At 5am it was decidedly chilly outside in fact I would say cold.  As I trudged up our hill to find a black horse in the dark, I had the smug satisfaction that as its now “cold” I will just have to keep the horses in next Saturday and stop this shenanigans and escort the girl out of her stall, all clean and shiny.  I will have no wet feet, no head torch, no calling in a hushed tone (or yelling!)  and waking the neighbors, whom I am sure on occasion lay in bed muttering under their breath, “for God Sake Goody go to her!”.

Anyway, dressed in Rat Catchers (which I love, all those stock ties to choose from -it’s the equivalent of shoes to me- and ladies one can never have enough of those, as we all know).  We met at Garratt’s pipeline and after Master Joanne welcomed everyone, Mr. Farrin riding Master Joanne’s wonderful horse Percy, and 16 1/2 couple of hounds, were off.  This was very different from the last few weeks, as the rain from the previous day combined with the very heavy dew certainly helped our hounds pick up scent.  They shot off, lapped the corn at John Visceglia’s then onto Greg Manners where we drew the terraces and found four fox’s!

We hunted yet another fox from Lindberg Road back to Greg’s pond and he smartly made a tight right hand turn, headed up a deep ditch into one of the terraces and back out towards Lindberg Road, where he was put to ground. Nimble, a young female puppy seemed to make a very high pitched excited yap when she got onto a scent, and having worked the corn made another high pitch yap when she got onto another line-clearly a hound to watch for the future.

After a little while hunting the other terraces, which are in fact quite hard to see unless you are above them, we went down to the Christmas tree area and then over to Bryce Junior’s and Oda Denton’s land.  Our hounds once again were on the scent of another fox in the corn.   By this time the sun had crept up in the almost cloudless blue sky, the scent was rising, and it was time to head in. 

When we checked, I noted that Mother Nature seemed to have pressed the switch to Autumn, still a wonder to me from the UK where Autumn is just an extension of a wet summer. But here, to see steam rising off our horses, the corn almost ready for harvest, one or two of the early shedding trees, such as the black walnut starting to change color, it was heavenly.

While still a little chilly, the sun shone down as we enjoyed an excellent home cooked breakfast hosted by Carol-Anne and Bob.  It was great to see Wendy Hopper, who looked as elegant and up beat as ever, despite going through her grueling treatment.  It was also good to see Paul Valle, throw himself into this hunting thing by becoming a road whip- awesome.

While today I was glad of a warm jacket, although did have wet legs from brushing alongside the corn, I started to have that sinking feeling that it’s time to get as much hunting in as possible, because Winter’s just around the corner- No don’t throw things at me!  Ok let’s stick to Autumn has just arrived!

 Cheryl B.

Ps:  So sorry to the entire field for Goody’s lack of brakes- embarrassing- trying gag next (for her not me!)

It seems so many years ago, but my second hunt out with Amwell on my dear old horse Sir Bentley was at Robert and Lisa Branders farm, and I remembered after we parked the trailer that I gasped at the stunning view across the valley.

It was wonderful to be invited back to use the Brander farm and surrounding area as one of our meets, and made possible after quite a bit of effort, including the Trail Clearing Crew, Master’s Stephen and Brendan, Lauren, Steve P, Richard and Ed and of course Mr. Farrin who worked for several days to redefined the well overgrown trails outside the Brander property.   Due to their hard work we returned to hunt another very large section of land in our Valley.

The day was particularly hot and humid and the ground as dry as a bone, having had no rain for the past 3 weeks, great for haymaking, bad for scent!  The hounds all 16 couple, tried their best but despite several foxes being spotted by our whips, Lauren, Ralph, and Richard and our wonderful Road Crossing Team, Bruce and Laurie, and Paul, hounds had little to pick up. 

It was also good to see several of our new members out, Samantha, Sally, Alex and Michael, and it made me realize just how much AVH has changed over the last 12 years since we left from the Branders Farm.  Of our current members only Ralph, Roy, Brian and Lynette and Masters Joanne and Stephen, if I recall, were hunting at that time, and a good field was 4 who would jump and 10 who didn’t.  We didn’t have “flights” then, let alone three, which we have today.   While today’s field was modest with 22 riders, compared to our usual 30 plus, everyone seemed hot and sticky but pleased with the ride and certainly delighting in the venue.

