Last weekend's hunting report!, almost didn't get to make a report at all! Options

[Dawn]

Sorry haven't been on in ages - was on honeymoon over christmas (ended up with pneumonia - long story!) and have been really busy since - last Sunday was our second meet back after Christmas (he's been flying it all season not a problem at all with stopping or anything!) anyway what a day...will try to keep it brief... started well, long run along the canal, into some forestry over some poles down a roadway and back....over some good ground, great hunt fences, two serious serious drains with low hanging trees (ground very very wet), long run up a hill, through about 4 huge hill fields accessed by jumping through gaps in hedges filled with planks - in one case planks about 90 cm looked fine....6ft drop the far side on a hill sloping downwards - flew it..came to the demon drain i got stuck at last year, over first time no problem and on into some very boggy ground with drains in forestry...first small drain grand, second big wide very dirty boggy one didn't pick my spot right, followed someone else, ground gave way beneath him as he landed thought I was off but he found his feet & I stayed on board...drain was very deep with very sticky mud underneath waist high water...anyway we were told we'd have to go back over the drain so three of us headed back where we met 5 or 6 who hadn't made it across...we'd had about 5 or 6 fallers at that stage and I was actually feeling pretty good about not yet having had a fall out hunting in two seasons.....DOH!

The other two went first, I picked my spot but he sidestepped & I was committed at that stage, he didn't make the far side, I came off in the drain, he started to plunge, I somehow ended up underneath him between his two front legs, submerged in the water....thankfully guy behind me saw what was happening hopped off got my hat off, someone else held Sid's head up and the guy held my head up as my body was stuck under Sid who was a bit freaked as you can imagine...once they were sure Sid was calmer three of them pulled me out from under him but my leg got a bit stuck think have twisted something but could have been so much worse...

Then came the hard part, we were 40 minutes trying to get Sid out - he tried and tried for about 10 minutes but then it was just too cold & he started to give up & go into shock, got guys with ropes & tied reins & leathers together behind his bum and around his chest but it was just awful to watch & I was kinda in shock & trying to keep moving & not let myself get too cold....eventually 12 of them literally hauled him out with brute force, he lay on the ground for 4 or 5 minutes on his side & I was petrified he'd done something to a ind...then he got himself up and I led him around to try & warm him up...one of the guys led him home from his horse while I got a lift back, thank god i had a change of clothes with me....anyway am still a bit shook - I'm not great with water at the best of times but only for that guy holding my head & telling me not to panic I could well not be here to tell the tale...
who knew one of the risks they talk about with equestrian activities was drowning!!

[Cathy]

Bl**dy hell Dawn! What a day!! Sounds fantastic up to the oops bit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/3dflagsdotcom_uk_2faws.gif)
I've seen them stuck out hunting and they soon give up, sounds like Sid tried for longer than most.
How lucky are you both! Take care of yourselves now! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

[Ruth]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) My God Dawn, that sounds absolutely horrendous. I am just so glad that neither of you were injured, rather just very cold. Not good for you after having pneumonia either. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/verrek.gif)
Well done for your excellent riding and for not panicking. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/respect.gif)
Has this put you off at all, and do you think it will have affected Sid? Goodness, I hope not, after all you have been through to get so far.
Look after yourselves.

[LauraH]

OMG Dawn, my heart was in my mouth reading that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shocking.gif)
Thank god you both came out of it relatively unscathed!!!
Do hope it hasn't effected either yours or Sid's confidence you're doing so well together!

[Dawn]

No thank god we're both doing ok - he was amazing unscathed by the whole thing bar a few bumps and lumps, gave him a few days off to make sure he was ok, rode on Thursday and was a bit nervous but not too bad, jumped him last night & schooled over some small ditches today so we're back out hunting tomorrow as I'm away next weekend and if I leave it too long I'll bottle it! I had a few tremendous bruises and was pretty stiff but nothing half as bad as it could have been

[Ruth]

You have yourself one fantastic horse there Dawn (IMG:style_emoticons/default/respect.gif)

[loobylu]

Crikey! Well, well done for coming out of that one with all bits, both horsey and human, intact!

[tabitha]

Sounds awful, I'm glad you and Sid are both ok

[Dawn]

Just an mini update - didn't get to hunt for two weeks (snow cancelation & was away valentines weeekend) got back out last Sunday and despite my green-ness it went well - first 5 obstacles were drains!!!! Which was in fact great for us as it got it out of the way up front...he was in flying form!

[Ruth]

Fantastic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/respect.gif)

[Cathy]

Well done both of you! I went to the meet yesterday, on foot, and have been offered a days hunting on a friends horse early March - woo hoo, but i'm so unfit and hes 17.2HH!!