Yay! News from my first hunt! **UPDATE, photos **

[pvcjumper]

I am so happy i decided to follow through with going! Thank you all who were supportive!

I am barely alive today. My muscles are all so sore, even my toe and finger muscles! I didnt even change clothes after getting home, I layed directly on the couch, boots and all for a 45 minute nap that turned into 4 hours. I will definitely hand it to you all, foxhunting definitely requires you to be in shape! It was great though. I had a blast. The first 1/2 hour or so i spent most of my time trying to keep the horse 'collected and controlled' and finally realized if i just let him go he was a perfect gentleman all on his own. After that it was even more fun because i stopped fussing with him.

2 field master and 2 other people somehow disappeared after about the first half hour and the ENTIRE second field had no clue where she went, and then finally she came out of nowhere! At the point where we were all standing around looking for her, the hounds had found a fox in the next field over so we got to watch that, and i did get to see the fox twice. My horse almost lost me over one small fence because he stopped and then decided to bunny hop over it (remember he is not well schooled over jumps yet). There was no required jumping except for that spot. Later the field master showed the field a circle in the woods of small 1-2ft jumps if we wanted to play, so we did. He was very good though they were small jumps.

I stayed the entire time, I wanted to push myself. Everyone called it quits after about 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Went back and had food and drinks. I excused myself after about 1/2 hours since i didnt know many people and felt a little awkward. I profusely thanked the master, and huntsman and staff and the person who supplied me a mount many many times before i left. I even stuck behind to do a gate while hunting to show respect for the other people. Everyone said i was more than welcome to come back.

That was so much fun and boy let me tell you i feel so much better getting out of the arena and learning how to ride in an entirely different style!

[Risk-Averse Rider]

Congratulations! Glad you had a good time.

Remember - arnica is your friend. The little tablets that go under your tongue and - should you ever get a bruise - the stuff you rub on (I usually borrow some of the horses's Sore No More liniment ;-)

[Hopefully]

PVCJumper -

Wow, good thing you weren't out with us last week on the 5-hour hunt.....

You are welcome back any time, glad it all worked out for you! Hunting needs a lot more enthusiastic converts like you.

[pvcjumper]

http://www.annemitchellphotography.com/

go to 'online proofing' then to 'Snickersville Hunt 12.03.06'

I am so excited :-) I am going back again this weekend. Its absolutely breath taking at this point to me, seeing how everything works together.

[Frecklefacedfrannie]

Ain't hunting just a blast. The downhill snowskiing of horseback riding!!
Fran

[Risk-Averse Rider]

Very cool!

Page 2, bottom right-hand corner. Gentleman on a gray horse, has a whip draped around his neck. What's the significance of his red armband?

[Dices]

Page 2, bottom right-hand corner. Gentleman on a gray horse, has a whip draped around his neck. What's the significance of his red armband?

Interesting catch. Anyone have an idea?

[woodstock]

Okay this is my total guess re: red band- He looks to be a whip- perhaps he has that "red" to warn non-foxhunter-hunters of his presence (it's still hunting season of some sort)? Didn't wear the blaze orage b/c of tradition- but added a little safety by way of read arm band? Interestly I note that the red is more a burgandy and that he does not have his colors (at least not on this melton)- perhaps that is somehow related? Such a mystery:)

[Jennifer Alcott]

That is the MFH and fieldmaster.

Rather than putting the emphasis of hunting on SCARLET/COLORS, he has opted to dress more subtley and put the focus on HUNTING.

:)

(Edited to say that I mis-spoke--he has opted to put the emphasis on HUNTING and FUN!) :)

[Dices]

and that he does not have his colors (at least not on this melton)- perhaps that is somehow related? Such a mystery:)

I noticed this too, that and the fact that he's not wearing 'pinque' led me to doubt that he was even an actual (full time) whip. Nothing more than a photo of someone near some hounds who carries a hunting whip for gates and helping out if requested :confused: ??

[Dices]

That is the MFH and fieldmaster.

Rather than putting the emphasis of hunting on SCARLET/COLORS, he has opted to dress more subtley and put the focus on HUNTING.

:)

(Edited to say that I mis-spoke--he has opted to put the emphasis on HUNTING and FUN!) :)

Ah, ok! Mystery solved then I guessed! :p Always the simple answers, eh?!

[Ware Whip!]

