Horse & Hound

(l-r) Maria Stine, MFH, Mecklenburg Hounds (NC); Tommy Gesell, whipper-in-in-training, Lowcountry Hunt (center foreground); Doug Russell, huntsman, Windy Hollow Hunt (NY); Anthony Gibbs, huntsman, Lowcountry Hunt; Jay Thomas, MFH and huntsman, Mecklenburg Hounds  /  Erik Olsen photo

Plantation Hunt Weekend with the Lowcountry Hunt envelops visitors into the iconic imagery of the old south and its fabled hospitality. Held this year from January 19–22, the long weekend included three hunts, an introductory trail ride, and parties galore. Hunting was enjoyed on two of the oldest and most beautiful plantations in South Carolina’s magnificent Lowcountry. From the salt marshes to the groves of ancient live oaks dripping with Spanish Moss, the landscapes are dramatic and stirring.

How many huntsmen are hunting hounds at eighty years of age? Or to add a twist to that question, how many huntsmen having achieved that age have already hunted hounds for the previous fifty seasons?

Billy Vance, Joint-Master and huntsman of the Fermanagh Harriers, has achieved this milestone. To see him hunting hounds is inspiring, humbling, and brings home just how lucky we all are to be able to follow great horsemen like him across the countryside.

Accompanying Joe Bills’s story are Karen Kandra Wenzel’s photographs, including a sequence of one of the foxes viewed away.

“I love to shoot there whenever possible,” says Karen. “Carrollton has gorgeous territory—all rolling farmland and not a housing development in sight!”

Stoke Hill Beagles, 1983. (front) Huntsman C.W. Allen, MH and first whipper-in/kennel huntsman Suzy L. Allen, (rear) second whipper-in Richard K. Hill, Esq.

As reported in an earlier News item, Boxing Day—the day after Christmas—traditionally draws large numbers of riders and spectators at foxhunting meets in England. According to The Daily Mail, a quarter of a million hunt supporters turned out for Boxing Day meets last month.

It's a banner day traditionally for all forms of hunting with hounds, including beagling. Here’s a report of a Boxing Day meet of the Stoke Hill Beagles that took place on December 26, 1983 in Devon, England. It was a red letter day according to C.W. Allen, MH.

Quorn Opening Meet, October 21, 2011  /  Nico Morgan photo

The famous Quorn Hunt, founded in 1696, is arguably the oldest hunt in England. It takes its name from the Leicestershire village of Quorn where hounds were kenneled from 1753 until 1904. Hugo Meynell, known as the Father of Foxhunting, served as Master from that date until 1800.

Meynell is credited with organizing foxhunting as we know it today. In his day, the Leicestershire country was open grassland. Meynell devised the system of planting small coverts within the pastureland in which foxes could lie.

If you look closely at this photo, you will see Field Master Vaclav Vydra (top hat) hunting his horse in a neckstrap only---no bridle, bit, or reins. / Noel Mullins photo

Most visitors to the Czech Republic rarely travel further than the city of Prague. But the beautiful countryside and its tiny villages offer another side to the country and remind one of a bygone era.

An opportunity to hunt with Prince Johannes Lobkowicz, a member of one of Bohemia’s noble families, on his magnificent estate in the village of Drahenice south of Prague was not to be missed. The Prince hosts up to four meets per year,  and hunt followers came by invitation from Germany, Hungary, Austria, Canada, Poland, America, and Ireland.