Yo Yo's Journal

presents

Editor's note: The following entries are written by Yo Yo himself and he leaves them outside his stall door for me to find and post. He checks the site out on his computer mounted over his feed tub and sends me a flame if I am late getting it up on the net. He does like to hear from his friends so if you wish to e-mail him here's his MAILBOX.

1997-1998 Season Notes

Today is January 10,1998

Today was the most beautiful day I can remember in a long while. The sun shining and a Carolina blue

sky so vast I could be swallowed up. There was no scent out hunting but it was so pretty it didn't matter.

There was a huge field, at least 75, and many annual visitors I not seen this year. They were all amazed

to see me out... after all I am 98 now...but I pulled myself up and took the bit right away.Keeping up appearnces is very important.We have had very warm weather, lots of rain, and in the woods all the birds are

saying it is spring already!I know better.

January 15, 1998

The rain started about 5 am and after a lot of indecision we decided to go to South Carolina for hunting anyway. I was thrilled to go, I love it there and I love to ride on "Vanny". It was cold and wet so only 5 people made the trek but after we arrived it backed off to a drizzle and we opted for a short morning...after all we were there anyway. I love it there in the cotton country, it is so quiet with wide open spaces. I had a good laugh on Mom though... Everyone was mounted up and hounds were out and she decided to move my saddle up. Well when she undid the girth I needed a big body shake and did so...ooops...saddle, pads etc went plop on the wet grass. She really had a fit of pique too and it took her forever to get it all on. As soon as she had her foot in the stirrup I trotted off to catch up and she had to finish getting organized en route ( I could have bucked her off right then and there but I was good) Apparently she was pretty funny pitching a fit and everyone watching laughed heartedly.... me too!Smells were lousy so hounds were pretty quiet..must be the moon. I saw a lot of fox tracks though so they are there... probably watching us.

January 17,1998

Pea soup fog this morning but not too cold. We had lots of rain and everything is sloppy but here it is sandy so there weren't many bad spots. I got to take two special visitors today which made me feel very important. I'm feeling 100% now after a long time of waiting for the physicians to fix me. I wish people could really speak horse... it would help. Mom finally got the message and after the chiropracter I'm really reborn.Hounds opened right away but just couldn't keep anything steady today. We had hounds all around us and Mom got a new painting I think. Anyway she whipped out the sketch pad and told me I'd better stand still.Hounds never really stopped speaking, but since we had a lot of folks out we found every fence I think. I even got to jump one myself I am feeling so good. Don't think I'm Ben Arthur or something (he is my hero), remember, I'm a senior citizen. Mom says I'm an historical landmark... hmmmm.

January 22, 1998

Today was an adventure! We went to a new country we have never been to that is beautiful. It is about 3000 acres with very little of it domesticated, just enough large hay fields for variety but much of it pure Longleaf pine woodlands. It was crisscrossed with sandy roads and fire breaks so you could gallop along easily. I like that in my old age! The weather was threatening more rain (El Nino) and scenting was nil but I was so interested in where I was that didn't matter. AND... I had a very special job today. I was to ride with Mrs. Moss.We , and Sonny ( her horse), have'nt done that in a long time and I told her that this was the first hunt where I was older than she . She is 88 and I am 98! Sonny is a lot like me and we can really be naughty when we wantbut I told him he'd better behave today. She has not been out a lot this year and he had to take care of her. At least that's what I thought but I was bookin' just to keep up with her!Then it happened...ouch. I never saw a sign but as I was really moving down a firebreak my right leg just vanished and my chin hit the dirt. Mom hung right on and I popped myself up and kept going, but it is a good thing my chiropractor came later because I could feel things weren't just right.I've just gotten to feeling so well lately I don't want to be sidelined now. Dr. Green and a little sun will do the trick.Oh before I go, the place we went to was of great historic interest. In the 1930s there was a private pack of hounds there as well as our pack where we live. This was the first meet there in 50 years! I know there were ghosts in the trees.