The breakfast was spectacular, courtesy of the team effort by Cheryl G, Chrissie, Frank and Maria. In fact people seemed to be sitting around in a very relaxed manner at least an hour or so after hounds had been packed up and horses loaded.

So its’ great to have another fixture, and an old one for some of us, a new one for most!

Cheryl B

CORRECTION RETRACTION - the Editor (me) wishes to apologies to Dan for the incorrect statement that he landed in a ditch last week.  This was in fact incorrect and his horse, with Dan, landed in a ditch together.  Dan did not, to the best of our knowledge fall from his horse, nor has to pay Master Stephen $25.00.  The Editor (me) would like to sincerely apologize for errant reporting and any harm it this may have caused.  No sums have been received or paid out in respect of the erroneous comment.  But Dan I am watching you very carefully from now on, LOL!

It always seems to me to be somewhat traditional to be out hunting in the morning mist with hounds chasing ahead and the field in order of seniority (more or less) following the Field Master.  Today was one of those mornings when 15 1/2 couple of hounds, including “Gadget Baby” a hound we helped to raise a few years ago met at our farm.  It used to be a tradition that hunt members would take young hounds and socialize them before they returned to the pack.  We loved having Gadget but knew it was getting tough when three mornings in a row she took off with our three terriers in hot pursuit after a fox.  I could scream at my three to come back- but well not Gadget, she was doing what she had been bred for.
 
Anyway, the meet was at our Riding Mill Farm, which used to be owned by The Weedons and was called Meadowberry, due to the wild strawberries that come up each year in the field we met in.  Our farm has been on the fixture card since Amwell was formed 52 years ago and we renamed it after our first home in England which was The Mill House in the tiny village of Riding Mill, Northumberland. 
 
This farm used to host New Jersey’s only one star event, and was the main fund raiser for Amwell Valley Hounds Pony Club.  When we moved here nearly all the jumps had disintegrated, but we have eventually got around to replacing most of them.  Master Joanne did a sterling job today steering the first flight over a great many of them.  Judging by some of the grins I saw when I caught up with everyone it was a blast!
 
Now speaking of Pony Club it was great to see so many juniors.  August (Gus) Torselleri and three of his delightful sisters, Geneva, Piper and Holly seemed to have had a great time out, as did our youngest and newest member Alex Valle.  Until we reached a road and there was a clanging sound and his horse was about to loose a shoe and so he had to walk back.  The Torselleri family are following a tradition of hunting in the Valley as Gus’s late uncle, Marc, a very special person, rode with me for my first year out with Amwell in Second flight. Marc made me feel so welcome and we would often be found at the end of the line giggling at something or other. 
 
Talking of end of the line, it looked quite a long line today when I started in Third Flight in fact I was 29th!   Trying to accompany Master Stephen, who is still recovering from a back injury, I realized just how hard it is to ride in the third flight, my horse normally very well behaved acted like a real cow.  She was having none of it.  Cindy Nance how do you do it? you are a Goddess!   So, we gradually moved up to Second Flight- a tradition that this flight goes just as fast but elects not to jump.  The Second Flight Master, Brian in our case, has to know the countryside well enough to be able to take alternative routes quickly and help settle new folks in, who often chose to start here.  Yeah for Brian!
 
After I excused myself from the field for a bit, I returned and moved my way up to first flight where the tradition in Amwell is to pay a donation to the hounds if you have a unintended dismount-There was a “Dan in the Ditch” moment!  You owe Master Stephen $25 but glad you are fine! 
 
So with a pretty poor scenting day, but yet still managing to put two fox’s to ground and after the trip around our farm we crossed to the Wielenta’s fields, skirted around Unionville Winery and went along Linvale Rd. On our return trip we went along Rocktown Road passing Clearview Farm and then rode a fast circuit back to Wertsville Road.  After a couple of hours out it was very pleasant to enjoy another tradition of Amwell – the Hunt breakfast hosted by Ruth and Sue D.
 
