November 24, 2017
The Perfect Hat
Lionel Edwards illustrationThe Bowler and the Wide-Awake,
The Topper and the Straw,
The Homburg and the Helmet
May be hats without a flaw;
The Bonnet of the Highlanders,
The Busby of the Greys
Are hats we shall remember
To the end of all our days;
The Jockey-cap of sunlit silk,
The Bishop’s Shovel-black
Can honor a cathedral town
Or grace a racing track.
But the neatest, sweetest headgear
Be it e’er so crushed or crude
Is the Hat upon the Skyline
When a forward fox is viewed.
Opening Meet at Scarteen: A Centuries-Old Tradition
Moving off to Opening Meet in the village are Chris Ryan, MFH (at left) and huntsman Raymond O’Halloran, leading staff, hounds, and a select few. Joanna Turvey (center) wears the colors of the South Notts Foxhounds (UK). / Catherine Power photo
Recorded Scarteen history only goes back to the early seventeen hundreds, so we don’t know exactly how long the opening meet has been held in Knocklong, Ireland. But through those centuries that have been recorded, the venue has remained an unbroken tradition.
Part and parcel of that tradition is to have hounds and followers (both foot and mounted) blessed for the coming season. This ecclesiastical duty falls to the local padre who came to the kennels with bell, book and candle to invoke Divine support. No doubt our young huntsman welcomed this as any huntsman would. However, a huntsman in his first season particularly needs a bit luck and a tail wind to see him through.
