Arapahoe Hunt's (CO) Junior Hunt Day on April 8 was a marvelous day of "firsts" for the young members of the Arapahoe Hunt Pony Club! There were huge smiles on the faces of both kids and adults. From following hounds off the leadline to keeping up with whippers-in, many Pony Club members checked goals off their foxhunting wish lists.
Colette "Coco" Barnicoat, age 7, recently enjoyed a day out with Santa Ynez Valley Hounds (CA) for their closing meet. She kindly submitted this recap of her day's sport with joint Masters Bonnie Hayden and Paul McEnroe and huntsman Claire Buchy-Anderson: "I am racing to my room to start packing for my favorite place, the ranch. It is a very good trip but it is two hours. And once we get there, we have dinner and then dessert and then we go to bed. But it's very hard to fall asleep.
Riders often joke that going hunting is more effective than therapy to escape the stress and pressure of daily life. For 11-year-old Evan Dombrowsky, though, hunting is genuine physical therapy. Born with one hip out of socket, Evan just came through his sixth surgery to manage this condition. His doctors believe horsebackriding places his hips in a beneficial position and contributes to his gradual improvement. In addition to hunting Pete the pony with Loudoun Fairfax Hunt (VA), Evan has faithfully walked hounds out, helped around the kennels, and twice won Best Junior Handler at the Virginia Foxhound Show.
My name is Emily VandenBerghe and I am a freshman at Oxford High School, in Oxford, Michigan. I have ridden horses since I could pretty much hold on (about two years old, my mom says). I join Metamora Hunt II Pony Club at the age of eight, which introduced me to foxhunting. I quickly fell in love with the sport and joined Metamora Hunt later that year.
The United States Pony Clubs (USPC) announced the winners of the 2016 Hildegard Neill Ritchie Joys of Foxhunting Writing Contest. The competition is open to all D- or C-rated Pony Club members. The winner receives a $200 cash prize to spend on foxhunting dues, hunt capping fees, Pony Club camp or related activities, with smaller awards to second and third places. This year, judges included Nancy Ambrosiano, former USPC Foxhunting Committee chair and a USPC graduate; Mary Pierson, a lifelong USPC supporter; and Norman Fine, foxhunting expert and author.
Emily Miller, 13, is one of Red Rock Hounds' (NV) devoted young riders who not only show up to hunt, but also work behind the scenes to support the Masters and staff. "We are so proud of our junior field here at Red Rock," said Angela Murray, MFH, "They bring so much to the life and give light for a bright future here at our hunt! Our juniors play a big role in the hunt field as young staff members, in the barn exercising and handling staff and members' horses, and in the kennel with the care and training of hounds."
Subscribing Membership to the MFHA is open to anyone who cares about the future of country lifestyles and wants their voice and vote to make a difference. You will also receive Covertside magazine 4x a year!
