An Uncharted Chase Across the Frozen Middle River Video

It was a hunt for the hardy, December 7, 2024 at Bonnie Doon Farm, with temps in the low 20’s

and hounds that were determined to catch a scent, even if it meant braving the frozen Middle

River. Flight leaders Jakki Avery (first flight), Mary Lee McDavid (second flight), and Joe

Manning (third flight) led a field of 17 riders overall and eight and a half (8 ½) couple hounds.

Among the brave few were welcomed mounted guests Sophie Howard, Morgan Paixao, Izzy

Harding, Miranda Jackson and juniors Annaliza and Autumn Swartz. Little did they know they

would be party to one of the most unusual hunts we have yet to see!

Our intrepid hounds shot off nearly as soon as they were cast into Bud’s Woods in full cry. Upon

reaching the shale pit, they adjusted course, and followed the bank all the way to North Beach.

When confronted with the frozen surface of the Middle River at North Beach, our adventurous

hounds bounded across the river to our Winding River fixture, Hans Brinker style and continued

on a self-directed pursuit. However, one hound, Annalea, sponsored by Mary Lee McDavid, had

an attack of conscience over her insubordination and became a bona fide canine member of the

polar bear club, swimming back over the river to rejoin the five original, obedient hounds.

“Never in all my years of hunting,” said Huntswoman Julie Bullock, DVM, “have I seen hounds

cross a river by ice and take off.” Of course, the quandary now was how to bring them back,

since clearly the ice that bore the weight of the hounds would do no such favor to the horses,

making pursuit a dangerous challenge. Whipper In’s Jake Arbaugh and Anne Brooks, MFH

found safe crossing from Craig Shop Road and Kennelman VJ Thomas, Whipper-In Holly

Davies, Brenda Simmons, MFH; and T Stewart, honorary MFH were road whipping, caught the

six couple hounds and brought them back to Bud’s woods from Little Run Road by vehicles.

Meanwhile, the flights struggled to keep the remaining five hounds entertained. Jakki led her

flight over a few schooling jumps over a coop; Mary Lee’s flight paced at trot and canter around

the edge of the field; and Joe’s flight rode back and forth, up and down the river, just to keep

moving and warm. By this point, in spite of the sun, the wind kicked up, amplifying the frigid

temperatures, which did not bode well for the steadfast whips, who traveled to high ground to

collect the hounds and reunite the pack.

The five obedient hounds tracked around the old farmhouse but to no avail. Juno, sponsored by

Karen Robertson however, had a hunch she couldn’t shake… She dug her way under a

dilapidated structure where she was certain she’d find a quarry but found herself stuck under a

wooden plank. Sage Wise dismounted and crawled in to loose the plank and free the ensnared

Juno.

Hounds re-cast themselves into Bud’s Woods where they immediately opened on a line. After

about 5 glorious minutes of hounds in full cry, Whipper-In Christine Brady radioed a ‘Tallyho’

from the cow field above the woods. Christine had spied a petite red fox nearby and with that

the hunt was on! Mary Lee’s flight was just yards away from the viewing, but in the wrong spot

to view the fox, much to her frustration. Ultimately, the fox proved elusive, tracking the hounds

on a circular goose chase, befuddling them and eventually escaping.

There was only one thing left to do: Julie called the hunt to an end, and the tailgating began.

During the post-mortem at the tailgate, Julie shared an intriguing theory. She had observed that

deer dropping their antlers two months earlier than usual this year, raising suspicions of an

early breeding season — a shift that could also impact the fox population. Julie speculated that

this particular fox might have been an "out-of-towner," crossing the ice in search of a mate.

When the hounds pursued it, rather than seeking refuge in a nearby hole or attempting a typical

looping escape, the fox made a beeline straight out of the territory.

We were thrilled to host 30 riders on November 5, 2024, including friends from Oak Ridge Hunt, Keswick Hunt, and Mells Foxhounds for Virginia Hunt Week! Huntsman Julie Bullock, DVM brought ten and a half (10 ½) couple hounds for the day’s adventure.

Despite hot, dry, and windy conditions, which made it difficult for the hounds to carry a scent, we crossed the Middle River to explore the Winding River fixture and were rewarded with a sighting of a red fox! Our hounds followed the fox scent in and out of the river.

