Yesterday was a GREAT GREAT morning! Hunt was canceled early a.m. due to threats of thunderstorms. I offered to walk out with hounds, and learned that hounds would hunt at a later time. I cleaned up, tacked up, picked up Huntsman’s horse along the way and got to the meet on time (well almost on time). I did have the Huntsman’s horse, so a fair guarantee the field wouldn’t take off without me :winkgrin:
I learned that we were short a couple of whips, and our joint Master asked who would like to lead our small field??? Who do you think jumped up and down in their saddle raising their hand… me, me, me please me. Ok, maybe I wasn’t quite so dramatic, but I certainly offered lickity split.
We trot out down the road, and seconds after hounds are cast in the first field, they’re on a line and running hard. Woowee. We put the first fox to ground (or so we thought) within 5 minutes. Mr. Reynard popped up 30 feet in front of the field, and off we went like lightning hot on his tail. Ohh, did our small field of lady riders go for it (soo sorry if you didn’t want to go for it with quite so much gusto), yesterday morning. We officially put that fox to ground a few short minutes later. That was the highlight of the morning! Good run, good view, and put him to bed poste haste. Hounds worked hard and retired after a full three hours.
It was such a privelege leading the field… I hope to do it again sooon. I gave my mare the day off yesterday and took out my trusty new pink pony. In the few short months that I’ve owned him, he’s now carried me, guests, been borrowed by a whip, and now led the field. He’s done it all with aplomb, and seems to love his current job. (Not that we won’t be out Eventing in a couple weeks time as well.) I’m so glad I (I mean my trainer) found him on Dreamhorse.com… because that’s what this guy is - A true dream mount!
Hunter’s Rest, I just recently learned that my pink boy was in your barn in 2008 for a couple of months for training, and lived with PB & X! His former owner emailed me photos of you on him! I’m hoping to bring him down to hunt with Old Dominion again in early December!
Woo hoo. I truly now believe that I fall into the “LIVE TO HUNT CATEGORY”! Who knew it would be my true calling. Happy days, happy days.
Ohhh, one other thing… Last Sunday was Opening Day and all three of my kick butt Hunt Ponies carried their riders across the beautiful rolling countryside of the Amwell Valley for a solid four hours quite happily (perhaps one had a bit of gusto for the first hour - but was well mounted). What a beautiful day we had, and I was able to move back and forth between First and Second Flights. Yup, actually jumped some of those inviting 3’ coops on my lovely (wishes she was still a DQ) mare! Ahhh, life is soooo good. A big shout out to the Big Man above. :yes:
PS - currently editting video from Opening Day. Includes the bagpipe prelude too.
Love this!!!