My First Fox Hunt

I jumped a ditch, logs, and trotted up a steep, rock-strewn hill while having a jolly old time on my first fox hunt two weeks ago. I literally laughed and cried and decided to go back for more. Have you tried riding to hounds? (You should.)

Joining My First Fox Hunt

In case you missed it, I became a social member of the Santa Fe Hunt after my wildly successful debut with the fox hunting clinic on my birthday in October. As a social member, I’m entitled to ride in three hunts this season without paying a capping fee. I’m also eligible to ride in an additional two hunts with the capping fee. I’ll also be able to attend any of the special events they host like the upcoming Christmas party (I think they also have a Kentucky Derby party).

The social membership seemed to be a good way to get involved and get my feet wet. Sadly, at this stage of my life I don’t think I could be a full member since they hunt mid-week, and as a teacher I don’t really have a flexible work schedule. Also there’s a minor detail of not owning a truck or trailer and having a horse that I’m not sure is capable of becoming a fox hunter at this point. Not because of his kissing spine (one of the gals who rides in the hunt has two with kissing spine and she events them), but because he might not enjoy it. We’ll see. 

Since it was Santa Fe Hunt’s opening meet, it was unclear whether or not a horse would be available for me to ride as that is a very popular day (kinda like opening day at Wrigley Field–everyone wants to be there for the first game, although in this case, for the first hunt). I decided to request a hireling (rental horse) anyway, because the worst that could happen would be no horse for me to ride, but I was told I should go to the hunt anyway because it would be a fun event with a luncheon afterward.

A Call from the Master of Foxhounds

In the middle of my workday a few days prior to the hunt, I got the best voicemail from the Master of Foxhounds: a nice mare had just become available as her owner was unexpectedly going to be out of town!  He said I had first dibs. I called him back to say yes, and clarify. In the message he said she could go in First Field. First field for Santa Fe hounds has 3 foot 6 solid fences and that would definitely not be in my comfort zone for my first-time fox hunting on a horse I don’t know. Maybe not ever. Time will tell.

When the Master of Foxhounds told me that the mare could be ridden in any of the three fields and she is owned by a woman in her 70s, she’s had little kids hunt on her and people who are out of shape hunt on her, I gave him a wholehearted yes. He said something to the effect about her being the best horse I will have ever ridden or that I wouldn’t want to dismount her because she’s the best.

He was absolutely correct.

The Chestnut Mare Fox Hunter 

Creole Rose is a chestnut Thoroughbred. I have no idea how old she is–I’ll guess a teenager. When I met her tied up to the side of the trailer she had a braided mane, a snaffle bit in her mouth and the halter in place over top of her bridle.  I tacked her up with my saddle, and it fit her great. The only problem was I did not have gloves. The Master of Foxhounds was able to dig up a pair for me to borrow, for which I’m grateful.

 

 

 

 

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I mounted Rose, and we waited as a local Catholic priest blessed the hounds. He read a prayer, and with a plastic water bottle that he assured us was holy water, sprinkled the hounds. Rose took offense when he stepped toward us with a flicking motion in order to bless the horses. I had to walk her a little bit away from the blessing.

How Do You Tie a Stock Tie?

One funny story before I get into the details of the hunting adventure: I have never had to wear a stock tie before, so I headed over to my local Dover Saddlery to get one. And then I Youtubed how to tie a stock tie and attempted it. I took a selfie of one of my attempts at tying the stocktie the night before and texted it to my friend Holly who is eventer. She said it looked great, and that buoyed my confidence.

When I got to the hunt, I noticed the other people had very poofy, fancy-looking stocks. In comparison mine seemed a little pedestrian. If I were grading my stock tie typing attempt, I’d give myself a C+.

Riding in the Old West

The site of the Fox Hunt is a private cattle ranch about two hours from my house, up in the mountains in a really beautiful area. The ranch where we rode is historic, and has been used for filming over the years – probably the most notable television show to shoot there is Bonanza.

The landscape was varied and didn’t look very much like the old fox hunting photos you see on Pinterest. It possesses an old West feel with sagebrush and scrubby plants I don’t know the names of.  Parts of the property had majestic pine trees and it just went on and on for miles.

