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Take a moment to become familiar with the true stars of our Hunt, the Hounds! Since 1969, RMH had been one of two Hunts in America that exclusively hunted English foxhounds. Although for many years they served our English huntsmen well, they were not well suited for our country, being less humid and less open than their breeding had prepared them. In 1999, our masters made a decision to introduce Crossbred hounds to our pack.
This began in earnest with the arrival of our new Huntsman, David Raley in 1999 and introduction of Penn-Marydel hound. Today our pack is all Penn-Marydel and with David’s training, our hounds are showing us some of the best sport in years. With David departure in 2011, he leaves us with one of the best Penn-Marydel packs in the nation. Master and WhipperIn Garry Riggs will "carry the horn" for this 2011-2012 season while the "hunt" for next season's Huntsman begins.
The hounds are trained to only chase fox. Deer scent is strong and it takes a lot
of work to teach the hounds to not chase deer. Riders in the field can usually tell
whether we are chasing fox or deer. Deer tend to run straight and fast leading the field
on a wild and long gallop. The whips are usually able to pull the hounds off the deer
scent before they get to far away. A fox on the other hand, runs in circles and tends to
crisscross and backtrack across it's scent. It knows it's territory well and eventfully
out smarts the hounds and runs into it's den. But not before giving the field a wonderful
ride... galloping, jumping, reverse fields and "checking" to hear the
"cry"(bark) of the hounds. Long before hunt season even begins, the huntsman starts working the hounds. Hound exercise is the first step. Not only is it for the physical health of the hounds, but it also teaches young hounds to work as a team ...a pack. Late summer and early fall young hounds are introduced to the pack. To aide in their education, their collars are linked with an older and experienced hound. Hence, foxhounds are usually counted by the number of "couples"; i.e. 12 couple equals 24 hounds. They not only learn how to hunt, but more importantly how to hunt as a pack. The whips and volunteers from the hunt help to train and exercise the hounds. Check out results from the Carolinas Hound Show 2011
Meet the 2011-2012 Hunt Staff / Whipper-Ins
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