Ain't hunting just a blast. The downhill snowskiing of horseback riding!!
Fran

That deserves to be on a bronze plaque somewhere :yes:

Ware Whip!

[Hunter's Rest]

That is the master of Snickersville (the photo with the red armband.) Since he 'owns' the hunt, he certainly 'has his colors.' Can't imagine why the armband. Maybe it was warm adn his pink coat is a heavy melton and his black one more lightweight??

[SteeleRdr]

PantherCreek- I really wouldn't "scorn" the guy who owns the hunt and is the master for whatever he chooses to do with his own pack. Atleast he's close to traditional! There are lots of hunts that prefer not to have too many scarlet coats in the field and scarlet is reserved to the master(s). The other gentlemen with colors where black/navy coats with their colors. Although probably not the most traditional thing, but it's what each hunt wants to do, and they've probably been around long enough to know what they're doing. As I know the master/owner or Snickersville has been around...

[SteeleRdr]

A few of the gentlemen I know who ride with Piedmont who have their colors do not wear scarlet, I believe there are also a few hunts on the West coast (although I'm not completely sure).

It seems just from the tone and overall distaste your put forth to his practice would deem is scornful. And hence I put scorn in quotes in order to really say you weren't scorning him, but sounded and awful lot like it.

Usually the armbands are a way for a master, fieldmaster, hunter trial judge to stick out. I know they are using them for the Centennial trials, but again, very different from a Master.

[citydog]

pvcjumper, glad you had such a good time, and thanks for the update. :)

I don't know the "armband guy" in question, but it seems to make sense to me as a visual aid for the field if for whatever reason he isn't wearing a scarlet jacket.



I just see it as pandering to the ignorameses of hunting.

If you're going to be citing the dictionary in an argument, at least spell your snarks correctly. :rolleyes: :lol: :winkgrin:

[Jennifer Alcott]

Hmmmm...a couple of the comments on this thread remind me that no matter what someone does, they can't win.

If they try to conduct their sport humbly and without pretension, they're criticized for "pandering to ignorameses (sic)".

Whatever.

I can't speak for him, but I doubt that Gregg (spelled with TWO "g"s on the end, not one) cares whether he "looks much better in scarlet". It's about the HUNTING, not the color in which one looks best.

[SteeleRdr]

Never said they were black/navy only. Merely stated there were hunts out there that did have several gentlemen that chose to wear black/navy coats with colors (not black/navy with just buttons), rather than scarlet.

Jennifer- thanks for posting.

As for the OP- did you get to go hunting again this past weekend??

[pvcjumper]

The MFH with the burgundy armband sticks out just (or puts the focus even more onhimself) asmuch or more so with his modified garb to everyone hunting. The only people he would not stick out to are the people who know nothing about foxhunting? I am sure he is not trying to make himself stick out more, and while people who hunt may notice the red armband, i am sure the idiot know nothings you speak of would want to know what it signified too ... i did. And i assure you, i am not an idiot know nothing nor someone who is extremely experienced in hunting yet either.

Those people are attracted to hunting for the wrong reasons, usually thakfully don't last very long and are not the sort of people you want to keep in the sport anyway. Wow, how about hunting for the love of hunting and not being a snob based on what someone wears?!

Why deprive the real foxhunters by taking away such a beautiful sight as scarlet agasint a winter landscape, not to speak of the ageless tradition it signifies as part of the sport? wow again, thats like saying people who spend 50k on a 'made' horse arent real riders, and all they have to do is sit there and look pretty, and that the real riders work and train their 500 pmu mare from the ground up. I am sure this group thinks of hunting just as highly as you do, and without be condescending or a wardrobe tirant. I went hunting in a grey/navy show jacket with them, and i was perfectly welcome. I didnt have hundreds of dollars to drop on hunt attire to go *TRY* something i didnt even know if i would like. Now that i like it, and if i decide to become a member, i will go get the right jacket and vest out of respect for the tradition.
Check you dictionary, please. Scorn is a harsh word. I think scorn was putting it lightly. SteelRdr was right on track. You are ridiculing a hunt and the people it attracks, which neither is deserving of at all.

Where did i do that? please point out my scornful comments.

all I did is ask if there was not a better way to get the message across.

My other comment was that he sticks out more with an armband than in scarlet. Isnt the point either way to signify he is staff? Or an important person? Excuse my ignorant question because of course i am a lowly ignoramus

I just see it as pandering to the ignorameses of hunting.

