Author Tom Howland and Candy Linville catch up with friends at the hunt’s reunion. / Jim Sykes photoThe South Creek Foxhounds, Florida’s oldest hunt, revisited their roots at Robert Thomas’s Two Rivers Ranch on May 5, 2012 for a sentimental reunion. Established in 1965 as the Two Rivers Hunt, the hunt’s current name was adopted in 1995.
What an outstanding reunion we all had out at Two Rivers Ranch! For some of us, just entering the drive off of 301 was enough to shed a tear or two and initiate many warm memories. I can’t remember them all, but there were flashes of different parts of the ranch, old friends that have since passed (or those that I hadn’t seen in ages), memorable horses, hounds, the old kennels and barn.
What a pleasure it was to once again see Jeannie, Lee Atkinson, Mary Ann, Candy, Sally and many others. It’s a shame that some of our old horses couldn’t be there with us.
I could go on, but from talking to folks at the reunion, my experience was far from unique. So many conversations began with, “Remember when…….” Most of them I remembered. There were even a few past rumors, finally confirmed, that had been a mystery to me—some little confidential items that never came out at the time. I promise not to tell.
Rick Michaels, MFH, South Creek Foxhounds and Robert Thomas welcome more than one hundred former members of the Two Rivers Hunt, many still members of the South Creek Foxhounds. / Jim Sykes photoAnd the food! I have to say it was one of the best barbecue spreads I have seen or tasted since Bronson cooked French toast for thirty-two people at a breakfast out by the kennels one Saturday morning. It was a long morning, but the French toast was out of this world. I forever thank Robert and Rick for their generosity. (I especially liked the smoked chicken.)
The bunk house looked better than ever to me. I thought about the times that we had the Opening Meet teas under those old oak trees. I recall volunteering one season to assist with the cleanup after the tea. Jack Phethean came up to me several times and reminded me (in a very colorful way) that I had better not leave a single scrap of paper or anything else for that matter for Robert Thomas to see. I crawled on my hands and knees for about an hour-and-a-half picking up anything large or small.
Over the years I headed up the Hunt Ball, Hunter Pace, Opening Meet, and Hunter Trials. I remember the time when running the Hunt Ball with Debbie Smith we were presented with the bill from the chef. I think it was around $3,500. Neither of us had the money on us as we expected to get a bill in the mail. Debbie drove back home, got her checkbook, and saved the day. What a woman!
I was also happy to see Vicki, Robert Douglas, Lesley and family, Dana and other officials from the hunt. They always work so hard at giving us a great time. Never take them for granted. What would the hunt be without them?
I regret that I never became a whipper-in. That position always appealed to me: riding at a full gallop and yelling “Staff!” to the Field Master and field on a narrow path in the woods. I also wanted to practice the phrase, “Get to it.” That’s the kind of thing I could use at home (for the kids, not Dee).
Finally, I have to say that when I entered the Ranch, a warm and peaceful feeling came over me. I was off in a different world which I can only describe as heaven on earth for those of us who love hunting and horseback riding. It was wonderful to go back and relive some of those great times.
Posted May 21, 2012
Wayne Thomas leads a field of over eighty riders on a reunion trail ride at Two Rivers Ranch. / Jim Sykes photo