Day 48 of the Hunting Season - November 26th, 2010
Meet: Down Patrick
Temps: in the 40's
Couples: 9 1/2 (Bitch Pack)
Staff:
HUNTSMAN
-Savannah Hatfield (Jim Paxson)
WHIPPERS-IN
-John Brophy (Dr. Carl Mease)
-Ella Brophy (Alyse Kennedy)
-Maseer Bennett(Priscilla Godsoe)
-Carly Steel(Hoppy Stearns)
-Liam Hodgson (Fred Von C)
-Dott Cochran (already a big kid)
FIELD MASTERS
-Katie Hall (Duncan Patterson)
-Amy Hall (Gary Kennedy)
KENNELMAN
-Ella Brophy
Hound Truck
-Connor & Arilyn Kennedy (Karen Kennedy)
*Special thank you to Trina Hatfield for explaining the different jobs of the staff, and keeping all the kids safe, and happy while learning about fox hunting.
Start: 10:00am
End: 1:30pm
At our 2010 River Hills Hunt ball Savannah Hatfield's mom and dad bought for her the 'Huntsman For The Day' package which included, her name as the fifth Huntsman which was engraved on the hunting horn, and she got the privilege to hunt the River Hills Foxhounds.
On top of our 'Huntsman For The Day', we opened the day to a 'Children's Hunt' including kids on lead lines, to kids who where whipping-in, and leading our first and second field. It was such a great way to incorporate our love of foxhunting with teaching the kids the jobs involved with hunting the hounds, creating safe hunting for those who follow along, and explaining how hounds work.
Despite any nerves 12 year old Savannah may have had going into this big day, she was able to pull together a terrific hunt, and managed to keep a smile from beginning to end.
Savannah who is in the 7th grade, also enjoys playing softball, snowboarding, tennis, and is hoping to do track and field in spring if she can work around softball! She also tells us that horses have been in her life forever but have only been SERIOUSLY riding for about three years.
Savannah's huntsman's horse was Grane and she remarked that, 'She (Grane) handled the job wonderfully' and with a smile added that, 'Grane could not have been better'.
Although Savannah said that she herself was very nervous, she added that, 'It was also very fun, difficult and easy all at the same time because you try not to mess up but... you can not be perfect!'
Even though she says she did not see the fox, she leaves us with these words of wisdom in regards to anyone thinking about trying to be Huntsman For The Day, 'It was a very awesome experience, but do not Skye yourself out and just be yourself like it is just another hunt, but only a bit different, ha ha'
With Savannah on the horn we were able to run three foxes and put two to ground. The hounds listened and were excited to work for her, especially after she was able to take the hounds to their first fox.
Words From The Field Masters:
Katie Hall - (First Field)
'Duncan told me that the field masters job is to ensure the safety of the followers and to also keep an organized hunt, while keeping it totally fun and makes jokes on the way. We had a couple of spills today but we learn from our mistakes. Yee ha!'
Amy Hall - (Second Field)
'Gary was very informative. Trina was a very good Sergeant to the new people. We galloped a lot with some fall offs, but all on accident. Everyone had a good time. Including the lead liners.'
__________________________________________________________
Words From The Whippers-In:
Liam Hodgson - (Fred Von C)
'I rode Mystic. Fred the whip had me tag along and in the beginning there wasn't really much action. In the middle the hounds got on a fox and I got to gallop for what was a long time. Saw a few deer. Someone said the fox was near us, so we stopped to see it. We didn't because it ran past right behind us! I had a great time, and the weather was nice.'
Maseer Bennett - (Priscilla Godsoe)
'I took a major spill but I had a great time. Thank you to Jimmy Paxson and Lezlie Hiner.' -Work To Ride Program Mount: Cholo
John Brophy - (Dr. Carl Mease)
'Had a good hunt today. I had an awesome time whipping-in and hope to try it again. Thank for having me. Tally ho!'
Ella Brophy - (Alyse Kennedy)
'Saw a fox - Tally Ho!! Horse fell down.'
_____________________________________________________________
Words From The Kennelman:
Ella Brophy
'I painted hooves of horses, tacked up, gave hounds water, put horses and pony in trailer, hooked up hounds trailer. Loaded 19 hounds, also called 9 1/2 couple'
_____________________________________________________________
We had a field of over 30 riders, but somehow we missed getting everyone's comments about the hunt, or some where a little too shy, but here are a few,
Words From The Field:
Connor and Arilyn Kennedy
'First Hunt! Rode Spice.'
Sheiree Harris - Work To Ride Mount- Jennie
'I had a great time. Thank you Jimmy Paxson.'
Luca Micolucci
'Got to ride my father's best polo pony Macarena.'
Shariah Harris - Work To Ride Mount- Strawberry
'I had a great time, thank you Jimmy Paxson.'
Marc Harris - Work To Ride Mount- TJ
'Had a grerat time. Thank you.'
_______________________________________________________
And this last video might just sum up a great day!
No comments:
Post a Comment