in other words
Hinderella…
In other words…we all are imperfect riders with all our own issues and quirks…but we all love to hunt…
no one cares how perfect you look or if you jump or hilltop
no one cares what you prefer in your flask (as long as you share;))
no one cares what breed of pony you ride or brand of tack
but everyone cares if you pass the fieldmaster :lol:
we all care if you have a big smile on your face and you’re enjoying the hunt…
So just know the rules, ask questions, have fun!
That’s what makes this sound like so much fun! The youngun’s at my barn all show hunters. The barn owner/trainer has been pestering me to show…but I have no real interest in showing at my age. And when I hear that you can’t …have a black saddle…wear a brown coat…take five strides to the fence when it’s “supposed” to be four…well, I just don’t find that world appealing.
I’m pretty sure there’s not much chance of me passing the fieldmaster…unless the pony passes by without me 
There are very large pockets in frock coats. (some folks refer to their tipple as “hounds blood”)
You should get massive cred with those woossie “hunters” when you do the genuine thing ! Just don’t let on how much more fun it is.
Hinderella - Just the highlights, Bigbaytb - LOVED the album!
Hinderella -
Reminder… the video was of the non-boring stuff. Trust me - second flight will take gooooood care of you. This was my boy’s first time out, and yes, he was a bit enthusiastic! You’ll be in great company as many of us (not naming names) feel compelled to tip the flask early on for a nip of courage!
BigbayTB -
Is it me, or did you have a smile on your face through the entire involuntary dismount??? You’ve got to love the photog’s that keep on snappin’ as we keep on fallin’! LOVED the last photo!
How funny is it that I took a header off the “dressage” mare that I foxhunted all last season, during our second “dressage” lesson in ages! Of course, in an incredibly soft and fluffy arena, I think I almost bounced back into the saddle… Yet, through our entire first season foxhunting I stuck to her like glue. Hmmm.
Passing the fieldmaster… You can’t prove it!
Did I forget to mention the editing that included me passing the fieldmaster on our first run… Oooops! Couldn’t leave that in there now could I!
Happiness is watching your video
Pleasantmeadow,
I did notice that there wasn’t a red shirt in front of you at a point or 2. Was Brendan your fieldmaster for first flight?
How big are your jumps? Are they as small as the ones on the hunter trail ride last June? Do they have go arounds?
Your pink pony did well for first time out and first flight! I love the careful editing on the vocals,:winkgrin:. Your jumping looked smooth, too. A little more camera practice time, and it will look smooth as glass.
You were off your horse at one point. Was that to move the saddle?
Everyone I saw was wearing white shirts. Is that your hunt’s preference?
It was so much fun to hear the horn and the hounds again.
THANK YOU!!!:D:D
The Great Coth Hunt Expedition
I think that Virginia definitely needs to be included in the Great Coth Hunt Expedition. We don’t have the usual Va Hunt Week, this year, so the B&Bs should be able to handle our ravaging horde. (Hunter’s Rest?)
The first question is:
How much time should we allow Hinderella to practice before she gets here? There are other newbies that might want to join, too.
The last 2 weeks of October is when we usually have the Fall foliage and beautiful blue skies. Formal hunting starts around then to early November. September meets can be slower going, but anything is possible. Our weather can be umm, “unsettled” in November, but that means great scenting. Jan is too cold and miserable, with ice.
Let’s start pm-ing dates. This can be SO MUCH FUN!
pleasant meadow…Yes, I was laughing! Howling with laugher at myself! I couldn’t f…in believe it! and i had to plan where my feet were going because I had hurt my ankle that week and didnt want to twist it on a pole…and I did the “gymnastic hands” to let everyone at the show know I was OK…they were all holding their breath! my horse and i rock at cross country and foxhunting…i’m not sure why stadium perplexes us so much! that stuff falls down!
I wish I had a newer truck or i’d be heading out to virginia for the coth hunt week…my 1992 2500 hd beast is fine for indiana…but am afraid that the mountains of virginny might kill the poor thing!
Wateryglen cares about Hinderella!
Ok, Wateryglen, wants to be serious about what Hinderella needs to know. We did the serious stuff in the first part of this thread, plus she has the benefit of all of mentors.
I think that Hunter’s Rest will have the horse and tack for her and some lesson- get- aquainted time the day before. If she does decide to ride her own pony, then we will need to know more to help her with a foxhunting saddle, breastplate and the multitude of major bits. He own pony sounds like a treasure, so attitude wise, she has the most important part.
I don’t know what sticky potion Wateryglen uses. Some riders like fullseat breeches for grip. I like a sheepskin seat saver and passier ledersbalsam for stick and waterproofing. Gloves like the SSG all weather ones are useful for grip on wet, lathered reins. Then we can think about reins that have grip. (Stopping is frequently the hardest part…)
Since my area is steeply rolling terrain, there needs to be lots of practice at halting. Balance at the top of the hill and halt, then practice halting on the way down. When you actually are galloping, this is how you stay under control. Gallop the up, balance/halt, trot/half- halt or halt down.