January 24,

I could not believe after all that rain we could even go out today!But at the last minute we decided to since our meet was very near by. I was still a little stiff from stepping in that hole but a little stroll around the woods didn't sound so bad. I was actually quite clean (remember I am white and spots are my specialty) so Mom said to eat fast that we were going!Had a couple of very distinguished visitors from France.... seems they never get out of a trot over there although they are going fast,.. something called stag hunting. I don't think I'd like it at all. It's much more fun to buck at the gallop.! They were thrilled when they viewed a gray fox who scooted around a small lake and left hounds totally puzzled as he went for parts unknown. Pretty music for a little while. I got pretty excited and really wanted a run but I had to settle for just pulling Mom's arms out for fun.Later in the morning after we had covered a lot of territory I went in only to hear the plight of the Frenchmen. It seems one of them lost his stirrup leather and his horse lost him, so he had to hoof it home with no horse. (I always laugh when this happens .) There was great panic since the horse was not local and that he was just flying around the woods wildly. I knew that would not be the case and told everyone where he'd go but since noone speaks horse they had a great search out. Of course he headed to the nearest horse smells and circled the fencing to wind up behind someone's house ( non horsey) next to the tack shop! The shop owners whipped out their camera and were taking pictures of women and children beside the horse in front of their store! If I had known they wanted a live model I'd have dumped Mom and gone over there.....I'm definitely better looking!A Frenchman without his horse is a sad sight to see. I should not laugh but I did all night.C'est le guerre!

January29,1998

After lots of rain ( again) we lucked into a lucious warm sunny day to head south. Only 5 of us went but it was worth it for the quiet sunshine in farm country. A little gray bounced around the neighborhood before dumping us so we had some great music to listen to even if the going was tiring. The fields were DEEP let me tell you. I don't panic in the stuff because I know from experience if I just slog through I'll be ok, but a young horse next to me wasn't too sure. The fields are really big and you think you'll never get to the end. Then we went to a higher ground area with more woods near where Mom calls her studio. It is just an old wreck of a house but she must see something in it. You could smell the sap in the pines today too and that's usually a sign of spring. The wild quince will be in bloom soon I think. Oh,I also saw the biggest red tailed hawk ever!He must have been having a meal and we disturbed him because he kept swooping down on us. I could see right through his wings in the sun... it made him look bigger!Sadly we also saw trash thrown by the way everywhere... it is so awful. I could step on a broken glass in the leaves someday from that. I'm very careful where I put my feet but that's scary.They were talking that the county got rid of the dumpsters and now charge a fat fee for pick-up. I know a lot of folks can't really afford the fee but the trash is terrible. If they had to walk barefoot like me everywhere they would do something different and put back the dumpsters.Lunch and laughs at the Firehouse and home.....

January 31,1998

I'm feeling so good today. I overheard Mom trying to get a ride for me since the meet was really far to hack but in the end we had to hoof it over there. She was feeling symapthetic to my age and having gone only two days before was trying to spare me. I tried to tell her she didn't need to 'cause I came out like gangbusters.She was so surprised when I even tried a little buck on the way. (I love to give her a jolt once in a while!) I knew I could catch hounds and go on with them which we did. Glorious sun with coolish temperatures and 72 of my closest friends makes for a great morning. I stayed out for 4 hours too! And we never stopped moving. At one point we had crossed the same mucky patch 3 times and I was really bored so when the guys in front of me cantered off up a hill I put on the old afterburners and flew. Mom was too busy ducking branches to do much about it so it was great fun. Ronnie's racehorse ( yes, raced 4 months ago) couldn't catch me either! Of course by the end of the morning there were only 8 of my friends still out so I really felt like the old days. I think I wore Mom out a bit ( she had the flu a few days ago) but she'll pop back and we'll go again...I can't wait.

