with Horse and Hound

December 11, 2019

foxhunter and rhe

In the UK, Foxhunters Can’t Win for Losing

foxhunter and rhe

Frightened by nearby foxhounds in Warwickshire, a young rhea—a large, flightless bird related to ostriches and emus—escaped its pen and wound up on a road carrying traffic. A video of the event taken by hunt saboteurs was turned over to a sympathetic news outlet which painted a picture of a frightened foxhunter getting his comeuppance by being chased up and down the road by this impressive bird. Bottom line? A story of a frightened and angry foxhunter.

Any viewer who knows anything about foxhunting or horses would interpret the video quite differently. Bottom line? A story of a foxhunter doing his best to herd and contain the rhea to the area, alert the traffic, and keep it off the road until help arrived. All, despite the machinations of his nervous horse.

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Horses, Hounds, and History in Kentucky

The Iroquois Hunt, established in 1880, celebrates Opening Meet of the formal season at their ancient clubhouse in Lexington, Kentucky with a traditional Blessing of Hounds. The video includes brief statements by Dr. Jack van Nagell, MFH, and Lilla Mason, MFH and huntsman. This video was produced by Fox 56 Ten O’clock News, Lexington, KY and is republished with permission. Posted December 16, 2019
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stuart rose

A Thanksgiving Day Hunt with the Brandywine

stuart roseStuart Rose: foxhunter, race rider, publisher, author

This tale of a Thanksgiving hunt in Pennsylvania around the middle of the twentieth century is from Stuart Rose’s excellent book, There’s a Fox in the Spinney: Memories of Fox-hunting, Racing and Publishing (Doubleday, 1967).

Rose’s father intended to send his son to Harvard, but upon completing secondary school the young man joined the U.S. Calvary instead, by lying about his age. He wanted to ride horses.

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