January 12, 2010
Filed under: 2009-2010,Hunt Reports — Cheryl @ 8:05 pm
Today Lili, Kate, Jenner, Judy, Susan, Howard and I braved the hard icy footing again and took hounds out. We went to the Meadows, where we often run gray fox, in a smaller sort of contained area, hoping that it would not require us covering a lot of frozen ground. Following is my version, hopefully others will chime in with theirs!
Hounds found in the Church Pines, true to form, and went around in there a bit, then we figure the fox crossed the road, but hounds had a little trouble following. They finally struck again in the pines over on the other side of Plum Branch. I stayed at the end of farm road watching up and down Plum Branch Rd., and our road whip, Howard, was up further where a dirt road goes in the other side (normally Kate’s spot but she was back on the power line in case they went toward the woods).
I was watching intently sure I would see the fox come out. Judy and Susan came down behind me to watch too. I started thinking about moving to a non-covered area (the vineyard). I told them to watch up the road in case Howard can’t see down here. I turned my head, and heard, “Tally Ho!” Howard viewed a gray crossing back into the church pines. Susan caught a glimpse of it too! RATS I just missed the view.
Then all of a sudden I thought, I better get to the farm road to see if it crosses there. I galloped up to a place where I had a good view up the farm road and watched, and wondered…. would the fox cross, and would it be the same path he went in the other side?
Sure enough, after a just a bit it darted out and crossed the farm road in a straight and fast line right from where he came. WHEE!!! Up I go to see which hounds come out first. Allison was first on and came out to where it crossed, but she didn’t find the line on the other side right away. Lili came up and blew doubling and cheered the hounds onto the line. Then I saw Jazz coming up the farm road after Lili, and I thought, great, Jazz (the old lady) will help find it.
Just at that moment I noticed a little game trail going into the woods—and so did Jazz. Her nose went down, then up went her head and her beautiful booming voice echoed the call… “I found him I found him” and all hounds honored. Off they went.
I galloped up to the top and made a right toward the snow covered field up top and we listened to them go round and round trying to keep track of the fox, but he gave them the slip down in the snowy woods. At one point I was able to look down in the woods and see them all against the snow covered ground. Great sights and sounds for all of us who have missed hunting so much over the past month! Can’t wait to go again Saturday.
December 7, 2009
Filed under: 2009-2010,Hunt Reports — goneaway2 @ 9:29 pm
Today was a fantastic hunt for all 8 riders but especially for Kate who saw the red fox within 10 feet of where she sat on Jane.
But back to the beginning of all the excitement. They started in Robinson’s cow field above Crane Creek with their heads up and a great burst of sound. (more…)
December 2, 2009
Filed under: 2009-2010,Hunt Reports — goneaway2 @ 9:03 pm
Yesturday at Wallis Farm, Jazz open first within minutes of the first draw in the pines right below 2 deer carcasses off Crane Creek Road. The other 15 hounds honored her and we were off to a very enjoyable run on what turned out to be a bobcat. (more…)
November 22, 2009
Filed under: 2009-2010,Hunt Reports — goneaway2 @ 8:40 pm
Today we had a fun time hunting for four short hours, or so it seemed to me, with 8 couple of hard driving hounds and 12 dedicated riders who all said they love to watch our hounds hunt. Also, we were celebrating the marriage of Terry and Grover. The weather was perfect being cool, partly cloudy and damp. Everything went great except for poor ole Silver* who sustained some serious injury by dropping down into an unforeseen ditch. (more…)
September 30, 2009
Filed under: 2009-2010 — goneaway2 @ 8:22 pm
Good Evening,
As I write this on Tuesday evening I’m that kind of tired that feels good. We had another terrific day behind our hard hunting hounds and it was just plain fun! The day was beautiful, my horse was a dream to ride, the 8 & 1/2 couple of hounds couldn’t have done better and all 7 riders, Kate, Cheryl, Anne, Judy, Susan, Vicki and Terry were so helpful and happy. We hunted the wide open fields below the Wallis homeplace in a zigzag manner. Hounds didn’t find until we hit Crane Creek. Clara was first to speak in the woods above the creek. They worked slowly picking up whisps of scent all around the far right side, up the hill and back to the pond where they couldn’t go any further. No steady music but short brilliant notes as we watched Kaptain, Roo Roo, Tenson and Clara take turns leading while we were right by their side. I love being with them. They are use to it so we are not a distraction. The 3 young entry, Sarah, Savannah and Drummer stayed near the older hounds all day. Another plus. Never have we had a litter (Sally/Kaptain’s) that obeys willingly and equally hunts as well. (more…)
September 19, 2009
Filed under: 2009-2010 — goneaway2 @ 4:22 pm
Reported by: Lili
Fixture: Quail Hollow at 8:00 am
Members: Lili, Kate, Cheryl, Mary K, Terri and Barbi
Guests: none
Weather: sunny, windy but turning warm
Hounds: 8 1/2 couple
I.D. Awards: None!
