In & Around Horse Country Summer 2014

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY, 60 ALEXANDRIA PIKE, WARRENTON, VA 20186

VOLUME XXVI / NUMBER 4 • THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA STEEPLECHASE ASSOCIATION • SUMMER 2014

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

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HORSE SHOW

Upperville Colt & Horse Show Upperville, Virginia • June 2 - 8, 2014

Upperville Grand Prix Skara Glen’s Sienna, Paul O’Shea rider.

Saunders on Jane with mother Sara Miller, Emory on Drew with Dad Zach Miller.

Teresa Ramsay photo

Janet Hitchen photo

Upperville Grand Prix Skara Glen’s Sienna, Paul O’Shea rider, Skara Glen Stables owner.

Teresa Ramsay photo

Lead line, second place, Sloane Haven Greiner led by Peter Foley.

Janet Hitchen photo

Tab Hunter.

Teresa Ramsay photo

Sidesaddle rider Devon Zebrovious.

Lead line winner (1-3 years) Irelyn Diemar riding Roll Call.

Janet Hitchen photo

Janet Hitchen photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

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SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTS South Creek Foxhounds Celebrate 2014 All Florida Meet

By Vicki Reeves, Jt. MFH South Creek Foxhounds, Florida’s oldest hunt club, celebrated their 21st Annual All Florida Meet February 19th through 23rd, 2014. Guests from as far away as Kimblewick Hunt (UK) and Ontario, Canada, enjoyed four days of sport, each at a different hunt venue.

The Hunt Ball was held at the Tampa Yacht and Country Club and attendees danced the night away listening to three different bands! At the end of the weekend, riders, horses, hounds and the elusive coyotes were all tired, but happy. Sunday’s hunt included two long runs, the first being 3.4 miles and 26 minutes long and the second 4.1 miles and 37 minutes long. The Professional Huntsman Robert Douglas leads hounds, staff, and the field back to the trailers at the conclusion of one of the 2014 All experienced pack was Florida Meet hunting days. Jim Sykes photo all on at the end and no one could have asked for a better ending to the weekend.

Committee chairmen are already making plans for the 22nd Annual All Florida Meet which coincides with South Creek Foxhounds’ 50th Anniversary. That celebration will take place February 18 – 22, 2015, with the 50th Annual Hunt Ball to be held at Tampa Yacht and Country Club on Friday, February 20, 2015.

••••

Horse Country Hosts Author Linda Tellington-Jones for Book Chat and Signing Linda Tellington-Jones visited Horse Country Saddlery on June 13 to give a talk about her Tellington TTouch Method and its benefits and to sign books. About 35 people attended and, as a reward, had the opportunity to practice TTouch on each other and even get a bit of the TTouch from Tellington-Jones herself.

“What’s useful about Dressage with Mind, Body, Soul, is that I talk about the importance of your attitude and being heart coherent—how it affects your horses, their performance, and their willingness to perform for you,” said Tellington-Jones.

“The exercises for training horses have been really helpful to all sorts of people involved in dressage as well as other disciplines and sports.”

Tellington-Jones emphasized that the breathing and visualization exercises are good for all riders, not just dressage enthusiasts, because they really can and will affect your horses and how they respond to schooling. She also pointed out that a great amount of information about her TTouch Method and training techniques are available in her definitive work, The Ultimate Horse Behavior Book which trouble-shoots more than 100 issues you can have with your horse.

Linda Tellington-Jones (center) visited Horse “You look up what your horse is Country Saddlery to discuss and sign her latest book. She posed with fans Wendy Murdoch doing and on that page there will be five (left) and Jan Snodgrass. different things that you can do, then it sends you to another part of the book—you can learn various types of TTouch, training exercises, and ways to change your horse’s behaviors,” said TellingtonJones. “What I love about that book is that you can’t imagine how many people have told me that they bought a horse that was considered dangerous or unrideable and that they developed partnership and trust with that horse because of my little circles and exercises.”

Both books are available for purchase at Horse Country Saddlery. Signed copies available. Soft cover, 288 pages. $34.95. Call 800-882-4868 •••• Ellie Wood Keith Baxter at the Farmington Hunt Closing Meet wrapping up the 2013/2014 season. At 92 years young, this indomitable lady plans to be out again for Opening Meet this fall. Kay Butterfield photo.

Joe and Lorraine Sparra lead the field through a creek crossing during the 2014 All Florida Meet. Jim Sykes photo

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: Janet Hitchen

ON THE COVER: Huntsman Noel Ryan of the Palm Beach Hounds, Florida, at the Virginia Foxhound Show, May 25, 2014, at Morven Park, Leesburg, Virginia.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kay Butterfield John J. Carle II, ex-MFH Richard Clay www.richardclayphotography.com Adam Coglianese Lauren R. Giannini Janet Hitchen 540-837-9846 www.janethitchenphotography.com Douglas Lees douglaslees@comcast.com Jim Meads, U.K. 011-44-1686-420436 Betsy Burke Parker Teresa Ramsay Eric Schneider Jim Sykes Cindy Taber Karen Kandra Wenzel

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Editorial and Advertising Address: 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186 For information and advertising rates, please call (540) 347-3141, fax (540) 347-7141 Space Deadline for the Fall issue is August 1. Payment in full due with copy.

Publisher: Marion Maggiolo Managing Editor: J. Harris Anderson Advertising: Mary Cox (540) 636-7688 Email: hcmaryads@embarqmail.com Contributors: Aga; John J. Carle II, ex-MFH; Lauren R. Giannini; Jim Meads; Will O’Keefe; Vicki Reeves, Jt. MFH; Virginia Thoroughbred Association; Daphne Wood, Jt. MFH; Jenny Young LAYOUT & DESIGN: Kate Houchin Copyright 2014 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXVI, No.4 POSTMASTER: CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

HOUND SHOWS Golden’s Bridge “Phoenix” Rises to Grand Championship At Virginia Hound Show

By Lauren R. Giannini

The Virginia Foxhound Show, May 25, 2014, at Morven Park, Leesburg, Virginia Grand Champion Penn-Marydel Hound Golden's Bridge “Phoenix,” Huntsman Ciaran Murphy.

Trophy presented by Joanie Jones. Karen Kandra Wenzel photo

Penn-Marydel Foxhounds registered another historic triumph when Golden’s Bridge “Phoenix” became the second of his breed to win Grand Champion Foxhound of Show and the William W. Brainard Jr Perpetual Cup at the 67th Virginia Foxhound Show.

Late on Sunday afternoon, May 25, the best of the four Foxhound breeds congregated on the front lawn of Morven Park in Leesburg: American champion, Potomac “Templeton” (2012); Crossbred champion, Live Oak “Accurate” (2013); English champion, Midland “Moorland Staffordshire Stunning” (2011); Golden’s Bridge “Phoenix” (2012).

The hounds showed off their conformation and movement under the scrutiny of presiding Grand Championship judge, John J. Carle II, exMFH/huntsman. The crowd waited and watched attentively as the shadows grew longer while Carle finalized his picks.

After Bob Ferrer, Jt-MFH Caroline Hunt, announced that Potomac “Templeton” was reserve grand champion, many waited to hear if the Midland or Live Oak bitches had won the big title. After all, Penn-Marydels tended to be relegated to the back stalls of the Best In Show choir, so to speak, but not this year. When Ferrer announced Golden’s Bridge “Phoenix” as Grand Champion, cheers of approval erupted from the crowd in general, not just from those loyal to Penn-Marydels as wonderful hunting hounds.

“I really wanted to have a chance to judge Phoenix,” said Carle. “I first saw him in 2012 and my initial reaction was good. I got a glimpse of him in 2013 at Virginia and Bryn Mawr, but I never got the chance to see him up against other breed champions.

When I watched Phoenix at Virginia, I was absolutely amazed by the fluid way he moves. He’s a big hound, but he moves like a much smaller and lighter hound.

Of the four champions, he represented his breed the best. Phoenix is an amazing hound and he showed himself really well. He’s correct, he has great feet and, cosmetically, he is a beautiful hound.”

By Golden’s Bridge “Voltaire” (2006) out of Andrews Bridge “Powder” (2007), “Phoenix” did well even as a puppy at hound shows and had no problem with shyness. At Virginia in 2012, his sire “Voltaire” pinned first in the combined stallion and brood bitch class while “Phoenix” (unentered) won his classes and earned the reserve tri-color in the breed championship, bested by pack-mate, Golden’s Bridge “Lumber.” In 2013 “Phoenix” won the Penn-Marydel Foxhound Championship at Virginia and at Bryn Mawr, but 2014 would be the year when the young stallion hound exhibited his legacy all the way to the grand championship, and he did it at Virginia and again at Bryn Mawr under two different judges who know their hounds: Carle and Tony Leahy, MFH/huntsman not once, but twice.

“This was a great victory for Penn-Marydels as a breed, and not just for Golden’s Bridge and Phoenix— it was also for Andrews Bridge—it was everyone’s victory, everyone who has Penn-Marydels and has worked hard to improve the breed,” said Ciaran Murphy, Golden’s Bridge huntsman. “We are the underdogs in the Grand Championship and we know that, but to see that it can be done means a lot. It’s nice for the breed, it’s nice for everyone who likes PennMarydels.”

Several years ago, Andrews Bridge wanted to breed two of their bitches and asked Golden’s Bridge about their dog hounds. Murphy suggested Voltaire.

After the bitches had whelped and the puppies were two or three months old, Andrews Bridge sent four puppies to Golden’s Bridge, two from each litter.

“We had no puppies that year and the puppies by Voltaire from the Andrews Bridge bitches were very nice,” said Murphy. “But Phoenix was above and beyond the others. His personality is second to none.

He just has this presence—he walks into the ring and says look at me—he’s just that kind of a hound. If I ever thought I had a hound that could win a Grand Championship, there was no question at all that it was Phoenix. His sister [Golden’s Bridge “Pippa”] won the brood bitch class up at Bryn Mawr this year. Phoenix is a great hound. His attitude is phenomenal when it comes to hunting. He moves fantastic. He gets great litters and they all hunt well. It makes it extra special to have a hound that not only looks the part, but also hunts really well and shows really well.”

American Foxhounds Even though American hound classes are divided by kennel size (less than 20 couple entered hounds or more than 20 couple entered hounds), the small kennels had an interesting mix of results, led by Casanova’s hounds, while Potomac pretty much dominated in the large kennels and, if you paid attention to the catalog, a number of packs showed hounds with Potomac bloodlines. Potomac also won the American pack class with Allen Fornoy substituting for huntsman Larry Pitts, who recently had a knee replacement, and Laura Pitts as whipper-in.

The action kicked off in the American ring’s first class where judges Jerry Miller, MFH Iroquois, and Mary Ewing, Esq, MFH Arapahoe Hunt, awarded first place in Single Dog Unentered to Casanova Hunt “Beacon” and second to Casanova “Bolt.”

Continued

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“Sable” with Huntsman John Gray, Hillsboro Hounds, Cornersville, Tennessee. Janet Hitchen photo

Laura Pitts, Potomac Hunt, assisted by Jennifer Queen.

Janet Hitchen photo

American Breed Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Potomac “Templeton.”

Lauren R. Giannini photo

4 Casanova “Banner” joined forces with “Bolt” to win Couple of Dogs Unentered, an “open” class, relegating Potomac “Kracken” and “Krockett” to second place. Casanova’s hounds (Bolt, Banner, and Beacon) are littermates from the mating of Potomac “Windsor” and Casanova “Vinca.” Casanova “Beacon” earned Best Unentered Hound in a class that included Brazos Valley “Music”, Millbrook “Karat”, and Potomac “Keegan”.

Tommy Lee Jones, Casanova Huntsman, laughed when asked what he thought about the judging in the American ring. “I was very happy,” Jones said.

“Beacon and Value did really well. The interesting thing is that Value is the sister of Veil, champion [American] bitch at Virginia a few years ago—in that litter there were three bitches and two have been champion and the one I like best, Vinca, is the mother of Beacon. Jerry [Miller] said that all these dogs look exactly alike. I had champion bitch and champion unentered dog—how could I not be pleased?”

Potomac “Keegan” (Potomac “Jefferson” x Potomac “Kestrel”) garnered first place in Unentered Dog (large kennel). In Entered Dog, NewmarketMiddletown “Thruster” earned the blue rosette (small kennel) and Keswick “Warrior” claimed first place (large kennel). Potomac scored a one-two finish in Couple of Dogs, Entered, winning with Potomac “Keeper” and Potomac “Keswick” and second with their “Wilder” and their “Windsor.”

When the lady hounds took the ring for Entered Bitch, Casanova “Value” won Entered Bitch in the small kennels, while Orange County “Manic” claimed first place in the large kennel. Later, they went up against each other with the result that “Value” harvested the American Bitch Championship, relegating “Manic” to the reserve tri-color.

Brazos Valley “Music” and Brazos Valley “Motion” finished first and second in that order in Unentered Bitch (small kennel), then they won Couple Unentered, relegating Potomac “Kashmir” and “Katrina” to second place. Millbrook “Karat” earned the blue rosette over Potomac “Keystone”—they are full siblings by Potomac “Jefferson” out of Potomac “Kestrel”—in Unentered Bitch (large kennel).

Potomac won Couple of Bitches Entered with their “Melrose” and “Mesquite” with second going to Rolling Rock “Minnie” and “Miscount” (Potomac “Maestro” out of Potomac “Mirage”). In Best American Brood Bitch, Potomac Kelsey (Potomac “Jefferson” x Potomac “Kestrel”) prevailed. Casanova “Vinca” placed second.

Potomac “Templeton” was unbeatable in Best American Stallion Hound and American Stallion Hound Shown with Three of His Get. For the American Doghound Championship, “Templeton” triumphed over Potomac “Keegan.” When “Templeton” met Casanova “Value” in the American Foxhound Championship, the Potomac hound took the title and earned his second consecutive chance for the grand championship.

Laura Pitts, Larry and Peggy’s daughter, has handled “Templeton” pretty much since he was a puppy.

“Laura knows all our hounds and they love her,” said Peggy. “She has a way of making the hounds comfortable in the ring, maybe because she is so at home and confident in the ring herself—much like her dad.”

Laura works full-time and lives on the far (Springfield, Virginia) side of the Capitol Beltway from Potomac, Maryland, and hunts when she can (which isn’t often enough).

