A Different Day

Whip's View - Long Fields, available

Leaving the cornfield, the Huntsman dashed through the woods to the rim, hollered, "C’mon!", touched heels to his horse, and plunged over. As my horse reached the spot, I clapped my legs tightly. The little horse never hesitated. Down, down, down (truly, this was worth three downs) he butt-slid past saplings and trees, descending the pathless ravine slope courageously. He slopped through the muddy bottom, bounded into the stream, haunches gathering to charge the opposite side. Halfway up, we clattered over a broken culvert to lunge finally out onto a dirt roadway. "OMyGod!!" I gasped. "Get to them!" he bellowed, giving me no time to wonder about what I’d just ridden. Hounds needed stopping and the little horse gallantly got me there!

Early Spring

Crossing Hatton, SOLD

The day was warm and whatever scent had long since risen. Little enough remained that hounds could pickup. The fox were no doubt cool in their dens but deer might be near, hoping to catch a breeze. A hound opened occasionally but not enough for any other to honor. Finally, in the large swamp, their voices rose, sweeping towards us. Whips moved to cover different points. Just behind the Huntsman, I got that whip’s feeling thinking somewhere else needed covering. Somebody should have stayed at the far end where we’d just been. I started back as the hounds turned our way. I pushed my horse into a canter, wanting to get ahead of the hounds should anything break. Indeed, out jumped a buck, our hounds coming along. I needed to get on that line!