We’re going to go
Unless the weather looks like crap, we are going. I’ve got stalls reserved for the two paint horses and a hotel reserved for us. Should be fun, I’m looking forward to it.
Oh, any one have the USGS National Geographic topo software for Kansas? If I track with my GPS, I have the garmin topo software but the USGS is better.
If anyone gets to go to CV, you have to post a report! Awesome country!! Unfortunately, due to moving our entire ranch, I didn’t get out after opening this year. My poor guy is so unfit now, I wouldn’t dare hunt him. Oh, well… lots of time to get fit for next season.
As Mack Braly put it before I ever hunted with CV, tighten your chin strap and hang on for the ride! Boy, was he right!
brokenarrowdj
No Reports 
I’ve seen very few reports on the Western Challenge. Nothing on the website.
Anyway, I’m headed for Coal Valley tomorrow with another of our Bridlespur members.
I will publish my usual report and photos.
Can’t wait, I think it will be great fun.
Anyone else going to Coal Valley?
Well, I couldn’t go to any meets this year so I have nothing to report! I did hear tell that the beagles and harriers had a good day, even though they were robbed at one point of their hunted quarry by a golden eagle!
PS- PW if you aren’t aware of Friday night party details, PM me, I was emailed that info- as I recall it’s 7-9 pm.
Bev,
Yeah, I managed to track down Wes’ email and got the info. I plan to arrive around 5 so I’m there in plenty of time. I had Russ post the info on the Western Challenge site.
Russ is desparately looking for hunt reports so if anyone has any, you can just email them to him.
Yes, I too would like to hear some reports !? Didn’t anyone have any fun ?
Had a quick call from our local Pony Club DC, who’s a member of CV. She had just got back from McCune and had had a great day out. Looking forward to PW’s report.
The Winner is…Coal Valley!!!
Coal Valley Won!
It was a great hunt. What a fabulous group of people and fabulous country.
Sad news, Wes Sandness MFH and Huntsman went into the hospital on Friday. The torch was passed the the young Kennel person Rachel. A lovely, sweet, young lady.
She handled the hounds well and professionally.
And won! It was announced by Susan (one of the judges) while Wes listened on the phone, his son holding up his cell phone.
I will start working on my full report right away.
Report is done
My report is up for Coal Valley on the Western Challenge Website.
I’m going to work on photos now.
Posted on my Pbase site now also. Will be posting photos there later.
WOW - Great report. I felt like I was galloping along over Coal Valley turf!! Our weather has been so aweful this winter and my unfit horse would probably have dropped over after the first hour! We always have a ball at Coal Valley. On another note…what’s going on with Wes?? No e-mails from the hunt folks???
I didn’t get a lot of details on Wes. Apparently he went into the hospital Friday morning. His sons said he would be fine. It must have been serious enough to put him in the hospital but it was obvious he wasn’t on his death bed. His wife and sons all hunted with us Saturday.
Thanks so much PW - Wes gave us a couple of scares last year and we almost lost him in the fall. He’s a GREAT guy - too bad he didn’t get to do the Challenge, but it looks like he’s taught Rachel well!!! I bet the B & N was ROCKIN’ this weekend!!!
Wow, I didn’t know he had been that sick in the past.
I’ve posted my photos now.
http://www.pbase.com/lesliegra/hunting090411
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for Wes.
More photos from Coal Valley
Here are photos from Trevor Robinson a Car Follower at Coal Valley. He had a very nice Nikon D3. You can see me and my friend Lei in a few of them.
http://www.robinsonactionphotography.com/gallery/7897055_y3NaP#512357004_prHRS
Even more photos
These are from Ray Orth. He rides with a digital SLR in one hand. Quite an amazing feat. His horse is a saint.
In one of Trevor’s earlier photos you can see Ray jumping a coop with the camera in one hand.
http://www.robinsonactionphotography.com/gallery/7897055_y3NaP#512736674_jdbG8
I have that same digital SLR and can’t imagine doing that. I heard he buys it with an extended warranty so if he drops it he can get it repaired.
Anyway looking at the photos made me tired. Now I know why it seemed like we were running all day. We WERE running all day.
http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/ThumbPage.aspx?e=2714487&g=0F3H001816
Beautiful country and lots of fun!