This is the second consecutive year Laura showed “Templeton” to the American Foxhound Championship and to the reserve tri-color in the Grand Championship at Virginia. In 2012 Templeton made his show debut with Laura at Bryn Mawr in the Unentered class; he beat Potomac “Windsor” for the dog championship, won the breed championship over Essex “Jiffy” and went on to win the grand champi-

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

onship.

“Our dogs did well, but it’s funny because we think our bitches were better than our dogs,” said Larry Pitts, Potomac huntsman, who is looking at his final season to carry the horn. “After I retire, I’m going to get a few beagles, fish a lot and work a lot, but not full-time, and I might make some whips. I want to catch up on my fishing and I’m going to go all over the country and hunt with people I met and want to see from Florida to New England and maybe even out to the west. If I go west, my first stop or last stop—maybe both — will be the Juan Tomás Hounds.”

But first, Pitts can look forward to next Memorial Day to reach for that Best In Show brass ring at Virginia.

Crossbred Foxhounds With two Cross-bred rings (less than 35 couple, 35 couple or more) running simultaneously at the Virginia Hound Show, it gets a bit hectic attempting to summarize the results. Andrew Barclay, ex-Huntsman of Green Spring Valley, presided over the less than 35 couple classes, while Dr. John W. D. McDonald, MFH London Hunt, judged the 35 couple and over ring.

Crossbred Champion Live Oak "Accurate" with Daphne Wood, In the Crossbred small kennel doghound classes, MFH. Karen Kandra Wenzel photo Warrenton Hunt won three classes, two with three litValley “Whiskey” (Unentered), Bear Creek termates. Best Stallion Hound went to their “Cruiser” and Couple of Dogs Entered was awarded to their “Wexham” (Entered), and Warrenton “Cruiser” (Best “Crandall” and “Colonel”—all by Warrenton “Fritz” Stallion Hound).

Live Oak “Accurate” won the Crossbred Bitch out of Warrenton “Charm.” Warrenton “County” took Championship, with Live Oak “Eager” earning top honors as Best Brood Bitch.

Mill Creek “Kubota” and “Kalif” won Couple of reserve honors; this title class included Midland Dogs, Unentered. Palm Beach “Genesee Valley “Roxanne” (Best Brood Bitch), Hillsboro “Graphic” Angus” harvested the blue in Stallion Hound Shown (Best Unentered Bitch), and the small kennel winners, with Three of His Get. Old Dominion “Feather” and Goshen “Waffle” (Unentered), Metamora “River” “Fever” won the Couple of Bitches Unentered, and (Entered), and Warrenton “County” (Best Brood Howard County-Iron Bridge annexed first place with Bitch).

In the final reckoning, Live Oak “Accurate” “Baffle” and “Banner” in Couple of Bitches Entered.

The large kennel ring turned into a shootout earned the nod as Crossbred Hound Champion over between Live Oak Hounds and Midland Fox Hounds. Midland “Rocket.”

Piedmont Fox Hounds earned first place in the Live Oak Hounds won Couple of Dogs Unentered with their “Checkmate” and “Petworth.” Live Oak Crossbred Pack class.

“Our Accurate is a gorgeous little bitch and she “Assault” won Entered Dog, then won Couple Entered with “Sheriff.” Their “Hannibal” won Best Stallion had had enough chasing biscuits for the day after Hound shown with three of his get, and Live Oak being in five classes and she didn’t want to show in “Accurate” earned top marks as Single Bitch Entered, the grand championship, which was disappointing,” besting pack-mate “Eager” but they turned around and said Marty Wood, Jt-MFH Live Oak. “She’s going went right back in the ring, taking first place in Couple into her second season of hunting and she was last Entered, relegating pack-mates “Keynote” and year’s unentered bitch champion. Her movement is her forte, but if a hound won’t move while they’re “Splendid” to second place.

Green Spring Valley Hounds “Nomad” (Eglinton judging the grand championship, you can’t judge their Caledon “Sober” x Green Spring Valley “Nimble”) movement and that’s a big part of it. The hound that earned first place in Unentered Dog over two from won the grand championship is seriously nice. I really Live Oak hounds, one from Deep Run and one from looked at him. Phoenix is an absolutely gorgeous Midland. “Nomad” also earned Best Unentered Penn-Marydel hound. He went on to win at Bryn Crossbred Foxhound with reserve honors awarded to Mawr the next week. Two very good judges, Jake Hillsborough “Graphic” (Unentered Bitch, large ken- Carle and Tony Leahy, can’t be wrong.” nel) in a field that included small kennel class winners Goshen “Waffle” (Unentered Bitch) and New MarketMiddletown Valley “Whiskey” (Unentered Dog).

Midland “Rocket” won Best Stallion Hound, qualifying for him for the Crossbred Dog Hound Championship which he won; Live Oak “Assault” taking reserve honors.

This title included Green Spring Valley “Nomad” and the following “small kennel” winners, English Dog Hound Champion at the Virginia Hound Show Newmarket-Middletown “Barnfield,” (left) Blue Ridge Huntsman Guy Allman assisted by Martyn Blackmore. Richard Clay photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

Virginia Hound Show Judges: (l-r) Jeff Blue, MFH Middleburg Hunt; Rosie Campbell, MFH Bull Run Hunt; George Thomas, MFH Why Worry Hounds; Maj. Tim Easby, ex-MFH; Mary Ewing, MFH Arapahoe Hunt; Jack McDonald, MFH London Hunt; Elizabeth Ferrer, MFH Caroline Hunt; Andrew Barclay; Jerry Miller, MFH Iroquois Hunt; Joan Jones, ex-MFH and Show President.

(Not shown: Jake Carle, ex-MFH; Jeanne Clark, MFH Casanova Hunt.) Lauren R. Giannini photo

English Foxhounds This is the derby ring, so to speak, and Maj. Tim Easby, ex-MFH and the president of the English MFHA, judged the English classes. Iroquois Hunt “Watchtower” won the Unentered Dog, turned around and marched right back into the ring with pack-mate “Warham” to place second in Couple Unentered, which was won by Loudoun Fairfax “Speaker” and “Spitfire.” Green Creek stepped up to the plate, winning Entered Dog with “Banker” and Entered Couple with “Banker” and “Bankrupt.”

Live Oak took the blue with Two Couple Unentered or Entered, Iroquois placing second. In Best Stallion Hound, Blue Ridge “Barnfield” harvested first, Live Oak “Dandy” and “Farquhar” finished second and third respectively. Live Oak “Maximum” was deemed Best Stallion Hound, shown with three of his get.

Blue Ridge “Barnfield” claimed the English Dog Hound Championship with Green Creek “Banker” taking the reserve tri-color. Blue Ridge placed two ladies at the top of the results for the Unentered English Bitch with “Millstream” winning over their “Gracious.” Amwell Valley “Sparkle” and “Sunlight” harvested first in Couple Bitches, Entered/Unentered.

Hillsboro “Grateful” won Entered Bitch, Live Oak came back with “Sassy” and “Saucy” to annex the top prize in Couple of Bitches Entered and also earned the blue in Two Couple of Bitches Entered/Unentered.

Best Unentered English Hound was Blue Ridge “Millstream” with reserve honors awarded to Iroquois “Watchtower.” Midland “Moorland Staffordshire Stunning” garnered first in Best Brood Bitch and earned the English Bitch Championship over the reserve, Hillsboro “Grateful.” Midland “Moorland Staffordshire Stunning” reigned supreme for the English Foxhound Championship with Blue Ridge Barnfield taking the reserve honors. Blue Ridge won the English Pack class.

“We got Stunning from the UK—I went to judge a puppy show at UK Moorland and they gave her to me,” said Mason Lampton, Jt-MFH and huntsman Midland, who with Ken George showed Stunning in the Grand Championship. “I thought she was beautiful. David Barker, now retired—world class rider, had been huntsman at the Meynell—bred the bitch. I gave him some hounds and he gave me Stunning. This is the prettiest English bitch I have ever seen.”

Penn-Marydel Foxhounds Golden’s Bridge did more than win the Grand Championship with their “Phoenix”—their hounds (including Riley, Glamour, Sassy, Sequence, Lumber) won several classes. Their “Guinness” claimed the Listed Hound Championship with their “Glossy” in reserve. Golden’s Bridge also contributed to the bloodlines of a number of packs whose hounds won rosettes in the course of the day.

Marlborough “Uganda” earned Champion Registered Hound Unentered with their “Utopia” harvesting the reserve honors; both hounds are the get of Marlborough “Mark” x Golden’s Bridge “Kelby.” De La Brook W “Trudy” won Registered Brood Bitch and their “Uriel” claimed the Registered Bitch Championship with the reserve honors awarded to Marlborough “Utopia.” Moore County Hounds won the Penn-Marydel Pack class.

When Golden’s Bridge “Phoenix” claimed the Penn-Marydel Registered Dog Championship, Marlborough “Uganda” garnered the reserve honors.

In the gathering of hounds for the Penn-Marydel Champion Foxhound class, the Unentered Champion Marlborough “Uganda” qualified for the breed title class, taking his well-deserved place alongside the more seasoned champion and ultimate Grand Champion, Golden’s Bridge “Phoenix,” and De La Brooke W “Uriel,” who earned the reserve breed tricolor.

The Penn-Marydels have come a long way, and there can be no doubt that the quality of hounds was outstanding in all of the rings, which fulfills one of the primary purposes of the hound show—to exhibit your foxhounds and see how they compare to others of their breeding. As several huntsmen and masters (past and current) pointed out, in order to win a breed championship, everything has to go right, luck plays a vital role, so does showmanship of the handler and the hound, a matter of learning by doing. On May 25, there can be no doubt that it was Penn-Marydel’s day.

Performance Hounds, Junior Handlers & Saturday Night’s Social Whirl Hillsboro Hounds (TN) dominated the top two places in the Ben Hardaway III Perpetual Cup for Best Sanctioned Performance Trial Hound, winning with Hillsboro “Parson” and placing second with their “Kingpin.” Jeff Blue, Jt-MFH Middleburg Hunt, judged the class, which featured hounds from Full Cry (AL) and Midland (GA) as well as Hillsboro. This championship was open to hounds who qualified by placing in the top 10 “high general average scores” at MFHA and sanctioned performance trial held during the past two seasons.

The two classes for Junior Handlers have turned into a training ground, thanks to practices held at various kennels, and the competition gets tougher every year. These are fun classes to watch, scheduled during the noon lunch break in the Penn-Marydel ring.

Several junior handlers are related to hunt staff (masters and huntsman), others are living proof of the growing popularity of riding to hounds as a family activity.

In the 10 & Under class: 1. Gavin Snowhite, Palm Beach Hounds; 2. Natalie Northrup, Long Run Hounds; 3. Olivia Adams, Newmarket-Middletown Valley Hounds; 4. Colby Poe, Old Dominion Hounds;

5 5. Gabrielle Shriver, Deep Run Hunt; 6. Colin Smith, Green Spring Valley Hounds. In the 11 to 16 class: 1.

Kendra McBroom, Rolling Rock Hunt; 2. Connor Poe, Old Dominion Hounds; 3. Eliza van der Woude, Warrenton Hunt; 4. Rachel Paradise, Warrenton Hunt; 5. Carmen Cantrell, Warrenton Hunt; 6. Casey Poe, Old Dominion Hounds.

Saturday Night at Morven Park featured the MHHNA Reception, Foxhound Club Dinner under the tent on the mansion lawn, the National Horn Blowing Championship, carriage rides complete with champagne, and lots of catching up with enthusiasts from near and far, spectators and competitors alike. More than 40 packs brought more than 700 hounds to vie for top honors in the Virginia Hound Show.

The hallelujah chorus sang sweetly from the distant kennels as the sounds of the National Horn Blowing Contest filled the night air. A huge field of contestants lined up to take their turns demonstrating the requisite calls. Under the new championship rules, any MFHA-member hunt staff may compete, even if they won another hound show horn blowing contest.

The judges (three) must be from the USA and/or Canada. The MFHA awarded an engraved hunt horn, the winner’s name to be engraved on the perpetual silver horn trophy, and prize money.

This year’s trio of judges included Dr. Marvin Beeman, Jt-MFH & huntsman Arapahoe, Tony Leahy, Jt-MFH & huntsman Fox River Valley and Cornwell Hounds, and Marty Wood, Jt-MFH & huntsman Live Oak Hounds. With their backs to the competition and the huge assembly of enthusiasts urged to “hark please!”, they listened to the calls and scored the first round. After they picked their finalists and scored the blow-off, Beeman, Leahy, and Wood awarded the championship to Sam Clifton, Green Spring Valley huntsman, with runner-up honors earned by Ashley Hubbard, Fox River Valley.

Junior Handlers 10 & Under class: Gavin Snowhite, Palm Beach Hounds.

Lauren R. Giannini photo

Junior Handlers 11 to 16 class: Kendra McBroom, Rolling Rock Hunt. Lauren R. Giannini photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

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HOUND SHOWS The Centennial Bryn Mawr Hound Show 1914-2014

By John J. Carle II, ex-MFH “May your Centennial Show be crowned with huge success and be the onward stepping stone to your bicentennial ambition.

With all best wishes,” Nigel Peel

Grand Champion Penn-Marydel Hound Golden's Bridge “Phoenix,” Huntsman Ciaran Murphy with daughter Niamh and Show Chairman George S. Hundt Jr. and Tony Leahy, MFH, Judge. Karen Kandra Wenzel photo

Acknowledging the widespread desire throughout the foxhunting world for friendly competition ever since the demise of the National Hound Show in 1909, three of the sport’s leading figures, John R. Valentine, J. Stanley Reeve, and Plunket Stewart, organized the Bryn Mawr Hound Show. First held in September, 1914, on the Bryn Mawr Polo Field, and in conjunction with the Bryn Mawr Horse Show, it attracted 21 of the best packs around, both foxhounds and beagles. The show called the Polo Field home until 1948, when it moved to the more spacious grounds of the Rose Tree Foxhunting Club in nearby Media, PA. When Rose Tree fell victim to suburban sprawl and moved to more rural York, PA, in 1956, the hound show found a permanent home at Malvern’s Radnor Hunt Club. The idyllic setting lends itself beautifully to the show, and the charming, historic clubhouse is without equal as its social center. If the founders were pleased with the turnout of the inaugural show, they’d be astounded at the Centenary numbers: 68 packs and 846 hounds listed in the program. Counting substitutes and pack-only hounds, the total creeps toward 1,000! And, of course, they’d love the ambiance of the clubhouse and the immaculate grounds, the warm welcome, the pervading spirit of true sportsmanship and keen competition, and, perhaps best of all, the interwoven web of friendship among all of the participants and involved observers, who cherish and seek to preserve the intricate art and craft of venery in our complicated world.

