Last hunt after 58 seasons --melancholy thoughts . .

[Foxglove]

Of course all riders know the day will come for the last show, last hunt, maybe even the last ride or the last horse. Sunday, for me was the last fox hunt after 58 seasons --25 with Battle Creek Hunt.

Many reasons and many options: # 1 reason was the 90 min drive to and from the hunt club in the winter (Sept-April). About a year ago, I stopped looking forward to Sundays and the joy of the hunt. Instead, I began to dread the Saturday afternoon hook-up of the trailer and the constant watching the weather to decide if I actually could safely make the drive with my equine partner in the trailer. To arrive on time, I needed to be at the barn (in my backyard) by 6:00 AM --if everything went well, and the horse cooperated (he is a horse after all, I was on the road by 7:00 AM --still dark.

#2 reason was my horse’s age. My horse for the last 22 years has been W (yes, he has a monster-long name, but we just called him W). W whom I bought on the hunt field from another member, is now 28. On our last hunt Sunday, he felt like he was a 4-year-old. But he’s not. When the field master rode by and noticed how hot he looked (I don’t clip), I thanked her for a brilliant two hours with a wonderful pack, and excused myself for a long, slow ride back to the hunt club. W and I talked on the way (I talked, he listened) about first hunts, best hunts, brilliant jumps, and the one time I separated from him, falling into a huge snow drift making my fall only inches from his back! We remembered warm hunts, cold hunts, and rainy hunts. And some naughty behavior --especially the one time the first flight master and I (years ago I generally rode in his pocket to give him the occasional lead over a fence where his horse was sticky) --one day on the way back to the club, he wondered aloud if the Quarter Horse really could out run a Thoroughbred for 1/4 mile —gauntlet dropped --15 hh W did his breed proud as the OTTB the master rode tried valiantly to catch us – of course he did, but only after what must have been 1/2 mile --and forever after, when W came to t hat stretch of trail, he remembered and wanted to RUN --we never did again --but he never forgot.

Many things I could do: buy another hunt horse (nope, now have Bob another QH but he’s going to do Ranch Riding with me and cow work. Everything is closer and in the summer. If the opportunity presents itself, we will continue to compete in Mounted Archery. We have our first show in Ranch Riding May 9-11 —it will be my first ever Western Horse Show --excited about this! )

I could move closer to the hunt club --but again, nope. I am well set up here for my 4 horses and me. The “infrastructure” is in place: feed delivered, hay delivered, farrier, vet, even 9 neighbor kids who will help me when I need “something done.” I do not want to have another farm, nor do I want to board horses and live in a condo or apartment. Much of my horse joy comes from the daily chores and interaction with m’ boys.

And so today, I put away my hunt clothes: the cubbing outfit my ma bought me for my first hunt in 1968, complete with New Market boots and a Madras plaid jacket and rust breeches. They still fit and I wear them every cubbing season.

The first formal coat I made when I had enough $ to join the hunt club —it was a 16 page pattern (Jean Hardy) with (as I recall) 64 steps. But I did it and wore it for years --it still fits too, but I only wear it or wore it for Dressage shows --my kids all wore it to show and hunt.

The first heavy weight frock coat my dad bought me in 1980s —he took me to his tailor and had one made just for me with double lining! It was (and still is) a great coat --I wear it every winter.

The second heavier frock coat I had made for myself in the 1990s when my oldest daughter joined the hunt and started wearing my “old” frock when she hunted with me --that was a joyful moment --the first time she was allowed to pass me and take a fence when she earned her colors!

My boots --both pair nearly falling apart after so many years --yet both still take a shine! I have patent leather topped boots for wearing with my Shadbelly on formal hunts, and my plain field boots for dressage and less formal occasions. In truth, I only wore the New Markets, patent topped, and field boots a few times each season since the rubber winter Ice Riders were warmer and could be hosed off.

I put the Shadbelly away after the last Blessing of the Hounds --I had to have one and nothing fit me (tall). Every shad I tried did the oreo cookie thing where the white shirt blouses out over the belt under the vest points (grrr). So I sat down with my needle and made one --it took WEEKS and 6 hours of hand sewing AFTER the machine sewing. But it was a perfect fit! Two inches longer in the front, longer vest points (made in my hunt’s colors blue and gold) and right as I finished it, high waisted breeches showed up again so I was able to make my vest points and belt meet in the middle. Finally.

There are a few other things too --ladies wear hats at the brunch (helmet hair), and I had a pretty one. The hunt themed sweaters I wore after hunting. And my new-this-season canary colored breeches --hard to find, but so appropriate.

I am keeping all my hunt stuff for one year —I can guest hunt 4 times --might head up for The Blessing of the Hounds --and the guest hunt, and maybe the joint meet. And then there is the hunt ball . . .love that too.

If you read this far–thank you!

Cubbing outfit:

Shadbelly:

A cold morning:

Thanks for the memories!

[beowulf]

Foxglove, I just wanted to say this was beautifully written and thank you for sharing the photos. It’s always sad when one chapter ends, but you have a new one wonderful one waiting to be written with Bob.

Give W a cookie from me.

[NaturallyHappy]

@Foxglove, @beowulf said it beautifully. I will share I stopped hunting for similar reasons. Have a grand time w Bob! Hugs to W.

[endlessclimb]

You made me tear up a little bit. How bitter sweet, but what lovely memories you have. Tally ho.

[MorganMaresVT]

Thank you for sharing this. I find it so special how your marked the occasion with W. He understood every word, I’m sure.

