Chagrin Valley Hunt Club

A Sporting Day
The Chagrin Valley Hunt

Origin of Foxhunting

Fox hunting, as practiced by the Chagrin Valley Hunt, has its origin in England where several centuries ago the landowners began hunting stag with hounds. As stags were depleted, and the cost of keeping large staghounds became exorbitant, the fox became the quarry. In England, foxes were, and are, very plentiful - so much so as to be considered vermin. Farmers, shepherds and keepers of large shooting estates find the fox a voracious eater of poultry, lamb and game. While poisoning and trapping have been used, the most humane and efficient method of containing foxes is with the hound pack.

The sport became formalized in the 18th century. Shortly after the American Colonies were settled, hounds and actually red foxes were imported into Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland for the landowners to hunt. These states still have the largest number of organized foxhunts in the United States.

Hunting in America, however, should really be called chasing, for despite hounds pursuing foxes; the terrain, the number of holes, water and scenting conditions make it unlikely that the fox will be caught.

Brief History of the Chagrin Valley Hunt

The Chagrin Valley Hunt was organized by a group of Cleveland enthusiasts in 1909. Windsor T. White purchased several hounds from England and began hunting in the Chagrin Valley on many large properties and farms in the area. Soon the original organizers were prompted to purchase The Maple Leaf Inn in Gates Mills which was renamed the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club. Using the Club as a base of operations, the founders built a Kennel and Stable and hunted the land surrounding the Chagrin Valley, particularly east in the area of Chesterland, Novelty, Russell and Bainbridge. In order to go across country on horseback with enough speed to follow hounds, jump fences had to be in place. To jump the farmers' wire and barbed wire was difficult and dangerous. The solution was to place wooden jumps in the fence lines where horses could easily get across while still keeping livestock in place. The jumps, called chicken coops, are still used extensively today.

Hunting with the Chagrin Valley Hunt was very popular with not only residents from Cleveland, but also the local farmers and landowners in the Valley. The countryside provided excellent sport up through World War II. At the end of the War, however, with increased building in eastern Cuyahoga and western Geauga Counties, the area available for fox hunting steadily decreased. A decision had to be made as to whether to stop or move on.

In the 1950's, The Chagrin Valley Hunt moved much of its activities to the area east of Middlefield and permission was sought and granted by many of the Amish farmers in the area for the Hunt to ride over their lands. In return, the Hunt established the Middlefield Fund to which members contribute. The Fund makes contributions annually to the Amish Schools in the area of which we hunt. The Hunt is environmentally concerned and works to maintain the quality of the land over which we hunt. We have maintained excellent relationships with the landowners in the area and after some 30 years have become, we hope, a permanent fixture in the community.

Hunt Organization

Formal fox hunting is fundamentally organized as it was in England centuries ago. While originally a large landowner would own most of the property and the hounds, and paid employees necessary for hunting, today most Hunts are club or subscription packs where the hunters themselves supply the money to maintain hounds and pay staff.

The Chagrin Valley Hunt is overseen on a daily basis by the three Joint Masters of Foxhounds (Jt. MFH) Mr. Richard A. Desberg, Judith McConnell and Mr. Howard C. Meyer, Jr. A Master of the Hunt is ultimately responsible for the entire operation of the hunt including the breeding of foxhounds and their care, opening the country, maintaining good relationships with the landowners, building fences, and, finally leading the subscribers who follow hounds and, of course, showing good sport.

The Masters also employ the Huntsman. Our Huntsman is the professional who feeds, breeds and cares for the hounds and the hunt horses. It is he who actually hunts the hounds and encourages them to chase the fox. The Huntsman is assisted in the field by his honorary Whippers-in who stay on the flanks of the pack to make sure all hounds are safe and on the scent.

The Huntsman is followed by the Field, subscribers, cappers and guests. They are led by the Field Master. The Field members are actually only observers. The sport is to watch the Huntsman and hounds get on the scent and to follow as quickly as possible over the countryside. Hard gallops and many jumps offer a thrilling experience and, of course, if a view of a fox occurs, it is an added reward.

