Stonewall Hounds Blog

Puppy Pool Day July 2, 2008

Filed under: General — Cheryl @ 10:33 am

Fixture:  Lili’s Farm

Attendees:  Lili, Kate, Michael Jackson with Chase (his student), Megan, Cheryl M, Wendy, Janice Callahan, Cheryl & Bill, and Zuby (one of Lili’s boarders)

Weather:  beautiful!

Hounds: all of them!!

Tailgate/Breakfast:  As usual we had lots of good stuff to eat, and enjoyed it under the shade trees in Lili’s pool deck area.

Our pool picnic puppy play day was lots of fun and we wish more of you could have made it to see the beautiful puppies and visit and walk the hounds. Our pack has grown, that’s for sure!! I told Lili she’ll have to stop breeding red & white hounds with the same spot pattern… (coincidental, but is going to make it really hard to tell them apart from horseback!!)

Lili, Kate, Michael (Jackson) and his student Chase, a 12 year old boy, and Megan were out walking the big hounds when we arrived. The hounds were all happy to see us, and came over to investigate and say hi. They really seem to like the kids. Even Jazz jumped up for some kid pats! The hounds are all doing really well and walking out great. I’m sure we’ll be roading them (exercising them with the horses) soon.

I was so happy to see all of them again, especially handsome Jeremiah.

We then went to the puppy kennel to get licked, chewed and jumped on, and basically mauled by the cute little monsters!! What a BRAVE and bold litter of beautiful puppies. The boys spent the whole time chasing them and bringing them back to the yard, as they would run off hunting and investigating.

There are 8 of them, so they had their hands full (literally!) The puppies are: Savannah, Sailor, Savior, Saturday, Sawyer, Sarah, Sassafrass and S…S.ssssss… (ok 7 out of 8 isn’t bad).

Chase, Hal and Nick had a great time. Chase says his favorite hound is Kaptain, and his favorite puppy is Sawyer. Nick’s favorite hound is Jackie, and his favorite puppy is Sarah. Hal says he likes Kaptain too, and his favorite puppy is Savannah! The puppies enjoyed the company, and any time any of you want to come out, just call and let Lili know. She loves to show off those hounds!

   

2008-2009 Season

Filed under: 2008-2009 — Cheryl @ 6:57 am

We plan to start our 2008-2009 hunt season with cubbing on August 30, 2008. The first half of dues (or pay in full if you prefer) are due on August 1, then the second December 1. If you are interested in joining, please make your desire known and an invitation will be sent.

We look forward to a great season of sport and fellowship.

Cheryl

Summer of 2008

Filed under: General — Cheryl @ 6:49 am

I’ve updated the blog with a new look. Hope you all like it! The picture is from our Blessing in 2006.

Summer is halfway over, and, as of today, there are only 62 days til cubbing starts! Hope you all are enjoying the summer, and that we will see you at our summer hunt picnic, July 19. Please contact us for details if you would like to attend.

Kate, Mary K, and Judy have been out weekly to help walk out hounds, and they say they are coming along and behaving quite well! Anyone is invited to contact Lili and go out to help with hounds… it’s a big job and any help is appreciated. Plus you get to know the hounds better and that makes hunting all the more fun.

We’ve been having some work days, too, and getting some new trails opened, as well as maintaining and improving older ones. Until you get out there in the green jungle that used to be an open trail, you don’t realize how much stuff just keeps growing, and storms cause trees falling, etc. It’s a lot of work to keep up all our trails, especially since our hunt country is expanding. Please come help.

Our trail rides are going on each Wednesday (remember our hunting days will be Saturday and Wednesdays from now on). Hope to see more of you out.

I guess that’s all, feel free to comment here and let us know what you’ve been doing all summer!!

Cheryl

Season Recap

Filed under: 2007-2008, General — Cheryl @ 6:29 am

Well it is time to bid the 2007-08 season goodbye, and boy we had a great one! The hounds hunted great, and showed us great sport. Thanks to our fearless leader and her dedication, and for all she does to make this possible for us.

