As a child, I remember attending the Thanksgiving Day Blessing of the Hounds at the Green Spring Valley Hunt at our family church, St. Thomas in the Green Spring Valley. Hunting runs deep in my family, as one of my ancestors, Robert Brooke, brought the first pack of hounds to the not quite yet, United States, in 1650. Lines from this original pack still hunt up and down the east coast today.
Coming full circle, I saw some wonderful images of the Boxing Day Hunt in Loughborough (luffbruh), England. My father went to school at Loughborough College.
Gathering before the hunt.
The hounds waiting to be called into action.
Having a tipple before the hunt in Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds. It’s is a gorgeous little village!
Leading out the hounds at Prestwold Hall in Loughborough.
Beautiful hunting “pinks”. Many of these jackets are passed along through families. If you click the link, you’ll understand why!
The whipper-in, with his whip and hunting horn. We had one of these horns growing up and I used to blow out my ears trying to get it to sound.
If you’re interested in learning about fox hunting in America, there are no better books than those by Rita Mae Brown, set in the Virginia hunt country. Her Mrs. Murphy books and “Sister” Jane foxhunting mysteries spin a great story, while she also imparts some good information about the relationship between hunters and their prey.
What's going on with that horse's coloring in the second pic? I've never seen that before.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting back into hunting, but not the horsey kind. My favorite quarry is clay pigeons -- no field dressing required!
Goodness, are the four women in the first photo dressed for traditional side saddle? If so, Reggie is all astonishment, and filled with admiration indeed!
ReplyDeleteI fear I can't agree with you on this one. Remember that Rita Mae Brown is writing fiction. She has a vested interest in crafting her stories in the way she does.
ReplyDeleteBefore I moved to hunt country, I thought the hunt was pretty glamorous. Now that I'm here, I think it's a selfish, dishonorable practice that's been dressed up to mask how worthless and arrogant it is. I have far more respect for a hunter who sits in a blind all day wearing camouflage because he doesn't torture or terrify his target and doesn't maintain a pack of dogs for entertainment.
You may find that article interesting...it even addresses Rita Mae Brown.
Dogs bred and trained to kill is barbaric. Bulldogs no longer attack bulls and Pit Bull dog fights are outlawed and dogs rehabilitated. Hound dogs bred only to hunt is so very very sad. I love horses too, learned to ride while living in England when I was a young girl. I enjoy your references to the UK very much but not the fox hunt which has been banned in the UK..
ReplyDeleteVery disturbed by Rita's attitude too. Won't feel the same about her ever again.
If only foxes weren't so "cute." Hunters would never have to justify themselves for hunting down snakes or rats or any other varmints.
ReplyDeleteMeg, I wish you would shut down the comments on this one now, before things get out of hand.
There is not a better red out there than the HUNT RED!
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ReplyDeleteFunny, I didn't see anything nasty or rude in the comments...seems like there was potential for a good conversation about tradition.
ReplyDeleteFoxhunting began as a necessity for farmers who's livestock was being decimated by the animals. Also, why was your home parish the territory of the Valley Set when you lived in Roland Park? What was wrong with Redeemer or St. David's?
ReplyDeleteAnon... if you read the linked post about St. Thomas, you will see that members of my family have been affiliated with St. Thomas since the 1700s. When my father moved to the US, it became his church before he even met my mother. He is buried there and my mother will be as well, when the time comes.
ReplyDeleteFabulous post - beautiful images - a grand tradition - thank you for sharing. KDM
ReplyDeleteI'll take compassion toward all creatures over bloodthirsty tradition any day. This sick "sport" is banned in the UK and for good reason. Maybe a post on other illegal practices is in order? The grand tradition of dog-fighting in Pigtown, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteI was born in England and my ancestors also took part in blood sports and other barbaric practices. One relative actually owned a slave ship before deciding to abandon it to become a candle maker. Causing pain to anyone or anything is not a tradition I choose to celebrate.
Besides this post I do enjoy your blog.