Yesterday's hunt-UPDATE added pics!

The last time I completed a hunt was 11/11, then we had shotgun season, bad weather, shotgun season again, more bad weather, etc. My hubby and I provided the Stirrup Cup for the Joint Meet the weekend before Christmas, but as I rode Buddy down the road to the first draw he was very “off.” He finally stopped, whinnied at the other horses disappearing over the hill, and on his own, turned around and walked back to the trailers. The next day I found his right front hoof very hot, so I suspected an abscess. It never blew, so maybe it was reabsorbed? He was off for about 10 days after that.

He seemed fine this past Thursday, so we went down to hunt on Sunday. It was freakishly warm; it actually hit 70 degrees! Very strong winds from the SSE, so I knew scenting would be challenging. Buddy was so happy to be back out in the field, and actually threw a bit of a temper tantrum when the whips cantered away. The footing was very deep and slippery in spots; the trails through the woods were sloppy and over their fetlocks. Buddy trotted and cantered along just fine, and it was interesting to see how he adjusted his stride according to the ground conditions. The original all wheel drive!

We were cantering through the woods on a narrow trail, and I saw the horses ahead of me jumping a log. Right about the time I thought I should pull Buddy up, he “told” me he was going to jump it. Now, folks, I have never had a jumping lesson in my life, and the most I’ve ever done is trot over a baby crossrail. Once. I would say this log was about 2’ tall. So within 3 strides I tried to remember all of George Morris’s commentary in PH; all the things I’ve ever read about jumping; all the photographs I’ve studied about proper position, etc.

I had my whip in one hand, and the reins in the other. I just thought “keep your core stable and follow Buddy’s core” and went into a 2 point. I waited until his shoulders lifted up into my seat then stayed with him until his shoulders landed. I kept thinking “Don’t slam down on his back!!!” and waited until I felt his hind quarters land, and his hind feet strike off into a canter. Then I sat down and took a breath at that point! HA!

Not quite sure what my hands did, but I know going over the log I had slack in my reins. I didn’t hit him in the mouth on the landing, but I also didn’t grab mane or put my hands against his neck. I think I just had my hand in front of his withers? I dunno - it happened so fast but I sure had fun!

The hounds tried really hard to find a good line; we had several short bursts but nothing long and sustained. The country was very rough in spots; the trails were overgrown and I got a nice cut on my face from a rosebush. Our one whip was walking past a tree, saw a branch sticking out but was busy watching the hounds. She caught her knee on the branch, and later had to get 10 stitches at the ER room. She was more upset about destroying her good breeches!

We were out for about 2 hours; did a lot of trotting and cantering to keep up with the hounds; ended up the hunt with a great gallop across a huge hay field. I didn’t drop my whip; I stayed on Buddy; he was sound; the weather was warm and windy and didn’t rain; I jumped a 2’ log (woo-hoo!); and came back to the clubhouse with mud all over my boots; blood running down my face; and a huge smile that still hasn’t gone away yet!

I love foxhunting. Even if you don’t have a view, or have any long, fast runs, it’s still so much fun for me. My skills as a rider have improved, and I love being able to share this with my Solid Gold Buddy!

http://djome.zenfolio.com/p797567420/?photo=h29E7C4DD#587805815

Wow! What a terrific re-telling of a great day. And a big pat on the back for successfully jumping your first jump! Kudos!! :D:D:D:D

We’re also into the freakishly warm days, too. Ground is horrid – very wet and sloppy and very slippery. I’m hoping the sun helps dry out things in time for Wednesday’s meet. An injured thumb and a sense of self-preservation kept me home yesterday, but my dear foxhunting buddy (who rides with two other hunts) wrote me about her day:

slidey slidey slidey…was the word of the day…only about 10 of us showed up…I took the hilltoppers…I was going at a trot …like yesterday…this very nice man on a BIG draft…was with me…older man…could not hold his horse…he galloped past me at one point and down he went…I had a radio and radioed for a truck to come get him,not hurt,just banged up a little,that big horse’s hind end just went right out from under him…probably staying home was a good idea,Lymrick slid around …but stayed up right…now trying to unmud and get some tea…