Belated thanks to everybody who helped make a successful Virginia Hunt Week day at Bonnie Doon. Members went above and beyond to organize the hunt breakfast — providing food, setting up the stirrup cup, and manning the bar!

From appetizers to desserts, your contributions made the day truly special. Masters and staff offered invaluable support, and landowner, Angelika O’Donnell, not only hosted us at Bonnie Doon Farm but also rode to the hounds.

I (Christine Brady), Mary Lee McDavid, Carol Demeo, and Jon and Kim Rittenhouse participated in Virginia Hunt Week from October 23 to November 7 across the state. I hunted with seven different clubs in just nine days. Video

Mary Lee, Carol and I began our trip on October 23 with Princess Anne Hunt, where I had the pleasure of reconnecting with old riding friends from my hometown on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The next day, we joined Deep Run Hunt Club, followed by Caroline Hunt. We returned home in time for Glenmore Hunt’s Opening Meet, where I had the honor of Whipping-In and hosting my mom and Kyle for the weekend.

After a brief rest on Sunday and Monday, Mary Lee and I hit the road again. On Tuesday, we joined Old Dominion Hounds, followed by Keswick Hunt Club on October 30, and celebrated Halloween with Bull Run Hunt on October 31. For this second leg of the trip, we stayed with the Merle-Smiths, who generously invited us to hunt with Thornton Hill Hounds on November 1. Afterward, I returned home to host friends and work the Montpelier steeplechase Races.

Though I typically Whip-In and rarely get to ride in large groups, Monroe adapted beautifully to the challenge. We even jumped our first coop together! This adventure strengthened our partnership, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.

However, the group continued their adventure, with Mary Lee and Carol attending Rockbridge Hunt’s Jt. Opening Meet on November 2, riding with Oak Ridge Hunt on November 3, Glenmore Hunt on November 5, and Farmington Hunt on November 7. Meanwhile, Jon and Kim Rittenhouse also embraced the spirit of the week, riding with Rappahannock Hunt, Thornton Hill, Bedford, and Oak Ridge. Virginia Hunt Week was an unforgettable experience that I will cherish forever! — Christine Brady

Video

A crisp October breeze set the perfect scene for our Halloween Haunt (Hunt) at our Trimble’s Mill fixture on October 19, 2024! With eight couple of hounds, spooky costumes, and five enthusiastic guests joining us, we set off for the day.

Right off the bat, Yoplait, Tugboat, and others spoke briefly on a night line but weren’t able to take it anywhere. Next, the field descended the hill from the farmhouse to the hayfield below. We watched as our Huntsman drew the hounds through the base of a large wooded hill that runs westward from the farmyard. The hounds dove gleefully into the wood and immediately rewarded us by opening on a creature lurking within. After about 30 minutes of diligently working this line, Huntsman Julie Bullock, DVM, picked up the pack and took them northward to draw the large wood and pasture south of the vineyard.

The field gamely negotiated the very steep hill and pasture of cattle in this area. Whipper-In Christine Brady, positioned on North Mountain Road, tally-ho’d a red fox. Surprised, the fox turned and retreated back into the cover instead of crossing the road. Shortly after, CJ Wise viewed a fox multiple fields away heading toward Hanna Camp. We suspect this was the same fox that Christine turned or a different one. Whipper-In and MFH Anne Brooks reported the sighting over the radio, clarifying that the hounds were not on this line.

The hounds opened in the wooded cover and retraced their steps to the hayfield below Wendy’s barn. Staff and the field negotiated the steep hill and followed in hot pursuit. The pack worked diligently in the cover, carrying the line into the field by the trailers and over to Boy Scout Lane. Huntsman Julie called it a day and offered the hounds a drink at the pond — which proved to be a bad idea! The hounds immediately opened and took off up the mountain.

Julie, Ida, Anne, VJ, Christine, Kyle, and Jake quickly hopped into vehicles and followed. After more than two hours of hiking, calling, and tracking, everyone returned home safe and exhausted from the day’s fun.

On October 12, 2024, in Weyers Cave, VA, our hounds were on fire! After a few twists and turns, they flushed a coyote from the cornfield and charged toward the river! Enjoy a tally-ho and commentary from our Huntsman, Julie Bullock, DVM, and witness the speed and excitement of the day. We even had a surprise guest... a goose tried to join the chase!

