I would have never gotten to see what I still consider the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen in my life: the image of a hunstman for Blue Ridge on his gray horse standing atop a huge hill with the mountains in the background. It took my breath away and all I could think was, “THIS is what it’s all about.” I love the hounds, I love the people I meet, I love riding phenomenal horses, and I love a pretty view…to have all those things come together in one moment was really quite overwhelming. I felt very small that day, but very fulfilled.
I gotta finagle hounds and horses and whatnot but will try and make it. I’ll let you know.
I just want to echo what HR and see u at x have said. For folks who haven’t tried the sport, it’s really all about getting out and being a part of the natural world. First field, second field or third, whatever your ability it’s a great way to reconnect and to experience an interaction between the domestic (or semi-domestic as some academics view it, but I digress) and the wild and the interdependence of the two. Foxhounds wouldn’t exist without foxes and that reminds us a bit that we wouldn’t exist (or not as well, I don’t think) without our connection to the natural world, however hidden it tends to be in this digital age.
If anyone has any other questions, please send me a PM. I’m getting online generally in the evenings, but sometimes my internet service is iffy, so it may take a day or so to get back to you.
Really excited to have new folks come join us.
oh yes - other activities Friday folks are invited to come out to Winchester to visit our newly rehabbed Old Town. Cute with lots of shops and historic stuff. George Washington spent a good bit of time here. We can swing by his headquarters then visit the Handley Library, the only Beaux Artes building in Virginia, with its magnificent stained glass dome and glass-floor stacks. The New York Public Library is the only other library in the U.S. with glass floor stacks.
We can have dinner at any of several nice but not outrageously expensive restaurants, then go catch live music at one of a couple of spots.
Saturday is the Middleburg Christmas Parade (www.christmasinmiddleburg.org), a must-see. The Middleburg Hounds lead the parade. You’ll see a classic photo at the link above. There is wonderful tack shopping in Middleburg: visits to the Tack Box, the Middleburg Tack Exchange and perhaps to Dover, 25 minutes east of Middleburg are all possibilities.
Once we know who is coming, we can see what people’s preferences are and firm up the itinerary, but there’s lots to do, both horsey and non.
Somebody – “Kara” – emailed me directly thru my website function but you didn’t give me your reply email nor a phone number! So I can’t contact you to say ‘yes’!!!
Please try again and include your email!
That picture of Christmas in Middleburg looks like its out of a Rockwell painting. Now I’m even more bummed that I can’t make the hunt. sigh…
I definitely would have given this a whirl but I can’t make that weekend. I hope everyone has a great time!!
Just wanted to bump this up a bit. We are still planning a COTH hunt with the Snickersville Hounds on Dec. 8. It’s newbie-friendly and Snickersville is a fun and welcoming group of people. For out of town folks, our own Hunter’s Rest has offered accommodations through her b-and-b.
We have several folks who have expressed an interest in coming out. There’s room for more - just let Betsy or me know.
I wish I could ride right now, I would kill to go! Maybe next year!
I, very regretfully, had to bow out as my car needed a bunch of work done to pass inspection this year and took away some the mad money I had hoped to have for this adventure. 
However, maybe it all worked out for the best anyway, as my barn Christmas party is going to be that Saturday night, and I’d hate to miss it. Hopefully I’ll have another opportunity to join you all again soon. I’ve already warned my horse that when I retire him from being a dressage horse someday, we’re going to attempt to turn him into a field hunter!
