This is the game of our hearts
Foot in the stirrup! Away!
Care with the night departs.
Joy comes in with the day.
A good horse tossing his rings,
A light rime deckling the thorn:
And the heart of the horseman sings
For the love of a hunting morn.

Will H. Oglivie, 1923

In the 89 years since Oglivie penned this excerpt from “This is the Game of our Hearts,” little has changed in the sport. Steeped in tradition, foxhunting embraces the passion of the horseman, the intensity of the pack, wildness of the quarry—love of the land.

 

The call of the hunting horn rings the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains much as it has the fields and valleys of England since it captured the hearts of sportsmen in the 1700s. The thrill of galloping a bold horse behind hounds is the same today as it has been for generations.

The attire of hunting receives much attention, but is merely practical gear in which to ride a horse.  A friend of mine, an All-SEC fullback, once asked, “You do that foxhunting thing don’t you?”

“Yes!” I said.

“Do you wear those silly tight pants and that funny hat?” he queried.

My reply: “You do that football thing don’t you?” (chuckle, chuckle)

For those intrigued by the gallantry, tradition, celebration (and attire!) of a beloved lifestyle, plan to visit Blackberry on a hunting day. A festive weekend is planned February 24-26th. Topics for the event on Friday include “The Romance of the Hunt Seminar” with a discussion (and sampling) of hunting port, the sport in art, traditions and etiquette, and an opportunity to meet the horses, hounds and the huntsman.  If you are a rider, you may try your mount on a gallop around Blackberry Farm that afternoon. On Saturday, we’ll rise early, breakfast together and share a toast—then on to the hunt at the Three Sisters Hunt Country. Saturday evening, gather for the Masters Dinner, a feast with great food, fine wine and lively company.

This, truly is, “the game of our hearts!” Join us!
Riders and non-riders are welcome.

For a unique foxhunting experience, please contact Carla Hawkinson, Master of Foxhounds chawkinson@blackberryfarm.com
Carla Hawkinson, Equestrian Program Manager