What is the Woodbrook Hound Challenge?
Our first hound challenge in 2021 was an idea of Huntsman Jennifer Hansen from challenges she heard about in New Zealand, and her experience judging the Drag Hound Trial at Belle Mead, GA. For members, the real fun has been following your hound in the Challenge Hunts, learning their voice, watching them respond to the horn and seeing who the leaders are when our foxes are run to ground! The Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion and the “Worst of the Worst” hound will be announced at our Closing Hunt on April 7th!
How does the Woodbrook Hound Challenge work?
The winner will be the hound with the most accumulated points up to and including our Closing Hunt. We have three judges for each Challenge hunt, we’ll call on Huntsman, staff, foxes and distinguished guests to judge. 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.
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?
The Grand Champion Hound and its sponsor will have their names inscribed on the Hound Challenge Perpetual Trophy in the clubhouse along with a picture of the hound and winner(s) for the clubhouse wall. And bragging rights for the next year!
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?
Delaware – this lemon-colored hound was drafted from Mill Creek in 2016, and was a natural drag hunter from the start! He is VERY independent but his distinct and natural voice from the start is listened to by the pack. He is consistently with the front of the pack this season, and this could be his year!
Iggy – besides winning the first two Hound Challenges, Iggy has sired some of our best hounds, seven of his offspring, the “J” hounds, are competing against him this year! Iggy is as keen as ever, but does he have another win in him?
Jodphur – last year Huntsman Hansen said of this good looking lemon hound “I expect Jodphur to be near the top of results this year (2023)” and he won! Jodphur continues to excel this season in the hunt field and could be getting even better, will he take the title a second time like his sire Iggy did?
Jolene – Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, tri-color gorgeous athlete, the ONLY hound who consistently scales 7’ and 8’ kennel walls to go hunting (on non-hunting days)! Jolene is one of the BEST hunters, her speed and marking have earned her top scores last year, a good hound to bet on!
Joshua – Joshua’s GREAT hunting ability more than makes up for having only one eye due to an early infection! Joshua is all business when hunting, his nose is as good or better than most, and his high-pitched voice will make it easy to find him in a challenge. Joshua could surprise us this season and make his original owner, Sr. Jt. MFH Mike Wager proud!
Casey – this is Casey’s first Hound Challenge; he is a tan dog hound from Mill Creek Valley Hunt who joined our pack in 2021. Casey learned the game quickly and is always consistently near the front of the pack, working hard to find the foxes! Casey should have good results this first year!
Jazz – this beautiful tri-color hound, another Iggy offspring, while small, Jazz has the characteristics of Iggy, she’s energetic, inquisitive and steady on the hunt. With her classical hound look, nose low and stern high, Jazz is catching up to her siblings and we expect a strong showing this year!
JBLM – (pronounced J-Blam) Huntsman Jennifer is impressed as JBLM continues to improve year over year, this lemon and white hound is lighter in statue than his litter-mates but JBLM’s consistency and drive contributed to higher hound scores last year!
Jetty – Jetty, a lemon and white hound most resembles his sire Iggy in stature. From his very first season, Jetty excelled at hunting with his focus and interest in following drag lines. Like Iggy, Jetty has a strong voice and doesn’t let anything distract him from his job, he’s just a cool hound, watch him!
Opal – is a black and white French crossbred sister to Oso, and while Oso seemed to take to hunting faster (Oso was probably born first, lol) than Opal, Opal is now catching up! This year Opal’s speed, drive and very BIG voice have really helped the pack out, do hounds have sibling rivalry?
Anaseed – Anaseed is a tri-color bitch drafted last year of Blue Ridge breeding. Originally she hunted coyote, and at first it was questionable whether the drag would interest Anaseed, but she surprised us! She’s a keen hunter with a unique voice, and could be a dark horse this season!
Jasper – is a handsome tri-color offspring of Iggy, and like some of his other siblings, he has been slowly improving every season. Jasper may be making a move out of the middle of the pack, he works hard to follow the lines and is a steady team player for the younger hounds, watch him!
