Many clubs enjoy particularly large fields and special turnout for their Boxing Day and New Year's Day meets. From the formal to the funny, from decorous to decorated, here is a gallery of images capturing the height of the hunt season across our continent.
The brainchild of MFH and huntsman Susan Gentry, Cloudline Hounds (TX) hosts special monthly hunt meets specifically for newcomers and those who need extra guidance out in the field. Dubbed "Hounds 4 Hilltoppers," the supervised, steady-paced day gives riders who are very new or simply prefer a little extra attention the opportunity to experience the thrill and pageantry of following hounds. Last weekend, even temperatures in the mid-20's (with gusty winds) didn't deter a hardy group from coming out.
"The hills were alive with the sound of music" as guest huntsman, Andrew Marren, and his pack of Montreal hounds hunted the north shores of Lake Ontario in south central Ontario. This was the fourth invitational hunt that Beaver Meadow has hosted and the hounds, quarry and weather did not disappoint.
The 2015 Sedgefield Performance Trial in Hoffman, NC proved to be lucky number seven for Stonewall Hounds. This was Stonewall’s seventh year participating in the performance trials and Stonewall Classy, #7, was top hound after two days of competition.
Eleven hunts participated, including Rockbridge, Goshen, Sedgefield, Whiskey Road, Mecklenberg, Delabrooke, Red Oak, Green Creek, Low Country, Last Chance and Full Cry. The weather was much colder than previous trials. During Sunday morning's drive to the hunt the low temperature was 22; however, it was much easier on the hounds and horses.
Barbara Smith photoHunting in sagebrush is a little like mogul skiing. You stay loose in the saddle, keep your eye on the horizon, and let your lower body just move with your horse. He can pick a better path than you through the dense brush and if you second-guess his choice, parting company is a distinct possibility.
I have just returned from five days of hunting with Red Rock Hounds in Reno, Nevada (emphasis on the A!). It is big hunting: endless sky, huge tracts of land, big horses, big belt buckles and big cowboy hats. Lynn Lloyd's Red Rock Hounds at Ross Creek is about one hour north of Reno. She ran out of gas 30 years ago in this valley and as she puts it, "God must have had a reason." She stayed put and has built a wonderful hunt club and facility that the whole valley seems to enjoy.
Gretchen Pelham photoThe first weekend in February of 2014 my Tennessee Valley Hunt was invited to bring our hounds east to North Carolina to hunt for two days with the Red Mountain Hounds. That first day of hunting the pack had to work for it. Garry and Ryan cast the pack for about three hours until the hounds hit. And when those Penn-Marydels hit, they hit. The pack ran a coyote for about an hour and a half before it was over.
Garry Riggs, Joint Master and Huntsman for the Red Mountain Hounds, was leading my huntsman, Ryan Johnsey, down the steep cliff through thick cover. Below was the iced-over Flat River and a combined pack of eighteen and a half couple of Penn-Marydel hounds from both hunts. They were in full cry as they bayed their coyote on the icy river bank.
Subscribing Membership to the MFHA is open to anyone who cares about the future of country lifestyles and wants their voice and vote to make a difference. You will also receive Covertside magazine 4x a year!
