Sunday, November 21, 2010

A Pace then a Roundup

Nine of us attended (well actually ten counting the infamous Mr. McKee) the annual Harvard Hounds Hunter Pace. There must have been at least 100 riders from the 3 neighboring states. Jessie, Courtney, Emily, Jennifer, Teal, Christy, Anna, Kristen and myself composed teams 1 and 3. Our start time was 9:58. Logs and low post and rails slowly lead up to 3 foot fences and coops. The temperature was perfect for a 2 hour gallop. Simulating an actual hunting day, we finished the course in 1 hour and 55 minutes. Unable to stay until the winning teams were announced, we loaded horses and drove home for the annual UA Razorback Roundup horse sale. Nineteen horses sold last night. Some will travel as far as South Carolina and meet their new owners today. In the end, students were all smiles as their project horses, new skill sets and hard work paid off. For the UofA DE King Equine Program, sales were up from last year. Good job girls!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Year End Jumping at Harvest Run

A gorgeous fall day for the Harvest Run Show and year end jumping finals. Jumper classes had a full turnout which provided competitive sport for Christy and Jennifer. Christy and Whitty Cait had their best rides of the year. With the help of wonderful Amanda, Whit has figured out how to use his front end and where to put his feet. His courses were fluid and graceful showing off his athleticism and teasing us with expectations for next season. Whit comes home with a championship in puddle jumper and reserve championship in future jumper.  Christy and Whit have become partners in every way. Good job! Jennifer and King of Pop are clearly headed for the big jumps next year. King, 15.3 hands at 5 years old, held his own against entries standing up to 17 hands and aged masters of the game. King, like whit, is learning how to use himself differently to tackle the higher jumps. His love of jumping was obvious as he made some difficult spots work taking good care of his rider. Jennifer made excellent decisions and with just a few rails down, rode the difficult course with poise. Jennifer and King had very successful rounds and will be a force to contend with next season. Good job! We now anxiously await posting of final year end points with our fingers crossed for a couple championships.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Hunting Flint Creek

Another amazing day of chasing coyote. We traveled to the Flint Creek hunt fixture. Christy riding Whit, Anna riding Shody and me on Denver. We hacked down the drive, crossed the one lane bridge and hounds were cast.  I was asked to ride with the huntsman and help back whip. WOW! I was right up front and behind the hounds. The hounds were moving fast and working hard. Scenting conditions were not the greatest due to lack of any recent rain. We reached the chicken houses. The hounds went into the woods to the west and the lead hound immediately struck and the pack honored. We followed the music around the edge of the bermuda patch where the 2nd whip viewed. Hounds were all on and in full cry. We sat and listened as they circled us. Hounds lost scent when the coyote left the woods. Huntsman Max gathered and we hacked to the next covert. He cast hounds at the dripping springs. Lead hound immediately stuck and the pack honored. We galloped through the woods and across the creek to meet up with the pack where they crossed the meadow and slowed as the scent faded. One last gallop as hounds picked up again in the woods. The temperature warmed to 60 degrees and MFH Max gathered and headed home. Anna and Christy and first field practiced the cross country fences on the hack home. We popped the bubbly and celebrated a great day!