Sunday 29th October 2012-  Quite a Parade! Quite a Weekend!

Well what a morning! As we drove in our costumes to the Hillsborough Country Club for our Sunday meet, I was reminded of Noel Coward’s song "Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun" but no sun today just a storm barreling in that broadcasters described as "disastrous and historic" So maybe Noel Coward was really addressing fox hunters.

I thought with such a terrific showing at the Essex joint- meet the previous day (17 Amwell members went out) and with the storm approaching we would have a very small field. But when I arrived at 7.30am, the few spots of rain had cleared up, while still somewhat gloomy the sight of 27 riders wearing an array of amazing costumes was enough to warm ones heart and lift the spirits.  As people adjusted their horses, their hats, their make-up and in some cases their antennae, the storm was put aside. 

We crossed the road to Mr. and Mrs. McGarren’s Farm, and gathered while Robin Hood (Master Stephen) welcomed the field, explained we had 14 1/2 couple of hounds and the field would be led by a Stink Bug (Master Joanne).  So after thanking Mr. and Mrs. McGarren (Headless Horseman) for being our hosts, we took off, clowns frills flapping in the breeze, (Samantha and Mr Nibbs both in colorful attire) a man hound (Charlie) Indiana Jones (Ralph), a horseradish (Lauren), Austin Powers, (Richard, surely you were kidding when you said they were clothes from the back of your closet?) and a fox in evening attire with hound, (MP and her horse Jack) whipped by.

Normally as we progress towards the air park we meet the odd deer hunter and as I said to the Elf and Santa’s deer behind me (Brooke and her horse) I was dying to see their faces at the parade.  None were spotted, and with the wind gradually picking up, I saw one fox, but the scent must have been terrible as 2 hounds took off in the opposite direction, I’m sure all other self-respecting foxes had gone to ground to beat the storm. 

Now here’s where yours truly messed up, Declan my old campaigner a little excited by my fox head gear earlier in the day, decided that he was having none of all the excitement and wanted to lead the field!  (Silly boy I tried to explain it was a Stink Bugs turn!) So when Master Joanne decided to turn left on a trail to follow our huntsman-Steve F, I was in the way.  So we went straight on and then spent a bit of time dashing this way and that trying to catch up.  I thought my dear husband was going to shoot me with a sucky end arrow. 

When we found the hounds at the edge of the pond, I think the dash resulted in our Sugar Daddy (Roy) having lost a few dollars from his jacket, our jesters looked bemused (Lori and Sue) and the dazzling diamond display on Sue’s mare had started to run, our red matching matadors, had lost sleeve embellishments (Lynnette and Brian), one renaissance lady looked even more deathly pale (Maria) 2 scarecrows were slightly coming apart at the seams (Donna and Ruth), Tonto and Roy Rodgers somewhat flushed (Steve P and Katy who said her butt hurt riding on a rough blanket).  A bright yellow chicken had almost blinded herself on her own feathers (Wendy H) our fearless Stinkbug leader had lost headgear,  Linda’s coconut shells from her Hawaiian costume had clanked together beating time to her horses canter and were in jeopardy of cracking, our Viking however, still looked splendid (Christine) but pirates had the look of a rough night on the town (Jacqui and Kat) and despite Thing 1,2 and 3 still looking fresh (pony clubbers and they are young!) and Jeanne who cut a fine figure in her military attire, it was time to turn for home.
All I can say is not a good idea to ride in a full fox costume, it’s amazingly hot and sitting on a tail is quite uncomfortable- no comments please!

After almost 3 hours, the wind had picked up considerably, and the sky started to look ominously dark, it was with relief to return where we had the pleasure of a party hosted by Nadia and Shelly who had helped to further decorate the barn and provided a fabulous spread, before everyone dashed home to prepare for Hurricane Sandy.

They say that we will all remember Hurricane Sandy, and will never see a storm like it again in our life time, which I hope we won’t, but I will always remember our Halloween Hunt as being part of quite a momentous weekend.

Foxy Lady

Sue Dehaven looking splendid and the efforts of getting up at 4am!!!