Cheryl B
 

It was said that this was one of the coolest weeks that we have had in August for many years and at the dreaded 4.30am start; it did seem a little chilly.  But, as we gathered at Garrett’s pipeline, which is next to Ben and Gail Cahill’s home, the sunrise was magnificent. 

We had a great turnout of 23 riders in the field and with Masters Joanne and Brendan, our Huntsman Steve, and Whips, Lauren, Ralph, Lisa and Richard that made a whopping 30 of us. We set off and Steve cast the mixed 15 ½ couple of hounds, which included three puppies, Sportsman, Spanner and Speaker into the corn of Mr. Visceglias’ land (formally known as Greeks). They quickly picked up a scent and chased a fox into Mr. and Mrs. Holcombe’s ditch. 

The field seemed to enjoy a handy cater this way and that, and yes this way and that, and did I say this way and that?  But we found Steve and the hounds and looped around again, and again and again! 

Then we moved off across to the edge of Greg Manners Terracelands Farm.  This farm has been in Greg’s family for generations. I have a map of the Valley dated 1857 and the Manners family were certainly farming then.  The farm is called Terracelands because the land was originally laid out into terraces for irrigation purposes and is unique in the area.   Anyway…our hounds picked up another fox and chased it all the way to the edge of the former Peacocks’ store, where our Huntsman viewed Charlie Fox and hounds chased it all the way back to Terracelands!

In the meantime the sky had turned grey and started to spit with rain, and we ran up and down and round and round Greg’s corn fields!   Footing was made much easier by the precision mowing courtesy of our Huntsman.   Then the rain came and we lost the second flight, who apparently were smart enough (well done Brian) to calmly walk up to the highest point so they could observe fox, then hounds, then field dashing around in the corn field below them!

The rain came down- we all got wet, and like a dork I had leather reins that slipped like satin through my hands!  After one more dash, Charlie Fox was spotted by Ralph crossing Wertsville Rd, no doubt sniggering.  We headed for home.  This nicely coincided with the sun making an appearance, ready to warm us up as we feasted on breakfast prepared by Barbara and Dan.  The chocolate torte was to die for.

So two hours out and I’m pleased to say Rain didn’t stop play!

Cheryl B

It seems to me that Cubing is laced with an air of unpredictability.   Some of us try out new hunt horses, many of us remind our older hunt horses what they’re meant to do, and it’s that time of year when young hounds are tried and tested.  Three puppies at the start of the meet ran joyfully in the opposite direction, a bit confused before being rounded up.  It’s also a time when fields which had corn last year now have beans on them, when jumps seem to have disappeared in a jungle of brambles, and well… we haven’t quite got into the rhythm that hunting mid-season seems to take on.  

Talking of rhythm, getting up at 4.30am to get horses ready didn’t seem all too routine this morning either, but what a treat, a summer full moon.  Tonight, we will have what’s known as a Super Moon, when the moon looks its brightest as its closest to Earth than any other time of the year. Also, look out for the asteroid show on the 12th and 13th, also said to be best of the year.  Whoa I digress….

So with the August vacations we were a bit short on Whips, and it was good to see Master Joanne and Brian S, stepped into the breach to help Lauren, who was riding a new mount.  Master Brendan and Wendy led the field, or should I say led around two fields?   As the sun rose over Big Sky Farm, my cursing about breaking my back putting cogs in two horses melted to “ ah isn’t it great to be out here?” and “wow look at that Sun rising through the mist.”   But I’m glad I put cogs in, it was a tad slippery.

Our hounds quickly picked up scent and over the next hour and a half managed to put three foxes to ground.  But of course when you are in the field, you can hear things but see next to nothing, and at one stage the hounds seemed to be in one corn field for an age…  Huntsman Steve went in on foot, then Brian went in on foot, followed by Lauren.  Now I really was confused! LOL.  Some of the new horses also got a bit confused as to what they had to do, and I’m pleased to report Nicole collected her horse from a local barn safe and well.  The barn owner was a bit confused.

