Hunt Report

Here's Ray's website

http://www.tallyhoartworks.com

The actual photos of the Western Challenge at Coal Valley are here:

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/ThumbPage.aspx?e=2714487&g=0F3H001816

Hope these links work.

Here is the link to photos.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2011206&id=1035171568&l=2a8168950e

Beautiful Country.

Huntsman: Rachel Joyce

10 couple crossbred hounds

Judges: Rob Kornacki and Susan Gentry.

GPS readings 13.1 miles – average speed 4.0 mph. Max speed 26 mph. Total time 3 hrs 29 minutes.

Started 10AM, finished about 1:10PM, the extra time on my GPS was from when I mounted up in the morning.

The temperature went from 46 degrees when we started and warmed up to 64 degrees. The wind was from the East. Winds were at about 4-10 mph. Barometric pressure was rising until noon and then started falling.

We got to the fixture about two hours early. We knew we would need lots of time to clean our horses up, them being paints and all. Somehow they had found a load of cockleburs in their pen, adding to the challenge. They were also shedding terribly which made me realize why we don’t normally hunt this late in the year. But fortunately what was under the sheets was pretty clean. We finally had them looking respectable and mounted up.

They had a nice stirrup cup to partake of while we were waiting. Announcements were made introducing Rachel and the field masters.
Also introducing visiting masters from other hunts. There were 50-60 riders in all, I didn’t get them all counted, it was quite the turnout. Everyone was turned out well.
There was an assortment of horses with a high percentage of draft crossbreds. There were also many Thoroughbreds and Quarter horse types in the field.

The Hunt
We moved out promptly at 10AM and headed west down the road past a crossroad, at the crossroad the hounds were sent south east following a shallow draw. Even though there was a coop there, the gates were opened by the car followers and we headed on in.

Rachel worked the hounds south of the road all over the area. It was mostly open with some covert at the bottom of the draws. The hounds had their noses down but moved fast on the open ground and we were trotting or cantering most of the time to keep up. No luck there so we crossed the road and into a cow pasture. We headed northwest following along Plum Creek.

After drawing along Plum creek we headed north to Wier road and then into an area that was more heavily wooded. We jumped a couple of coops and shortly after that heard hounds speaking. These hounds were deep voiced and great to hear. We galloped along and saw a coyote burst out of the woods in front of Rachel headed west.

Rachel gave a view halloo as did many members of the field. Rachel pulled up short of the line and blew her hounds to the line. There were no hounds on the line however, we could still hear them speaking in the woods but headed away from us. Lei said to me, "I’ll bet there were two coyotes". We heard the radio and then Rachel cheered and shouted “There’s another Coyote and the hounds are on it!”.
Rachel galloped past us headed south and we quickly followed. The run started at 11:30 AM and went for 2.8 miles lasting 23 minutes. We pulled up just short of 50th Road where car followers had seen the coyote cross. The coyote had gone out of the country. We stayed here about 15 minutes while Rachel praised her hounds and called more hounds to her.

From here we headed back west and worked a rather rugged area where we were riding on top of ridges with big dips in between. The terrain was a result of the coal mining there. There were quite a few trees here and you couldn’t see far. We came down from the ridge on to Wier road again after crossing through some rather deep water. The car followers were gathered there to photograph.

From here we jumped a little pipe gate and Rachel drew the other end of Plum creek back toward the Ranch house. From here we headed in.

We put our horses up and headed back to the Ranch house for a nice lunch of fried chicken, baked potatoes, and salad. We met some of the folks that we hadn’t met the night before. The weather was beautiful and we sat outside in the grass enjoying the sunshine.

Rob Kornacki then gave a little speech and talked about each of the hunts on the Western Challenge and his impressions. Jeff Sandness had dialed his father’s hospital room and was holding up the phone so his father could hear. Here are the highlights as I remember them.

