Bloodhound Meet yesterday

[Orangehorse]

I went to a meet of Bloodhounds yesterday. Beautiful day of course. About 40-50 mounted but only 6 hounds, hardly a pack - in fact there were more mounted Masters than hounds! They did say that they would not be jumping (but the field could if they wanted) due to the frosty ground. On the old turf the going wasn't too bad, but I guess there would have been areas that hadn't thawed.

I was a bit disappointed. The "quarry" didn't have a tabard and wasn't introduced (unless I missed it) so I have no idea when he/they/she left. When they moved off I didn't hear the hounds, but maybe that was my hearing!
The whole field disappeared into woodland and although I saw them later as they came round in a circle and saw them on the way to the next draw I didn't see the pack hunting. It wasn't a great scenting day I admit.

The previous time I went we all had a great view of the field jumping the most enormous fences and met the hounds at the end of each run when the field were offered refreshments and the hounds just lolled around for a bit before all going off flat out again.

I will give it another go when not such a busy day, but meets are few and far between, they cover a huge area and I don't really want to drive two counties away, although I guess many of the field would do.

They seem to like to meet where there is a large estate.

 

[ester]

The drag meets cover a wide area here too, I think poss cos it was easier to get permissions from a single large land owner given they don’t offer traditional hunt services in exchange.

And no, don’t need many hounds to catch a person, they usually only take 3/4 couple too.

 

[AdorableAlice]

The meet you are referring to was Ragley Hall Warwickshire. The fact they were able to meet at all was an achievement given the weather conditions. Ragley is a private estate owned by the Marguess of Hertford, on old turf with a huge amount of woodland. The most beautiful place to ride. The only fences are a few hunt rails and tiger traps from the days when the CWWF hunted the estate with a previous Marchioness of Hertford was in Mastership, there are also a few fences left from when a BE event was held there many years ago.

With the conditions the blood hounds were never going to be able to show sport. I had a horse scheduled to go out but would not risk her.

It was a nice day to see the pack and good advertising for them, they were totally upfront on their social media pages regarding what they would be doing. I would think they only took 3 couple of hounds to avoid sore feet. The last time we went out they had more hounds out. I can recommend a day with the Farmers Bloodhounds when conditions are normal, they are the most welcoming, friendly and helpful pack who take every effort to look after you.

 

[Orangehorse]

Yes, I will look out for another meet which is within reasonable distance. I didn't know that the information was put out in advance Was it on Facebook, or is there a Members only source?

I had quite a lot of trouble contacting anyone beforehand to even ask if I could attend. Three emails to three different people (all on the Hunt website) and two phone calls, in the end I got a telephone call back and spoke to a lovely man who was extremely pleasant and helpful. Unfortunately I didn't get his name.

I have ridden a fair amount of the Ragley estate, it goes for seemingly miles and miles, although I remember that one woodland was a bit hairy as there were some boggy patches that it would be easy to disappear into. OK for hunting, I guess, but a bit much for the less bold. There used to be a regular fun ride there but I don't think it happens any more. And I remember the event course and again regret that it isn't still running.

 

[TGM]

The info was on their Facebook page. I’m not sure you do actually have to ask to attend, just book via the online system. That’s definitely the case with our local bloodhound pack anyway. I know the Farmers are a bit short of hounds at the moment and are drafting some new ones in.

 

[Orangehorse]

The info was on their Facebook page. I’m not sure you do actually have to ask to attend, just book via the online system. That’s definitely the case with our local bloodhound pack anyway. I know the Farmers are a bit short of hounds at the moment and are drafting some new ones in.

Thank you.