Fox Hunt!

Photo essay by Brandon Enyeart

Click on any photo for a larger view



I compiled these pictures from the Fox Hunt held this past Saturday near Sumas. It is the second year I have been to the event, but the first time taking photos. It is always a fun event to watch, even if my driver (my grandfather) and I get lost frequently; I will definitely take the blame for that.


As to be expected in October, it was a very soggy hunt this year, but that didn’t stop the hunters from having a great time. For those of you new to fox hunts around here, this is a "drag hunt." No real foxes are used—it is simply a scent put down along the course.

This is the lady who lays down the scent for the hounds to track; she also sounds the horn when necessary.

One of the riders getting warmed up.

A red coat signifies a hunt master.

A group of riders receiving instructions for the hunt.

All morning long the hounds were anxious to get out of their kennels. Once released they were very excited, to say the least.

A group of riders trudging through the rainy hills.

At this point in the hunt, the rain was coming down extremely hard.

Laying the scent down for the hounds.

The course is very scenic with beautiful green hills and forests.

This jump was before a rest stop for the hounds to get a drink of water.

A little calmer part of the day; the rain had started to dwindle. Only a few hours after the hunt, however, a strong thunder and lightning storm passed through the area.

Returning home after the hunt.

The rain returned for the finish. You can bet the heat was turned up to maximum in most of the cars on the way home!

A few of the hounds enjoying their reward at the end.

The group's next hunt is scheduled for October 31 in Ferndale, WA. Everyone is welcome to join the fun!

Fox Bay Farm Annual Derby

Photo essay by Brandon Enyeart

This is a collection of photos from Fox Bay Farm’s annual derby. I have shot 7 Derbies now, and every year it is great to see the mixture of breeds that are brought to the event and the different generations of riders who show up as well. Thankfully, the weather cooperated for yet another year and I was able to get some nice pictures of the riders and their horses.

Click on any photo for a larger view.

The Thrill of it All

First, hello everyone! I’m the “other” Karyn around her, Karyn “K.C.” Cowdrey, and many of you have met me as “K.C.” (short for, well, Karyn Cowdrey [grin]). If you’d like to know me a bit better, visit my bio at our About Us page.

Yesterday was a big day for the NWHS staff. For the first time in the history of the magazine, we did a full staff photo shoot. Horses, humans and even our office canine pal, Daze, participated.

We had a lovely overcast--but not too cold--day at Hovander Park in Ferndale, WA, and hopefully in December you will be able to view the results when you see our cover!

While this was a big day for the magazine, it was a thrilling day for me. How? Well, back in early June, my mare *CC Autumn Dancer (Dancer) injured herself with a mystery lameness and had not been sound for the past several months. It was not even certain she’d ever be sound again.

Dancer is the dream of a lifetime for me. I waited about 30 years to be able to afford a top quality purebred Arabian and have been working hard at training Dancer myself for Western Pleasure and possibly reining and reined cow horse. Then, disaster struck with her injury and I was just crushed.

Being able to feel my mare move freely and comfortably under me yesterday was like Christmas in October. It was the greatest gift I could ask for.

Sometimes it’s the little things in life that make our time worth the most. Enjoy your weekend and get out and ride. I hope you have a thrill of your own!

Photo by Randy Bourland