Friday night’s welcoming festivities were first rate,

with a generous cocktail hour to accommodate the traditional horn blowing and the new whip-cracking competitions. In the latter, Henry Cadwallader won the foot (short lash) division, and Golden’s Bridge Huntsman Ciaran Murphy’s thunder-clap won the mounted (long lash) section. The professional horn blowing was excellent, with clear, precise and proper calls executed throughout, resulting in a three-way blow-off. Sewickley Huntsman John Tabachka emerged the winner, a position with which he is quite familiar. Hot-air specialist Rick Davis, MB, West Dublin Beagles, once again blew away the other amateurs. The Radnor Club’s extraordinary chefs were even more magical than usual, handling the overflow crowd (and again at Saturday’s lunch), serving a varied array of delicious dishes—a gourmand’s delight and Jenny Craig’s nightmare! We all left well-fueled for the morrow.

The Goddess Diana was smiling on Saturday morning, sending us a lovely, clear, cool day, caressed by gentle breezes. The Penn-Marydel ring was fortunate to have one of the country’s premier judges, Stanley D. “Hi” Petter, Jr., in charge, for not only was it the show’s busiest with 16 packs showing, every class featured hounds with enormous quality—probably the best ever assembled at one show. Which makes more awesome the domination of the Golden’s Bridge hounds in the Registered section. In the Listed classes, Golden’s Bridge warmed up by winning Unentered Dog with “Guiness” (GBH “Voltare” ’06 x their “Gigi” ’08) ahead of Lewisville “Jake” and Andrews Bridge brothers “Orson” and “Orvis.” Aiken “Trailer” regained his form of old, winning Entered Dog by edging Moore County’s “Edward” ’12 and “Valentino” ’13 and Andrews Bridge “Lantern.” Andrews Bridge “Oboe” won Unentered Bitch over Lewisville “Junebug” and “Guiness’s” sisters, “Glossy” and “Groovy.” For Champion Listed PMD, Lewisville’s Jack Dougherty brought back 2013 winner “Kastille” ’10 (A.B. “Driver” ’07 x their “Havoc” ’07) to snare top honors. Best of Opposite Sex went to A. B. “Oboe” (A. B. “Lawyer” ’11 x Lewisville “Olivia” ’08).

Then Ciaran Murphy’s Golden’s Bridge Hounds hit the talent-laden Registered division like a tsunami, winning every class! “Kodiak” (GBH “Phoenix” ’12 x their “Kiwi” ’10) won Unentered Dog ahead of kennelmate “Farmer,” De La Brooke “Ragu,” and A. B. “Online.”

GBH went 1-3-4 in Entered Dog with “Utah” ’13, “Bruce” ’13, and “Solomon” ’13. De La Brooke “Tullamore” ’11 snatched the red rag. The Couples and Two Couples also went GBH’s way. GBH “Riley” ’10 won the James J. Culleton, MFH Memorial Trophy for Best Stallion Hound, followed by River Hills “Fritz” ’06 and Moore County’s “Helper” ’11 and GBH-bred “King” ’10. Sadly there were none of Jim Culleton’s old Reedy Creek Hounds in either the class or the pedigrees of any of the entries. How quickly his legacy has faded! In the Doghound Championship GBH “Phoenix” ’12 (GBH “Voltare” ’06 x A.B. “Powder” ’07) won for the third straight year, with his son “Kodiak” taking Reserve. Talk about domination! Show over!

At lunch, Judge Petter turned to a friend, saying, “You won’t believe what I just saw in my ring!” The friend cocked an eyebrow. “The most exquisite doghound I’ve ever seen!” Friend grinned, said simply, “Phoenix.” “Yes! You know him? What do you think?”

“Well,” the friend drawled, “I pinned him Grand Champion last week.” Hi Petter grinned broadly. “I don’t see anyone beating him here, either!”

After lunch the GBH juggernaut continued to roll.

They aced Unentered Bitch with “Fiona,” a substitute (GBH “Keeper” ’09 x their “Bella” ’07), and fourth with “Fortuitous.” Kimberton “Vixen” was 2nd, Rose Tree “Anne” 3rd. Another substitute, “Sequence” ’13, won Entered Bitch, edging De La Brooke “Uriel” ’12, Millbrook “Havoc” ’11, and Rose Tree “Una” ’09. Again the Couple and Two Couple classes were Mr. Murphy’s.

GBH “Pippa” ’12 (“Phoenix’s” sister) made it a family affair in Brood Bitch over Sewickly’s Reedy Creek “Riddle” ’09, River Hills “Dozy” ’10, and Rose Tree “Una” ’09. Judge Petter chose “Sequence” as Champion Bitch, placing “Pippa” in Reserve. In the Veterans class, GBH “Birdstone” ’07 and “Blossom” ’06 beat Rose

Tree’s “Shuppy” and “Sprout” ’07. “Kodiak” added the Puppy Championship Plate to his résumé. “Phoenix” got to keep the Kirkwood Farms Champion Trophy he won last year, and proudly welcomed son “Kodiak” on the victory stand as Reserve Champion.

The Golden’s Bridge streak ended briefly in the pack class. Just weeks past seven hours of back surgery, Huntsman Ciaran Murphy was in agony trying to jog his pack; and the hounds seemed to feel his pain, curbing their usual exuberance and finishing fourth. Marlborough just did nip ahead of Andrews Bridge, with De La Brooke a popular third.

Dr. John W. D. “Jack” McDonald, MFH (London Hunt) and former MFHA President, accompanied by his lovely daughter, Dr. Charlotte McDonald, traipsed down from Ontario to preside over the English ring. Two Canadian packs had entered, but both were forced to cancel at the last minute, leaving just five packs. But what nice hounds exhibited in this ring! Blue Ridge Hunt, based in Boyce, Virginia, has long been a formidable presence at Bryn Mawr, and they kept the tradition alive this year. In Unentered Dogs, B.R. “Dolphin” (Hillsboro “Flintstone” ’11 x their “Dollar” ’12) and “Goodwood” bested Amwell Valley “Spanner” and Lowcountry “Huckleberry.” The Why Worry Hounds, up from Windsor, SC, won Entered Dog with “Ravel” ’13 (WWH “Braveheart” ’09 x Green Creek “Ransome”), who was second at the Carolinas’ Show, over the B.R. duo of “Bandit” ’13 and Galloper”’12 and A.V. “Baltimore” ’13, littermate to “Bandit.” Blue Ridge swept both Couples classes and the Two-Couple, to emphasize the depth of the breeding program meticulously mapped by Linda Armbrust, MFH. Their Huntsman, Guy Allman, proceeded to sweep Stallion Hound with the elegant “Barnfield” ’10 (Duke of Beaufort’s “Baily” ’03 x B.R. “Crocus” ’06), “Mortimer” ’09, and their Hillsboro “Denmark” ’12. Loudoun Fairfax “Essex” ’11 was left waiving the white ribbon in surrender. “Barnfield” then won with his get, and ended his morning by capturing the Doghound Championship, with kennelmate “Mortimer” in Reserve.

Blue Ridge barely drew breath, breezing through the bitches as well. “Millstream” and “Gracious” punched the winning tickets atop the Unentered lineup, ahead of A.V. “Spirit” and “Sparkle.” The Entered Bitch class was an eye-opener for the judges when the stunning B.R. “Goldfinch” ’12 (Heythrop “Gosling” ’07 x Mendip Farmers “Parchment” ’07) swept regally into the ring— and owned it! To beat Why Worry’s “Rachal” ’11 takes a special bitch, not to mention her own kennelmates, Heythrop “Rattle” ’11 and A.V. “Stencil” ’12; but she did so with poise and grace. B.R. took the Couples, and A.V. had the only Two-Couple entry. Amwell won Brood Bitch with “Puffin” ’10, who was 2013 Bitch Champion and dam of this year’s entire A.V. Unentered entry.

Lowcountry’s Holderness “Tealeaf” ’11 took second, with their Belvoir “Sacred” ’09 in fourth for new Huntsman Martyn Blackmore, who so energized the Loudoun West pack, and promises to do the same in South Carolina. Loudoun Fairfax “Sparkle” ’12, Blackmore-produced, took third. B.R. “Goldfinch” made the Bitch Champion a repeat of Entered Bitch, easing WWH. “Rachel” into Reserve.

“Goldfinch” declared “Petticoat Rule” in the English Championship, assigning Reserve roll to “Barnfield,” and ending at three A.V. “Heythrop” ’08’s tricolor run. “She’s one of the loveliest bitches I’ve seen in a very long time,” declared Jack McDonald. “I had no difficulty pinning her!” Charlotte added a sultry smile in agreement.

Amwell Valley’s Steve Farrin, son of Quorn legend Michael Farrin, produced his usual polished performance to easily win the pack class over Loudoun Fairfax. Steve also won the English Huntsman’s prize, because Blue Ridge didn’t show a pack.

Amwell Valley had the only Old English entries this year, in a division unique to Bryn Mawr. Their doghound “Spanner” UE (Holderness “Lancer” ’06 x A.V. “Puffin” ’10) was Champion over his sister “Spirit.”

Hopefully these popular classes will better fill in coming years.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

By the end of the Crossbred Doghound competition, the Green Spring Valley Hounds were a comfortable “two whiskies ahead,” as the Irish say. They won Unentered Dog with “Nomad” (Eglinton & Caledon “Sober” ’09 x GSV “Nimble” ’09) over New Market-Middletown Valley “Whiskey” and Howard County-Iron Bridge’s “Glare” and “Glory.” HC-IB took Unentered Couples, but GSV Huntsman Sam Clifton brought in “Wallace” ’12 (GSV “Loyal” ’06 x their “Weary” ’08) and “Bourbon” ’13 (first and third) to sandwich Why Worry “Atlas” ’13 and beat Old Dominion “Workman” ’12 in Entered Dog; then took Entered Couples as well. GSV “Woodsman” ’11 (E&C “Nimble” ’08 x GSV “Weary” ’08) won the Stallion Hound crown, beating Old Chatham “Irish” ’10 and “Coffee” ’08 (4th), with third to HC-IB “Bidder” ’10.

HC-IB “Patuxent” ’09 (2010 CB Champion Dog) won with his get over OCH “Irish,” Blue Mountain’s Genesee Valley “Nestor” ’08, and OCH “Coffee” ’08. In the allGSV Doghound Championship, “Wallace” stood atop the podium with “Woodsman” one step down.

New Market-Middletown Valley bowled over the Unentered Bitch contingent, winning the singles with “Widget” (GSV “Baily” ’10 x NH-MV “Olive” ’09) over GSV “Notice” and “Model” and Old Dominion “Fever”; and couples with “Widget” and “Welcome.” GSV “Kelly” ’12 (Fox River Valley “Keg” ’05 x GSV “Kipper” ’09) beat Blue Mountain’s Genesee Valley-bred “Carmel” ’13 and ODH “Monday” ’11 in an Entered Bitch class decimated by scratches. “Kelly” and “Kerry” won the couples. The Hardaway Bowl for Best Brood Bitch traveled south with 2013 Bitch Champion Why Worry “Agatha” ’10 (WWH “Grantham” ’06 x their “Arwen” ’02), who beat ODH “Marigold” ’10, GSV “Nickname” ’12, and “Pencil” ’10. GSV “Pocket” ’09 won with her produce, relieving “Agatha” of the Grimes’ Leith Plate she won last year. Following were HC-IB “Bay” ’12 and ODH’s Millbrook “Haven” ’09. When the dust cleared in the Bitch Championship, GSV “Seemly” ’11 returned to recapture the title she’d won in 2012, dethroning “Agatha” by close decision. Marty Wood described “Seemly” as “…an elegant mover with great presence.

She has all the conformation points we look for.” Then Wood pinned her Crossbred Champion over “Wallace.”

Huntsman Kelly Burdge orchestrated a polished performance from his HC-IB hounds to win the Pack Class, bumping 2013 winner Piedmont to second. Old Chatham was a wildly popular third. With the departure of Huntsman Patricia Hopkins, OCH’s horn-carrying duties will be shared by Joint Master Tom Hopkins and Jessica Anderson, Joint Master and Huntsman of the Old Chatham Foot Beagles. Tom was unavailable, and Jess had to show the beagle pack (they won!). So to carry the horn, up stepped Liam Palacios, a part-time Whipper-In, barely out of the junior ranks, and Claudia Romeo to whip in. And what a marvelous, poised job they did! The Woods were effusive in their praise for “those great kids”!

It has long been my dream to judge American Hounds at Bryn Mawr’s Centennial, and thanks to George Hundt, Jr. and the Show Committee, it was a dream realized. My father, Edward H. “Ned” Carle, MH, MFH, judged at the inaugural show with the colorful Foxhall Keene, sorting the English entry and what were then called Half-Bred Hounds. I think Dad would have much enjoyed the show, although I’m not sure what he would have made of the Modern English Hound, since he and staunch friend A. H. Higginson espoused the ponderous “Peterborough Bulls.”

Many packs not seen of late at Bryn Mawr answered the Centennial call, and the American ring was filled to the bursting point with as high class hounds as ever graced these grounds. I was lucky to have as co-judge Genessee Valley’s charming Joint Master and Huntsman, Marion Thorne. Although listed as “apprentice,” she proved beyond a doubt to be the equal of any senior judge working today, with a sharp eye, an unerring grasp of conformation and its function. She is confident of her convictions, spot-on with her observations, and quick with the right decisions. She kept the ring rolling and ahead of schedule.

