All across the country, friends and families bond in several ways at Thanksgiving, whether it’s over football, watching the Macy’s parade or of course, sharing a turkey.
But in New Jersey’s peaceful Somerset Hills, hundreds have adopted a different tradition–seeing the Essex Fox Hounds off on their holiday hunt.
The Essex foxhounds head out across their country. (Photo © 2022 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
It started when Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a member of Essex, and the public would come to the gathering at Ellistan in Peapack for a glimpse of the former first lady and her family.
Even after she was no longer part of the hunt field, however, more and more people would return each Thanksgiving, so they could enjoy the sight of horses and riders at their festive best, watching with interest as they gather, then take off behind the huntsman over green fields.
There was a time when you had to know someone to discover the Thanksgiving meet, but these days, Essex is reaching out to the community. The club invited friends of the hunt to attend, and enjoy a stirrup cup, courtesy of Sarah and Hank Slack, Ellistan’s owners.
Huntsman Bart Poole enjoys a stirrup cup and a greeting from Chris Nelson and Jim Gordon. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The Slacks’ front pasture seemed even more crowded today, as hundreds turned out for the occasion, with their stately stone manor providing the perfect backdrop.
Many arrived early to tailgate and enjoy socializing on the grounds of the estate. One group, families that met when they were neighbors in Temple, Texas, nearly a half-century ago, came from as far away as Atlanta and Virginia for a reunion, something they have been doing for 40 years or so.
They had never seen the hunt before, but were eager to try something new. Their menu included champagne (the choice of most people who brought a spread), cider doughnuts and pumpkin muffins. After the riders set off, the friends were heading to Robin Hoffman’s house in nearby Mendham for dinner, with everyone pitching in on the cooking.
Scott Hoffman, Kara Gullo, Meg Trammell, Michele Lafrance, Robin Hoffman, John Francis Gullo II and Dick Lafrance start their day tailgating. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Also tailgating were regulars Dana Sendro of Fox River Farm and her daughter, Lexi Sendro, of Trouvaille Equestrian, both in Stockton. Their table was set with roses, candelabra and the same hunt-themed tablecloth they used at the steeplechase races, held in October down the road at Moorland Farm in Far Hills.
Dana and Lexi Sendro were into the festive look. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
They were enjoying spinach and goat cheese fritatas, blueberry muffins and a charcuterie board. After the hunt, Dana was going home to clean stalls while her father, Bill Kendzulak, handled the cooking.
Donna Durling, who fractured her sacrum while out with Essex six weeks ago, understandably couldn’t be on horseback today, but she wasn’t about to let them take off without being on hand and bringing some champagne. Her partner, Ed Johnson, was mounted, and she was riding with him in spirit.
A carriage always appears at the Thanksgiving meet. Jeromy Smith drove the Johnsons’ carriage to add an extra note of interest. (Photo © 2022 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
As the members of the hunt came together prior to moving off, Jazz Johnson, one of the four Essex masters of foxhounds, walked around to personally greet those who had come out to be part of the scene. She thanked the Slacks for hosting the occasion, then invited the crowd to have a drink and sign up to become a Friend of Essex, so they could be notified of future events.
The Essex masters of foxhounds, Sarah Slack, Dennis Sargenti, Lynn Jones and Jazz Johnson. (Photo © 2022 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“I’m just trying to take every opportunity to remind people that there’s this huge connection between fox hunting and the land, open space and the countryside,” she told those with whom she chatted.
“It means so much to us to try to preserve this tradition and keep everybody thinking about the beauty of this natural sport.”
To find out more about Jacqueliine Kennedy Onassis’ connection with Essex, click here to read a story I wrote last year.
