Oh goodie, the  Pony Club hunt is almost here! Don't forget, Sunday, Dec. 17 we'll be the honored guests of Juan Tomas Hounds, the oldest hunt in New Mexico. Riders who are ready for a long, cold, tough-riding day are welcome to RSVP to me this week, and everyone who would like to come watch and attend the pot-luck "hunt breakfast" afterward should also RSVP. I will be giving the hunt PC coordinator final numbers this weekend, I should think.

Suggestions for keeping warm:
Turtlenecks are ok under or in place of ratcatchers.
White, yellow or black sweaters or vests that can fit under your riding jacket are great.
Long underwear is essential, and if you don't have that, wear warm tights under your britches and a thin sweater under your shirt.
Wear warm socks under your riding boots if they fit well enough - sometimes wearing boots a bit too big works well.
Wear warm gloves.
Invest in a black ear cover and/or a white neck gaiter (or both) to cover up the ears and neck.
If it's really cold the masters might say its ok to hunt in a coat other than a riding coat, but don't count on that.
Bring a dark, conservative color coat to wear in case they do.
Bring lots of extra warm stuff to wear during the breakfast!
 
It will be at Diamond Tail - same place as last year.  Directions below
The Breakfast will be a pot luck - we'll have details later on what they'd like us to bring.
 
DIRECTIONS TO DIAMOND TAIL
 
I-25 to the San Felipe Exit - Exit 252
Go east off the exit ramp.
Continue east past the side of the gas station, keeping the building on your left as you drive out behind it.

You will end up on a dirt road the goes off to the east.

After a mile or two you'll cross a wide arroyo.

The road then forks several times - each time you will stay on the right hand fork, passing between the low cliffs on the left and the dry arroyo on the right.

About 2 miles beyond the original arroyo crossing you'll go through a gate and over a cattle crossing that mark the entrance to Diamond Tail Ranch (no sign)

Watch for the ranch headquarters on the left (less than a mile beyond the gate) - they are kind of hidden but you might see a building or two if you're looking.

Just beyond the headquarters you'll see the JTH trailers off to the right. (Unless you're early, and then you're on your own.) I'll ask the hunt to hang a flag or something on the gatepost where we turn, but don't depend on it.

Pull off the road and park up by the rest of the trailers. Let's keep the Pony Club group together, do not park in amongst the hunt trailers as they have a routine of who likes to park together, and we don't want to be disruptive.

Cheers,

Nancy Ambrosiano