The 2007-2008 Shakerag Hunt season was a seminal year in the history of our club. Shakerag’s long time huntsman, Mr. Rodney M. Swanson, retired after twenty years of service to the club. Another momentous occasion was Shakerag Sequel winning the Centennial Penn-Marydel Champion Dog Hound at the MFHA Centennial Celebration held at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia.

The hunting season started the first day of September with the opening of cubbing season and ended in March with the final hunt of the season. We enjoyed superb sport in Rod Swanson’s last year of carrying the horn. The majority of hunting days were filled with the joyous cries of the hounds as they pursued their quarry. Even on those days without long runs, watching the hounds try to work out the line was quite impressive.

In mid-December Low Country Hounds hosted Shakerag and Red Mountain for three days of hunting near Charlestown, SC. In February an away trip to Red Mountain had to be cancelled due to injuries to the staff. The season ended with a retirement dinner for Rod and a joint meet with the Green Creek Hounds. The Hunt Ball, which was held at the Athens Country Club, was a spectacular event.

Mr. T. John Eaton and his soon to be bride, Kelly Barrett, make up the professional hunt staff for the 2008-2009 season. The hounds are being walked out, and the Masters are working closely with John on assessing the pack for the new season. Presently everything looks good, and we (especially the hounds) are looking forward to another impressive season at Shakerag.

We have some exciting away trips planned for the hunt season, and many social and horse activities planned for the summer and fall. We will start with hounds exercise on foot and mounted, followed by the Poker Ride, Hunting Seminar, Landowners Appreciation Day, Hunter Trials, Hunter Pace, and Opening Hunt. The date and times for these events will be disseminated by email.

Tally-ho,

Sally & Dick

Sally Rasmussen, MFH
Richard Washburn, MFH