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GAME
CONSERVANCY USA
Showcase
& Invitation News
By: Leonard Logsdail
Hudson Farm
“BOOM” The traditional cannon
start to all Hudson Farm official events
kicked off Game Conservancy USA’s spectacular
Showcase September 22nd and 23rd. The sight and sound of this blast
never ceases to amaze first-timers to the Farm while alerting all who
reside in the surrounding area that some serious fun is about to
begin. And what fun it was!! Set under a marquee on the main
lawn in front of the mansion were every top-notch supplier any shooting
enthusiast could hope for.
These vendors had traveled from far and wide to attend the
Showcase, from Texas, Wyoming,
Maine, South
Carolina, Europe and
beyond. Among the 43
attending were Purdey’s, William Evans, William & Sons, Peter
Hofer, Charles Boswell, Griffin &
Howe, Patrick Mavros and Holland & Holland, to name but a few. Add to this taxidermy, shooting
estates, engravers, clothes, knives, bronze sculptures and the list goes
on, but you begin to get the picture I am sure. The joy of meeting vendors of this
quality is that they feel they are not only there to sell, but to
inform. A walk around saw
informal classrooms on every aspect being given by experts whose love of
their craft was obvious.
Artisans of this caliber will happily talk of their work to the
benefit of those in earshot.
For this opportunity alone, The Showcase was a massive hit and,
for those with only half a brain in their heads, a not-to-be-missed date
on next years calendar. Hard
as it is to believe, but this was only the second year of the Showcase
and was the brainchild of Lorraine
Smario and Guy Bignell. That
it grew to such an extent in a short 12 months says as much of Lorraine
and Guy and their commitment to Game Conservancy as it does to the
passion of those in attendance and the magnificent estate where it was
held, Hudson Farm.
It is thought
by some that Hudson
Farm might just be the ace-in-the-hole that sets this particular shoot at
a level others may only dream of.
Ah! But it’s good to dream!! Yes, the accommodation at the farm
is second to none in the country and, yes, the clay course, ZZ Birds,
Flurries and Five Stand shot this year are as challenging and exciting as
anywhere and, yes, the bucolic setting whisks shooters to places further
afield than the one hour west of the George Washington Bridge where they
are. But what really sets the
first class tone that permeates throughout all events held here, but
particularly the Showcase, is the staff. Just like the artisans under the
marquee – it’s more than simply a job. They stay, cajole, carouse and
embody the essence of the lifestyle.
They participate and assist in the wonderful camaraderie that was
evident these two days.
Listening to the shooters, it was hard for them to decide which
they found most appealing, the camaraderie or the shooting. Quite a testament to both Farm and
Showcase.
The first day
saw a number of teams battling a beautiful sunny day and an interesting
course. The highest score
came in at 92 attained by Guy Davies of Holland
& Holland. Guy, once again, proving that all
our excuses were, indeed, feeble.
Luncheon under the marquee saw wine flowing, humor high and
exceptional food. Prize
giving was followed by a visit to the various artisans on hand. Engraving was being shown off by
master-engraver, Geoffrey Gournet, shoots were discussed with Will
Criddle of Bettws Hall in Wales, fabrics were being perused ensuring
correct attire for coming shoots or business meetings and guns of all
types and prices were being appraised, raised and discussed
everywhere. Within no time at
all the afternoon evaporated, proving that time really does race by when
you are enjoying yourself. Vendors
and shooters alike found themselves scurrying around getting cleaned,
freshened and dressed up for the evening ahead.
It is always
special when people take the time and effort to dress appropriately. This evening, therefore, was
exceptional. Just about
everyone had bothered and thought about their attire thus adding to the
ambience of the night. 56
Degree Wines of Bernardsville brought in some exquisite wines for tasting
and enlightenment. One of
only 29 Master Vintners in the country, Chris Cree explained the
intricacies of each in a compelling manner. Dinner became an event in itself
with fun and friendliness continuing. One highlight of the evening was
the “mock arrest” of Guy Bignell by a local policeman. With lights and sirens blaring he
dashed in clapping on handcuffs.
(It was noted that the last time Guy had seen handcuffs a bed post
had been in the vicinity)
Money was raised to the benefit of Game Conservancy to
“save” him and have him released from the cruiser where he
was being held. Only reaching
about $10 it was thought Game Conservancy might earn more by raising money
to keep him cuffed and taken away.