We enjoyed many joint meets with guests from Farmington, Reedy Creek, Glenmore, Rockbridge, Monmouth County Hunt, Bedford Hunt, Deep Run, and more. Thanks to all our guests… hope to see more of you again next season!

There are many puppies to be trained, and Lili could use help anytime you can offer it. Working with hounds in the kennel, and helping with the puppies is a welcome contribution to the hunt, and also helps you learn the hounds and become more involved. Please call Lili anytime to offer your help, it benefits the whole hunt.

There are also many trails and jumps to be maintained. We will have workdays throughout the summer, as much as we can, to work on these things and improve our hunting conditions for next season.

We will have trail rides over the summer too, and these are a great way to get you, your horses, and especially new or green horses used to our hunt country and other horses in a non-hunting environment. We tailor the trail rides to the people who come, meaning we will go at a pace that suits the level of horses out. Sometimes we can split into groups where one group can go a bit faster and/or jump, and others can go slower.

Speaking of jumping, our summer rides are the perfect time to school jumps. We can take our time and practice them in a schooling situation, and have the luxury of being able to spend some time at a jump if people need it. If anyone wants to take some lessons this summer, to improve their riding and jumping, I am all for it and would be happy to arrange some things. Just get in touch and let me know. The stronger rider you are and the more trained your horse, the safer hunting is for everyone.

I hope you all can participate and help with our summer activities. They are all designed to enhance our hunting season for the next year. The better the hounds, horses, and riders are kept fit and trained, and the trails kept clear, the better our hunting will be.

Hope to see you all around all summer! Don’t be a stranger!!

Cheryl

Hunt Report: Apr. 6, 2008

Filed under: 2007-2008 — Cheryl @ 7:00 am

Fixture:  Bonnydale Farm, 2 p.m.

Members:  Lili, Kate, Cheryl, Tom, Judy and Earl. Guests from Reedy Creek include Jim (MFH), Tom (Huntsman), Betty & James, Harry and Theresa, Amy, Susan, Gary, Kathy & Marian, Gretel, Rachel and Phil rode with Earl.

Weather:  WET and threatening rain, but ended up misting only during the breakfast

Hounds: 8 1/2 couple

I.D. Awards: None

Misc. Notations:  With the short chases, we got to see a lot of close-up hound work and view many of the hounds speaking and hear their individual voices. That made the day really fun and fit in perfectly with the conditions. Gary gets the award for best turned out with his Diva mare, Phoebe, whose white coat positively glistened against the dreary backdrop.

Tailgate/Breakfast:  Lots of food, brought by Reedy Creek and SH members - Country Ham, baked pencil points, brunswick stew, trifle, banana pudding, brownies, and more!

The Hunt:  Lili drew first covert down at the woods edge of the cow pasture where we parked. We moved back and crossed the creek, up thru woods out to Helen Wise haybale field. Hounds worked in those woods speaking on and off. Moved through the farm road over to the yellow flag trail, and up to the 4wheeler trails behind the Pugh trailer. They worked hard over there and found again, and spoke. We had a short chase and got to gallop a bit on the firmer parts of the 4wheeler trails. Hounds took it up to the power line by Plum Branch sounding great, working something in the pines on both sides of Plum Branch.

We then moved over to the fields behind Katie’s, where they found again, and we were treated to watching all the hounds striking a line and streaking past us back over toward Plum Branch. We got to see and hear Kaptain and his really cool voice. They seemed to lose it in the field, although Jim saw a den in the covert between the field and creek by Katie’s.

From there we headed back to the field and up to Ruckers Rd. then across to the hay fields up top, then to the peninsula of pines, where they spoke again, but it was suspicious and Kate stopped them and sent them back. They all looked a little guilty but listened well and got back in hunting mode right away.