Oxford – purchased last year by Jt. MFH Theresa Lazares.
Thanks so much to these members for supporting our hard-working hounds! Here are the winners of the 2024 Hound Challenge Hound Auction:
- Casey - Chris Borgen
- Delaware - Cam and Bill Camus
- Iggy - Jackie Fleckenstein
- Jasper - Melody Fleckenstein
- Jazz - Cindi Wood
- JBLM - Maggie Mittuch
- Jetty - Theresa Lazares, Cathy Elledge, Peg Whitmore, Patty Stiemert, Deb Giddings, Michelle Hoedeman, Sharon Scott, Jacqueline Fritz and RJ West
- Jodphur - Lynn Wilbur
- Joshua - Michelle Macartney
- Opal - Theresa Lazares, Cathy Elledge, Peg Whitmore, Patty Stiemert, Deb Giddings, Michelle Hoedeman, Sharon Scott, Jacqueline Fritz and RJ West
- Oso - Nelson Mittuch
- Oxford - Theresa Lazares
2024 Weekly Recap & Scores
The scores have been tallied and our winner of the 2024 WHC Hound Challenge is Oxford! Congratulations to WHC Jt. MFH Theresa Lazares and Oxford. Theresa claimed Oxford just after we acquired him from SYVH in the spring of 2023. Our formal awards presentation will be at the Closing Dinner on June 8th.
Saturday April 7, 2024, Closing Hunt, TA 7N and 7S
WHC Hound Challenge Wk3 - Final
It seemed like it was going to be a calm weather day as I polished my boots, prepped lures, and discussed hunt plans with our foxes. The horses antics and keenness of the hounds should have raised my senses. As I made the morning announcements and the fields organized near the clubhouse and kennels the sky opened and we experienced our first good rain squall of the day.
We moved off from the kennels with 6 ½ couple, it was a short hack to Bear Country where Oxford was the first to pick up the line. The scent was strong, the ground was warm and the rain was cold. The pack was tight and running together with boisterous cry. The run was Observation Hill to the Railroad Tie jumps, and onto the Mallard Pond. Oxford, Oso, Jetty and Jodhpur were in the lead. Up McCaw Hill across a game trail and they flew down the steepest route off McCaw Hill. Then a left towards Jean’s trail and onto the Coops. Through the Elledge Crossing they feathered back towards Lincoln Rd. All but two hounds had a hard check where the fox had traveled very close to the chain link fence. Jodhpur and Jetty were the first to find our fox Master Masters!
Thank you to Janie and Duncan, we had a very smooth crossing to 7S with a large field. The rain had stopped, and the sun was trying to peek through the clouds. We hacked to the top of the train tracks and I sent hounds in just to the north. I knew this was premature to where Papa Fox may have started the line, but it was good for hounds to clear their noses and realize there was not any scent where we had just hunted on Friday.
Whips positioned themselves beautifully giving hounds plenty of open room to hunt and me the peace of mind to let them fan out and hunt. Oso, Delaware and Oxford picked up the line in the burned-out area beside the gravel pit. Quickly they were too far away for me to clearly see the order they were running. But I could still distinctly hear the voices of Oxford, Oso, Delaware, and Iggy. Papa Fox took them on a merry chase! Up the ridge and into the Merlin they went. Then it slowed down, the foulage (Scotch Broom) foiled the line. Jetty and Opal were trying hard but lost just short of finding Papa Fox.
We checked near Hillhurst, and hounds were watered. The sun was shining, and the field had a nice opportunity to visit amongst the beautiful budding oak trees. Master Masters was well ahead laying the next line.
After about fifteen minutes, we hacked down the gravel road and headed into the grassy Jeep Rd. that heads south and west. Hounds could smell the scent of Tam’s mount Spendi. Still within my view, they checked and then threw themselves into the woods. We were able to hear and often see the pack as we rode parallel on the Jeep Rd. It was hard to tell the order, the voices of Oxford, Iggy and Delaware were very distinguishable. Just shy of Transmission Line Rd they came back to the Jeep Rd. Hounds turned west and then north into the woods and found our fox (Master Masters) on the fence line of the old ammunition containment area, now just an empty fenced area. It was Oxford, Oso, Casey, and Opal that found her first!
