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Red Rock Hounds Win Western Hunt Challenge 2006 Congratulations to: Grand Canyon - 2nd Place North Hills - 3rd Place |
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WCT FORT CARSON HUNT - March 23, 2006 Hunting Report from Gary Worrall: The Western Hunt Challenge Tour began for the Fort Carson Hounds on the evening of Thursday, 23 March at an excellent Italian restaurant in downtown Colorado Springs. The dinner was attended by fellow foxhunters from Fort Carson Hounds, Bijou Springs Hunt, Arapahoe Hunt, North Hills Hunt, and the Moingona Hunt. The next day everyone gathered at our 79,000-acre fixture on the Fort Carson Military Reservation. The day was already sunny and warm and the forecast was for the temperature to reach the mid-50's. The wind was from the southeast ranging from 5 to 10 mph. After a stirrup cup served by the Fort Carson Hounds, 11 couples of Walker hounds were released and taken to a very beautiful forested area containing numerous small valleys, gulches and canyons. Shortly after the first draw, hounds began working a line running in and out of one of the gulches. A coyote was viewed by the Staff but hounds were allowed to continue working their line, which eventually led to the viewed coyote. Hounds were gone away in full cry through a wooded area, where a second coyote was viewed exiting to the west towards a busy highway. Hounds held their line, which took them on a circuitous route through the woods and eventually led them back to the starting point. As the scent began to quickly diminish, hounds were taken further east where it was reported that the pursued coyote had been heard yipping. After hounds departed the area, a third coyote was observed exiting the area to the south. Once again the hounds picked up the scent of the pursued coyote in a deep gulch and ran the line for a short distance before it was foiled by the rapidly increasing temperature. Giving that coyote the best, the pack was hunted along a deeper ravine where they found a new line to work. At times the scent was strong enough for the hounds to erupt into chorus and race through the ravine, only to have the scent disappear and hounds frantically casting to recover it. When they did, they charged ahead in full cry up and down the walls of the ravine, only to lose it again on higher ground. This line was recovered and run several times before hounds were finally taken up and moved to a new location deeper in the woods. With the temperature now in the high 50's, scenting became more and more difficult. The pack engaged in several short bursts only to have the scent completely disappear. The pack was finally moved to an open area where coyotes are frequently found hunting prairie dogs. Unfortunately, the scenting in this area turned out to be nonexistent. The hounds crossed the entire area but were at a loss to find any lines. The pack was moved back to the forest where the scenting had been much better. The hounds continued to work the small canyons, finding and chasing, then losing the lines to the heat of the day. Most of these finds were leading them away from our starting point, which was a good seven miles away, so the Huntsman reluctantly decided to call it a day. The hunt lasted 5-1/2 hours covering 21 miles. The meet culminated with an excellent catered meal at the Penrose House, an early 1800's mansion located on Fort Carson. Although the scenting conditions prevented us from having any barn-burning runs, everyone agreed that the hounds had certainly demonstrated their hunting talents and the short runs through the forests had been thrilling. BIJOU SPRINGS HUNT Submitted by Huntwhip on March 28, 2006 The WCT for the Bijou Springs Hunt began with a wonderful dinner at Bear Dance Golf Club for any participants wishing to meet and greet each other on Wednesday night before our scheduled hunt. The food was terrific and the comradarie joyful. Many thanks to the social committee of the Hunt for all their hard work in this marvelous introduction dinner. The Stirrup Cup served at 9:30 on a cool, breezy Thursday morning was followed by a presentation to attending juniors of Western Challenge. medals provided through Judge MFH John Lang of the Golden Vale Hunt. He and judge and ProfHuntsman Duncan Stewart were welcomed and introduced by MFH Rohn Mitchell to the participants, as well as MFH Martha Love and the staff and hounds. The pack and members then began the 2006 WCT Hunt Bijou Springs style! The field of over 40 were comprised of visiting hunt members