We jumped Ingrid’s coop and followed Lili and hounds through Evan’s cow pasture over to the pond, where hounds found in the woods by the pond, and took it up to the field behind his house. There they trailed the fox into a huge pile of old pallets, and just couldn’t get in there well enough to flush him out, OR he had already left! Lili blew gone to ground, and we moved on. Hounds kept finding all in the coverts in that field, and really worked hard there. We got to see them open and speak, and hear the different voices. We especially enjoyed watching Dawson throw his head up and give tongue with his beautiful voice. He looked entirely pleased with himself.

We headed back out to the gasline and Lili was going to pack them up and head in. As they went down the holey trail, hounds struck and took off, on what sounded like coyote. The field was still close to Ruckers Rd. so we went back out and had a nice gallop down Ruckers Rd., but then I heard on the radio that hounds had stopped and they were getting them back in. So we went back to the holey trail, but at least got one little gallop in on decent footing.

Had a fabulous breakfast in the mist, and truly enjoyed our guests from Reedy Creek. They were all fine riders, and excellent hunters, and seemed to enjoy the day. Thanks to everyone who came out in the more than questionable weather to make it a great day.

Cheryl M.

Hunt Report: Apr. 2, 2008

Filed under: 2007-2008 — Cheryl @ 7:53 am

Fixture:  The Meadows at Naked Creek, 9 a.m.

Members:  Lili, Kate, Cheryl, Gary, and Howard

Weather:  cool and partly sunny and breezy

Hounds: 8 couple

Misc. Notations:  Bishop, our newly drafted handsome and SMART hound from Potomac, demonstrates his impeccable training by streaking toward Lili’s doubling on the horn. He obviously knew exactly what it meant!

I.D. Awards: None

Tailgate/Breakfast:  Sandwiches provided by Lili and Kate

The Hunt:  Started off in the church pines, where hounds found and ran a bobcat round and round. Sounded good on and off, and Cheryl talked to the pastor who said they hear bobcats back in there all the time. Nobody saw anything, and we pushed on. Lili drew behind Fewell’s, and again, we think the hounds ran a bobcat round and round for a bit, heading toward the hay bale field and pine trail. From there we went on back by Nowlins Mill toward Tweedy Rd. looping back and ending up in the field by Judy’s gate and Ralph Ogden’s.

Hounds struck hard and FAST right there on top of the hill. Boy they were off like a streak, all in a line screaming and running toward the creek. Lili galloped on after them, Gary and I had to shut a gate… of course we are all thinking coyote. I heard it sound like it was turning, so Gary and I waited up in the field above the schoolbus. Lili and Kate stopped the hounds in the woods before the crossed Nowlins Mill. It’s a drag stopping them but the alternative is running like mad to try and keep up with them on a coyote run, and being out all hours of the night gathering hounds. So we were glad they stopped. Boy they sounded and looked good streaking off though!

So on toward Ralph Ogden’s and our newly marked trail. Hounds found right at the end of that trail where it meets the pines and started chasing a gray fox in the pines. Lili stayed at the edge of woods, and Gary and I went up further for a good vantage point. Kate and Jane flew to the other side to watch the roadside with Howard.

Lili radios her “Tally Ho” as she watches the gray fox saunter around her in the woods. It pauses, walks across a fallen log, looks at her and keeps sauntering off. Gary and I quietly hurry over but miss the view. Lili doubles up on the horn and Gary and I help push the hounds on to her. She watched them work the line the fox took, even up and down across the log. It’s really neat to see where the fox goes, then actually watch the hounds work to find and trail that same line.

Kate and Lili follow the hounds in the woods where they are following Charlie’s line once again. Unfortunately they lost it coming out into the plowed field and sunshine.

They go over to the woods by Tweedy Rd. and find again in there. Lili follows down farm Rd., and Kate is out on Tweedy Rd. Lili said he’d be going back, so Gary and I stay back in the field, and after a long while standing there, are treated to a perfect view of the gray coming back out of the woods and running across the plowed field. Tally Ho! Lili gallops over and calls the hounds out to the line. They just couldn’t pick it up, the scenting was that tough with the sun in the dirt field.

