Western Challenge 2004 pictures and reports

Bijou Springs - Colorado

Writeup thanks to Gary Worral, pictures thanks Kathy Tourney and Jan D'Alessandro

The Western Challenge Tour at the Bijou Springs Hunt began with a well-attended welcoming dinner at the Rockyard Brewery near Castle Rock, Colorado, 5 April 2004. The following morning, the meet started with a Stirrup Cup and introductions, and release of the hounds. Hunting conditions were almost perfect as the ground was still moist from the rain and snow received over the weekend, the sky was partly cloudy, temperature in the 50s, and the wind was 15 to 20 mph. All of the local coyotes seemed to be at home and game to pilot some good runs. Thirteen couple of English, American and Crossbred hounds were hunted for three hours, producing six decent runs of varying lengths plus several other finds disturbed by the wind resulting in short distance bursts. The pack performed beautifully, thoroughly hunting the gulches and scrub oak-covered hillsides, instantly responding to commands, and recovering lines disturbed by the wind on their own. The best run was clearly a demonstration of the hounds' tracking, casting, and recovering abilities, interspersed with hard runs. It also challenged the pack to stay with the hunted coyote as at least two other coyotes were encountered. This run lasted approximately 40 minutes with three coyotes being viewed several times. The meet concluded with all hounds on and was followed by a terrific breakfast provided by Paul and Nancy King. To help work off the food consumed, MB Arie Rijke, who joined the Tour in Colorado, took his Waldingfield Beagles out for exercising later that afternoon. He was assisted by his traveling companion ex-MFH Nick Wykes who came all the way from the United Kingdom to participate in this year's Tour. The beagles showed great sport by finding and chasing about eight bunnies, putting each to ground one at a time in a nearby gopher farm. The entire day was a foxhunters dream, thoroughly enjoyed by all!

Spencer, Ari - Waldingford Beagles and Betty Hollendorfer - Bijou mugging for the camera!

Judges Clive Rose and Charles Montgomery with Arapahoe Hunt First Whipper In, Bob Knox

Kit Haddock on Danny, Kathy Tourney on Goose at Happy Canyon

MFH Gary, Lady, Rohn

Bringing the hounds home

MFH Gary

Charles Owen

Judge Clive

Ted, Julie Wier , Betty

AJ son of Joe and Sam

Outrider Kit Haddock on Danny





Drinking at the East spring

End of the hunt

Hunting hard

Pack released before the hunt

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