Shakerag Hounds – Novice Fox Hunt
Thursday - December 29, 2005 - 9:00am
The members of Shakerag Hounds are hosting an annual Novice Fox Hunt at our club facility in Hull, Georgia (Commerce-Athens area). This hunt is a great opportunity for young riders and less experienced Fox Hunters to ride with hounds. Riders will be divided into groups based on riding experience and comfort levels. Groups will range from walk/trot, walk/trot/canter light, or walk/trot/canter fast, either on the flat or over fences. We welcome riders of all ages, and all riding levels, including Pony Clubs to join us and share in this historic tradition.
Schedule:
Registration starts at 8:00am,
Hunt Starts at 9:00am and Lunch will be served at 12:00pm.
Registration Fees:
Fox Hunting & Breakfast: $35, for all riders except Shakerag Hunt Members.
Tally-Ho Wagon & Breakfast: $25, for non-riders looking for that great photo opportunity.
Formal Hunt attire requested for all riders:
Coat: Black/Navy or Dark Green hunt coat with plain buttons. No facing on the collar,
Shirt: White Turtle Neck or White Riding Shirt,
Tie: White Stock tie, with a gold pin,
Breeches: Of heavy material in buff, canary, gray or rust. Full seat breeches are not permitted.
Boots: Plain black calf without tops.
Headgear: Black velvet helmet required.
Juniors: Same as above, except jodhpurs and brown or black paddock boots may be worn.
Hunt Tack: English saddle, with a form fitting white saddle pad,
Photographer:
A professional photographer will be on-site taking shots which will be available for viewing later from our web site. We encourage non-riders to ride along in the Tally-Ho wagon, which will meet up with the riders at several check points offering you excellent photo opportunities.
Please RSVP to Chris Thrush cthrush@bellsouth.net or 678.427.6979 by December 23, 2005. When making your reservation please note how many hunters and the number of individuals riding in the Tally-Ho wagon.
Weather: As with hunting, we ride in all weather conditions.
Directions to Shakerag: From Atlanta: Take I-85 north to exit 149. Go east (right) on US 441 for 4.5 miles. Take a left on GA 98 and continue for 3.8 miles. Take a right on Neese-Commerce Road and go 4.0 miles to the Shakerag clubhouse driveway - a gravel road on the right. Address is 3898 Neese-Commerce Road, Hull, GA 30646
The inaugural cubbing of the new Long Creek territory was Tuesday, September 20, 2005. Sally, Dick and Rod had discussed at great length the strategy of the day; where to cast the hounds and which way the game would run, etc. The deliberations proved correct, up until the hounds were cast. The predictions were: the coyote would run down the hill toward the “impact zone” and water. The coyote ran in the opposite direction away from water. Once again illustrating why hunting is so much fun; you never know what is going to happen!
The inaugural “cubbers” were: Sally MFH and Bob Rasmussen; Dick Washburn MFH; Rod Swanson Huntsman; Vicki Turpin & Jim O’Callaghan, Whippers-ins. The field consisted of: Dr. Larry Durisch; Sandra & Jean Carnet; Helen Hamryka the Honorary Secretary; Charlotte Jones; Jennifer Royston; and Joanne Selgin who rode with Jim and helped whip-in. Dr. Al Santora and Shawn O'Brien followed the hunt in the Polarus and helped with tracking and water for the hounds.
It was great day and was a precursor of many great Long Creek hunts to come!
The hunter trials are Saturday, September 24. Schooling at 9 o’clock, classes begin at 10 o’clock. The committee is working hard to make this a fun outing for everyone. There are 7 non-jumping classes and 10 jumping classes. Everyone should be able to find several suitable classes to enter. Children are encouraged to attend with a special trophy for the Shakerag member junior rider champion. Come on out to the Shakerag Clubhouse, enter and win a class, and get your name on a plaque for all to see. The non-riders may participate in the tail gate competition to be judged on creative decorations and food presentation.
Please remember the Madison County Food Bank with your donations of non-perishable food items and paper goods. Checks to the Madison County Food Bank are welcome and tax deductible (check with your tax advisor). We are all doing our part for the Katrina victims, but let’s not forget the homefolks.
Check your e-mails for a copy of the classes, etc. or download the program from the web site or contact Stacey or Christine for details.
Shakerag is having a modified Point to Point June 18, 9am at Larkabit Farm near the old hunt country. Check your e-mail for details. Admission is $30.00 for riders and spectators. Proceeds go to Shakerag. Please come. To register contact Mary Margarett Nevin or call one of the masters for details.
The Shakerag Hounds & the Green Creek Hounds met at Roger Smith's beautiful Goldmine Farm near Royston, Georgia, January 8th, 2005. It was another spring day in January. The hounds were cast in the first covert with no luck. A gusty wind combined with the warm tempertures made scenting difficult, but the Green Creek Hounds, hunted by Tot Goodwin MFH of Green Creek, made a go of it. The hounds drew well, but were unable to get the wiley coyote up and running. A few bursts of hound music were heard, but no sustained runs were in the offing.
The day ended with a spectacular dive of horse and rider into Goldmine Creek. The entertainment was provided by Stuart Newman exMFH Shakerag. The hounds were retrieved and the field returned to the trailers. A breakfast was served in the barn, but with the wonderful weather everyone ate outdoors. Photographs may be seen in the Shakerag gallery and photos are available for purchase on Eric's site: http://erikolsenphotography.com (and browse to the Green Creek Gallery.)
