Yesterday we had a very small first field, but were having a great day - a cold, clear day, good footing, some snow on the ground (high desert in CA), lots of fast runs. Unfortunately the master’s horse pulled up lame about an hour in and he had to head back to the trailers. The rest of the field decided to drop back to 2nd, but the MFH (who was hunting the hounds) asked me if I’d like to ride with the huntsman, who was serving as a whip that day. Um, YES!!
WOW. It was like first field on steroids. I didn’t know my horse could gallop that fast. And turn that fast. And then turn again and then gallop again. and then hard stop. and then gallop. And I was right behind the huntsman when we came out of the brush onto at least a 6-7’ drop. by FAR the biggest drop I’ve EVER gone down, and probably at least a few feet higher than I’d have ever considered doing in a saner moment. His horse dropped right down and my horse didn’t even hesitate and followed. I didn’t even have time to process the “holy sh!t” of it all before we were down and galloping away! Afer we were done I couldn’t stop grinning, thanking the Master and huntsman.
It was incredible. I want to start training as a whip this coming summer, and this was just a small teaser taste of it.
I’m quite sore today however! :lol: My suberb mare though walked out completely sound this morning and we had a nice long stretchy walk hack. She is simply amazing. 