Ps If I have missed you out I am so sorry, and if I described your outfit incorrectly again sorry but you looked great!

Sat 13th and Sunday 14th October 2012

A Round About day on Saturday and a Fantastic Sunday!

It is odd but after all of the years hunting in the US on a Sunday, I thought hunting on a Saturday, (which we did because of the Hunter Pace) would feel odd.  Strangely enough it felt like the old days in England where most of the hunts meet on a Saturday.  The day was the coldest of the season to date, and with this in mind the meet was pushed back to 9am.  It really was chilly and when I went to feed the horses the thermometer registered 26 degrees, a couple of hours later we still had to scrape the frost off the truck before we left.  Arriving at Big Sky I was pleased to see so many people were able to come out, 27 in the field plus Masters Joanne, Brendan and Stephen, and our whips. 

I am always impressed at the lengths people seem to go to and the hurdles they overcome to go hunting, Lisa T brought a guest and stated she was at work having just finished a nightshift as a nurse, 90 mins before arriving in Amwell, and she lives in Langhorn PA.  Roy who failed to check the tape, started to get his young horse Mattie ready for the off, but Mattie had other ideas.  Roy put him on a loungeline but that didn’t help, as he led Roy a merry dance around his farm.  I would have caught the rat and given in, but Roy realized he now had more time than first anticipated, chased him some more until Mattie turned himself in.  Needless to say he was perfect in the field!

So where is this leading up to… well despite our keen 20 ½ couple of hounds the day was rather a roundabout sort of one, we went one way round a cornfield, then back on ourselves, went the other way and lapped the place again. (x6).  It was one of those days where the riders enjoyed the brilliant blue and cloudless sky and the warmth of the sun as it came out, but overall the scenting was poor.  Our pack did manage to put up four foxes, which allowed us to lap some corn a few more times, and then double back on ourselves again!  Steve F seemed to be practicing for the National Horn Blowing Contest (this Monday in Harrisberg) as he tooted a great deal, but after nearly three hours we called it a day. We very much enjoyed a delightful breakfast hosted by Ron and Rita.  The carrot and ginger soup was to die for and Jacqui Richie's apple cake rates as one of my all time favorites. 

Sunday AVH Huner Pace

After two successful Hunter Paces earlier this year, Steve F thought it would be a good idea to consider a new venue, and Master Stephen discussed the idea with the Amwell Valley Trail Association of running our last event of the year from their venue. As Steve F would be grooming the trails they would gain, and we would gain as it would offer our customers access to trails we don’t normally hunt on. 

The plan seemed to work and Steve F and Trish Buckwalter (AVTA President) worked together and laid out a fantastic ten mile course, which seemed to offer everyone some of the best of the valley, oak and beech woods, long gallops up hills, a few coups to pop, the odd stream to cross, a view of the golf course and winery, in fact a bit of everything. 

While AVH has put on many Hunter Paces, Brian knows there is no room for complacency and in his usual efficient manner and with the help of Steve P, they organized another winner, because at 10.30am when Charlie and I arrived  we found the parking area almost full, and Master Brendan directing trailers to any spot he could find.

The tent crew arrived early (Steve F, Ralph, Brian and Master Stephen) Lynette and Joanne P warmly greeted each of the 117 riders at the sign in desk, and Bruce and Laurie installed at the starting point set the teams off. At the first road crossing Donna and Maria were relieved by Katy and Michael by the haunted house, it made weird sounds all day long-no kidding!.  Riders were greeted warmly by Barbara and Brian at the half way point (Dan I missed you!) and by Cheryl and Christine, who when we arrived to cross the Wertsville Rd on the way home, marched out fearlessly in front of a van to get them to stop so we might cross!  Way to go girl! Roy and Richard were at the finish line. 

Lisa and Steve F set the time- and Sue D did her magic with a computer to work out the scores. Kris wrapped the day up by serving refreshments and the odd glass of champagne (that girl has style!).  What a great way to celebrate an outstanding Hunter Pace-every rider returned safe and sound and seemed very happy, the trails were groomed and well marked, the footing great and thankfully the weather perfect!