GENESEO – Chilly wind blasted through Connie's mane as she tore across the Haverford Farm meadow toward the flags. Having dodged and twisted her way over rough country more like a deer than a horse, the finish was in sight. Kasandra Wohlschlegel pushed her into top gear and they flew through in first place. Hot on their heels in a close second was Genesee Valley Hunt (GVH) Joint-Master Marion Thorne, one of the most distinguished riders in the … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: A Fine, Fresh Day at the Races
The Genesee Valley Hunt (GVH) Race Meet enjoyed what those in the know considered nearly ideal weather – a gray day of temps in the low 60's with a passing morning shower. Ideal weather, that is, for horses galloping over a 1 1/2 mile undulating turf course, canines competing in various flavors of competitions or accompanying their owners threading through crowds of strangers in lieu of being left home for the day, and delicious tailgate … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: Keeping Tradition Alive
The last Saturday in September marks the traditional start of the formal foxhunting season here in the Valley with the meet being held on the east lawn of the Wadsworth Homestead at the south end of Geneseo’s Main Street. From there, staff, hounds and subscribers (no guests allowed on opening day) proceed up Main Street past the Court House, down the driveway to the Hartford House, and on to the fields and woodlands north of the village. For … [Read more...]
Photos: The Hunt Begins
GENESEO – The first formal fox hunt of the season processed down Main Street from the Wadsworth estate to the Hartford House, the homes of the brothers who founded Geneseo. Enjoy these few photos and check out contributing writer Sally Fox's piece on this morning's hunt here. Tally ho! … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: The Race Is On! The Hunt Is On!
Apparently there are rumors going around that The Race or The Hunt has been cancelled due to the heat and hard ground from lack of rain. I always have to smile a bit at this time of year when I am asked when The Hunt is. By this, people usually are referring to one of two events. The first is the Genesee Valley Hunt (GVH) Opening Meet on the last Saturday in September at about 7:30 a.m. when staff, hounds, and hunt subscribers process … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: Geneseo’s Historic Cavalry Games Continue to Thrive
GENESEO –This year’s July 4th Cavalry Games celebrated the 40th anniversary of their renewal in 1976 when Judge J. Robert Houston, an avid historian, horseman, and member of the Genesee Valley Hunt (GVH), thought it would be sporting to revive this unique aspect of local history as part of the local bicentennial celebrations. The cavalry games were first held on the east lawn of the Wadsworth Homestead at the south end of Geneseo’s Main Street … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: GVRDC Spring Event Shines Through the Raindrops
The Valley has become a remarkable bastion for Eventing, an Olympic discipline that is the triathlon of equestrian sport known as the complete test of horse and rider. Entries compete in dressage (school figures), stadium jumping (a winding course over fences that can be knocked down), and cross-country over solid fences, banks, ditches, and water. The jumping tests also have time/speed requirements to avoid penalty points. The combined score … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: Spring Trash Patrol – Annual Informal Survey of the Slovenly
I have a long-established tradition instilled in me by my horse mother in the early 60s of going along the roadside in the early spring, before things start to grow, to collect any trash or litter that might be hazardous to horses when they become obscured by weeds or grasses. This means not only on the shoulder of the road, but farther in where they might be tossed or jettisoned from a passing vehicle, truck, or whatever. Over the years, I … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: Inherent Risk Legislation Is Long Past Due
Over the years, this column has addressed the fact that New York is one of only four states where there is no legislation regarding liability for injury to people engaged in equestrian activities which per force involve an inherent risk due to the fact that being around horses can be dangerous due to their size, strength, and the unpredictability of their deeply-embedded prey instincts. In March, I attended an event for landowners hosted by … [Read more...]
Valley Horses Lives on at the GeneseeSun.com
Valley Horses lives on! The response to my decision to step back from writing the Valley Horses weekly column after eighteen and half years was gratifying and deeply appreciated. It had been my joy to share news of the achievements of local equestrians and their four-legged partners regardless of their chosen discipline, inform people of opportunities for watching, learning, or getting involved, providing occasional insights, provoking thought, … [Read more...]