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 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!
RSS Feed