I recently visited a local foxhunt to say hello, and get some photos. Foxhunting is pretty big in my area. To be fair, I don’t have a lot of experience in other areas, so I can’t say for certain. But there’s like five local hunts, so I think that’s a pretty good amount. Middleburg is basically known for foxhunting, so I’m pretty sure we’re a big foxhunting area.
We (I use “we” loosely, I’m not a foxhunter myself, even if I want to be) are currently in cubbing season. It’s like the pre-game season, before the actual foxhunting begins. It’s still mostly the same as the actual season, but there are a few key differences.
It’s much less formal. Foxhunters are known for the red and black coats, looking all dapper and ready to discuss their estates. Cubbing season has a more relaxed dress code, although let’s be clear, these people could still be discussing the state of their estates, and how the inheritance tax is going to be effecting them. They’re still looking quite sharp.
I was actually in a local tack store the other day, and I saw a beautiful blue wool riding coat. I knew immediately it was cut for foxhunting, but I was a bit confused as I wasn’t clear on what cubbing season was. I asked, and was told it’s for cubbing season. Ah yes, of course. The $800 coat is the less formal riding outfit.
But this “lack of formality” is because this is basically training season for everyone involved. The field of horses is smaller, so it’s less overwhelming. The horses are coming back into work or green horses are being trained to foxhunt. Newer riders are getting used to the flow of things. Young hounds are being trained to hunt. The foxes are realizing its that horrible time of year again.
After these training sessions, everyone should be on the same page when actual foxhunting starts, usually sometime in late October or November. There will be a formal Opening Meet, there’s usual a Blessing of the Hounds, and everyone is going to be looking their best.
If you love taking photos, like me, it’s the best time to sneak on in there and get some. But it’s still fun to come visit during the less formal times, too. I always love my visits to the foxhunt!