Jennifer…while I HAVE read that before, WHY…W H Y ???
did you send me to read ANYTHING today that has the words “Death Wall” in re: foxhunting???
Cripes…I may yet go let the air out of her tires so she can’t leave today…
The first time I hunted was alot of fun!..However, at the end of the hunt, I was told I was screaming the entire time…funny, I don’t remember that!
The field master decided it was screams of glee because I returned, joined the hunt, and earned colors!
[QUOTE=Daatje;5330083]
Ah-ha! I thought it sounded awfully familiar! I was there. 
Daatje and I have hunted with the Wentworth for 3 seasons now. I’m pretty sure I rode in 2nd field that day.
Glad to hear you had such a wonderful time and are thinking of joining!
Will you be coming to the Ball in February? It’s a lovely, lovely time. I didn’t attend my first season and really wish I had! :D[/QUOTE]
Yep, it was that really, really windy day. Although, oddly, I didn’t notice the wind at all while we were riding. Once we were off I couldn’t believe how strong it was and had wondered if it had conveniently died down for the duration of the hunt. I think I was just having so much fun that it absolutely did not register.
I doubt that I’m invited to the ball. I am not a member of the hunt, just paid a cap fee that day as a guest. I would love to join, but I don’t have a trailer and would have to rely on gettings rides all the time and that might just be too frustrating.
As SLW said, after my first (on so far, only) hunt, my face hurt from grinning so much. I went out with Hunter’s Rest leading the third field for Old Dominion, on an absolutely perfect day!
Even though I was sure that I would be terrified, at least some of the time, or at least frightened, I was not. Mostly because HR took such good care of the third field, but also because I discovered that when you’re hunting, you’re not worrying, you’re not really even thinking, it’s completely existential…you’re just there, in the moment, following your field leader and enjoying yourself more than you thought possible.
Now I’m sure that things will be much more scary when I finally get to take my little red pony out…
If you’re warm enough in your clothes while tacking up, take two layers off and you will be perfect hunting. My sponsor taught me this and it has worked very well on the coldest days.
Make sure you have one of those ear polar fleece earners that fit under the helmet. Black color would be best.
[QUOTE=SmartAlex;5330013]
When you got stuck in the mud puddle I almost peed my pants. :lol:
Thanks for the morning chuckle.[/QUOTE]
You should have been there in person! 
Apparently my plight was quite humorous to my companions as well!
It was one of those days when you just say, “I give up” and roll with whatever else happens. I mean, once you’ve made a couple of HUGE errors in judgement AND fallen off twice, AND gotten yourself covered in mud, you pretty much have no dignity left anyway, so why bother?
Well, she’s ‘away’ on en route to Jennifer’s. Now I’ll sit and pace and stress until she’s OFF that horse and safe and grinning and sore. ITS GONNA BE A LONG DAY FOR MOM TOMORROW! Have fun my daughter…and my friend…and be safe.
[QUOTE=cranky;5330539]
Yep, it was that really, really windy day. Although, oddly, I didn’t notice the wind at all while we were riding. Once we were off I couldn’t believe how strong it was and had wondered if it had conveniently died down for the duration of the hunt. I think I was just having so much fun that it absolutely did not register.
I doubt that I’m invited to the ball. I am not a member of the hunt, just paid a cap fee that day as a guest. I would love to join, but I don’t have a trailer and would have to rely on gettings rides all the time and that might just be too frustrating.[/QUOTE]
Ah, I see. Well, I do hope you join us again for a hunt or two in 2011! Garrison House is lovely, Prodigue Farm is one of my all time favorites, as is Yorkfield Farm… I do have a 2 horse trailer and only one horse, keep me in mind if you’re looking for a ride on occasion. www.daatje2011.webs.com
Sarah
Show up earlier than you think you will need to; something always comes up before you cast off.
I agree with this one too! Especially since I’ve ridden a lot of hirelings, there will always be a piece a tack that has disappeared or something forgotten etc.
And I’m not much of a breakfast person, BUT I now EAT BREAKFAST before hunting…and NOT drinking a lot of coffee, tea or water before hand. 
Arabz,
Please tell us the rest of the tale. Did Darling Daughter return? Are you going to start hunting in retaliation?
Loved Jennifer’s blog!
It took me a while to learn that even people/horses who have hunted for years are not necessarily safe.
As others have said, give yourself lots of time and watch & listen. Hopefully an established member will take you under their wing and expain things/answer questions when appropriate.