So we ended up calling it a day and heading in. It wasn’t a very exciting hunt as far as any runs, but the hounds found and chased plenty of game, and we enjoyed being able to view the hunted fox two different times.

Cheryl M.

Hunt Report: Mar. 18, 2008

Filed under: 2007-2008 — Cheryl @ 7:30 am

Fixture:  Cedar Ridge Farm, 9 a.m.

Members:  Lili, Kate, Carol, Dr. Cheryl, Marie, Earl, & Howard

Weather:  mild and partly sunny

Hounds: 7 couple

I.D. Awards: None that anyone admitted

Tailgate/Breakfast:  In Carols’ kitchen (thanks!)

The Hunt:  (posted from Lili) Tuesday’s hunt was another bobcat day. Kate had the honors of catching sight of a small bobcat crossing the road while steady, old Dawson was speaking his long and beautiful voice heading the opposite way. There must be another family in the church pines. Thankfully raising bobcats and not coyotes. I think they did get on a coyote later but only Tidy persisted. She was picked up on the other side of Spring Mill Rd. behind the community center about 3 hours after we came in and after a delicious lunch in Carols cozy kitchen. Again, hoorah for the tracking collars (and the good food)!

Currently there are 7 females in the heat kennel and 2 hounds out from lameness issues. Other kennel news is that Sally has been bred to Kaptain and our newly drafted hound, Potomac Bishop, will be put with Adeline.

New Hounds

Filed under: General — Cheryl @ 7:27 am

Monday this week Lili and Kate drove up to Maryland to the Potomac Hunt kennels. Larry Pitts drafted 5 hounds to Stonewall, and we are all looking forward to meeting them:

• Three unentered females, Bijou, Britches and Jackie
• Two males are both entered, Bishop and Tennyson.

Lili says you’ve got to come see them! As well as Kaptains adorable and silly pups who are getting really big. We need friends and members to start coming out and help walk the puppies.

Welcome Bishop, Britches, Bijou, Jackie, and Tennyson (related to Tennesee!) Their names may change, and they will be bred with some of our Stonewall Hounds, and we thank PH for drafting them to us.

Hunt Report: Mar. 15, 2008

Filed under: 2007-2008 — Cheryl @ 7:45 am

Fixture:  Vassar’s Farm, 9 a.m.

Members:  Lili, Kate, Tom, Marie, Mary K, Cheryl, Earl, Howard, Paul and Buck, Jim, and Lealon  (Paul and Jim are brothers and Jim has Luke, Dickens, and Tilly now in his foxhound pack -unmounted)

Weather:  fairly warm and mild

Hounds: 7 couple

I.D. Awards: None

Tailgate/Breakfast:  Egg Salad from Marie at the trailers and some chips, yummy mango peach salsa & crackers and cheese

The Hunt:  Hounds found a little in the beginning, but were heading back toward the trailers and Rt. 746, so when it appeared they were heading toward the road, whips stopped them.

Lili then casts them in a different area, and they find a fresh line, and take it round and round in the cutover. I was following with Earl in the truck and jumped out and ran up to the cross road, and the gray fox crossed in between me and Paul & Buck (his son).

Hounds came out right quick on the line and continued to chase it, and the field and car followers viewed more than once, as the fox crossed back and forth trying to shake the determined pack.

At one point it popped up in front of Daffodil (who has shown little to no interest in hunting yet) and she trotted after it, somewhat confused as to why she found herself following the furry creature! He disappeared again, and hounds stayed true.

Then Lili saw Jeremiah actually grab the fox in his mouth, but when the fox turned and snapped at him, he dropped it and ran the other way! LOL

It was a great hunt for the hounds, they really got to chase a hot line and keep following.

