Yadkin Valley Hounds

Yadkin Valley Hounds was organized as a drag hunt in 1975 by Betsy and Floyd Poole at their farm on Hobson Road, Cleveland, N.C. They kept the kennels in a barn on their property. The first hunt season opened in November, 1976. YVH was registered with the Masters of Foxhounds Association in 1977 and was recognized in 1979. In 1980, YVH became the live hunt it is today.

Our new location is on Woltz Lane, Advance. Our huntsman's quarters, clubhouse facility and kennels are now conveniently centralized on 90 acres of beautiful club property. Our pack of approximately 25 couple of hunting hounds, both English and Crossbred, are kept here.

YVH Huntsman's barn: courtesy Pan Murray Equine Photography

The informal cubbing season begins in September and lasts until the opening of the regular formal season, usually the first Saturday in November. Formal season ends in March. Between March and September, hounds are walked and roaded.

Through the generosity of our landowners, YVH enjoys fine foxhunting at various locations, called fixtures, in Davie, Iredell, Rowan, and Yadkin counties. We are indebted to these people who are willing to let us ride through their woods and edge their fields while following the hounds. YVH members respect and protect the land upon which we are privileged to hunt. YVH members support our stated purpose: to have good sport and lots of fun.

YVH has a very active group of hilltoppers - riders who follow the hounds without jumping. Those with young horses or are new to foxhunting are encouraged to join the hilltoppers until confident enough to join the jumping field.

We are all ages and come from all walks of life to enjoy the excitement of the chase and the beauty of the fox and the countryside.All members enjoy special events throughout the year: a Right Start Party prior to the cubbing season, Opening Hunt and Breakfast, Boxing Day and St. Patrick’s Day parties, hound shows, terrier trials, hunter trials and timed trail rides. Our annual auction and dinner party is a major fundraiser held in late winter.

YVH’s success depends upon the countless volunteer hours donated by our members to maintain our kennels, hunt country fences and trails, and fundraising events.