On the first Saturday in November each year, the Red Mountain Hounds – a family-oriented hunting club that’s been based in Durham County since 1969 – holds its annual Blessing of the Hounds at Quail Roost Farm, which the public is invited to watch. (The blessing is followed by a “drag hunt,” which means no foxes are actually hunted.) Photographer Briana Brough captured these scenes from last year’s event.
This year’s Blessing of the Hounds will take place Saturday, Nov. 7, at Quail Roost Farm, located at 418 Quail Roost Farm Rd. in Rougemont. Admission is free. If you’d like to attend, arrive at 8:30 a.m. so you will have time to park before the blessing at 9. For more information, contact Red Mountain Hounds’ Carol Riggs at luvtofoxhunt@aol.com.
Blessing of the Hounds
Walker Abbott tightens her horse’s braids.
Blessing of the Hounds
From the Blessing of the Hounds – which is the opening meet – until the end of the season in mid-March, the riders must dress formally.
Blessing of the Hounds
An average hunt brings 25 to 30 riders, but opening meet usually brings more than 60.
Blessing of the Hounds
The Red Mountain Hounds own 50 Penn Marydel (Pennsylvania-Maryland-Delaware) hounds or 25 “couples.” Up until 1999, the club hunted using English hounds.
Blessing of the Hounds
The opening meet provides a chance for non-riding family and friends to gather with the foxhunters for the Blessing of the Hounds.
Blessing of the Hounds
Blessing of the Hounds
For Gloria Ripperton, the Blessing of the Hounds and opening meet are nothing new. During her 40-plus years of hunting, she has trained horses, children and adults in preparation for foxhunting.
Blessing of the Hounds
Tina Steed is mounted in the traditional side-saddle attire, which has become nearly extinct in the foxhunting world. A special bond between horse and rider is essential to her success in staying with hounds.
Blessing of the Hounds
Quail Roost Farm, owned and operated by the Hill family since the 1800s, consists of approximately 500 acres in northern Durham County.
Blessing of the Hounds
“We have school teachers, plumbers,” Carol Riggs says. “We have people from all walks of life. It’s not at all a rich man’s sport.”
Blessing of the Hounds
Blessing of the Hounds
Carol says foxhunting isn’t as expertise-driven as it may seem. “If you’ve trail ridden a lot, you have a good chance of making [your] horse a foxhunting horse,” she says.
Blessing of the Hounds
Blessing of the Hounds
