Six Fox Pens Ordered Closed in Virginia
The Associated Press has reported the closure of six fox pens in the aftermath of an investigation by the Animal Law Unit of the Attorney General’s office in Virginia. Twenty-three fox pens in the Commonwealth remain open. Nine people pleaded guilty for stocking the pens with illegally purchased wildlife and face fines and suspended sentences. […]
Macron: Revive French Presidential Hunts
French President Emmanuel Macron is calling for the tradition of “presidential hunts” to be revived. This in the face of increasing public support for a ban on hunting with hounds. Presidential hunts were abolished in 2010 by then President Nicholas Sarkozy. One a useful asset in French diplomacy, according to Macron, presidential hunting parties were […]
Hunting Convictions Reversed; Critical Evidence Withheld?
Huntsman Paul Larby and the foxhounds of the Grove and Rufford, UK / James Barclay photoThree happy foxhunters in Britain just had their convictions quashed after having been found guilty and fined last year in court.
Two men and a woman affiliated with the Grove and Rufford Foxhounds in Nottinghamshire were charged and prosecuted in a British Magistrates Court for illegally hunting a fox. Huntsman Paul Larby, terrier man Peter White, and whipper-in Jane Wright were convicted and fined £1,128; £853; and £448 respectively. But did the police and Crown Prosecutor withhold evidence that would have exonerated the three?
Dowling Returns: Will Carry the Horn at Cheshire
Ivan Dowling photo by Jim GrahamThe Masters and Directors of Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds (PA) have announced the return of Ivan Dowling as professional huntsman for the well-respected pack.
Dowling returned to hunt the Cheshire hounds on a temporary basis in February, upon the departure of huntsman Barry Magner, then in his second season. A search committee was established to review other potential applicants but decided instead to propose reviving the hunt’s previous long term relationship with Dowling. The retired huntsman enthusiastically agreed, according to the recent announcement from the hunt.
Bear Creek to Hold Saint Patrick’s Day Puppy Show
Chris Ryan, MFH, Scarteen Hunt (IR) will judge the St. Patrick’s day Puppy Show at the Bear Creek Hounds (GA). / Catherine Power photo
On Saturday, March 17, 2018, the Bear Creek Hounds will host a Puppy Show at Bear Creek Farm in Moreland, Georgia. The Saint Patrick’s Day theme will be legitimized by the presence of Judge Chris Ryan, MFH of the Scarteen Hunt, Knocklong, Ireland. Also judging the puppies will be Marion Thorne, MFH and huntsman, Genesee Valley Hunt (NY).
The puppy show is open to all, and will commence at 1:30 pm following a brunch and hat contest at noon ($20.00 per person). A St. Patrick’s Day party follows at the Bear Creek Pavilion with awards, dinner, live music, and dancing ($60.00 per person). Spectators are welcome. A block of motel rooms convenient to Bear Creek Farm has been reserved.
The Bear Creek Puppy Show is part of the MFHA Hark Forward initiative this season. Participants will be asked to contribute to the renovation of the new MFHA National Headquarters in Middleburg, Virginia.
Moore County Hounds Work Hard, Play Hard
Lincoln Sadler, 20 years whipping-in, now huntsman of the Moore County Hounds (NC) Mary Kate Murphy, staff writer for the The Pilot in Pinehurst, North Carolina, interviewed Lincoln Sadler, huntsman of the Moore County Hounds (NC), and wrote the best newspaper article about foxhunting that I have seen in many years. And on so many […]
Thirteen States Sue Massachusetts; Claim Animal Rights Law Unconstitutional
Animal rights activists sponsored a ballot initiative in Massachusetts requiring farm animals to have space to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs, and turn around freely. Activists call “extreme confinement” and “lifelong immobilization” torture. Referred to as the “egg law,” the 2016 Massachusetts referendum won in a four-to-one landslide. Thirteen states have sued […]
Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds Dominates Hunt Night at Penn National
The Kimberton Hunt (PA) had the honor of parading foxhounds on Hunt Night. / Al Cook photo
Foxhunters from Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds (PA) dominated Hunt Night at the Pennsylvania Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on October 16, 2017. Cheshire riders won three classes and received ribbons in all five events on Monday night to claim the overall hunt championship title over the thirteen competing foxhunts. This was the eighth hunt championship won by Cheshire since the inception of Hunt Night. Riders from the Bull Run Hunt (VA) and the Green Spring Valley Hounds (MD) were also class winners.
One surprising contributor to Cheshire’s Championship team was Olympic veteran Boyd Martin who competed in and won the Gentlemen’s Hunter Under Saddle class with Right On Que, owned by Tanya Emslie of Unionville, Pennsylvania. Martin had just placed third in the Fair Hill International Three-Day Event CCI*** this past weekend and decided to drive up at the suggestion of one of his fellow Cheshire members.
Ben Hardaway: 1919–2017
Ben Hardaway, founder and MFH for sixty-seven years of the Midland Foxhounds (GA), died this morning at age ninety-eight. Ben was arguably the most widely-known foxhunter and the most influential foxhound breeder in all of North American foxhunting history. He had a passion for hunting all manner of wild game from his childhood days until […]
Two Virginia Farms Quarantined for EHV-1
Horses in Virginia have tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) at two farms in two counties within a two-week period in August. The most recent cases are at a private pleasure horse farm in King William County. Of the four horses showing clinical signs, two tested positive and both were euthanized. Ten days earlier, horses […]