Steeped in tradition and history, the European sport of foxhunting finds its North American center in the state of Virginia. Mounted riders in scarlet and navy coats are led by a pack of hounds through wooded trails, over jumps, and across pastoral countryside in pursuit of their quarry. For these hunters, the appeal is in the thrill of the chase; the hounds are called off before there is bloodshed. My intentional exclusion of the fox from these photographs emphasizes the significance of ride and ritual over the actual quarry. Though unquestionably a real sport for experienced riders, the images in this body of work present a romanticized view of foxhunting culture. By photographing these hunts, I am portraying a time when formality was common, ritual was respected, and elegant sporting and socialization were one and the same.