Tailgate/Breakfast: Tasty delights contributed by all
Hunt: Today I was very pleased with our hounds. We hunted 17 hounds behind the Fewels house all the way to Nowlins Mill Rd. According to how they ran and their sweet music, I believe they ran a grey fox around and around in the huge pines below the small fields coming out of the Fewel woods. They sounded so good and it did my soul well to hear them! Kate and Mary K were whipping-in. Cheryl led the field of only two riders, Terri and Barbi. Hounds crossed in front of me on the farm road all together speaking. Yeah! Always a thrilling experience! That included two, first time young entry, Savannah (sponsored by David W.) and Sergeant (sp. by Sandy Miller). After going through the hardwoods they lost just outside Carol’s fence line. As they circled the field a small turkey got up but they weren’t interested. (more…)
September 7, 2009
Filed under: 2009-2010 — Cheryl @ 8:41 am
Reported by: Cheryl
Fixture: Bonnydale Farm, 7:30 a.m.
Members: Lili, Kate, Cheryl, Jenner, Earl, Barbi, Susan
Guests: Anne
Weather: overcast but turning warm
Hounds: 8 couple
I.D. Awards: None!
Tailgate/Breakfast: Not sure as I left early
The Hunt: Started at the edge of the woods by the creek below the trailers. Hounds found fairly quickly and really worked the field. We ran into the large herd of cows, including a bull, and had to work around them. They were really frisky!! Young calves running toward horses and bucking made for some excitement. (more…)
March 24, 2009
Filed under: 2008-2009,Hunt Reports — Cheryl @ 7:31 am
I know this report is late in coming, but now I have some photo links to share with you all. Six of us from Stonewall attended the Sedgefield Cup Performance Hound Trials, March 7&8 in Hoffman, NC.
Riders attending: Lili & Jubilee, Kate & Lacy, Judy & Anne, Susan & Cash, Cheryl & Uzi, Jenner & Mulligan.
Hounds: Jazz, Kaptain, Jeremiah, Solitaire, Amber, Allison
Photo Links:
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=801898631&k=5VAU33P5WYZM5G1HUC4ZV4
taken by Erin Esposito, the kitchen queen
http://www.wowgraphicdesigns.com/sedgefield.html
various photos – these were sent to Covertside
We had an absolute blast. The people were super, and the riding was wild and wooly. It seemed like the big sandy trails would make for really nice riding, with room to gallop. Who knew we would gallop forEVER. The hounds were all numbered and put together (42 in all, 6 or so from each of 7 participating hunts). Then the huntsman from Moore County (Jody Murtagh) hunted them all as one big pack.
The hounds ran coyote both days, which made for some hair-raising galloping through the 60,000 acre Sandhills Gamelands area. The sandy roads were great, although deep at times, but we had to cut through the Longleaf Pine Forests to be able to get to the hounds, and there were holes and staubs, which made it a little tricky! You had to watch carefully and give enough room to the horse in front of you. Anyway, we all survived, but I know my pony was TIRED with a capital T after 2 days of Hour-plus runs with barely any checks!
Jenner viewed the first day and Kate and I the second, so that was fun, and the hounds sounded great and never let up. It was amazing to watch how well they hunted as a whole pack, and the sound echoing through the Longleaf pines was incredible.
Judges were outriding like whips to get in a position to record their scores on the hounds, in different categories. We all heard our hounds voices at times within the pack, and got to see them working up front many times. They did great! I don’t have all the results, but Kaptain, Solitaire and Jeremiah got ribbons the first day, with Jeremiah winning the blue for first place overall for day one.
The second day Jazz and Jeremiah both won ribbons again, I believe Jazz was 3rd overall for the second day (Jazz is Jeremiah’s mother, and a couple of the hunts there knew her – Lili can explain the breeding – but she was affectionately referred to as the “old lady”.)
They had a little hound show too, and Solitaire won a red ribbon in the bitch class and Jeremiah was third in the doghound class.
