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The head of
every hunt is the Master of Foxhounds
(MFH). He or She has the sole responsibility
for the success of the hunt as an
organization, the caliber of the hounds, the
efficiency of the hunt servants, and the
hunt's reputation in the local community,
nationally and internationally. Masters of
Foxhounds are the record keepers, the
elegant work horses, and the peacekeepers.
Without them, there would be no sport and
certainly no sporting example. The MFH is
responsible for the hounds showing the best
possible sport |
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under existing
conditions and that neither hound,
staff, nor field damage or annoy the
landowner who make the sport
possible. At South Creek, the
MFH position is shared by Rick Michaels,
Michael Ferraro and Barbara Phethean. |
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The Professional Huntsman's duties
are carried out by Robert Douglas. He has
the privilege of carrying the horn, as he
has the responsibility for controlling the
hounds. He indicates where he wishes the
hounds to draw a fox or coyote and see that
any fox or coyote is well chased by the
hounds operating as a cohesive pack. The
huntsman is in charge of the actual planning
and working of each day's hunt. He is the
strategy, the praise for a successful
season, and the blames for a poor one. |
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Whipper's In assist the Hunstman by
turning hounds back to the Huntsman or
encouraging them forward as necessary. They
are used by the Huntsman as the ears and
eyes to get timely notice of the movement of
a fox or hounds. Each Whipper In must know
the voice of most hounds in the pack, be
able to discipline by voice or cracking
their whip, and have the horsemanship and
horse necessary to accompany hounds through
the field, forest and thicket. Only the
Huntsman gives them orders and everyone else
must not interfere with their actions. They
carry hunting whips (as does the Huntsman)
and in some hunts they can be distinguished
by the spare stirrup leather carried
diagonally across their chests. Whippers In
are appointed by the professional Huntsman.
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The Field Master is in control of
mounted followers ("Field") He or She
usually rides at their head and hold the
field in a position which he believes will
give them the best opportunity to enjoy the
sport without interfering with the staff or
hounds. He sees that each rider does not
damage any landowner's land or property, and
that each member adheres to the rules of
good sportsmanship and chasing etiquette. |
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The Hon. Secretary issues fixture
cards, records those attending each hunt,
accepts fees, welcomes and assists visitors
and performs countless other duties. Each
visitor should find the Secretary upon
arrival, pay their fees and be counted on
the day's sport.
Other riders comprise the Hunt Field,
following the Field Master: the
Hilltoppers which come at a much less
demanding pace, still on horseback; and the
Tally Ho Wagons for non mounted
spectators. Frequently at South Creek, there
is a "jumping and non jumping" field.
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