As no one has volunteered to do the breakfast, a pot luck did the trick, but while creative, when you are phoning your husband to read out the email standing in the middle of Shop Rite and believe its based on letters, like last year, A-G bring appetizers etc., and he is asking me what color horse I’m taking, wow I was truly confused.  However, Kat’s instructions were clear and somewhat creative, Bays bring appetizers and Chestnuts bring savory things, but then I had to ask myself, which horse was I taking? 

Then to round out the day the great Mr. Nicolas, Master Stephens’s horse came off the trailer with a knee that had a lump on it which seemed to grow and grow and looked like a giant duck egg (they are big aren’t they?)   So when the very nice vet came out to examine him, and after much prodding and probing said, “hmmm it’s a bit confusing as to how he could have done this”  …I gave in!

Cheryl B

So for of all you reading this blog who didn’t hunt today, you missed the best day of hunting ever!   Don’t you hate that when you can’t make a meet and everyone tells you this?  No I’m kidding (read on).  My first meet of the Season started with trying to find a horse, anyone would do in the pitch black and rain at 4am.    Luckily Charlie’s young horse was curious enough and like a Venus fly trap I had him!

We arrived at Cindy and John Nance’s, to rain and gloom, but by the time Master Joanne address the field, our Huntsman, three whips, (Lisa, Richard and Ralph) and ten of us, the field; the rain had stopped and the first light of dawn shone across John’s bean fields.  Richard Pye known for hating the wet, insisted we were in a dry cell for the next few hours, and indeed we were.

It was a very calm and quiet day, and 18 ½ couple tried their best to pick up a scent in the corn and beans, however, the air seems heavy and humid and as they worked and we rode around we seemed to come across pockets of still and fragrant heavy air.  No wonder they struggled to get their noses on a decent scent.

We moved onto Mrs. Van Dorens land and Mr. Farrin dismounted and walked the hounds through one of their cow pastures, only to find the cows scattering the pack this way and that.  Luckily, Sportsman, Spanner, Sprocket and Spooner (male puppies) stayed close to Steve.

So while it wasn’t fast and furious, it was a good enough pace to get my horse back into Hunting mode and two hours of exercise.  As we walked back the only sound seemed to be a flock of starlings, and the call for hounds.  The sun still didn’t appear, but neither did the big bugs- yeah!

Jeanie Sharpe, who had risen at 2am to finish baking, provided us with a very nice breakfast.  The peach fruit cobbler was a big hit! 

Apparently the weather will be returning to seasonal norms this week and so no doubt next weeks hunting will be the “Best Ever” – drat I’m at a horse show!

Cheryl B

Every Fox Hunting Club I know feels its important to put on a Hunt Ball, for some it’s a celebration of their club, for others its an important means of fund raising, for some its a chance to don ones best clothes and have some fun.  The Amwell Hunt Ball seems to be a combination of all of these things, and my how it has changed over the years I’ve been attending.

My first Hunt Ball with Amwell was as a guest and landowner.  I wasn’t too keen on going along, but was persuaded.  I found everyone incredibly friendly and welcoming, but Master Stephen and I sat on a table of just three of us and the room seemed somewhat barren of attendees.  I can’t seem to remember a silent auction, and while I danced a bit, we felt a little overwhelmed by the lack of people to the size of the room. 

How different the AVH Ball is today, and as I arrived at the Fiddlers Elbow with our guests (all 22 of them!) I just had to smile when I looked at the room as it looked magnificent; I loved the hound names at the tables and was especially delighted to be sat on the table called Gadget.  Our guest were baffled until I explained that Gadget or known in the Buxton household as “Gadgey Baby” was a hound that we brought up, and loved to bits.  We knew it was time for her to go back to the kennels when she started to take off on our walks around the farm, hot on the scent of a fox, leading our three dogs behind her.  Not the best when one has to rush to work and rescue four dogs first, and we certainly couldn’t tell her off!

Anyway, the photo booth was ingenious, and huge thanks go to Kris Spillane and Nadia Rosen for donating it for the evening.  Now if you are one of those that made silly faces, or were caught adjusting bra straps, checking your teeth for lipstick or checking your pose when the camera flashed, you are caught- as the ladies informed me they have the master disc with all the photos on.  Lets hope they don’t decide to release the top candid shots of the evening! 