Finding myself with a young horse (5 yrs old) after losing my experienced steady eddy a year ago, I’ve found myself talking her through a lot of meaningful “firsts.” I hope we will enjoy a long and happy set of experiences together as you and W have.

[reefy]

What a beautiful tribute to your hunting life! Thank you for sharing
May you find as much adventure and joy with Bob and your ranching things

[cayuse]

That was lovely Foxglove. Change is hard and you are doing it with grace. Wishing you many years of joy with Bob in the show pen. Give W some scritches from me, he sounds like one in a million!

[NaturallyHappy]

I have to add I cannot believe you were able to make your own coats!!! I struggle to sew a button on😀.

[chocolate_chip_in]

Lovely post! What a wonderful tribute to your years in the field.

[Marla_000]

Loved reading that. Tearfully sad.
Thanks for sharing.

[KBC]

Now I am thinking of the kids book, Farewell to Hounds.

What a long and rich partnership you and W have had, thanks for sharing. Feel the melancholy for a few days, ‘tis only right and proper, then emerge shiny and new ready for the next great adventure.

[LCDR]

That post should be published in COTH. I hope someone picks it up as an article, if not COTH.

[Foxglove]

@NaturallyHappy --My ma often quoted that, “necessity is the mother of invention.” That’s what sewing was for me. I am tall --for most of my teen and younger years, “Tall” fashions were not a thing. I learned to sew in 8th grade and made a skirt using a pattern. I have been sewing ever since --more out of necessity than need. Skirts and pants --then when pants suits became a thing in the 1970s, I learned to sew jackets. Eventually I found my way into tailoring (up to a point). When I needed a hunt coat for my first formal hunt (the Madras Plaid would not do!), I waded in and slowly, step by step, made that coat —fortunately for me, wool is a forgiving fabric --a little stretch, easy to sew a smooth seam, presses well. I never did learn how to do pockets, though, so just put on a little flap and called it good. I hand sewed my button holes (now I have a machine that does that --thank goodness because that Shadbelly took 20 (yep! 20) button holes (double breasted and six on each cuff, then I added two more on a faux “belt” across the back pleats because I made such a botched job I didn’t want anyone to see my mess). But I used Velcro to attach the vest points.

For many years I sewed the kiddos’ riding clothes --and eventually Granddaughter’s western showmanship outfits (February was Crystal Month --I’d sit by a big window, watch it snow, and attach crystals one-by-one until even Elvis would envy the bling).

Now I have little need to sew. I did sew a pair of leather chinks for Bob and me to do our ranch horse. The “real” chinks are heavy saddle weight leather --but we show in SUMMER --so I made a respectable pair out of “garment weight” leather – hide bought on sale because I think the steer was hit by a car --a few bad places I had to cut around. I also did 12 inch fringe instead of 4 inch because I am tall enough that it still reaches to mid shin at that length. Not the best stitching (leather really should be done with a heavier machine than I have) --but black thread on black leather --no one will notice.

That has been part of the fun of my new adventure into Ranch Horse --buying, making, acquiring new equipment! But remember that Ranch Horse has to look like it is WORKING gear --so I always try for used (well used) over new. And I just had my (4" longer than usual --a Western thing) --jeans pressed with HEAVY starch and a center crease --again a western convention. Who knew?

[NaturallyHappy]

@Foxglove

And I just had my (4" longer than usual --a Western thing) --jeans pressed with HEAVY starch and a center crease --again a western convention. Who knew?

I do!!! I have a friend who used to make money at the Quarter Horse Congress doing that😀.
It’s very cool you are so talented. I’d love to see the crystals.

[Foxglove]

@NaturallyHappy : Bob and my planned gear (Bob is a bay-roan):

Orange Showmanship outfit (with orange leather chaps)

I always tried to pick a color “no one wore” --well, no one wore white so o o o:

And then Granddaughter wanted teal: so ok–

And the next year: purple:

Couldn’t decide one year on grey or black so —I made this and she had a choice of black slacks or grey to wear with . . .

And the last one --my favorite --Navy blue and pearls:

There were ultimately 20 outfits (made her 2 for each year because a girl needs a choice!) After each show season, I sold them for about what I had in them for materials. The white one went highest at $350 —most for about $50-100. The oddest sale was to a rider in Yellow Knife Canada --not sure there are even horses that far north!

[AllSport]

Who did the art work in the back of the outfits? I ask because it’s similar, but probably not the same, as the art my horse’s breeder did/does. Talk about end of an era, they’re getting out of breeding now because they’re 85 and 93 yrs old. They both grew up in the horse world but their kids haven’t picked up the bug. The wife still paints. When I purchased my horse I walked through their house photographing a lot of her paintings. I should have asked to buy one but it was all a lot to take in. Their almost century in the horse world was slowly wrapping up. --Honestly its a big part of why I even bought a horse from them, I just felt I should. He’s not the horse I thought I’d get, not remotely, but my heart said it was was the right thing to do.

[Foxglove]

Those are my favorite paintings —I’ve done many --mostly for other people --but the ones in my house (called “My Museum of Me”) are my favorites.

[BeeHoney]

All I can say is, wow, so many things beautifully said. And 58 seasons…that’s amazing.

[2DogsFarm]

What a wonderful tribute to the sport, yourself, your horses & especially W
I feel honored to know you (& have met Himself) IRL
Though I’ve been into horses for nearly the same 5 decades (insert 20yr non-riding hiatus), I’m a mere Dabbler.
I know you & Bob will write your next chapter & it will be as full of dedication as the earlier ones.
No grabbing mane in Ranch, but Kick On!

[Ghazzu]

Beautifully written.