Papa Fox had been taken ahead by truck. The car followers requested a line that would give them a good view from their perch near the Gravel Pit. We took the field (and hounds) on an adventure and almost found the old trail that I’d been on the lookout for. Hounds were cast down the ridge, this was premature to where Papa Fox had started but it’s a wonderful opportunity to see the hounds work. I was impressed by their drive and diligence.
It was Oxford, Iggy, and Oso who were first to announce scent had been found. Papa fox did an incredible job of giving each field and the car followers all a grand view. For a moment I thought we were going to hunt all the way back to Perimeter Rd! Then hounds found Papa Fox treed just to the west of the train track. He was marked not only by our hounds but also by a beautiful low flying hawk.
It was a lovely day to close the season. My heart is full of appreciation for our community, hounds, horses, and the incredible country we are so fortunate to ride and hunt. As I tally the Hound Challenge scores, I feel the lower scoring hounds deserve honorable mention. Jasper, Joshua, and Jazz are all three wonderful hounds and contribute greatly to each day hunting. It’s hard to quantify hunting in a competition because even the low scoring positions in the pack are very necessary.
What I appreciate most about our annual Hound Challenge is how you all get behind the hounds, learn about them as individuals and as a pack. And start to hear which voice comes from which hound.
As we hacked home, the wind picked up and cold rain fell from the sky, we trotted most of the way! Thank goodness for the delicious hot hunt breakfast that was waiting for us all at the clubhouse upon our return to the kennels and trailers. That tasty meal was greatly appreciated.
Saturday April 7, 2024, Closing Hunt, TA 7N and 7S
WHC Hound Challenge Wk3 - Final
It seemed like it was going to be a calm weather day as I polished my boots, prepped lures, and discussed hunt plans with our foxes. The horses antics and keenness of the hounds should have raised my senses. As I made the morning announcements and the fields organized near the clubhouse and kennels the sky opened and we experienced our first good rain squall of the day.
We moved off from the kennels with 6 ½ couple, it was a short hack to Bear Country where Oxford was the first to pick up the line. The scent was strong, the ground was warm and the rain was cold. The pack was tight and running together with boisterous cry. The run was Observation Hill to the Railroad Tie jumps, and onto the Mallard Pond. Oxford, Oso, Jetty and Jodhpur were in the lead. Up McCaw Hill across a game trail and they flew down the steepest route off McCaw Hill. Then a left towards Jean’s trail and onto the Coops. Through the Elledge Crossing they feathered back towards Lincoln Rd. All but two hounds had a hard check where the fox had traveled very close to the chain link fence. Jodhpur and Jetty were the first to find our fox Master Masters!
Thank you to Janie and Duncan, we had a very smooth crossing to 7S with a large field. The rain had stopped, and the sun was trying to peek through the clouds. We hacked to the top of the train tracks and I sent hounds in just to the north. I knew this was premature to where Papa Fox may have started the line, but it was good for hounds to clear their noses and realize there was not any scent where we had just hunted on Friday.
Whips positioned themselves beautifully giving hounds plenty of open room to hunt and me the peace of mind to let them fan out and hunt. Oso, Delaware and Oxford picked up the line in the burned-out area beside the gravel pit. Quickly they were too far away for me to clearly see the order they were running. But I could still distinctly hear the voices of Oxford, Oso, Delaware, and Iggy. Papa Fox took them on a merry chase! Up the ridge and into the Merlin they went. Then it slowed down, the foulage (Scotch Broom) foiled the line. Jetty and Opal were trying hard but lost just short of finding Papa Fox.
We checked near Hillhurst, and hounds were watered. The sun was shining, and the field had a nice opportunity to visit amongst the beautiful budding oak trees. Master Masters was well ahead laying the next line.
