I was annoyed today. We were joined by one of the masters from the other drag hunt, because they are hunting tomorrow and he cannot go. He used the privilege of his red coat to muscle in right behind the field master. The problem was that his horse was young and green and it was refusing and also breaking through hedges.
Anyone else in that situation would have been required to ride at the back and have a green ribbon in the horse's tail. He did neither. I wouldn't mind so much but he isn't even a master of our hunt.
He's damned lucky, to be frank, that Radar is so wonderful, because we were one stride off taking off for a hedge when I realised that he had fallen off right where we would land. I pulled out, and even though Radar was committed, he responded marvellously and swung left. Some people watching said "Oh, well stopped!".
I missed another two good hedges because of other people falling off today, too. They were dropping like flies!
So it's been a scrappy day jumping wise, though wonderful weather and we got some lovely canters, and a fantastic check half way with mulled wine, sandwiches, sausages and ginger parkin, so I won't complain too much :-)
When we left this morning the two other boys were in the barn. When we got back 5 hours later, they were in the barn. And I think they had been in there all day. I lunged Woody and he was decidedly stiff, slightly lame on his near fore, for a minute or two to start with. He freed up easily enough, but it just goes to show how bad standing about doing nothing is for these rehab horses. Radar will keep them moving tonight, he always does.
C
it always amazes me that people are deferred to when they shouldn't be - it would have been a different story, no doubt, if someone had turned up at his hunt doing the same thing..
ReplyDeleteQuite!
DeleteC
Some people assume that everyone else is watching out for them. They are the center of their world. Thankfully you and Radar had the presence of mind and control to avoid him and others. The lovely canters and the check sound wonderful! What is ginger parkin?
ReplyDeleteGinger fruit and nut cake, very moist - lurvly!
DeleteC.
I second MaryLou's question about the ginger parkin.
ReplyDeleteGood thing Radar has turned a new leaf in the control department. Otherwise, redcoated master would have been trodden master--or you would have had another inflated vest when Radar tried not to step on the redcoat.
The guy's not a real master when he doesn't recognize what a detriment his green horse is to the the rest of the hunt.
I always think turnout and exercise are best for horses whenever possible. They are grazing, nomadic critters who need to be out moving around. Sounds as if Woody fits right into that scenario.
I think this action shot shows just how much easier he is to control these days Jean.
DeleteMind you, he has always had safety sense. Even in our first season I remember how easy it was to stop him from jumping when our landing wasn't clear.
C
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=270812199706317&set=a.270811909706346.65367.198034466984091&type=3&theater
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