The Vixen Meet Fields. Photo by John Wilkoski.
I jumped at the chance when I was asked to join the committee to plan and execute the third annual Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Vixen Meet in Pennsylvania. I was thrilled to be on a hunt committee for the first time and had some big ideas brewing almost immediately. Luckily, my fellow committee members had the same big ideas to make this Vixen Meet bigger and better than ever before. The goal to make our Vixen Meet a destination, rather than just a one-day event, drove us to think big and think fabulous. We rallied the troops from our hunt community to pull off such a big endeavor.
As the ideas started flowing and we discussed the early stages of the event, we all felt that excitement, possibly a touch of stress, of what this day could shape up to be. The committee got to work immediately on advertising and finding volunteers. As word got out, it was astounding to see how many hunt supporters, landowners, and members quickly offered to help in any way they could to help make the Vixen Meet a success. Many people offered to host horses, had beds available for guests, signed up to bring food and drinks to the tea, and made themselves available to dig in and get to work on anything that would need to be done. Their generosity will not be forgotten.
Author Rachel Wilkoski, Sabrina Brown, and Ashley Steele Norris. Photo by John Wilkoski.
This year we were lucky enough to host the Vixen Meet at the beautiful Plumsted Farm. This is a new meet from the past years. It was unanimous that this beautiful farm with plentiful parking, an expansive hayloft for the Hunt Tea, and plenty of hunting territory in all directions, would be the perfect new venue.
Lydia, the wonderful landowner of Plumsted Farm, was thrilled to host the Vixen Meet at her farm and was incredibly gracious with her time to make accommodations for all of our needs to make the event run smoothly. Lydia was a crucial part of making our vision become a reality and made this a great opportunity to connect with members of our local community, even if they were not mounted.
As Vixen Meets are becoming more popular every year, the RSVPs began rolling in almost immediately after our advertising began. Countless hours were spent creating the invitation, posting on Facebook groups, and most importantly, reaching out to friends, masters, and hunt staff. Direct contact was essential in achieving our goal of making ladies feel welcome rather than just being aware of our event. And it really helped our numbers grow, even on the days just before the meet.
With a week to the Vixen Meet, we were looking at over 100 mounted riders, many attendees for the Tea, and a beautiful forecast of a mild 48 degrees and sunshine. When we were just two days out, the forecast abruptly changed to heavy rain, snow, and high in the 30’s. While this sudden change did put a damper on things, we all agreed that we would press on regardless, no matter the weather, as none of us could ever recall a foxhunter melting while hunting in the rain.
When the Vixen Meet day finally arrived, it was clear that the day was going to be one to remember. The parking field was full of trailers, horses were beautifully turned out, and everyone was excitedly greeting old friends and making new ones as they prepared for a great day of hunting. As we all made our way to the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup field, we were offered port and sherry off of beautiful silver platters, held by a few well dapper, Cheshire gentlemen. As everyone polished off their liquid courage and master announcements were made, the electricity and excitement from the field of 89 riders, representing 28 different hunts, was hard to miss, especially as we suddenly realized it was not yet raining, as the weatherman predicted.
Sarah Kirk and Boyd Martin. Photo by John Wilkoski.
As hounds moved off, the first field vixens were especially giddy to find themselves situated behind our special guest Field Master, Olympian, Boyd Martin wearing his USA scarlet coat. Boyd, with a bit of direction from our Master, Sanna Neilson, was prepared to give the ladies a cracking day in First Field. We have to give him credit, as having 89 ladies following you wherever you may go was certainly not an easy job!
Hounds struck immediately on the first covert, and away we went! The Fields were treated to a view as the fox crossed the woods and back into the hunt cup field. We then had yet another view. The adrenaline was high as we galloped away and cleared the first jumps, and it was still not yet raining. As we crossed the country so many ladies were smiling from ear to ear as they kicked it in gear for the post and rail country. The day continued with more galloping, more fences, minimal gate getting, and plenty of good sport all around as our foxes took us for a tour over some of our best country and even the famous Brooklawn Double.
As the temperature dropped, the storm clouds rolled in, and many of us were out of horse. The hounds hunted towards home after putting a fox to ground, striking on one more fox that put us within two fields of the meet. The day was called as the rain began. The group of remaining riders hacked home in a slight drizzle, but nobody seemed to mind in the slightest. The delayed storm front provided us with perfect scenting conditions for one of the best days of our season.
The vendor corner of the Plumsted hay loft. Photo by John Wilkoski.
Once we put up our horses, we made our way to the hayloft to find the most fabulous Tea Cheshire has ever seen. From the silver to the champagne to the chandelier, not a single detail was missed. The abundance of food and drink was enjoyed by all as the ladies showcased their favorite hats for the Best Hat Contest, judged by Boyd. While filling our bellies we were able to do some shopping in the vendor corner from several wonderful small businesses or sit and chat with our new hunting pals. It truly was an absolutely magnificent way to end the hunting day and will be hard to beat!
As I think back on the day, I am amazed to have had so many supporters, from many different hunts excited to join us, gather friends to make the trek, and support our fundraising efforts. With the great success of this year, we are already looking forward to our next Vixen Meet and hope to have twice as much fun!
The late Lisa Cowan. Photo by John Wilkoski.
Editor’s note:
Sadly, this photo of Lisa Cowan was taken not long before she passed. She was a woman of many talents. Lisa worked for the New York Times, made her own side saddle habit (which won Best Turned out at a recent Aiken horse show), and took care of ex-Master Ed Kelley’s horses. As a member of Golden’s Bridge Hounds, she was awarded her colors posthumously. While hunting with Piedmont Fox Hounds this year, she was overheard saying, “I’m having the time of my life at Piedmont. I’m on top of the world!” She will be sadly missed.
Originally Published on June 18, 2023.