First Fox Hunt

Great fun..... with one little hiccup.

Yesterday was my first opportunity to participate in a fox hunt. The regular season has not started so formal wear was not necessary. I missed the beginner lessons that are sponsored by the Fort Leavenworth Hunt Club (FLHC) due to not learning about them until they were done. So I decided to just go anyway. Trial by fire.... seems to be a running life theme!

Anyway, I washed and spiffed up Tokaj so that she was looking her finest, and cleaned tack and tried to make ourselves presentable. Knowing that the FLHC is very military affiliated, I was not going to be surprised by an inspection! I do not have the proper hunt clothing even for an informal hunt (called cubbing instead of fox hunting)... so thanks to some advice by the Hunt Secretary Gayle, I figured out how to economically outfit myself for trying out this sport, thinking that if I formally join the hunt, that I can upgrade my outfit.

We showed up bright and early Saturday morning in what is known as Easton Hunt Country which is West of the main Fort Leavenworth gate. The trucks and horse trailers were parked with typical military formation and precision so that everyone had room, but not too much room, and a way to leave efficiently when the hunt was over. I parked (thank goodness no backing up!! I am getting better, but would not want to be watched by a no-nonsense military officer.... that would prompt much nervous nonsense!).

Tokaj stepped out of the trailer like a regal Queen and was her quiet, calm self. I got tacked up and got on her to ride her around the trailers to guage her reaction to all the horses and commotion. She was perfect as usual. So I took her back to the trailer and waited for the start of the hunt.

Before the hunt started I got to know the people at the neighboring horse trailer. They were old hands at fox hunting. They had horses who were very quiet, capable looking horses. The gentleman's name was Keene (unknown about the spelling), and apparently they had been hunting with the FLHC since the early 1980's and supplied a bunch of horses for the other members. Keene's wife Susan told me about Keene's uncanny ability to find great horses from unlikely sources. Susan's six year old, huge, quiet horse was bought by Keene in South Dakota at a sale for failed rodeo bucking horses when he was three years old. They have a really great story, and you would never have any idea that he was not a well bred heavy hunter!

I also met a friend of Keene and Susan's, Marnie (sp?). Marnie's husband is in the military and they, like me, are from California. Marnie kindly filled me in on the details of the Hunt and thought I might like to hunt Second Field where there are some jumps. If you are not familiar, the hunt is set up like this: The First Field are official members of the FLHC and follow directly after the hounds (not dogs... you are risking your reputation if you call them dogs.), then the Second Field, which are members who don't want to be First Field, and guests or nonmembers, then there are the Hilltoppers who do not jump and stay behind the field.

Well, I figured going Second field with Miss Tokaj the super quiet horse would be fine. Then we could practice our jumping a bit. So Marnie agreed to let me follow her and she would keep Tokaj and I out of trouble.

We finally set out after the hounds and the first field and I was elated to be finally participating in a fox hunt. Tokaj started out quiet as a lamb.... and then... we started trotting as a group and even cantering some, and she revved up like a supercharged sportscar with nowhere to go... being blocked in front by a trotting horse, and on the sides by the trees and trailside vegetation. She did not understand why this big herd of horses was moving quickly, but there MUST be a horse eating thing behind and she did not want to be last! She became harder and harder to hold back from the horse in front's rear end and then we came to a halt. If you have ever been in a military style formation, you realize that the folks in the back are constantly either stopped or trying to catch up. Tokaj was definitely telling me that she did not understand this situation or what was expected of her. Then the horses started off again, and Marnie, who ended up behind me asked to go first and I held Tokaj to let her pass.... that was WAY too much for Tokaj to deal with... Didn't her stupid rider realize that the Horse Eating Thing was back there!?!?! I let Tokaj follow Marnie but she already decided that I was a hinderance to her survival... she jumped a ditch and put her head down and gave some enormous bucks! I went flying off and she bolted to the head of the line bucking all the way.

I picked my embarrassed self off the ground, did a momentary check to see if all physical systems were fine, and went to claim my horse. I got back on, put on a cheerful face, and became determined to ride as if I was on a colt and not on a super nice trained fox hunter (which I should have been doing in the first place since neither of us had ever hunted!). I understood why Tokaj did what she did and now my job was to convince her that she is not in any danger and to keep her brain and not panic.

Karen, the lead rider for the Hilltoppers asked if I wanted to join her slower, non-jumping group. I decided that definitely was a good idea! So I followed her. Don't get me wrong though.... Hilltoppers are still not out for a Sunday stroll, they trot, canter, and navigate rough terrain too.. And they stay in single file formation which is the hardest thing when your horse is full of steam and the horse in front of you is going slower than she wants to go. When the horses sped up and Tokaj got some maneuvering room she started bucking again, but this time I was ready, stayed on, and pulled her head up. That was the last time she bucked.

