Liz Callar photos
By March 7, Virginia’s record-setting snowfall had disappeared, but the rivers were running high and fast.
“Some of those hounds had never seen water like that,” said organizer Greg Schwartz, huntsman for the Bull Run Hunt (VA). “Thought we’d have to get life jackets for some of them,” he quipped.
The day for the Third Annual Bull Run Huntsmen’s Hunt, rescheduled from January, had finally arrived. Eight huntsmen, representing packs of hounds from Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina, brought more than fifty hounds to hunt as one pack from Joint-MFH Mike Long’s Feedlot fixture.
Participating huntsmen included Tony Gammell (Keswick), Michael Brown (Rappahannock), Robert Taylor (representing Goshen Hounds and New Market – Middletown Valley Hounds), Jordan Hicks (Tryon), Sam Clifton (Green Spring Valley) and Barry Magner (Middleburg). The field and car followers included several other present and former huntsmen, Masters and staff. Mike Long led the mounted field.
The day started slowly, punctuated by some drama at the fast-flowing Robinson river crossings to and from the Bending River . After a brief and much welcomed refreshment break provided by Walt Holloway and crew, hounds set off once again and the day really began.
The first sustained run lasted more than an hour, primarily through the 1200 acres of pines in the West Cutover. A second shorter run was followed by a final run that lasted close to another hour, finishing at Arrowpoint Farm. Schwartz reported that hounds had been out nearly five hours, and he was threatened with mutiny if he did anything other than hack the six-plus miles back to the meet. Schwartz was impressed with the way the disparate hounds melded together into a biddable pack, especially after the first run.
As sunset neared, huntsmen and field returned to the meet, hounds were sorted into the various trailers, and participants shared refreshments and stories of the day before scattering for home. Another tremendously successful Huntsmen’s Hunt—a highlight of the year for many of the participants.
Photos by Liz Callar. Click any photo to start a slideshow.
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