Miami Valley Hunt
Founded 1960 Recognized 1966
Our patrons join us for many social events, including the traditional “Blessing of the Hounds,” Annual Hunt Ball, puppy “auctions” to name new litters, tailgate parties, Pace events, trail-riding, cropper party and other social functions throughout the year.
The Hunt would not exist without the generosity of our LANDOWNERS! Our premiere fixtures are located in Champaign, Licking, and Ross Counties. We gratefully respect their property and wishes and they appreciate the pageantry of the hounds and red- and black-coated riders galloping across their land.
The hunt season runs from Labor Day through the end of February. Informal, or “cubbing” season, offers training and conditioning for hounds and “legging up” for riders and horses. Formal season begins with the elegant Blessing of the Hounds in early November. Formal wear consists of black coat, black hard hat, white stock tie with plain gold safety pin, canary vest, buff/tan britches and black boots. Guests and patrons are allowed to cap with the permission of a Joint Master. Dress requirements for guest riders (cappers) are less stringent (black helmet, dark coat, light britches, English boots and an English saddle with a white pad). Guests are allowed to “cap” three times per season. The time on the fixture cards indicates when the hounds will be released so riders must be tacked, mounted and warmed up by that time.
People join the hunt (as subscribers, patrons who ride or just to support the hunt and landowners) for a variety of reasons — to watch the hounds work, to enjoy a spirited ride across beautiful country to jump or to socialize with a great, fun group of people. We have something for everyone —cap with us and see!
Miami Valley Hunt Today
Are you interested in the sport of “Riding to the Hounds?”
A tradition in Great Britain for centuries, the Miami Valley Hunt chases foxes and coyotes in Southwest Ohio. (While foxhunting originated to control the fox population and to protect lambs in the old country, riding to the hounds is not a blood sport in North America. We keep coyotes dispersed to keep them from being a threat to livestock and pets.
The pack, comprised of crossbred Foxhounds, is young and eager to provide a good day’s sport. The 28 hounds (14 “couple”) are kenneled in Urbana, Ohio.
Our members include nearly 80 families of subscribers (riders), “patrons” (social members), and landowners. Ages in the “field” range from 7 to 70 years. Jumps at the “fixtures” (hunt country) range from one to three feet, and riders can get around most jumps (we want to challenge the experienced rider without intimidating the novice).
IMPORTANT HUNTING TERMS
Cast - Planned move in searching for a lost line
Check - Interruption of the run
Colors - Colors distinguishing the uniform between hunts
Couple - Two hounds (any sex)
Covert - Patch of woods where a fox might be found (pronounced "cover")
Cub Hunting - Early hunting before the formal season
Draw - Searching for a fox in a certain area
Earth - Where a fox goes to ground for protection - a den
Fixture - Time and place of the meet
Hold Hard - "Stop please"
Honor - A hound honors when he gives tongue on a line another hound has been hunting
Lark - Jumping fences unnecessarily when hounds are not running
Open - When a hound first gives tongue on a line
Point - Straight line distance made good in a run
Ratcatcher - Informal hunting attire, correct for cubbing or weekday hunts
Hunt - Scent Smell of a fox
Speak - To give tongue
Staff - The Huntsman and Whippers-In
Ware - A caution to riders, "ware wire", etc.
Whipper-In - A staff member who assists the Huntsman in control of the hounds
Click the above link or picture to learn more about the history of the Miami Valley Hunt.