What is the Woodbrook Hound Challenge?
Born out of our Huntsman’s love of hunting and hounds, and inspired by a conversation with the famous Sarah Milne of New Zealand, the challenge is modeled after the judging and scoring method Jenn learned when she was invited to judge the Drag Hound Trial at Belle Mead, GA. The auction portion is pure fun and meant to raise much needed funds for our hounds. It’s Jenn’s sincere hope that our field and followers will enjoy learning about our hunt and hounds throughout the challenge. The Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion and the “Worst of the Worst” hound will be announced at our Closing Dinner.
How does the Woodbrook Hound Challenge work?
The Challenge will be awarded by accumulated points from selected weekend hunts. There will be judges for each Challenge hunt. We’ll call on Huntsman, staff, foxes and distinguished guests to judge, and they will be identified in advance of each hunt. Each judge will fill out a score card giving 5 points to their top hound, 3 points to second, 2 points to third, and 1 point to forth. Hounds will be judged on
hunting, voice and marking. our huntsman, Jennifer, will be glad to further explain the challenge to anyone who has questions.
hunting, voice and marking. our huntsman, Jennifer, will be glad to further explain the challenge to anyone who has questions.
What if I don’t hunt or don’t know all the hounds?
What if I don’t hunt or don’t know all the hounds? Hound profiles can be viewed on our website www.woodbrookhuntclub.com and will be posted on the Instagram. You can ask any of the staff members for recommendations, just remember staff will be bidding too and may lead you astray! Bid by yourself or as a team, just make sure you aren’t bidding against one of your teammates!
Are there prizes?
Yes! Prizes for the top bidders are:
1st place paid breakfast sponsorship for 23/24 season 175$ value
2nd place breakfast ticket book 100$ value
3rd place 50$ gift card for logo wear
4th place 25$ gift card for logo wear
Also a prize from our MFH Melody to the highest bidder.
1st place paid breakfast sponsorship for 23/24 season 175$ value
2nd place breakfast ticket book 100$ value
3rd place 50$ gift card for logo wear
4th place 25$ gift card for logo wear
Also a prize from our MFH Melody to the highest bidder.
Where does the money raised go?
All proceeds go directly to the Hound Fund for our hardworking pack!
Which Hounds are in the Challenge this Year?
Carbon and Casey Woodbrook '22
Jetty, Delaware, Jolene, Isaid, Joshua, Iggy, Jazz, Opal, Oso, JBLM, Jodhpur, and Gillian.
Jetty, Delaware, Jolene, Isaid, Joshua, Iggy, Jazz, Opal, Oso, JBLM, Jodhpur, and Gillian.
2023 Hound Challenge Champions
2023 Champion: Jodhpur (sponsored by Tami Masters & Lynn Wilbur)
Second Place: Iggy (sponsored by Jackie Fleckenstein)
Third Place: Joshua (sponsored by Jane Cowles)
Fourth Place: Delaware (sponsored byChris Borgen)
Second Place: Iggy (sponsored by Jackie Fleckenstein)
Third Place: Joshua (sponsored by Jane Cowles)
Fourth Place: Delaware (sponsored byChris Borgen)
About Our Hounds
Los Altos Domengine 2012 is a charismatic English bitch who was drafted in 2017 when the Los Altos Hunt disbanded. She joined her litter mate Dorchester at WHC, who had been drafted to our pack two seasons prior. Domengine is a keen hunter with an excellent nose. Her talents could earn her a place in nearly any kennel and I’m sure she would happily and steadily hunt just about any quarry. She has been a pleasure to watch and follow as she hunts our drag-laid lines. She is the mother of our “J” litter (who you’ll meet soon). She was a good mother but eager to get back to hunting just as soon as she possibly could! In the kennel Domengine is very easy to get along with. She LOVES treats and is often seen tipping her head and politely begging. One odd thing about Domengine is that she really does not like wearing a collar. When we collar the hounds to go hunting she comes right up when her name is called and then as the collar is put on she squirms and wiggles like she’s never worn a collar before. She’d hate that I’m sharing this secret, as she is the classiest hound in every other way.
