Story
Riding to Hounds
A Tradition of Galloping, Toasting and Feasting!
The mountain morning sun etches golden rays through rising mist. Bright green foothills stand sharply before mountains brushed by amber hues. The lilting sound of bagpipes draw us to a hilltop, where we wait…
Silence.
In the distance, the huntsman’s horn signals approaching hounds. Abruptly they appear! Tri-color hounds topping the knoll before us! Soon they are followed by a field of elegant hunt horses, dressed for the day in gleaming tack and plaited manes. Coats of the riders, scarlet and black, signal to us this will be a formal day, first of the season. We bow our heads for the Blessing of Hounds, a tradition of the Opening Meet. A toast of fine port accompanies the ceremony, closing with these words…
Thus begins the tradition of Opening Meet, the start of the formal foxhunting season at Blackberry Farm --and you are invited to participate. Whether you prefer to follow on horseback or choose the horse drawn wagon and your own two feet, there is magic for everyone.
If you are new to foxhunting, our seminar, Romance of the Hunt, is a must! Plan to attend Friday, November 16, the day prior to Opening Meet. The seminar begins, quite appropriately, with a tasting of fine port and the opportunity to mingle with the Huntsman and Masters of Foxhounds. Morning topics include hounds and hunting, etiquette and protocol, and the history and artistry of mounted foxhunting. In the afternoon, you’ll meet a few hounds and get to know your horse for the next day’s meet. Friday evening, plan to celebrate with toasting and feasting, as all the hunters will dine together in anticipation of the next day’s Opening Meet!
Following the hunt on Saturday, hunters and friends will gather for the traditional “Hunt Breakfast” (always called breakfast, even in the afternoon!) as only Blackberry Farm can do it!
“Foxhunting combines all the pleasures of country life,” states Sandy Beall, Master of Foxhounds. “It is a way to come together for camaraderie and fun. The addition of great food and wine makes the experience whole.”
In addition to Opening Meet, are three very special Blackberry hunt meets. The dates are December 7-8, January 4-5, and Closing Meet, March 1-2, 2013. Should these weekends not suit your calendar, contact us to arrange a private hunt for your group, or to join in with the local hunt. The Season is October through mid-March.
Call or email for details regarding stabling, horses for lease, special plans for foot followers and all that Blackberry Farm provides during hunt season. Simply the finest luxury equestrian adventure! Tally ho, the fox!
Best hunting,
Carla Hawkinson, Master of Foxhounds, Tennessee Valley Hunt
Equestrian Program Manager, Blackberry Farm
865-273-8545
chawkinson@blackberryfarm.com A Tradition of Galloping, Toasting and Feasting!
The mountain morning sun etches golden rays through rising mist. Bright green foothills stand sharply before mountains brushed by amber hues. The lilting sound of bagpipes draw us to a hilltop, where we wait…
Silence.
In the distance, the huntsman’s horn signals approaching hounds. Abruptly they appear! Tri-color hounds topping the knoll before us! Soon they are followed by a field of elegant hunt horses, dressed for the day in gleaming tack and plaited manes. Coats of the riders, scarlet and black, signal to us this will be a formal day, first of the season. We bow our heads for the Blessing of Hounds, a tradition of the Opening Meet. A toast of fine port accompanies the ceremony, closing with these words…
Thus begins the tradition of Opening Meet, the start of the formal foxhunting season at Blackberry Farm --and you are invited to participate. Whether you prefer to follow on horseback or choose the horse drawn wagon and your own two feet, there is magic for everyone.
If you are new to foxhunting, our seminar, Romance of the Hunt, is a must! Plan to attend Friday, November 16, the day prior to Opening Meet. The seminar begins, quite appropriately, with a tasting of fine port and the opportunity to mingle with the Huntsman and Masters of Foxhounds. Morning topics include hounds and hunting, etiquette and protocol, and the history and artistry of mounted foxhunting. In the afternoon, you’ll meet a few hounds and get to know your horse for the next day’s meet. Friday evening, plan to celebrate with toasting and feasting, as all the hunters will dine together in anticipation of the next day’s Opening Meet!
Following the hunt on Saturday, hunters and friends will gather for the traditional “Hunt Breakfast” (always called breakfast, even in the afternoon!) as only Blackberry Farm can do it!
“Foxhunting combines all the pleasures of country life,” states Sandy Beall, Master of Foxhounds. “It is a way to come together for camaraderie and fun. The addition of great food and wine makes the experience whole.”
In addition to Opening Meet, are three very special Blackberry hunt meets. The dates are December 7-8, January 4-5, and Closing Meet, March 1-2, 2013. Should these weekends not suit your calendar, contact us to arrange a private hunt for your group, or to join in with the local hunt. The Season is October through mid-March.
Call or email for details regarding stabling, horses for lease, special plans for foot followers and all that Blackberry Farm provides during hunt season. Simply the finest luxury equestrian adventure! Tally ho, the fox!
Best hunting,
Carla Hawkinson, Master of Foxhounds, Tennessee Valley Hunt
Equestrian Program Manager, Blackberry Farm
865-273-8545
chawkinson@blackberryfarm.com
The mountain morning sun etches golden rays through rising mist. Bright green foothills stand sharply before mountains brushed by amber hues. The lilting sound of bagpipes draw us to a hilltop, where we wait…
Silence.
