Ottawa Valley Hunt Club | newsletter1202.html

Ottawa Valley Hunt Newsletter

October 2003

Hello Everyone,

Rolf Gauer:
As we try to squeeze some great hunt days out of our prime season, our enthusiasm has been dulled by the tragic loss of Rolf Gauer. Rolf, a pillar of the OVH for 25 years, died suddenly October 10th. He was always there for the club – always with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. Rolf and Joan [OVH Hunt Secretary] have hosted the Opening Hunt for years and what a classy event it has been, and who will forget the 125th celebration dinner they organized. The OVH will miss you, Rolf.

Huntsmen:
We’ve been going through Huntsmen at an alarming rate. About a month ago, Antony broke his arm in a freak accident. We can report that in spite of nightmarish treatment by the Ontario medical bureaucracy, he appears to be recovering well. We were extremely fortunate to be able to get James Nance, a talented young huntsman in the making from the Juan Tomas Hounds in New Mexico, to travel north at short notice to ensure that our season was not lost. His father, Jim Nance Joint MFH and Huntsman of the Juan Tomas Hounds and his brother Adren have hunted with us and James spent time here last fall whipping-in. However, the jinx has stayed with us and James is now recovering from a concussion and bruises he received last Saturday at the hands of a tree and a headstrong horse. Our whippers-in, Sue Hobin, Jill Bryant and David Mattinson are now hunting the hounds with the on-ground support of Antony and David Rees-Potter. It is a credit to Antony’s training and skill as Huntsman that the hounds are hunting so well for relative strangers.
With respect to Antony’s fracture and subsequent difficulties, the OVH is indebted to many people who have helped out. I want to thank especially Pam Black, Michael Deverell, Sue Hobin, Jill Bryant, Dennis Cullen, Paul Popiel for all their help with the hounds, mucking out, horse care and many other tasks around the kennels. Pam and Dennis have also driven to the Montfort Hospital more times than I can imagine. Thank you.

Jasper:
There has been one great hunt at Jasper this fall and we are scheduled to hunt there again on October 25th. This is wonderful hunt country and we have been warmly welcomed by the local landowners. Special thanks go to Arthur Leacock and John Brouillard who have cleared trails and arranged access to the country. The OVH is extremely grateful. We extend special thanks to Andrew Popiel for transporting jumps and to Wayne Rostad for transporting Bob Sulpher and his tractor to Jasper where Bob bush-hogged trails.

Visitors:
The OVH was delighted to host 5 members of the Juan Tomas Hounds from New Mexico in September. It was great to return the hospitality that several OVH members have received in New Mexico. 3 of our members are committed to traveling south next February to enjoy the thrills of hunting New Mexico style. Thanks to the Allums and Helen Reasin for providing horses for them to ride. For a report of their visit go to juantomashounds.com – password ‘destiny’.

Golf Tournament and Steak Night:
I want to thank Gary Hobin and his helpers for organizing the Golf Tournament and Cindy and Brent Seabrook for donating the use of the Canadian Golf and Country Club. Followed by our annual Steak Night, this event has become a whopping success, although if Gary had any notion that we might become better golfers by providing a clinic before the start, we blew that idea!

Hunter Pace:
Our September Hunter Pace was another big success. Despite the weather forecast, 87 horses competed in what some said was the best ride ever! Many thanks to all who helped make the day a success including Skip and Bill Walker, Joyce and Jeffery Kinson, Joan and Rolf Gauer and Donna Houston.

Thanks:
A BIG thank you from Bob Sulpher to Gill Levy for his birthday gift of a new stove, which came with the same caveat as last year’s vacuum cleaner – it must remain at the club!
A BIG thank you to Susan Wilkinson and Alain Olivier for donating a new and ‘cool’ bar fridge.

International Plowing Match:
Antony, with the help of whipper’s-in David Mattinson, Sue Hobin and Jill Bryant, paraded the hounds at the IPM. They provided a colourful display and the presence of the OVH was much appreciated by the organizers.

Dates to remember:
October 25th – Jasper Hunt and Halloween Party at the Hunt
November 15th – Closing Hunt Party; as seating is limited, please reserve with Kay asap.

Until next time,

Happy Hunting
Ted Thomas, MFH.

PS I visited Fred and Margaret Pickford recently. It was good to see them so positive and keenly interested in our season. We did some good reminiscing. Good luck Fred and Margaret.