Video

Hi, my name is Clara. This is about my first mounted fox hunt. I was in the third flight, riding my leased horse named Moon with Mary Lee McDavid and Masters Joe and Brenda. We stayed with the first and second flight for a little while and then we went off in another direction. After a while we came across a cornfield where the hounds were hunting, and Mary Lee said we needed to be very quiet to maybe see a fox come through the woods. So we went down a little path and stayed quiet. Then we told Master Brenda and Angelika that we were going to explore more of the woods Master Brenda found. We went into the woods, came to a little creek and we walked along it until we found a place where we could cross it. When we were going into it, I almost fell off of Moon, but I held on tight. Going up out of the creek was much easier.

Then we came out of the woods until we met Angelika and Brenda up on a little road. We saw Whipper’s In, Jacob Arbaugh next to a cow field. We went into the field, while Jake said he would go up the road. So he cantered up the road. When we were in the cow field, the cows trotted up to us, and Joe used his whip to scare them off. He kept doing that until we got past them into the next field, which was full of holes. Moon tripped a bit, but we got past it to the next gate. Then we got out of the cow field and saw a lost hound named Potomac. He followed us for a bit, and then we found first flight and Huntsman Julie Bullock, and followed them for the rest of the hunt.

We went along the cornfield and waiting while the hounds sniffed around in the corn. Then we heard something! The next thing we knew, something gray jumped out of the corn, and right back into it. Mary Lee and I said “What was that?” Joe said “It was a deer.” We left the cornfield, trotted into the woods, and came across another creek. I didn’t want to go in, but Mary Lee encouraged me to. We went through the water, it was steep, and I felt like I was going to fall into the water. Then Moon went into the deep part, and I steered her away, but my boots and pants got a little wet. We made it out though, and Moon took good care of me.

We came back out of the woods, to another cornfield. First and second flight and Julie started cantering. I said I wanted to canter too! We started cantering. While I was cantering, a hound jumped out of the corn, and spooked Moon. She jumped sideways, and did a little dance, because she wanted to buck. After we caught up to the other flights, the hound truck came up to us on the road. Julie had decided to finish the hunt. Julie and our Kennelman, VJ Thomas, helped get the hounds into the truck.

Then we walked and trotted up the road, back to the trailers. It was such an amazing experience and Moon was such a good girl. She took good care of me. I can’t wait to come out again!

— Clara Johnson, age 10, Daughter of Alan and Whipper-In Lindsey Johnson

Each year on Memorial Day weekend, Virginia’s hunts send foxhounds to compete in the dappled sunlight of late spring under the towering oaks of Morven Park. After spectating last year, I knew I wanted to participate in 2024. I shared my interest with Anne Brooks, MFH, and we started preparing hounds, focusing on the Junior Handlers class. Huntsman Julie excitedly endorsed the idea, agreeing that it would be a great way to get juniors out to the kennels and involved with the hounds on a personal level.

As Fred Barry, Master of Ceremonies at the North Carolina Foxhunting Performance Trials declared during the Calcutta on Friday night, “This ain’t the Virginia Hound Show, folks.” He’s correct: The Hound Show is all fancy hats and glamour and sundresses, where Sedgefield is all dirty boots and grit and worn tweeds. But in a great hunt, both spheres serve their purpose, just as modern conformation/breeding classes serve the sporthorse world. And I, for one, can appreciate both. Function follows form, ideally, and we want our hounds to not only be great at their job in the field, but also be able to hunt for many years due to their conformation and soundness. We began our selection process for which hounds to compete not long after returning from Sedgefield.

Julie suggested that we aim for the Penn-Marydel ring for two reasons:  She appreciates the breed for their relevance in our territory, as they tend to be “slower” but more thorough for smaller fixtures. Further, the Crossbred ring at the Virginia Hound Show tends to attract a very large number of participants—so much so that the Crossbred classes are broken down into the size kennel of the hunt of the participating hound (less than 25 couple, and 25 couple or more). The Penn-Marydel ring was both smaller in competition scale, and more applicable for the purposes of our hunt. Amongst our Penn-Marydel stock, we emphasized disposition of the hounds for ease of handling for our juniors.  We also considered confirmation in a similar sense of selecting a sport horse—a balanced animal with a powerful hind end, strong, correct limbs, and a ground covering gait. We chose Ribbon and Riesling among our bitch hounds, and Rhythm as our representative dog hound.

