GREEN CREEK – Members of the Green Creek Hounds (GCH) honored Master of Foxhounds (MFH) and Huntsman, Tot Goodwin, with a standing ovation during the annual GCH Hunt Ball Saturday, February 3.  

Goodwin begin serving as Huntsman for the Green Creek Hounds in 1989. This year’s hunt ball included a celebration of Goodwin’s birthday. 

“He [Goodwin] taught me everything about hunting and hounds,” said GCH Honorary Whipper In, Jana Hinley. “He and Colleen [Goodwin’s wife] are family.” 

According to his wife, Colleen, Goodwin started his equine career at age 19, working with “foxhunting legend,” MFH Benjamin H. Hardaway III who founded the Midland Hounds in Columbus, Ga. Within one year, Goodwin was whipping in for Hardaway.  

“He [Goodwin] has hunted all over the US, Canada and England,” Colleen said. 

“He’s [Goodwin] a true ambassador of foxhunting,” said GCH member Cee Cee Willmanns. “He always wants everyone to experience foxhunting.” 

During the celebration, hunt staff presented Goodwin with a birthday cake and a stuffed coyote, which he apparently dove into a river to retrieve after hounds had run the coyote to a kill.  

“He’s a heck of a rider,” Willmanns said. “To this day it’s all you can do to keep up with him.”