DRUNK WITH POWER

There is something completely magical about being alive in the moment.  Where colors are brilliant, the smell of the wild rose bushes light up your nose, every bird is singing for you and the horse under you is coiled... waiting for the ok to go... It's that place where you know that you were meant to run, losing yourself into the excitement of what is....

Photo by Rick Arsenault

Must be Hunting Season again!  And what a day it was... One of those perfect New England mornings - a crisp 42 degrees, a slight breeze and big cumulus clouds in a deep blue sky. 

Spring Cubbing brings out the colors...  not just the budding trees with their pinks, purples, peaches, yellow and greens but it is the time for the Field to bring out the "bling".  Shhhh, we love to bring out the tweeds and show off our fancy, dancy stock ties...  LOVE!

The first hunt of the season is filled with anticipatory excitement, a lil' bit o' nerves and a tad of confusion.  "How does this work again?"  Sugar stood at the cast feeling as dusty as the rest of us... "What do we do?"  Her confusion and ambivalence was brief.

Delaney Wildlife Management Area in Stow is an excellent place to watch the first cast.  The hounds hunt the allusive anise scent in a beautiful sweeping bowl originally dug out to contain a major flood.  And, today they were magnificent... giving tongue proclaiming their find.

The Bowl
(Photo by Rick Arsenault)

Hunting brings out the inner Cowgirl in all of us.  There are times when I get frustrated and even a bit angry at my lil' Pinto Pony.  In the Field, her body is filled with an amazing blend of power and grace.  There is no fear, there is no hesitation, there is no doubt...  And, we are one!  There are some moments when I am completely lost in all things Sugar... woozy from the power and grace.  Fearless as one!

Oh yeah, I was telling about the hunt.  It was a wonderful blend of good galloping, some jumping and quite a bit of excellent hound work.  At one point through the wooded second piece, the hounds ran parallel to the field, snaking through the woods and swamp... tonguing for all to hear!  Gorgeous view...

Tending her every need
Photo by Rick Arsenault

The tailgate was quite fantastic.   Folks brought home made cookies, sandwiches, salad, dips and chips, cheeses, fruit and, of course, what hunt would be complete without adult beverages.  Although I do believe I overheard someone wondering where the bloody Mary mix was. Hmmm... drunk with power?

So, a message for my hunt peeps... OK, as Territory Co-Chair, walking and clearing paths... um, does not have the same view as one might have... well, on top of a 16.3+ hand horse.  Um, we'll be fixing that for the next hunt!  Sorry...