Kate & Solitaire
Cheryl & Jeremiah
So as you can imagine, we were all more than thrilled with the hounds’ performances both days, and the fact that our pack fit in and hunted like champs. It is noteworthy to mention that our friends at Rockbridge had the #1 hound over the two day totals, Rockbridge Clay, and their pack won the overall pack award. Congratulations to Rockbridge! We enjoyed seeing them and watching their hounds do so well, too!
We all had a really fun time. Next year… Full body clip for the Brown Beast, and some additional fitness work before the event!!
Hopefully more of you can attend next year, as it was really a weekend to remember. As Marcia Brody from New Market-Middletown Valley Hounds said, “Bring your fastest horse, fasten your seatbelts and hang on!!”
Cheryl Microutsicos
December 16, 2008
Filed under: 2008-2009,Hunt Reports — Cheryl @ 10:29 am
Reported by: Lili
Fixture: Quail Hollow, 10 a.m.
Members: Lili, Kate, Cheryl, Michael, Jenner, Earl
Guests: Kelsey, Brooks and Anne
Weather: cloudy and cool
Hounds: 10 1/2 couple
I.D. Awards: Michael – whose horse saw the wire but he didn’t!
Tailgate/Breakfast: Misc cheese & crackers and delicious pork roast brought by Jenner!
The Hunt: Our third and final Sunday morning hunt was begun with a brief devotional by me about the Lord’s first and second coming with a few verses from the books of Luke( the first Christmas story), the end of Revelations and Matthew( when Jesus says he’s coming back). Eight riders mounted up. Earl ( with cracked and stitched hand) let out the very eager hounds as it has been almost 2 weeks since some have hunted. We held up for a while discussing who the hounds were. This is the time of year to cull some and it is never easy but there are too many in the kennel. Any takers? There are about 5-8 that need new homes for various reasons. Please contact me if you are interested.
Ten and a half couple struck immeditately in the first field of the Fewell Farm, Quail Hollow. How we all love to be right on top of speaking hounds! When you are that close you can learn which hound owns a particular voice. You all know that I like for the field to be as close to the action as possible. I believe that when our hounds are use to the horses being near that we are not a distraction when they are working a line.
After giving them ample time to straighten out the line, Kate radioed that some hounds had crossed the farm road in the back where I had heard the crows squawking some minutes ago. I brought hounds up and what looked like a great run with strong voices in the large pines dwindled down to a few hounds speaking before Clark ran out on a viewed deer with two others following. How disappointing! He must have switched. But over a period of 5-10 minutes other hounds came out and were very eager to run and speak in a slightly different place. Looking back on it, as I always do after a hunt, I think a fox had come out, too. And I know for sure they had started on a fox with Dawson, Winsome, Jazz, Sally, Kaptain, Tidy and others confirming it.
Kate radioed that front running hounds had crossed Tweedy Rd. and gone into the pines. I brought on the rest and they all joined together in speaking on a beautiful red-sided gray that I viewed twice weaving in and out of the small pines. Around and around they went. I love the excitment of waiting to see where the fox will pop out. Our pilot was clearly seen by Kate as he exited the pines and ran up the wooded hill side and toward the field beyond. Roo Roo was first out. She is developing into a great hound with a loud, strong voice.
Only about half the pack was following. The rest stayed in the pines and I think they were on another fox. After quite a while of trying to get all front running hounds together, we brought them back to the original pines where Dawson, Sally, Jazz and Pepper were still opening in a small area. Fox gone to ground? The small pines and thick briars were to dense to go in. I completely circled the cover, waiting patiently for another solid run. It never happened. So we called them all in and that was a job. Some did not want to leave it. And the sun had gone in and the wind was picking up. Earl got out of his truck and had to go over to the edge and, along with Kate, the remaining ones were strongly encouraged to “Leave It”. Riders and hounds made it safely back to the trailers for another good tailgate.
Reported by Lili
November 30, 2008
Filed under: 2008-2009,Hunt Reports,Member Posts — Cheryl @ 9:25 am
(posted by Lili)
Good Morning,
Since the cold temperature and constant rain has forced me to cancell the hunt today and I’m up early, I thought I’d write about last Sundays hunt at Motrosa Farm especially since it is worth writing about. So consider this today’s hunt adventure while you’re sitting in your warm, dry home and go give your horse an extra pad of hay.
Motrosa Farm Hunt on Sunday November 23:
Seventeen hounds and twelve riders gathered at Bruce and Barbi Wagner’s beautiful home for our first Sunday morning hunt with our hosts giving the devotional. (more…)
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