Ottawa Valley Hunt Club | newsletter0106.html

Ottawa Valley Hunt Newsletter

March 2006

Only a month until hunting starts again! True, it will be a month of rain and mud but spring is here; the horses are shedding their coats and the green grass will soon be here again.

Dates to Remember

Pub Night: Saturday April 1st, 7pm. In addition to the usual pub food and drinks, we will have information (and competitions!) on hunt etiquette, tack and dress, the history of hunting, hounds, terminology … and anything else connected with hunting. A great way to get in the mood for when the season really starts.

Special guest Alfie Smith will give a clinic on hound conformation; Audrey and Anne are organizing a stock-tying demonstration and competition (please bring a stock-tie and pin); and Kay is developing a fun quiz for the evening.

Trail Ride: Saturday May 6th, 12 Noon. The first of the trail rides, from Creighton Pit in Lanark. From this date, there are trail rides or hunts every Saturday and Wednesday.

Work Day: Sunday May 14th, 9am. A chance to hone your fence-building skills, to clear trails and get the hunt country in shape for the season.

Hunt Ball

Once again the equestrian community gathered for the knees-up of the year. About 250 people descended on the Sportsplex to eat, drink, dance and outbid each other in the Silent Auction. Many thanks to everyone who made this Hunt fund-raiser a resounding success: Betty Sulpher and crew who organized the evening and handled ticket sales; Janet Strome and her helpers who organized the Silent Auction; Skip and Bill Walker who handled the very inventive hound-theme decorations; and everyone else who contributed in some way to the evening.

Congratulations to the four members who had the thrill of receiving their colours at the Ball – Mary Raphael, Kimm Mackenzie, Paul Popiel and Les Vandor.

The band has been booked again for the last Saturday in February, 2007 – so start planning now.

Fixture Card

The Spring fixture card is now back from the printers: pick up your copy at the Pub Night (April 1st.) or see the information on the website

Bill Irving

We are sad to report that Bill Irving passed away at the beginning of March. Bill was a long-time member of the OVH and a great supporter of all things equestrian. He was Master for several years, and hunted until he was over eighty. He celebrated his ninetieth birthday at the Hunt last year, and took great joy in seeing the hounds paraded.

There will be a memorial service in April for Bill, and notice of it will be posted on the website.

In Bill’s memory, the Hunt will be making a donation to the Humane Society. If you wish to contribute personally, there will be a collection made at the Pub Night, April 1st.

Good Hunting,

Kay Leach and Bob Allum
Joint Masters