The Hunt

The cancellation of this year's traditional Thanksgiving Hunt of Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds was met with much dismay, but I can fully understand why the decision was made: we'd had two days of steady rain, the ground was very soft and there was a greatly increased risk of damage to property, horses and riders. It was the first time in the Hunt's 100-year history that the Thanksgiving Meet wasn't held. The response on social media was utter disappointment from equestrians and non-equestrians alike; I didn't realize so many people made going to watch the Thanksgiving Meet part of their holiday tradition.
I'm told that some folks, including some of the offline Amish neighbors, didn't get the word and showed up on Thursday morning anyway.
I stopped by the slightly delayed hunt meet, held Saturday morning at the Kennels, and there was still a good crowd. Just before the foxhunters "moved off," Michael Ledyard, one of the Masters, greeted the spectators and welcomed them to "the first Thanksgiving Hunt ever held on a Saturday." He thanked everyone for coming and gave a special shout-out to the landowners who allow the Hunt on their properties.
I enjoyed hearing the comments from people from outside of Unionville who were visiting the area for the holiday. "Do they know how elegant they look in their red coats?" asked one woman, eyeing one hunter. "They must!"
The kids loved watching the excited hounds being released from their kennel at the beginning of the hunt. With one crack of the huntsman's whip, the Cheshire Beauties instantly focused on their job and were ready for action: seeking a fox!