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Rand Hunt Club

The sport of Drag Hunting is the challenge of following hounds cross country on horseback.
(9)

11/12/2024

This weekend we're off of to Inanda Blue Bird Farm in Hekpoort again, a favourite venue for Lexie Byrne and her The Sandwich Man.

This is how she describes this "little piece of heaven", as we like to call it.

"My name is Lexie Byrne, and I have recently started actively hunting.

My stunning horse The Sandwich Man and I absolutely love Inanda Blue Bird Farm. It's our favourite hunt venue because of the incredible variety of jumps — from natural obstacles to challenging lines that keep things exciting.

Leon, the Farm Manager, has built some new jumps for the upcoming meet, and I’m so excited to try them out! There’s always something fresh and fun on the course.

After the hunt, we enjoy relaxing at the poolhouse with a hearty breakfast, great company, and a dip in the pool. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a thrilling morning.

Can’t wait for the next meet, this Sunday — see you there!"

For more information, please contact Margie Marshall on [email protected]

10/12/2024

One of the most stunning hunt venues ever... Inanda Blue Bird Farm in Hekpoort.

09/12/2024

Having "ranted on a bit" about the heat and the dry and hard ground yesterday, the heavens opened last night, and we got some some needed and much appreciated rain 🌧 (28mm in the ICB area).

More is forecast, and this bodes very well indeed for the Blue Bird Meet this coming weekend.

08/12/2024

It was a small but enthusiastic Meet this morning at Rose Road.

The real "diehards", as one spectator put it.

Hot hot hot, and we haven't had any good rain for somr time now, so the ground is very hard. A lot of jumps became "compulsory roundabouts" to quote Sarah, and wind and the dry conditions made for less than ideal scenting.

Humans, horses, and hounds ... it was a good morning, but we all feel this relentless heat.

Sarah de La Pasture

06/12/2024

On Sunday we're meeting at Rose Road.

It's usually a smallish Field, but the event is meticulously organised, great fun, and with a fabulous breakfast afterwards.

For more information, please contact Margie Marshall on [email protected]

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04/12/2024

This coming Sunday we're meeting at Rose Road.

It's usually a smallish Field, but meticulously organised, and with a fabulous breakfast afterwards.

For more information, please contact Margie Marshall on [email protected]

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03/12/2024

Please join us this coming Sunday, the 8th of December 2024, at 8 Rose Road for another fun morning out with a delicious breakfast afterwards.

01/12/2024

I’m Fionn Smyth 8 years old. I followed Rand Hunt on lead rein from age 4 years old on Tipuana Fandango. I helped at the kennel clean-up days and helped hand-walk hounds. I have enjoyed car-following, especially in Bill Marshall’s car.

For more information, please contact Margie Marshall on [email protected]

Mary Glyn

30/11/2024

Good morning,

My name is Trent Hennings, and I am 10 years old.

Tomorrow, the 1st of December 2024, will be my third Pony Club Meet on my favourite horse, The Sandwich Man.

My favourite thing about hunting is that I get to ride with my mom and enjoy the wonderful open space and watch the hounds working.

For more information, please contact Margie Marshall on [email protected].

.hennings7

29/11/2024

Good day,

I am Milla Calitz and I am 14 years old. I attended my first Hunt when I was 8 years old, and I was HOOKED.

My favorite Rand Hunt venue would have to be Inanda Blue Bird, because I attended my first Hunt there, so it holds a lot of good memories. I love hunting because of the atmosphere and how it helps you grow to trust your horse. You are not pressured into doing any jumping and you can also decide whether or not you want to go up in the front or rather take it easy at the back.

My favorite hound would have to be Lola, and we were lucky enough to win the opportunity to sponsor her for the 2024/2025 Rand Hunt season.

My horse Rebel and I are currently still finding our feet, as we are a new team, but we are working hard together and our goal in hunting would be to become a Whipper-in, for the experience of working with the hounds and learning how to keep the pack together.

For more information, please contact Margie Marshall on [email protected]

28/11/2024

Good morning!

My name is Mia and I will be second whipper-in this weekend at the annual Rand Hunt Pony Club meet. The whipper-ins assist the huntsman with the hounds during the hunt.