Los Altos Dorchester 2012 is a keen (much like litter mate Domengine), tri-color hound of English breeding with beautiful black around his eyes almost like eyeliner! Dorchester came to the WHC as a draft in 2015. He took well enough to the drag hunt, giving good voice and bringing a confident strength to the pack. But his fox sense, (or rather coyote sense), was not to be undercut. While he remains a good boy hunting the drag, he often has to alert Huntsman Hansen that there is something 4 legged afoot, not just our known “papa fox.” He just wants her to know, that he knows. Hounds are very intelligent and clever hunters, and it shows up in Dorchester; it’s the importance of respect between huntsman and hound. The huntsman does not insult his intelligence, so he will hunt the drag for her even though there are definitely exciting alternatives nearby. Dorchester is a great character around the kennel. He can be a bit shy of people, but he enjoyed assisting with the raising of our last litter of pups, who are in fact his biological nieces and nephews! He is even keeled, and a good example for the young pups on how to grow up with proper kennel manners. Uncle Dorchester may not be the most well known amongst the field, but he is quite a favorite in the kennel with his fellow cohorts.
Mill Creek Ketchup 2012 is a black and tan bitch who was drafted to Woodbrook in 2014 from the Mill Creek Hunt near Chicago. She is a very intense hunter and has a distinct voice that can be heard for quite a distance. She was entered to hunt Coyote at Mill Creek and reluctantly made the switch to following our drag scent. She is particularly fond of hunting Simon, the man who lays our drag, and finds great joy in marking him by baying to him at the end of a well hunted line (what she does once she has found the quarry). In the kennel, Ketchup is easy to get along with and quite content the majority of the time. Due to a GI condition she eats a special diet and gets a few minutes of alone time each morning to enjoy her special kibble. She is a very polite hound and always one I pull out to say hello when we have visitors. She’s had two litters of puppies, one for Mill Creek and the second here at Woodbrook in 2016. •• Sarah adds, “Ketchup’s voice is so sophisticated in the kennel, she is the one who tells me when someone is approaching, and who it is. I can tell the difference between Jenn walking over or if it’s Katrina (kennel helper). She has a very special sound for Jenn, and also a happy voice for Katrina. I can tell if someone comes by on foot, has a dog, if they are on a horse with a dog, or an unknown person on a horse. And I know what it will be before I see who it is! She’s amazing!”
Mill Creek Gearhead 2013 is a black and tan dog who was drafted to Woodbrook in 2014 from the Mill Creek Hunt near Chicago. He is the pack clown! As a young hound Grearhead was so enthusiastic, I swear he understood what was being said by staff on the radios! He has a unique gate due to injuring his left hock and that has alway made it easy for our members to recognize him. In his 7th season he has begun to slow down. Some days he is feeling great and eager to go hunting, and other days he lets me know he will opt to stay at the kennels. I think he knows the days we haul out are often longer days hunting. He has a wonderful booming voice and is always ready to teach puppies about hunting!
In the kennel Gearhead thinks he’s in charge of all things social and order. He is the first to voice alarm and let us know when something is near the kennel that shouldn’t be (him and Ketchup work together)! And he is the most enthusiastic when we have visitor! ENTHUSIAST is the one word that truly describes Gearhead.
In the kennel Gearhead thinks he’s in charge of all things social and order. He is the first to voice alarm and let us know when something is near the kennel that shouldn’t be (him and Ketchup work together)! And he is the most enthusiastic when we have visitor! ENTHUSIAST is the one word that truly describes Gearhead.
Woodbrook Kent 2014 is a white wooly dog hound. He was drafted from Fox River Valley (just outside of Chicago) as a puppy and began hunting here at Woodbrook. Kent’s light color and rough coat definitely stand out in our pack and is an easy hound for the field to recognize. As a pup Kent was on the reserved side. He was slow to warm up to strangers and our veterinarians. While unsure of horses at the beginning, he made a good friend in our huntsman’s horse Willow and became a confident and outgoing hound. In 2017 Kent won Best In Show at the Western States Hound Show in Tejon, CA. His excellent conformation helps him to move effortlessly through our country. He is always a pleasure to watch in the field.
In the kennel Kent will forever act like a puppy. He is always looking for dog toys and if he manages to find one, he’s not very good at sharing! He prefers to strut around, toy in mouth, growling. Some of the other hounds become interested in what he’s holding and others just ignore him as if to say “there goes Kent again with something ridiculous in his mouth.”