WOW, my final statement on this note is that i would rather hunt with an unrecognized hunt of people like him, and those members, than a recognized hunt filled with judgmental people like you. This is the exact reason i thought i would never try hunting. Because i thought i wasnt good enough and too lowly to ever ride with people like 'them.' ... like you. I thought they would all be rich and snotty and look down on me. Luckily they were not, and i am so happy i was talked into going because they were the most welcoming group of people i have ever met and i have absolutely fallen in love with the sport, as well as the tradition. Had i been required to buy the outfit first, i may have never gone. They were nice enough to let me come in what i had as long as i was turned out nicely.

I am sorry this thread turned into a 'my hunt is better than yours' debate. These people have a great spirit and a true sense of commeradary and a love for the sport. That is more important i think than if someone wears what you think they should wear, right? Isnt it about the sport?

[pvcjumper]

As for the OP- did you get to go hunting again this past weekend??

Yes i did, thanks for asking! And i did so in my *gasp* show coat again. And i intend to do it for my next two hunts where i use up my allowed number of 'guest passes.' After that i will decide if i want to pay for a season membership/subscription, then i will respectfully purchase the correct attire, out of respect for the hunt itself and the sport :-) I am very excited! I just need to make sure i will have something to ride :-) A gentleman has been very generous in offering me his extra mount the past two weekends! But i dont want to take that for granted!

also FYI, i posted to all your responsed on the racing thread!

[AC & Ty]

Before you get COMPLETELY flamed...

You have the COMPLETE wrong idea about "recognized" hunts. Recognized hunts thrive on tradition, and they pride themselves in that tradition. They WILL NOT, however, snatch you off your mount and send you packing back to the trailers because you don't have a black melton on.
I have hunted lightly (about 5-8x per season, either being a groom or guest - I don't have the money to join) for about 15 years now. (with the exception of 2002-2005, hunted twice) And until LAST YEAR...I NEVER owned a "proper" hunt coat. I did, however, have a solid navy blue coat (several over the years) that I wore. The only thing that was wrong was that I FROZE my bum off!!! (Boy my melton is warm...) And, I borrowed a vest if necessary, but the way my old coats fit, you cannot even SEE the vest unless I open my coat. (So I kept it closed....DUH) I wore cheap breeches and did have a stock tie on. And I was NEVER ridiculed for my attire. I was clean, and my horse was clean. And I have never hunted with any club BUT a recognized club.
EVERY CLUB has a few here and there who are, um....how to say this...."holier than thou"...but being recognized or unrecognized has NOTHING to do with it. I would seriously be careful with calling recognized hunts "snotty" and "judgemental"....because you are being "judgemental" by ASSuming they are all like that. There are MANY members of hunts on this board, and I'm sure since you had such a good time, they might have asked you to one of their meets. But maybe not now...;)
I'm glad you had a good time. And I hope you get out with other hunts in the future, and get to see a BIG hunt go out...nothing like it. But you have to respect the tradition and history of ALL the hunts...and realize that like the rest of the horse world, there are good and bad people everywhere. But be the bigger person, and make sure you are doing the RIGHT thing. :)

[pvcjumper]

Before you get COMPLETELY flamed...

You have the COMPLETE wrong idea about "recognized" hunts. Recognized hunts thrive on tradition, and they pride themselves in that tradition. They WILL NOT, however, snatch you off your mount and send you packing back to the trailers because you don't have a black melton on.
I have hunted lightly (about 5-8x per season, either being a groom or guest - I don't have the money to join) for about 15 years now. (with the exception of 2002-2005, hunted twice) And until LAST YEAR...I NEVER owned a "proper" hunt coat. I did, however, have a solid navy blue coat (several over the years) that I wore. The only thing that was wrong was that I FROZE my bum off!!! (Boy my melton is warm...) And, I borrowed a vest if necessary, but the way my old coats fit, you cannot even SEE the vest unless I open my coat. (So I kept it closed....DUH) I wore cheap breeches and did have a stock tie on. And I was NEVER ridiculed for my attire. I was clean, and my horse was clean. And I have never hunted with any club BUT a recognized club.
EVERY CLUB has a few here and there who are, um....how to say this...."holier than thou"...but being recognized or unrecognized has NOTHING to do with it. I would seriously be careful with calling recognized hunts "snotty" and "judgemental"....because you are being "judgemental" by ASSuming they are all like that. There are MANY members of hunts on this board, and I'm sure since you had such a good time, they might have asked you to one of their meets. But maybe not now...;)
I'm glad you had a good time. And I hope you get out with other hunts in the future, and get to see a BIG hunt go out...nothing like it. But you have to respect the tradition and history of ALL the hunts...and realize that like the rest of the horse world, there are good and bad people everywhere. But be the bigger person, and make sure you are doing the RIGHT thing. :)