1. Lynn Lloyd and Red Rock Hounds – Rob talked about what a legend to the sport Lynn is. How she feeds her hounds and the hounds come out as she calls each one by name. Lynn took over 60 hounds out for the Western Challeng.
2. Grand Canyon Hounds – It was mentioned how the country is mystical and magical and that you can see the South Rim of the canyon in the distance. The country has many unusual features and is beautiful.
3. Paradise Valley Beagles, Kingsbury Harriers – He talked about how well they worked together. And he again mentioned how they were trailing a big jackrabbit when a Golden Eagle swooped down and killed it. The eagle then when he saw the hounds approaching took off without the rabbit but that the hounds were not interested in the dead rabbit.
4. Casa Ladron – Santa Fe – I think this is the one he mentioned they started at 7:30AM to beat the heat. Sounded like they had a good hunt.
5. Arapahoe Hunt, Parker Colorado – Rob marveled and Marv Beeman still hunts the hounds at age 75 and is as spry and energetic as a much younger man. He said they trailed a coyote for 6.5 miles over difficult conditions. He was amazed at how the hounds had been specifically developed to deal with the difficult scenting conditions. It should be noted that this hunt was a demonstration and was not in the competition.
6. Coal Valley – McCune Kansas – He said the whips did a great job and when the coyotes split the pack did not split. He said Rachel did a good job of keeping the hounds together. Hounds were very biddable.

It sounded like all of the hunts were fabulous. Susan announced the winner was Coal Valley and everyone started screaming. It was really fabulous and Rachel was so excited and thanking her whips and everyone that helped. It was a true fairy tale moment. Rachel didn’t even know 24 hrs before that she would be hunting the hounds. When we pulled out with the horses a while later I think we could still hear the cheering in the Ranch house.

We left rolled out of our barn near St. Louis at high noon in the pouring rain. Lei Ruckle and I took two of my homebred paints for the trip. We pulled them straight from the pasture and they were a muddy mess. Five hours later we pulled in to B& N Ranch.

We parked our trailer and Rachel Joyce kindly showed us where to put up the horses for the night. They went out together in a very roomy pipe pen. We got them some water and hay and gave them their evening grain. They were happy horses.

We went into the clubhouse looking for a restroom and met the judges, Rob Kornacki and Susan Gentry. We also met Jeff Sandness who made us feel right at home.
We went back to the trailer and spruced up a little (not a lot as the cocktail party was casual) and went back into the house. It was a great party with wine, beer, and snacks.

We met Trevor Robinson, a local photographer and looked at some of his work, much of which was framed and on the walls.

The hunt box was very cozy with great photos of the Coal Valley hunt with other equine bronzes and memorabilia as well as two mounted coyotes.

We watched as Rachel and some of the others tried to bring the staff horses in from the pasture for the night. The pasture was huge and the Kornacki girls practicing their horn calls had stirred them up. It was quite the roundup, someone was out there trying to bring them in with a four wheeler and not having much luck. Finally they got them in.

We found out that MFH and huntsman Wes Sandness was in the hospital and that Rachel Joyce would be filling in for him. Rachel is a young lady about 25 with a quiet confidence about her. Very sweet and helpful to everyone. She is the kennel man paid by Coal Valley to take care of the hounds and normally whips in for Coal Valley.

As the evening went on we met folks from several hunts. As well as Coal Valley, there were folks from Ft. Leavenworth, Mission Valley, Misty River, Cloudline, Bridlespur and one from Shakerag. It was a very interesting group and tall tales were told of Foxhunting. The coyote that got away, hot info on hunt horses for sale, etc.

One great character Tracy from Arkansas was very graphically relating her foxhunting adventures in Ireland. She was very entertaining.

Trevor showed us more of his photos and some photo slide shows he had done.

Rob Kornacki related some of his experiences on the tour. The most memorable to him was when a golden eagle swooped down and killed the hunted jackrabbit the day he was out with the Kingsbury Harriers.

It was a great party, everyone was very friendly. About 8:30 they brought in several locally made Pizzas. Until then I didn’t realize how hungry I was. The pizzas really hit the spot. We left for our hotel in Pittsburg, KS around 9:30pm eager to go hunting the next day.

It was a great hunt. What a fabulous group of people and fabulous country!