In the kennel Kent will forever act like a puppy. He is always looking for dog toys and if he manages to find one, he’s not very good at sharing! He prefers to strut around, toy in mouth, growling. Some of the other hounds become interested in what he’s holding and others just ignore him as if to say “there goes Kent again with something ridiculous in his mouth.”
Mill Creek Delaware 2015 is a lemon colored dog hound. He was drafted from the Mill Creek Hunt near Chicago in 2016 after just one very short season hunting with Mill Creek. Delaware took to hunting our drag like a fish takes to swimming. His distinct and natural voice was a very welcome addition to our pack at a time when increasing voice was a top priority; he opens on a line and sails along! Hunting is such a natural and unconscious feeling for him that, in the beginning, on the odd day when conditions were challenging or the line disappeared, he didn’t know what to do. It took him a few seasons, but he really has become an important part of our pack and pulls his weight even on the more difficult days now.
In the kennel, Delaware is very mouthy and has something to say about everything! He is always concerned there may not be enough breakfast for him. When it’s his turn to get on the food he makes sure all the other hounds know he’s there. He’s very good on a couple and is quite helpful teaching puppies to walk out with the pack.
In the kennel, Delaware is very mouthy and has something to say about everything! He is always concerned there may not be enough breakfast for him. When it’s his turn to get on the food he makes sure all the other hounds know he’s there. He’s very good on a couple and is quite helpful teaching puppies to walk out with the pack.
Woodbrook Iris 2017 is a tri-color bitch, out of Mill Creek Ketchup, sired by Los Altos Homer. The name Iris was sure to encourage her strong will and independent nature; she was named in honor of Iris Bryant whose father founded WHC. Later, she herself was huntsman. Iris, the hound, has an interesting mind. She seems to not always be paying attention but at other times has the intent focus to work out a cold line. Some days she is right in the action, eagerly part of the team. And other days you hear her name more than any other hound, and she’ll be the last to come in!
In the kennel Iris is an honorary dog hound because she had trouble living with the bitches from the time she was young. We had her spayed and she very happily lives with the boys! She has a very distinct voice and she uses it to alarm us when wildlife is roaming near the kennel.
In the kennel Iris is an honorary dog hound because she had trouble living with the bitches from the time she was young. We had her spayed and she very happily lives with the boys! She has a very distinct voice and she uses it to alarm us when wildlife is roaming near the kennel.
Woodbrook Iggy 2017 is a very masculine and stout red and white dog hound, the litter mate to Iris and Isaid. He was a challenging youngster, always feeling his oats, and overqualified for the job of following our drag. In his first two seasons he made his share of mistakes and really thought be belonged in a pack that hunts coyote! Each season he has become more steady and by the end of his second season he was really a hound to give notice to.In is third season he has been quite brilliant, I really can trust him, so consistent and such a beautiful voice. Whips did not always appreciate his tenacity, however. But it's quite appreciated now that he’s so steady. In the kennel, Iggy can be a bit big for his britches. He feels the need to teach the youngsters, which is helpful out hunting but not so much in the yard! He was all white as a puppy and affectionately named Polar Bear. He fathered the "J" litter: Jolene, Jasper, Jazz, Jetty, Jodhpur, Joshua, JBLM, Joules. The winner of our 2021 and 2022 Hound Challenges, Iggy is definitely the pack leader and our stand out all around hound.
Woodbrook Isaid 2017 is a handsome black and tan dog out of the same litter as Iris and Iggy. He has the same keen and intelligent expression as his mother Ketchup. He has a solid work ethic, good nose, and never gets tired. He’s a very consistent hound and is well built. He’s quite handsome, with a booming voice, and he is very devoted to his huntsman and pack. In the kennel Isaid is needy, always looking for acknowledgment, approval, and attention from Sarah (kennel huntsman) and Jennifer (Hon. Huntsman). He really looks up to Gearhead and we think Grearhead appreciates it!