February 5, 1998

Whew!....what a morning. I think my legs are still running even though I am standing still...we just kept going and going and going. (oh yes, folks have nicnamed me the"Energizer") We had a huge storm for the last two days...cold, rain, wind. I was standing in 4 inches of water in my turnout shed and I live in sandy soil country! Who would believe we could go out with hounds today?But we did. There were only 5 of us too, but we had a blast. After and hour we were 4 and we went through water, mud, and more water. I don't think I've heard music like that for a long time, not since the "four Dick day" ( some day I'll tell you about that one!).I never stopped taking the bit either and I think I wore Mom out. I am really fit now and can stretch the old legs out.I even amaze myself!

The brave award doesn't go to me today, but to Bart's mom. She broke a stirrup leather just as things were was getting good and I stayed and helped while she took her belt and made it a leather. Bart was lopsided for the rest of the day since she has a small waist and it was really funny to watch from behind. If that had been my Mom I'd have had a field day bucking and playing. And they stayed 'till the very end too!

I just never thought I would be doing my favorite activity with full gusto like I am now....a whole year I had to sit out healing up. When you are old it is really hard to get back in shape, but somehow when I hear that music I forget every little creak and no way am I going to be left behind! I hope I can do this forever and ever....I know I'll dreams great dreams tonight..

February 7,1998

I don't think I will ever see the sun again....dreary and cold again...and again an incredible day. Lots of friends came out in spite ot the weather and some were friends I hadn't seen in a couple of years. Beau ( he's only 84) and I went together almost all day, talking about funny things that had happened in the past. That is we could chat when we weren't galloping! In fact tonight I am really beat. This is two days of 4 hours really not having much time to catch my breath. I also stepped in a bad hole with my hind leg while cantering around a corner and I'm kind of sore. Mom gave me the nasty tasting paste and promised I would feel better.Why can't they make that stuff taste better anyway?

Bart's been having a wierd week also....remember the stirrup leather? This time his stable mate parked himself on top of a small oak tree ( how dumb) and then kicked 'cause it goosed him and got Bart smack on the leg. Ouch....blood and everything. So he went home with a stock tie wrapped around it. He'll be fine but that cut the morning short for him.

The most fun aside from fabulous music and seeing foxes, was having Mike Plumb out with us. He rode right near me most of the time too. But when he elected to go home early he had no idea how to get there and three people gave him wrong directions! I straightened him out but am still laughing that here's a national hero who can negotiate the most fearsome things yet not know his way home. Any horse worth his salt can do that! (and I don't need red on right either)

The quinces are blooming next to my paddock now....I'm waiting for the peepers to sing to me at night.

February 12, 1998

The peepers came out last night!It must be the full moon this time of year. I could hardly sleep for them and the beautiful eerie light. In fact I was still in bed snoring when Mom got me up for breakfast early because we were going to SC again.

Such a beautiful day with a light breeze and clear blue sky... about 60* too!We went off to the biggest cotton fields I have ever seen that seemed to stretch forever. Did you know they are so big that when a whip hollers it takes forever for the sound to come over? Spring comes a little sooner there and I was trying to get to the lush green grass underfoot that smelled so good. After a lot of arguing Mom let me have a bite or two. Not much because we were soon moving ....fast! Right out of the duck pond area came a pretty gray fox but he was well ahead of us by the time we moved. We had to take long routes on solid field roads for all the water still standing around. ( so much rain this year)When hounds get in the cotton stalks they just disappear too!

The most fun though was the toilet ....what you ask? I was really feeling like Lit de Justice as we were all cantering down this dirt road and I found a slot in the middle and just moved right through. And there it was....the toilet. My buddy on the left is young and faint of heart, and the one on the right knows better, but they nearly convinced me it was a quality spook. I have seen it all in my life right down to the pot bellied pig that used to live up that road in a dog kennel, but a toilet by the side of the road is pushing it. The trash I told you about is bad enough but the effort took to drag it there amazes me.I'll probably have to look at it every time I go there too, and then it won't be any fun to spook at anymore.

For the rest of the morning we went over to the big swamp. We just get to go around one way or the other while the hounds make great music in the middle but it is still fun. There are beautiful white sandy places in a big field that you can go and see all the footprints from the night before...sometimes it looks like a party!

