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History of Epiphany Bay Farm 2012
February 2012
Musings.
February 12, 2012: Seems that
Punxsutawney Phil may have been correct in his
prediction for 6 more weeks of winter after having seen
his shadow on Ground Hog Day. This past week has
been all over the chart in terms of weather with the
weekend becoming bitterly cold along with 35 mph icy
winds placing the temperature just above zero.
With a few snow squalls and no real accumulation, we are
just plain old cold! Now we have frozen water
buckets and frozen ground having been muddy just days
ago which is a challenge to navigate as it is uneven
from the now frozen hoof prints. Although the
horses do not seem to mind the change as Clevelands do
seem to prefer the cold temperatures. As a testament to
the overall mild winter, our daffodils and crocus are in bloom.
They are tough plants and will survive the cold without a hitch.
Tally Ho!
February 5, 2012: Earlier in the
week I was invited to be a guest of my riding
instructor, Davera, at her fox hunt on Saturday, Feb 4.
Davera is a member of the Bull Run Hunt Club. My
anticipation grew as Saturday drew near. This
would be my first time actually participating in a hunt
which is something I have always wanted to do.
An item on my "bucket list". Over the past
three years, I have been in the car topping group at the
annual Cleveland Bay Hunting Days, thus I had some
exposure to fox hunting.
Having the appropriate clothing for the rider is
imperative. Davera loaned me what I did not
already have which was the jacket, vest and stock tie.
She provided the mount, Marley, who is a "steady eddie"
having taken many riders on their first hunt. We
loaded the horses and off to the hunt we went.
The location of the hunt was gorgeous.
The weather was a bit nippy, damp and cloudy, although
no precipitation.
Following the appropriate introductions to a
wonderfully, friendly group of people, we mounted
our horses and prepared to depart. I rode with the
third flight which was expertly lead by Betty Long who was
quite accommodating to myself and another rider who was
there on her first hunt, as well. Our flight
spotted the fox who was well ahead of the hounds, who
were in full cry. The first and second flights
arrived moments after the hounds. This was a
lovely sight to see, horses, hounds and a fox. I
was told that I was quite fortunate to have seen a fox
on my first hunt. After being out two hours, we
returned to the trailers. Once having cared for
our horses, we proceeded to the location of the
breakfast. Following a time of delicious food and
good fellowship, we headed back home. For me, this
was a perfect first hunt. Riding in a fox hunt can
now be removed from my "bucket list" and become an
activity in which I would like to participate more
often.
January 2012
New Experiences. January 30,
2012: Morningside Training Center is a
gorgeous equine facility, which is available for use
(fee based) located just north of Warrenton, Virginia.
We took Sully there on Saturday and Sunday to school him
and to give him the experience of being in a new venue.
Sully was all eyes and ears with the new sights, sounds
and horses. He did well with his schooling under
the tutelage of excellent riders.
Cleveland Bay Hunting Day at Farnley
November 2011: January 15, 2012: January
2012 has provided mild weather to date for which we are
grateful. Especially, I am grateful as my "manure
transportation specialist", Mike, has been out of
commission due to an injury. If you will remember
in the winter of 2009/2010, we had snowstorm after snowstorm.
That winter I was also caring for the horses without
the aid of my "manure transportation specialist" as he
was recovering from surgery. For me, I hope that
the weather continues to be mild.
As I missed posting in November of 2011, I want to share
photos which I took at the Third Annual Cleveland Bay
Hunting Day at Farnley in White Post, Virginia on
November 19, 2011.
This was graciously hosted by Peter Cook a member of the Blue Ridge Hunt,
along with the Blue Ridge Hunt Club and
the owners of Farnley. Farnley's history
is significant to the Cleveland Bay Horse breed.
Without the breeding of Cleveland Bays at Farnley, along with the
exportation of a Cleveland Bay stallion back to the UK
after the war, we may not have had the Cleveland Bay
Breed today. Five of the Cleveland Bays bred here
at Epiphany Bay Farm have bloodlines back to the Farnley
stallion.
Cleveland Bays pose in front of Farnley
before the hunt.
Blue Ridge huntsman and hounds headed
out.
Peter Cook on an Idlehour Cleveland Bay.
Cleveland Bays returning to Farnley after the hunt.
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