After about fifteen minutes, we hacked down the gravel road and headed into the grassy Jeep Rd. that heads south and west. Hounds could smell the scent of Tam’s mount Spendi. Still within my view, they checked and then threw themselves into the woods. We were able to hear and often see the pack as we rode parallel on the Jeep Rd. It was hard to tell the order, the voices of Oxford, Iggy and Delaware were very distinguishable. Just shy of Transmission Line Rd they came back to the Jeep Rd. Hounds turned west and then north into the woods and found our fox (Master Masters) on the fence line of the old ammunition containment area, now just an empty fenced area. It was Oxford, Oso, Casey, and Opal that found her first!
Papa Fox had been taken ahead by truck. The car followers requested a line that would give them a good view from their perch near the Gravel Pit. We took the field (and hounds) on an adventure and almost found the old trail that I’d been on the lookout for. Hounds were cast down the ridge, this was premature to where Papa Fox had started but it’s a wonderful opportunity to see the hounds work. I was impressed by their drive and diligence.
It was Oxford, Iggy, and Oso who were first to announce scent had been found. Papa fox did an incredible job of giving each field and the car followers all a grand view. For a moment I thought we were going to hunt all the way back to Perimeter Rd! Then hounds found Papa Fox treed just to the west of the train track. He was marked not only by our hounds but also by a beautiful low flying hawk.
It was a lovely day to close the season. My heart is full of appreciation for our community, hounds, horses, and the incredible country we are so fortunate to ride and hunt. As I tally the Hound Challenge scores, I feel the lower scoring hounds deserve honorable mention. Jasper, Joshua, and Jazz are all three wonderful hounds and contribute greatly to each day hunting. It’s hard to quantify hunting in a competition because even the low scoring positions in the pack are very necessary.
What I appreciate most about our annual Hound Challenge is how you all get behind the hounds, learn about them as individuals and as a pack. And start to hear which voice comes from which hound.
As we hacked home, the wind picked up and cold rain fell from the sky, we trotted most of the way! Thank goodness for the delicious hot hunt breakfast that was waiting for us all at the clubhouse upon our return to the kennels and trailers. That tasty meal was greatly appreciated.
Saturday, March 23, 2024
JBLM TA 12
Our fox, hounds and mother nature put on a beautiful show for us last Saturday. I had forgotten about the trail up Muck Creek towards Roy until Andrew (our fox) told me his plan to start down the creek on the west bank. I thought to myself, "don't blow this for your hounds Hansen". It was a little tricky but with the help of Master Masters we were able to settle hounds and they worked the west bank till they picked up the line. JBLM, Jolene and Jazz gleefully swam the creek. Oso almost did but changed her mind and scurried around with the rest of the pack. They all jumped back in the woods and were flying!
Cath and I viewed a beautiful deer at the southeast corner of Chambers Lake. I wish I'd gotten a picture as it was a variety I'm unfamiliar with. Haunch and Fox had run closely together to the point where Cath and I were standing. The haunch headed on his merry way to the east and hounds followed our fox to the north along Chambers Lake. Brad Barkhurst captured some great video of hounds and the field along the lake.
As we got to Hamilton and Dailman Lakes hounds were hunting deep in the woods with hearty voices. I'd lost radio connection with our fox, I was unable to confirm the distance he's covered. It seemed impossible he could still be ahead of us. And then, as we were nearing Pincus Rd and I spotted a red raincoat emerging from the trees and into the open and behind him came a few dillengent hounds.
The pack had split, staff did a fantastic job of stopping the rest of the pack without interfering with the hounds who were hunting Andrew's line. We had a nice check and then hacked across Pincus Rd to the Maples trail.
As we ventured down the Maples trail only Delaware and Iggy gave voice. Delaware in the lead and Iggy bringing up the rear, they are both so helpful. The Fox had taken a line through the woods and onto the prairie. This was an incredible sight to see and song to hear. The rest of the pack opened and Oxford, Oso and Opal, joined Jetty, Jazz and JBLM at the front. I was once again stunned by how much ground Andrew had covered. He was eventually found to-ground near East Gate Rd.