I see where you were getting that from! My bad, i re-read it and it could be read the way you did. I meant that i would rather ride with an unrecognized group if it were full of people like i met, rather than a recognized one if it were full of people like her. SORRY if anyone thought i meant recognized hunts are snotty. I just meant that even if its unrecognized, and dont stick to other peoples ideas of what is right and wrong, i still think they are a great group of people and what other people think of the hunt doesnt take away from the fact that its a group of people who love the sport and attract a good group of riders, NOT ignoramuses (sp?). It just pissed me off that someone wanted to have judgemental and condescending tone because of a deviance in attire. Its stupid ... period. People need to grow up and be open minded.

[AC & Ty]

You know what, Panther...I think you have a very valid point. If I was lost, I would look for the pinques...no doubt...and/or when cantering down a wooded trail in the back of the group, if I turn because I hear another horse approaching and immediately see scarlet...I know to alert those in front of me of staff approaching. At a good clip, if you turn, you may not notice the band around an arm.

I must say...I love the pinques. :)

[AC & Ty]

It just pissed me off that someone wanted to have judgemental and condescending tone because of a deviance in attire. Its stupid ... period. People need to grow up and be open minded.

Well, I can equate Panther's loyalty to traditional pinque to my loyalty to wearing my military uniform correctly. Everything on my uniform has a purpose and tradition behind it...and a deviance would be disrespectful to the service and the uniform itself. So in her (Panther's) mind, that is how she feels about the "deviance" in attire. It's not about being "open-minded", it's about attention to detail and strict tradition.

One of the things I love so much about hunting and showing now (more so than when I was younger) is that I can still use my skills for impeccable, correct turnout the same way I used to excel at inspections in the military. :)

[pvcjumper]

pvcjumper

You missed the point by more than a mile. You would do yourself a favor to go back and read again my post; steelrdr to. I guess i will have to go back and explain this so you guys can understand. very slowly. hope you get it this time

This started with my comment to JAT.. who said that the MFH wanted to put the emphasis on hunting and not scarlet/colors. So he wears a arm band. i think that is a mistake. in a roundabout way, he is doing the opposite of what he means to do.

There are basically three main groups of people out hunting. ONE The ones who love to hunt and know what they are doing. TWO transients, might or might not last, one time visiting guests, etc, and also the new ones who if they like it will stay and become good little foxhunters in x. THREE the idiots and wannabes and people trying to impress by getting to wear scarlet and b condescending and snobs and all that boiring stuff. they love getting dressed etc up but don't care about hunting really, just do it to be someone.

to experienced foxhunters, the arm band is different, not tradition, and more noticed to them than if he was in regular scarlet.

group 2, new foxhuntrs. they do not know and ask what the arm band means and ok, so now they know and are fine with it.

Very important here! why is he wearing the arm band? he is not wearing it for the experienced foxhunters, is he? NO (gee, probably many of them have colors anyway!)

is he wearing it for the newcomers? NO (they are nice people and will work hard to get their colors if thay stay with the sport, they understand what they mean)

he is wearing it for the idiots !!!! don't you see? because the idiots are salivating at the idea of getting to wear scarlet one day and be a big wig! he does not want them seeing him all the tiem in scarlet and thinking about it all the time and when willthey get to wear it! so he removes his scarlet to put focus on hunting and r eplaces it with arm band and like i said i will repeat, by doing that, actually instead focuses on the idiots and hoity toitys and the trying hard to impress by one day getting scarlet jerks. He is now ignoring the first two groups in favor of the third group. he takes the candy away from group three becasue they overdose on it. group one and two can handle the candy, but now they don't have it either! he punishes all groups.

if it is REALLY TRULY about the hunting like jat says he wants it to be, ignore the idiots and wear the scarlet.

