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An early morning tailgate, followed by a ride on horseback up and down the hills of Virginia, and topped off with a huge southern breakfast complete with Jim Beam. This is the modern day fox hunt. For a historically controversial activity that has been banned in the UK, it doesn’t sound so bad. When Salisbury, North Carolina portrait photographer Peter Taylor received a call from Saveur Magazine about shooting a Virginia fox hunt, he was all for it, considering that Saveur is on his short list of dream clients and a fox hunt is something he’s always wanted to photograph. Double dream gig!
Dating back to the 15th century, foxhunting originated in England as simply the chase of a fox by horsemen with a pack of hounds. This assignment was in line with Peter’s existing portfolio, fitting into the sporting and food categories. Peter started out the shoot with a guide who drove him to various points along the hunt so that he could be in position when the riders arrived. However, when the hounds picked up the fox scent, Peter was on foot, saying that this was the biggest challenge:
“At one point I just started walking along with the horses moving up and down the lines. Then I would grab a ride with some of the tailgaters– yes, their are tailgaters in fox hunting– to the next spot and wait for the riders to come into view and then I would follow along again on foot.”
After the hunt, everyone indulged in some breakfast, drinking and socializing. While everyone changed into their casual clothes, Peter used the time to take portraits of the horses and riders. He then captured some of the buffet and social hour before heading home for some much needed rest.
Peter has received positive feedback from the images, after waiting for almost a year for them to publish. Not only did he enjoy the experience but he also learned a thing or two about the hunt:
“I learned quite a bit about fox hunting! It seems that they don’t kill the foxes anymore and that they usually don’t even see one. It is just a great horseback ride through some beautiful countryside with your best friends!”