Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Next generation

A reader sent me a charming account of the 2011 Cheshire Foxhunting Camp, attended by 16 children, ages 6 to 12. "Some were members' children or grandchildren, some came from other hunts, some had only ridden in a ring, and two were from the Work to Ride program. These last two were a great addition to the camp--unfailingly polite, good riders, interested in the foxhunting information, and thoughtful of the other children."
The campers learned about "the different kinds of hounds, how to go cross-country, learning the calls of the horn, what happens when you are hunting, how to do off a pony, and correct etiquette and dress for hunting." Singled out for special thanks were Huntsman Ivan Dowling, Barn Manager Leasa Dowling, Whipper-in Steph Boyer, and of course "Stevie Hayes, our all-around Hunt helper."
The children were divided into three groups: "non-jumpers, two-railers, and more advanced. The non-jumpers gained confidence in riding in big fields, and the jumpers had a blast jumping their hearts out. In the tack room sessions it was a delight to see how much the children learned."

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