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.