with Horse and Hound

November 30, 2012

Foxhunting Enhances School Curriculum in Aiken

Walter Cheatham, MFH of the Edisto River Hounds in Aiken, South Carolina is a ninth and tenth grade history and science teacher at Mead Hall Episcopal School there. A proponent of interactive cross curriculum teaching away from the classroom, Cheatham and a like-minded English teacher, Donna DeTroye, took twelve students on a field trip to learn about foxhunting, a sport with centuries of history and a rich body of literature. “It brings learning to life,” said DeTroye. The students had been reading literature pertaining to foxhunting and absorbing history through three centuries, with foxhunting as the consistent narrative thread. Cheatham, of course, has the additional motive of wishing to expose the younger generation to the sport of which he is passionate. “If you can show it to the younger generations, and one or two of these twelve students will say, ‘I really want to do that,’” said Cheatham, “they’ll teach their kids and preserve the sport we love.” For more details, read Ben Baugh’s article in the Aiken Standard. Posted November 30, 2012
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Cheshire Hon Whip Paddy Neilson Huntsman Ivan Dowling Prof Whip Stephanie Boyer at Brooklawn

Cheshire Centennial Meet at Brooklawn

Cheshire Hon Whip Paddy Neilson Huntsman Ivan Dowling Prof Whip Stephanie Boyer at BrooklawnCheshire Honorary Whipper-In Paddy Neilson, Huntsman Ivan Dowling, and professional whipper-in Stephanie Boyer at Brooklawn  /  Noel Mullins photo

Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds (PA), founded in 1912, are celebrating their Centennial this season. W. Plunkett Stewart, a Philadelphia banker, set out to find the perfect hunting country and settled on the rolling hills, rich pastureland and extensive woods around Unionville. As what in modern terms could be classed as a committed environmentalist, he purchased thousands of acres of land and, before reselling, amended deeds to restrict development and nurture conservancy, clean water, and natural habitat. As a result of his efforts and the culture of conservation he passed on, the Cheshire hunting country today boasts thirty square miles and twenty-six thousand acres free from ribbon residential and commercial development that has allowed foxhunting and National Hunt racing to thrive.

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