Everyone stopped for lunch at their favorite place and that gave me time to destroy the hay net. Maybe it was all that sunshine that made me so hungry on such a nice day. Music during the day and peepers singing at night....no one has it better.

February 14, 1998

It's Valentine's Day! The sun finally came out and I can smell spring now. I was so creaky this morning I could hardly get out of bed, but Mom worked on my back last night and gave me a little aspirin and said I'd better get out there and stretch my legs a little. I know every inch of the country but these hidden holes have gotten me twice now. My chiropractor is coming Tuesday so I'll be tuned up for Thursday for sure. As soon as I get with my friends I just seem to forget all those little creaks and I want to go. There was hardly any music for some reason and I get bored when there isn't any so I just put up a little argument for going in early .Whoever said the golden years were great is really a horse's ass I can tell you!

When I got in I later heard about "the rest of the morning" and I really wish I could have stayed. First of all in the beginning everyone jumped into the pastures and found a big surprise at the jump over the dam of the big pond. It seems the big paddle boat had gotten water in it and they dragged it out and turned it over to drain and just left it there... right next to the jump!Talk about toilet spook....this must have been hilarious. Everyone getting a big spur in the right side while viewing death on the left... ho ho ho what fun. Either way you spooked you'd get creamed. I would have been very brave ,of course, and put in a huge jump just to be safe.

Then after I went in they found a coyote!!! The Eastern coyote hasn't found us yet but it looks like it won't be long. They saw him right in front of the hounds and everyone had to go flat out to keep up. Liason said he'd never galloped that fast ever...whew. I still have speed and I'd have poured it on! It's the buzz of the pastures to say the least. What next? Clones?

It's Valentine's day and I'm going to see if this sexy senior citizen can get a date! A bag of carrots ought to do the trick. Alfalfa cubes are just too yuppie for me.

February 21, 1998

I didn't post from Thursday because it was just a bummer. I should not have gone out but it was supposed to be a joint meet with old friends and I felt I should show up....but I should have rested more after my doctor visit. So after a while out there I went back to the van and waited for my ride home.

But today I feel GREAT! The sun is gorgeous and it is warm and springy... ahhhh...I could just lay about being served carrots in front of a bed of daffodils. Anyhow I went out with everyone and after I got loosened up with a long slow hack over I felt great. It was truly a bluebird day, but that was fine with me and I stayed out all morning. The beginning was a bit dampened when two of my buddies fell over the same jump, once going in and then coming out. That old mare is older than I am and she just can't get the old oomph up and... she flipped over the fence knocking her rider senseless...He's ok but sore. Nobody wants to be told to go a little slower but I won't even try something I know I can't do. I know I can still pop right over something if I need to and in fact I did just that today. But you can bet I'll tell Mom "no" if need be.

Since it was sort of boring today I caught up with my old friend Buster and we just had a do snorting and prancing along for absolutely no reason.We've been friends for years and we know how to really give our owners a bouncing around. I just wanted to go on home and eat if there wasn't going to be any music so I figured an annoying jigalong would do the trick.Not... neither one of them would let us get away with it. Where is their sense of humor anyway?

Also today all the kids were out on their ponies. I love little ponies... in fact the smaller the better! But the best part is I've got the kids all trained to pick nice morsels of cane leaves etc. and feed them to me as I go along!Is this the bee's knees or what! Then if I want a scratch I just sidle over and someone sticks out a hand and starts a nice back-scratch....do I have these folks trained ? If you ask just right you can get the moon. Speaking of which it should be out tonight so the peepers will really get cranked up...what a life. Ciao baby!

PS:Editors Note: Yo Yo has announced today that he is going to start his memoires as soon as hunting season is over, and it will include snaps from his personal scrap book. No baby pictures!

February 26, 1998

What a glorious morning! Clear blue sky and they said 72 degrees ( I have a weather radio in my barn you so I always know how to dress). Traveling on "Vanny" is so much fun too. I always go with Aaron ( he is gray also) and we devour the hay net on the way. He is very young so I am able to teach him many things such as how to make sure you take care of your toilet before loading. It takes more to teach the people to not be in such a hurry than it does to teach a horse. The only thing that is annoying on these trips is the piped in music. For some reason this crowd is into hits from the 50's and non-stop Perry Como and Eddie Arnold is not hip right now. One day I had to listen to "Oh Solo Mio" ! I prefer Reba myself...

