Chula Homa Hunt's FORTIETH Opening Meet and Blessing of the Hounds

The Chula Homa Hounds will host its fortieth annual Opening Meet and Blessing of the Hounds at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Crews on November 12 in Canton, Mississippi. More than 100 riders and 300 spectators from Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana are expected to attend making it the largest mounted fox hunting event in central Mississippi.

 

The original extreme sport, foxhunting has existed in North America since Colonial days and was enjoyed extensively by night hunters, farmers, and landed gentry.

 

The earliest record of imported hounds was on June 30, 1650, when Robert Brooke arrived in Maryland with his family and pack. By the early 1700's, foxhunting was increasing rapidly.
The earliest surviving record of American foxhunting in the modern manner is for the pack instituted by Thomas, Sixth Lord Fairfax in 1747 in northern Virginia. Much of what little is recorded about early hunting comes from letters written by Lord Fairfax and the diaries of George Washington. Washington was an ardent foxhunter who owned his own pack of hounds.

 

Washington's diaries are laced with frequent references to foxhunts. On one occasion while Congress was in session, hounds ran near the Capitol. Many congressmen ran outside to watch hounds and some jumped on their horses and joined the chase.

 

North American foxhunting has evolved its own distinct flavor, which is noticeably different from the British. North American foxhunting emphasizes the chase rather than the kill. Also, hounds predominately hunt coyote rather than foxes. The larger coyote usually provides longer and faster runs than foxes.

Even in today's casual dress world, formal attire still stands for foxhunters. Black leather boots, breeches, heavy or light hunting coat, a shirt with a tie or stock tie and a protective hat are essential. Every hunt has two seasons - cub hunting when young hounds are introduced into the pack and the formal season. Opening Meet signals the beginning of the formal season. When the formal season opens the staff wears its livery, often red coats with white breeches and black boots with tan leather tops. Members wear black coats, buff breeches, and black boots. Most hunts allow gentlemen to wear red coats. Lady masters and members of the staff also often wear red coats. Some ladies add to the elegance and ride sidesaddle. Mississippi's Chula Homa hunt has several members who ride aside.

Hunting gear has changed little since foxhunting began and is based on practicality. Heavy boots and breeches protect riders from branches and brambles. The melton coats are almost waterproof. A stock tie, fastened with a plain gold safety pin, can serve as a bandage for man, hound, or horse in case of an accident.

 

Foxhunting continues to grow thanks to national efforts to encourage students and young adults to participate. Currently there are 167 organized clubs in North America and Canada, three of them hunting regularly in Mississippi. Chula Homa is the only hunt with its kennels in Mississippi. The others are in Alabama and Tennessee.
Galloping over the countryside on a fine horse flying his fences well is a thrill for anyone. And for those not wanting to move along quite so rapidly, just the sights and sounds of a huge pack of hounds in full cry stops the heart. Today's hunters have a special reward, permission to ride over private and public land, which still constitutes magnificent open spaces. No group of  individuals is more aware of this privilege, nor is there a group more outspoken in their desire to protect quarry and preserve their environment. People from all walks of life and any age enjoy foxhunting. It is wonderful fun for the whole family that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.

 

Allison Crews and Stacey Sinquefield co-chair this event. Hunt festivities begin with a catered box breakfast and silent auction. Masters and staff then gather the hounds for the blessing and stirrup cup. Once the hounds are cast, spectators can follow in their own all-terrain vehicles to experience the hunt. There is plenty of room to spread out and enjoy a lovely day in the country.  

Click here to experience it for yourself.

***Warning***
This is a very addictive sport!