Belvoir Hunt Opening Meet

This weekend was a classic fall day in Lincolnshire, a misty grey Saturday that gave way to a picture perfect blue-sky Sunday. It was also the weekend for the opening Meet of the Belvoir Hunt which, as you can see from these pictures, took place on the grey Saturday. Jerrilee, a nursing professor from University of Evansville and I borrowed a car and headed to Long Clawson for the Meet. It was a lovely village. The parish church of St. Regimus was perched on a small hill amid falling leaves and an extensive church yard. The color of the stone was a beautiful burnt gold and made a perfect match for the autumn colors of the trees.

We arrived a little early so got to witness the gathering of the community as well as the riders. The Hunt traditionally held their opening meet in front of the Crown and Plough in the village center. For the first time, they had to break tradition due to increased car traffic through the village so met in a small field in front of the village hall. It was a much more suitable location in some ways. As you can see in the picture, there was quite a big turn out of people just to witness the meet. People brought their kids and dogs. There were "Meet Hosts," families from the village who's job it was to bring refreshments. So suddenly there were people wandering by with baskets full of sausage rolls, small pizzas, and lots of other goodies that I couldn't quite see. Port was offered round to riders and spectators alike and was much appreciated as the cool wet breeze picked up. I would guess there may have been as many as 200 people there just as spectators. The mounted field was down a little according to some so that meant there were approximately 75-80 riders out for the day's hunt. Still that's easily three or four times the size of Traders Point Hunt.

The field also included some very adorable new riders. One little girl was amazing. She was two years old and this was her first time out! She put her head down just as I took a picture but trust me, she had rosy cheeks and blue eyes. She was so cute in her hunting kit too...she was the hit of the Meet. I think there were probably at least six or seven kids under ten riding this day including the picture above with the young boy on his horse next to the Master.

I love the picture below. It was a lovely line of the Field sipping their port and chatting away about the day's ride. I really want to know how the woman in the middle of the picture managed to get her horse so white! I can't imagine Bristol ever looking quite that good but I guess I have a goal to achieve now!

Then there were the hounds. Fifteen and a half couple of the most friends foxhounds I have ever met. They were wandering through the crowd. Kids were desperate to try to get close to them to pet them only to be a little scared when the hounds tried to jump on them. I of course loved every minute of it. There I am, port in hand, making friends. And once you started, those hounds were not keen for you to stop! They kept vying for my attention and scratching abilities. I sadly never quite got their names. I heard one called Poacher but that was it.

Shortly after 11 am, the Master stood up in his stirrups and addressed the Field, passing on an overview of the day's ride, where they will change to second horses, and standard instructions like taking care not to disturb livestock, etc. He thanked all the landowners and everyone else for coming out in support that day. It was a neat moment.

With that formality done, Rupert asked for "Hounds, Please!" and the huntsman and whips got the pack moving with the Master taking center stage. The Field followed close behind and they were off for a grand day's ride. Most of the spectators were off as well. They usually follow the hunt in a line of cars and a few on bikes. Apparently the Hunt would be taking a spectacular hedge at one point that was five feet high and five feet wide. I was told to come along and see how many riderless horses were left in the Field after that! We didn't follow as amazing as that would have been to see. The rain started up again so, to honor the past, we went to the Crown and Plough for lunch and to raise our glasses to the Belvoir and the Duke of Rutland's Hounds! Here's to the pack!