from Arapahoe, Fort Carson, Moingoina, North Hills, and Red Rock Hounds, among other visitors, including Ray Orth, photographer extraordinare. Hounds were cast east, and immediately picked up scent leading north and west. Hounds diligently worked the arroyos and mesas of our beautiful Happy Canyon Fixture: see our website http://www.Bijouspringshunt.com The hounds were finding scent, but having difficulty settling to a line in the cold, northwest wind. Several short, and interesting lines led us back and forth across the textured landscape, with comedic relief in the form of a waddling porcupine occupying their attention briefly. the hounds worked a fast and hot line up "neverfail gulch", casting and recasting as soon as it opened out on to the mesa top, but redoubling their efforts continued up the east canyon wall to the galloping cap of front whip Meridith Hatterman. Hounds hit this hot line with coyote in sight, heading straight south into the roughest part of Lemon Gulch. With no gates in sight, Huntsman and judges jumped the partially hanging wire gate, and headed down into the deep arroyo in pursuit, as whips went in all opposite directions, expecting a run out of the country and into the posh subdivision to the east. Sure enough, three hounds hot on the tail of this Charlie, made it past the whips and screamed into the Lemon Gulch subdivision in a wide arc back toward the country. The rest of the pack, obedient to the horn returned for a quick hack along the fenceline, running directly into the previous coyotes mate, who did a fast double shuffle in the same direction. The hounds followed the huntsman, and were gathered in when a mishap occurred in the second field, who were watching from a nearby hill. Due to the seriousness of this injury, several members of the field volunteered to assist with emergency procedures, and were not able to continue behind hounds. We thank them immensely. Anne Younglund, Tami Sorley, Ray Orth, Pat Hodges, Emily Distler and several other members were instrumental in ferrying horses and people back and forth. We cannot begin to express our thanks. When the hunt continued, hounds were recast andbegan to work the east flattop in the direction of the pursuing hounds. After reaching the north end of the country, the pack was rejoined by front running BSH Raven, and continued to hunt Woody Gulch to the north and west. This would be our last big run of the day, thought hounds never gave up until blown in just north of the draw area, and trailers. All hounds were on at the trailer. A wonderful home made and elegant feast was held at the home of Paul and Nancy King, where hunters ate under the spreading apple tree, a banquet of salads, asparagus, pulled pork, breads and an array of desserts, wines and drinks. This effort by all members of the Bijou Springs Hunt to honor our Western Challenge committment to excellence was a true group effort and most delightful for all. NORTH HILLS HUNT - March 19 Sunday morning, March 19, 6.00 AM no snow. 7.30 AM, kennels and stalls finished and still no snow. 8.30 AM, staff meeting, and flakes of snow beginning to fall, but no accumulation. Maybe we would have almost perfect hunting weather! By 10.00 AM, 15-1/2 couple of hounds were ready to go and so was the field. The snow was now coming down fast and furious and the wind had picked up, making visibility difficult. The first cast was only a short hop east of the kennels and hounds worked the covert well, then crossed the road and drew south along a wee creek, where they tried hard to find, but to no avail. Then carried hounds quickly to the next covert again working hard, but no joy. So let hounds work the terraces east and north where they quickly picked up a line and hunted it into the snow and wind, with huntsman and judges trying to keep in touch. Visibility was not great-- it was non existent! How anyone kept up with the pack is a mystery, as sight was very limited and sound was not that good either, due to strong winds, but as hounds turned west, snow and wind were then on the backs of the huntsman and judges making it much easier to see what was happening. Hounds worked the line back to the wee creek, where they lost the line for a while. Some hounds started up into areas where the hunt is not welcomed, so hounds were lifted and brought back north near the wee creek, where they promptly picked up the line again and gave great voice but kept heading for I-680. So, we stopped the pack at the gravel road, less than ÂĽ miles from I-680. It was decided to “road” hounds to the next draw along