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We were proud to bring home second
place in the individual top ten ratings at our first Performance
Trial with Red Rock Ronnie 1999, behind Santa Fe Kepper
2000, Santa Fe Hunt’s brilliant bitch. Although the staff was
exquisitely careful not to interfere with hounds, Red Rock hounds
appeared distracted by the relatively narrow casting area covered
by this heterogeneous pack, more accustomed to ranging
independently up to ½ mile in front of the Huntsman in their low
game density, arid desert conditions at home. In addition, in such
vast, steep country it was impossible for judges to keep up with
the lead hounds on longer lines, forcing them to eliminate scoring
of several very fast lines on viewed coyotes. While the
competition was first rate, perhaps of even greater value was the
opportunity the Performance Trial provided to watch an outstanding
group of hounds working under the guidance of an excellent
huntsman, and to converse with a group of foxhunters whose depth
of knowledge and experience defies description. Max Naegler and
his colleagues lead us West Coast green horns through the Trial’s
orientation. Listening, I was inspired not only by their spirit of
congeniality and respect for all participants in the Trial, but
also by their unwitting ability to spill pearls of foxhunting
wisdom with every question answered or comment shared. We look
forward to participating in our District’s next Performance Trial,
and appreciate the fantastic hunting experience provided by the
first Pacific District Performance Trial.
That day we had several serious splits, once with three groups
of hounds all running viewed coyotes. The beauty of the Red Rock
Hounds (again, on the lucky days when it works) is to watch their
independence balance with their intense harmony. Like a four part
fugue, the various voices would become intricately tangled
together. Although the same melody is coursing in each line, at
times it becomes so complex you are convinced the composition has
disintegrated. At that moment, miraculously, the voices merge and
there is one pack of hounds, one melody made of many voices,
creating harmony. That was our Western Challenge day. Like I said,
we got lucky.
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News from the Nursery
Six litters were
delivered between June ‘02 and July ‘03. Four began hunting as
young entry this season. First off, THANK YOU to every one who
donated $100 and named a puppy. Lynn just purchased another
hundred trees to continue planting around the kennel - every puppy
named represents a significant contribution to the construction
effort.
Behavioral scientists are forever debating the relative
importance of genetics and environment in personality development.
They should come watch our young entry hunt to help settle the
debate. If all four litters were identically marked, you would be
able to distinguish them easily in the hunt field.
"N"
From the get-go the "N’s"
were on the shy side, and immediately demonstrated a serious work
ethic. Northwest, Nine Eleven and Newton are so similar in hunting
style to their dam’s litter they are virtually interchangeable.
And this is a good thing, as their family represents one of our
most honest and keen lines. Their uncles Nearly and Nye are two of
our best older dog hounds.
"O"
Of the four litters hunting,
the jury is still out on the "O’s", including Orshi, Olive Oil,
and O Love. They are having the hardest time adjusting to the
commotion of trailering and being part of the larger pack with all
the associated social interaction. We’ll have to give them some
time to settle before passing judgement.
"P"
And then there are the
"P’s". Brilliant, white hot keen, mad to hunt, and just a bit on
the ADD side. If their parents were Baby Boomer generation Yuppies
instead of hounds, they certainly all would be on medication. They
are the offspring of Smithie and Davis - Smithie: hyperactive and
insatiable, she was four before her head hit the ground in earnest
- and Davis: steady, never lifted his nose from the ground from
the moment he was born. So here are the "P’s": Paul, PeePak,
Popeye, Penzoil, Pete, et al, blessed with both their mother’s
drive and their sire’s nose. The result is a young hound who is
constantly casting at a dead run with his nose super glued to the
ground. A little difficult to get their attention at times, but
I’ve yet to see one stargazing. Give them a year and watch out.
"Q"
The "Q’s" are out of Holly by Bob. Holly is an older bitch of our
very true "H" litter including Horn, Hill, Harry, and Hodges, all
outstanding core hounds in our pack. Bob is younger, outgoing dog
hound who began a bit hard-headed, but has developed into a solid
customer with excellent drive and a workman’s attitude. Thus the
"Q’s" are easy - they came out hunting immediately with a great
sense of pack and an immediate desire to please and learn from the
older hounds.
"R" & S"
Yet to emerge from the puppy pens are the "R" and "S" litters.
Following is a letter from Myrna Moore, who named one of the "R"
puppies after her mother. Thank you, Myrna, this is what it is all
about. |
