HORNBLOWER
Newsletter of the Eglinton and Caledon Hunt
Winter 2015
Presidents Note:
After our well-attended Awards Ceremony in
November, and the Christmas holidays, the Board of
Directors met on January 12. We had a 3 hour
meeting, discussing many things including:
- Year-end financial statements and the
preparation of the 2015 budget.
- Recommendations for new initiatives were put
forth by the Membership Committee.
- Regular business such as insurance, property
issues, website updates, landowner issues, etc.
were reported on and discussed.
- A Nominating Committee was struck to make
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recommendations for people to fill the vacancies on the Board of Directors,
and the Master position(s). Upon discussion, the Board has decided to fill one
Master position in time for this Spring Hunt season, and leave one spot
vacant, to be filled in time for the Fall Hunt season, if required.
We ran out of time before discussing Fundraising and Social events for the
rest of the year, and that will be discussed at the next meeting in February.
It was after this meeting, that Steve Clifton informed myself and the Master that he
was heading to Georgia for an interview with the Bear Creek Hunt Club. He stressed
that they had approached him, and that he was not actively looking for a new
position. He went to Georgia and Alabama during the weekend of January 17/18.
Upon his return we were informed on January 26 that Steve was accepting the
Huntsman position at Bear Creek Hunt, and Melanie was accepting the position of
Whipper-In. Steve will be with us until May 1st, the traditional time when staff
changes take place in the hunting world.
Steve has been with the club for a great many years and we shall certainly miss him.
We wish him well in his new position and look forward to being able to take him up
on his invitation to visit down in Georgia. We plan to have a going away party for
him, and will let you know more about that in due course.
As a next step, Master Alastair quickly went to work on behalf of the club and
prepared ads for the Huntsman position. He has also contacted several people who
are in a position to recommend appropriate candidates, and has received both the
American and British list of Huntsmen looking for new positions.
Also, the Nominating Committee has since met and come up with a recommended
list of members to fulfill the vacant spots on the Board and for a Master(s). This list
will be presented to the Board, discussed and voted on, as per the process set out in
the ECH By-laws.
So, more changes are coming to ECH, but we want to assure you that Spring hunting
will take place, and the Board is doing our best to consider all these changes as
opportunities to improve and streamline the working of our Club; and ensure that
all members get full value for their membership.
Awards Dinner
We were very pleased to present the following Awards at our Final Dinner on
November 22, 2014:
Walter Jensen exMFH was presented with a special award for retiring
Masters and thanked for all of his work over the last 7 years. (Ron House
exMFH and Joe Merber exMFH were unable to attend and will be
recognized at a future date).
Marg Quayle exMFH and Jan Seyfried were sadly missed at this year’s
awards dinner and a special tribute to them was given by Frank Merrill
exMFH.
Colours were awarded to:
Adriana Bell
Wendy Brett
Sue Murdock
Phillip Schwab
Brandan Thompson
The Bea Mawson Trophy for the Best Turned Out Junior Member went to
Morgan Gracey.
The new award for Best Turned Out Intermediate or Senior Member went to
Courtney Cotter.
The Kindersley Trophy for the Horse with the highest attendance went to
Marty, ridden by Christine Gracey.
The Fabulous Foxhunting Feast Award for the most memorable culinary feast
was awarded to Sue Rasmussen.
The ECH Ambassador of the Year was awarded to Priscilla Reeve.
The ECH Field Hunter Sportsman of the Year was awarded to Jill Gellatly.
The ECH Supporter Member of the Year was awarded to Bill Schoenhardt.
The infamous Green River Award went to Barbara Frackowiak after we heard
the first pop of an Air Vest in the field.
Thanks were also given to the Chairs of our major events, the Area Land
Captains, Steve and Melanie, our Honorary Whips, and our veterinarians. All
their work on behalf of ECH is much appreciated.
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New Membership Initiatives: By: Arlene Taylor, Membership Committee Chair
Attention all members!
Your board of directors, on behalf of the membership committee, are pleased
to announce some exciting new changes to our membership roster.
Firstly, our former "Regular Member" category has been renamed "Supporter
Member" to greater reflect the commitment from those members. This
category includes access to all of our fabulous social activities as well as free
admission to summer rides and discounted admission to hunt events.
Secondly, with are introducing a brand new category, Auxiliary Membership;
which consists of all of the privileges of our Supporter Membership coupled
with 5 free hunts during the season. These members are entitled to attend all
breakfasts and social functions, free summer rides and 5 free caps, all for the
low price of $490. With the creation of this category we hope to attract new
members as well as give existing members too busy for a full riding
membership a chance to come out and enjoy many of our activities at a
greatly reduced price.
Non club members will now be charged a nominal fee to participate in each
of the summer rides. This will create added value for all our membership
categories.
We are also planning to reduce the cost of the Supporter Membership for the
spouses of Riding Members.
Your board of directors values the time and commitment given by each and
every member and hopes to reflect that with these positive changes to our
membership roster.
What to do…when it is time to retire your hunt horse. By Janet Feairs
What to do when it is time to retire your hunt horse, as they can't road whip any
longer? Hearing that mournful whinny as the trailer pulls out of the yard heading
for that day’s hunt fixture haunts you. When you have a horse who can take care
of their rider, has been there, and done that with, impeccable ground manners;
retiring to the life of a lawn ornament is simply not an option, but what's to be
done?
I wanted our Max to continue to have a job, so we looked into the possibility of a
new career for him as a therapeutic mount. I had heard of a well-managed facility
in Puslinch, the Sunrise Therapeutic Riding Centre. We made the call and after
hearing Max's history the riding director was interested in coming out to assess
Max's suitability. I suggested we trailer Max out to their facility instead. I really
wanted to check out the place and see how Max reacted to being there. The
grounds were immaculate and the horse management was a mirror image of
ours, horses kept outdoors with run in sheds and a maximum of four to a 4-5
acre pasture. The barn manager lives on site, and the lesson horses are
schooled weekly by competent riders so they are focused and easily managed in
their lessons with disabled students.
Max performed wonderfully both under saddle and when exposed to various
stimuli and obstacles, he passed the assessment and they wanted to know when
he could come to commence his trial period to determine if he would actually
work out in their program. The rest is history, as after a tearful farewell Max
successfully completed his "probation" period and is one of the more popular
horses in the barn. He is used to train lead volunteers because of his gentle and
patient nature. Max has never been a one trick pony and at 24 is still teaching
new riders and handlers the joy of equine partnership!
Janet visits with Max
at his new home.
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Social Media:
The Eglinton Caledon Hunt Facebook page is becoming quite popular. Kelley Givlin’s
post with photos of the Boxing Day Meet has had almost 850 views! Like our page and
you will see the great photos of the day that are often posted before you get your horse
put away after the Meet.
Boxing Day Meet
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Winter Social:
The date for the Winter Social has been set as Feb 28 at the Gracey’s. Potluck, and
drinks provided with a donation jar located at the bar. A snow date of March 7 has
also been selected, just in case. If the weather if bad, check the website, FB page or
call the Hunt Hotline for updates.
That’s all Folks!
Expect the next Hornblower in May or June…
Happy Reading,
Christine Gracey