Sunday Morning Drag
by Gina van Hoof
Sunday Morning Drag: nostalgia of bygone times or a social class’s ritual?Drag hunting is a simulation of fox hunting. During the winter season in Belgium, every Sunday morning, twenty to fifty horsemen follow a pack of hounds that follow a scent laid down before them. The trail is pre-established; it goes through two to three villages’ fields and woods. The stepper opens up the trail by dragging a ball of hay impregnated with hare urine. This is the trail that the hounds follow.The drag lasts about two hours, during which the horsemen clear natural and constructed obstacles. They spectators follow in their cars, and stop to watch them from the observation points. There is no stake, no competition: to gallop and jump freely with one’s horse through the land seems to be the pleasure sought for. Thus we speak of sportsmanship rather than a social class’s ritual, the nostalgia for the past when a certain social class could run freely over its grounds forgetting that today’s landscape is invaded by urbanisation, roads, and fencing.What motivates them? Being in harmony with their horse and nature, or affirming their belonging to a social class by means of a ritual?
Interesting… maybe you could do a UK version for comparison! Well done Gina x
A very imaginative subject and lovely pictures, Gina
You so beautifully engaged me in what emotions and different steps go through this sport, well done…..
Very nice ! I told you before!! hehe.
Well done, very much like your pictures
Amazing photos. Each one tells a story.
I’ve seen some of your works before; the standard remains very high
Amazing Photos. They capture the moment very well. Simply timless!!
Lovely pictures. Interesting, thought provoking and full of feeling. Really enjoyed how your pictures came through and the story they told. Great job!
2 thumbs up, you’re very talented Gina!!! I saw the pictures before, always a pleasure to look at them, well done!
Very well done Gina!! Next stop L.A.?
Just saw your pictures, best way to start my day.
Fantastic pictures, you should be way up there in the top scores !!
Wouaw!! Splendide
Congratulation! Pas mal du tout…. Bravo!
Gina, all the best for the competition, rooting for you!
Fantastic photos Gina! You have a great eye…Well done.