CANTON, MISSISSIPPI November 8, 2025
The Chula Homa Hounds hosted their forty-third annual Opening Meet and Blessing of the Hounds at the beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Crews in Canton, Mississippi. Despite the unpredictable fall weather, thirty-five riders and 180 spectators from across Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana came together for what has become the largest mounted foxhunting event in central Mississippi. Among the field were three elegant ladies riding sidesaddle, honoring the sport’s long-standing traditions.
Guests enjoyed a delicious catered breakfast by Kinfolk Catering while browsing a silent auction sponsored by Susan and Doug Williams of Kalalou.
Huntsman and Master of Foxhounds, Petra Kay, led the field with 23 hounds, or “twelve and a half couple” in foxhunting terms. The pack worked enthusiastically, finding a fox almost immediately before being gathered and recast to continue the chase. Soon after, hounds were off again on the line of a gray fox through the heart of the property. When the run ended, riders and spectators reconvened at Checkpoint for another generous spread of food and refreshments, a welcome tradition for horses, hounds, and humans alike.
Riders also braved the well-known River Crossing at Tilda Bogue, a site made famous in the James Franco adaptation of As I Lay Dying. As the field galloped through the autumn landscape, deer, turkey, and rabbits scattered among rusting cypress trees and flashes of golden hickory leaves. Tally-ho wagons and a horse-drawn carriage carried spectators along the course to enjoy the action and another “forest feast” organized by Hillary Wise and the Chula Homa membership.
Foxhunting is the original extreme sport, with roots tracing back to Colonial America. The first record of imported hounds dates to June 30, 1650, when Robert Brooke arrived in Maryland with his family and pack. By the 1700s, the sport was thriving, notably championed by Thomas, Sixth Lord Fairfax, and George Washington himself, an avid foxhunter whose diaries often mention his hunts and hounds. On one occasion while Congress was in session, hounds ran near the Capitol. Many congressmen ran outside to watch hounds and some jumped on their horses and joined the chase.
Even in today’s casual world, formal attire remains a hallmark of the sport. Opening Meet marks the beginning of the formal season, when hunt staff don their traditional red coats, white breeches, and tan-topped boots, while members wear black coats and buff breeches. Some ladies add a timeless touch by riding sidesaddle, a graceful nod to heritage proudly carried on by several members of the Chula Homa Hounds.
Hunting gear remains largely unchanged over the centuries, designed for both function and form. Melton coats are nearly waterproof, breeches and boots protect against brush, and the stock tie, fastened with a simple gold pin, can even serve as a makeshift bandage in emergencies.
Today, foxhunting continues to thrive across North America thanks to outreach programs encouraging youth participation. There are currently 167 organized clubs in the U.S. and Canada, including three that hunt regularly in Mississippi. Chula Homa Hounds is proud to be the only hunt with kennels based in Mississippi, with others located in neighboring Alabama and Tennessee.
For participants and spectators alike, foxhunting offers a rare blend of athleticism, history, and fellowship. Galloping across open countryside, hearing the hounds in full cry, and witnessing a centuries-old sport firsthand are experiences that capture the imagination and unite people from all walks of life.
The 43rd Annual Opening Meet was co-chaired by Stacy Sinquefield and Melissa Daniels. Event photography was provided by Maddie Twiner and Kim Boyd Vickrey-Jones, who may be contacted for media-quality images. Videographer Mark Millet also produced footage of the 2020 hunt at this same location.
