What are lazy Sundays good for? Well, in Italy, they are good for fox hunting of course! Every Sunday a fox hunt in Northen Italy.
Every Sunday the Societa’ Milanese Caccie a Cavallo (http://www.milanesecacciaacavallo.it/index.php/it/) organises a fox hunt in Northen Italy. This time it was in Breme, one of the milestone hunting venues thaks to its’s large fields, well known (and feared) trenches and vast “pioppeti”- poplar plantations.
At 11am the hunt starts. Everyone is on the horse, the dogs ready and …
… the “Master” blows of the horn! Off we go!
Everyone else follows. Including the spectators:
After some jumps, “guadi” (water crossings) and running after the dogs…
… it is time for a well deserved break – called a check – where to rest horses and dogs while having the chance to catch up with friends about the day
Next, back on the cars off the the next waiting point where the hunt is expected to arrive.
We arrived first, anxiously waiting for the hunters to arrive
Oh, we hear the horn! Here they come:
And then off to the last check … with a river to cross just before the finish line.
First the dogs…
Then all the riders
Everyone splashed though
With only one exception … just in front of everyone … ooops!!!
Three hours later all is over. With a little time for some smiles
and poses
A special thanks goes to Gino, who kindly drags the fox scent (a ball of straw impregnated with fox urine) through the hunt path for the dogs to … well, hunt!
Before heading for a plentiful late lunch of local food specialties, it is time to get the saddles off
And thank the horses for the good job one more time …
