SANTA YNEZ VALLEY HOUNDS
The Santa Ynez Valley Hounds, founded in 1972, is a non-profit corporation formed to maintain a pack of hounds in the tradition of the sport of riding to hounds - a pursuit that goes back to well before George Washington hunted his own pack of hounds in colonial Virginia. This sport is alive and active all over the world. This is not an historical theatrical recreation, but a living tradition full of excitement and avid sportsmanship.
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Dedicated to Exceptional Country,
Superior Hounds, Sturdy Horses,
Outstanding Staff,
Wonderful & Involved Members,
Strong Leadership,
and Great Sport!
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| OPENING HUNT - December 6th, 2008 |
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ADOPT A HOUND
Have you ever admired the Santa Ynez Valley hounds while out on a hunting day?
Watched them working so hard providing sport for your pleasure?
It's true that hounds enjoy every second of their work but like all of us there comes a time as age
catches up that we are unable to keep up with our younger counterparts. We become increasingly less
able to perform. Well, here at Santa Ynez Valley Hounds kennels, we'd like to think that each of our
older hounds deserves a decent retirement. We would like to offer members of the Santa Ynez Valley
Hounds the opportunity to adopt one of our select group of retirees. An older hound's favorite hobby
is most likely laying about your barn or in front of your fireplace. These hounds are affectionate
and healthy, just needing a good place to rest tired bones and a good family to look after them.
If you are interested in this year's adoption selection, please contact Chip or Claire
at the SYVH kennels 805-344-6002 or houndhunt40s@yahoo.com
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GET TO KNOW OUR SYVH STAFF
Claire Buchy-Anderson:
Huntsman
Chip Anderson :
Kennel Huntsman
Miranda Mayfield :
Professional Whipper-In
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DRESS
Riding to hounds is steeped in tradition. We are reproducing in the Santa Ynez Valley a traditional form of sport and therefore, we make every effort to adhere to the forms of this tradition. It is a great source of satisfaction to know that we are properly attired and understand the meaning of proper dress.
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HORSEMANSHIP
It is every rider's responsibility to bring a horse
to the field that is capable of doing the job. Any horse
that is not capable of entering in the sport should be retired for further training.
There is never any excuse for a rider not to hold his horse. A runaway endangers others and interferes with the pack. If you have a horse that kicks, you must tie a bright red ribbon near the root of the horse's tail as a warning to those who may find themselves behind you. It is your responsibility in these circumstances, however, always to ride at the back of the field.
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SYVH BEGINNINGS
One could say that the history of the Santa Ynez Valley Hunt goes back 10,000 years, to some of the earliest human settlers in the valley. The coyote, whose scent is our principal quarry, so amused the Chumash that they deified the animal as the Great Trickster. The wild boar, whose scent provides our other quarry, has been supplying sport for cowboys with hog-dogs and ropes ever since grizzly bears disappeared in the last century.
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