March Hunting, 2010
After weeks of bad weather, Hounds and Foxes are out! photos by Beth Sutton (see Gallery)
Hunting End of Season 2010
report and photos by Beth Sutton
From snowshoes to shirtsleeves temperatures rose from mid thirties to mid sixties from March 2nd to 9th- the first week back to mounted hunting after nearly two months hiatus. The meet at the Kennels March 2nd provided much excitement for the small field of enthusiastic foxhunters Ken Chapman, Mary Kalergis, Dale Dealtry, Jennifer Campbell and Liz KIng who turned out to follow a dedicated pack and staff chasing more than 3 foxes within a couple of square miles around the Wellens and back to the kennels where everyone rode home under falling snow. Road whips Brian and Kay Barquin, Paul Summers, BJ Korol and Jane Fogleman ran hard keeping foxes and hounds from crossing route 601, and whips Chapman, Beeney and Crompton worked the fields, woods and roads on horses kept amazingly fit after so many weeks of forced vacation. By the following Saturday at Schelford the sun was out and a light wind blew keeping things chilly despite a balmy 50 degrees.Stubborn banks of residual snow held in the shadows, and sun exposed hills provided good footing but not such good scent. Several spectacular views of a red fox were enjoyed by the hill toppers, led by Liz King, and by veteran road whips Sherry Buttrick, Paul Summers and the Barquins. Thanks to Brian's prediction of where that fox usually liked to run and a little luck I was able to get a "shot" of Fantastic Mr. Fox with my new camera. A moderate sized field of about 20 members including JB Birdsall, Bob Ashcom, Reynolds Cowles,Stephanie Guerlain, Jeb Cuthbert,Kim Morton, Jim Bourie, Mary Minor Henderson and prospective member Michael Vitale turned out to enjoy a fabulous morning hosted by the Birdsalls whose generous hospitality and excellent parking made it possible to hunt during this challenging early spring season. As always, we thank them for the opportunity to ride over their wonderful property, and to enjoy the foxes that live there!
