Thanks for a grand Thanksgiving Day Hunt
Over the river and through the woods on a beautiful Thanksgiving morning…
Once again, oh, how lucky we were! It was only 9am, but already trailer after trailer was rolling into the parking area at the Polo Field in Moreland Hills, in a spit-and-polish mode. But….. please, first things first….a stirrup cup just to warm the cockles of your heart and open your eyes to the day ahead. CVH Honorary Secretary Carol Donaldson provided trays of everything drinkable, from apple juice to port and even a pumpkin-flavored liquor. We toasted the Hounds, Staff, our large and enthusiastic Field – and of course, the marvelous weather - which everyone took credit for! Talk about the spirits of the Holiday!
After “Good Mornings” all the way round, and assistance in tying stock ties, soon it was 10 o’clock - time to mount up and get the hunt on the way. Huntsman Headdon had ten and a half couple of hounds out (leaving our all too keen forerunners at home in the kennel) for this morning was going to be different: we were hunting a drag (a scent that Master Judy McConnell, dressed as our fox-of-the-day vixen, would lay through the Valley.)
Definitely there was tension in the air. Horses anxious and ready to roll. Thirty riders, comprised of foxhunt regulars and many who had never been on a hunt before, were at various stages of anticipation. And our hounds were probably wondering “Where the heck are we?”
Then the call came: “Hounds, please!” And off we started, north into the original hunt country of the Chagrin Valley Hunt. The Field was nearly evenly divided: Fieldmaster Dick Desberg lead the First Flight over fences, and Fieldmaster Solange Rian led the Second or non-jumping Hilltopping Flight. The first leg of the drag took us across the open areas, down through running creek beds, - then jumping into the woods, cantering around White North Stable along the edge of the Chagrin River.
A grand group of Roadies (including former Master Shirley Morgan and her traveling terrier) followed the hunt along River Road and enjoyed what had to be a stunning view on such a bright and gorgeous morning. There was a lot of photography going on and smiling faces in silver frames are sure to wind up under holiday trees.
The next leg was a short run over the valley ridge. Interestingly, the hounds who normally hunt live quarry, ran the scent but never “spoke” on it. Old foxhunters probably have mixed feelings about that: on one hand it would have been nice to hear their wonderful “music” – but on the other hand, it’s good to know that our hounds know the real thing from t’other. Then, though we never go larking in the hunt field, on this special morning we cruised around the carousel of jumps at Squire Valley Farm, and headed for the Hunt Club after a lovely morning that was just too much fun for one morning!
But wait, there’s more… What would a Chagrin Valley Thanksgiving Day Hunt be without our traditional Eggnog Party? And there waiting for us were all our trailers – many thanks to all who did the hauling from the Polo Field to the Club. Tired horses climbed on and were happy to chew on their breakfasts, while the rest of us enjoyed a very festive feast of homemade delectables: everything from Joan Musumeci’s oh, so English Cornish pasties, to Mrs. Sogg’s divine scones, to Mrs. Desberg’s gingerbread and veggie sandwiches to Larry Smith’s deviled eggs…….and so much more…a groaning board, way to full to fully explore. Thank goodness we have such great talents in our group of happy hunters. Once again, thank you all for what you cooked and shared – we know it was done with lots of love - and even more butter! Mayor Connie White even brought her Westie girl Bizzie, who seemed to be having the most fun meeting and greeting (but isn’t that what a politico does?)
And so it seems that the Chagrin Valley Hunt’s Thanksgiving Hunt 2009 will certainly be a day to remember - enjoyed by hound, horse, riders, spectators and all our new and old friends. Happy Holidays!