In the distance, the huntsman’s horn signals approaching hounds. Abruptly they appear! Tri-color hounds topping the knoll before us! Soon they are followed by a field of elegant hunt horses, dressed for the day in gleaming tack and plaited manes. Coats of the riders, scarlet and black, signal to us this will be a formal day, first of the season. We bow our heads for the Blessing of Hounds, a tradition of the Opening Meet. A toast of fine port accompanies the ceremony, closing with these words…
To endless years of hounds' sweet cry
To thundering hooves, and foxes sly.
We raise a glass to the life we love
For grass below and sky above.
To friendships forged on ridge and valley
When going is deep, yet hounds still rally.
To outreached hands, when we meet the earth,
To reckless laughter, wind and turf.
To the horn that calls us all back home
To aching muscles, weary bone.
God bless this hunt and every friend
May hounds run ever o'er this land….
Thus begins the tradition of Opening Meet, the start of the formal foxhunting season at Blackberry Farm --and you are invited to participate. Whether you prefer to follow on horseback or choose the horse drawn wagon and your own two feet, there is magic for everyone.
If you are new to foxhunting, our seminar, Romance of the Hunt, is a must! Plan to attend Friday, November 16, the day prior to Opening Meet. The seminar begins, quite appropriately, with a tasting of fine port and the opportunity to mingle with the Huntsman and Masters of Foxhounds. Morning topics include hounds and hunting, etiquette and protocol, and the history and artistry of mounted foxhunting. In the afternoon, you’ll meet a few hounds and get to know your horse for the next day’s meet. Friday evening, plan to celebrate with toasting and feasting, as all the hunters will dine together in anticipation of the next day’s Opening Meet!
Following the hunt on Saturday, hunters and friends will gather for the traditional “Hunt Breakfast” (always called breakfast, even in the afternoon!) as only Blackberry Farm can do it!
“Foxhunting combines all the pleasures of country life,” states Sandy Beall, Master of Foxhounds. “It is a way to come together for camaraderie and fun. The addition of great food and wine makes the experience whole.”
In addition to Opening Meet, are three very special Blackberry hunt meets. The dates are December 7-8, January 4-5, and Closing Meet, March 1-2, 2013. Should these weekends not suit your calendar, contact us to arrange a private hunt for your group, or to join in with the local hunt. The Season is October through mid-March.
Call or email for details regarding stabling, horses for lease, special plans for foot followers and all that Blackberry Farm provides during hunt season. Simply the finest luxury equestrian adventure! Tally ho, the fox!
Best hunting,
Carla Hawkinson, Master of Foxhounds, Tennessee Valley Hunt
Equestrian Program Manager, Blackberry Farm
865-273-8545
chawkinson@blackberryfarm.com A Tradition of Galloping, Toasting and Feasting!
The mountain morning sun etches golden rays through rising mist. Bright green foothills stand sharply before mountains brushed by amber hues. The lilting sound of bagpipes draw us to a hilltop, where we wait…
Silence.
In the distance, the huntsman’s horn signals approaching hounds. Abruptly they appear! Tri-color hounds topping the knoll before us! Soon they are followed by a field of elegant hunt horses, dressed for the day in gleaming tack and plaited manes. Coats of the riders, scarlet and black, signal to us this will be a formal day, first of the season. We bow our heads for the Blessing of Hounds, a tradition of the Opening Meet. A toast of fine port accompanies the ceremony, closing with these words…
To endless years of hounds' sweet cry
To thundering hooves, and foxes sly.
We raise a glass to the life we love
For grass below and sky above.
To friendships forged on ridge and valley
When going is deep, yet hounds still rally.
To outreached hands, when we meet the earth,
To reckless laughter, wind and turf.
To the horn that calls us all back home
To aching muscles, weary bone.
God bless this hunt and every friend
May hounds run ever o'er this land….
Thus begins the tradition of Opening Meet, the start of the formal foxhunting season at Blackberry Farm --and you are invited to participate. Whether you prefer to follow on horseback or choose the horse drawn wagon and your own two feet, there is magic for everyone.
If you are new to foxhunting, our seminar, Romance of the Hunt, is a must! Plan to attend Friday, November 16, the day prior to Opening Meet. The seminar begins, quite appropriately, with a tasting of fine port and the opportunity to mingle with the Huntsman and Masters of Foxhounds. Morning topics include hounds and hunting, etiquette and protocol, and the history and artistry of mounted foxhunting. In the afternoon, you’ll meet a few hounds and get to know your horse for the next day’s meet. Friday evening, plan to celebrate with toasting and feasting, as all the hunters will dine together in anticipation of the next day’s Opening Meet!
Following the hunt on Saturday, hunters and friends will gather for the traditional “Hunt Breakfast” (always called breakfast, even in the afternoon!) as only Blackberry Farm can do it!
“Foxhunting combines all the pleasures of country life,” states Sandy Beall, Master of Foxhounds. “It is a way to come together for camaraderie and fun. The addition of great food and wine makes the experience whole.”
In addition to Opening Meet, are three very special Blackberry hunt meets. The dates are December 7-8, January 4-5, and Closing Meet, March 1-2, 2013. Should these weekends not suit your calendar, contact us to arrange a private hunt for your group, or to join in with the local hunt. The Season is October through mid-March.
Call or email for details regarding stabling, horses for lease, special plans for foot followers and all that Blackberry Farm provides during hunt season. Simply the finest luxury equestrian adventure! Tally ho, the fox!
Best hunting,
Carla Hawkinson, Master of Foxhounds, Tennessee Valley Hunt
Equestrian Program Manager, Blackberry Farm
865-273-8545
chawkinson@blackberryfarm.com