Enjoy this foxhunting essay by ten-year-old Libby Nelson. It was awarded second place in the United States Pony Clubs Hildegard Neill Ritchie Foxhunting Writing Contest. Judges were Nancy Ambrosiano, former USPC Foxhunting Committee chair; Mary Pierson, lifelong Pony Club supporter; and yours truly from Foxhunting Life. Libby is a D-2 member of the De La Brooke Pony Club in the Maryland Region and aspires to be a junior whipper-in with the De La Brooke Foxhounds.
Libby Nelson and Gallant Gabe
I was cantering through the beautiful autumn woods when someone yelled, “Fox!” My horse reared and in lightning speed I was on the ground and thought to myself, “Back to dream horse.” I had grown out of my pony a few months ago and I was looking for a calm, safe foxhunter. I was taking a gorgeous grey out hunting. He was supposed to be a “gem.” Apparently he has a fear of foxes. This guy wasn’t as much of a “gem” in the hunt field.
The next day I found a bold bay and took him hunting. I was all packed and ready to go. It was time to load him on the trailer when his owner called. She said she had forgotten to tell me that he doesn’t load without his friend, Clyde. After two hours of trying to get him to load, I had to accept the fact that I was going to miss the hunt.
One week later, I took a black beauty out. At the hunt, I went to greet the Master of the hounds. One sweet hound named Bubbles came to say hello. “Beauty” kicked at him and just barely missed his head. I apologized and knew this mare wasn’t the one for me.
I was checking out Facebook when I saw a Haflinger for sale. She sounded great! For several hours she was perfectly behaved. We stopped and I was thirsty so I took out my flask and Halfie bolted! She was galloping and bucking across the field until I finally got my reins back, sat heavy, pushed my heels down and yelled, “Whoa!” I realized she was afraid of the flask! Hazardous Halfie was not my dream horse.
The next day, I was at tractor supply getting feed. On the bulletin board where you can post flyers of sale horses, there was a horse named Gabriel’s Gift. The ad said he is a bay fifteen hand fluffy ball of cuteness. He is around ten years old and his breed is unknown. I took him hunting and he was an absolute dream! He stood quietly at checks, sailed over coops and gave no mind to the field master’s holler! “Gabe” was a perfect gentleman.
Not only was he a perfect hunt horse, he became a perfect whipper-in horse, too. I’ve become a junior whip and am well on my way to earning my colors with Gallant Gabe. He is my dream horse.
Posted June 11, 2016