What a wonderful retelling! Sounds like an amazing day. :smiley:

Good for you! It sounds like you have a wonderful partner and that you are really doing right for each other. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Good for you Barbara, thanks for the great report

We had a great hunt on Saturday. My hunt report is here with GPS track and photos:

http://www.pbase.com/lesliegra/hunting080105

Fortunately it wasn’t quite as warm Saturday as Sunday. The coyote ran right between First flight and the Junior flight. It was great that the kids got to view the coyote. One of our young entries was right on his tail. He crossed the highway and we called it a day but it was a fabulous run and a great view. I had my young horse (coming 6) and he was foot perfect.

Sunday I took my own beagle pack (four couple) out at 11AM from horseback with another whip on horseback and a wheel whip (our master in a Kawasaki mule). It was too warm and breezy and very very blank. We had a nice tour and enjoyed the weather and at least the hounds got some excersize. I’m quite entertained at how well my three year old has adjusted to hounds jumping up on her from all sides. She’ll be great in the foxhunting field once she gets old enough.

Then I took advantage of the warm weather to put a nice trace clip on one of my hunters. The other I had clipped earlier in the season.

Then at 3PM I went out and whipped for Three Creek Bassets. It was very warm and there were deer on the move everywhere. We didn’t find any rabbits but neither did the hounds riot on deer so it was a good day. There was one new puppy in the pack that was just trying to figure out what was going on. She was pretty cute. It’s fun to watch the way the Bassets work in contrast to my beagles.

[QUOTE=Rt66Kix;2918956]
I stayed on Buddy; he was sound; the weather was warm and windy and didn’t rain; I jumped a 2’ log (woo-hoo!); and came back to the clubhouse with mud all over my boots; blood running down my face; and a huge smile that still hasn’t gone away yet![/QUOTE]

she has downed the kool-aid, folks :D:D:D

Love the account of your day. Thanks so much for sharing!

[QUOTE=Rt66Kix;2918956]
I love foxhunting. Even if you don’t have a view, or have any long, fast runs, it’s still so much fun for me. My skills as a rider have improved, and I love being able to share this with my Solid Gold Buddy![/QUOTE]

Amen girlie. I’ve done more “just do it” riding w/ my little mare since going out roading hounds last August up to this point in the formal season then in ALL the previous two years of owning her.

Wow!!!

Thanks for sharing the details of your day - and I too think you have imbibed the official Kool-Aid and have now been assimilated.

You know the saying - “women never look so well as when the come in wet and dirty from foxhunting.”

You must have looked wonderful!

Yay!

wooooo hooooo! You’ll be havin’ some fun now!!! Yay for you!

Nice telling! And we all can remember our first hunting jump. Our first coop or first jump on a certain horse. I recall that “high” vividly like it was yesterday! You couldn’t have wiped that smile off my face.

Huntin

Its good to see you out there and having fun - I know you had a lot of years on the sidelines waiting to get it all together so you could do that !

Thanx for sharing.

J.

Great photos and a recount of the day. Enjoyed it all.

That cut is gross!

That’s awesome! I want to hunt so badly, it looks so fun!

Just wanted to add that I loved the photos. The knee looked pretty gross, though!

You look very happy!

So how many were in the field? It did not look like there were a lot of people there.

Thanks for the report and photos, makes me wish we had fox hunting in this area. :slight_smile:

rt 66… NOW YOU KNOW WHY

what is the old saying
“all the thrill of a calvary charge and only half the casualties.”

Wow for you! Great slice on your cheek, sorry about your friend’s knee. It looks cold (to me, from So. Fla.) Wish I was there! Wah, wah, wah … someday I’ll move to where it’s less than a 3 hour drive to hunt.

RT66, thanks for the pics! It looks like one of the staff horses is wearing hoof boots (Old macs? or are those just bell boots all around?). If so, it’s OK to use hoof boots for otherwise barefoot horses while hunting? Inquiring minds need to know. :slight_smile:

Nice pics, especially the one of the boo boo! Ouch! :eek::eek: Really good summary of your hunt—glad you enjoyed yourself–I enjoyed it, too! :smiley: