12/11/2024
One of our most exciting hunt meets - Christmas in Middleburg - is just over 2 days away (!), this Saturday, December 7th. It is not easy for a small town like Middleburg to accommodate such a large crowd, so, to do our part, we ask you to follow a few guidelines:
(1) Cappers are very welcome. Please note there is a special capping fee for this meet for adults and juniors 14+ yrs. Children under 14 are free, but they (like all juniors) must be accompanied by a responsible mounted adult. As always, if you are not a Middleburg Hunt riding subscriber, please phone one of the MFHs for permission, and, as always, a capping fee is due even if you only parade and do not hunt.
(2) For those parading and/or hunting who have not signed a release this season, release forms are on the website www.middleburghunt.com. We ask that you complete them before you arrive at the meet.
(3) Our parking is at the stables at Salamander Resort. We are most grateful to the Resort for this privilege. Use the stable entrance off the Foxcroft Road. *** Parking is limited to horse trailers, MH subscribers (riding & social), Parade cappers, designated Hunt volunteers, and grooms of those parading. If you fall under one of these categories and are driving a car you must RSVP by Friday, Dec. 6, no later than 4 pm, to Ms. Pam W. at [email protected] in order for your name to be on the parking list! If your name is not on the list, your car will NOT be allowed to park at the stables! *** All cars will be checked-in at the Stable Entrance - please pull to the side so to not block the vans and trailers coming in. All vans and trailers will be allowed to park. Detailed directions to the Stable Entrance are on the MH website. Please be prompt allowing plenty of time to prepare to exit the parking area. We recommend planning to arrive at the Salamander Resort stables by NLT 10 AM.
(4) We must leave the parking area as a single unit at 10:45 AM. For safety reasons, the police insist that we exit Salamander as one group. If you are late, you will not be allowed to catch up to the group and parade. The order as we leave the parking area will be: MH hounds and huntsman, MH staff, Masters, Members of the MH Board of Governors, Middleburg Hunt Subscribers with colors, Middleburg Hunt Subscribers, and then our guests for the day. Please remember that juniors MUST be accompanied by a mounted adult.
(5) Following the police car es**rt, we are to be at the head of Washington Street to parade at 11 AM. While going down Washington Street, please remain AT A WALK, and allow room between horses so the crowd can see everyone and get pictures. Most importantly, have fun, wear a big smile and please wave to the crowd, and wish everyone you see a Merry Christmas! This is our chance to welcome people to our town and let them know that we are glad they are here! At the end of the parade, when we leave Washington Street, we will again be es**rted by the police back to the trailer parking area at Salamander's barn. Once we arrive at the parking area, you will have ten minutes to change whatever attire or tack you find necessary before we move off to go hunting. Don't forget your approved safety helmet (which is required for those who are hunting!).
(6) ATTIRE: The attire for both rider and horse is formal hunt attire and should be traditional (please ask a MFH if you have any questions regarding this). Children under 16 are customarily in ratcatcher/tweed, but if all they own are black coats, etc., that is acceptable. Horses should be clean and very well turned out; braiding/plaiting of manes at a minimum is expected. Christmas embellishments should not be used (no bells, lights, antlers, hoof glitter, etc). Many of the thousands of spectators have never seen a hunt meet and know nothing about foxhunting. We would like them to see what foxhunting looks like at its best and most traditional. There will be absolutely no drinking from flasks permitted once we leave Salamander for the parade and while riding through the Town of Middleburg. Please do not use your cell phone during the parade or while out hunting.
(7) Once out hunting, the field MUST stay together at all times. For the safety and enjoyment of all, please let your field master know if you want to go in early - this may require you to wait until the field is in a different location, in order to ensure that you take the correct route back to Salamander. Do not head in without getting confirmation from your field master that they know you are going in, and that you know the correct route to do so.
Please feel free to email the MFHs if you have questions at [email protected]. Looking forward to seeing you at our Middleburg Hunt parade down Main Street!
The MH Masters,
Penny, Jeff, and Charlie
