Greetings to all, and happy May Day!
With a little greenery starting to pop up out there despite the winds, I have to admit to myself that hunting season really is over for now, and it's time to reflect on what a grand time we had.
The Chase
This year's hunting was tremendous fun, starting with the annual outing to Canyon de Chelly and the next-day hunt in Navajo country. Thirty-some riders, including a noted filmmaker and a highly esteemed author, and some of the most amazing scenery in North America. . . we once again had more fun and adventure than was really fair. (We'll be doing this again this fall, and the only question is exactly which weekend in October, the 19th or 26th. I know -- mark off the whole month, so you can't possibly miss it.)
Then our hunting season kicked off with a bang, and we hunted the legs off ourselves, pretty much. The pack was looking excellent, the hounds ever more biddable and earnestly doing their best every week to provide us excellent sport. From down by La Bajada to up toward Buckman Mesa, and out in Lemitar, we worked over the countryside and shook loose a fair number of coyotes, some of whom were pretty sharp runners and gave us a lot of good galloping over the desert country.
The Bold and the Bruised
A couple of riders here and there (you know who you are) had some spectacular opportunities for "checking the footing," or "flying lessons," or "unscheduled dismounts," but after boosting the economy for local medical professionals, they're back in the saddle and all is well. We don't mind the occasional dismount, most of us, but it's frustrating if it results in a missed hunt or more.
We also had an influx of new members, some of whom started the season very gently in second or third field, and then they found their enthusiasm and moved right up to first field. Well done, all, and huge congratulations on taking "a deep seat and a distant look."
The Travel
Out of town, we had a fine turnout for the Arapahoe Hunt Rendezvous in Colorado and the Grand Canyon joint meet in Arizona. If you haven't yet had the chance to come along on those adventures, that's something else to add to your bucket list. Meet delightful people who share your love of horses and hounds, explore new territory, and see how things are done with these other remarkable foxhunting organizations!
The Staff
Our hunt staff did yeoman work, as ever, and Brian, Elsa, Rick, Betsy and Phyllis are to be praised to the skies for the time and effort they put into our hounds and our sport. We all benefited tremendously from their hours spent training, exercising, transporting and adoring the pack. One of the benefits of the staff and Masters' attention to detail was the successful whelping of 10 great puppies, out of CL Kit by CL Hammer. The 6 girls and 4 boys are now off in pairs with hunt families (Patton, Atchinson, Reader, Esterson and Ambrosiano) growing up for the summer, learning their noses and their names and how not to get under horsey feet and all that good stuff.
One of the great things this season was that we kept our enthusiasm and teamwork up right to the very end, wrapping up with a crazy-fun hunt and party at Buckman Well, despite howling wind and blasting sand that made at least one of the breakfast dishes a little crunchier than planned. Nonetheless, we had THE BEST group of stalwart, steady souls out there with us, and you should know you are treasured for your humor, your courage, your sportsmanship and . . . your cooking.
The Other Stuff
Right after the season closed, we topped things off with a Foxhunters' Fun Day at Goose Downs, where we had fun and also made a reasonable profit to help keep the hounds supplied with kibble for the summer. Kudos to our courageous riders and thanks to all the volunteers who helped pull that together, especially the brave handlers for the hound puppy race!
Then we joined Los Alamos Pony Club in hosting a jump clinic with Robert Taylor, MFH of Goshen Hounds, who showed us that we can indeed embrace Citius, Altius, Fortius in our jump work, and Master Patton can make the full 8 seconds on a rowdy horse, no problemo.
The Calendar
Closest on the horizon for coming events is the ever-popular Straw Bale Social Series, hosted in Galisteo by Master and Mrs. Patton, bless their hearts. May 11, 10 a.m. to something or other, pot luck, with dogs, kids, horses, guests, etc. all welcome. The socials are held monthly, and whether you prefer tootling in the ring, taking a lesson, taking a trail ride, or galloping the coops, it's all possible there so come and enjoy.
Also in May we have almost a dozen members heading to Virginia for the Masters of Foxhounds Association meeting, the MFHA whipper-in seminar, the Virginia Hound Show, some serious tack-shop retail therapy and the possibility of proper mint juleps.
In June, we'll do another Straw Bale Social, and I'd like to explore a possible schooling day on the cross-country fences at Boca Negra Horsemen's Complex in Albuquerque. I'll post more information as we figure that one out.
The hounds, in case you wondered, are once again summering in the shady cottonwood kennels of Rancho Corazon, and we are exploring options for the next season's accommodations, given that the Santa Fe Equestrian Center is still for sale. We'll keep you posted on that, and who knows, perhaps one of these days/years we'll get to that exciting goal of our own clubhouse and year-round facility.
Overall, it's been a fantastic season, the best I can remember, really, and it bodes well for the coming year. I hope you'll join us in our summer fun and the future fall adventures.
Tally Ho!
Nancy and the Masters
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