Orange County began a successful campaign by winning Unentered Dog with “Cargo” (OCH “Wilton” ’09 x their “Clutter” ’08) and “Thornton” over Potomac’s

Champion American Foxhound Potomac “Knickers,” shown by Allen Forney, with (left) Mrs Trish Hueber, with Mr. and Mrs Irvin Crawford, Joint Masters Potomac Hunt. Karen Kandra Wenzel

“Kracken” and “Keegan” (Virginia winner). But “Kracken” and “Krockett” gave Potomac the Couples class win. Keswick “Warrior” ’12 (KHC “Hueber” ’05 x their “Worry” ’03) won Entered Dog at Virginia, catching judge Jerry Miller’s eye immediately. Here he got as critical scrutiny as he’ll ever endure. After trying hard to find faults, both judges gave up and placed him atop the lineup. A compact, medium-sized dog, he has it all —and moves like flowing water. Orange County “Merchant” ’12, showing better than at Virginia, earned second ahead of Potomac “Tanner” ’11 and New Market-Middletown Valley “Thruster” ’13. Potomac again won the Couples, a specialty of theirs. Orange County “Merchant” ’12 (Potomac “Melvin” ’06 x OCH “Orchard” ’07) won Stallion Hound over Keswick “Soldier” ’12, who is by “Tucker” ’06 from the last litter ever bred at Brandywine, whose country Radnor now hunts. Potomac’s “Windsor” ’11 and “Kadillac” ’12 followed. Virginia Champion, Potomac “Templeton” ’12, who skipped the Stallion Hound class, won with his get over Stonewall “Texas” ’10, the Entered Dog winner here in 2013. “Warrior” and “Merchant” put on a classic performance vying for the Doghound Championship, but the Keswick dog’s easier way of moving, extraordinary balance, and acrobatic agility won him the tricolor. Posing with an air of patrician elegance, “Warrior” seemed securely in his element.

Incidentally, “Warrior’s” sire, “Hueber,” is named for former BMHS Chairman, the late and much-missed Christian Hueber, a great friend of Keswick Huntsman Tony Gammell.

Potomac soon made clear their intentions by winning the first three bitch classes. Their Unentered “Keystone” (P.H. “Jefferson” ’05 x their “Kestral” ’09) slipped in ahead of OCH “Caper” and “Parsley,” with Potomac “Kashmir” relegated to fourth. After a Couples win, Laura Pitts unveiled Potomac’s masterpiece in Entered Bitch, when the interestingly-marked “Knickers” ’13 (P.H. “Jacket” ’06 x their “Kestral” ’09) came flowing into the ring. Her markings suggest she’s wearing oldfashioned, red-mahogany knickers, but she moves with naked grace. There is also an air of serenity about her that belies the enormous energy she can unleash in an instant.

She put Keswick “Sequin” ’12, “Soldier’s” sister, several steps behind on the boards, but ahead of Orange County’s “Royalty” ’12 and “Marmalade” ’10. Potomac sisters “Melrose” and “Mesquite” ’12 repeated their 2013 couples win, this year in a walkover. Orange County turned back the clock to the glory days in Brood Bitch, back to the “Melody” years, as they went 1-2-4 with “Pernod” ’11 (OCH “Wilton” ’09 x their “Pecan” ’09), “Tetley” ’10, and “Clutter” ’08. Potomac “Kelsey” ’11 was third. There was no Brood Bitch with Produce class, oddly enough. In an attempt to stem the Potomac tide, OCH Huntsman Reg Spreadborough brought back to the Championship 2013 winner, “Manic” ’13, but the best this lovely bitch could do was stand Reserve, as “Knickers” simply raced away with all the silver.

The American Championship class was a classic, as

7 good as seen in any year or in any ring. Potomac “Knickers” threw down the challenge with a Sapphic strut across the ring, and Keswick “Warrior” gave immediate, enthusiastic chase. Both judges were mesmerized by the beauty flowing up and down the ring. Two exquisite athletes, balletic in their grace, both competed with total confidence and poise. “Warrior” wastes no energy, seeming to cover the ground like a passing shadow; yet for all his smoothness, today he met his match, for no falcon ever more gracefully rode the wind’s waves than did “Knickers” on this special afternoon. For the sixth straight year, the Second American Foxhound Bowl traveled to Boyds, MD. In the Pack Class, the Millbrook hounds’ exhibition was one of cheerful camaraderie as they went quietly through their paces, all the while beaming at their hero, Huntsman Don Philhower: as close to a perfect picture as any performance on the racecourse this day. Potomac, with Allen Forney carrying the horn while Larry Pitts gets acquainted with his new hip, had a good show for second.

In third, the Essex pack as yet hasn’t found the rapport with new Huntsman Bart Poole that it had with his predecessor, the consummate practitioner, John Gilbert, suddenly gone and sorely missed.

As shadows lengthened, the class everyone awaited unfolded, as Potomac “Knickers,” Green Spring Valley “Seemly,” Blue Ridge “Goldfinch,” and Golden’s Bridge “Phoenix” strolled onto center stage on the terraced hillside above the racecourse. Judge Tony Leahy, MFH, MBH, faced a formidable lineup of awesome athletes, all having beaten their breed peers, and each capable of earning the Midland Fox Hounds Trophy. After each hound had displayed their talents, Tony extolled the virtues of “Knickers” and “Seemly,” grew eloquent in praise of “Goldfinch,” then turned to “Phoenix” and said, “There’s really only one choice. He’s not only the best PennMarydel I’ve seen, he’s one of the best foxhounds…ever!”

Pandemonium broke loose: laughter, cheers, and not a few tears saluted the new Grand Champion Foxhound.

Said one spectator, “He’s deserved to win for three years.

It took the best judge to get it done!” Amen to that.

The Best in Show judging was a mere formality for, nice as Basset Champion Calf Pasture “Timber” or Beagle winner Hermit Hollow’s Sandanona “Bracken” are, they cannot compare to “Phoenix.” So beaming Huntsman Ciaran Murphy and senior GBH Master Gene Colley added the John H. Richards Memorial Trophy to their vast treasure trove.

Thus ended one of—if not the—greatest hound shows ever held. The veteran and absolutely brilliant show committee anticipated all contingencies, met and solved any emergencies with such aplomb that one naïve observer was convinced that “the hound show just runs itself!” Sorry, lady; just ask Alex and George Hundt—two of the hardest workers Bryn Mawr has ever known, and the bestest ambassadors ever! Personally, I was in a state of euphoria all day. Never, except perhaps in the MFHA Centennial American Ring, have I seen such a lineup of exquisite hounds; and, for sure, I’ve never enjoyed judging more. Much of my enjoyment was fueled by my cojudge; and I must admit that I left the ring equally smitten

by Marion Thorne and Potomac “Knickers.” As for “Phoenix,” I know I’ll never see his like again; and neither, perhaps, will those many years my junior. He is unique, the product of brilliant breeding decisions by two GBH Huntsmen, Don Philhower, then Ciaran Murphy; and the guiding genius of two senior Masters, Golden’s Bridge’s Gene Colley and Bob Crompton of Andrews Bridge. Well done, gentlemen. Long may you prosper!

Radnor Joint Master Ester Gansky hosted an aftershow extravaganza. Everyone was invited, and, believe me, everyone came! Sweet Miss Bessie and her cadre of helpers kept the culinary surprises flowing from kitchen to patio all night—enough to send the aforementioned Jenny Craig to rehab! What a deliriously wonderful way to end the perfect day! Thank you, Ester and Bessie; see you next year!

Note: Historical facts are thanks to historian C. Barton Higham, MB, who chronicled Bryn Mawr’s first 75 years.

- JJC

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

8

HOUND TRIALS

2014 NBC Spring Beagle Trials

By John J. Carle II, ex-MFH “A pack of beagles working out a line is a mesmerizing sight. To hear them in full cry, flying on a screaming scent, is the music of the gods.”

Johnny Scott Glenbarr Beagles Billy Bobbitt, MB/Huntsman; Whippers-in Jeff Walker and Janie Choate.

Ben Venue Beagles Huntsman Beth Optiz, MB and Whipper-in Elida Optiz.

Clayton Bright, MB/Huntsman, Apple Grove Beagles.

Larry Bright, MB/Huntsman, Octorara.

Miki Crane, MB/Huntsman, Hills Bridge Beagles.

The winter of 2014 dealt most unkindly with Aldie, Virginia’s Oatlands Road, which turned a simple drive to “Institute Farm” for the annual Spring Beagle Trials into an adventure. Most of the gravel had washed into the ditches; the numerous granite outcroppings protruded like dragons’ teeth, poised to disembowel incautious vehicles; and myriad potholes seemed to have reproduced faster than the beagle club’s rabbits. And at the bridge near the entrance to the club’s grounds, twin water-filled, truck-swallowing caldera gaped like the maw on Jonah’s whale. A pleasant jaunt evolved into an exercise in off-road expertise.

Eager for the sport denied them by winter’s woes, beaglers arrived in droves. Eighteen packs filled the kennels, and their followers every bed. Anticipation crackled in the air like static electricity.

The three-couple packs came afield in the Iselin Enclosure on Wednesday morning under cloudy skies and 41˚ temperature, made colder by a damp east wind. Predictably, scenting conditions proved perplexing, and few packs had exceptional runs. The best hunts of the day were laid down by Millbrook, New York’s Sandanona Hare Hounds, with the “Boudicca of Beagledom,”* Betsy Park, MB, carrying the horn; and Beth Opitz’s Ben Venue Beagles from Flint Hill, Virginia. Both packs had good performances. Working tightly packed and largely without human interference, they produced runs that covered a good portion of the enclosure.

The first pack down Thursday morning under a dense cloud cover, Glenbarr laid down the winning three-couple hunt with a real gem. Ignoring seductive nightlines, this level pack worked up to a rabbit that one hound coursed away. Quickly packed, hounds kept right on her heels as she made several loops through the dense center thickets. The thick tangle got hounds strung out a few times, but once clear they were soon rejoined. Cry, already a high-pitched screaming, rose in volume the harder they drove their quarry. Then, after a particularly frantic dash, cry vanished. Hounds’ silence was so sudden and absolute they might as well have turned Trappist! Their quarry had found herself a “priest-hole” in an old stone wall and was safely ensconced. Huntsman Billy Bobbitt, MB, then drew toward the kennels and soon had another rabbit afoot, which hounds ran until time expired. A bit later, Mandy Bobbitt’s Bedlam Beagles gave Glenbarr a stiff challenge. Finding at the upper stone wall, they ran several fast, hard loops through the woods and all around the upper third of the enclosure. Their cry was as high as Glenbarr’s, yet more euphonious, and their drive was anyone’s equal. Their hunt was good enough to edge Sandanona and Ben Venue, but not their WEB Hill Farm kennelmates.

Friday’s five-couple performances, under erratically changing weather conditions, ran the gamut from superb to sad. Once again, Ben Venue was third pack down, and their performance set the standard for superb. Beth Opitz put her pack into covert halfway up the long strip of woods between the immense back field and the main creek. This is Rabbit Mecca, and within minutes they forced from his slumbers a stout and sagacious longears. Led by the exceptional doghound “Lenny” and the choppy-mouthed black-and-tan bitch “Dolly,” the pack unleashed its baritone battle cry (the deepest of any pack at the trials), and flew at near light-speed and tightly packed for three-quarters of their allotted time, until they forced their pilot to ground. Finding again almost immediately, they pursued their new quarry relentlessly, pushing it into and bolting it from the huge logpile at the bottom of the hill. They were picked up running hard to the stone wall. These hounds did virtually all their own work, with their proud Huntsman merely a happy spectator. Observed North Carolina sportsman Owen Young, “You could cover ’em with a bedsheet!”

Indeed; and one from a baby’s bed at that! It was a truly brilliant performance, and the large, appreciative gallery broke into spontaneous and lasting applause. Ben Venue had thrown down the gauntlet!

Well, that gauntlet was snatched up eagerly on Saturday morning

by Billy Bobbitt’s Glenbarr pack, the last of the five-couples. Drawing the top of the dense thicket where Ben Venue’s first run began and ended, hounds struggled at first, until “Hocus Pocus” jumped an exceptionally strong rabbit that led them uphill and into the Hundred Acre Woods. Here the pack shifted into high gear, leaving Huntsman, followers, and judges far behind. They quickly exited the Institute property, flying through the open woods almost to “Dresden Farm.”

The judges, fearing that hounds had switched off on a fox (a plague to several packs this year), wanted to stop them, but Billy was emphatic:

“It’s NOT a fox; they’ll bring it back!” And they did, at warp speed.

The large gallery had lined the old logging road near the outer edge of the Hundred Acre Woods, and repeatedly stymied this rabbit’s attempts to regain her briary barricade. So she ran huge loops in the woods instead. Throughout this nearly flawless hunt, hounds were very close to their quarry, packed tightly and screaming like banshees.

So blistering was their pace that, at the half-hour mark, their totally exhausted Huntsman begged to quit. Judge Jones replied, “They don’t need you…let ’em run!” Just as time was called, Puss did an end-run past the gallery to regain her thorny stronghold. It took all the staff and several volunteers to get hounds’ heads up. Glenbarr had done it, winning the five-couple by a tight margin over Ben Venue, and achieving the highest scored run of the trials. And, thanks to their three-couple win, they were the high-score pack overall. The differences between Glenbarr and Ben Venue were, said Judge Jones, “Basically, a better rabbit. And Billy never once touched his hounds the entire run.” Also, the judges noted, Ben Venue’s “Dolly” had been briefly out of the running toward the end. “She sometimes treads on the verge of independence,” Beth Opitz admitted later. In hounds, brilliance and independence can be as close as twin sisters. Earlier in the morning, Bedlam, despite a close encounter with a gray fox—intercepted by Whipper-In Max Rumney, MB (England’s Palmer-Marlborough Beagles)—had a good, circular run to snatch the yellow ribbon ahead of Sandanona.

The eight-couple class began at the end of Glenbarr’s epic run; but by now, the sun was smiling warmly, and scenting conditions during most of the rest of the day were rather unfavorable. It wasn’t until Saturday’s last time-slot that conditions permitted any pack to really shine—and shine Hills Bridge surely did. Miki Crane’s Belvoir-tan beauties had a rabbit up atop the far western hilltop and ran it with their trademark drive and ecstatic cry. Found in the cutover, their cottontail employed run-and-squat tactics, making hounds’ progress a halting affair. However, hounds honored each other so quickly that checks were brief, and soon Peter had to take to his heels in earnest.

The pack pursued him in a series of huge circles from woods to open bottomland and back, cry ringing like cathedral bells in the gloaming.