After that exciting chase we moved along to the other side of the area we normally hunt. It was a very pretty area, and took us down to Ward’s Fork. Lili then picked up hounds (we had to wait for Able) and moved on. Then realize Tidy is no longer with them, so Earl and I track her in the truck and pick her up on the other side of the road. We carry her safely back to the trailers and everyone untacks and sits in the sun to relax.

We spent a good while there yakking and relaxing in the warm sun, enjoying Marie’s egg salad and the other snacks brought by Kate & Lili.

Hunt season is waning on us… but we still have a few more meets scheduled and then it will be trail riding time and PUPPY training! Hopefully lots of you will get out to the kennels often this summer to learn the new hounds and help with puppy/hound walking.

Hunt Report: Mar. 9, 2008

Filed under: 2007-2008 — Cheryl @ 4:14 pm

Fixture:  Wallis Farm, 10 a.m.

Members:  Lili, Mary K, Tom, Michael, Cheryl, Dr. Cheryl, 3 guests (Terry, Margo, and Liam from Ireland), Earl

Weather:  fairly pleasant, but humidity was very low, scenting not great

Hounds: 9 couple

I.D. Awards: That would be me. I took a header off Uzi (after warning the field about the right turn after the jump) when Uzi pops the jump and loosens his precious cargo, then proceeds to follow the trail to the right as instructed, dumping said cargo (ME!) on the ground like a bag of bricks.

Misc. Notations:  Submit your votes, should we rename 4 post road and call it “Mad Mud Road” ? 

Tailgate/Breakfast:  Ham Salad Sandwiches and beer. Not sure if we had anything else.

The Hunt:  We started off in the field behind Loee’s but the cows were uncooperative and very nosy. So as not to make them run (or worse chase us LOL) we left the field, via the new coop, and went toward the pine trail instead. Up at the gasline hounds begin to speak, Lili views a gray fox cross the gasline. They find in the pines, and we all head over to 4 post road to listen. Up and down, round and round.

I see a deer cross the 4 post road, but no hounds come out. Michael is stationed further above, and Lili below. Michael screams a tally ho and we go up and stop with the line just between us. We then see the pack come out and cross the gasline on the fox trail. That was about the best part of the whole day!

They hunt round and round in there and MK views yet another fox up on the gasline. Hounds are getting separated now, with Allison and Tennessee, and various others, MIA. There are so many foxes in there they can’t figure out which one to chase! Clara stays true to her original fox, the field goes up and down 4 post road more times than we care to count.

Finally we gather most, and head back toward Crane Creek & Loee’s. They strike in the woods, so we go on Tom’s new trail, up to the top, then thru woods and jump the log over the fence. Hounds go back so we jump back in (and have a slight detour to pick Cheryl up off the ground and catch her horse… ugh).

I think this was pretty much the end, we did hunt back to Loee’s, but nothing much came of it and we needed to try and find the missing hounds.

Meanwhile, back at the trailers, a man calls and says he has Allison and Tennessee over on Five Forks Rd. ACROSS 460. ACK. Probably 6 hounds are still out. We keep calling while Lili and Earl go pick up the errant hounds. A couple dribble in, and now we have all but Solomon and Soldier.

Soldier’s Night Out 

We track Solomon to the back of Loee’s and Soldier is just not even registering on the tracker. Lili goes home (it’s 8:30 now) and I drive around with the tracker, and find him over in Darlington Heights on Nursery Rd. I know he’s right in front of me, but won’t come out. So at 10:30 I give up.

The next morning I go back and he’s not there. So back in the car with the tracker, he’s moving further south! I get closer and closer, as I approach Darlington Heights, then take a back road that cuts into the middle of the block. Finally I have him on short range and he’s there, in front of me. SOLDIER!! He turns and goes back into the woods. Lili gets there a bit later and finally convinces him to come out.

Turns out he was at the end of Cork Rd., which as the crow flies, is over 7 miles from where we started, and across 4 lanes of highway…. WHEW, he’s a lucky hound.

Cheryl M.