By the end of the ride (approx 2 hours with breaks), Tokaj was doing pretty decently. She was not crowding the horse in front as much, and she wasn't fighting for the rein as much. I could definitely see how Hunt horses make great eventers... and how even nice eventers might not make it in the hunt field. Despite my bruised body and ego, and the fact that my focus had to be on my horse rather than on the beauty of the hounds or the countryside, I decided this sport had the potential to be a ton of fun and was just what Tokaj and I need to form trust, and for Tokaj to be a truly trained and useful partner.

Fox hunting is the closest thing to the cattle drives I grew up being part of. Horses must learn to work alone, and in a group, they must listen to their riders regardless of their speed or what the other horses are doing. My great horse Monte (retired) was wonderful at everything I asked him to do after he was trained.... he drove cows, jumped, evented, did western trail, trail trials, shows, etc.... but the best thing was that I could try ANYTHING with him and knew behavior would not be an issue thanks to the ranch work. That is my goal with Tokaj. And she made great improvements in one day. I am sure it will take another four to six outings as a Hilltopper for her to realize that this is not all that exciting and settle down, but after that we are going to be a great team and I will get to focus on the working of the hounds and the countryside!

One great thing about Tokaj that I learned from the Hungarian Horse Association website is that Hungarians are sometimes used in endurance riding in a heavy horse classification. It seemed weird to me until I rode Tokaj on the Hunt. I was kind of hoping she would tire out after about 30 minutes. Horses that are tired will often start looking for an easier way of doing business ie., relax and do only the minimum required, rather than continuing on full jet power. But, Miss Tokaj never got tired. And when we walked the quarter mile back to the trailers she was not as sweaty or huffing and puffing like other horses... although she had done more work in all the bucking, and cantering in place that she did. She has the hallmarks of a great horse. We just need to get on the same page.

Once back at the trailers, Bob (big cheese) informed me that it was great that I just came out and hunted.. and survived it! He also mentioned that on my first hunt, I had made it into a very elite club called the Cropper's Club. Which means I fell off at a regular hunt and "met face to face with the crops" (we hunted on corn fields so now I feel very familiar with corn having met it face to face). Apparently there is a T-shirt that I am now eligible to wear, and that I will wear with pride!

I said goodbye to all of my new friends, Marnie, Susan, Karen, Keene, and Bob and drove home. Once I got home I started feeling my bumps and bruises. It is funny how you can just ride for two hours and not know that you have a sprained ankle swelling up in your boot and have gotten your bell rung pretty good. I was happy to be home and told my husband Jake, "Oh yeah they were very impressed with Tokaj and I. They mentioned that they had never seen a horse buck so high or hard especially after already getting the rider off.....".

So.... Fox hunting this Wednesday anyone??? See you out there.

Missouri Horse Country

Well, I am just tickled with the opportunities abounding for Fall 2007 equestrian experiences! Who knew that Missouri and Kansas were such great states for horse people! I have to admit while living on the West Coast, I always dreamed of Virginia and Maryland and thought that was definitely where the action was when it came to eventing, hunting, and dressage. And perhaps it is.... but there is a secondary Mecca out here in the Mid-West!

I have been riding Tokaj and Bailey and they are coming along quite well. Miss Tokaj and I went on a trailride with Sandy who I was introduced to by a family member who knew she was an avid rider too. Tokaj was just picture perfect from getting into the trailer like a lady (you forget when you have colts how nice it is for a horse just to load with no drama!), to marching down the trail without spooking at deer or turkeys. It was very nice and built a lot of trust between her and I. I will be trail riding again with Sandy this coming week and am contemplating taking Bailey. It is definitely time for him to get out and experience some things... but it sure was nice to kick back and relax on Tokaj!

Other good news regarding Missouri/Kansas equestrian community: There is so much to do! I found out that Fort Leavenworth has a Hunt Club (FLHC). I have wanted to go fox hunting since I first found out that it existed when I was a kid... problem was that there was no fox hunting anywhere in the vicinity of where I grew up or anywhere that I moved to! So, the FLHC is giving lessons to beginners on the etiquette of hunting... and wouldn't you know it... I missed the first seven of the eight classes! But I emailed the Master of Fox Hounds and asked if there were any more classes, or any way I would be allowed to hunt with them this season (season runs from mid October through Mid April). He thought I would not be a lost cause and has invited me to attend the last class this coming Saturday. I am nervous, but excited and trusting that Tokaj will be her usual steady-eddy self. I can't wait!

In order to do the hunt lesson, however, I have to forego an opportunity to school cross country at Longview Horse Park that is the same weekend. Fortunately there are two other opportunities to school Longview in the near future and I will go to those. :)

Although Tokaj and I are still getting to know eachother, I am considering entering her in a Schooling Combined Test at the end of October that will consist of dressage and cross country jumping. I will be entering her at Beginner Novice, which is well below her abilities for jumping, but we are just getting our dressage "connection" and I don't think she is ready for more than the Beg. Nov. dressage test right now.

Bailey is also doing great! He has been a such a star given the incosistent riding I have given him. Today he was much more consistent at all three paces on the flat. I am going to ride him tomorrow and introduce him to some more small jumps.

Savannah continues to eat and eat. Sigh.

Progress!!

