Hunting club celebrates 60 years together

By Andrea Dreger,

Hamilton Hunt Club Secretary

To The Haldimand Press

CALEDONIA—The Hamilton Hunt Club, located by the Grand River in Caledonia since 1958, kicked off its 2018 season in August with their annual Land Owner & and Neighbourhood Appreciation Party. The annual party is intended to be a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to land owners for their generosity in allowing members access to thousands of acres of land on which to ride and also to the neighbourhood for their continued support.

A light breeze kept the over 275 guests cool while they ate pulled pork, corn, and cake, listened to live music, and watched the kids enjoying pony rides and the bouncy obstacle course. There was an air of anticipation as the crowd patiently waited to shout ‘release the hounds’ before the pack of mostly American Penmarydel hounds emerged from the kennels behind Richard Christensen, the club’s Master Huntsman. After a few introductory words the crowd was encouraged to pat and play with the group of 24 hounds. Members were on hand to answer questions, by far the most common of which was, ‘how do you remember all of their names?’ The huntsman and his assistants spend time nearly every day with the approximately 40 hounds that the club owns, getting to know them and developing a relationship with each one. With a large group of hounds it is important to know each one’s personality, including how they are as individuals and where they fit into the pack.

The Hamilton Hunt Club is now celebrating its 60th year in the community. Started solely for the sport of field hunting, the club has grown and changed over the years, adding fun rides and horse shows to their calendar.