The USPC Foxhunting web pages are here to provide all Pony Club members with information on hounds and hunting. See above Materials & Resources link for articles from hunting enthusiasts around the country and reports on Foxhunting International Exchanges.  On the Opportunities & Awards page you'll find information on the Foxhunting writing contest (along with the past winning selections) and the Live Oaks Challenge.

The USPC was founded in 1954 by a group of foxhunters. A happy child on a happy pony (or horse) is the goal of Pony Club, and the hunt field is a great place to find many of these pairs!

The Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) is the governing body of organized fox, coyote and drag hunting in the USA and Canada. Like Pony Club, MFHA is dedicated to getting young people out hunting. Please visit their web site for great up-to-date information on hunting in the USA. There is a list of all the recognized hunts in the USA with contact info.

Please do not hesitate to contact a USPC Foxhunting Committee member, a MFHA-recognized hunt near you, or a USPC/MFHA liason (Nancy Ambrosiano) for help and information on how to follow the cry of the hounds in the field.

You can contribute to our Foxhunting web pages by sending in articles, pictures and comments.  Please submit your materials for consideration and the Foxhunting Committee will review.

2013 Live Oak Foxhunting Challenge Award Winners

Congratulations to the following clubs and their members, as they participated in the USPC Foxhunting Challenge taking members from the ring to the field! 

1st place:  Blue Mountain Pony Club (MD), Hunted with Blue Mountain Hunt                  

2nd Place: Cedar Knob Pony Club (TN), Hunted with Mooreland Hunt, Longreen Foxhounds, Shawnee Hunt, Full Cry Hunt

3rd Place: Old Dominion Hounds Pony Club (VA), Hunted with Old Dominion Hounds

4th Place: Elkridge-Harford Pony Club (MD), Hunted with Elkridge-Harford Hunt

5th Place: Lowcountry Pony Club (SC), Hunted with Lowcountry Hunt

6th Place: Live Oak Hounds (FL), Hunted with Live Oak Hounds 

We would like to extend a very big Thank You to all of the Hunts who so graciously opened their doors to Pony Club members and their families and made their foxhunting experience so memorable.

The MFHJA web site has lots of timely information about foxhunting that might be of interest to all Pony Club members. For additional Foxhunting publications, check out the USPC Bookstore. 

The Live Oak Hounds USPC Foxhunting Challenge Award was made possible through the generous support of Mr. and Mrs. C. Martin Wood III, Jt. MFHs of the Live Oak Hounds.

Learn more about the Live Oaks Hounds USPC Foxhunting Challenge.

Congratulations to the members who were chosen to represent USPC on the Foxhunting International Exchange, January 31 - Feburary 12, 2013 hosted by the United Kingdom.
 

Click here to view pictures and read Heather's (Coach/Chaperone) blog.

Click here for Aliina's pictures and blog.

Foxhunting International Exchange Opportunity
Application deadline December 15, 2012

Pony Club members 16 and over who are currently hunting with the first field have the oppotunity to apply to become part of the team to represent the United States and US Pony Clubs on an International Exchange to Great Britain.  There they will meet with other teams to participate in several Foxhunts, do some site seeing, and get to know other Pony Club members from other countries.

The Exchange is scheduled to run January 31 - February 12, 2013.  The deadline for the submission of applications is December 15, 2012.  Click here for full details and application materials.

Click here to learn about past Foxhunting Exchanges.

2012 Joys of Foxhunting Writing Contest Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the 2012 Hildegard Neill Ritchie Writing Contest.

• 1st place - Aliina K., Carbon Hooves Pony Club   Read her submission
  
• 2nd place - Rikka O., Chestnut Hill Pony Club Read her submission
  
• Tied for 3rd place - Vail Ann F., Blue Mountain Pony Club  Read her submission
  
• Tied for 3rd place - Madison C., Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds Pony Club  Read her submission

Honorable mentions: Sarah C., Lucie R., Drew S., Maggie S. and Moriah W.

Judges were:

Mary Pierson-retired USPC Communications Director
Giny Hunter-Advisory Committee member, long-time PC supporter
Emily Esterson-Publisher of Covertside Magazine

The annual Hildegard Neill Ritchie Writing contest is open to all D- or C-rated Pony Club members. The winning submission will receive a $200 cash prize to be spent on Foxhunting dues, hunt capping fees, Pony Club camp or anything related to these activities. Second Place: $100; Third Place $50. The winning entries will be published in Pony Club News and in The Chronicle of the Horse.   Deadline for submissions is May 1.

Learn more about the Hildegard Neill Ritchie Joy of Foxhunting Writing Contest