LA Spring Fox Hunt 2010
The sea fog promised a cool damp start to the day, but once we crossed into the mountains the weather cleared, revealing a beautiful blue sky. The warm sunshine was only matched by the warmth of our welcome when we finally made it into camp. The excitement in the air was palpable and quick hugs were given in greeting. One of the park rangers gave a brief talk on safety matters and then we were set to gear up for the hunt.
Dressing in my pony gear is always the start to getting into pony head-space. The first item is my pony skin, a black spandex unitard that feels wonderful, hugging all my curves and providing me with complete freedom of movement. This is starkly contrasted by the restriction of my corset, the next item in my outfit. It is gold and looks striking against the black skin. Once it is on, my posture changes to that of the pony, with a straight spine and shoulders back, a proud stance. Next on is my tail harness, one of my home-made items with real pony tail hair. The tail is designed to stand proud over my bottom, causing a nice swishing as I move and prance about. Then my pony boots. I have several different types. My show boots all have buckles and high heels, but these are for use on flat surfaces only and not appropriate for any serious activity. For more athletic exploits I have black jazz shoes that flex so that I can point my toes. They also allow me to make all of my pony movements without harming my joints.
Already I was entering a very excited pony mood and returned to the main campsite to interact with the other ponies and critters and show off my outfit to my trainer. We were gearing up to the start time and started gathering for the toast. My trainer helped me with my black pony fore-hooves and I held the cup between them as we cheered the fox and the hunt.
"Release the fox!" came the cry. The beautiful fox, sporting a fox tail attached to a harness (to be removed by the first trainer to reach her) sprinted off at high speed. Her red hair and tail were soon out of sight up the trail with her trainer in tow. She had twenty minutes to set the trail before the rest of us set off after her. (This was done by tying orange tags to trees.)
The remaining pony gear was quickly donned. First my crest and then the bridle with my bit. My trainer kept me tethered by the reins as we waited, much to my frustration, as I wished to prance around with the other ponies who were milling about. I got my chance when she playfully tapped me with the crop and took off, my trainer chasing after me in an attempt to catch the over excited Pippa. I was captured and returned to my place, a few of the tickles in my toes temporarily sated.
The hounds and critters were next to be released, all of them looking superb in their gear, the hounds barking with deep woofs in their own excitement. Then it was time, they were off after the trail. A few minutes of impatient pony hoof stamping and some straining at the reins and we were also off, trotting and cantering across the campsite after the hounds, following their calls as they located the trail.
The trail soon crossed the stream, causing consternation about how to safely navigate the rocks. Pippa was not afraid of the water and my trainer quickly decided to simply wade through, the water reaching to just over my knees in a few places. But we were across and in the lead, following the route the hounds were showing us. We cantered up the first part of the trail, through the trees and bushes, until we came to a small open clearing. Orange tags showed the way, the hounds were ahead of all of us, and so we headed in their direction. One of the critters, a cat, tried to join in with my trainer and I (I am pretty certain my tail was proving to a be a target of interest), but was soon fended off by my trainer and we continued.
The trail wound alongside the river, constantly climbing. Our early speed was our downfall and we had to drop back as fresher pony and trainer pairs overtook us. The hunt was spread out over a distance as differences in fitness levels quickly became apparent. Then the trail split. Which way? Orange tags plunged back through the undergrowth and we could see one of the hounds seeking the trail on the other side of the river. Our path to him was blocked, so we searched for a way down, only to rapidly discover that the trail was a false one. We called the hound back to the path we were on. The hound leapt up the bank with his trainer in tow and set off again, with us in pursuit.
Up and down the trail wound. I was able to jump over the small obstacles blocking our way. Soon the hound outpaced us as the incline once again increased. I was making sure my trot and canter were collected enough so that my trainer did not have to work too hard to keep up. I wanted to run but was kept in check. Then again, the trail split and we chose the one that some hunt followers suggested might be the correct trail. It turned out to be another false one! The fox had been busy. We backtracked and corrected ourselves. A few more false trails that did not fool us and we arrived at the site of the hunt climax. The cornered fox was detailed and the triumphant pony and trainer, Beauty and Ms. Olivia, were in possession of their trophy.
The return journey revealed just how much ground the hunt had covered and the trainers took a measured pace on the way back. Obviously the ponies still had a lot of energy, so Beauty and I were released to canter and cavort down the trail, playing and chasing each other, reaching the camp ground with energy to spare. We continued to canter around until our trainers returned, much to the amusement of camp followers, filmmakers, and some of the critters who had returned early. All returned safely, ponies were rewarded with carrots, and eventually we were all persuaded to return to our human selves and eat some of the feast that camp followers had put together.
The camp site was a buzz of energy after the hunt, the good kind when you have all had healthy exercise and have refueled afterwards. A constant breeze kept us all cool and people took it in turn to photograph the critters and ponies, bask in the sun, chat, and socialize as well as calm down from the high of the hunt. The day was rounded off by the awarding of ribbons to critters and ponies as well as the main chef for the day, who did an excellent job of helping to feed everyone, followed by some dressage in the afternoon. I took Beauty around the dressage arena, experiencing the other end of the reins for a while and then Beauty and I did some drill maneuvers. Finally, it was time to shed Pippa completely and get changed back to my human form.
The day was more than a success. It was a wonderful and refreshing event, giving all of us the opportunity to enter our own personal fantasy realm of pony and critter play. Holding the event outside added a great deal to the experience, morphing it into something that much more tangible, sharpening sensation and the visualization of the fantasy. So while to the outside onlooker I was a girl dressed in spandex, wearing pony hair, and moving in a strange manner, to myself and my trainer I was Pippa, my Welsh cob persona, with long flowing mane and tail and glistening coat, my rider taking me on our second hunt together and both of us reaching new heights in our interaction.
Thank you to all who took part, those who attended and those who helped with all the preparation but were unable to make it. This just keeps getting better and better.