Willing to run further, Duncan trucked Andrew to the northwest corner of TA 12. We checked to give him ample time to adventure in the pines and prairie. When we moved off, I let hounds move loosely so they could investigate the area. The pack seemed surprised when they once again picked up the scent of our Fox, and then they were flying. Cathy, Master Masters and I had to gallop hard to keep up. The french hounds were often leading the run. Closely followed by Jetty and Jazz. Jodhpur, Joshua, Casey and Jasper who were all in on the hunt but having a slower than usual day. Iggy and Delaware were tiring a bit but still full of voice and there to help anytime the scent was hard to hold onto. Our Fox made it almost to the west shore of Chambers Lake before being caught by hounds.
It was an incredible day spent with wonderful hounds, humans, and horses. Our hounds are getting harder and harder to judge as the voice and hunting strengthens.
JBLM TA 12
Our fox, hounds and mother nature put on a beautiful show for us last Saturday. I had forgotten about the trail up Muck Creek towards Roy until Andrew (our fox) told me his plan to start down the creek on the west bank. I thought to myself, "don't blow this for your hounds Hansen". It was a little tricky but with the help of Master Masters we were able to settle hounds and they worked the west bank till they picked up the line. JBLM, Jolene and Jazz gleefully swam the creek. Oso almost did but changed her mind and scurried around with the rest of the pack. They all jumped back in the woods and were flying!
Cath and I viewed a beautiful deer at the southeast corner of Chambers Lake. I wish I'd gotten a picture as it was a variety I'm unfamiliar with. Haunch and Fox had run closely together to the point where Cath and I were standing. The haunch headed on his merry way to the east and hounds followed our fox to the north along Chambers Lake. Brad Barkhurst captured some great video of hounds and the field along the lake.
As we got to Hamilton and Dailman Lakes hounds were hunting deep in the woods with hearty voices. I'd lost radio connection with our fox, I was unable to confirm the distance he's covered. It seemed impossible he could still be ahead of us. And then, as we were nearing Pincus Rd and I spotted a red raincoat emerging from the trees and into the open and behind him came a few dillengent hounds.
The pack had split, staff did a fantastic job of stopping the rest of the pack without interfering with the hounds who were hunting Andrew's line. We had a nice check and then hacked across Pincus Rd to the Maples trail.
As we ventured down the Maples trail only Delaware and Iggy gave voice. Delaware in the lead and Iggy bringing up the rear, they are both so helpful. The Fox had taken a line through the woods and onto the prairie. This was an incredible sight to see and song to hear. The rest of the pack opened and Oxford, Oso and Opal, joined Jetty, Jazz and JBLM at the front. I was once again stunned by how much ground Andrew had covered. He was eventually found to-ground near East Gate Rd.
Willing to run further, Duncan trucked Andrew to the northwest corner of TA 12. We checked to give him ample time to adventure in the pines and prairie. When we moved off, I let hounds move loosely so they could investigate the area. The pack seemed surprised when they once again picked up the scent of our Fox, and then they were flying. Cathy, Master Masters and I had to gallop hard to keep up. The french hounds were often leading the run. Closely followed by Jetty and Jazz. Jodhpur, Joshua, Casey and Jasper who were all in on the hunt but having a slower than usual day. Iggy and Delaware were tiring a bit but still full of voice and there to help anytime the scent was hard to hold onto. Our Fox made it almost to the west shore of Chambers Lake before being caught by hounds.
It was an incredible day spent with wonderful hounds, humans, and horses. Our hounds are getting harder and harder to judge as the voice and hunting strengthens.
3-18-24 Huntsman's Recap
Blue skies, birds singing, nearly 70 degrees, and the hunting was fantastic!
Our foxes and hounds continue to hone their skills and clever ways. This year's hound challenge is off to an exciting start. I wish we'd been able to award more points because every hound contributed so much to the day's sport.