After the welcome by our three Masters and a thank you for all the hard work for the evening, Master Joanne announced the Marc Torselleri Award.  I had forgotten to warn Gus Torselleri whose Uncle it is named after, and he was incredibly moved by the gesture that his favorite Uncle would be remembered in this way.  But with the sentiments of the award made to someone who has gained their “Colors” at least ten years ago, demonstrated leadership, commitment above and beyond, shared the values that Marc represented, it was wonderful to learn that Brian was the recipient this year.  I can think of no one who deserved it more. 

I know Wendy Furlong had suffered much angst about the Silent Auction but the display (thank you Katy and MP) looked fabulous and Wendy’s cajoling certainly worked, along with a very nice raffle prize which one one of our guests won.

I loved the shortened format of the Whip Cracking contest, and in the “crack off” young Joe Possum out classed the field of adults to a resounding victory.

The food was excellent, the band played on and by the time the evening ended I am sure many had sore feet as well as a few tired and aching legs from all the dancing.  Several people told me on the way out just how the evening had flown by. 

All I can say is it was a grand evening that certainly ranks in my opinion as our best Hunt Ball ever!  Well done Wendy and Wendy.  Goodness knows how you will surpass that next year!

Cheryl B

February 24th 2013.   What do you expect its February?     I recall writing a blog in September and moaning about the heat and the bombers of late summer, and now how I wish I could zip back in time, or even fast forward!   It seems hunting in the NE after the New Year is about as predictable as winning the lottery.  This year I looked up the Farmers Almanac and read with some relief the prediction of one snowfall before Christmas (true) and one in Feb (true) however, there wasn’t much news about the wet wet wet and ice and wet!    With only a month or so of hunting to go before the season ends, I started to think about some of the best meets I’ve had with Amwell over the last year, some of our new members and the pleasure of seeing them enjoying themselves, the land owners picnic, the brilliant hunter trials, some spectacular breakfasts, the Hunt Ball, Hunter Paces etc.  We are a sociable crew aren’t we?   But now I am itching to get out.  Living with a farmer and one of the joint masters means that my moans as to why we can't go out, have been greeted with “you go and see if we can ride around the fields”.  So off I have gone with the dogs and then dejectedly splashed or of late sucked, my way around the trails.  The look on my return, and dare I say it “told you so” on his, meant no comments ensued.    So what is everyone doing?  Well our Huntsman is looking for a new horse, and busy in the kennels with hounds and puppies.  Masters Joanne is organizing the year-end party at the Hopewell Inn; Master Stephen is speaking to land owners and planning the agenda for next year.  Master Brendan is up to his eyes in the show world in Florida.  Our brilliant Hunt Treasurer Brian is checking funds, the new hunt roster is out curtsey of Jacquie and MP and a lot of activities behind the scenes that make our hunt so good.   So I hear summer plans are being started for the Hunter Paces, the Hunter Trials, conversations with landowners to try to open up new territory, jumps being built, Hound Show entries made, administration completed to the MFHA etc. etc.   So with hopes of at least being able to get out once or twice more, but the knowledge of good things to come in the summer I will stop moaning!   Cheryl B

Saturday 16th February 2013

Twenty-eight good and hearty souls drove 5 plus hours to Maryland, most of us leaving in bright sunshine on Friday.  Oh how deceiving that was.  Packing up the night before was like launching a military campaign.  Do I need my North Face jacket? - No we are going south. Do I need my thermal gloves? - Get real.  Do I need toe warmers? Buxton it will be 50 degrees.  And so it was on the Friday.

Arriving at Flat Iron Farm is by any standard a bit of an eye opener.  You are greeted by lamas and a pair of zebras, a building that resembles a candy store with different colored chimneys and roofing, and a stable block that is dying to be used for a film set, made of brick covered with thousands upon thousands of multi colored subway tiles.

Once horses were installed, instructions for night check and breakfasts, and our contact information given to Joanne who runs the stables with her partner and owner Bubby, we went to our respective hotels and freshened up for the evening.  A few of us stayed at Woodlawn B&B.  It was a bit of a drive out of town but had stunning views over the Potomac and I would thoroughly recommend for a romantic weekend away.

