West Hills Hounds
Welcome to the web site for the ...
Welcome to our site. The West Hills Hunt (now West Hills Hounds) was founded in 1947. It was initially the idea of several recently mustered-out infantry officers from Ft. Riley, Kansas, just after the end of World War II. Among them was George A. Burns and Dan Dailey, the famous MGM song and dance star. George was the club's first president and Dan served as Master of Foxhounds from 1952 to 1960. The club then consisted of a large number of Hollywood luminaries, including Ronald Reagan, Randolph Scott, John Huston, Spencer Tracy, Walt Disney, George Raft, and Burgess Meredith. In 1955, a young kennelman was officially hired by the club as huntsman. Since that date, Huntsman Dave Wendler has served with great distinction and flair. WHH hunts twice a week during the California hunt season, usually from mid-November through March, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. West Hills' country includes large cattle and sheep ranches in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Kern counties.
West Hills is a private pack, recognized by the Masters of Fox Hounds Association of America in 1959. The name of the hunt was changed to West Hills Hounds as of July 1, 2006. In May 2009, "young" Dave Wendler retired after 54 years of service, noted by the MFHA as the longest period of continuous service as a huntsman since the establishment of the Association. Shortly thereafter, the hunt hired Scott Neill from New Zealand. Around the same time, West Hills moved its kennels from its old location close to Dan Dailey's original ranch to a brand new facility in the high desert near Fort Tejon. West Hills Hounds welcome foxhunters from anywhere in the world.
For the most up-to-date information on fixtures and events, call the West Hills Hounds Monitor at 213-891-4000.
Harold Ravins 1935-2010 Pictures from the Hunt
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Mitchell A. Jacobs, Scott J. Tepper, Michael Zacha, Joint Masters 2010-2011