During the hunt clinic, my friend Amy and I rode in the Third Field which was a lot of walking and some trotting. By the end of that day, I felt that I was ready for a greater challenge. After speaking to the Hunt Secretary and explaining to her my riding level and recent lack of time in the saddle, she confirmed she thought I should definitely do Second Field. And I’m so glad I did. It was the right call!

Trot It Like It’s Hot

We started out slowly and then began to trot. Boy, how my mare loved to trot. There were several other horses cantering along and she just kept up at the trot, so I did a lot of posting. Eventually she decided it was easier to canter, and that was really fun. There were also parts during which we galloped. I realized that I couldn’t remember the last time I had actually galloped on a horse, and how freeing it is!

Rose really knew her job, and it was a pleasure to ride her. At first I was concerned that she was getting too close to the horses in front of us. I wasn’t sure how I would be able to slow her down since we were moving at a fast pace. Then at some point during the ride, I realized that horses are herd animals. They are sensitive and aware of their surroundings and the other horses around them on a much more intense level than we mere mortals. So when the horses ahead of us would slow, she automatically did too.

The other thing I kept thinking about is how ungroomed the footing was. I’m an arena rider that gets concerned if I see a spot at the edge where another horse has rolled in turnout and made the footing uneven.  Or I have anxiety if after a rain, there’s a slight puddle along the rail. However out there, the ground is definitely not manicured and the terrain varied. But it was no big deal for the horses. They know how to move.

One thing I really appreciated about the Fieldmaster was just how communicative she was about what would be happening or what we would see next. We had a few checks where she would ask everyone how we were doing – if everything was okay. I informed her at the start of the hunt that I was starting out with them and second field, but that since I haven’t been doing a lot of riding, I might drop back to the third field at some point. Toward the end though, I was ready to keep going because it was so exhilarating.

Just Jump It!

So the part about the ditch. At one point in the middle of our ride we were cantering along, and I realized a ditch was ahead of us. It wasn’t a chasm of a ditch, but a ditch nonetheless. I’ve never jumped a ditch before and tend to over analyze when I ride. But there was not time to allow for that, so I just went with Rose and we cleared it. I was laughing and I think I might have even yelled out, “I just jumped a ditch!” Which I can’t remember exactly since we were going at warp speed and the details are foggy.

After the ditch, there was a short, steep hill that had extremely rocky terrain. Before I could realize what was happening, the whole group went trotting and cantering up the hill. Now if I were out on a trail riding Knight, I would not even consider going up that hill because I didn’t see a path! It did not look passable by any means. But again, these horses just went up it like they were ranch horses in an Old West movie. I know that a couple of the women that I rode next to for a minute or two probably were smiling at my newbie responses because I thought that was so cool, “I can’t believe we just went up that hill!”

I was about ready to drop back to the Third Field when the Fieldmaster said we had just a little more ways to go. I decided to stick it out since I was having so much fun. Then another woman wanted to drop back, and the Fieldmaster asked me if I would be okay dropping back with her so that the two of us could together join the Third Field group. I agreed. The woman I rode with was on a 27 year-old Thoroughbred gelding, and he was still going strong!

Punchbowl Brunch

After the hunt there was a very nice brunch was catered. We sat around at different tables in front of the ranch house that looks like it could be the site of a wedding reception. The food was pretty amazing; the weather was perfect; and I enjoyed all the stories of horses and riding  the people I was sitting near shared. Many of them have hunted in other states and other countries. I listened attentively to drink it all in.

And to top off my fantastic day of riding, I swung by Knight at his layup facility. He nickered and came right over to me and even let me hug him, even though he’s not a huge fan of hugs. The next day and the day after that I was extremely sore in my lats, legs and gluteus maximus.  I guess that just means I need to go out and fox hunt some more to get in shape. I can’t think of any other solution.

(As of this publishing, I attended my second hunt at a different venue/fixture. I’ll save that for another blog post.)

QUESTION: Leave your thoughts in the comments section (scroll down.) Are you more of an arena rider, or do you prefer to be out and about, whether in the countryside or on trails? Do you have any questions about fox hunting? Does it seem like something you would enjoy?

Thank you for reading and I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving!

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