Longreen Foxhounds Celebrate 51st Opening Meet and Blessing of the Hounds by Susan Walker, MFH-Huntsman and Mark Harris This year's blessing of Longreen Foxhounds, held Nov. 8, 2008, was a special milestone for hounds, members, and friends.  All enjoyed the southern hospitality of Jake and Harriet McFadden at their historic family hunting farm of Birdlands near Como, Mississippi. Harriet and Jake have maintained and improved the hunting habitat, managing the land as a refuge for quail, deer, and coyote. Saturday morning’s weather brought a 40-degree chill with winds out of the NW at 10-15 mph.  The Stirrup Cup of warm cider spiked with rum, provided by Jane Harris, and banana bread slices melted the chill and energized folks for the day's excitement. Traditionally the stirrup cup serves to gather the hunt participants, the hunt staff, and the hounds. A blessing for all was made and thanks were given for the day in celebration of God’s creation. This year's Officiant was Rev. Don Feuerbach from Germantown Presbyterian Church. The day’s activities also began with a special award given to Susan Walker, MFH for her long-time dedication and service to the Longreen hunt. Susan has carried on the breeding program of Penn-MaryDel foxhounds developed by Bart Mueller (deceased MFH of Longreen), a breed of foxhounds that was introduced to the Mid-South by Mueller in the 1950’s. The present pack is a continuation of line breeding that dates back to colonial America, in which a hound with a sensitive nose (“cold nosed”), long bugle voice, and responsiveness to the Huntsman (“biddability”) was desired. Beth Hitchman, mother of Rebecca Bullard, MFH, and a long time supporter of the hunt and equestrian activities in the Mid- South, presented a tray engraved with "Spirit of the Sport, Longreen Foxhounds” to Susan Walker, MFH. Nine couple of hounds were brought to front of the Manor Home for the annual Blessing of the Hounds. After the Blessing, hounds, riders, and carriages trotted down the entrance driveway under a canopy of hardwoods in full fall color to the first covert. Deer were sighted from all coverts including several large doe and an 8-point buck. The hunt moved east through the native grassland north of a pine and hardwood forest as hounds searched for scent of a coyote. Hounds “flagged” as the pack worked the small wooded sections. Soon the pack was off running a coyote, which the carriages drivers viewed. But in too short a time, the scent evaporated on dry plow in the wind and the huntsman's horn brought them back to regroup and hunt for a better line.  Then - Tally-Ho! Mark Harris viewed a coyote to the south headed east in the plow field. Hounds opened on spotty scent as the wind out of the north over the plow prevented them from lining it out.  They cast several times, hounds working together in a large circle into the wind, but to no avail.  The Huntsman cast them again along the south edge of the grassland, downwind.  No scent there either. Soon another Tally-Ho! Carriage driver Rose Marie Lawson with passenger, Sheila Oles, viewed a coyote heading east near the old barn. Once more the Huntsman the pack and galloped to the line.  Hounds opened in full cry as they hit the hot line on the grass and raced west, much to the Huntsman’s surprise. The pack roared off turning northwest toward the thick saplings and pine forest along the west ditch in the Birdlands' country with such speed that the carriages, Third field, and truck followers were left behind. Staff and riders with their Field Masters followed the pack as they raced west. Hounds checked in the forest, found again and continued west on the coyote line, crossing Parks Place Rd and moving into unknown country. Four young hounds had switched to deer and gone north.  No way to get to them to correct them and the rascals knew it.  The steady hounds returned to the huntsman, having lost the scent.  We continued to hunt as we headed back to the road.  Farm manager, Jimmy Lanier, kept up with the young hounds. Harriet McFadden and her riders kept up with the main pack and had not missed a beat!  At 1:30 p.m. hounds were put in the kennel, while riders dismounted and went in for the Hunt Breakfast. The day’s fare included ham, smoked turkey, green bean casserole, cheese grits, and tossed salad, with desserts of chocolate cake, brownies, pies, and cookies.  The Manor House and screened porch bustled with the activity of people chatting about the beauty of the day, the surroundings, excitement of the sport, and inquiries about recipes.  Laughter was heard from the front porch, where folks gathered in the warmth of the sunshine as it bounced off of the leaves of the massive Magnolias along the picket fence.  The local lawnmowers, a flock of sheep, could be heard from their paddock to the north. The day’s excitement closed as the sun was setting over the lake across the meadow.  Enjoying the day’s blessings, folks looked forward to more good runs with the Longreen hounds this season.