Oak Grove Hunt Begins 60th Season Of Foxhunting Blessing of hounds marks event by Nancy Brannon At its annual opening meet November 11, 2006, Oak Grove Hunt Club celebrated the “blessing of the hounds” for the 60th year running, marking a long-standing tradition of foxhunting in the Mid-South area. The Opening Meet was held at Peggy and Paul Hart’s Misty Meadows Farm south of Collierville, Tennessee, named for the “morning mist that rises in the pastures,” said hostess and first Whipper-in Peggy Hart. Nearly a hundred people turned out for the ceremony, with about half being riders and the rest spectators, who filled three hay wagons for a tour of the hunt and view from the hilltops. Oak Grove Hunt Club had its origins in Germantown, TN in the early 1940s when a group of riders called the Oak Grove Saddle Club met every Sunday afternoon for a weekly ride. Bart Mueller, a foxhunter from Minnesota via Maryland, moved to the area and interested local folks in starting a foxhunting club. He had been a kennel man and huntsman at a hunt in Maryland, so he knew a lot about the sport, including breeding and training hounds. A core group of riders from the Oak Grove Saddle Club decided that was a good idea, so Oak Grove Hunt Club became the first registered foxhunt in the area in 1946, as member club with the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America. The annual “blessing of the hounds” ceremony begins the formal hunting season and invokes blessings and prayers for the safety of all those participating on this day and during the rest of the season. The blessing also includes those over whose land the hunt traverses. The hunt club members are especially grateful to those landowners in west Tennessee and northern Mississippi who graciously accommodate the sport. At the beginning of the ceremony, riders toast one another with a “stirrup cup,” a wine concoction to warm the body and fortify the soul. “Foxy” Walker is renowned for her delicious recipes, and for not revealing her trade secrets. Whatever the ingredients, the brew will “cure what ails ye." After stirrup cups, a recitation of the blessing follows in a call-response mode between minister and participants. Rev. Matthew McGrew of Longtown United Methodist Church in Senatobia, Mississippi was the officiant of the service, the text of which follows. At the end of the ceremony, riders are awarded St. Hubert medals, the Patron Saint of Hunting, for further protection from harm and as a reminder of the saint who watches over and protects animals and humans alike. The weather for the meet was a decidedly bone-chilling overcast day, brought in by a cold front and rain the night before. The scenting conditions should have been just right, damp ground and cold temperatures to hold the scent low, but a steady north wind cut like a knife through even several layers of clothing, chilling riders and making it difficult for hounds to keep scent in the open. Deer were abundant, too, and kept popping up in front of hounds, further complicating the task of keeping scent for a good run. Still, according to alternate huntsman Amanda McGee, “The hounds did a great job working under not so great conditions. They carried the scent very well in the woods, but due to the winds could not hold out long in the open. They behaved very well, and as you could see from the blessing, were delighted to be there and be the center of attention.” The human participants enjoyed just being out for the occasion, too, and savored a “hunt breakfast” with a great abundance and variety of food after the hunt. Invocation for the hunt blessing is as follows: Minister: The earth is the Lord’s and all the fullness thereof: the compass of the world and they that dwell therein. Praise the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits. Our help is in the name of the Lord. People: Who hath made heaven and earth. Minister: Lord, hear our prayer. People: And let our cry come unto thee. Minister: The Lord be with you; People: and with thy spirit. Minister: Let us pray: hear our humble prayer, O God, for all animals, especially those in whose companionship we find joy and help. As horse and hound are friends of man, may they be treated with kindness and love. As they have learned to obey the call of the huntsman, so may we learn to obey the call of our Divine Master. People: Amen. Minister: Protect, O Lord, those who ride with the strong arm of thy love and give them grateful hearts for the privilege of enjoying the bounties of the world. Bless, O Lord, rider and horse, and the hunters that run, and the joy of their running. Bless and shield these riders 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 and grant that no deed of ours may cause their owners hurt or trouble. Bless all the creatures who partake in this chase, that they may run straight and true, and that they may find their true destiny in Thee. Bless these hounds as they chase and their joyful part in thy service. God, who sanctifieth all things by thy word, pour down they blessings upon these thy servants, their horses and their hounds; to all who shall take part in this hunt grant protection of body and soul; grant that the spirit of true sportsmanship may prevail in all we do this day. People: Amen Minister: Go in peace, return in safety. The blessing of God Almighty be upon you now and remain with you always. People: Amen.