Woodbrook Rocket 2018 was a yearling draft pup from Los Altos in 2018 and is a full brother to Rover! Rocket was a quiet and reserved pup, where Rover was the boisterous, friendly one. He is tall and gangly, with a deep red and white coat. He really took to the hunting quite quickly, and fast became a first arrival at the end of the lines. Where his brother is the class clown and the outgoing type everyone recognizes, Rocket is the serious brother, who gets to work and gets the job done. He gets along with everyone in the kennel, and blending in with the crowd is just fine with him. He has a handsome dog hound head, and luckily, a fine nose to go with his prettiness.
Woodbrook Jolene 2019 is a tri colored bitch out of Los Altos Domengine and sired by Woodbrook Iggy. Jolene is an amazing athlete, tenacious hunter, and has as incredibly calm demeanor with a long, lean build. Quite early on when we had settled the “J” litter into the kennel, Sarah or Jennifer would walk in and find Jolene in a different kennel than expected! Soon she showed us how she was climbing 7’-8’ fences within the entire kennel! She would freely jump in and out of the feeding room; we were never sure where we would find Jolene or what mischief she would have gotten into! No hose, bucket or cleaning implement was safe from her or out of her grasp as the “Flying Hound.” •••
Then the season began and it was our first hunt from the kennels. It’s a tight area and with a big field our Huntsman Jennifer had not planned to take young entry. We hacked about a quarter of a mile when Jenn was alerted by radio that Jolene had jumped out of the kennel! Moments later she caught up with us and settled into the pack right below Jennifer’s stirrup. That was the last time she tried to leave Jolene in the kennels. She hunted the whole season with many beautiful runs. She can hold the line out front and she can diligently work to find scent when the line is lost. Upon finding our quarry she is quick to find a drink of water and then lay down and take a nap until we are ready to move off. ••• Jolene was always content to play inside the kennel confines until COVID caused our season to end abruptly. Jenn’s not sure what she thought she was missing out on, but she began jumping out and following her home after morning hound walk and breakfast! Then our kennel huntsman (Sarah) found her on her bed and that’s where she decided she’s supposed to sleep. Jenn laughs: “I’m hoping she is like the animals many of us had in our classrooms growing up; she just wants to go home with someone for the summer!”
Then the season began and it was our first hunt from the kennels. It’s a tight area and with a big field our Huntsman Jennifer had not planned to take young entry. We hacked about a quarter of a mile when Jenn was alerted by radio that Jolene had jumped out of the kennel! Moments later she caught up with us and settled into the pack right below Jennifer’s stirrup. That was the last time she tried to leave Jolene in the kennels. She hunted the whole season with many beautiful runs. She can hold the line out front and she can diligently work to find scent when the line is lost. Upon finding our quarry she is quick to find a drink of water and then lay down and take a nap until we are ready to move off. ••• Jolene was always content to play inside the kennel confines until COVID caused our season to end abruptly. Jenn’s not sure what she thought she was missing out on, but she began jumping out and following her home after morning hound walk and breakfast! Then our kennel huntsman (Sarah) found her on her bed and that’s where she decided she’s supposed to sleep. Jenn laughs: “I’m hoping she is like the animals many of us had in our classrooms growing up; she just wants to go home with someone for the summer!”
Woodbrook Joshua 2019 is a lemon and white dog out of Los Altos Domengine and sired by Woodbrook Iggy. He’s very substantially built and moves well. He’s easy to tell apart from his litter mates because he’s quite tall and he only has one eye! One was removed due to an infection when he was about 9 months old. Turns out he does just fine with only one eye and has a wonderful nose. He was a real contributor to the pack in his first season and his distinct, but unfortunately high pitched, voice means we always know where he is when hunting in thick cover. In the kennel Joshua is full of shenanigans with an active mind. He loves food and quickly learned how to open the gate to be the first to breakfast; he always has a plan to rile the other hounds up and get them to play a game of chase around the grass yard.
Woodbrook Jetty 2019 is a lemon and white dog hound out of Los Altos Domengine and by Woodbrook Iggy. Jetty is solidly built with masculine features, he has a very strong resemblance to his father. Jetty loves to hunt; in just his first season he showed tremendous interest and focus following our drag lines. He has a strong voice and nothing seems to distract him. We are so eager to see how he matures in the coming season. In the kennel Jetty is a quiet hound and always seems to just be biding time till we walk or hunt. He sticks very close to Jennifer in the kennel and she think it’s often because he doesn’t want to miss out on the next adventure.