Carrying a broad head, this pack usually has hounds on the periphery that can intercept their rabbit’s quick turns, shortening check times.

“They showed a lot of drive and consistency,” said Judge Daniel Jones, MFH (Glenmore Hunt) of the pack he and co-judge Carter Amigh, MBH (Hill and Hollow Bassets) chose as class winner. But Hills Bridge’s victory was a close thing.

Octorara, going afield at the “awful hour” (just before lunch), redeemed themselves after a sad, frustrating blank in the five-couples.

Their eights began on a discouragingly similar note: a twenty-minute blank draw, despite fierce try. But when they rolled a rabbit out of the briars and mile-a-minute weed, they put on a clinic. Running babyblanket-packed, with frantic cry, and at incredible speed, they never overran. Turning with their rabbit kept the pressure on, and any checks were of less than ten seconds’ duration. “They’d have won it,” said Judge Jones, “but Hills Bridge just had so much more running time.”

Bedlam, with several young hounds in their pack, nailed down the yellow rosette with a tightly-packed, twisting run, punctuated by their lovely cry. Sandanona rounded out the scoring with a decent run in the same coverts their five-couple had hunted.

These trials produced a week of wonderful sport, the performances atop the chart for each division being as good as it gets, with paper-thin margins of victory in both the fives and eights. These trials also welcomed back two packs whose absence from these grounds has been of far too long a duration. The local M-OC Beagles brought a three-couple pack of fat and happy hounds that usually run both fox and rabbit (they ran only rabbits here). The all-lady staff, led by their stunning Huntsman, Hazel Hannon, was so eyecatching that often it was hard to concentrate on the pack’s work. And Clayton Bright brought back his hard-working Apple Grove pack, also for just the three-couple. Clayton’s horn rang with beautiful clarity, the perfect accompaniment to his hounds’ tenor madrigal. Sorely missed were Ramsay Barrett’s Orlean Foot Beagles, but with their Huntsman’s new hip not yet hunting-healed, we’ll have to await November. If what we enjoyed in April is a preview, then the Fall Trials should be a hunting extravaganza. Hurry, November!

Note: Boudicca—spelled a variety of ways—was the Warrior Queen of the Iceni, a British tribe in eastern England, who, according to Johnny Scott, when charging into battle in her chariot, carried her family’s pet hare under her tunic. [According to Wikipedia, Boudicca released a hare from the folds of her dress and used its flight path for divination purposes. JY]

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

9

HOUND SHOWS Southern Hound Show

By Daphne Wood, MFH The eighth annual Southern Hound Show was held at Live Oak Plantation, Monticello, Florida, on April 5th. The show traditionally invites a senior English and a senior North American judge plus an apprentice judge who hopefully will take a serious interest in properly assessing conformation and movement.

The English judge Nigel Peel, Master and Huntsman of the North Cotswold Hounds for the past 26 seasons, judged his first show 41 years ago and has judged Royal Peterboro, England’s top show, several times. He has produced countless winners over the years.

His co-judge, Linda Jenkins Armbrust MFH of the Blue Ridge Hunt, likewise has judged shows on both sides of the Atlantic for decades in addition to breeding many winning hounds.

Apprentice judge Franklin Whit Foster MFH Green Spring Valley Hounds was in the ring for the first time and was a very quick study according to the judges and showed great interest and a “good eye.”

The day was cloudy and cool, which made the spectators comfortable and allowed hounds to show at their best in the large grass ring; kennels were set up nearby in a three-sided hay shed where hounds from Fox River Valley, Green Creek, Hillsboro, Midland, Mooreland, and Bear Creek were kenneled. The Live Oak were shown out of their home kennel.

It is interesting to note that of the 54 ribbons awarded, not including Two Couple or Championship classes, 37 ribbons went to Crossbreds and 17 went to English hounds, which proves the value of breeding the best English hounds to the best American blood.

A particularly interesting winner was Midland’s Staffordshire Mooreland “Stunning” ’11, an English bitch given to Mason Lampton MFH when the Staffordshire Mooreland recently disbanded. The all bitch pack was hunted by David Barker’s wife Elaine. David Barker was the long serving able huntsman of the Meynell.

Stunning is five generations back to Exmoor Orange County “Barber” ’89 through her sire and five generations to Midland “Hardaway” ’89 through her dam. That double American cross makes her an ideal outcross for the Midland.

The Grand Champion of Show, Live Oak “Dandy” ’12, was Champion English Dog at the Virginia Hound Show last year and is by Live Oak “Maximus” ’09, a past Grand Champion of Virginia. The Reserve Grand Champion of Show, Live Oak “Fanfare” ’10, is a litter sister to two past Grand Champions of Virginia, “Farrier” ’10 and Fable ’10.

Their sire is tail male to Live Oak “Drummer” ’89, the most dominant sire line at Live Oak and out of Live Oak “Famous” ’06 who was given to us by our dear friend Dick Webb, MFH for 52 seasons of the Moore County Hounds in North Carolina where

Live Oak “Dandy” ’12, Grand Champion of Show, Champion English, Champion Dog Hound, winner of Stallion Hound with Masters, Judges, Sally Bickerstaff and Huntsman Dale Barnett.

Cindy Taber photo

he still rides to hounds. Her dam “Footloose” ’03 was sent to North Carolina in whelp from the Duke of Beaufort just prior to Jody Murtaugh being hired as huntsman there.

As he wanted Penn Mary-Del hounds, the whole litter was given away unentered and we were fortunate enough to be sent one dog and a couple of bitches, each of which we bred from successfully.

Hillsboro served notice on next year’s show by winning first, second, and fourth in the Unentered Bitch class, no small achievement in a show with stacks of quality if not quantity.

These “G” bitches represented two litters.

At the conclusion of the Live Oak “Fanfare” ’10, Reserve Grand Champion of Show, Champion Bitch, Reserve Champion English, Winner of Entered Bitch class Nigel Peel Entered Bitch. Cindy Taber photo told several people that he didn’t recall ever having judged a better class. That was high praise indeed for this small show and a great compliment to its exhibitors!

The show is particularly grateful to the Masters of Foxhounds Association for their monetary contribution to the show. This is the first year the show has applied for the stipend that all the major hound shows receive, which helps the shows to maintain high standards and promote the breeding of exceptional hounds.

The 2015 Southern Hound Show will be held on April 11th.

New England Hunts Foxhound Show

2014 Farmington Puppy Show

Hosted by Wentworth Hunt at Echo Ridge Farm, Lee, NH May 4, 2014.

Judging was by Mr. Charles Montgomery, Huntsman of Bull Run Hunt (VA), with junior showmanship and retired foxhounds judged by Mr. Russell Clark, exMFH of Myopia Hunt (MA).

Norfolk Huntsman John Elliot, winner of the Pack Class.

Eric Schneider photos

Myopia Huntsman Brian Kiely, winner of the horn blowing contest.

Best-in-Show Wentworth “Audrey” shown by Wentworth Huntsman and joint-MFH Kami Wolk.

By John J. Carle, II, ex-MFH The Farmington Hunt Club held their annual Puppy Show on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at the kennel. Nestled in the Blue Ridge foothills, a prettier venue would be hard to imagine.

Huntsman Mathew Cook, completing his first season after a sterling career at California’s Los Altos Hunt (where his hounds dominated the Western States Show), produced 5½ couple of nice youngsters from three litters bred by his predecessor, Darron Beeney. Shown with patience and a gentle touch, his charges—even a couple of shy ones— exhibited their attributes admirably.

When the dust cleared after an exuberant doghound class, “Robber” (Warrenton “Wiley” ’05 x “Ripple” ’07) nicked the blue from the more mature “Swagger” (“Saddler” ’11 x “Widgeon” ’11) by virtue of his more fluid, graceful way of moving. Flying with exuberance ’round the ring, face wreathed in a happy grin and his red-bay, tricolored coat agleam, he made a fine sight. “I know which one I like,” announced an apprentice judge, Sarah Carle; and her eye proved accurate.

The bitches were few—1½ couple—and “Swallow,” “Swagger’s” littermate, clearly outclassed “Robber’s” sisters, “Regal” and “Royal.”

A mature bitch, more compact than the dog and beautifully balanced, “Swallow” moved with her namesake’s grace. She’s very attractive and seems to know it, as many champions do; and she accepted the tricolor as her due. However, when “Robber” fills out and muscles up with maturity, look out!

The afternoon ended with a convivial supper at the lovely clubhouse, enjoying the stunning vista of rolling, emerald farmland framed by distant mountains, a landscape upon which even Lionel Edwards couldn’t improve. Well done, Farmington!

10

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

POINT-TO-POINTS

Spring Races

By Will O’Keefe

Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point, High Thicket Novice Rider Flat (1st Div.) Cul Baire – 1st, Tom Bennet up. Richard Clay photo

Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point, Meeting House Mountain Open Hurdle (l-r) Manacor – 1st, Tom Bennett up; Mr. Universo – 2nd, Tim Carroll up. Richard Clay photo

Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point, Leeds Don Open Timber (l-r) Adios Diablo – 1st, Tom Bennett up; Whodoyoucallit – 2nd, Woods Winants up.

Richard Clay photo

Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point Eustis Cup Incomplete (leading) – 1st, David Byrne up; Bon Caddo – 2nd, James Slater up. Douglas Lees photo

Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point Open Hurdle (l-r) #10 Black Pond – 1st, Kieran Norris up; #6 Bigshot – 2nd, Mark Beecher up. Douglas Lees photo

Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point 4-5-2014 Novice rider Tom Bennett rode into Virginia Point-to-Point history when he won six races at the Old Dominion Hounds Pointto-Point near Ben Venue on Saturday, April 5. The old record of five wins belonged to Randy Waterman, who won five races at the Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point in 1979. Bennett won both divisions of the novice rider flat race, the amateur/novice rider hurdle, the maiden hurdle, and the open hurdle and timber races.

Waterman’s five wins were all over fences; so that record over fences still stands.

The first five of Bennett’s winning rides were aboard horses trained by Jimmy Day. In the first division of the novice rider flat race, Bennett rode Michael A. Smith’s Irish-bred Cul Baire to a front running 12 lengths score. In the second division Bennett rode S. Bruce Smart, Jr.’s Bonded from slightly off the pace to win comfortably by 1¼ lengths over Gordie Keys’ fast closing Service or Else (Sarah Shaffer).

After Matt McCarron rode Noble Stables’ Rhetoricalquestion to a front running 7 length victory in the Virginia-bred flat race for trainer Neil Morris, the Bennett and Day team swept the next three. Randleston Farm’s stakes winning Spy In The Sky was much the best in the amateur/novice rider hurdle race. Michael A. Smith’s Arrow’s Conquest (Zoe Valvo) ran well to be second but was no match for the winner, who won by 7 lengths. The maiden hurdle was next in line and was won by Magalen O. Bryant’s Plated, who came from slightly off the pace to win easily by 3 lengths over Sharon Sheppard’s Wicklow, who made a mile bid but was second best. The featured open hurdle race was run for a $4,000 purse, 60 percent of which went to Jimmy Day’s Daybreak Stables as the Irish-bred Manacor had a handy win over Leslie Young’s Mr. Universo (Tim Carroll). Nicki Valvo’s Triton Light (Zoe Valvo) took the lead at the start but was quickly joined by Manacor, and these two led a tightly bunched field. Manacor took sole possession of the lead after the sixth fence and led the rest of the race. This brought down the curtain on Jimmy Day’s great day, winning five races for five different owners.

The Leeds Don $4,000 open timber race gave Bennett the opportunity for his record-breaking win, this time riding Magalen O. Bryant’s Adios Diablo for Doug Fout. Adios Diablo was reserved off the pace, but with five furlongs to run he joined the leaders, Kinross Farm’s Ed’s Big Bet (Chris Read) and Indian Run Farm’s Whodoyoucallit (Woods Winants). Adios Diablo prevailed in the stretch and won by 1¼ lengths over Ed’s Big Bet, who closed well. This was Magalen O. Bryant’s second win on the card.

In earlier action in the restricted adult flat race novice rider Michael Wagstaff broke his maiden on Prudence Prudence, owned and trained by Nicki Valvo. Greta Valvo’s Yeoho (Zoe Valvo) had a commanding lead, but Prudence Prudence closed with a rush to win by ¼ length.

Dogwood Classic Races 4-5-2014 The featured race at the second running of the Dogwood Classic Races at Colonial Downs in New Kent attracted last year’s three-year-old hurdle champion, Mrs. Edith R. Dixon’s Schoodic. Last fall Schoodic won both three-year-old hurdle stakes he entered and carried that streak into the allowance race at Colonial. Paddy Young rated him off the early pace and circled the field on the last turn. He drew away in the stretch to win by 1½ lengths and awarded his backers, who had made him the betting favorite. Frances Hill Myers’ Rudyard K (Richard Boucher) rallied for second and Virginia’s Friendship Farm’s Cognashene (Jacob Roberts) held on to finish third after running on the pace. Jack Fisher trained the winner.

The first two races on the card were for maidens over hurdles. In the first, a maiden claiming hurdle race, Magalen O. Bryant, who has been the Virginia Steeplechase Association’s leading owner the past two seasons, got this year’s campaign off to a good start. Her entry of Annual Update (Robert Walsh) and Class Fuss (Gerard Galligan) were short priced and did not disappoint. Trained by Richard Valentine, Annual Update came from slightly off the pace to win going away by two lengths. Her Class Fuss, who was trained by Doug Fout, finished third after setting the pace, and Wendy Hendriks’ Cry Vengeance got up for second under Paddy Young.

The maiden hurdle race was won by Riverdee Stable’s Hear the Word (Ross Geraghty), who was last seen in Virginia winning the Virginia-bred flat race at the International Gold Cup. At Colonial Downs Geraghty allowed Hear the Word to sprint clear and take a commanding lead. He came back to the field in the late stages but was able to hold off Rose Marie Bogley’s Jake’s Mandate (Robbie Walsh), whose rally fell short by ¾ length. The others were well beaten. Todd Wyatt was the winning trainer.

The final hurdle race was a $20,000 claiming race that was won by another Virginia-bred—the late Mignon Smith’s Mede Cahaba Stable & Stud bred Class Bopper, who now races in the silks of Miss Smith’s longtime trainer Lilith Boucher. With

Boucher’s husband Richard in the irons, Class Bopper led all the way and widened in the stretch to win by 2¼ lengths over Don Yovanovich’s Mischief (Jacob Roberts), who ran well but was second best.