the gravel road and let them “cool off. The next draw was the CRP south of I-680 and one mile east of the wee creek. Hounds worked this draw very diligently and tried to find game, but the game had more sense than those of us out that day! Keeping the pack moving, but giving the pack time to draw, the hounds worked the next two coverts well, despite three deer trying to tempt hounds away from their task, but no game found. We stopped for a very brief check. Just enough time for a nip or two of warming liquor and some home made cookies before casting hounds across the road from the check. Here hounds quickly found a line, and although no game was viewed, this was the area where the hounds had hunted a fox successfully four weeks ago, so the huntsman let the hounds hunt away. The field enjoyed a hunt of twenty minutes or so and some very good hound work was viewed by the lucky few who were up front, as those who were not right up front, would only see more falling snow! When hounds had a check, it was a unanimous decision to stop for the day and head home. It was a relatively short hunt, but a very enjoyable day, despite the artic weather. Many thanks to those who made the day possible; Staff: Karman DeLuca; Steve and Nancy Evans; John Meahl; Jim Sophir; and to Helen Smith who stood down as whip to act as hunt photographer, and to Bob Walker and Sec Sam Matranga for acting as road-whips. Thanks also to all who put in time the previous weeks to make the kennels look so good. Thanks to the Masters, Dr L Matranga and Jim Urban for hosting the after hunt breakfast at the Kennels and for the bottles and bottles of whiskey and 5 gallons of bloody Marys. We also had several of the land owners join in at the breakfast after the hunt to listen to the stories of the day. It was great to see so many diehards out on Sunday; we had a field of 23 riders plus staff. A special “thank-you” to those who traveled so far in support of the WHC, with a special thanks to the judges: MFH John Lang, of the Golden Vale (Ire) and Duncan Stewart, professional huntsman of the Moore County (NC) for their commitment to the WHC in accepting this task. We had the honor of having MFH Lynn Lloyd (Red Rock Hounds) hunting with us. We also had the pleasure of MFH Angela Norrell (Ft Carson Hounds), and MFH Monte Antisdel -Great Plains Director (Moingona Hunt) and MFH Dixon Appel (Moingona Hunt) join us for the day of hunting. We had other riders from these Hunts as well as riders from the Long Lake Hounds. It was great to see our friends from the other Hunts; it is always good to have them hunt with us. We also had two junior riders from our hunt that stayed with us the entire hunt and received Junior WHC metals provided by Sue Slocum. We may not win the WHC, but it will certainly be one of the most remembered hunts of the competition! A WELL DONE to everybody who took part! Mary Walker Professional Huntsman North Hills Hunt Report from the Previous Hunt in Illinois: March 16, 2006 By Kathy Tourney A field of twenty-four well turned out horses marked the commencement of the Seventh Annual Western Hunt Challenge Tour at Kane, Illinois today. Eleanor Hartwell hunted fourteen couple of exuberant crossbred hounds. The day was sunny and bright with about 20% humidity and temperatures ranging from 45 to 60 degrees. The wind was blowing 20 to 35 miles per hour during the entire four hours and 45 minutes of the hunt, which covered 14 miles, with a top speed of 29 miles per hour. The footing was slightly deep and a bit slippery. We hunted through juvenile mixed hardwood forests, pasture, and corn stalks, along two rivers which are tributaries of the Mississippi. We hunted within ten miles of Hannibal, Missouri, where you may remember Mark Twain and Becky Thatcher were lost for a time in a cave. The confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers is nearby as well. A great deal of history occurred in this area, including the Lewis and Clark Expedition starting up the Missouri River to its headwaters. This is where Mark Twain piloted steam ships and became the foremost author of world travel of his time. Both coyote and fox are quarry usually found in this fixture. And today, both coyote and fox were viewed, along with Whitetail deer. In spite of the high winds and relatively low humidity, the field was treated to some very nice runs and great hound work. There were 20 women and four men plus two judges, seven whippers-in, and the very able, effervescent, multi-faceted huntsman and Western Challenge pin designer, Eleanor Hartwell. Eleanor