A Typical Day

The Day begins, early, way before sun-up. Subscribers, having cleaned their horses and tack, dressed appropriately, gulped a cup of hastily brewed coffee, load their horses into vans and trailer to the meet shown on their monthly fixture card. At approximately sun-up, members and horses meet a half hour before the stated time of the meet. There is always bustle in the air and anticipation of the ride and sport to follow. The Huntsman appears with the hound truck filled with 15 to 24 couple (30 to 48 hounds). The riders check in with the field secretary, mount and greet the Masters. Then with a nod from the Field Master, the Huntsman moves off to the first covert, a woodland or hillside where the fox scent is likely to be found. The Field, headed by the Field Master, follows quietly and slowly behind. The Huntsman sends his Whippers-in off on the flanks behind the covert to watch for "Charlie" as the fox is often called. Upon reaching covert side, the Huntsman, with a language known only to him and the hounds, goes into the covert. With heads down and sterns (tails) up, the hounds feather their tails and search, trying systematically to pick up the scent of the fox. Suddenly, an old hound gives tongue. The Huntsman urges the others to her and all at once there is huge cry of hounds as they find the line. The Field stands quietly, tightening girths, waiting for the Field Master to go forward. The Huntsman blows his horn, "Gone Away". The Field Master pushes his cap down and suddenly moves off at a gallop. The chase is on. For ten minutes, twenty, an hour perhaps, the Field gallops up hill and down, through bogs, over fences, around steep corners, over brooks, over bushes, through streams, all the time striving to stay with the hounds. Suddenly there is a deep stillness. The hounds have lost. The fox has either gone to ground or has given them the slip. The Huntsman calls his hounds to try again. At the end, the fox usually goes to ground and hunting stops for the moment. Tired and excited, horses and riders catch deep breaths before off they go again. This is fox hunting.

Beginning the Season - Pre-Cubbing and Cubbing

During spring, the Huntsman and his Hunt Staff work hard to meld new hounds and frisky youngsters into our pack of foxhounds. Hound exercise usually goes smoothly, yet we do not know the success of the new entry (puppies in their first year of hunting) until well into the season, which extends from Pre-Cubbing in July to Cubbing, the first week of August, and Formal Hunt Season, the last week of September.

Our Hunt Country

The land over which we hunt is the key to our sport. We may have the finest hounds, horses and staff available, but without the cooperation of our landowners, there is no Hunt. The country includes fixtures in the eastern sector of Middlefield, Parkman, Burton, Hartsgove and Zoar. There is a fixture map available at the Hunt Club office that shows particulars.

We know you will be considerate of private property and courteous when driving the country roads. The Hunt is always working to honor the fine relationships we have with our many landowner over the years. Once again, as over the past 30-some seasons, we thank those landowners for their generosity.

The Chagrin Valley Hunt Welcomes Guests . . .

If you wish to hunt and are unfamiliar with The Chagrin Valley Hunt, please contact the Honorary Hunt Secretary Carol Horner Donaldson 440-338-8703 or hunterscreekfarm@msn.com or one of the Masters, at least a day prior to the fixture date of choice. The Masters must know in advance if visitors are expected in order to plan the morning. When Members of the Field bring guests, or professionals bring cappers, these riders are their host's responsibilities. When inviting company, please check the fixture card, as some meets may be more appropriate for your guests than others.

Capping Fees. . .

Capping privileges are extended to guests who hunt with Chagrin less than four times a season. Fees are $70 per hunt for adults and $20 for children ($15 for active Pony Clubbers). Please have capper's name and address noted on the outside of an envelope with the exact cap amount in cash or check inside. Make checks payable to Chagrin Valley Hunt. During a busy hunt morning making change or giving credit is nearly impossible. When arriving at the meet and as soon as possible, hand the envelope to the Field Secretary Mrs. Larry (Carol) Smith.

Attire in the Field

Dressing for the Hunt has all the flair and tradition of an opening night. However, there are wardrobes that will win rave reviews and those that will not be the critic's choice. The Chagrin Valley Hunt has always prided itself on a smart, well-turned-out field. A handsome, polished group is a joy to behold and adds immeasurably to the visual excitement for both hunters and spectators alike. We have information available concerning dress for both the cubbing and formal seasons of the Chagrin Valley Hunt. If you have any specific questions, please contact a Master who will be happy to be of help.

Ratcatcher Attire

Ratcatcher is worn during the Cub Hunting Season, from the first Saturday in August to the Blessing of the Hounds in late September. Ratcatcher is also permissible during weekdays of the formal hunting season. Ratcatcher is defined as follows:

COAT: Hacking jacket, usually with slanted flapped pockets and deep center or side vents, in a muted tweed or check. In the heat of August, a cotton madras in a muted material is quite smart.