Wagering was not offered on the training flat race; but if there had been, the winner would have been a very short priced favorite. Clorevia Farm’s Dr. Skip was a stakes winner over hurdles last year for trainer Edward Graham, and he prepped well here under Robbie Walsh. When asked he easily separated from the other two starters and won by 5½ lengths. This was Robbie Walsh’s second win on the card.

Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point 4-13-2014 When everyone saw the overnight for the Loudoun Hunt Pointto-Point on Sunday, April 13, their reaction was a pleasant surprise. Everyone had wondered where the horses were this year, but finally they arrived. Three of the seven races on the card had to be split, and the final race wasn’t run until 7:00 PM. The only disappointment was that only two horses went to the post in the meet’s historic feature race, the Eustis Cup four mile open timber race. What the field lacked in numbers, it made up in quality because both horses were multiple stakes winners over timber. Merriefield Farm’s Bon Caddo had won the Virginia Gold Cup in 2011, and Robert Kinsley’s Incomplete had won the same race in 2012, and each were National Steeplechase Timber Horses of the Year in those years. Bon Caddo (James Slater) was prepping for the Maryland Hunt Cup and Incomplete (David Byrne) was looking forward to another try in the Virginia Gold Cup. In the race Incomplete assumed a stalking role content to let Bon Caddo set the pace. With a half mile to run Incomplete moved to challenge for the lead. He led over the last fence, but Bon Caddo battled back to regain the lead in the stretch.

Incomplete answered Bon Caddo’s challenge, rallied in the final sixteenth and won by 1 length. This was Incomplete’s second start since the fall of 2012, and trainer Ann Stewart did a great job bringing him back.

The Oatlands timber course proved popular for novice timber horses. The fifteen that stayed in after scratches were divided into two divisions. Both were exciting races that saw the winner in each nose out the horses that finished second. The first division went to Kinross Farm’s More Tea Vicar (Jacob Roberts), who moved to the lead with Rosbrian Farm’s Gawaarib (Mark Beecher) over the last fence. Gawaarib took the lead in the stretch but More Tea Vicar battled back to regain a slight advantage at the finish. The second division was equally close with Bonita Farm’s Wingo Star (Fritz Boniface) stealing victory from Oakwood Stable’s Country Cousin (Mark Beecher). Country Cousin led over the last fence and appeared the winner in mid stretch, but Wingo Star would not be denied.

Neil Morris and Kevin Boniface trained the respective winners.

The split maiden hurdle races were won in impressive manner by Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr.’s Share Out (Ross Geraghty) and Boudinot Farm’s Harmony Bay (Tim Carroll). Share Out, trained by Todd Wyatt, came from off the pace to take the lead on the turn and won easily by 3½ lengths over Margaret R. White’s Mystery Maeve (Gerard Galligan). Harmony Bay made all the running in his division, turned back several challenges and won handily by 2½ lengths over Bruce Smart’s In Todd We Trust (Tom Bennett). Trainer Leslie Young had Harmony Bay ready to win at first asking.

With a quarter mile to run in the open hurdle race Michael Leaf’s Black Pond (Kieran Norris) joined Stonelea Stables LLC’s Big Shot (Mark Beecher), who had set the pace. These two battled over the last fence and through the stretch where Black Pond was narrowly best by a head.

The two divisions of the open flat race went to Kinross Farm’s Schoolhouse Woods (Jacob Roberts) and Greta Valvo’s Yeoho (Zoe Valvo). In the first division Rusty Cline’s Sonic Charm (Eilidh Grant) set the pace, but was joined by Schoolhouse Woods with a half mile to run. Sonic Charm tried to answer the challenge, but Schoolhouse Woods was 1 length clear at the finish and trainer Neil Morris and Jacob Roberts added a second win. The second division was won in front running fashion by Yeoho, who was trained by Nicki Valvo. Holston Hall’s Hot Rize (Russell Haynes) came from off the pace to loom boldly in the stretch but was second best missing by 1¼ lengths.

The restricted young adult flat race went to Gordie Keys’ Service or Else (Eric Poretz), and the Virginia-bred flat race went to Noble Stables Rhetoricalquestion (Matt McCarron).

Service or Else came from slightly off the pace to win by 2½ lengths over Magalen O. Bryant’s Court Prospect, who had set the pace under Zoe Valvo. Rhetoricalquestion was never far back and proved his superiority in the final quarter mile. He won by 3 lengths over Margret White’s Blazing Beryl (Gerard Galligan). This was Rhetoricalquestion’s third win this year, and this was Neil Morris’ third win on the card.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

Middleburg Spring Races 4-19-2014 There is an old saying about horses for courses, and Glenwood Park is certainly one of two courses in Virginia for Irvin S. Naylor’s Irish-bred Decoy Daddy. Since debuting in Virginia in the fall of 2011 with a win at Montpelier in the Noel Laing Memorial, Decoy Daddy has five wins and a second in seven starts in the Old Dominion. He has won the Noel Laing three times and after this year’s Temple Gwathmey has three wins in that prestigious race at the Middleburg Spring Races.

Under Carol-Ann Sloan, Decoy Daddy stalked the leaders and closed with a rush to overtake Virginia Lazenby’s Pleasant Woodman and Magalen O. Bryant’s Gustavian after the final fence. Decoy Daddy won going away by 1½ lengths with Gustavian second and Pleasant Woodman fading to finish third.

The Middleburg Hunt Cup attracted a good field of open timber horses. Armata Stable’s Cornhusker (GB) (Kieran Norris) was reserved off the pace but responded when asked to quicken after the last fence. He closed well and won going away by 6½ lengths over Nelson & Traveller Stable’s Moonsox (Ross Geraghty). Irv Naylor’s pacesetting Chess Board (GB) (Willie McCarthy) faded to finish third. Alicia Murphy was the winning trainer.

A year ago horses owned by leading owner Irv Naylor dominated the Middleburg Spring Races, winning four races. This year he came within a neck and a head of duplicating that record. In the first race, a training flat race, Naylor’s Jamarjo got the day off to a good start. With Paddy Young up for trainer Leslie Young, he won by ¾ length over Magalen O. Bryant’s Quiet Flaine (Willie McCarthy). The Field Stable’s Kingdom (Gus Dahl) finished third.

In the second race, an allowance optional claiming hurdle race, William E. Riddle’s Absolum gave Paddy and Leslie Young the daily double. Absolum set most of the pace and won by a head in a driving finish over Irvin S. Naylor’s Irish-bred Changing Times (Carol-Ann Sloan).

Irv Naylor’s stable had another narrow loss in the Alfred Hunt Steeplechase. His Saluda Sam took the lead at once under Willie McCarthy and entered the stretch with the lead over Kinross Farm’s Schoolhouse Woods (Jacob Roberts) with Ivy Hill Stable’s On the Corner (Kieran Norris) close behind. Schoolhouse Woods got up in the final strides to win by a neck over Saluda Sam with only ½ length back to On the Corner.

It was obvious for most of the maiden hurdle race that a horse trained by Julie Gomena would be in the winners’ circle following the race. She had two entries, Bon Nouvel Chasers LLC’s Cocodimama (Willie McCarthy) and Oakwood Stable’s Noble Bull (Ire) (Kieran Norris). Cocodimama took the lead at once and was never seriously challenged winning by 5 lengths over Noble Bull, who held off Woodslane Farm’s Mr. Starr’s Report (Paddy Young), who was a close third.

In the maiden claiming hurdle race Magalen O. Bryant’s Casual Creeper (Ire) (Gus Dahl) raced off the pace but started to rally down the backside. He took the lead with three furlongs to run and romped home by 12 lengths over Sharon Sheppard’s Wicklow (Gerard Galligan) and Wendy Hendrik’s Cry Vengeance (Paddy Young) who finished third.

Jimmy Day trained the winner.

Thornton Hill Fort Valley Hounds Point-to-Point 4-20-2014 The Thornton Hill Fort Valley Hounds Point-to-Point was originally scheduled to be run on March 1, but the weather left the race committee with no choice but to reschedule. They chose the only open date on the Virginia point-to-point schedule: Sunday, April 20, the day after the Middleburg Spring Races. Anytime that a meet has to be rescheduled, it is always difficult to fit into trainers’ plans during a very busy part of the season when the horse and rider population is already stretched thin.

On race day almost all the elements were in place for a good day of racing over one of the sport’s most picturesque courses. The weather was great, the course was in excellent shape and a good crowd was on hand.

The only part that was missing were the horses. Tailgaters joke at times about “who invited these horses to our cocktail party?” At Thornton Hill the invitation didn’t get lost, but only a handful accepted the invitation.

Randy Rouse has been racing at the Thornton Hill race course for more than a half century; so there was no doubt he would be on hand. He entered horses in the hurdle races, which were not run, and entered two of the three horses in the open flat race. When Hume Stables’ Quick Show (Zoe Valvo) pulled up after running three furlongs, Rouse’s entry Oban (Sarah Shaffer) and Sir Gus (Woods Winants) raced together until the final furlongs where Oban pulled away and won easily giving Sarah Shaffer her first lifetime win.

Jeremy Gillam also entered three horses and had two wins and a second. In the maiden flat race Larry McDade’s Joey O (Teresa Croce) stumbled and lost his rider after a quarter mile. This left Jeremy Gillams’ first time starter, Direct Rule, to gallop home alone under Diana Gillam.

The following lady rider timber race was a match race between Gillam’s Furtive (Sarah Shaffer) and his Hardaport (Diana Gillam).

Furtive set the pace with Hardaport close behind. Hardaport closed well in the stretch but couldn’t reach his stable mate who won by 1¾ lengths.

This win gave Sarah Shaffer her first win over fences.

A year ago trainer Eva Smithwick won four races at Thornton Hill, and she was back with two starters in the final two races. Both races had two starters and were won in similar fashion. In the novice timber race Woods Winants’ owner-ridden Southern Sail finished all alone after Larry Levy’s Getaway Money (Sarah Shaffer) was pulled up after the first fence. In the amateur highweight timber race Indian Run Farm’s Whodoyoucallit (Woods Winants) faced off with Rebecca Shepherd’s Searubyrun (Muiris Hinchion). Unfortunately Muiris Hinchion parted company from Searubyrun at the first fence, and Whodoyoucallit finished the course alone.

Continued

11

Middleburg Spring Races The Glenwood Hurdle (l-r) Changing Times – 2nd, Carol-Ann Sloan up; Absolum – 1st, Paddy Young up. Betsy Burke Parker photo

Middleburg Spring Races Temple Gwathmey Grade III Hurdle Handicap Stakes (l-r) Decoy Daddy – 1st, Carol-Ann Sloan up; Gustavian – 2nd, Paddy Young up. Betsy Burke Parker photo

Thornton Hill Fort Valley Hounds Point-to-Point, James W. Fletcher Memorial Novice Timber Southern Sail – 1st, Woods Winants up.

Middleburg Spring Races Alfred M. Hunt Steeplechase (l-r) Saluda Sam – 2nd, Willie McCarthy up; Schoolhouse Woods – 1st, Jacob Roberts up; On The Corner – 3rd, Kieran Norris up. Betsy Burke Parker photo

Middleburg Spring Races Middleburg Hunt Cup Open Timber (l-r) Peace Fire – 5th, Gustav Dahl up; Chess Board – 3rd, Willie McCarthy up; Cornhusker – 1st, Kieran Norris up.

Betsy Burke Parker photo

Thornton Hill Fort Valley Hounds Point-to-Point, William Nobel & Ann Phelps Lane Memorial Amateur Highweight Timber Whodoyoucallit – 1st, Woods Winants up. Richard Clay photo

Richard Clay photo

Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point Samuel E. Bogley Memorial Maiden Flat (l-r) Victory Bringer – 2nd, Eilidh Grant up; Perfect Union – 1st, Tom Bennett up; Bau Bai Gold – 3rd, Keri Brion up. Richard Clay photo

Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point, Louis Leith Memorial Maiden Timber Rugged Rascal – 1st, Jeff Murphy up.

Richard Clay photo

12 Foxfield Spring Races 4-26-2014 Another huge crowd of student revelers and race fans were on hand for the Foxfield Spring Races near Charlottesville on April 26. Unfortunately this is one of the sport’s busiest weekends with three Saturday NSA sanctioned meets and two Sunday point-to-points; so entries were light in the five races over fences.

The featured race was an allowance optional claiming hurdle race, which proved to be a perfect spot for Irvin S. Naylor’s Irish-bred Top Man Michael to win his first race in a year and a half. His last win was in the three-year-old hurdle stake at Far Hills in New Jersey, but since then that effort had not been duplicated. At Foxfield apprentice Carol-Ann Sloan had the mount, and she chose not to rush Top Man Michael the first circuit of the course. The last time around he moved into contention and when asked easily pulled away from the others to win handily by 8¼ lengths.

Daybreak Stables’ Virginia point-to-point star Manacor (Ire) (Tom Bennett) was second but was no match for the winner.

When handicapping the spring sanctioned races, it is always useful to include point-to-point past performances.

The winners of each of the four maiden races on the card had useful preps at the point-to-points in Virginia or Maryland.

Trainer Leslie Young got a race under Boudinot Farm’s Harmony Bay (Tim Carroll) in a winning effort at Loudoun and used that prep to help win by a neck over Perfect Peace Racing Stable, LLC’s Marq Your Bible (Richard Boucher) at Foxfield in the maiden hurdle.

Harmony Bay was on the pace throughout and proved best in a driving finish.

The maiden timber race followed with Armata Stable’s Wildcatter winning in his first sanctioned start over timber. Trainer Elizabeth Voss Murray had won with Wildcatter at the Elkridge Harford Point-to-Point, and this set him up perfectly. Gus Dahl rated him off the pace, rallied him in the final quarter mile, and they won going away by 3½ lengths. Move Up Stables’ Dax (Jacob Roberts) finished second with the others trailing home many lengths behind.

Trainer Doug Fout has had Margaret White’s Mystery Maeve on the improve at the spring point-to-points in races on the flat and over hurdles. A strong second place finish over hurdles at Loudoun indicated her readiness for the filly and mare maiden race at Foxfield. Under Tom Bennett, Mystery Maeve held a share of the lead most of the race until drawing off to a handy 3½ lengths win over Urban Ridge Farm LLC’s Arrow Lake (Ross Geraghty). The remainder of the field was hopelessly beaten.

