| Dumfries/Vivonne Heights |
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| Dawn ride sheds light on bushfire damage and repairs Dawn Hunt This years Dawn Hunt commenced at Damien and Annette Florance homestead on Vivonne Heights with the early light revealing the picturesque landscape as the darkness receded. A hot sweet drink of coffee, cream and chocolate helped the caffeine addicts start the day and shortly after, a field of 16 began the run. Almost the entire course had to be rebuilt as the fire had turned the obstacles into CO2. Every thing looked to be going to plan but the gorilla lady had bought a new saddle and sadly the main girth straps broke! A lady rider reported that Angela had a real gutzer, we only saw her kicking her saddle in disgust. With her horse caught and another saddle she rejoined the field and the master Mr Blight carried on over the hilly terrain searching for the first stirrup cup. The riders all seemed to be warmed up and looking for a coldy, the followers appreciated both the coldy and the fire. It wasn’t long before the chefs were serving copious quantities of fresh hot pancakes to us all for breakfast. So comfortable it was here that the Master decided to move on before we settled in for the day, the chefs had no option but to switch off the gas and scramble. Even though the bushfire had cleaned things up there was still plenty of fallen big trees and dry logs that became excellent jumps. Annette, Damien and Carmen worked out the course and a few grey heads with chainsaws, crowbars and shovels did the light work. Some of the followers were making the most of the colourful photo opportunities like the tall flowering yaccas adjacent to some jumps. With the water jump completed after being repeated it was then on to the Rowsell farm in a downhill direction until crossing the Harriet and checking for SC2 and a banquet of nibbles by another fire. Just as we had time to eat an olive Mr Blight became more toey than a Roman sandal and called his field on, it turned out he was needed to turn on and off light switches in Kingscote for some Arabs belly dancing, I thought, do you need a sparky to do that? Just call 0408 848 211 and Tony may turn yours on too. From our warm vantage point we watched the spectacle of Jamie’s indefatigable dog tearing around the field as the horses leapt the logs and blackened trees. The four immaculately dressed junior girls looked to be having a great time getting together for various jumps while their parents probably filled up One-Gig cards with happy snaps. In rapid time the field and followers crossed wheat paddocks, roadways and laneways and were thanking master Blight for the ride. As we traversed the Florance, Rowsell and Boyle properties we were constantly in amazement of what they lost and saved from the bushfire and now almost back to normal, very impressive. Of course the Dawn Hunt traditions of a glass of bubbles with the long lunch and you leave in the dark were upheld with great sanctity by the traditionalists. Sadly a few deprived souls said they had to work and left early, what a bugger it must be to live to go working. A special thank you to our hosts and property owners for putting together a superb day. Crumpet Hunter |
Kangaroo Island
Hunt Club Inc.