We began practicing once per week to ready the hounds.  As Julie and I discussed, the hound show is a very different atmosphere than what the hounds were accustomed to. In addition to strutting around a show ring lined with spectators, the hounds had to accept being “stood up” in front of a judge for inspection, and then stay at attention while their handler showed them to the judge. This was all a far cry from full cry! None of the three hounds had shown before. Our three junior handlers, Addie Zinck, Julianne Rexrode, and Sage Wise were also new to this endeavor, but all were enthusiastic and committed.

Practicing weekly, we prepared the hounds for the show atmosphere. My mother, Lou Toms, a former professional handler, provided valuable tips. Brenda Simmons, MFH, guided us on specific hound show techniques. Addilyn Zink, Julianne Rexrode, and Sage Wise were committed and enthusiastic junior handlers. During a barn cookout, Brenda suggested exposing the hounds to a different atmosphere. It revealed Rhythm's crowd anxiety, leading us to substitute Ricochet. With final rehearsals and spa day preparations, we were ready.

On show day, our juniors and adult handlers, including Jake Arbaugh, Julie Bullock, and myself, donned traditional attire. Despite some humorous mishaps, we represented Glenmore proudly. Though we didn't win ribbons, the experience was invaluable for both hounds and handlers. I’m grateful to everyone who helped and look forward to next year’s event at Morven Park.

— Anne Morrison, Member

Video 

The Sedgefield Carolina's Foxhound Performance Trials invites hunts from all over the U.S. to bring five hounds to hunt 9,000 acres in the sandhills of North Carolina. Following a very successful season, 17 Glenmore members attended. Most of the group arrived on Friday afternoon and helped Huntsman Julie Bullock settle the hounds. Julie chose Tuesday, Tennessee, Rhythm, Ragtime and Bandana.

This year’s edition included hounds from Belle Meade (GA), Goshen (NY), Rockbridge (VA), , Long Run Woodford (KY), Limestone Creek (NY), Mecklenburg (NC), Red Oak (VA), Moore County (NC), Camden (SC), Goodwin (NC), Farmington (VA) and, of course, Glenmore. Green Creek (NC) and Sedgefield (NC) also participated without hounds. Flights for the trial include a Huntsmans’ Flight, First Flight, Second Flight and a Third Flight. Eager Car Toppers follow the action using the many roads that crisscross the country. A group of mounted judges, try to keep in front of the hounds, score the hounds on the following:

Hunting - Efficient drawing of the covert

Trailing - Following the game at a distance

Full Cry - Chasing and giving voice

Endurance - Calculated by the Trail President through a combination of Hunting or Trailing plus Full Cry

Marking - Accounting for the quarry by bringing it to ground

Exemplary Performance - Unusually brilliant work awarded by a two thirds majority of the judges

Codie Feureisen from Golden’s Bridge Hounds (NY) served as Huntsman for the two days. Now hunting the Golden’s Bridge Hounds in upstate New York and Florida, Codie grew up hunting in the North Carolina Sandhills and knows the country well. Rain the previous days and cooler weather promised good hunting on Saturday. Unfortunately, the hunt shared much of the country with soldiers on an orienteering exercise. The soldiers out on these maneuvers may have disrupted the game as the day was blank.

Tuesday, a crossbred hound out of Piedmont Grouse and Piedmont Tangent, managed to catch the eyes of the judges by his relentless efforts to produce his game garnering a fourth place for day one in the ‘Hunting’ category. Unfortunately, Ragtime and Tennessee became bored by the proceedings and were judged to be chasing deer and eliminated from further competition.

Sunday’s weather promised to be warmer so many of the riders embraced the casual dress suggested for the second day. In an effort to avoid the soldiers, Masters and Huntsman decided to hack to the far north end of the grounds to see if any game had taken shelter there. This decision resulted in a rousing morning of hunting providing fields and car toppers with the opportunity to hear much hound music.

