Cries of ‘Ware hound! Ware mud!’

MILLBROOK — It was raining hard at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, an hour before the beginning of the Millbrook Hunt’s 104th opening meet. By the time horses, riders and hounds had gathered in the field at David and Connie Clapp’s Coole Park Farm for the 8 a.m. start, the downpour had abated. But the sky remained dramatically cloudy, and with mist in the valleys the scene was reminiscent of England (the birthplace of foxhunting).The opening meet is the start of the formal hunt season for the Millbrook Hunt and, in keeping with tradition, the horses’ manes were braided for the occasion and riders had closeted their hacking jackets in favor of formal dress. That means the huntsman, the masters, the whippers-in and male members of the hunt who have their colors wore scarlet coats and the women wore black jackets. If a woman has her colors, that is indicated by a green collar on her jacket. Derbies or top hats may be worn but safety helmets are required for juniors.Always a popular event with the members, despite the iffy weather, the field was large, numbering more than 70 riders. Many of those riders were youngsters on ponies.After a brief welcome by one of the Joint Masters of the hunt, Nancy Stahl, and a moment of silence for Millbrook veterinarian Dr. David Hammond, who died recently, huntsman Donald Philhower led the field north. Almost immediately the hounds were off in full cry and the chase was on.After weeks of heavy rain, the ground was soft and muddy. The chase covered miles of territory, over the hills and through the woods, down farm roads, across streams and gullies; in fairly short order horses, riders, boots and tack were splattered with mud.When a hound comes behind the horses, riders alert each other by saying, “Ware hound” — that is, “Beware of the hound, take care.” Because a cardinal sin would be for a horse to kick and injure a hound.Much of the terminology of the hunt takes everyday words and gives them slightly different meanings.First of all, they’re called hounds — not dogs.The “field” refers to all the riders on horseback.“Whips” or whippers-in, are the riders who assist the huntsman in managing the hounds.“Colors” are awarded to members of the hunt who have hunted consistently for at least three years and are in good standing.“Couples’” is the term for a pair of hounds. Generally the huntsman brings out about 14 on a given day.The field is broken up into “flights.” First flight should be the most experienced riders, the members of longstanding on horses that can keep up — riders and horses that can jump. Second flight is for riders who want to be in on the action but maybe want to go a little slower, or not jump. And then there is hilltopping. This group is great for people who want to experience the hunt but not be in the fray or for a rider with a green (young) horse that needs to be introduced to the hunt slowly.Opening meet this past Saturday was an exhilarating day, a privilege for all involved to commune so closely with nature.

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