History of Our Hunt

T he Woodbrook Hunt Club
is a 98 year old organization dedicated to riding to hounds -- a
pursuit that goes back to well before George Washington hunted
his own pack of hounds in colonial Virginia. WHC is the oldest
fox-hunting club west of the Mississippi. Today the club
continues its rich tradition on the last remaining three percent
of native prairie in the Puget Sound Corridor. The sport is alive
and well all over the world (although its existence is
threatened in England by political forces). This is not an
historical theatrical recreation, but a living tradition full of
excitement and avid sportsmanship. Fox-hunting is not a competition
sport. The idea is to enjoy riding your horse out in the wild
while appreciating the work of the hounds seeking and chasing
the scent of the game. Woodbrook is one of 170 member hunts of
the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America. The pedigrees
of our foxhounds are maintained by the
MFHA's Keeper of the Stud Book.
We at WHC strive to maintain the traditions of riding to hounds.
We sport the scarlet and black coats you see in the old hunt
prints. We keep 13 or more couple of
American Foxhounds in
our kennels. They are hunted by our Master of Foxhounds assisted by
several Whippers-In, all unpaid. We have a clubhouse for "hunt
breakfasts" and parties, an annual Hunt Ball and Hunter Trials.
At Woodbrook, it is only the scent we chase, as we are and have
always been a drag hunt, that is, a hunt where a scent is laid
down in advance over a prearranged series of courses
(photo - below left). We do not
kill foxes (in fact we don't seem to have any foxes here). We
don't pursue live game. No guns or hunting license, etc. are
required.
Galloping and jumping are central to our sport. However, in our
country all the jumps are optional.

photos © --- courtesy of
Troutstreaming Outdoor and Sports Media

We have existed so long because of the military reservation at
Fort Lewis, which we are allowed to use (in common with the
public and other groups) pursuant to a permit system and a
licensing agreement through the Army Corps of Engineers. We are
not only grateful to, but dependent upon, the U.S. Army for our
sport; and all who ride with us must sign a release-of-liability
that frees Fort Lewis and the Hunt from responsibility for any
mishap that may occur during the risky business of riding and
galloping across a country whose primary use is military
training. There are definitely hazards, including the dreaded
concertina wire, which make it wise to ride in the track of
another rider.

photos © --- courtesy of
Troutstreaming Outdoor and Sports Media

We welcome newcomers, and do our best to initiate them into the
traditions of the sport, which include horsemanship, courtesy,
safety, courage, awareness of the environment and of one's
surroundings, and also the traditions of dress and turnout. Hunt
cap and black boots, black coat and stock tie are worn on formal
hunts, scarlet coats and/or collars by those awarded their
colors. Guests are welcome, and membership is not expensive.
This club is not a snobby organization, and there is no waiting
list to join. Members take turns preparing the "Hunt Breakfast"
served in the clubhouse following every hunt. Riders and
non-riders are invited to join us for these meals. Before each
hunt, the "Field Master" explains the basic rules, which amount
to safety rules, such as "Do not pass the Field Master and do
not ride over the hounds." Guests are asked to introduce
themselves around at the meet and try to enlist a member to
serve as a guide or mentor during their first hunt, for their
own safety and enjoyment.

The Master of Foxhounds' word is law during the hunt.
The M.F.H “carries the horn” and is in
charge of the hounds. The staff is comprised of Whippers-in
and other members. Whoever is
serving as Field Master is in charge of the "field" of riders;
often the field is divided into faster and slower sections, each
with its own Field Master. Riders often change from one to
another field during the day, and they should inform both Field
Masters of this change. Hunts generally start at 11:00 in front
of the clubhouse, and return by about 2:00 for the hunt
breakfast. For some hunts, a car caravan can be organized to
allow parents and others to follow horse and hounds. The biggest
and most festive hunt days are Opening Day, the day after our
Hunter Trials; New Year's Day; and the Blessing of the Hounds,
usually the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
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