The judges gave Tuesday high marks again for ‘Hunting’ ability, awarding him a second place for day two. This brought Glenmore an overall first place in the ‘Hunting’ Category. Other hounds of note included Rockbridge Oscar, brother to Glenmore Oprah, winning first place overall and Moore County Rutger out of Glenmore Ripple by Moore County Leonidas winning Exemplary Hound.

— John Meyer, previous MFH

A large crowd showed up for our first adventure at our new Piedmont Fixture, named after the Battle of Piedmont which took place near here in 1864. We were not disappointed! Julie and Staff moved off from our parking area at the fixture promptly at 10:00 am with 9 couple of hounds. We combined first and second flights because we have not paneled this fixture due to its novelty. Staff roaded the hounds southwest to the large harvested corn fields allowing a long, luxurious gallop for the field. We made our way up beside the Middle River allowing the hounds to work beyond the bridge on Cline River Road and circle back through more hay field territory. 

It was after we crossed the Cline River Road Bridge where the hounds diligently searched for scent (once again beside Middle River now on the opposite side) that our quiet day quickly turned into a whirlwind race. Not long after the hounds began hunting an undesignated field plentiful with covert and a low lying pond, the pack entered into a large brush pile. Hounds immediately began to speak. John Meyer, MFH tally-hoed a red making a run for the cedars and Jake Arbaugh spotted a second red fox exiting the back door of what Julie deemed ‘Fox Mecca’. The pack split here with five hounds (led by first year entry Jojo) following the red fox that jumped out of the covert; however, the remaining thirteen hounds continued to adamantly hunt the covert due to the overwhelming scent. 

I asked Julie if she wanted the first flight to follow the five hounds who were hot on the trail of the first running fox. She replied “yes” and she would remain to collect the hounds out of the thistle and bring them along to the pursuit. At speeds exceeding 25 mph, Sage Wise led the way after we fumbled with a difficult gate. First fight followed and we were not far behind hounds when we encountered another difficult gate. Initially Sage and I jumped off to open it together.  We later received help from CJ Wise so that Sage could continue to follow the hounds while we secured the gate. Sage ran up a mowed path behind a landowner’s home but feared we shouldn’t continue on the trail because it led to their private driveway. Fortunately the landowner heard the hounds, met us at his driveway, and gave us directions for a safe passageway to where the hounds had run.  

As we neared the field that we could hear hounds, the field was met by Jake and we collectively gathered hounds to stop them from moving out of territory. Julie met the field back on the Cline River Road with the rest of the hounds and VJ picked them up in the hound truck. Christine soon came along with Potomac who had lagged behind. The field hacked back through the lovely riding trails behind the Gordon’s Farm and excitedly recapped the day's thrilling pursuit. 

– Stacy Thompson, Leader of First Flight

When I joined Glenmore 3 seasons ago I began riding with Julie Bullock, DVM who was a whipper-in at the time. I fell in love with the sport and spent those first years absorbing all of the knowledge and wisdom she had to offer. Fast forward to Sunday, February 18th at Bellevue Farm. It was time for my new horse, Monroe and I to step up to the plate.

As Huntsman Julie cast the hounds into the crep (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) heading East, Monroe and I encountered cattle for the first time. Following Julie's advice, I encouraged Monroe to move them, as Julie taught me that familiarity would overcome fear. As I was getting to the gate at the top of the hill toward the Kwanza Hut - Stacy, all of First flight, and Whipper-In Lindsay viewed a large coyote loping out of the crep and up the hill. A beautiful coyote darted into view, sending a surge of adrenaline through me.

Tracking its movements, I radioed my excitement and pursued, determined not to let him cross me. I turned into the Bear Trail, where he slipped out of sight momentarily. I quickly moved forward to the next hillside beyond Ida’s Creek. Moments later, he came out and hustled toward Coyote Corner. I went wide and moved into position at the back of the woods on Scott Christian Road.

According to road whips, he crossed out of territory at the bull pen. Julie began collecting hounds and encouraged them to re-join up with the rest of the hounds who had circled back to hunt the woods at Picnic Hill. From my position, Jake and I viewed another coyote trotting down the trail. Hounds worked diligently on this line but were given the slip. We began collecting hounds and headed in for the day. As we regathered the hounds and headed back, I felt an immense sense of pride in how Monroe handled the day’s excitement.

- Christine Brady, Whipper-In