The Middleburg Orange County Beagles

Photos by Doug Gehlsen and Karen Monroe of Middleburg Photo

The children who follow the MOC Beagles go on horseback and foot. Our photographers, Doug Gehlsen and Karen Monroe, have captured them several times. All mounted up at Greenfield Farm, and headed out on foot at Daffodil Hill on a chilly, windy morning. Not to worry with Master Nina Fout, a lifelong devotee of the sport, leading the way. Her mother, the late Eve Fout, founded the pack in 1961 with a philosophy of cherishing the countryside.

“There’s a big difference between looking for rabbits and foxes,” Nina said to all. “The biggest predators of the rabbits are owls and hawks. The hedgerows are the preferred habitats for the rabbits because of the cover. It’s a little challenging today because of the wind. We aim for tight cover to see if we can flush them out for a run.”