and her mother, Betsy Parks were the WHCT judges last year. The judges were Duncan Stewart, of North Carolina, and John Lang, Huntsman of Golden Vale, Ireland. Whippers-In included Eleanor Hartwell’s mother, Betsy Parks, huntsman off a Bassett Hound pack in New York; the delightful husband and wife team of Jean & Lee Deutch, MFH; Mary Hensel, MFH; Jill, MFH; and Tommy Jackson, Joint MFH Coal Valley, and Professional Huntsman of Mission Valley, Kansas. A most gracious couple, Werner and Gerta Kugler, German Immigrants, were most able Fieldmasters of the first and second fields respectively. Riders included: Lynn Lloyd, MFH, Red Rock Hounds, Reno Nevada; Pat of Red Rock Hounds; Angela Norrell, MFH, Ft. Carson Hounds, Ft. Carson, Colorado, and a member of Arapahoe Hunt, Denver; Ray Orth, photographer extraordinaire of Coal Valley, Mission Valley, and Ft. Leavenworth hunts of Kansas; Kathy Tourney of Arapahoe and Ft. Carson Hunts; and a number of friendly Bridlespur members. Tess and Will followed by car, Tess having taken a recent tumble, fracturing her collarbone. The breeds of horses represented included Thoroughbreds, American Quarter Horses, Appendix Quarter Horses, a Canadian Sport Horse, a registered Half-Arabian, half draft, a very elegant and well mannered Saddlebred, three Paints, an Appaloosa, and two Hanovarians. The eldest horse in the field was a 25 year Quarter Horse, and the youngest, a five-year old, well mannered Thoroughbred that won it’s first race at the track, who had only hunted once before. The riders ranged in age from 28 to 80, however the incredibly athletic, nimble, charming, 80 year-old MFH Emeritus rode like a much younger person. The average rider was perhaps in their mid-fifties. At least two people had been hunting since 1959, one lady just joined Bridlespur two months ago, and perhaps six hundred years of hunting experience were represented. Amazingly enough, through some rather extreme ravines, and deep ditches, not one rider came off their horse, and only two riders came in early. The Bridlespur Hunt was founded in 1929, in St. Louis, Missouri. The Merrimac Hunt merged with them a few years ago. A lovely al fresco hunt breakfast followed, in the shade of an outbuilding, with straw bales for seating. The hefs served black bean soup with sour cream, tomato soup, chicken croissant sandwiches, a lovely Caesar salad, and a variety of tasty cupcakes including some which were chocolate and cream cheese. A good day was had by all. Western Challenge 2006 Red Rock Segment: Friday, March 31 - Sunday, April 2nd The following events will take place in Reno. All fixtures will be within a 30-minute drive from the kennel or a one hour drive from the Reno Hilton. A package will be available at the Red Rock Kennel with directions and specific information concerning location of each fixture and time hounds will be cast. Schedule: Friday, March 31: 8:00 A.M.: Waldingfield Beagles - Campbell Springs Saturday, April 1: 8:00 A.M.: Woodbrook - Campbell Springs Sunday, April 2: 8:00 A.M.: Red Rock - Hungry Valley Stirrup cup and hunt breakfast will be offered at each meet, hosted by the day's hunt. Red Rock Address: Lynn Lloyd, MFH, 25 Spoke Rd., Reno, NV 89506. Tel: 775-969-3243 Directions to Kennel: From east/west take Rte 80 E/W to Rte 395 N in Reno From South take 395 N through Carson City and on through Reno to the intersection of I-80 and 395. From the I -80/395 intersection: Go about 10 miles (you will pass the Reno Hilton on the east side of the freeway) north on 395 to the Red Rock Road Exit (there is a Shell station at the exit). Turn right at bottom of ramp. SET YOUR ODOMETER. Go 17 miles north on Red Rock Road. Turn right on Spoke Road - you are there. From North: Go S on 395 past Susanville, CA about 50 miles. Go through Doyle, CA (tiny - just a Shell station on right). 6 miles south of Doyle, turn LEFT on Red Rock Road . Go about 7 miles. Hunt stable is on left. Horse Boarding: Lynn Lloyd (775-969-3243) Dan Cripps (775-969-3584) Sarah Spalding 775-969-3493 $20.00/night. (Sarah adds $8 per bag shavings, self clean stalls, alfalfa and grass hay available, turnouts possibly available, two guest rooms available) Horse Leasing: A limited number of seasoned field hunters are available. Call Lynn Lloyd. Lodging: - In Reno: Recommend the Reno, Hilton (775) 789-2000 or 1-800-736-6386. It is near the airport and adjacent to US 395 which will take us to all our meets and is conveniently away from the downtown "strip." The hotel has an immense parking lot which will accommodate your biggest rigs. |