Anyway it is still very wet there so I had to slog through lots of mud, but I've gotten the hang of it now and it is really kind of a fun challenge. I was having such a nice time in the beginning that I really put one over on Mom. My friend Mel was supposed to be watching (we have a bet that I'll get Mom yet) so when we made a little turn on the edge of one of those big fields I put in 2 major bucks. Mom had no reins, I mean on the buckle, and her eyes were the size of saucers. Ho Ho what fun! I kept her in the saddle since I knew if I dumped her I'd be spending the rest of the morning at the van. Anyway we viewed a pretty gray and had the best music for most of the morning. He took us all around the fields, into the duck pond, back in the woods and left all the hounds in a neighbor's yard with two furry setters. Those two curs sent them all packing...very funny to watch. But thenI met one of the folks there. His name was Mathew and he was only 18 months old. I let him pat my nose and he told me he had ridden once when he was five months old and was hoping to do more in the future. I told him he needed to grow up fast so he could come out and play.

Oh the toilet was still there and they all spooked again! (I was wondering what happend to its rider).but the big spook of the day went to RL .. The regulars like me know all about him and his 4 wheel but the new guys nearly shed their skins. He's everywhere on that thing and trains his horses by towing them behind while we are hunting...extraordinary to say the least... and it works!

Such a nice morning and this time we went to a different place for lunch. I had heard Paul Harvey mention it but I never understood what " fly " really meant. I do now. Well, out in the country is a vast grassy strip next to a building where you eat lunch. We had just arrived when the biggest bird I ever saw nearly landed on the van! It made lots of noise and then came waltzing right over next to us and sat around for some time. It had the darndest nose whiskers I ever saw...big wide things and they went out sideways... very strange. Aaron said if I wasn't scared he wouldn't be so we just crunched more hay and caught a few breezes.

Today was the last day to go to this wonderful place. I hope I can come again next year but in case I can't I must make perfect memories to last me forever. Like the new phrase I learned, "cool fine"!

February 28, 1998

Another glorious day that started out with a thunderstorm about 6:00am and by lunch the sun was out. We had the best time and I felt really good this morning. We had a very new child named Meakin out today on a lead line and it was her first hunt. She was riding one of my pony friends so I knew she was in good hands.She could barely post and Mel had her on a line for safety but she must have been good luck. All of a sudden two foxes popped out of Wheeler field going in different directions and the music was deafening. They ran right around my house too. We didn't get to see them so I was determined that she should see a fox before the day was over.

We had to putter around a bit to cut corners since she couldn't go fast but once I got to take her in tow we took all the shortcuts so everytime the field came by there we were. I love to do that ( "hey what kept you guys"). Then hounds moved to another cover and this time I had her in the right spot. Hounds opened and pretty soon a fox ran right in front of her!So cool. She was flabbergasted to say the least. Then we thought we'd have all the action right in front of us when lo,there were two foxes again and the pack went off in the opposite direction on the other one! It was just as well because she could never keep up but she sure got to see and hear a lot today. I felt so important to be in charge of a young entry. I know just how to pony little ponies and children and it was fun to do it again. Of course, I could never entertain the thought of a buck when I'm doing that. Don't worry, I'll get Mom next week! I'll bet that child will dream all night....I know I will. Ahhh...time for dinner and a few carrots. Ciao!

March 3, 1998

Would you believe snow flakes?? Yep, big fluffy ones as we started out and by the time we got in the sun was out. I got a lift on a new trailer this morning and when Mom led me down the path where I was to be picked up there was noone there! I was popping a button to go and could not stand still except to watch every car in the distance to see if that was the right one. Then I saw a big rig and knew it was for me. When he drove up I bucked with glee right on the end of the lead shank. I don't think "you know who" was too impressed but I was afraid I had been forgotten and what relief to have transportation. The season is almost over, unbelievably, and I don't want to miss anything.

