The Huntsman's Corner
The Huntsman's Corner
The Huntsman's Corner
A copy of the 2020-2021 Fixture card is available if you click here
Please note. Hunting is suspended until Dec. 26. COVID rules apply
HUNTSMAN"S LETTER
Sunday, October 18, marked the 37th Opening Hunt of the Bijou Springs. It was yet another 2020 kind of day, with spits of snow and a brazenly cold east wind, which in the least, gave a break in the wildfire smoke that smothered us all on Saturday. Hounds were eager to go and yet were well behaved for their Blessing and the numerous remarks that always precede Opening Hunts, including, this year, the announcement of the winner of the "know your hounds" game, established by Kelly Walsh, and the high bidders for the names for the puppies!
The pack were stars, as they worked a line right out of the home pasture and into the yucca and swales of the middle pasture, eventually with much hard work in the wind, establishing a workable line into the west middle pasture and down into the brush field, where this coyote played tag with them until he was bored. It was a fun hunt, with much music, and an outcome that allowed a quick retreat to trailers before the field was frozen solid. It was fun to see some old friends out, socially distanced as they were. But the sound of the hunt horn is a uniting effort and everyone was gathered for the Blessing and cast right on schedule. I am really pleased the way this pack is coming together, and hopefully, with more confidence, we won't have to ride herd on the younger hounds as we have through the pre-season.
Annie Berlemann brought our new puppies for cuddling. And thanks to Cindy and Vivien for their large bids, they now have names. H1 is now BSH Hoover and H2 is BSH Hector. Both are becoming well socialized and very comfortable around people and horses. Thank you M/M Berlemann!! And thank you to everyone who threw their hat in the ring (or their money, as it were). Thank you too, to our anonymous donor who offered to match these bids to help with the hound fund. Hounds available for sponsoring are below!
We will continue social distancing and mask wearing until the Masters indicate they feel everyone is safe. So, until then, please use a mask anytime you are off your horse. This means that the ranch house AND THE KENNELS are off limits to everyone but the kennel staff and Huntsman. This is a small price to pay in that we are still privileged to ride out in the open air on horseback, enjoy nature at its finest, and the opening of hounds on a line.
Please contact Nancy - Huntwhip@aol.com or call with sponsorship questions or pledges. The hounds rely on you, and thank you for your support of their wellbeing
See you soon.
Tally HO!
Nancy Mitchell