WHY????

do you have any clue how many times I have been lost fromhounds in 21 years of hunting? More than you or I can count. OR going in early to the trailers.
when I am lost, like I was once last month, guess what I look for??

do i look for a black coat with an arm band? couldn't see it if i tried from a distance. i am alsways looking for SCARLET, repeat SCARLET.

Scarlet is a BEACON in the hunt field. A beacon for WATCH OUT or for HERE IS THE FIELD! Very important to some of us lost souls!

EX guess how i an other riders found the field last month? we had a check and first mingled with second and 1st rode off and us by accident w/them and when we igmoramuses realized we were w/ the wrong group we turned to go back to second flite, but it had gone into the woods so the bunch of us galloped on looking for them, in new country where we didn't know where we were, and the ground all chopped up from lots of horses running through and we know 2nd is flying and we have to act fast to catch up or we are going home real early on a real good day. Would you believe? The fm had on scarlet, yes, and one of the riders caugh a glimpse of it and we were going the wrong way and turned aroundint he nick of time and were able to catch up to them! and if we had gone on straight, bingo! straight into the huntsman, glory be!

Ex #2, Going back to the trailers, if I see SCARLET, warning! i might be coming up on a whip or huntsman and crossing the line of the fox on the way back and guess what? i want good hunting! i do not want to be reamed out by angry staff becsue i turned the fox!

imagine....wearing scarlet for good hunting! want a strange thought!

they have been wearing scarlet for eons for a REASON! I am sure my reasons are not the only reasons, but I consider them to be some darn good ones and by golly, they must have worked for a few decades and worked well, huh? because seeing scarlet sure has kept me out of trouble!

and most important of all, i think my reasons and the reason they have been wearing scarlet in the hunt field for all these years ARE MORE important than the reason of focusing on the idiots (who want to get dressed up in scarlet) by removing it! (group three)! and with some luck they won't last long anyway!

so JAT, if it's REALLY about the hunting and not what color he looks best in, as you wrote, if it is truly about the hunting, i think hunting

IS BETTER WITH SCARLET ON THE MFHS!


(ps and he still looks better in scarlet on the gray but maybe you understand now that that is not the real reason to wear it? just a nice added bonus)

ps ps pvcjumper you were in group two but i am thinking after the last post maybe i should put you in group three anyways even though i don't think you have scarlet fever.

more to come and I want my candy back

OK, now i do see your point. I know that while i was riding when i saw red it was much easier to know to get out of the way, and since i was in 2nd field and i didnt know who the FM was or what her horse looked like, i had to keep looking for the woman with the arm band. So it does make sense in that respect. It just came across like the group (who i have grown fond of quickly) and the hunt in your opinion were posers or not good enough to hunt or something along those lines. Sorry i misinterpreted what you meant. Whatever they do is fine by me, and i am more than happy to accomodate. They were very friendly, helpful and generous, and i just got defensive because it felt like you were attacking them. Once again, sorry for laying into you in my round about way.

Also, by NO means am i looking for a red jacket. From my limited experience, it looks like a lot of work to be staff (those are the only people who get to wear the red correct? The whippers in are running their (and the horses) tushies off the whole time and look exhausted when they get to stop for a break... not to mention that they dont always get the luxury of taking the clearer path vs the one that a deer could barely get through. Then there are the field masters. For christs sake... I think if i were a field master i would trample all over the line in a matter of minutes, lol. I am sure some of it comes with experience and knowing the terrain, so they know where to go, and not go if the hounds have a fox, but i would be like "look theres the fox, lets go that way!" The field masters do a good job of thinking ahead and planning where to go to get a view, but also stay out of the way at the same time. I would love to go to first flight eventually. But i will definitely say the FM's and huntsman and whippers in all have their work cut out for them and they do a great job! I will be happy when i just get a BLACK coat, lol.

[pvcjumper]

OK, just so i feel better, i am withdrawing from this thread since it was originally meant to just express my excitement about getting to hunt for my first time and share photos. Some how it got turned into a big old mess.:no:

It can be hard to remember sometimes that what people write is not necessarily what they mean, or that the was one person reads it is NOT the same way the other person would say it. SO, with that said, and before i either stick my foot in my mouth or misread something, i am just going to refrain from that line of the conversation anymore. I have a very strict sense of loyalty... ask AC and Ty... i dont know for how many months she told me to give up on a horse that was a complete basket case and lost cause... and i felt obligated to the poor creature. So with my new found loyalty to the first group i have ever hunted with, i just felt like there was an attack being made.