It was well past 11am when we moved off and hacked to TA 7S. The foxes (Papa Fox and Andrew) had a good head start. Even in the unseasonably warm weather hounds were fresh. When I cast, it took them a few minutes to settle in and really get to work. It can be hard for them to latch onto scent in the scotch broom but once Delaware and Casey opened on the line the entire pack honored them and lined out beautifully across the prairie. The terrain of 7S allows the field to view and hear hounds from quite a distance. With eyes and ears on hounds, we kept galloping and arrived near the north end of the Amorosso just in time to view hounds crossing the road. Our foxes did a fantastic job using the country, we enjoyed many views before finding foxes on a Jeep trail near Transmission Line Rd.
Hounds took a water break while foxes moved on. Next, I drew hounds near the Secor trail. This gave them a nice long time to hunt before they caught the scent of our foxes near the ridge. The trail they took this time was great for hounds but tricky for the field. The voice was beautiful! I wish I'd been closer to hounds and able to get more scores on this run. Hounds found Andrew under an apple tree. Then the pack quickly moved on and continued hunting. With no sighting of Papa Fox it seemed he was still on the move. It turned out it was not Papa Fox but likely the scent of a coyote they followed into and up Murry Creek a ways before coming back to my horn.
While the field and I were gathering the hounds, foxes went to work and tried to out fox the pack. Hounds had just followed the wrong scent in the same area they took off in. That did not confuse hounds for even a second! These hounds have drive! It was hot, it was dry, and they were just as keen as they'd been at the start of the day. Our field of nearly 60 (five flights) were quietly positioned and I think everyone got to view a portion of this final line of the day!
Hounds were packed up and found water once more in the gravel pit. Foxes were picked up by Duncan in the truck. Thanks to Duncan and Emily Rang for managing traffic so hounds and our very large field could safely cross back to 7N and return to the clubhouse for a delicious hunt breakfast.
Blue skies, birds singing, nearly 70 degrees, and the hunting was fantastic!
Our foxes and hounds continue to hone their skills and clever ways. This year's hound challenge is off to an exciting start. I wish we'd been able to award more points because every hound contributed so much to the day's sport.
It was well past 11am when we moved off and hacked to TA 7S. The foxes (Papa Fox and Andrew) had a good head start. Even in the unseasonably warm weather hounds were fresh. When I cast, it took them a few minutes to settle in and really get to work. It can be hard for them to latch onto scent in the scotch broom but once Delaware and Casey opened on the line the entire pack honored them and lined out beautifully across the prairie. The terrain of 7S allows the field to view and hear hounds from quite a distance. With eyes and ears on hounds, we kept galloping and arrived near the north end of the Amorosso just in time to view hounds crossing the road. Our foxes did a fantastic job using the country, we enjoyed many views before finding foxes on a Jeep trail near Transmission Line Rd.
Hounds took a water break while foxes moved on. Next, I drew hounds near the Secor trail. This gave them a nice long time to hunt before they caught the scent of our foxes near the ridge. The trail they took this time was great for hounds but tricky for the field. The voice was beautiful! I wish I'd been closer to hounds and able to get more scores on this run. Hounds found Andrew under an apple tree. Then the pack quickly moved on and continued hunting. With no sighting of Papa Fox it seemed he was still on the move. It turned out it was not Papa Fox but likely the scent of a coyote they followed into and up Murry Creek a ways before coming back to my horn.
While the field and I were gathering the hounds, foxes went to work and tried to out fox the pack. Hounds had just followed the wrong scent in the same area they took off in. That did not confuse hounds for even a second! These hounds have drive! It was hot, it was dry, and they were just as keen as they'd been at the start of the day. Our field of nearly 60 (five flights) were quietly positioned and I think everyone got to view a portion of this final line of the day!
Hounds were packed up and found water once more in the gravel pit. Foxes were picked up by Duncan in the truck. Thanks to Duncan and Emily Rang for managing traffic so hounds and our very large field could safely cross back to 7N and return to the clubhouse for a delicious hunt breakfast.
Previous Hound Challenge Results
|
2023 Champion: Jodhpur
2nd Place: Iggy 3rd Place: Joshua 4th Place: Delaware |
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 |