Summer Hunt XL/2005

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SUMMER HUNT I (2005) EVENT REPORT BY Baroness Murakami Tsuruko

(24-26 June XL/2005)

Greetings all,

The Incipient Shire of Earnrokke put on their first event this past weekend, Summer Hunt. Not only was it their first event it was the first event of it's kind in An Tir. It was simply awesome! It was a very animal friendly event, with equestrian activities on both days, a falcon demo, and hound races. There were also merchants and a served delicious period feast in the Cloisters on Saturday night done by the very talented Baroness Anastasia and her crew. Royal court was held during the feast where the day's winners were announced, hunt-themed stories were told and a number of gentles from Earnrokke and Druim Doinnen were recognized for their service and talents by Her Majesty.

As for equestrian activities there was a hunt course on Saturday. Obstacles/challenges included a low jump, defense against an attacking boar (pig sticking), picking off three different game animals with javelin or bow and arrow (mounted archery, yeah!) and protecting a terrified peasant from a marauding bear. Points off if you shot the peasant instead of the bear. The bear took various hits throughout the afternoon, but it was the youngest rider of the day, Giraldus Evienence who struck it through the heart! I rode the hunt course along with everyone else. I'm just getting back into riding after a break imposed by health issues and although I didn't score well I didn't do any soil testing either! The hunt course was won by HL Thorkel Haraldsson with an awesome run on George (aka Jorge). It should be noted that Her Royal Highness Princess Angharad was the next highest score. She's an excellent rider and I've seen her handle a javelin so I recommend being very, very nice to her!

unday was the Equestrian Championship for Dragon's Laire. There were thirteen riders, a great turnout! HL AgelosAgelos Evienece came up with a good challenge course which included pig sticking, a spear throw, rings, heads, quintain and flag race. In addition to their riding scores, riders were judged on the "WoW" factor. Giraldus provided a fine example of horsemanship and perserverence when, after losing a stirrup during his run (and I mean losing it for real, it came off the saddle and disappeared in the grass) he chose to continue with only one stirrup. He clug like a burr as he galloped through the flag race and everyone was cheering him as he came in off the course. Again, Her Royal Highness gave everyone a run for their money so a final test was needed to determine the new champion. Maximus, Her Highness's 3-year old Black Percheron gelding was pressed into service. He is a big, beautiful boy who is very laid back and is quite happy to amble along at a nice walk. He'd never seen equestrian games before but he got the chance to see the quintain up close and personal. After Maximus had a good sniff and a nibble at the quintain, the contestants took their turns and HL Donwenna Donwenna la Mareschale emerged victorious as Dragon's Laire's new equestrian champion!

But wait, there's more! I don't know whose idea this was but after everyone was done riding they kept to the field and did a few carousel maneuvers which ended with them all in a line in front of me where they saluted me. It was a wonderful piece of pageantry and I really appreciated it!

A big thank you to the Incipient Shire of Earnrokke for putting on a fabulous event, to Baroness Anastasia for a great feast, to Her Majesty and Her Highness for supporting the Shire's first event, and to HL Thorkel & Tara along with Lang's Horse & Pony farm for providing rental horses (which greatly improved participation!). If I'm forgetting anybody please forgive me, it's not intentional, I'm still pretty tired after the weekend. I hope to see more events like this in the future.

YIS,

Baroness Murakami Tsuruko