I thoroughly enjoyed going, and intend to go again. I love the uniformity and discipline involved, i think thats what attracts a lot of people to it. I think that what you more experienced hunters do (and by more experienced, i mean have ridden more than me which equals twice, lol) is beautiful and very respectful and fun, and i still just dont have enough words to describe my fascination :eek: with it.

Sorry for any offenses that were made!:yes: That will teach me to share pictures! God forbid i ever asked for a critique! :lol: I think the world as we know it would end!

[SteeleRdr]

PVC- great to hear that you had a good time the second time around. As for a coat...have you tried saddlery liquidators? Also, I know you said you are thin, a black proper frock might fit you better than a melton. A girl I ride with is quite skinny (her nickname is such!), and she had a hard time finding a melton that fit properly, she ended up finding one that is a bit big, but she's able to layer, a lot! She also has a very nice frock that fits her very nicely and she said it was a lot easier to find the frock in a size to fit than it was to find the melton.

Hope you aren't detered from hunting because of comments made, and I agree on the matter of things being misconstrued and read not the way the author intended. Enjoy hunting, I may get out with Snickersville this season (after the new year) myself on a sale horse belonging to a steeplechase trainer I know. It's either there or Piedmont, we'll see!

[pvcjumper]

[QUOTE=SteeleRdr;2058716]PVC- great to hear that you had a good time the second time around. As for a coat...have you tried saddlery liquidators? Also, I know you said you are thin, a black proper frock might fit you better than a melton. Whats a frock? Do you have a picture link? Is it traditional and acceptable?

Hope you aren't detered from hunting because of comments made, and I agree on the matter of things being misconstrued and read not the way the author intended. Enjoy hunting, I may get out with Snickersville this season Would be great to meet you if you come. you cant miss me if i decide to join. Twiggy little stick girl with legs up to my neck, and a blank clueless expression as i wonder "how the hell did horses manage to convince me to get up at 7am on a SUNDAY!!?"QUOTE]

[SteeleRdr]

Frocks are very traditional. Pink/Pinque/Scarlet coats are frock style coats.

Here is a link to a frock at the Old Habit:
http://www.oldhabit.com/shop/index.cgi?cart_id=8029301.28180&id=854
As you can see, it has a seam at the waist, unlike a melton or show coat; more like a dressage coat (but definitely different than a dressage coat).

Examples of traditional:
Myself on opening day (not quite as traditional as SSR who goes sidesaddle!!): http://www.printroom.com/ViewGalleryPhoto.asp?userid=shortwave5&gallery_id=571618&image_id=95

Gentleman I ride with who is a whip: http://www.printroom.com/ViewGalleryPhoto.asp?userid=shortwave5&gallery_id=571618&image_id=30 (he was not whipping that day, hence his wearing the top hat)

[Jennifer Alcott]

PantherCreek:

1) Who is JAT? Did my husband divorce me without my knowledge? (Although some would say he could hardly be blamed...) Those were my initials before I got married. Now I'm JTA.
2) I love making things way more complicated than they need to be as much as anyone, but you have truly made an art form out of that. ;)
3) I'm not quite sure why you're so riled up about what someone else wears, but if you feel that strongly about this matter, and you know Gregg (I got the impression that you do), perhaps you could talk to him about it and get his take on the issue?
4) It would be mildly interesting to debate this subject line by line with you, but it's not my place, and I don't care enough about the black/scarlet issue to do so. I just want to watch hounds, listen to hounds, look for foxes, and have fun.

[ss3777]

I can't speak for him, but I doubt that Gregg (spelled with TWO "g"s on the end, not one) cares whether he "looks much better in scarlet". It's about the HUNTING, not the color in which one looks best.


Well he might not care how he looks but it appears that he is still as handsome as he was in 1984 when he hunted with the Taconic Hunt. I was a freshman in college, hunting for the first time and really thought he looked great back then! Of course he would not remember me but obviously he made an impression on me! His Dad used to hunt a horse from my school. Very neat that he is now a mfh. Good for him!!

