Blessing of the Hounds

Kentucky isn't only about horse racing. An exciting and colorful event to go see if you visit in November is the Iroquois Hunt Club's annual Blessing of the Hounds at Grimes Mill in Fayette County, Kentucky.

The Hunt Club web page describes the event:

"The traditional ceremony is one of the most colorful and touching events of the fall season in Lexington. The Right Reverend Robert Estill will perform the centuries-old service to honor St. Hubert, the patron saint of hunting.
About 100 riders dressed in bright, formal hunting attire and their horses form a semi-circle on the front lawn of the old mill house. The Iroquois hounds are then brought into the circle and the Bishop begins the Blessing, which lasts about 15 minutes. After a short prayer and sermon, the horses and hounds are blessed.

Next, the riders come forward individually, kneel in front of the Bishop and receive their blessing, along with a St. Hubert medal the Bishop places around their neck. The riders then mount up and follow the pack of hounds up Grimes Mill Road to begin an exciting day of hunting." You can learn more at:
http://www.iroquoishunt.com