Both
Rob and Ginny are avid foxhunters and are members of the local hunt, Red
Mountain Foxhounds.
To Rob and Ginny following
hounds is not a hobby, it’s a way of life.
Rob is an expert
on hounds and hunting. He spends four or more days a week hunting
with foxhounds or with beagles. Ginny is an avid horsewoman and
riding instructor who works daily with horses and riders.
Whether you hunt
to ride (Ginny) or ride to hunt (Rob) you will need to master
hunt seat equitation. Hunt seat didn't start in the
show ring, but in the hunt field. For the safety of horse and rider
when traveling over hunting terrain and obstacles in your way you
need to follow your horse fluidly, efficiently and in good form.
Riding
lessons skills and knowledge transfer into the hunt field. A rider
must have a balanced and strong position to control their
mount during the hunt. All your riding aids and skills are used
to negotiate the changing terrain and the fences which arise when
galloping
to hounds. Undeniably, foxhunting is a risk sport, but riding well
increases your ability to ride with confidence and courage, and
it dramatically reduces your chance of injury.
Many horses are called
upon to hunt. Few actually succeed. At Echo Creek our hunt horses
are the result of an arduous selection process.
Our hunt horses are also our school horses. There are many exercises
done in the ring to prepare you for hunting including working in
a ride (each rider follows the next through all the paces in complete
control and with equal spacing) and jumping coups, gates and logs.
A pack of hounds in full cry is one of the most
spectacular sounds in nature and to follow those hounds on horseback
is a thrill that
few people get to experience. The opportunity to be one of these
few riders is available to Echo Creek’s more advanced students.
Rob and Ginny look forward to sharing their passion
for foxhunting with you.
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