Sad news, Wes Sandness MFH and Huntsman went into the hospital on Friday. The torch was passed the the young Kennel person Rachel. A lovely, sweet, young lady.

She handled the hounds well and professionally.

And won! It was announced by Susan (one of the judges) while Wes listened on the phone from the hospital, his son holding up the cell phone so he could hear.

I will start working on my full report right away.

Bijou Hounds Hunt Report--2001
By Beverley C. Heffernan

Bijou Springs staff had spent much of the day removing snow at their kennels and digging out their hound trailer, but having received much more snow than the Arapahoe country, it was apparent that their intended fixture for the Western Hunt Challenge Tour would not be huntable. They therefore accepted Arapahoe’s kind offer to meet at the Arapahoe kennels on Friday, April 13.

Thus Bijou Springs’ joint-MFH and huntsman Gary Worrall elected to hunt generally east from the kennels.

The ten couple of English foxhounds required a few minutes to settle in this unfamiliar country, but they soon found near a creek bottom and led the large field on a brisk run toward the eastern boundary of the country.

After several more finds that did not produce runs, hounds finally hit on a pair of viewed coyotes heading west, which later turned north toward the kennels and were joined by three more coyotes. Even though fresh tracks were apparent in the snow, scent did not hold and the decision was made to return to kennels.

After tending to animals, the destination was the home of Bijou Springs members Paul and Nancy King for a wonderful breakfast.

Historical Note: gleaned from http://nhh.glencarry.com/wct2001.htm

Arapahoe Hunt Report--2001
By Beverley C. Heffernan

After enjoying Arapahoe’s hospitality and making horses and gear ready for the next day of hunting, Tour participants attended a dinner party hosted by the Bijou Springs Hunt at a restaurant in Castle Rock, Colorado. Bijou Springs staff had spent much of the day removing snow at their kennels and digging out their hound trailer, but having received much more snow than the Arapahoe country, it was apparent that their intended fixture for the Western Hunt Challenge Tour would not be huntable. They therefore accepted Arapahoe’s kind offer to meet at the Arapahoe kennels on Friday, April 13.
Historical Note: gleaned from http://nhh.glencarry.com/wct2001.htm

Mrs Shoemaker's Hounds Hunt Scrubbed
By Beverley C. Heffernan
On Wednesday morning, April 11, foxhunters awoke to a genuine Rocky Mountain blizzard, with over a foot of blowing snow on the ground and virtually all roads in and around Cheyenne closed.

This forced the cancellation of Mrs. Shoemaker’s day of hunting, and prompted much concern for the two Colorado hunts as even greater amounts of snow were falling in the Denver area.

The weather did clear late Wednesday, and some intrepid travelers made their way to Colorado that evening, though others were forced to remain in Wyoming until Thursday morning.

Mr Jefford's Hound Hunt Report--2001
By Beverley C. Heffernan

On an overcast day with temperatures in the lower 40s and light to moderate winds, huntsman Martyn Blackmore moved off with sixteen couple of black and tan Penn Marydels. Heading east from the meet and ultimately working in a large clockwise circle, the pack worked well and steadily but was unable to find a coyote.

Late in the day hounds were brought to a staff view but were unable to own the line, perhaps because of the snow cover.

A return to the meet meant another opportunity to enjoy a breakfast hosted by John Jeffords and Florence VanMalderen before polishing boots and cleaning tack for the next day’s hunting.

Historical Note: gleaned from http://nhh.glencarry.com/wct2001.htm

North Hills Hunt Report--2001
By Beverley C. Heffernan

Saturday, April 7 was a rest day for the horses as they and their humans traveled over two hundred miles to Burwell, Nebraska, an away country of the North Hills Hunt in the sand hills of the central part of the state.

The North Hills’ day to host the Western Hunt Challenge Tour was Sunday, April 8, and new huntsman Matthew Cook moved off from Kahlandt’s at 8 am with seven and a half couple of crossbred hounds. Despite warm weather that would climb into the 80s, hounds were no sooner put in covert than they opened and went away, providing the field with a 40 minute gallop right off the bat.

Thereafter they drew several more coverts, but without a sustained run like the first.