I don’t think many people slept too well on Friday night, even those that manage to visit Kathy’s “hostess with the mostest” room, due to butterflies for the following days hunt.  By 9.30am on Saturday the barn was in full operational mode, tack being brought in, horses being groomed and a general level of chaotic camaraderie seemed to ensue.  Most people met the kid goat, Daisy May, who seemed to be enjoying herself nosing around everyone’s tack, she delved into my bag and ran off with sunglasses- several people helped me get them back, the leather neck strap alas was eaten.  Despite the rain and cold temperatures spirits were high.

Amazingly everyone was locked and loaded by 9.55am for the meet and as the rain stopped 14 trailers left in convey.  Being in the lead I wanted to wave an Amwell flag out of the window (if we had one) or blow my car horn all the way.  Stephen stopped that idea in its tracks, but it was so exciting to see our AVH sign at the top of a drive and everyone turning down the lane to the meet.  There surely aren’t too many hunts that come together like this, are there?

The meet was at Deerfield Farm, which is on the banks of the Potomac.  The Masters of Del La Brooke, John and Sarah were very welcoming, Tom Mulqueen raced around making sure everyone was sorted.  We enjoyed a stirrup cup, and Masters’ Stephen and Joanne offered words of thanks. Then a cannon was fired to signal the start of the hunt.  Yes- the cannon goes to every meet and I was somewhat relieved it was positioned a fair distance away so as to not freak out our unacquainted Amwell horses.  Our Whips Richard, Lauren and Charlie were invited to join the Whips from Del La Brooke, and the field of over 65 divided up into four flights.  The fourth field being led by a most elegant lady riding sidesaddle.

The land in the area as one would expect is a decidedly flat, mostly large arable fields dotted with lakes which were once quarries.   Master John took off at a fast clip, which after 15 mins progressed to a flat out gallop for a couple of miles.  I was rather relieved to know that no one seemed to have any brakes on their horses.  By this time we had passed across fields, hit a sandy gravel path around a very large lake and managed to coat the rider behind us with orange mud.     

The Pen-Marydells worked tenaciously trying to pick up a weak scent and managed to put up a gray fox.  Apparently the gray is not one to lead a chase and prefers to go to ground, which it did, so we continued on, and much to my delight found ourselves on a beach trotting along the sandy shoreline.  Now we got each other soaked!

At the next check another fox was put up, and several had a view but it craftily went over a bridge that we couldn’t cross, so we moved on.  The hounds worked hard and I noticed how different they were to our English pack, (known for drive, forwardness, confirmation and hardiness. The Penn-Marydels on the other hand are known for being slighter in build, and bring their nose and their voice), and they certainly had lots of voice.  By this time it had started to snow and despite the plentiful exchanges of flasks, Master John decided we should try to meet the pack at the other side of the lake and warm up.  So…. you guessed it; the first flight took off at another flat out gallop, with snow biting our faces and gravel flying up.   Each time I thought we were slowing down we sped up again, one more gallop and I thought I’d have no skin left on my face!  

Oh to have the open territory and footing Del La Brooke has.  While I realized that horses, especially for the first flight need to be fit and have stamina, and many seemed to favor Irish Sports Horses, our Amwell horses need to have different skills, to be able to start and stop, to turn on a dime and jump and to traverse a wide variety of country from woodland to boggy areas to muddy fields to rocky streams.  I guess as they say horses for courses.

After 2 ½ hours Master John decided to call it a day- beaten by the plummeting temperature.  

The breakfast was truly something to write home about, hosted by Kathryn and John Junek, who have a beautiful home on the banks of the Potomac with views to die for (I could only imagine sitting on a warm summers evening on their porch watching the shoreline and boats sailing up and down.) Today the wind had started to pick up, the water and skies reflected grey and it was COLD.   When I arrived I thought we would be eating outside on the porch, as the Oysterman was there with over 450 fresh oysters and hot food was also laid out.  But no, we were invited inside with tables laden with more food, and despite cream carpets we trooped in, huddling around the fires in order to thaw out.