STAFF: White cotton jackets.

BREECHES: Ratcatcher breeches are usually rust, buff, tan or light grey and nowadays are made in stretch material, but as the weather turns colder, cavalry twill or whipcord can be much more comfortable. Black, green, navy and other colored breeches are not traditional and considered correct turnout. Juniors may wear jodhpurs at all times.

VEST: Optional. Canary or tattersall material.

NECKWEAR: A soft shirt and four-in-hand tie is usually worn by men. Ladies may also wear a soft shirt and neckband choker with a pin.(A white hunting stock is also acceptable). A colored, polkadot or checked hunting stock with a neckband shirt and pin is always quite smart.

BOOTS: Dress (butcher or show style) boots in brown and black without tops. Black or brown field boots are equally traditional. Children may wear paddock boots or jodhpur boots with jodhpurs.

HEADGEAR: Although a black reinforced hunting bowler with cord is traditional, we require all members of the field to wear an ASTM / SEI rated safety helmet with chinstrap. GPA, Troxel and Charles Owen are just a few of the manufacturers of such helmets. The traditional hunt cap is reserved for the officially appointed staff only.

GLOVES: Heavy wash brown leather or gloves designed for riders. White or buff string rain gloves are appropriate.

WHIP: If you wish to carry a whip, a regulation hunting whip with thong and lash is preferred. A crop is acceptable.

SPURS: Regulation blunt hunting spurs (Prince of Wales) are the correct spur. Leather spur straps to match boot color.

RAINWEAR: Since the Chagrin Valley Hunt does not usually hunt in downpours, raincoats are seldom necessary. If a raincoat is worn, it should be of traditional style and color.

NOTE: JUNIORS, under 16, may wear Ratcatcher at all times during the formal hunting season. A white hunting stock tie with a gold safety pin is preferred.

Formal Hunting Attire

Formal Hunting attire is worn from the Blessing of the Hounds in late September Through the end of the season. Though Saturdays are always formal, Ratcatchers are permissible during weekdays. Formal dress is defined as follows:

COAT: CVH COLORS: Grey Melton (black), green collar, official black bone CVH buttons.

NO COLORS: Grey Melton (black), plain black buttons.

STAFF: Scarlet coat with official brass CVH buttons.

BREECHES: Buff or Canary English cavalry twill is traditional and very comfortable in the colder fall months. Buff or Canary breeches with a knee patch (no full seats) in the newer stretch materials are attractive and acceptable.

STAFF: White britches with scarlet coat.

VEST: CVH COLORS: Official Canary Tattersall of black and orange plaid with the official CVH brass buttons.

NO COLORS: Canary or traditional Tattersall vest with plain white bone buttons or plain brass buttons.

NECKWEAR: A white or ecru hunting stock (properly called a Hunting Tie in England) of cotton, silk or pique, secured horizontally with a gold safety pin or plain bar pin. Stock ties usually come in shaped or four-fold style. Stock ties are worn with a neckband (collarless shirt) or a neckband jersey. Stock ties when properly tied are extremely attractive. If you need help learning to tie the correct knot, most experienced members in the field will be happy to assist you.

BOOTS: Regulation black hunting boots with black patent leather tops with tabs sewn on, but not sewn down. The Chagrin Valley Hunt Club is one of the few in America where both men and women wear patent leather tops in the field. These boots should be worn with black patent garters. Black boots without tops are optional with black garters to match the leather of the boot.

STAFF: Brown tops on black hunting boots with unsewn tabs and white garters.

HEADGEAR: A black reinforced hunting bowler with cord is traditional. Protective helmets with harness are the only acceptable alternatives for both juniors and adults wishing to avail themselves of this protection. The traditional hunt cap is reserved for the officially appointed staff only.

GLOVES: Heavy wash brown leather or gloves designed for riders. White or buff string rain gloves are appropriate.

WHIP: Regulation hunting whip with thong and lash. A crop is acceptable.

SPURS: Regulation blunt hunting spurs (Prince of Wales) are correct. Leather spur straps to match boot color.

RAINWEAR: Since the Chagrin Valley Hunt does not usually hunt in downpours, raincoats are seldom necessary. If a raincoat is worn, it should be of traditional style and color.

NOTE: When hunting as a visitor with another hunt, colors are worn only at the specific invitation of the Master. A plain "grey" melton coat is proper. Colors are worn at joint meets.