Sunday morning started off crisp and sunny to the delight of some 25 riders who gathered together at 11am for the yearly
Eggenstein hunt meet. Superbly organised as usual by Werner Hauck and his team, riders managed to chat, drink and eat
before saddling the horses and waiting for the hounds. There were some concerns on how the ground would be
considering the previous two days were pretty wet and cold but it was ride-able. The corn fields were somewhat deep
and I am sure riders weren’t the only ones with sore muscles the next day!
Led by Gerd Klapschus and the equipage we set off at a brisk walk in the sunshine, the hounds setting the pace already.
Werner and Andrea took off at a steady pace over the land and the hounds were in top form as we followed at a leisurely
canter. And as we came across the numerous jumps, the hounds picked up the pace, and horse and rider built up a fine
sweat. The ground proved to be tricky for two riders and their horses as they both slipped on a bend and ended up nicely
muddy. Luckily, neither horse nor rider was injured and they quickly mounted again and carried on with the hunt.
On the last run before the break the speed increased, and as the equipage rode on two hounds were left behind with the
riders. Chaos ensued as attempts at rounding up the hounds proved futile. We rode on unsure of the way in an attempt
to catch up with the equipage and then thankfully the hounds followed! Gerd eventually galloped back to haul us all in
and I am pretty sure he conveyed some stern words at his hound handler for not having better control of the situation!!
 
A well deserved break for all was welcomed and once again the super organisation of Werner and his team enabled us to
have warm food and drinks in the middle of a field! I passed on the food and drank heartedly!
And so watered and fed we set off for the last run. We had all been told of the ‘water ditch’ beforehand, and well it was
a river!!  Deep enough to test those with waterproof boots, but the horses and hounds were well able for it and enjoyed
the cooling off. And then came the last long run and boy was it long! Through deep and even fields it tested the fitness
of the riders and the horses. The hounds were way ahead of us as usual and I am pretty sure were well on the 50km mark!
We all made it back safely and gathered to toast the equipage, riders and hounds as they fought over their well earned
smelly, stomach lining! Once the horses were cooled off and back in the horse-trailers, most of us gathered in the Club
casino where once again, we were warmly received and ate and drank well until it was time to go home!
A special thanks to Rainer Forschner for bringing me his fine mare for me to ride! My first and only hunt this season so it
was fantastic to ride such an experienced horse and live to tell the tale!!!

Berichterstatterin: Pascale Caillabet (Irland)