Master Stephen thanked our hosts and all of Del La Brooke for a great time and I presented some gift baskets to the two Masters, to our hosts, and to Tom and Christina Mulqueen who had helped coordinate everything from their end, as well as supplying 4 hirelings for the day.   Warm and well fed (Charlie ate 24 oysters!) we went back to stable our horses. 

As we drove the short distance back I was so relieved that all of our horses did well despite not having been out hunting much lately, and everyone returned safe and sound. The temperature seemed to drop further.

SUNDAY

We had arranged to have a ride along the shore with the local Pony Club, but the wind had increased and it was decided a hack out from the stables instead just to allow our horses to stretch their legs before heading.  I have to say it was so cold my gloves had frozen in my trailer and several of us were unable to put the back ramps down, as they had frozen solid in the night! 

Despite the frigid temperatures which was made worse by wind gusts of almost 30 mph, 18 of us along with Tom from Del La Brooke set out past the lamas and through a field with cattle which included some African long horned cattle that made up part of the menagerie of Flat Iron Farm.  It was very pleasant; Katy, Catie and Richard had a race around a large field, proving that thorobreds really are faster (Catie may have slightly cheated by lopping off the corners of the course) but Richard still won.  We headed back. 

So another year visiting Del La Brooke was over, I was relieved everyone seemed to have had a good time and all safe and sound, and with the hot air blasting in the truck, my toes started to thaw out and my eyes started to close. I thought about zebras, the shore, galloping along gravel paths, cannon fire and oysters, people laughing and having fun, Priscilla taking photos wrapped up for the artic, snow in my eyes, wonderful hand painted gifts by Christina, frozen gloves, an incredible breakfast, Kathy’s horse “Red” with AVH clipped on his butt, many hip flasks, the views along the shoreline, two pleasant evenings together, grey foxes and some wonderful new friendships made, and….  “Tales of the Riverbank” that will no doubt be shared for months to come.

Here’s to next years trip to Del La Brooke!

Cheryl B

I came home recently to find several AVH’ers sitting around the fireplace, clearly some form of meeting in progress, which I wasn’t invited to.   Masters Stephen and Joanne had got our Whips and staff together along with Mr. Farin to chat about things that well, Whips chat about.   But it did make me think how lucky we are at Amwell to have volunteers who do their best to make as many meets as possible, put their horses through quite a bit more than ours have to do in the field, and have to know not only the countryside inside out, the landowners, and what still seems impossible to me, the task of learning the names and characters of each of our hounds.

In the UK most hunts have territories that are larger, or more open with less roads so they only have the need for one or maybe two Whips, which are usually employed by their hunt.  Their horses, usually two, are donated and their hunt attire provided.  Of course when you have full membership of 150 or more and double that number with supporters, have up to 20 capers at a meet and ride out three times a week you can afford to do this.  On the down side the whips are not always treated the best, even the term “Hunt Servant” smacks of life downstairs in Downton Abbey to me.

So at Amwell, like most places here in the US we rely on our trusty band of volunteer Whips.  Are they less professional or knowledgeable? - God no!   But it does take some special skills to do this well, and of course no whips no Fox Hunting for any of us. 

One of the things the Whips have to learn is their own language to communicate with our hounds, and the hounds respect their command.  That’s why we in the field have to make less noise, and never try to help out with words of encouragement to the straggler in the pack.   So if you like me have listened to some of our seasoned pros and wondered what on earth they are saying, here is a brief guide that Lisa and her father put together.

GET ON TO HIM – Hustling tail hounds along.

GET OVER – Pushing hounds over that are drifting to one side.

GET BACK TO HIM – usually in the field when the huntsman is collecting hounds.

It must be remembered though that no member of the fields should ever talk to a hound when hunting, but it is nice to know what they are talking about, more sayings to follow.

So on behalf of everyone lets hear it for our Whips!  Well done Lisa, Ralph, Richard, Lauren and Charlie, and thank you to Brooke, Mary Pat and Wendy for being ready to jump in when needed.   Cheryl B.