Fifteen hounds and 65 horsemen raced across Vickie Cunningham’s property at Barney’s Joy for nearly four hours, mimicking a tradition that dates to 16th century England: fox hunts.

The October 15 fox hunt between Barney’s Joy and the north side of Horseneck Road didn't involve real foxes, however. Before riders saddled up, three humans laid trails of fox scent for the hounds, said Cunningham, who organizes the Dartmouth event.

“I can basically orchestrate where the hounds will go and where the riders will go,” she said. “We do almost a cavalry charge towards the spectators.”

The Dartmouth tradition dates to the mid-1970s, said Cunningham. This year, the drag hunt hosted three hunt clubs — the Norfolk Hunt Club from Medfield, the Myopia Hunt Club from Hamilton, and the Wentworth Hunt Club from New Hampshire.

The Norfolk Hunt’s Tom Lewis has been participating in the club for more than 15 years.

“I really love watching the hounds find the scent,” he said, adding that camaraderie and access to otherwise restricted countryside property are also perks to participating. Lewis is considered a master, one of four club leaders. Due to his position, Lewis was cloaked in red for the ride, along with other male riders who are in good standing with the club.

Lewis led one of four charges along the 8- to 10-mile route. The first of these groups — called slights — jumped everything from stone walls to ditches and fence lines. The second, which was led by Lewis, could pick and choose which obstacles to clear. The third slight was designed for riders who want to ride fast, but not jump; the fourth — called hilltoppers — is a shortened version suited for green horses and young riders that neither jump nor ride fast, said Lewis.

Ahead of the riders, a huntsman — who both breeds and trains the hounds — worked to keep the dogs focused on the scent, which is a difficult job, according to Lewis.

“You can imagine trying to keep 15 hounds focused and going in the right direction,” he said.

The huntsman was assisted by a whipper-in, who herded strays back toward the action… without hurting the animals. Lewis explained that the hounds are traditionally counted by couples; for example, 15 hounds would equate to seven and a half couples.

“It’s sort of a superstitious, good-luck thing,” he said, explaining the odd number of dogs on the field.

Lewis said the hunt itself can also be a difficult task. Frosty mornings and rain can present challenges, but more challenging is not knowing the course, he explained.

“You don’t know what the route is. You always have to keep your wits about you,” said Lewis. Despite this, Lewis said it’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience. “It doesn’t matter who you are. It’s really just all about the horses and the countryside,” he said.

Although Cunningham did not get to spectate this year, excitement rang in her voice as she described the tradition via phone.

“It’s the only sport I know where three species — humans, hounds, and horses — are all excited together,” said Cunningham. “The atmosphere is absolutely electric.”

Spectators are encouraged to attend the hunts. The next South Coast event will be held on Horseneck Road in Westport on November 26, 10 a.m.