[PantherCreek]

nope, no sour grapes, been around awhile. rotten in spelling and grammer. hate typing (arthritis). i didn't call anyone judgemental or condescending or a deviant or tryant either. Did I? all i ever said was scarlet's a good thing andask, ASK if there is a better way to do it than armbands and then i'm told thats an attack by me? Don't need to embrace any more new foxhunters, used to do it all the time when i was hunting lots. nowadays i mostly show up and help before the meets, anyone needs a hand, then car follow and pick up hounds after. so I don't think i need to help preserve the sport either! it is doing fine and healthy without me!

Mrs. Harrell, aren't you are misconstruing some facts for negativity? I suggest you to go back and do some rereading yourself. did no such thing as deflating someones enthusiam, just explained in god awful detail why scarlet is such a wonderful thing and NOW under attack again! <dodging>

and i wasn't smiling when i was called all those names either.

pvc, thanks for the apology. you are back in group number 2. and on to number 1 maybe. sorry J T A.
Yes, I get very riled i know for a fact how helpful scarlet can be, when you are whipping way out and alone and the deer hunters are out and you blend in witht he woods wearing anything other than scarlet, blend in dangerously well if you follow. Had a friend one time who was whipping, had a bad fall, and we did not find her until long after dark, it was cold when we got to her, and she had broken bones and a concusion and we had passed near to her more than once and did not see her as she was without scarlet!

i cannot stand the wannabes and stuffed shirts and snobs and i don't like any giving up for tradition to focus on there shortcomings and personality disorders! I don't see where it furthers the tradition of the sport or is good for the landowners who often like to see the field go by with scarlet and it makes it harder for the newcomers to know who is who.

I think ac and ty get it!

goodbye

[Jennifer Alcott]

PantherCreek, I am very sorry to hear about your friend who was injured. I can see how that could impact a person's view on this subject. I lost a friend to a head injury sustained while riding a pony, and that impacts *my* view on helmets.

That said, I have whipped in and hunted hounds for years, wearing both scarlet and black, and thus, have spent a great deal of time in the woods alone. This was in an area with lots of deer hunters. I never had any problem with other hunters mistaking me for anything but what I was--a human on a horse. But I do understand that some people are concerned about that.

I think the bottom line here is that each hunt has the prerogative to make these sorts of decisions on their own. What works for one hunt may not work for another. And what works for one person may not work for another.

There are sooooo many other aspects of foxhunting that are more important than the color of the coats. I choose to focus on those. On the less important matters (like the color of coats), I think we should show a little more tolerance towards other's opinions. For example, it was NOT important to me to wear scarlet even when I was entitled to. But to some people, it *is* important that they wear it when they're entitled to. And I don't feel that my opinion on the matter should have any bearing on theirs.

As long as we're all out there having fun, staying as safe as we possibly can, enjoying the sport, and presenting a good public image in the best way we know how, that's what matters.

And now...for a bit of levity...this photo was taken a little over a week ago. It wouldn't have mattered WHAT color coat I was wearing, it would have been MUD-colored at the end of the day!!! :)

[PantherCreek]

ps to pvc jumper just reread and saw where you apologized two times so here is my second thanks for your second apology.

[PantherCreek]

J T A do not underestimate the importance of the color of coats; is important becasue of safety reasons and deer hunters and the easy way to identify out in countryside where staff or field is and a good way to catch up to staff or the field especially in unknown country. not the most important thing by far, but more important then you think. most important, good way to stay out of and not interfere with the huntsman's path! and this is very very important! angry huntsman is to be avoidedat all costs. said all this already and tired of repeating.

pvcjumper, get a nice melton, more for the younger set as frocks are more SORTA traditionally for older ladies. <dodging>

J T A glad you were NOT in scarlet. it would never be scarlet again!

[Jennifer Alcott]

PantherCreek, we will have to agree to disagree on this subject. I won't change your mind, and you won't change mine. :)

[Jennifer Alcott]

Hmmmmm...let's see...I got divorced and PonyMommy got married. Coincidence, or not? Should I be suspicious?!?! ;)

[MuleLady]

Hey PVC: I have enjoyed reading your enthusiastic sharing of your first foxhunting experiences...welcome to the addiction! The people you hunt with have enormous impact on how much enjoyment you get out of the sport, in my opinion. Glad you found a good group to get started with!