Scenting was wierd to say the least so there wasn't much music but we moved around a lot. At one point we found an recently abandoned car that scared me and I took off. I think Mom wanted to see what was in it but I figured there might be a body or something and I was out of there. It was not supposed to be out there in the boonies. Toilets by the side of the road are bad enough! And talk about trash.... we went near a trailer way back in the woods and they had just piled a whole year's worth of garbage in the back yard! That must stink to high heaven on a warm night. Give me the smell of hay, green grass and horse manure any day, a bouquet tres magnifique! (oh, I've decided to learn French this summer so I can chat with those Frenchmen when they return.) au revoir baby!

March 5, 1998

It seems incredulous but I got to go out again today!And what a beautiful day it was. I could not stay the entire time as Mom was muttering something about getting BooBoo (she is one of the dogs) to the airport to fly somewhere. Why doesn't she just put her on "Vanny" and take her there?. What is this "fly" bit anyway... was she going in that enormous bird with the funny whiskers I saw last week? I have a new neighbor who is from Holland and I asked him what flying was but since he can barely speak English at the moment I just got a lot of jibberish from him. They just seem to open up a paddock and let anyone in these days, but he's not too bad, just kind of dingy at the moment.

It was a true "bluebird" day while I was out. One hound let out a yip and I just figured he stepped on a pricker . I had to lead the hilltoppers today but I enjoyed their company. I usually go at the back of the front, but they asked so nicely and paid such nice compliments that my ego prevailed. Even at my age flattery will get you everywhere. Oh, and one of them gave me a lemon drop candy I had never tasted before and they are seriously good!.

This is a big weekend for everyone with the Hunter Trials and the Point to Point races neither of which I will participate in, but I might stroll over to see the kids book around the course. They are fearless and just zip over the fences. I had my day there years ago, but now I'd much rather have a sun bath and see if someone will bring me a bag of those lemon drops. Ahhhh....I live such a decandent life!

March 12, 1998

Well, I waited until today to post... had another bummer on Tuesday. I felt just fine and when I got off the van I was all stove up. Like I said,,, " forget the Golden Years"! So I had to walk home and it took me almost two hours to do it. It made me so mad because it was a joint meet with my old friends from Red Mountain again. Mom gave me the right stuff but until she got me to buck a little my spine just wouldn't go back in place. Don't ask me to go on about my miseries...... But I do have some news you will love.

I had to get Mom to tell me what happened today but it was a beaut. I saw everyone go by early ( last formal day you know) and heard a little bit of music but it was so cold this morning I would not have gone had I been 100%....BRRRR... 22degrees ( no peaches this year). And then they all went to the other side of the country so I really couldn't follow with my ears. Here's what happened...

The Big man's horse that he borrowed for the day ( saving "Mr. Spectacular" for the Hunter Trials) wasn't right behind so he hoofs it back to the barn and gets my buddy Aarron. Now would you believe those people are even carrying telephones out hunting? Yes... times have changed and I guess it's good in case of an emergency but keeping in touch with the office and telling the grooms to prepare another horse is just pushing tradition a bit much. Next thing you know they'll be phoning each other in the field to ask permission to pass! It is so nice to be unavailable because you are hunting! Anyway, I digress... So, the great leader whips into the barn, flops the saddle on Aarron and heads out to find everyone. He gallops fearlessly across country to a spot he stops and listens, and yes, he hears the horn!...relief. At that moment Aarron is listening too when a hound shoots out of the bushes and runs right under him...AAAAAHhhhh. Let me describe it for you..." aaaaahhhhhggggh....yipes...I'm out of here...splat...uuumph....galump,galump,galump" You get the picture....Aarron went home ASAP naked except for his saddle.

So, now we have our fearless leader tramping home in all his finery ( last formal day remember) when up the firelane to his rescue comes his long time friend the Frenchmen ( here we go again) Monsieur Roland in his carriage driving his horse. " Oh great, a lift to the barn " he says cheerily. Now our French friend has been driving all his life and makes a point of looking like old Currier and Ives prints but our friend forgot this.

