Let's pretend that financial restrictions don't exist and logistics aren't a nightmare. If you could do anything with your Ponykins, what would you do?
I'm going to add another layer to this nice little fantasy land: Let's also pretend that shoddy confidence and fear aren't real things. Lol. (tho, honestly, remove those restrictions and the money/logistics problems are diminished too....)
Maryland has fairly thriving fox hunting clubs - and there really are lots of opportunities to get involved. I haven't truly explored it yet tho bc I suspect it's not cheap and my priority has been breaking into eventing...
jump field from the hunter trials we did last fall
But I'd really like to!! My trainer P at OF used to hunt a lot, but doesn't like to take her competition horses. I don't share those reservations (and I'm not competing at nearly the same level) - so maybe she can help me get started?
Isabel seems perfect for fox hunting. She loves galloping and jumping over stuff, and doesn't lose her mind in groups of horses. My only hesitation is: MUD. Recall that's how we were eliminated at our last horse trial. P thinks that would be a non-issue tho, as Isabel would be too busy trying to keep up to worry about mud. I am, uh, less convinced. But not enough so that I wouldn't want to try it!!
So this really is pretty high on my bucket list. And maybe it's not actually as expensive as I imagine... Plus, now that I'm thinking about it - that extra fantasy layer of 'no fear' is actually accounted for in fox hunting - I believe they call it liquid courage?? lol
Joining EHHC is expensive. And I believe you have to be sponsored by an existing member. See if you can find someone to take you cubbing as a guest. Its much more low key and a lot of fun! The weather is better than actual hunting season, so less mud, too!
ReplyDeleteooh that's a great idea! joining isn't really that important to me - i just want to experience the thrill once (or twice ha!). and better weather is definitely a plus - thanks! i might also want to try out other events the EHHC has - like their hunter trials or a hunter pace.... :)
DeleteLiquid courage flask would be an awesome addition to any adventure....we'll nothing that involves driving mind!
ReplyDeletehaha right? and maybe some for the ponykins too lol
DeleteThat obvs goes without saying seeing as what's in the brain goes down the reins - so you might as well share any brain slurring ahead of time too ;-)
Deletebahahaha yess - omg can you imagine princess iz slurring drunk? lol
DeleteOmg go as a guest! Let them know you're interested in fox hunting but aren't sure it's for you, and get out there! I think you'll find both Isabel and your courage will be bolstered by the group setting. It might even get her over her mud issues. (My horse absolutely HATES mud and water, but will cross with minimal issue when following a group, or even single horse he really trusts.) Plus, fitness!
ReplyDeleteI believe joining the hunts as a member is expensive, but most do allows guests to try them out. Each hunt is a little different, so you'll never know until you reach out and ask. :)
Also, liquid courage ftw.
Deleteyesss - i think this is what i'll do! joining is probably not for me at this stage - it's just not my primary interest... but i DO want to get out and going as a guest sounds perfect!
Deleteand anything that helps get Isabel over changes in footing is a bonus - as that's also very high on our list of training-holes-needing-addressing lol
That would be so fun! I bet she'd get used to the muddiness :)
ReplyDeletethat's the hope!! she's going to have to get used to muddiness and changes in footing one way or another - otherwise our eventing career will be nonexistent lol
DeleteThat sounds like so much fun!! That's so cool you have options nearby. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get to try it!
ReplyDeletethanks! maybe sometime this summer?? :)
DeleteDefinitely go as a guest- our local hunt LOVES to have guests and doesn't mind if you aren't *quite* properly kitted out. (For example, if you have field boots instead of dress boots.) Hunting is really fun if you have a horse that doesn't mind being in a group!
ReplyDeleteomg i didn't even know dress boots were preferred!! i think i have most of the appropriate dress code otherwise - maybe?? haha guess i'll have to ask around if it ever actually happens... which now that i'm reading all these comments, i REALLY want it to happen!!
DeleteLove that flask!
ReplyDeletemeee toooo!! haha i'm pretty sure i need it in my life ;)
DeleteFox hunts sound fun (so long as it's a fake fox) ...it's something I've always been intrigued with as well. I hope you get to participate and would love to read up on your experience!!
ReplyDeletefingers crossed this wish can become a reality!! (tho i agree - i prefer the less lethal variety of fox hunting!)
DeleteYou should go! Hunting is the most fun :)
ReplyDeleteyay i definitely want to!!!
DeleteSo my barn does a thanksgiving day ride which I've decided is what going fox hunting might feel like. Crazy horses running all over and jumping solid fences. Guaranteed that at least one person falls off. I don't do it, lol.
ReplyDeleteStampede doesn't fit in all the trails anyways and P doesn't jump anymore and would get so excited he'd be lathered in 5 minutes from prancing. It's bad enough when they set up for hunter derbies in the field and he thinks he might get to jump again! Tiny X's sometimes P, tiny X's only...
yea... i can totally see your reservations with P and Stampede... but i gotta admit - i would be ALL OVER that ride (and, uh, maybe would also be that person who falls off haha)
DeleteOn the off chance you're ever in Austin during the spring or fall, let me know and we'll take you hunting ;)
ReplyDeleteahhh that would be SO COOL!!!! :D
DeleteGo as a guest!! I've wanted to hunt for SO long, but unfortunately my horse DOES lose his mind in groups of horses! I will live the experience through your blog haha, liquid courage must be included!!
ReplyDeleteaww - yea i'm relieved that isabel is such a cool customer in a herd bc i REALLY want to try it!! and yes, liquid courage is definitely on my itinerary too :)
DeleteSoooo.. Everyone's already said what I was going to say: you can go as a guess of a member. The one I went with actually limited it to like, three times. But they also charged to go as a guest. C'est la vie.
ReplyDeleteSo, Isabel has the qualities that I wish Archie had: love of galloping and fearlessness in a group. You should try it!
yess i definitely want to!! it's on the bucket list for sure - tho it honestly doesn't have the same kind of draw that makes me worry about being limited to three times... i just kinda wanna do it once (maybe twice lol) just to experience it. and yes - isabel IS fearless (except mud and water - that stuff eats horses, she swears)
Delete