Foxhunting news [ equine journal affiliate ]
[LEFT] Katie L’Heureux and mother, Mary Crane, will be participating in this month’s Ireland trip. [ABOVE] L-R: Tom Lewis, Ruth Lawler, Dana Pope, Mary Crane, and Noël Estes.
Norfolk Hunt Club Members Enjoy Traveling Throughout Winter Months Submitted by Desmond O’Leary
Photos: (Left) Kathie Davenport; (Right) Ruth Lawler
February always makes it a point to prove to us that it is the darkest and coldest month of the year. The conditions in Massachusetts certainly are not welcoming for outdoor riding, so to solve that problem and get our saddle fix, we venture to locations where the conditions are welcoming for outdoor riding. It is what makes the Norfolk Hunt Club such a unique and fun group of people—the shared sense of adventure! This month, a handful of members from the Norfolk Hunt Club will take flight to Ireland for a week-long foxhunting endeavor. Those attending will have the opportunity to see Ireland in all of its beauty as a normal tourist, but also the luxury of seeing so much of this country as a rider—something that is commonly inaccessible to the normal traveler. In addition to sightseeing, travelers will have the option to hunt up to three times a week with two different hunts—all conveniently scheduled by our close friend James at Cooper’s Hill Equine in Galway. Representing Norfolk Hunt Club abroad will be Masters of Foxhounds (MFH) Tom
Lewis, MFH Dominic Cammaratta, former MFH Mary Chilton Crane, Katie L’Heureux, Eric Morse, MFH Owen Hughes, Mary Hughes, Janet Swanson, Carolyn Regan, former MFH Noël Estes, Lisa Lewis, Joe McDonough, Sandy Sanders, Briton Sanders, and Robert Shuman. With extensive planning complete, a stellar group of people, and new turf, this trip is sure to be one to remember! Foxhunting in Ireland, especially in February, is for the hardy. But what about the snowbirds? We’ve got that covered too! Norfolk Hunt Club has an increasingly larger presence in Aiken, SC, with both former members who have relocated, and current members escaping the cold winter temperatures. Members flock to Aiken for the climate, land, and welcoming horse community. Part of what makes our hunt club so unique and special is the variety of people and riders we attract. We have some people who dabble in different disciplines, ride leisurely, show extensively, train dressage, or even drive horses. The diversity is what makes our Norfolk Hunt Club so enjoyable and what makes
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Aiken so special. Aiken has many horse events running simultaneously—there is always something for everyone. MFH Ruth Lawler is the newest member to head to Aiken. She’s joining Norfolk Hunt members Wendy Gutfarb, Bill Gutfarb, Dana Pope, Carolyn Pope, Laurian Pope, Sarah Morton, Susan Sandomirsky, and Vickie Cunningham who already call Aiken home either year-round or during the winter months. Joining this cast of characters for some fun and saddle time with the Aiken Hounds as well as the Whiskey Road Foxhounds Hunt will once again be former MFH Noël Estes, former MFH Mary Chilton Crane, Michele Powers, and MFH Tom Lewis. Being able to reunite with friends both old and new makes time in Aiken extra enjoyable. However, all good things must come to an end. Once these trips are over and the club returns to its own land, we start the process of gearing up for the spring season. Our annual clean-up day is scheduled the first week of April and everyone (members and non-members) is asked to participate in whatever way they can. It is an excellent opportunity to meet members of our club and build camaraderie with fellow equestrians. We hope you will join us for 2017! For more information about the Norfolk Hunt Club and what we do, please visit norfolkhunt.com. Tally ho! February 2017
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1/9/17 4:13:41 PM