Baying of hounds rings out across a rich, green field. A deer and her fawn, surprised, raise their heads from a nearby stream, before quickly slipping into the woods. From the forest, a pack of yelping and panting dogs splash into the stream, followed shortly by riders on horseback dressed in scarlet coats and small black hats.

You haven’t been transported in time. The year is 2020, and this is one of Rappahannock Hunt’s regular hunts.

Rappahannock Hunt (RH) was formed in 1926, and the year 2020 marks its 94th birthday. Officially considered a 501(c) (7) social club, RH includes Culpeper, Madison, and Rappahannock counties in its territory of about 384,000 acres. According to club treasurer Mary Foley, “The club was formed in the Old English tradition. It meets several times a week to ride our horses and work the hounds.”

Even without a formal brick-and-mortar location, costs are involved. RH leases space on a large farm to house and feed all the hounds. They also pay a full-time caregiver to look after the animals.

The hunts themselves are held throughout the breathtaking foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. “We hunt on various land at the invitation of the landowner,” Mary explains. “We are always careful to follow the boundary of the plowed land. We only go where we are invited to go. We have established ourselves as a familiar sight to landowners, and we want to make sure that they want us to continue to come.”

Mary says the fox hunting rituals of the club are a huge part of the draw for many. “We have traditions and certain apparel that we wear. It’s organized and civil. Fox hunting follows a very specific protocol. Because it’s a club, people are of like background and enthusiasm.” 

Despite its outdoor, socially-distanced nature, COVID-19 still delivered a savage blow to RH by debilitating its capacity to hold any fundraisers. In a typical year, the club’s income would be comprised of half club dues and membership fees, and half fundraising from events. But with the rise of COVID-19, events like the hunter pace, trail rides, and even the signature steeplechase event had to be called off. 

RH reached out to the Culpeper SBDC and Advisor David Reardon for a much-needed lifeline. Dave helped Mary and Rappahannock Hunt successfully apply for Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) loans.

Mary says the sense of relief and reassurance she has felt working with Dave was palpable. “It was a relief and a godsend to be able to participate in those loan programs,” Mary says. “Dave and his family are grounded in the community. He is just a delightful man. The leadership he brought was appreciated, and we enjoyed the soup-to-nuts service. He was truly a real godsend.” 

Knowing that 50 foxhounds will be well kept in their kennels and cared for because the ongoing monthly expenses are covered is no small thing for Rappahannock Hunt. “To have the SBA loans in the bank is a godsend. Because there are too many unknowns in the future, we are not taking any of this for granted.”