If it pleases you…
[QUOTE=whicker;4651934]
Pleasantmeadowfarm,
If you are recovering from hunting near a computer, we would love an update. It is snowing here, it is cold. We need a vicarious thrill! :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
Apologies for taking so long to update you on my where abouts. After over a week without internet access I’ve finally caught up. Fear not, I didn’t not end up wandering the great swamp for days! I also doubt that the details of my first foxhunting adventure away from home will ever diminish in my minds’ eye.
I had the most WONDERFUL time hunting in Florida. Masters and members of both the Misty Morning Hounds and South Creek Foxhounds are now part of my extended family (at least in my opinion.) I wish I could have spent more time out getting to know the members of both hunts. Everyone was so coordial and welcoming I felt like I was home. I would be thrilled to have any member come up to NJ for a visit and join me out with the AVH!
The contrast between the two fixtures was amazing. I felt like I was in two different worlds. MMH felt like home, and the SCF really gave me a feeling of being in the deep south, with heavy spanish moss covered folliage overhead, palmetto bushes, and water… lots of water! I couldn’t have asked for better hunt horses.
As many of you know, my mare is a power house, a pleaser, and ALWAYS wants to go (thank goodness she can turn off the go gene at checks). So, my rides are always working rides. The two hunt horses I had the pleasure of renting, The Duke of Earl and Freckles, were the epitome of the perfect hunt horse. Whatever I asked of them, they readily complied. No fuss, just fun, easy and steady - waiting for me to tell them what to do. Their amenable temperaments is what kept me from being sore after two hunts in one day… NO ACHES or PAINS at all!
I started off with the MMH in the second flight (really third flight pace) to get to know my mount. The first flight horse Duke, would stare longingly as first flight would breeze by wondering why he wasn’t with his buds. Again, luckily for me, the gentleman sighed and went about carting my timid butt around for a while. I finally moved up to first flight and had a blast. Obviously I was happy to be in a better position to watch Alexis’ beautiful hounds work (I’ve never done a drag hunt before). Don’t even get me started on how lovely the Perry Plantation is… I could go on forever about Alexis and Walter’s beautiful cross country course, kennels and home. I’m so glad I arrived early enough, to tag along with Alexis, going back and forth between, stable, kennel and checking in with the field. It’s amazing how much effort goes into a hunt, and spending a couple of hours with Alexis, who is jt. Master of the MMH crystallized that for me. So, after meeting a wonderful group of ladies including Adrian, Marsha, Barbara, Susan, Katie the rest of the MMH crew can’t forget Alexis’ dear mother - story teller extraordinaire along with purveyor of port (34 degrees when I arrived) I headed straight off for fixture two.
Arrived without delay at fixture two, and tried to nap as I waited for the SCF to arrive. Another WONDERFUL group of people (Masters, Staff and Members alike). I again had no idea what to expect, but was lucky enough to have plenty of time to chat with my fine horse supplier Leslie about the afternoon… yes, the SCF hunts at 4:00pm. At least we did on this particular Wednesday. The 10 horses that Leslie brought along were absolutely beautiful. Shiny, all in great weight (what’s your secret Leslie to get your hunt horses to have such a healthy bloom?) calm, cool and… Wow - surefooted. It was rather wet, and going between sandy paths and water at speed was impressive to see everyone’s horses handle the footing disparities without issue. Oh my goodness, can they move too! As I’ve been using my gps navigation on my iphone, I can say without doubt the outing with the SCF that day was MY fastest yet.
As protocol dictates, I stayed in the back of the field, so my view of hound work was limited. Regardless, I met a wonderful group of people and LOVED every minute of my time with both hunts. I can’t wait to go back.
Hopefully one day soon, I’ll be able to tackle the rolling hills of Virginia. There will be many visits next year, up and down the East Coast (if I can arrange it) as I try to gain as much experience as possible, and expand my fraternal network of foxhunting family!
I can’t recall in my numerous posts if I’ve mentioned HOW MUCH I LOVE FOXHUNTING!!!
P.S. - As I continue to walk out with hounds once or twice a week, my wee brain is finally putting together a fair list of hound names with faces… perhaps by next Opening Day, I’ll recognize them all and quietly from my perch back in the field can whisper their names, one and all!
Red Horse Tavern is also a fun place to stop and have a drink.
My mare is scheduled to get her birthday present early this year! Hock and stifle injections tomorrow - the proud lady deserves it (not that she showed any ouchies until I had her flexed).
Sure do wish that we could ride with them!
:winkgrin::D:D:D