NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/725550
54 NEBRASKAland • OCTOBER 2016 Breakfast and Brew As with many sports, alcohol has a special place in foxhunting, and no hunt is complete without breakfast. Called the "stirrup cup," a small cup of port wine is presented to riders before every hunt, and if we're lucky, a kind volunteer from the membership may warm the wine with mulling spices, which is especially delicious on a cold, winter morning. The stirrup cup is an old, foxhunting tradition, but it is also referred to as liquid courage. It is not uncommon to feel nervous before a hunt, and the little bit of alcohol does help to ease the senses and to calm the nervous shakes. Some riders believe that it also helps to numb the impact of an unplanned dismount. And then during breaks, a vehicle manned by volunteers – dubbed the "whoopee wagon" – provides more drinks, usually beer, and snacks mid-hunt. Many riders also carry a personal flask. Hunting makes for hungry riders. Being the fair-weather rider that I am, the thoughts that usually go through my head by the second hour of a hunt are: "I'm wet. I'm cold. I can't feel my feet anymore. Can we go eat now?" This is when hunt breakfasts come into play, and they always taste rewarding after a challenging morning. Always after untacking, grooming and feeding the horses and hounds, we show up to breakfast, often disheveled and tired. Breakfast is usually held in a Morton building or barn and the food is provided by rider(s) who volunteered. Fresh quiches, pasta, beef and noodles, hot soup and hearty chili are popular items during this cold time of year. Hunt breakfast is also time to T he future of foxhunting rests on our youth and it is our responsibility to teach the next generation about conservation and the love the outdoors. Every season, North Hills Hunt hosts junior hunts to introduce the sport of foxhunting to local youth. This year, junior hunt dates are Nov. 5 and 6. Junior hunts are slower-paced, and young riders are taught foxhunting basics and etiquette, respect for land and landowners, riding techniques across fields of variable terrain, animal welfare and to watch for wildlife. Eagles, turkeys, pheasants, owls, rabbits, deer, raccoons, coyotes and foxes are some of the animals they may see. If we do rouse up a coyote – oh, the thrill of the chase! For more information on youth foxhunting, contact Carine Stava, lcstava@gmail.com. Youth Hunting By Carine Stava, NHH Honorary Secretary The author trains at The Farm at Butterflat Creek in Bennington, Nebraska, a hunter/ jumper facility that specializes in foxhunting with the North Hills Hunt. PHOTO BY RICK WHEATLEY