Tally Ho!

A Glimpse into the Lowcountry Hunt

"My favorite part about fox hunting is the magnificence of the hounds at work and the fulfillment of a good day of hunting."
-Margaret Bowers, member of the Lowcountry Hunt
(pictured above)

South Carolina, especially the Lowcountry, is steeped in traditions. From our Southern mannerisms and sayings to our superstitions and ghost stories, the South is holding on tight to the past, and bringing it into our daily lives at every turn. The Lowcountry Hunt Club is keeping one great tradition alive.and they are doing it in style! So without further adieu, Tally Ho! Enjoy your glimpse of "riding to hounds."

Just imagine the picturesque Lowcountry plantation, riddled with beautiful moss-covered oaks, and miles and miles of trails to ride on a brisk morning. Suddenly, a ripple of excitement flows through the riders as the hounds cry-the hunt is on. Did that just sound like it came out of a storybook? Maybe so, but fox hunting, also known as "riding to hounds," is very much alive and quickly being revived as a popular sport among locals. What better way to enjoy our surroundings and get a spine-tingling thrill all in one! But don't be intimidated by the movie depictions of great horses and big jumps. The Lowcountry Hunt Club has created an experience where anyone can join and ride along!

Foxhunting is centuries old and has been recorded as early as the 1700s. Not much has changed since then, and the sport remains the union of a man or woman with his or her trusted companion (the horse) following a pack of hounds, who are chasing a wily fox. The hunt begins with everyone gathering, complete in their formal attire. Every piece of the formal attire has significant meaning. Each hunter wears white or tan breeches, usually of synthetic knit, a black or dark blue velvet helmet for safety, a vest in the hunt color, a plain white stock neatly tied and fastened around the neck with a horizontal stock pin, heavy gloves in buff, brown or black leather, and traditional black hunting boots. Each rider, according to his or her station, also wears a black or scarlet hunting coat. The Lowcountry Hunt Club has adopted the hunt colors indigo and gold in honor of two vital historical crops: indigo and Carolina gold rice. When put together, these men and women create a formidable image of aristocracy.

As the hunt begins, the riders break into three fields, each led by a field master. The fields are often broken down by experience and are described as follows:
First Field: These riders are the most experienced and stay closest to the huntsman and hounds. They often gallop, canter, and jump. They go through all types of obstacles and terrain.
Second Field: These riders walk, trot, and canter, but do not jump while remaining fairly close to the hounds and huntsman.
Third Field: Often called "hilltoppers", the third field usually walk or trot from one location to another, often positioning themselves on hills for maximum viewing of the hunt.

By breaking down the riders into the above fields, the hunt allows riders of all levels to enjoy the fun and learn how the hunt works. There are also very experienced hunters that control the hounds and ride in front of the fields, which include the master, huntsmen, and whipper-ins.

The men and women, I met during my foray into the fox hunting world absolutely love to hunt and the feeling is extremely infectious. They describe the feel of the hunt as anticipation and serenity, broken by the sound of powerful pounding horses' hooves, calls from the huntsmen, and the cry of the hounds. It paints a picture that I can't wait to experience and hope that you will consider trying! But don't forget. never get between a hound and the huntsman!

"Being a field master is like being a parent. You want everyone to have a good time, but to do it safely.it's a real balancing act!"
-Lamy Buck, Fieldmaster

Talk the Talk:
Couple: The hunting hounds are counted by twos, this "couples".
Colors: Every hunt has their particular color. This color is worn on their collar and lapel.
Feeling a Scent: Term used when a hound smells the scent.
Gone to Ground: when a fox or coyote goes into a natural earth, hole or drain.
Tally Ho: The halloo when anyone sees the quarry. Usually the masters call tally ho loudly to alert the field.
Master: The person in charge of the hunt in field and kennels.
Huntsman: The person who controls hounds in the field.
Field Master: The person designated by the Master of Foxhounds to control the field.
Cry: The sound given by hounds when hunting.
Whipper-in: A staff member who assists the huntsman in the control of hounds.


For more information on The Lowcountry Hunt Club visit www.thelowcountryhunt.com

For more information on foxhunting visit www.mfha.org.

Sources: "Riding to Hounds in America: An Introduction for Foxhunters" by William P. Wadsworth, MFH and "Introduction to Foxhunting" presented by the MFHA Foundation and written by Lt. Col. Dennis J. Foster

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