Douglas Lees photo
The loss of John “Jake” Carle on Sunday, February 28, 2021, was a blow to the North American foxhunting community. A former Master and huntsman, Jake continued to be active and immensely valuable as a foxhound judge, reporter, photographer, and statesman. He was eighty-two.
Jake served as Master of the Keswick Hunt (VA) for thirty-six years—1964 to 2000. He was huntsman of the Keswick hounds for the last twenty-seven years of his Mastership—1973 to 2000.
During his lengthy Mastership, he contributed remarkable amounts of his own time and treasure to Keswick. The foxhound pack was reorganized, re-trained, and remade under his direction. He designed new kennels and established a successful hound breeding program. He introducing new bloodlines of mostly the old Virginia Bywaters strain of American foxhounds, which he favored.
Jake expanded the Keswick hunting country in 1980 to include that of the former Rapidan Hunt near Orange, Virginia. And he hired and funded professional whippers-in to improve the sport for all.
Following Jake Carle’s departure as Master and huntsman in 2000, Irish-born huntsman Tony Gammell was hired to carry the horn. The two, along with newly appointed Master Hugh Motley, continued Keswick’s expansion into new territories. Jake recognized Gammell’s exceptional talent as a huntsman and supported him fully.
With his years of hunting experience, hound knowledge as a huntsman and breeder, and warm personality, Jake naturally and seamlessly developed into a sporting statesman. Last year he was to be honored as an inductee into the Huntsman’s Room at the Musem of Hounds and Hunting during the Virginia Hound Show weekend. Unfortunately, all activities were canceled due to Covid and postponed to this year. Though Jake will miss his own induction, at least he knew he would be remembered by his peers and for all time.
Inductees to the Huntsmen’s Room are chosen based on their records of achievement and their impact on those who follow in their footsteps in the practice of hunting hounds in the field. The Huntsmen’s Room is thus an homage to all huntsmen—men and women—who strive to provide the rest of us with our sporting pleasure. At the time of his death, Jake was, in fact, the chairman of the Huntsman’s Room.
Jake Carle, well-liked and respected, with so much more to give to our sport through his many important roles, will be greatly missed.
Posted March 11, 2021
Douglas Lees photo