Proposed Ban on Fox Penning Is Shelved
The proposed measure in the Virginia General Assembly to ban fox penning has been shelved for a year. More than an hour of testimony was presented to the Senate Agriculture Committee at a meeting crowded with animal rights advocates and pro-hunting forces. Supporters of the bill argued that the practice is inhumane and often ends […]
Who Is This?
This photograph along with the question of the couple’s identity was posted on our Facebook page to provide an entertaining and informative way of featuring iconic figures in American foxhunting. We furnished a few hints, thinking that this would be a tough puzzle, but our readers made short work of it.
Verity Cameron and Bill Getchell were the first to correctly identify our mystery couple, and since their complete answers were posted pretty much simultaneously on our Facebook page, each will receive a gift from Foxhunting Life. Anne Manfredo Darken filled in more information by naming their pack correctly, so she deserves an honorary mention!
General Patton Wouldn’t Give Way at the Fences
Three long-time residents of Potomac, Maryland spoke recently to a standing-room-only crowd at a local restaurant about their town’s past. Two of the three speakers—Bob Hanson and Leonard Proctor—had hunted with the Potomac Hunt. Hanson related an amusing anecdote about a recalcitrant General George Patton. “Patton was not a gentleman when it came to jumping […]
The Mardale Hunt: Chapters 8 to 10
The Dun Bull Hotel, 1920Here are Chapters 8 to 10 of The Mardale Hunt by Ron Black. Through the courtesy of the author, Foxhunting Life is bringing you the entire book in installments every two weeks. You are free to download the book to your computer. We hope you have enjoyed the previous installments. There […]
The Galway Blazers at Athenry
Joint-Master David McCarthy over one of what sporting artist Snaffles called “The Biggest Walls.” / Noel Mullins photoA meet of the Galway Blazers around the medieval walled town of Athenry, County Galway in the heart of the hunt country is not to be missed. Before traffic congested the town centre, meets were traditionally held at Higgins’ Bar. Masters and huntsmen would be served a stirrup cup by the proprietor Brendan Higgins who, with his sister Mary Josephine (my mother), hunted with the pack.
Foxhounds and Greyhounds; Scent and Sight; The Ultimate Pack
The Shawnee Hounds set out into big, open country for a tiring day in the mud. (Foreground) Master and huntsman Dr. Mark Smith, (background, l-r) Lee Carson, Courtney Carson and guest Jeffie McAfoo / Sue Brandt photoThe Shawnee Hounds (IL) Mannings fixture was challenging to hunt this day—substantial ditches, wide open fields that were muddy and quickly sapped the horses’ strength, and large wheat fields that had to be circumnavigated to stay in the farmers’ good graces. This made it difficult for the whippers-in as well as those who had to stay further out in order to not lose the pack on a big run. The large woods that we normally would avoid due to being leased by deer hunters were open now that deer season was over.
This hunt was further challenged by too much of a good thing—lots of coyotes! They were everywhere, and I doubt I can remember all the views of different coyotes seen and by whom.
Tally Slo! The Leisure Field Debuts at Red Rock
Joy Smith leads the Leisure Field on Kindred. By A.P. Indy, Kindred sold at Keeneland in 2006 for one million dollars, but has since found more satisfying employment. / Shawn Lloyd photoGreat ideas are sometimes borne of desperation.
I was desperate to get back on a horse after a lumbar fracture at the beginning of the hunting season. Having already sat out much of the season. I just couldn’t resist riding at the annual joint meet in Ridgecrest, California. Hounds and members of Red Rock Hounds (NV), Kingsbury Harriers, Santa Ynez Valley Hounds (CA), Grand Canyon Hounds (AZ), Paradise Valley Beagles (AZ), as well as members of several eastern hunts all come together for three days of hunting, eating, drinking, and mingling with great friends and fantastic animals.
Riding was definitely not on my list of “can do” activities, but give me a quiet horse and a promise to only walk then no harm can be done, right?
The Mardale Hunt: Chapter 7
Here is Chapter 7 of The Mardale Hunt by Ron Black. Through the courtesy of the author, Foxhunting Life brings you the entire book in installments every two weeks. You are free to download the book to your computer. We hope you have enjoyed the previous installments. Excerpt from Chapter 7Visitors to Mardale Shepherd’s Meet—and […]
Plantation Hunt Weekend in South Carolina’s Lowcountry
(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.
Lizi’s Dip
An appetizer to keep the hungry at bay!