"Ah, vee shall take you home tout suite!" says Monsieur Roland, and they took off. The big man couldn't even protest at the speed because every time he opened his mouth to speak it was filled with sand and debrie from the horse's feet."I've never been so terrifed in my life!" he says, "I thought I was going to be killed!"

Ho Ho, I laugh, I know Monsieur Roland because he taught me to drive and he really is in complete control the whole time. He once had me in the middle of a three abreast hitch and we were flying . It was fun! Someday I'll tell you about that too.

Another friend was really bad today too. Old Hugo bucked his owner off after galloping and leaping fences for an hour and it was a close call.... missed a tree by inches. I'm going to have to go over to his barn and have a chat with him. Bucking is only done in safe places so if you lose your owner you won't be sent to Siler City.

It will warm back up in a day or two and I'll be out Tuesday with the puppies. Until then I opt for green grass and sunshine.

March 21,1998

Ahhhh......the first day of spring. Could have fooled me!We have had another4.5 inches of rain and then it turned cold again. I am so sick of grazing while standing in 4 inches of water. I am not a water buffalo although I have been referred to as "you big cow" on a few occasions. But in spite of dreary weather I went out hunting today with a few friends. My impulsion department is still sore so I took lots of short cuts and actually Nike and I escorted a young mare for her f irst hunt. We even got two views to boot. However, I have to tell you I really felt like a traffic cop today. Hounds just went zipping around in odd directions, in fact shot right off very early on in full cry and this time Aaron couldn't seem to stick with the huntsman( he did stick with his rider though)so since I knew where the action was Aaron and the field kept galloping up asking for directions. Mom just kept pointing here and there..."he went thataway....the hounds are there....the fox went there...." . It was fun and I didn't even break a sweat.

There was one other thing going on that I have never experienced quite like this. Three times this morning the fox and the hounds headed straight for the " big event" dressage arenas while competition was going on. I would love to be a fly on the stall door to watch all the ears go up at hearing hounds and horn coming close. Fortunately the fox did not want to try three day sport and kept turning right back into deep country. But I have never had trouble hearing hounds in the distance because a loud speaker was chattering...most difficult to decide who to listen to. Which sport am I doing next?

Lastly the best was at the very end of the morning. My two friends and I were hacking in sort of behind hounds who had run directly to my house ( very nice when they hunt you home..) and were quite a distance away when here comes the fox right across my path. Nike wanted to give a tally-ho and I stopped him because we had already had a great morning courtesy of this fellow. He was tired and just trotting on home ,and he stopped and looked at us for a bit before continuing on. Such a nice greeting from him I think. Who says we aren,t all friends!

One thing I know, I am NOT going to head over there tomorrow and run and jump into water, climb trees and slide down moguls! Been there...done that.

March 28, 1998

It is hard to believe but the season is almost over now. I managed to get out a lot as you read and even when I can't zoom along I usually view a fox and really don't miss much action. These last three days have been instantly warm, almost summer like, and yet hounds were never quiet. In fact on two days I viewed twice each hunt. Today I impressed everyone by stopping 5 couple who were right behind 4 deer and evey one of them returned to their huntsman. We also viewed two foxes and listened to the great music. Mom says it's her new coat, that it is good luck. She struts around reminiscent of the Emperor's new clothes and I admit she really dressed me up well, but you and I know who's got the luck here. And just as I was opting to go in a lovely gray just trotted by next to me and headed in the same direction as I was going. I think it was the little vixen that comes by my barn at night checking for mice. (The barn cat retired two years ago and moved into " the big house" so pickin's are plenty) These are such lovely times.....I hope I can go next year but now I just take things one day at a time. I shall miss the music!

End of this season's Journals

WHAT'SNEXT? I have heard rumors that I am going to have a birthday party soon (I'll be 24) and since I've never had one I am psyched. Also I have been working on the outline for my upcoming book which will get started soon I hope.