Celtic Venture Stable’s Acela has had the misfortune of losing her rider the past two races while running well. In the maiden claiming hurdle race at Foxfield, Charlie McCann put veteran Ross Geraghty up; and after putting Kinross Farm’s Charge (Jacob Roberts) away with one more time to go, the outcome was never in doubt. Acela won by 24¼ lengths with Katherine Neilson’s Gokokogo (Tim Carroll) second and Charge a distant third.

Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point 4-27-2014 Glenwood Park near Middleburg is one of the steeplechase sport’s most popular venues, and a festive crowd was on hand at the Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point races on Sunday, April 27, to enjoy a well-filled card of ten races.

Throughout this point-to-point season, novice rider Tom Bennett has amassed an insurmountable lead in the rider standings, but that didn’t slow him down at the Virginia Point-to-Point season finale where he won an additional three races. His first win on the card was aboard Beverly R. Steinman’s Perfect Union for trainer Doug Fout in the maiden flat race. Bennett rated Perfect Union off the pace, rallied him in the final quarter mile and held off Pinewood Stable’s Victory Bringer (Eilidh Grant) whose rally fell short by ½ length.

Bennett also won two of the three maiden hurdle races with horses trained by leading trainer Jimmy Day. In the first win he was on Michael A. Smith’s Irish-bred Cul Baire, who came from off the pace to lead over the last fence. In the stretch he pulled away to win handily by 7 lengths over Over Creek Stables LLC’s Yes It’s Showtime (Kieran Norris).

Bennett’s second hurdle win was on Magalen O. Bryant’s Irish-bred Our Emerald Forest, who romped home alone by 20 lengths in an impressive performance. He took control with one and a half miles to run and steadily widened his advantage. Rock Ford Stables LLC’s Gun Point (Kieran Norris) finished second but was no match for the winner.

The other maiden hurdle race went to Sharon Sheppard’s Ajzaa, who was ridden by Paddy Young and was trained by Leslie Young. Ajzaa raced off the pace but rallied to take the lead in the stretch and won going away by 1 length over Walden 4 Inc.’s pacesetting Ducale (Vincent Chenet).

The two timber races on the card attracted short fields with only two horses going to the post in the Middleburg Bowl open timber race and four in the maiden timber. In the Middleburg Bowl Southern Sail (Woods Winants) and Dr.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

Alex (Teddy Zimmerman) took turns setting the pace until the final three furlongs. There they hooked up and raced as a team over the last fence and through the stretch where Southern Sail was narrowly best by a neck. Last year’s leading trainer Eva D. Smithwick trains both horses that were owned by their riders. The maiden timber race was won in front running fashion by Kingfisher Farm’s Rugged Rascal, who was ridden by Jeff Murphy and trained by Jack Fisher.

On the Run Stable LLC’s Lovesmelovesmenot (James Slater) ran in the leader’s shadow most of race and posed a threat in the stretch but missed by 1¾ lengths.

The Virginia Point-to-Point circuit added a new series this year for young adults riding horses on the flat. Eric Poretz had won at Loudoun on Service or Else for owner Gordie Keys and trainer Joey Meyers, and they duplicated that effort and result at Middleburg. Don Yovanovich’s Indian War (Michael Wagstaff) finished second but was disqualified, and Gordonsdale Farm’s Canyon Road (Zoe Valvo) was moved up to second.

Gordonsdale Farm and trainer Chris Kolb had better luck in the open flat race when Deep Run carried Kieran Norris across the finish line 1¼ lengths ahead of Virginia Friendship Farm’s Cognashene, who rallied belatedly under Jacob Roberts.

Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard is not a regular at the point-to-points, but when he does enter a horse the competition should beware. Betsy H. Sapp’s Holy Cow was his entry in the novice rider flat race with Keri Brion up, and in the race Holy Cow took the lead shortly after the start and won easily by 4 lengths over Magalen O. Bryant’s Flagrant Honor (Gerard Galligan).

Virginia Gold Cup Races 5-3-2014 As the field approached the water jump in the Virginia Gold Cup, it was truly anybody’s race. About eight lengths separated the leader, Irv Naylor’s Chess Board (Ross Geraghty) from the last placed runner, Holston Hall’s Hot Rize (Willie McCarthy). Upon landing things quickly began to change.

Jody Petty sent Rose Hill’s Organisateur to the front and into uncharted waters as he had only two career starts over timber each at three miles. He held the lead with two fences to jump and appeared to be on his way to springing a big upset, but an even longer shot was on the move. Hot Rize had rallied from the rear of the field and was gaining ground with every stride. They jumped the last as a team, and Hot Rize prevailed in a driving finish by ¾ of a length. Kinross Farm’s Old Timer (Jacob Roberts) rallied to take third but was not a threat to the first two finishers. Hot Rize lit up the board paying $23.40 for a $2.00 bet. Hot Rize is a veteran over timber and has had his good days (winning the 2013 Middleburg Hunt Cup) but never anything to approach this—the race of his lifetime.

Yes, there was pari-mutuel wagering for the second year at the Virginia Gold Cup. The first year lines were long and betting totals were disappointing, but this year went better with more than $135,000 wagered. This year the long lines were on the highways leading to Great Meadow. Six inches of rain earlier in the week and a record crowd made parking a challenging proposition.

In the first two races bettors had a chance to bet on one entry that represented two horses that had the same owner but different trainers. In the maiden hurdle race Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr. had two runners, Share Out (Ross Geraghty) and Polarity (NZ) (Jacob Roberts). In the early stages of the race the field was tightly bunched running at a snail’s pace.

When the pace quickened, the field was still in a tight pack.

Geraghty had saved Share Out’s best efforts for the final furlong as he rallied him to take the lead in the stretch and won going away b 1 lengths for trainer Todd Wyatt. Riverdee Stable’s Hockey Pop (Jeff Murphy) was on the pace throughout and finished evenly with Woodslane Farm’s Mr. Starr’s Report (Paddy Young) finishing third. Polarity finished fourth.

The Irvin S. Naylor entry of Saluda Sam (Willie McCarthy) and Prince Ludovic (Ire) (James Slater) in the second race looked like a good wager, but quickly became a great bet when Kinross Farm’s Schoolhouse Woods, who was the second choice in the betting, dwelt at the start.

Saluda Sam is a frontrunner, and he quickly assumed that position. He was never threatened and beat Prince Ludovic by 4 lengths with Ivy Hill Stable’s On the Corner (Mark Beecher 4 lengths farther back in third. Trainer Billy Meister has now won back-to-back steeplethons at the Virginia Gold Cup Races with Saluda Sam. Ricky Hendriks claimed Wantan (Arg) for $30,000 on April 19 at Atlanta, and he got a quick return on the investment for Rosbrian Farm when he won the starter allowance hurdle race with Paddy Young up. Wantan (Arg) was never far from the lead, was sent to the front with two fences remaining and drew away from Williams and Brewster’s All Together (Jeff Murphy) to win by 6 lengths Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr. got her second win when Syros (Sam Jones) won the maiden claiming hurdle for

trainer Jack Fisher. This race was a romp as Syros led all the way to win by 32 lengths over Andrea Seefeldt Knight’s Fast Tempo, who was also trained by Fisher. This was Sam Jones’ first win in this country.

The $25,000 Virginia-bred or sired flat race was the nightcap and provided an upset. Pinewood Stables’ Prima Facie, who was ridden by Jeff Murphy and trained by Simon Hobson, went to the front when the flag dropped and was never headed. Perfect Peace Racing Stable LLC’s Marq Your Bible (Willie McCarthy) closed well to finish second 1 length behind the winner with Noble Stables’ Rhetoricalquestion (Jacob Roberts) another length farther back in third. Jeff Murphy fits Prima Facie like a glove and has had three wins and a second in four rides.

Virginia Gold Cup Hot Rize – 1st, Willie McCarthy up, alone at the finish.

Douglas Lees photo

Virginia Gold Cup Maiden Hurdle (l-r) Share Out – 1st, Ross Geraghty up; Hockey Pop – 2nd, Jeff Murphy. Douglas Lees photo

Virginia Gold Cup $30,000 Hurdle Arrow’s Conquest; All Together – 2nd; Witor; Wantan – 1st, Paddy Young up; Casual Creeper – 3rd. Douglas Lees photo

Choose the Road

Less Traveled New Men's Bowties. 100% silk twill. Hand printed design. Bowtie is untied, adjustable 15" - 191/2". Width is 21/2". $55.00

New Men's Ties. 100% Silk Twill, hand constructed, center stitched self loop, 58" long and 31/4" at widest point. $75.00

Barbour Haltwhistle Sizes S, M, L, XL. #MS3094NY (HC1P) $119.00

Polo Match. $75.00 Red (HC1A); Gold (HC1B)

Snaffle Stripe. $55.00 Mint (HC1S); Lavender (HC1T)

Horse Play. $75.00 Blue (HC1C); Olive (HC1D)

Barbour Ascot Cream Sizes S, M, L, XL. #MS3114BE (HC1Q) $119.00 Snaffle Bits. $55.00 Teal (HC1U); Pink (HC1V)

In the Pinks! Necktie $75.00 Blue (HC1E); Gold (HC1F); Aqua (HC1G) In the Pinks Matching Silk Cufflinks. $55.00 Blue (HC1H); Gold (HC1J); Brown (HC1K)

Barbour Flagstaff Sizes S, M, L, XL. #MS3138GN (HC1R) $119.00

They're Off. $55.00 Blue (HC1W); Green (HC1X)

Snaffle Stripe. $75.00 Snaffle Bits. $75.00 Blue (HC1L); Lavender (HC1M) Teal (HC1N)

Horse Country® (540) 347-3141 • 800-882-HUNT (4868) 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, Virginia 20186 Store Hours: Monday–Friday 9 AM - 6 PM, Saturday 9 AM - 5 PM (ET) Visit us online! www.HorseCountryLife.com

www.HorseCountryCarrot.com

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We’re glad to see that hats for men have been making a welcome comeback over the last few years.

Whatever your preference, Horse Country has your pate covered! Panamas for spring and summer, English tweed flat caps perfect for the races, felt fedoras for timeless style, waxed caps for dismal days, even elegant top hats if you’ve been invited to the Royal Enclosure this June. Come in, get a hat. Be dashing!

All prices subject to change without notice. All items subject to availability. IAHC 06-2014

Shop online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com Grand Prix Techlite Soft Shell Jacket.

Navy. L693 (HC2A) $399.00

R.J. Classics Xtreme Show Jacket. Navy Stripe. (HC2B) $424.00

Rosa Breech • By Tredstep® Ireland • Schoeller prestige fabric • Modified mid-rise waist • Front zip • Motion fit design • Definition waistband • Articulted padded knee • Slanted front pockets • Tan (HC2D) $119.99 Eous Resis Tech Soft Shell Jacket in Navy & Black. (HC2C) $130.00

We are stocking new colors and cloths by RJ, Pikeur, Grand Prix, Eos. We are also debuting a custom stretch and waterproof jackets from England that can be personalized with ultra suede and piping in a wide range of colors and styles. Stop in and discover your new riding jacket.

spring into action The Waverly Waverrly Black Field Boot Made in Ita aly Italy Narrow an nkle zipper ankles, back, rubb ber grip over rubber leather sol les and euro soles top. Italian n le leather lets the bo ots break boots in at the fir rst wearing. first Ladies' Me etri Sizes Metric 36-41 (approx. (app pro US 6-11) Slim, Slim m, R Regular, Wide and E Ext Extra-Wide Calf widthss a available.

(HC2E) $8 850 $850.00

Apprentice II Field Boots New and improved. Perfect for mud and foul weather riding, growing young riders. Zipper back with elastic panels and elastic snap strap at top.

Features include spur rests, elastic lacing, tab and punched toe. Ripple non-skid sole.

Three calf sizes. Black only, man-made material.

Ladies' sizes 7, 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2, 10. (HC2F) $116.00

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HC2 H O R S E C OU N T RY ® 800 882 HUNT Visit us online! www.horsecountrylife.com All prices subject to change without notice. All items subject to availability. IAHC 06-2014

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Azzura Breech • By Tredstep® Ireland • Moisture control fabric • Modified mid-rise waist • Front zip • Four-way, motion fit design • Euro-seat • Friction shield silicone knee patch • Slanted front pockets • Tan (HC2G) $159.00

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R.J. Classics Collection Classic Cool Stretch Series A. Argyle. L610U (HC3A) $74.00 B. Cherry Blossom. A731A (HC3B) $92.00 C. Pink/Orange Floral. L610KA (HC3C) $78.00 D. Pink Plaid. L716D (HC3D) $96.00 E. Blue Hearts. L761E (HC3E) $96.00 F. Navy Bits. L760F (HC3F) $110.00

R.J. Classics Icefill® Series G. Navy/Black Stripe. Sizes MD,LG,XL. P850A (HC3G) $84.00 H. Black Houndstooth. Sizes MD, LG, XL. U717F (HC3H) $84.00

New! Barbour Ladies' Polo Shirts H

Mollard Polo. Pear and Navy.

Sizes US4-US14. (HC3J) $79.00 Miller Polo. Light Blue and Red. US4-US14. (HC3K) $69.00

Ladies' Fern Cowboy Boot Cowboy fashion by Twisted X Boot company. Full grain genuine leather with a rubber outsole.

Boot measures 12" in height with a 11/2" heel. The Cowboy Comfort® insole is machine washable, anti-bacterial and moisture wicking. Embroidered floral scrolling and stitched toe cap.

Available in Chocolate or Black.

Ladies' sizes 7-10 (including 1/2 sizes). (HC3M) $189.00 A woman’s hair is her crowning glory. If it must be covered then surely she deserves to wear a hat fit for royalty! Every spring women flock into Horse Country to see our selection of fine hats from our English milliner. For some it’s an annual tradition!

