What a wonderful day and location for our opening meet. After a week of frost by
night and sun by
day,
the ground was in perfect condition and the trees just beginning to turn, shown
off in bright sunshine. Popularity of our sport was surely endorsed by a turn
out of over 70 and a great day was had with 80 possible jumping efforts, ranging
from small pony-sized fences, with larger versions beside, to substantial
hedges, a yawing ditch (buried a new Joint Master!) and an "Aussie creek bed"
crossing - there still is no water in the River Pang (hasn't been for the last
17 months or more!). None of the fences have to be jumped to follow hounds and
it was notable that a visiting red coat from foxhunting had a thoroughly
enjoyable day, jumping little.
This
meet is generously hosted by the Fleming family (three generations present and
involved), their Victorian house, now school, providing the grand meet venue and
the location for a special tea afterwards, including mince pies and brandy
butter. One American visitor was truly captivated and admitted to having become
an addict!Hound control left something to be desired as we hacked to the first line. Our hounds are so keen at the moment, they really are like greyhounds
waiting in the slips. Gradual, a bitch of a few seasons, knew exactly where the
first line always used to go and slipped through the post and rails off the road
in the expectation of finding it. Sure enough, it was the second line that had
already been laid and away she went, calling the rest of the pack with her. For
those who haven't experienced the pleasure of hunting with us, our hounds make
magical music and you would have to be without a pulse not to be excited by it!
Huntsman and three whips set off in pursuit and although we managed to stop them
several times, we failed to hold the main pack until the end of the line.
Promise we didn't jump any of the inviting fences on the way, we
were
too annoyed at loss of control! Meanwhile, the field waited patiently in the sun
for the hounds to come back to them to start business proper! Much berating off
hounds and staff in the interim! The first line did not disappoint and there
were plenty of cries of "loose horse". Tom Cox had great fun in his ATV buggy,
whizzing around picking up fallen females to reunite them with their steeds! To
our amazement and against all previous experience, hounds hunted the already
hunted second line perfectly. Hedges found out a few of the brave. The second
line came in two parts and another two lines followed, the first of which was
equally of two parts, involving a traverse of pigs.This was a great start to the season in every respect and many people went away happy, enthused, exhilarated and well feed!