Hinderella, what else would you like to hear about?
BBtb, you and SLW are in the midwest. Maybe the 2 of you could come together.
Or you could fly and try Hunter’s Rest’s hirelings. I would hate to have a little thing like transportation slow you down…
Whicker, thanks again for the practical tips…with every new post, I have more questions! Hunter’s Rest looks wonderful, and I’d already been thinking it would be wise to get there a couple of days early for warmup lessons.
September or October can work for me, and sloooow days in September are probably about my speed. My pony is a sweetheart, I can’t wait until she can do this with me.
Can I use a plain old dark or tan show coat and beige breeches with black field boots? I have Roeckl gloves, not terribly warn, but pretty grippy. I don’t usually ride in full seat breeches, the only pair I have are black…but there’s always eBay! Do I need a different helmet…my last black helmet bit the dust after a crash, now I have a dark green Tiperrary…but I can probably borrow black.
A COTH day sounds terrific!! I’m a shy person at heart, so meeting lots of new people can be tough, but when we have horses in common it’ smuch easier. If Hunter’s Rest will let us BYOB I can start looking for the perfect red wine for the end of the day…or white if it’s September and still warm.
Whicker,
Master Possumato was our first flight fieldmaster, and Brendan (joint Master) was just behind me. He kindly dismounted to collect the bell boot my boy pulled off, when the field took off. I past Master Possumato at the end of that run (by about 20 feet), and ALMOST past her a second time (about 4+ minutes into the video). I dismounted to pull a huge briar out of his tail that was dragging the ground for a while.
SLW,
Last Wednesday was first day of Cubbing! Yup, we’re lucky all right. I heard they put two to ground yesterday! I’ve owned this pony for just over a month now, but I feel like I’ve had him for years. Funny how quickly a bond can form. I just clicked with him. I can’t wait for more updates on your mew mare!
BBtb,
We are SO cut from the same cloth! Foxhunt (check), cross country (check), dressage (check) stadium… uhhh, well… might have to practice that one a bit before I give it a check!
Here’s a pic of us last week eating up the XC course (no warm up jumps… they’re too much like stadium jumps)
Hinderella,
I hope you’ve got that calendar out! I’d also like to give a big thumbs up to Hunter’s Rest and her AWESOME hirelings! If you’d like to try VA’s beautiful hunt country for the first time, Hunter’s Rest is the one to give you the confidence you need! Bring your pony down and take him out the next day! :eek:
PS - Hinderella - I’m rather shy tooo!
Whicker can attest to my zipped lips when I’m first introduced to a new group! That’s why I bring friends along. :no: I’m getting there though, and it’s hard not to open up when you already have a running dialog here on COTH… It’s like visiting with extended family that you haven’t seen in a long time~ :yes: Hope that made some semblance of sense.
I can vouch for hunters rest. Lovely facilities and horses. spent a weekend out there a few years ago. had only hunted a few times and hadn’t joined my local hunt yet but did get the chance to hunt at Middleburg when there. So i’d probably fly out if time allots!
Hinderella and pleasantmeadow…hang out with me…I’m not shy…:lol:
pleasant meadow…your horse is adorable. in my pictures, that’s my 17hh OTTB who is a steady eddy. I bought him off the track 5 years ago and is a sweetie. he’s happy enough to be in the front of the 1st flight yet is quiet enough that novice riders can hunt him. my other horse is a 16hh WB that i’ve had since a yearling. she’s the mach 5 mare and yehaws …at least this year she’s been much better about listening and has evented well. we have our first cub hunt on the 28th. i’ll ride my mare and a friend who has never hunted will ride the TB. I’m looking forward to it.
Bring it on!!!
The Great Coth Hunt Expedition
Is there anyone else who wants to come to deepest darkest Va or N.J.?:eek:
I’m scheming now. Please P.M. me.
yippee!
Partay for Newbie! Like we needed a reason…:winkgrin:
I can provide some transportation or some hunt car followings for anyone coming that’s horseless too. If you wanna watch first then ride; we can do!! I will join ya’ll for anything that involves food…it’s all about the food… Don’t know if I’ll be able to hunt yet. But I’ll be around for sure! Come on down!!
If you wanna take a charter or local flight - I have "connections’ too with transport from a local airport.
AND…anyone here on a Sunday afternoon can join me foot hunting with the Ashland Bassets as my guest. No horses needed. Guaranteed fun!
yeeehaw!!!
Oh, and SLW, I forgot I’d already written all that…sorry! :winkgrin:
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