Author: Sandy Gorman
I’d not planned to do this ride. Life is busy. Stuff to do. How many weekends away can one girl have? Our ride planning for this ride was great fun and hubby decided I needed to go (gotta love a hubby like that). So no, I didn’t do housework or firewood – I loaded up the float and headed back to Strath Creek.
Sandy & Idaho
Brian nearly didn’t make the ride. He and machinery don’t have the affinity he and horses do; ending with a trip to emergency the week prior and a few nights in. Being told to “take it easy” is perhaps another way of saying “go riding” in his book. I’d offered to take the ride, but instead he headed to Strath Creek with Kaye.
The turnout for the ride was impressive to say the least. There were floats everywhere, and horses of every colour. I think I need to get me some tweed – it whispers “class” – but I don’t tend to whisper anything, so perhaps not appropriate for this chick! (Susie, you ROCK it!)
Forty-three riders headed out to explore the Three Sisters, with Brian taking the lead and me bringing up the tail. There were riders from the Hunt Club, with invites to locals and TRV. Some horses were a little fresh, others not so used to the big group. We had the Hunt Club members in SSV’s providing pick-up services (of scoot boots and riders!) I was very impressed with the planning and found myself a Hunter to quiz about how it all works. We had a hiccup with a few horses and riders at the start of the ride which put us quite a ways back in the field, but I found the opportunity to chat and understand the way of the Hunt and the Hounds. As we caught the main group, my education on Hunting was limited to an overview of the basics, but that’s much more than I knew before heading out!
At the big hill, many riders took the opportunity to stretch their horses legs, while others were happy to sit back and let them go. I was taking the rear and Idaho was actually well behaved and didn’t mind the walk at the back (who is this horse?). We waited for the last of the bunch to make the hill and it was just three of us watching the main group head off in the distance. My breastplate let go at the top of the hill, so a quick tack adjustment was required while my two riders caught their breath. We were making our way back when Brian, having safely sent the main group back to the floats, came loping back to check on us. We cruised in, better late and safe than never! An hour and a half with five riders can take a little longer with forty plus, so in the end our three hour planned ride took nearly that long anyways.
We loaded our ponies and took them back to TRV for a relax, before a quick change, cuppa and return to the Three Sisters for afternoon tea.
What an Event! What a Property! What an Afternoon!
Suzie rocking tweed so well
We socialised with locals, Hunters and were warmly welcomed by all. The General at Strath Creek catered the event, and the food was delicious. We caught up with riders from earlier in the day and met locals from the area. The Hunt Club’s hospitality was amazing and we all signed up for social memberships… actual Hunting to be decided…
