Hunting with Rockbridge Hunt

Hunting with Rockbridge Hunt is an experience in good horsemanship, good social gathering, and enjoyment of the outdoors. The activity with horse and hound is a chase sport, not an attempt to kill a fox.

Hunting occurs on Wednesday afternoons, Saturdays, and occasional bye-days at various locations in Rockbridge County. Generally hunt members are invited to hunt as guests of neighboring hunts several times a year. A Virginia small game hunting license is required. Your mount requires a current negative Coggins test.

When possible, three fields (riding groups) will be organized and led by a field master for every hunt. The first field follows the staff and hounds over fences at a speed dictated by prevailing trail conditions. Gate-riders will ride at a pace to generally keep up with the first field but forego jumping. A hill-topping group is enjoyed by riders desiring a quiet, peaceful pace without jumping.

Cubhunting season is the early fall hunting season used to educate young hounds and horses. Attire is informal during the cubhunting season. Formal hunting season starts with the Opening Meet near the first of November and continues through the end of March. Attire is formal for Saturday hunts and informal for Wednesday hunts.

The Master of Fox Hounds (MFH) appoints Field Masters and oversees staff and is generally responsible for the conduct of a hunt meet.

The Master of Fox Hounds, Officers, and Stewards that make up the Hunt's governing board, the Executive Committee, are elected by those members with voting privileges at an annual meeting. Only Single Hunting, Family Hunting, and Honorary Memberships have voting privileges. Participation is expected in the club government by holding an office, serving on a committee, or at least voting at the annual membership meeting.

Guests accompanying hunting members are invited to hunt. A capping fee (hunting fee for nonmembers) of $35.00 for each guest will be paid.

Visitors are invited to call the Master or the President for an invitation to hunt and directions to the meet. Each visitor will pay a capping fee of $25.00. Visitors or guests are permitted to cap no more than three times in any hunting season.

Pony Club members in good standing may hunt with permission of the Pony Club DC and when accompanied by an adult. Capping fee is waived for Rockbridge Hunt Pony Club members. A statement acknowledging the dangers of fox hunting and waiving liability to the Hunt, members, and landowners is signed by each guest before a hunt begins.

A scheduled hunt breakfast or an informal tailgate may follow a hunt, weather and daylight permitting.

Prior permission of a landowner is required to ride on private land. Members may enjoy riding and other recreational activities on land owned by Rockbridge Hunt and, because Rockbridge Hunt is a member of Hunt, Incorporated, on common corporate land within Hunt, Incorporated.

The privilege of membership in Rockbridge Hunt may be offered after the following conditions have been met:

Those seeking membership must participate in at least two days of guest hunting with Rockbridge Hunt.

Two letters recommending membership must be received by the Secretary from current members.

The Executive Committee must vote favorably to offer membership. Capping fees paid in the current hunting season will be counted toward that year's dues. There is also an initiation fee for both Single Hunting and Family Hunting memberships.

For more information please contact:

Cynthia J. Morton, Master of Fox Hounds
mortonc@wlu.edu
Home: (540) 463-6025, Office: (540) 463-8109

or

Carol T. Atwood, President
(540) 463-1000

or write to Rockbridge Hunt, Incorporated, 61 Hark To Loop, Glasgow, VA 24555-2357.

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