A Rainy Monday...

We originally planned to hunt today, but because of all the rainfall yesterday the hunt was cancelled. Instead, we did the only other obvious thing to do - we went shopping! It was a fun day, and I think everyone enjoyed the big shopping mall. The girls from over seas were excited to shop at Abercrombie and Hollister because it is cheaper here in the states for them then back home. We later went to the movies to see I Am Number Four. It was awesome!!! Later we went to one of the host families homes to watch a movie and hang out. It was a good day even though we didn't get to hunt. Can't wait to hunt tomorrow with Potomac!

Victoria

Washington DC

Today was the first day we didn't hunt. It was a rainy day and we toured Washington DC. We saw the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Capital building, and the list goes on and on. We went to McDonalds for lunch. The British really wanted a super size and were disappointed that the United States doesn't actually have the super size meal. The group gets along great and we laugh so much! There is never a dull moment. We had dinner at the Potomac Hunt Masters' house. It was a great day even though we didn't hunt.

Victoria

Potomac Hunt in Maryland

Today we all hunted with the Potomac Hunt in Maryland. Everything was so nicely organized. We all knew who we were riding and who we were staying with and when. It was actually quite a relief. I think all the exchange kids loved getting to hunt together as a whole group. I had the pleasure of riding a Belgian thoroughbred mare named Ginger. She was fantastic! Within a minute or two from the start of the hunt, the hounds struck and we viewed a big fox with a bushy tail. The hounds were practically right on it's tail, but they didn't catch it. We then viewed a second fox later but didn't purse it. I think that was because the fox was headed straight for the road or perhaps out of country. It was a very busy day and a whole lot of fun. The hounds flushed a third fox out of a thicket of bamboo. The fox ran across the field and high tailed it out of there before the hounds left the cover. I found it a rather comical sight. I had a great time today. I think it might have been the most fun hunt for me so far.

Victoria

"The Harder We Work, the Luckier We Are..."

Today I did not go hunting. Half of us went hunting with Thorton Hill, but since I had already hunted with them I was in the non-hunting group. We went to Kenross Farm first. It was a beautiful racing barn with high standards. Neil is in charge of the barn and he said "the harder we work the luckier we are." I thought that was great advice. We got to see them exercise the horses over hurdles which are like the steeple chase fences down in Aiken, big green half roll tops with plastic brush on the back side. That was a lot of fun. Then we got to go shopping in the town of Middleburg. It was fun to walk the streets with the everyone. We then went to the sporting library. That was really neat, but I unluckily slipped under the weather while there. We had time to kill after the library and before the Orange County Hunt party hosted by Ms. Mars as in Mars Candy Bars. I took that as a chance to take something for my head and sleep whatever was wrong away. Luckily that worked and I was good to go for the party. The party was lovely and we learned about what goes on at the Orange County Hunt Kennels on a daily basis and what they try to do to train and hunt the hounds. I also got to meet Ms. Mars. Later we were all invited back to one of the host families houses to hang out and eat pizza like teenagers. I taught everyone how to play ninja. It was awesome!!! It was a great day.

Victoria

Old Dominion Hounds Hunt #3

I had the pleasure of hunting with the Old Dominion Hounds today. They have all American hounds and today they hunted with just the "dogs", which are the male hounds. It was a lot of fun! We had a couple of great runs, and I got to jump quite a bit in First Flight. :D
*** I rode an amazing mare named Savannah. She is a Clevland
Bay, beautiful mover, comfortable, and a great jumper. I love her. Her owner will be coming down to Aiken for the Show in the Woods for the Side Saddle class and said I might be able to ride her in the Show as well. That would be so much fun! She is one fantastic hunt horse.
We had dinner at Master Zimmerman's tonight, of Piedmont Fox Hounds. They had 6 two-week old Piedmont hound puppies and 4 six-week old lab puppies. There was also an adorable 4-year little girl who was a charmer, and a great little dancer.
The party was a lot of fun, and I just love hanging out with the other exchange kids. I will miss them, lots.


