IN 1947, when maestro Bruno Walter was struck down with flu, the young Leonard Bernstein was called up, without rehearsal, to take his place on the podium, conducting America’s most celebrated orchestra in its most famous venue.
“It’s a good American success story,” proclaimed the front page of The New York Times the following morning, propelling the prodigious Bernstein to lifelong fame.
Few professions can offer such opportunities; similarities between the necessary persona and skills required by conductor and huntsman should not be underestimated. A red-letter day’s hunting may struggle to hit the national press positively these days, but a dazzling debut can certainly set the rural drums a-beating.
Orchestral players, like hounds, can take no prisoners – the chief is at their mercy. However, they can also be fiercely loyal and their endeavours can blow the minds of those in their wake through the sum of their parts.
YOU CAN’T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN
IT takes wild horses to keep most huntsmen from hunting their hounds – chronic illness, pestilence, broken body or natural disaster. In 20 seasons, I missed one day through illness and even then, I made it to the meet before admitting defeat. From that moment on, the huntsman wants the hounds to have a good day. But if most are honest, not a brilliant day; that may cause tongues to wag.
There are exceptions, of course. During Daniel Cherriman’s tenure as professional huntsman at the Pytchley, Rowan Cope had been joint-master and became a talismanic field master. But he also had an ambition to hunt the hounds, so Daniel enabled him on several occasions.
Esta historia es de la edición April 25, 2024 de Horse & Hound.
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Esta historia es de la edición April 25, 2024 de Horse & Hound.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
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The joys of spring
With the hunters roughed off, Tessa Waugh is enjoying some time pottering around among the spring blooms, defuzzing the ponies and catching up on the postman's gossip
'That golden thread, and a zest for life'
In the latest of his series about great huntsmen he knew personally, Alastair Jackson remembers Tim Langley, who spent 30 years at the Berkeley
Notable leaves us Speechless
All-weather winners switch to turf to claim the first two Classics of the season and a globe-trotting son of Frankel scoops his biggest win at the age of nine
Faultless Faurie
Emile Faurie and Bellevue's mistake-free performance secures them an emotional freestyle win while “family horse” Goldstrike continues to step up
Dean proves untouchable
A Windsor debutante brushes aside some fierce opposition and a \"quirky and feisty\" chestnut mare follows in her sister's footsteps
Fuchs claims back-to-back victories
The sensational Swiss rider is richly rewarded with a “special” double on his phenomenal grey, with Robert Whitaker best of the Brits
Super-Bert's royal return
Beloved natives are the order of the day and two coloureds triumph under saddle
Welsh stallion is the perfect Example
A stallion bred in Holland is the top inhand pony, while a Connemara shines once more at his favourite showground
Gambler is the real deal
A coloured pony breaks records, perseverance with a tricky show pony pays and a working hunter pony is a standout winner
Slip collector organiser
Fi Norbury on the childhood thrill of being mistaken for a competitor, perfect grooming and Badminton’s crowds