Archives: Story

Peggy Hart Receives New Honor

Oak Grove photos by Susan Wilson, Visual Memories Photography

At Oak Grove Opening Meet

Oak Grove Hunt Club began its 62nd foxhunting season on November 8 with a surprise announcement at Opening Meet: Peggy Hart is the new Joint Master of Fox Hounds (Jt. MFH) of the Hunt Club. Peggy had been elected by the Hunt Committee in September, but the members kept the news a secret so she could be surprised at Opening Meet. Even the programs were not handed out until after the announcement, because Peggy was listed as Jt. MFH on the program and folks didn’t want to spoil the surprise. Jack Bowman, retired Jt. MFH, had the honor of making the announcement. Peggy’s reaction to the news? She was delighted and flabbergasted!

Peggy is well-known among the Mid-South equestrian community. She is one of the founders of the Shelby Farms Equestrian Alliance, served as its President for ten years, and is currently secretary and serves on the Board of Directors. She is Past President of Delta Dressage and Combined Training Association. She teaches riding at Southwind Stables in Olive Branch, Mississippi. She has served as Whipper-In, working with the Oak Grove hounds, since 1983, and has hosted many Oak Grove hunts from her Misty Meadows Farm. She still retains the Whipper-In position, in addition to being a new Joint MFH. She joins active Joint Masters, MFH Tom Brannon and MFH and Huntsman Dickie Watson. Other Whippers-In are Thomas Brannon, John Bruhwiler, Bill Lackey, Barbara Henking, Huntsman Amanda McGee, and MFH Chuck Brady and his wife Susan Brady.

This was the Club’s first Opening Meet and Blessing of the Hounds at their new hunt territory - Blackwater Creek Ranch, a several thousand-acre cattle ranch south of Holly Springs, Mississippi. Blackwater Creek Ranch is owned by Sandy and Billy Hall of Crenshaw, Mississippi. The Ranch is located in the “foothills” of Mississippi hill country, so has numerous rolling Bermuda and fescue pasture lands and is dotted with hardwood copses and coverts. It lies in the Blackwater Creek watershed, so there are wetlands nearby and several natural springs. The Ranch is adjacent to U.S. Forestry land, and near Wyatt’s Crossing at Sardis Lake, a favorite place for duck hunters and fishermen. The Ranch is rife with wildlife, including wild turkeys, red foxes, coyotes, armadillos, and deer. The Ranch has a picturesque 1850’s restored log cabin, featuring the “dog trot” center.

The day’s sport began with an interesting twist. Much to the chagrin of Huntsman and MFH Dickie Watson, the first game the hounds opened on was a rabbit hidden in the grass. When the rabbit popped up in the midst of the pack, it was just too good for the hounds to pass up, and they opened with great whoops. Of course, it only took moments before the Whippers-in “explained” their mistake to them and returned the pack to the Huntsman.

Then the real hunt began with Master Watson blowing “go hunt” and every hound hitting the covert at full steam. A long run south through the golden woodlands kept the Staff on their toes. Then hounds turned and ran back west and north. Word has it that the Tallyho Wagon riders viewed a large dark-coated coyote twice. Whipper-in Barbara Henking confirmed the views. Later on, the same coyote was seen by the “chief turkey fryer” for the breakfast, Billy Payonk, who had slipped away from the cooking detail to catch a view of the hunt.

The elusive measures of the quarry made it difficult for the hounds to keep the scent, as did the wind, which quickly blew the scent off the open pastures. Hounds could maintain the line in the woods and kept steadily on their quarry until they were called in. The famished group of riders was anxious to partake of the excellent food served by Oak Grove hunt members.

The annual Blessing of the Hounds ceremony begins the formal foxhunting season and invokes blessings and prayers for the safety of all those participating in the sport: horses, hounds, riders, landowners and even quarry. Dr. Ernie H. Frey, Senior Pastor of Central Church in Memphis, Tennessee was Officiant of the service. As a warm-up to the ceremony, Foxy Walker served the riders her delicious (and secret recipe) stirrup cup.

Oak Grove Hunt Club is the oldest foxhunting club in the Mid-South. The club had its origins in Germantown, Tennessee in the early 1940s when a group of riders called the Oak Grove Saddle Club met every Sunday afternoon for a weekly ride. This group of riders was introduced to foxhunting, enjoyed it, and in 1946 formed the Oak Grove Hunt Club, the first foxhunt in the area registered with the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America.

Longreen Foxhounds Celebrate 51st Opening Meet