First come the hounds. Then come the huntsman and the whipper-in, followed by the horses with their mounts; men in red and the women in black, all are sporting the blue collar of the Toronto and North York Hunt.
It has become an annual tradition to line the streets and await the hunt as it rides to hounds on Thanksgiving weekend against the backdrop of picturesque Mill Street’s fall colours.
“It’s a thank you to all the people for their support of us being in the area because people have indicated they really enjoy seeing the horses and hounds,” said Constance Boldt, a 14-year-member of the hunt and area resident. “We’ve met with such enthusiasm.”
The Toronto and North York Hunt, founded in 1843, is the second oldest hunt in Canada.
It started in Toronto, on the shore of Lake Ontario, as the Toronto Hunt. The original location is now a golf club of the same name.
They had to move northward to escape development and vehicle traffic.
The hunt’s stables are now located south of Creemore where it employs a full-time professional huntsman, whose job it is to care for the pack of English foxhounds, owned by the hunt.
The hunt has about 30 active members of all ages who ride twice per week during the season, and another 30 to 40 associate members.
In the spring and fall, members of the hunt head out on parcels of land where they have gained permission to ride, near Creemore, Singhampton, Maxwell and Thornbury.
Riding to hounds is an English fox hunting tradition.
Boldt said in England, riders would meet in a small village with their horses and hounds and go off to hunt.
It became so popular that people formed hunts where the dogs would be kept together in a kennel and cared for by the huntsman.
It remains popular with riders who want to get out into the countryside.
“It’s unbelievable how wonderful it is to go out in all weather and the countryside is so beautiful,” said Boldt.
Those who don’t want to go through the rolling hills at high speeds or jump fences and streams can join the hill-toppers, who take the high road so they can get a good view of all the action.
The hunters do not carry weapons. The hounds sniff out and kill their prey, usually coyotes in these parts.
On the day of the Creemore ride, it is usually just a parade because time constraints and distance prevent the riders from having time to go hunting.
The parade has become an annual community event and a tourist attraction.
“We’re always thrilled, it’s just a really nice feeling to know that people enjoy the horses and hounds, it’s really fun,” Boldt. “We now see it as a tradition and we look forward to it.”