Tally Ho at the Belle Meade Hunt Opening Meet
Writers Update | The opening meet is held the first Saturday in November. Tickets can be purchased in advance. The events happens rain or shine.
It's the annual Belle Meade Hunt and who knew such British traditions were pulsing through McDuffie County's veins. In its 49th year and as tradition yelps, horses, hounds and huntsmen gather at the Belle Meade Club to explore the rolling hills of McDuffie County in search of foxes. Rolling right along with the riders and dogs are caravans of pick-up trucks, massive tractors and Humvees, all pulling hay-filled trailers filled to their top rails with people, coolers and cameras. The British tradition aside, in Georgia, this event also claims the title as being the World's Largest Rolling Tailgate Party. As far as the roads and fields will wind, moving parties follow the trail of the hounds who are focused on the prize.
As with anything worth its salt, it must begin with a blessing. The Blessing of the Hounds - officiated by Rev. Charles Broome - offers prayers for guidance and safety over the hounds and the riders.
"Here our humble prayer, O God, for all animals, especially those in whose companionship we find joy and health. We entreat for them Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion, gentle hands and kindly words . . . Bless rider and horse, and hounds that run, in their running, and shield them from danger to life and limb. May thy children who ride, and Thy creatures who carry, come to the close of the day unhurt . . . Bless those over whose lands we hunt . . . Bless the foxes who partake in the chase, that they may run straight and true and may find their destiny in Thee . . . "
After the Blessing, he offers to each rider a St. Hubert Medal, and as the hounds and horses move off, the wagons load up and the hunt begins. Armed with coolers filled with chilled drink and thermoses filled with coffee, hundreds of spectators are ready for what will be a four-hour afternoon watching the huntsmen and the trained do what they do best. Although it was unusually cold and some opted out at the last minute, the faithful realized that a little breeze is not to dissuade the hunter or the rider.
The Huntsman's duties are carried out by Epp Wilson who carries the horn and is charge of controlling the hounds. Knowing each by name, he calls and instructs and even helps should they get off course. They instinctively follow his cry and move in a pack never straying far. Charlie Lewis is honorary whipper-in, riding in the lead-wagon, leading the spectators from field to field and sharing the history of the event and describing events as they unfold. As a first time observer, I counted on Lewis to keep me informed and as he framed the event from start to finish, his role was invaluable.
