All-Florida Meet Wrap-Up

By Sharon Russell

South Creek Fox Hounds of the Tampa, Florida area recently hosted their Eighteenth Annual All-Florida Meet. Over the years, foxhunting enthusiasts from across the continent as well as Europe have participated, and SCF has enjoyed the company of several hunting icons including Aiden O’Connell and Jim Meads. Masters Robert Pelio of Palm Beach Hounds, C.R. and Carole Stanley and John Stanley of Four Winds Hounds were the honored …

Lewis Hall McCurdy Remembered

By Andrea Garret

Popular foxhunter Lewis Hall McCurdy, of North Alabama, died February 28th. Lewis was a whipper-in at Mooreland Hunt and Full Cry Hounds; he also took the horn at Full Cry when needed. He was an avid polo player and all-around sportsman. In addition to a phenomenal game sense and hound sense, which made him a gifted whipper-in, Lewis was an amazing horseman — often riding through woods and brush so thick that you would swear a rabbit couldn’t …

Hunting Across the Big Pond

By Karen Custer Thurston

Ian Klye, Master of The Northern Hunt Club in Tasmania, must have thought I was deaf as a post. I had repeatedly asked him the same question because I couldn’t wrap my mind around what he was telling me.

My daughter and I stood among the eucalyptus on this far-flung island, south of mainland Australia. We felt honored to see the hunt’s hounds and talk with Ian about Tasmanian style hunting. Although not a horse person, Rachel had …

Photo of the Month

Dedication

Jim Meads (see Spring 2011 issue of Covertside) captured muddy pony clubbers during the Mooreland Hunt joint meet with Midland.

Frazers Tailors to the Foxhunting Fraternity Destroyed by Fire

By Noel Mullins

After hunting with the famous Scarteen Hounds in the village of Hospital in County Limerick, Ireland recently I decided to visit the workshop of William Frazer to take some photographs. Little did I know that they were to be the last images taken of these famous tailors, as four days later the shop was destroyed by fire. Not only did Michael and Elsie Frazer loose all their precious stock of bolts of melton cloth for hunting jackets, cavalry …

Technology Elevates the Foxhunting Performance Trial

Belle Meade Hunt Performance Trial: February 25 & 26, 2011

By Jeb Blount

As riders emerged from the woods onto Quaker road, so much steam was rising from their horses it was as if a dense fog had suddenly fallen on the crisp Georgia morning. Just moments before, the hounds had crossed the same road at full cry heading southeast. Quaker Road is a sunken through-way built by original Quaker settlers in the 18th century and today serves as a main north-south …

Foxhunting Quiz

Question:

Which English actor and film star is an MFH in Ireland?

a) Ian McKellen

b) Daniel Craig

c) Jeremy Irons

d) Alan Rickman

Answer:

c) Jeremy Irons. Irons is Joint MFH of the West Carbery Foxhounds in Co. Cork, Ireland.

The View From Down Here: THE HUNTSMAN’S HORSE!

By Ziggy Pelham

It’s official:  I have reached the pinnacle in any Hunt Horse’s career – I am now (finally!) the Tennessee Valley’s HUNTSMAN’S HORSE! Yes! So all of you scoffers who said that a 12.1 hand pony could not be a Hunt Horse, much less the Huntsman’s Horse, go to the back of the Field with that orange ribbon in your tail that means “I’m so stupid!”

In …

Eight Foxhunting “To-do’s” for March and Early April

1) Enter the Covertside Photo Contest! Entries close APRIL 1.

Prizes sponsored by:

Dover Saddlery ($100 gift certificate)

Thehorsestudio.com (fabulous leather halter!)

TF Gauntt (foxhunting themed art and gifts)

And others!

2) Submit your calendar photos! Yes, it’s time to start on the 2012 Calendar. Specifications are available on our website.

3) Send your melton and your tweed to the dry cleaners.

4) “Like” Covertside on Facebook.

5) Purchase something from one of our advertisers. Tell them you …