Green Creek Hounds Opening Meet 2024 Schedule
Saturday November 16, 2024
Location : Simpson House for both Parking and Blessing . 1398 John Watson Rd Rutherfordton NC. Wagon guests park near the gate where they enter, on left. Horse trailers and all others park past the house in field on left.
Simpson House Gate opens 7:30 am
Wagon guests arrive, park, and load in wagons 9:00- 9:30 am. Wagons start moving to Simpson House approximately 9:30 and arrive at Simpson House NLT 9:45. It’s about a 5 minute or less wagon ride.
Riders /horse trailers arrive and park just past the house 9:00 – 9:15 am Note: When wagons start to move towards Simpson House the driveway will be blocked. Horse trailers and other vehicles (non-wagon riders) must arrive and park NLT 9:15 am. Any arrivals (trailers or cars) after wagons start down driveway will park in the first field on left and walk down to Simpson House.
Stirrup Cup 9 am hosted by Christie Heuman and Chris Hendrix in front of Simpson House
Riders and Wagons gather for ceremony at Simpson House no later than 9:45 am
Riders on the hill facing the house, wagons on the driveway in front of the house
Opening Meet Ceremony and Blessing 9:45 am – Master Tom Cadier
Riders/staff gather for photo by Mark Jump
Huntsman and hounds are off
Wagons proceed to Tailgate Field for a stop, then to Capozzi Vineyard Drive/ View Hill for a stop
Return to Simpson House approximately 12- 12:30 pm, Drinks for Wagon Guests, Breakfast for riders/staff/volunteers. Wagons drop off guests who wish to depart before drinks at Simpson House, at wagon guest parking. Then wagons proceed to Simpson House stop for drinks, return to wagon guest parking after drinks and socializing approximately 1-1:30 pm.
Green Creek Hounds Opening Meet 2024
Program
9: 40 am approx. - Kevin Sprouls, Gathering Music of Bagpipes – “Tulloch Ard”, O’Rahilly’s March, “Down by the Sally Gardens”
9:45 am Master Tom Cadier -- Welcome, Thank you Landowners Jennifer and Roger Smith
Introductions (bagpiper Kevin Sprouls, Father Mugan, Rector Emeritus, Church of the Transfiguration , Danny Kerr, Huntsman, Mark Jump, official photographer, others)
Awarding of Colors – Master Tom Cadier
Champagne Toast and St Hubert Medals – Master Tom Cadier
Blessing of Hounds – Father Mugan
“O heavenly Father, you have in your creation knit together all the creatures on earth as a seamless garment: Grant to us, therefore, the wisdom and grace to see all about us the works of your hands. Grant that every one of us who looks into the eyes of horse or hound this day may see the reflection of your face; and grant that the skilled and cunning fox may be our pilot to a deeper understanding and love of your natural world.
Bless our solemn friend the horse, who binds himself to us in silence and does our will so freely.
And bless our brothers the hounds, who guide us upon the chase and whose voices ring with such triumph and joy as to make an anthem worthy of your hearing.
And finally, oh Lord, may all who participate today in this sport, ancient from time beyond reckoning, return refreshed and renewed in body and spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, world without end. Amen.”
Bagpipe Closing Music - “Highland Cathedral” “ PM J.K. Cairns” “Immortal Memory”
Group photo of riders/staff – Mark Jump
Huntsman and hounds are off
Calendar Posted Below
FIXTURE CARD
Our fixtures are listed on the calendar below through the end of the season on March 29. A printable fixture card will soon be available. Actual hunts on any given date are flexible to accommodate weather, hunting conditions, and the needs of our landowners and Master.
Please check our website calendar, emails, facebook, or ask GCHMasters@gmail.com for any last-minute changes.
GCH 2024/2025 FIXTURE CARD
SEPTEMBER
Date Fixture
11th Coxe Road
14th Vineyard
18th Two Rivers
21st Watson House
25th East Green Creek
29th Coxe Road -Rescheduled from 9/28 due to Field Hunter Trials
OCTOBER
Date Fixture
2nd White Oak
5th Watson House
9th East Green Creek
12th Vineyard
16th Two Rivers
19th Coxe Road
23rd White Oak
26th Halloween Hunter Pace
27th HP rain date OR Hunt at Watson House
30th East Green Creek
NOVEMBER
Date Fixture
16th White Oak Opening Hunt
All other dates TBD based on trail clearing
DECEMBER
Date Fixture
All early December dates TBD based on trail clearing
18th Vineyard
21st Two Rivers
26th Coxe Road
28th White Oak
JANUARY 2025
Date Fixture
1st Watson House? TBD
4th Front Gate
8th East Green River
11th Vineyard
15th Two Rivers
18th Coxe Road
22nd White Oak
25th Watson House
29th Front Gate
FEBRUARY 2025
Date Fixture
1st East Green Creek
5th Vineyard
8th Two Rivers
12th Coxe Road
15th White Oak
19th Watson House
22nd Front Gate and Hunt Ball
26th East Green Creek
MARCH 2025
Date Fixture
1st Vineyard
5th Two Rivers
8th Coxe Road
12th White Oak
15th Watson House
19th Front Gate
22nd Vineyard
26th Two Rivers
29TH Coxe Road and Closing Hunt
Hunt Breakfasts Sign-Up
2024-2025 Breakfast sign-ups can be found HERE .
(Breakfast dates are only listed through February 15th due to the limits of the application and will be extended later in the season.)
The Hunt Breakfast
In Fox Hunting circles the Hunt Breakfast is known as “the dine after the dash.” The tradition provides a way for riders to cool down, fuel up, and celebrate the events of the day. It provides the opportunity to build relationships and thank landowners and others who play a role in making the hunt possible.
For the upcoming season, we encourage *ALL* members to not only attend, but also sponsor a Hunt Breakfast. You can be the sole sponsor of the breakfast, or you can team up with others (we suggest some combination of no more than 3 couples or 6 individuals) to jointly sponsor. The GCH website has a drop-down link just to the left where you can select a date and list who will be sponsoring.
The Hunt Breakfast typically features a few of the following: sandwiches, soup, stews, chili, corn muffins, fruit, desserts, and always beverages, but the menus can be creative as the sponsor(s) desire. For example, a boxed breakfast with a biscuit or croissant sandwich with a cookie or chips or fruit as a compliment would be great. If you enjoy cooking, a breakfast casserole or quiche with complimentary sides would work. Often sponsors choose to use a caterer to create the menu and prepare the breakfast. For beverages there should always be water. Sodas, juices, mimosas, beer, or even a full bar can be considered. Hot beverages such as: coffee, tea, or cider are great for cooler days.
The Hunt Breakfast can be held in the field, at the Watson House, or at any other location including your home or farm. If the Hunt Breakfast is held in the field, it should be planned for approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours after the start of the hunt. If the Hunt Breakfast is being held at another venue, the announcement of the venue and time will be made the week of your chosen date.
If you have questions about hosting your hunt breakfast or need any additional information, please contact Lydia Kolbas at lkolbas@verizon.net.