Woodbrook Jodhpur 2019 is a lemon and white dog out of Los Altos Domengine and by Woodbrook Iggy. Stout and masculine with very distinct eyes, Jodhpur was really hoping for a hound show this spring so he could show off his good looks and movement. He hunted at least 35 days this season and really put in a solid steady effort for a young entry. In the kennel Jodhpur takes after his mother Domengine and will do absolutely anything for a biscuit!
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Woodbrook Jasper 2019 is a tri-color dog out of Los Altos Domengine and by Woodbrook Iggy. He was a very easy hound to enter and we think he will really show brilliance in future seasons. Jasper has a very masculine look about him and takes after his sires line in size and nature. In the kennel Jasper is buddies with Ernie and Rover, all three are comical characters and fun loving. Jasper is quite friendly, and did I mention handsome.
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Woodbrook Jazz (unentered) is a tri colored bitch out of Los Altos Domengine and by Woodbrook Iggy. She is a lovely hound and we are very eager to see her out hunting this coming season. She is small but mighty, and incredibly energetic and inquisitive. Jazz is very easy to get along with in the kennels. Jenn thinks, due to her small stature, that she loves to get on things in the the pasture to be taller, but thankfully she does not jump out of the kennels like her sister Jolene!
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Woodbrook JBLM 2019 (pronounced J-Blam) is a lemon and white dog hound out of Los Altos Domengine and by Woodbrook Iggy. J-Blam is light in stature compared to his litter-mates and has soft kind eyes. He’s a hard worker and definitely contributed to the pack’s good effort this season. We are excited to watch this hound mature and follow his nose. In the kennel J-Blam is very easy and agreeable. He’s been quite biddable in every way, and has the same speckled markings as his Grandfather, Homer, Dad, Iggy, and sister Jolene
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Mill Creek Gillian 2020 is a lemon and white bitch. She placed 6th last year. In her second season with us, Gillian seems to be even more enthusiastic for the game of drag hunting. She has the enthusiasm of Gearhead and a voice almost as distinct as Delaware. She will definitely give the boys a run for the lead! Last year Jennifer said "If she had not come into the season late nor missed the final challenge hunt, I do believe she would have made the top 3 placings!" In her second season with us Gillian seems to be even more enthusiastic for the game of drag hunting. She has the enthusiasm of Gearhead and a voice almost as distinct as Delaware. She will definitely give the boys a run for the lead!
Woodbrook Oso 2022 is black and white French bitch. Oso was born July 27, 2020 at Santa Ynez Vally Hunt in CA. She is a French crossbred hound out of the crossbred bitch SYV Heidi ’18, by the Grand Gascon Saintongeois sire SYV O’Clock ’19. She was drafted to Woodbrook in October 2020. She is quite friendly and loves attention and going for walks on 7N. Her ears are incredibly long and she’s tall and lanky like a saddlebred horse. The french hounds are known for their big voices and cold noses. A strong competitor last season. I expect her to have a very good result this challenge.
Woodbrook Opal 2022 is a tri-color French bitch. She was born July 27, 2020 at Santa Ynez Vally Hunt in CA. She is a French crossbred hound out of the crossbred bitch SYV Heidi ’18, by the Grand Gascon Saintongeois sire SYV O’Clock ’19. She was drafted to Woodbrook in October 2020. Opal is a quick study and very motivated to learn new things. She loves to snuggle and show off how quickly she can come when her name is called. Opal has the more refined features of the two puppies and beautiful fawn points to accent her white and black coat. She’s still young but her speed, drive and her big voice, have really have helped the pack out this year.
Previous Hound Challenge Results
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2022 Champion: Iggy
2nd Place: Joshua 3rd Place: Isaid 4th Place: Jolene 5th Place: Delaware 6th Place: Gillian 7th Place:Jetty 8th Place: Oso 9th Place: Jodhpur 10th Place: Joules |
2021 Champion: Iggy
2nd Place: Jolene 3rd Place: Delaware 4th Place: Joshu 5th Place: Jazz, Isaid, Jetty 6th Place: Jdhpur 8th Place: JBLM 9th Place: Ketchup 10th Place: Joules |