Here’s a first in the centuries-old history of hound shows—an International Virtual Hound Show!
Hound associations around the world have signed on so their member hunts may enter hounds in classes for staghounds, foxhounds, deer hounds, beagles, basset hounds, and mink hounds, and let the champions be crowned. Fourteen hunting associations are supporting the event, including the Masters associations in North America, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and France. Entry Forms are ready upon which to record entries in thirty-six divisions in nine separate catalogs.
All hunts that are registered with or recognized by their appropriate participating breed associations are eligible to enter. Entries will be made on the web. Closing date for entries is June 30, 2020 so there is little spare time remaining. Judging will take place from July 17 to August 13, 2020.
A panel of three judges consisting of a Master, a huntsmen, and a judge from overseas will judge each class. Judging will be done by panels of international judges only by photographs and videos showing movement.
Obviously, judges will not be able to circle hounds, peer closely at suspected faults, or handle the hounds. Entry rules specifically require images of both sides, front, rear, and from above for each entered hound.
Over the years Foxhunting Life has published thousands of foxhound images, and many of those images—even images taken of the champions—will not win that hound a second look by any judge in any virtual show. And the fault was not necessarily that of the hound. The “how to” knowhow was either unknown to the photographer, or ignored. Not fair to the hound! Because these images will be so important to the judging of your hounds, FHL is republishing, as a companion to this piece, an earlier article titled “How to Photograph Foxhounds.” Masters, huntsmen…unless you have an experienced hound photographer (or horse show photographer—similar guidelines), have yours read our companion article
The International Virtual Hound Show has also launched a silent auction that gives participating hunts a fund raising opportunity for the club and/or local and national charities of their choosing. There’s a full description of how to participate in the silent auction as well on the website.
Rules and Conditions of Entry are available by visiting www.virtualhoundshow.com.
For further information contact Cameron Sadler, MFH, Moore County Hounds (NC) or Steven Thomas, MFH, Fort Leavenworth Hunt (KS), honorary show secretary.
A new day for an old sport!
Posted June 7, 2020