The building crew from ESH Quality Structures has arrived to build the barn. They have done quite a lot in a half-day. They were not kidding when they said the barn would be up in five to seven working days! Here is a photo from today. Just a few short hours ago it was just a flat piece of ground!

The Second Chance Team definitely is looking forward to this barn! There will be three stalls, one for each horse. This is such a welcome development because currently when the horses eat their Strategy, Chops, and individualized supplements, I have to preside over the whole affair with a lunge whip to keep the "ladies", Savannah and Tokaj, from eating theirs, eachothers, and all of Bailey's too! So basically I have to stand out there for almost an hour while Bailey slowly nibbles his food, and the ladies AKA Gobble Guts, have finished and are circling Bailey's feel bucket like vultures. Once the barn is up, they will all be separated to eat their concentrated feed so I can return to the house for a workout and a cup of coffee before they are ready to be turned out for the day.

Barn Building and Team Building

Barn Building

The Second Chance Team is getting a new barn soon. The materials have been delivered and the crew is on it's way to build. I am excited about having my own barn.... but the costs of outfitting it have just hit me! Did you know that stall mats are $40 each and you need SIX per stall? Yikes. But, my critters will definitely appreciate some cushioning, and I will definitely appreciate their not being able to dig big holes that I would have to fill annually!

I am working with Jake to figure out how to set each stall up. I am thinking that corner feeders that allow the horses to eat in a natural head down position would be preferable over the trendy swing out feeders that look cool, but can result in the horse banging his/her head on it (Bailey has definitely lost some forehead hair to swing out mangers) and reaching up to eat their hay. I found some corner feeders with a place for grain and salt block on the sides that look nice and safe.

I am bucking the trend for automatic waterers because I just don't like them. Horses like to drink their fill and they can decide it is not worth the wait for the small bowl to refill so they can drink more, and then they can end up with colic issues. So... buckets it is! At lease buckets are less expensive right? :)

Tackroom organization is something else. The horses need their stalls to be comfy and user friendly, but when it comes to organizing the tackroom... although I have visions of brass bridle hooks, horse blanket hangers, saddle racks, a refrigerator etc.... I might have to put off having the tackroom of my dreams for a while. I am still considering myself lucky to have an actual "room" to put tack rather than the horse trailer, or the garage!

Team Building

Jake, Tokaj and I are planning on heading out for a cross country jumping day on September 30. I am going to introduce Tokaj to some cross country jumps at a leisurely schooling day. It should be fun and low key. I am hoping Tokaj takes to cross country jumps with her characteristic gentle enthusiasm. We have done some jumping at home and she is very willing and a good jumper. She has been helping me get the rust out without one complaint so far.

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The Team

Introducing the chief member of the Second Time Around team...... Tokaj! Tokaj is a lovely Hungarian warmblood mare who I recently purchased in Nebraska. Tokaj is 8yrs old, and such a sweet tempered horse. She was lovingly cared for and trained inthe past several years by the Berryman family in Lincoln, NE. She is a former hunter and definitely loves to jump. I thank the Berrymans for allowing me the opportunity to own such a promising and fun horse.

Tokaj and I will be working on our understanding of dressage training and principles as well as some cross country jumping. Tokaj seems to have the arena style jumping down pretty good from what I could see. I have been letting her settle in since bringing her home, but did ride her for a short time this morning. She seems to have a nice work ethic, and although there was a big spook at a cross country log that we were riding near... I am sure she is going to love to gallop and jump once she realizes what those logs are for! :)

And introducing the back up team:

The two characters above are Bailey (left) and Savannah (right). They are full sibling registered Paint horses. I jokingly say they are 1/2 triple crown winner (Spectacular Bid... yes I know he did not win all three races) and 1/2 champion reining/gaming horse (Apache Thunderbird)! With all that athletic ability, there has to be an eventer in there somewhere! ;) Bailey and Savannah were bred by my dear friends Tawni and David Limesand in Idaho. I worked in Idaho for several years and became friends with Tawni and David. They were breeding very athletic Paint horses for western sport, and found that their stallion Apache could throw a jumper as well.

Bailey is a four year old gelding. He is a pretty, fluid mover, is sensitive, and likes to jump. He has not been jumped under saddle yet. I started Bailey myself and have not been as consistent with him as I would have liked with all of the moving I have done. Bailey is working on rhythm and regularity in his paces, balance in his transitions, and becoming more straight. He is doing well and will be ready for work over cavaletti soon in anticipation of our first jump.

Savannah is a 2 year old mare. She is quiet, quiet, quiet, and a bit headstrong at times. Nothing spooks or scares her... or really gets her respect.... including me unless I really demand it. :) Growing is Savannah's main job still. She does it with a vengeance and eats a lot and often tries to eat everyone else's meals too. I look forward to some ground work and lunge training in the near future with Miss Savannah.

I have been perusing the event calendars with an eye out for Tokaj and I's debut, and there is actually a lot out there. I am excited, but know that I want to get us off on the right foot... so, before I decide to do any competing with Tokaj this Fall, I will work with her some more and make sure we have a stronger partnership and understanding of eachother.

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