THE CASTLE HILL 



Just what type of hounds his were would be difficult to tell, but Dr. 

 Walker is said to have been a great lover of the foxhound, and they were 

 probably of the best blood procurable at that time. Up to the Revolution 

 these hounds were probably carefully maintained, and no outside blood 

 sullied their pedigrees, but it is to be feared that the younger generations 

 were bss careful, and the pack gradually fell to the level of most of the 

 Virginia " trencher fed " hounds. 



Mrs. Potts, who is a finished horsewoman, procured five couples of pure- 

 blooded English hounds from the mother country, and " Castle Hill " is 

 one of the few places in Virginia where one can see clean-bred English 

 hounds today. 



Mr. Allen Potts attended the Grafton-Middlesex Foxhound Match at 

 Middleburg, Va., in the autumn of 1 905, acting as Honorary Clerk of the 

 Match, and saw there that really good English hounds could show the best 

 of sport, possessing lots of speed and at the same time level heads. 



Mrs. Potts has given her Field most excellent sport three days a week 

 over the small territory ten miles square in Albemarle County which sur- 

 rounds " Castle Hill," and all the landowners have showm the most friendly 

 spirit in allowing this little pack to hunt over their property. 



The country, which is quite open, is fenced throughout wth the typical 

 Virginia fence, the "snake-fence," and the jumping is pretty stiff, though 

 sound take-off and landing make good going. The Fields are small, eight 

 or ten being the usual number, but enthusiastic, and they are always out to 

 go. Foxes are fairly plentiful and are hunted most of the time, though once 

 in a while the Master lays a drag for those of the Field who wish a bruis- 

 ing gallop. 



There is no subscription, the pack being in every way a private one, 

 although the public, and especially the farmers, are warmly welcomed 

 guests. 



The Castle Hill Hounds enjoy the distinction of being the only recog- 

 nized Hunt in America which has a woman as M. F. H. and Huntsman. 



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