Oh, how the money came in then!! The evening saw such smiles and
laughter and, clearly, no one was in a hurry to leave. But leave they must and,
reluctantly, one by one the revelers departed. That is, “some” revelers. But at this bewitching hour, when
the faint-hearted retire; a mysterious phenomenon occurs that needs to be
seen to be believed. As
traditional to the Farm as is the cannon start, those left find
themselves inexorably, and in some cases in a trance-like manner, being
drawn towards the mansion.
And what do you know?
The bar!! At the Farm,
the evening was just beginning!!
Sitting at the
end of the beautiful walnut bar that evening I watched friendship at its
finest. Two of the Farm
members opened a bottle each of their personal port for the consumption
of all. The managing director
of a well-known gun company was to be seen pounding the bar to the beat
of “Running Bear” interspersing the beat to articulate some
very fine actions that, to his mind at least, meant something! Yes, it was a priceless and
memorable end to a fine day and part of the unique mystical combination
of the Game Conservancy Showcase and the Farm. Eventually all but a hardened
(some might say foolish) few retired to their respective rooms for at
least a few hours of sleep before the next day’s events. However, just as the sun goes
down, so it comes up again – and far too quickly for some, meaning
there was work to be done, clays to be obliterated and so, one by one,
those in attendance brought the marquee back to life.
It looked like,
and subsequently became, another beautiful day. It would have been hard to order a
better one, were it possible.
Coffee seemed to infuse life back into those who, how shall I put
it, were not quite as buoyant as others. As shooters arrived and registered
for the day friendly arguments could be heard over the smoked salmon
breakfast as to who, indeed, held the title of “Master of
Pool” alluding to the last game played around 4am. And the winner was ??? No one could remember, but he was
really good!! Now, though, it
was time for the ZZ Birds, Flurries and the Five Stand.
All three
events require a hayride through the estate. This gives one time to reflect on
the magnificence and size of the estate and how fortunate we were to be
there to enjoy it. The Five
stands sees shooters rotating positions over a clearing on the woods as
clays are released from 7 different locations. As the cleared land slopes steeply
downwards from the shooting positions the perspective offered adds an
interesting dimension to the event.
At the Flurries the shooters again see the ground cleared out in
front of them for about 50 yards.
Then comes the bluff rising steeply. The birds are projected from
machines atop the bluff at a rapid rate requiring the shooters to work in
pairs – loader and shooter.
As the lucky participants will tell you, this is a fast-paced and
exhilarating stand.
Adding to the fun are the rotating clay machines that never send
the birds out in the same position thus simulating a live pheasant shoot.
The ZZ Bird stand sees these erratic and screaming objects projected
directly upwards to simulate the flight of a pigeon. The speed of the bird’s
ascent can be regulated by the shooter depending on his level of
competence, assumed level of competence, cajoling from his friends and
how much he wants to be tested.
This stand, new to the Farm, was an instant hit.
The hayride
back to the mansion saw the shooters in a reflective mood. After all, there’s only so
much fun to be had without taking time to absorb the moments. And there was no better time. The trailer in which they sat had
joined them together as one and moved them in unison, like puppets on a
string, as it bounced over the gravel roads. The sun warmed their backs as the
barrels of their guns, not long ago too hot to touch, now cooled in their
hands. The quietness that
engulfed them was a stark contrast to the sound of volley after volley of
shotguns blasting upwards at projectiles that, in their minds eye, were
so easy to hit. Thus they
laughed to themselves and with each other over, oh so many, near
misses. The bond between them
was so thick at this time you could have cut it with a knife. If they had let you! But all was not over, not for
these lucky few. Another
lunch awaited the hunter’s return. Everyone relaxed around the tables
and chatted amicably. The
dire hearts visited their favorite vendors even as they began, one by
one, to dismantle their stands.
Farewells were said and hugs of friendship given. The event ended. As I drove off I saw a few still
sitting, chatting and enjoying the afterglow of the event. I doubt even the collapsing of the
marquee around them would even have been noticed.
The vacuum left
when all was finished gave poignancy to the two previous days. It emphasized that this really had
become the premier east coast shooting event. And for good reason. “See you next year. See you next year” could be
heard. And always the same
reply “you betya”!
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