I am 17 years old and this is my second season hunting.

I will be riding Ice this weekend. Ice is also an eventer, just proving that horses from any discipline can enjoy the hunt.

What I love about the hunt is that it combines some of my favourite things: horses, hounds, cantering across open fields and jumping logs.

I hope to see you at the hunt on Sunday 1 December.

If you have any questions, please contact Margie on [email protected]

26/11/2024

You don't have to be a member of the Pony Club, but come along and enjoy the most fabulous morning out.

All levels of riders catered for, from lead-rein ponies to quite advances, absolutely no compulsory jumping, and lots and lots of fun.

If you want to know more, please contact Margie on [email protected], or Kyly Hennings .

25/11/2024

Important message!

Please note that there is NO Hound Exercise tomorrow, Tuesday.

25/11/2024

24/11/2024

Just a few more hours ... the Rand Hunt Opening Meet 🐎❤️🐎

23/11/2024

Only one more sleep 🤗

21/11/2024

The Rand Hunt Opening Meet, this coming Sunday.

Address

Inanda Country Base
Midrand
1684

Telephone

+27833068145

Website

http://www.randhunt.co.za/

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Videos

Heading back to Kennels after early-morning Hound Exercise. We're out again on Friday, leaving from the Kennels on ICB at 6am and out for an hour.

Credit and thanks to @justagirlandacamera

Lovely morning out with the Rand Hunt hounds. The pack was unusually small this morning, with several bitches in season, and three hounds recovering from injuries/medical procedures. Thank you Kyly Hennings for the video.

Early-morning Hound Exercise. We've just come up from "Below the Kennels", and along the big gelding paddock, heading to the main gate into/out of ICB. Dirk was standing on the roof of the Landy. Tomorrow we get to "sleep in" as there is no Hound Exercise, but on Friday we're out again. Why don't you join us?

As of this week we are out on Hound Exercise three times during the week; on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. And ... we now meet at 6am, at the Kennels on ICB, and we're out for an hour. Hope to see you tomorrow 🤞

Julia Pullen and her Jack, a relatively new but hugely appreciated partnership in the Rand Hunt, took to the X-country course today, and acquitted themselves more than well. Julia also whips in, and we were most grateful to her this morning when our hounds decided to be a tad naughty as we were passing some competitors walking the course. Thank you and well done! Days off tomorrow and Tuesday, but we'll see you on Wednesday morning, at 6.30.

Don't forget to join us on Hound Exercise tomorrow morning at 6.30 at the Kennels on ICB. We're out for 45 minutes.

Setting off this morning ...

Another lovely winter Sunday Hound Walk. And a big thank you to Julia and Moritz for doing the mounted duty. Moritz Christoph Herrmann

Winter mornings are just so so beautiful on the Hiveld. Thank you to Janine for this video from the other Sunday; as of May 1 we are on foot again 😀 Wednesdays and Fridays are still mounted though.

Our next generation. The Terrible Ten, by North Cotswold Blister ex Rand Hunt April. Six gorgeous dog puppies, and four adorable bitch puppies.

A wonderful morning out. Many thanks to Moritz Christoph Herrmann for the video, much appreciated 🙏

Shortcuts

The Rand Hunt

It is surprise to many to discover that the equestrian sport of drag hunting has a strong following in South Africa. In fact hunting is one the oldest equestrian sports in the country. The Cape Hunt dates back to 1822 and the Rand Hunt held their first meet in 1887.

Local conditions have lead to both of the South African hunts being drag hunts. This means that the hounds hunt an artificially laid scent, and no live hunting or kill takes place. Hunting in South Africa has therefore avoided the controversy faced by hunts overseas.

What does this sport offer that makes so many dedicate themselves to it with such passion? The hunt is non-competitive and this helps to create a uniquely supportive riding environment. The hunt has a warm and strong social atmosphere that is steeped in tradition. This not only provides a little bit of pomp and ceremony but more importantly ensures smooth running and safety in the field.

Riders of all skills can enjoy the excitement of hunting. From novice to professionals, all will find just the right amount of challenge and an extraordinary amount of interaction with their horses.