[witherbee]

Great pictures! The pictures of the deer running on page 5 are amazing! Sounds like you had a great time. I am a fan of preserving as much tradition as possible because traditions seem to disappear more and more. It does take extra time and sometimes extra money for some things (like braiding for opening day or horse shows) and having the correct attire, but I think it's so nice to see. On the other hand, I think it needs to be handled in a "non-snobby" way and newbies should be welcomed and not made to feel awkward if they are not 100% traditional, but encouraged to make the changes over a reasonable period of time.

[Hopefully]

Hmmmmm...let's see...I got divorced and PonyMommy got married. Coincidence, or not? Should I be suspicious?!?! ;)

I dunno, Jay Tee Aay, sounds mighty suspicious! Probably had something to do with the terrible things your husband had to go through to get all that mud out of your (non-scarlet) coat. Of course, perhaps he got a look at your, er, handsome Sir Launcelot who rescued you from the mud pit.....

[Jennifer Alcott]

Jen - LOVED the photo you posted -- it was the best!! You aren't just going to tease us with it, are you, and not spill the beans on how you got mud up the wazoo!? Do tell, please! I want all the juicy details!! :yes:


Oh, I would be more than happy to share my humiliation with you! E-mail me at jtalcott at adelphia net (with the you-know-what between adelphia and net...I try to foil spammers as much as possible!) and I'll send you the whole, ugly, sordid tale--including more photos. ;)

[Jennifer Alcott]

I dunno, Jay Tee Aay, sounds mighty suspicious! Probably had something to do with the terrible things your husband had to go through to get all that mud out of your (non-scarlet) coat. Of course, perhaps he got a look at your, er, handsome Sir Launcelot who rescued you from the mud pit.....

Oh, trust me...mud is the LEAST of the sufferings my sweet, long-suffering husband has to endure. Although his patience with me and my foxhunting foibles wore a bit thin yesterday morning when he came downstairs to find Miss Stella sprawled out on the leather sofa in the living room! And to make matters worse, she has decided that only *I* am to be obeyed in our household (OK, we all KNOW that, but we try not to make it quite so obvious), and refused to get off of the couch when he told her to. At 6:00 a.m., I got the "THE HOUND IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE HOUSE" lecture. When he arrived home, I had printed out the whole "Rules for the Hound" thing where it starts out by saying "THE HOUND IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE HOUSE", and ends by saying, "OK, even if it's true, the hound CANNOT be listed as the primary resident!". He didn't laugh very hard. Some people have no sense of humor sometimes.

But I digress...back to more important matters: my rescuer! I do so love a knight in shining armor--I am a hopeless romantic, you know. However shall I thank him properly? Any ideas?

But I'm still pining away for the HB...tell him he MUST come back to visit you!!! Or I'll fling myself in a swamp again and wait for HIM to rescue me!

[Valhalla]

... And I hope you get out with other hunts in the future, and get to see a BIG hunt go out...nothing like it. But you have to respect the tradition and history of ALL the hunts...and realize that like the rest of the horse world, there are good and bad people everywhere. But be the bigger person, and make sure you are doing the RIGHT thing. :)

AC &Ty,
Is 80 people out for a day of hunting not a "big" hunt? It seems to me almost a little too big.

On to the general scarlet coat issue; scarlet is for function so staff can be recognized quickly at a distance. We down play scarlet in the field because so many hunts throw scarlet out there for the wrong reasons, deep pockets rather than merit. We prefer to focus on the hunting and the freedom it brings.

[pvcjumper]

Just a note to the people i have been emailing, my finals week at school has finally lightened up and i will definitely get to go hunt this weekend :-) See some of you there! Tell the rest of you about it later :-) ...maybe i should ask for a flask for xmas from the boyfriend ;) :lol:

[AC & Ty]

AC &Ty,
Is 80 people out for a day of hunting not a "big" hunt? It seems to me almost a little too big.


Who had 80 people out?

I was thinking of maybe an opening hunt, Thanksgiving, something like that, or maybe a joint meet.

I was just posting so she didn't get flamed from someone taking the post the wrong way. I knew what she meant, but someone else may not have. I was just trying to clear up anything...:)\

AND PVC.....A flask is wonderful! A funny story...the first time I hunted (I was 5'10" from 13 yrs old and looked older)...and older gentleman who had been a member of the hunt for YEARS offered me his flask at a check...my face was worth a million bucks when I took a swallow...I think I was 15 or so....the gentleman was red-faced and jolly...and not from the wind!