"Old Dominion Hounds has a history that now spans 2 centuries. The early part of that history was only recently uncovered by one of ODH's own, Gordon Smith, to whom the Hunt is indebted for his diligence and the transcription of events from the very beginnings of the hunt until the start of World War II in late 1941."
http://www.old-dominion-hounds.org/history.htm

"Piedmont Fox Hounds was originally established as a private pack in 1840. Recognized 1899.The country is situated at the northern end of the Piedmont Valley about 60 miles from Washington, DC. It is about 20
by 12 miles in a grain growing and grazing country made up of large farms. Fences are stone and wood, with post and rails."
http://www.virginiahuntcountry.com/Hunts/PiedmontFoxHounds/piedmontfoxhounds.htm


Sent from my iPhone--Victoria

Orange County Hunt... or Tally Ho caught on video!

Today I got to hunt with Orange County. We had 6 riders and only 5 horses so we had to find another horse. I ended up riding the last minute catch but he was super good. He was mainly a second flight horse so I didn't get to jump with first flight. This made me slightly sad at first, but not for long because the hunt was beyond amazing! Second field was lead by Master Malcolm and he has been hunting the country for years. He knew exactly where to go to get the best view and stay close to the hounds. It was great. There is definitely something to be said for an excellent fieldmaster. The juniors were invited to ride up front, so I got to ride in his pocket most of the time. The country was absolutely gorgeous. Second field always ended up closer to the fox than first field or we would see it long before first ever got close. I got to view four foxes! The first fox popped out of the covert onto the road only to circle back an run right back into the covert. It was a beautiful red fox. Master Malcolm said it was a cub because it was so small. The second time I got to view was when we were standing by the tree line in a giant cow field. On the far side of the field appeared a fox tearing across the field at lightning speed. I whipped my phone out to get a video of the little fella when to my surprise a second fox ran out of the cover not 20 feet away from me. I caught it on video! That little guy was high tailing it. Another fox crossed the field far away from where we stood. It was amazing. I have never viewed so many times in one hunt. And to watch the hounds work and hear them as they crossed the field in hot pursuit of the foxes was priceless. My horse was good, the country was beautiful, and the hunting was great! I had a wonderful time and hope to get a second chance to hunt with Orange County some day. 


Victoria

The First Hunt

The hunt with Thornton Hill Hounds was fantastic. It was a perfect start to the exchange. I got a gray 17 hand mare named Kiara. She was amazing. I didn't even need my reins, ha ha. The country was really hilly and rocky which is a big difference from flat sandy South Carolina. We got to jump a lot, mainly coops and a couple log fences. All four of the Irish were out, there was one girl from England, and there was me. The other girls went out with Blue Ridge. It might have been Old Dominion though. I'll ask how their hunt went later. The Irish were hilarious and bold riders just like I had expected. The English girl was really sweet and pleasant. I think we all kind of fit our stereo types so that is funny.

Victoria


Thornton Hill Hounds info:

Sperryville, VA

The country is the second largest in Virginia, situated in Rappahannock County, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, consisting of rolling pastures, open valleys, wooded mountainsides, with rail fences, panels and coops, and some old stone walls.

Driving up to Virginia -- The 14.2 Moment.

The most exciting part of Ria driving us up to Virginia was her comment and the look on her face about the the 14.2 sign. YEP - she went there, and knew our car was too tall for a 14.2 hand pony so the bridge clearance was ..........in question for a split second.
WE howled as we went under the overhead bridge.
LOL

The VERY BIG hill at Thornton Hill

Victoria was happily chosen to take the first hunt at Thornton Hills today! IT has a well-known BIG hill. What must go up, must come down! Then, it's Orange County on Wednesday. Will keep you posted. Rab showed me the "official" schedule before I left to head home. Looks awesome. Tally ho!

Day 2

The Irish arrived late last night. Today we are hunting with Thornton Hill Hounds. Apparently we are short a horse so someone will have to swap with another person halfway through the hunt. It's a bit unorganized. For instance, I was told several times that it is improper for juniors to wear formal. Juniors are to wear informal, but not everyone was told this. Therefore I'm afraid I'm the only one dressed informally. I guess we will see. Can't wait for the hunt though.

Victoria

Picture:  English girls & Kiersti (second from left)