Show FOX HUNTING IS POPULAR RICHMOND Va By B By The Associated Press Pr Fox Fox hunting has reached a new peak of popularity In Virginia where here the blooded hound and horse hold the spotlight during the greater part of the year With the fall season here opening with probably the largest number ol ot of packs picks since riding to the hounds hound was introduced back in 1650 1650 a a heritage from far-distant far Norman ancestors who roamed o er Merry England reports from other outer sections of ot the south indicate the Increased popularity popularity larity larl ty Is general The chase In Virginia is divided dl In Into In- In Into to 10 two distinct classes the formal ant and Informal organizations Representing the hunt clubs the formal Cormal hunters h ride In traditional pink coots coats and put put- puttees puttees puttees tees while the Informal organized organised as the Virginia Fox Hunters' Hunters association look to the performance of the dogs dog as os foremost I The formal hunt h Is accompanied by much ceremony bringing out the so so- so society clety of the Old Dominion The gen gen- gentleman genI gentleman takes as much pride In hi his I ability to ride his mount o over oser cr rail am and ditch as os in tho the cry of the blooded pack Eleven Etoen of the 52 formal hunt clubs club of ot the United States are In 11 Virginia After the Civil war few families were able to maintain the packs which had been the pride of owners of grea great estates Communities then banded Into nto hunts and the organizations have ha e retained their Identity There is s a wide divergence in the tM hunting of oC gray and red foxes The jay gray stays nearer home and seldom ventures more than six to eight miles from rom his den making tho the chas chess a n aal vast al va l circle Ircle The red fox often otten leads away from rom his den and ond in many Instances Instance draws the dogs 30 miles In a It direct line Ine Both Bolts offer orter thrilling sport port so 50 popular that It has entwined Itself In Inthe Inthe the he history of Virginia o |