Old Dominion/Rappahannock Hunts in Process of Merging

Two of Virginia’s well established hunts, the Old Dominion Hounds (ODH) and the Rappahannock Hunt (RH), are in the early stages of a possible merger, according to their Joint Masters of Fox Hounds (J-MFH) Margret “Douglas” Wise and Gus Forbush, ODH, and Gus Edwards and Oliver Brown (RH.)
 
            The Masters of both hunts began exploration discussions of a possible merger early this year.   After getting a tentative “go-ahead to proceed cautiously” from their Boards of Directors, the MFHs agreed that subscribers/members of each hunt could hunt as often as they liked and with no capping fee through the 2010-2011 season.  
 
            “That means our members have the opportunity to hunt five days a week,”  explains Wise.
 
“ODH pack will go out its usual days of Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and RH hounds Wednesday and Sundays.  One Saturday a month between October and January, the packs will hunt together starting with opening day, October 30, when the  hunts will meet jointly at Gus and Sandra Forbush’s, Foxhall Farm, in ODH territory.   These monthly joint Saturday meets will alternate between RH and ODH territory and will usually be held at fixtures shared by both hunts.    We all agree that this year of ‘engagement’ will tell us a lot about how this sort of merger will work,” says Edwards.    
 
Along with sharing opening day the two hunts will combine to hold their hunt ball that same evening.     It’s scheduled for the Fairfield Mansion at Marriott Ranch, near Hume.
 
            “In another series of events, not related to the merger, RH, ODH and Warrenton Hunt (WH) will sponsor “Hunt Fest”, a week open to fox hunters everywhere.    WH will open the Fest with a barn dance Saturday night, October 23.  They will also host the Hunt Fest’s first hunt the next day, Monday the 24th.   After that Hunt Fest participants will then hunt with ODH on Tuesday, RH on Wednesday, ODH on Thursday (Friday being a bye day) and with ODH on Saturday, that being opening day for RH and ODH.   Exact locations, times and other details will be release shortly,” says Brown.
 
Why the Merger?
 
“We have to face the facts of hunting life in the 21st century and look ahead,” explains Wise.  “While the current recession may have slowed development, that pressure will return and grow.   It’s inevitable and it can’t be ignored.”
 
Edwards continues, “Unfortunately, there just aren’t as many people who are interested in the sport as there once was.   So while this is a move to improve efficiency via economy of scale, it is also a way of adding new excitement  and fun to attract new members.”   
 
Both Forbush and Brown note that the current economy is also a factor.  “It costs more every year to operate the hunts.  Equipment, hound food, veterinary costs, fuel—everything has gone up so this is one way to improve efficiency,” says Brown.