Weddings and tailgates, churches and Rose Garden luncheons, our hats are seen in all the best places. Come in early for the best selection. Each hat is unique...only one of each style and color is available. Hat boxes available for all sizes. (HC3L)

H OR S E C OU N TRY ® 800 882 HUNT HC3 Shop online! www.horsecountrycarrot.com www.Facebook.com/HorseCountryLife All prices subject to change without notice. All items subject to availability. IAHC 06-2014

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Nimrod Children's Camp Package

RJ Classics Collection Classic Cool Stretch Series for Youth. Breathable stretch fabric with an angled snap collar for a modern, yet timeless look. Features a plackett front. Machine washable. Sizes available 4-16. $66.00 A. Confetti Hearts (HC4A) B. Magenta Dot (HC4B) C. Owls (HC4C)

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1 Jodhpurs that slip up over the hip

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A helmet that dials and flips for the d fli perfect fit

And a Free Horse Country Hors T-shirt as our T-shi special little speci gift!

Molly Show Jacket Polyester blend show jacket. Two hip pockets and one interior pocket. Single vented. Dark navy with navy lining. Available in sizes 2-8. (HC4D) $128.00

Our Nimrod Camp Package includes the essentials for riding at camp, lesson beginners and everyday casual riding! Package includes adjustable drawstring waist pull-on beige jodhpurs, allweather brown leather zip-up style paddock shoes, pebbled cotton riding gloves and an ASTM/SEI approved schooling helmet. As a special gift, Horse Country is also providing an exclusively designed T-shirt in our package. Complete package is only $89.95 (HC4F) Jodhpur Sizes: 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18 Paddock Shoe Sizes: 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, 3, and 4 Pebbled Riding Gloves: XXS–MD ASTM/SEI Spirit Helmet: SM-LG Horse Country T-shirt: SM–XL

NEW! Arabella Washable Show Jacket In addition to style and quality, this show jacket contains all washable ingredients which mean you can throw it right in the washing machine.

Two front pockets and double vented back. Navy herringbone with a purple interior lining. Available sizes 2-14.

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Horse Country®

www.HorseCountryCarrot.com ww HorseCountryCarrot ww.HorseCountryCarrot.c

To WINCHESTER, I-66 & I-81

(540) 347-3141 • 800-882-HUNT (4868)

BROADVIEW Ave.

To SPERRYVILLE & I-81 211

Store Hours: Monday–Friday 9 AM - 6 PM, Saturday 9 AM - 5 PM (ET) Visit us online! www.HorseCountryLife.com

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60 Alexandria Pike • Warrenton, Virginia 20186 CUSTOMER SERVICE AND INQUIRIES: (540) 347-3141

To WASHINGTON via I-66 Rt. 17 By pass

To CULPEPER & CHARLOTTESVILLE

IAHC 06-2014

13

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

Athlone Farm • Marshall, Virginia

Nearly 18 acres of spectacular beauty in the Virginia Piedmont. Located in Marshall, VA, less than two miles from I-66, this location is perfect for raising horses or developing a lush vineyard. Overlooking Dixon’s Valley and Lake Athlone, it is the ideal location from which to watch breathtaking sunsets and dramatic changes of season, while enjoying complete privacy. This gorgeous property could also be subdivided into two lots if desired.

Priced at $33,000 an acre.

For more information call: 540-347-0209

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

14

of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage SHAWAN VALLEY Aerie, inspired by Peyton Randolph house in Williamsburg, designed by notable MD architect Bryden Hyde & built w/old-world craftsmanship including English & Flemish bond brickwork w/crushed oyster shell mortar & new (2013) cedar shake roof.

Georgian casework, 11-ft ceilings, formal LR, DR & cherry Lib each w/FP. Patrick Sutton/Trish Houck design Kit w/FP, sumptuous MBR ste w/FP, private Guest Ste. Formal/informal gardens, brick porches & patios, in-ground pool & glorious vistas overlooking its 85.8 acres. Karen Hubble Bisbee 443-838-0438 $6,500,000.

WESTERN RUN VALLEY Spring Garden Farm. Thoroughly renovated c.1807 Norman Rockwellian stone farmhouse w/incredible 2007 expansion. LR & Lib each w/FP, formal DR, updated Kit flows to SunRm w/bucolic vistas. Stunning MBR w/2 BAs & DressRm. 4 add'l BRs & 3BAs. LL walk-out FamRm w/FP, wet bar & full BA.19th century bank barn, 4-stall horse barn & add'l historic farm structures on 97.2 acres w/Black Rock Run Western Run. Includes 3 acre building lot & add'l possible subdivision. Karen Hubble Bisbee 443-838-0438 $2,985,000.

PARKTON Twin Oaks, impeccable 12.6 acre horse farm w/3BR, 3/2BA rancher totally renovated in 2001 w/ongoing updates & maintenance throughout property. Maple Kit w/granite, adj vaulted FamRm w/FP, MBR w/FP, SpaBa & hot tub deck. LL RecRm, MediaRm & Office. Amishbuilt 6-stall pole barn, attached equipment Garage, run-in shed, 6-7 acres PVC fenced watered paddocks, tree-lined driveway.

Spectacular views! Andrea Conlan Kropfelder Karen Hubble Bisbee 443-838-0438 $989,900.

115th Annual

WARRENTON HORSE SHOW SPARKS/GLENCOE

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Upper Glencoe Rd. Awash in sunlight, c.1899 renovated 5BR Victorian farmhouse on 8.73 bucolic acres. Gracious Foyer, LR & DR, Den w/FP, maple Kit w/Silestone, breakfast area & glass doors to Deck. Large bright BRs, 2nd floor Laundry, new 3rd floor BA. Yellow pine floors, Marvin windows, emergency generator. 6-stall bank barn, heated tack room, run-in shed, 4 fenced paddocks & riding ring.

Keene Barroll 443-824-4178 $835,000.

Karen Hubble Bisbee, GRI, ABR Hubble Bisbee Group Operated by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC

Manager 443-841-1201

Richard Clay photo

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www.HubbleBisbeeGroup.com

HUNT COUNTRY ACCOMMODATIONS

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SHOW STARTS AT 8 A.M. EACH DAY ADMISSION $5 PER PERSON • CHILDREN 12 & UNDER FREE

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

15

HOUND SHOW

The Carolinas’ Hound Show, 2014

By John J. Carle, II, ex-MFH

Fox-hunting is not merely a sport – and it is more nearly a passion than a game. It is a religion, a racial faith.

Mason Houghland

For many of the foxhunting faithful, the second Saturday in May has become a kind of holy day, for on that date is held the Carolinas’ Hound Show. They happily make the long pilgrimage to the Springdale Racecourse in Camden, South Carolina, where a warm welcome awaits, and the promise of camaraderie, friendly competition and gourmet food is to be richly realized. This, the show’s fourth in South Carolina’s oldest inland city, was its best at the new venue and marked a welcome expansion: the addition of beagles and bassets to the roster.

With sixteen packs showing, the crowd at Friday night’s welcoming dinner was considerable – a testimony to the show’s popularity and caterer “Smokin’ & Grillin’s” fine food. The terrier show preceded dinner and, at its conclusion, Judge Tommy Jackson, MFH (Oxford Hounds), awarded the tricolor to Jeannie Thomas’s Why Worry “Scribbles,” a repeat of last year’s triumph for the perky little bitch.

The much anticipated horn-blowing and hollerin’ contests followed the meal and produced their usual amusements. There were a couple of stumbles in the hornblowing but overall the competition was tight, ending in a three-way blow-off.

When the last gasp sounded, Red Mountain’s Drew Daily had snared the blue. No sooner had the kennels quieted than the hollerin’ participants set off another excited chorus. Moore County’s Shelly Sommerson defended her title with a shriek judged to be the most blood-curdling.

A stiff breeze ushered in the morn, and so enjoyed the lovely setting that it danced happily among the tall pines all day. The cooler air kept hounds on their

toes, ensuring lively performances in every ring. Tennessee’s Hillsboro Hounds dominated the top of the chart in the Crossbred ring, winning all but one class they entered. But quality overall in this ring assured that their success was honestly earned. Flashing the red and white coat of his grandsire, Potomac “Jefferson,” Hillsboro “Pistol” (Hillsboro “Jethro ’08 x Green Spring Valley “Piecrust” ’06) took Unentered Dog honors. With the assurance of a seasoned politician and the grace of a gifted gymnast, “Pistol” pirouetted ’round the ring as if in ballet shoes.

Like last year’s winning bitch, Hillsboro “Sable,” he was a substitute entry, an indication of the depth of quality in Hillsboro’s Linville, Tennessee, kennels. Green Creek “Rattler,” Why Worry “Patron,” and G.C. “Oscar” rounded out the ribbons.

Hillsboro “Parson” ’11 (Live Oak “Danger” ’07 x Live Oak “Passion” ’07) and kennelmate “William” ’13 edged Full Cry “Razor” ’11 and Camden “Lager” ’13 in an excellent Entered Dog class. “Parson” has great presence and substance and is a fluid mover, but “William” made it hair-splittingly close. Both have the conformation to give the fleetest of coyotes fits. For Best Stallion Hound, another Live Oak draft topped the chart, as Hillsboro “Kingpin” ’11 (Live Oak “Gravel” ’06 x Live Oak “Keepsake” ’07) barely edged the excellent but aging Why Worry “Aragorn” ’08 and Full Cry’s “Clifton” ’08 and “Sumo” ’07. Hillsboro “Bismark” ’04, now residing in the Edisto River kennels, won Stallion Hound Shown with Two Get. The Crossbred Doghound Championship was quite a show, with three superb movers flashing their brilliance. But it was the unentered “Pistol’s” huge, fluid stride that won the class. A lanky, leggy youngster, he has exceptional balance and blinding speed, yet he barely ruffled the pine needles. “Too long in his back,” opined Judge Jerry Miller later in the day; and he is a trifle long at this age, but his length of leg and balance accommodates it. With a hunting year’s worth of muscle, he’ll not look long at all.

Hillsboro began the bitches as they’d done in the doghounds, winning the Unentered set-to with “Graphic” (Hillsboro “Jethro” ’08 x North Cotswold “Greystone” ’09) over her littermate “Gracious” and Camden sisters “Jolly” and “Jade.” “Graphic” is the picture of feminine grace and agility, a bitch over whom North Cotswold Master and Huntsman Nigel Peel, who bred her dam, would salivate. Another NC “Greystone” daughter, Hillsboro “Nightly” ’12 by Cornwall “Nightcap” ’09, won the Entered class, but just barely ahead of the lovely 2012 Why Worry sisters “Really” and “Reba” and their kennelmate, “Apple” ’13. This was the best and closest class of the day, and a judge’s delight. Why Worry’s exquisite Brood Bitch, “Agatha” ’10 (Why Worry “Grantham” ’06 x WWH “Arwen” ’02) ended Hillsboro’s streak, edging their “Twinkle” ’12. Edisto River’s Flat Branch “Cupid” ’06 and Camden “Jewell” ’07 followed. “Agatha” is impressively bred, her sire and dam figuring prominently in this show’s history. “Grantham” ’06 was the showman supreme, and so beautifully built and balanced as to be nearly unbeatable; and “Arwen” ’02, she of the beguiling eyes, was one of this judge’s alltime favorite bitches. And “Agatha” also won with her produce. Youth prevailed in the Bitch Championship, a class that was a feast for the eyes and a spectator favorite. When three lovely ladies were finally put back on leash and we could all catch our breath, Hillsboro “Graphic” edged kennelmate “Nightly” for tricolored honors.

It is hard to imagine two better movers than “Pistol” and “Graphic” in any championship class; and their performance was superb. In the end, “Pistol’s” athletic agility and awesome, easy stride slightly outshone that of a stunning young bitch who will win in any company. Clutching the Championship ribbon and beaming a beatific smile, Hillsboro Whipper-In Leilani Hrisko gave Huntsman Johnny Gray a sly look that seemed to say, “Ha! Told you so!” It clearly reflected the good fun had by all in this ring. And the two apprentice judges who rotated here were a great addition. Both Dr. Jon “Jack” Moody, Mooreland Joint Master, and Tommy Gesell, Huntsman to South Carolina’s newly-registered Wiggins Hounds, have eagle-sharp eyes and a seemingly innate grasp of hound conformation. What a pleasure they are to judge with!

It’s lucky that the Penn-Marydel ring had two judges with super-sharp eyes in Deep Run’s Ginny Perrin, MFH, and Coleman Perrin, ex-MFH, because the largest division of the show was packed with quality. The Moore County Hounds from Southern Pines, NC, were the day’s big winners of ribbons, especially in the bitch classes, where they dominated.

Continued

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

The Aiken Hounds began the day auspiciously by winning Unentered Dog with “Raley” (Red Mountain “Rocky” ’08 x Moore County “Vanna” ’09), beating Red Mountain “Remus” (RMH “Vermeer” ’10 x RMH “Relish” ’08), MCH “Drillbit” and De La Brooke “Wheelbarrow.” Moore County “Edward” ’12 (RMH “Truckstop” ’08 x RMH “Emmy” ’09) topped Entered Dog, beating Sedgefield “Burglar” ’13, MCH “Ensign” ’13, and last year’s PMD Champion, Aiken “Trailer” ’12. Edisto River’s Shakerag “Geronimo” ’09 won Stallion Hound honors over influential sire, MCH’s Red Mountain “Truckstop” ’08, perennial ribbonwinner, Sedgefield “Budweiser” ’09, and Aiken’s Sedgefield “Maverick” ’05. Then “Truckstop” won with two of his get. In the spirited Championship competition, youth clearly outshone age and experience as the Perrins chose unentered Aiken “Raley” Champion, then called back Red Mountain’s second-placed unentered dog, “Remus,” for Reserve.

Moore County flat-out bulldozed the bitches, winning every class they entered. Their success is a fitting tribute to Huntsman David Raley (formerly at Red Mountain) and his predecessor, the incomparable Jody Murtagh. The Unentered Bitch blue went to MCH “Damsel” ahead of RMH “Regal,” De La Brooke “Versace,” and Sedgefield “Thelma.” MCH’s lovely young “Vogue” ’13 (RMH “Truckstop” x MCH “Vanna” ’08) topped eight older entered bitches, leaving Sedgefield “Shaboom” ’12 and De La Brooke “Uma” and “Uriel” ’12 in her dust. De La Brooke won both Bitch Couples classes and other good ribbons, making their extraordinary pilgrimage from Mt. Victoria, Maryland, worthwhile. A De La Brooke doghound, “Ironsides” ’01, sired Brood Bitch winner MCH “Vanna” ’08, who kept alive her hunt’s history of outstanding matrons. She was followed by kennelmate RMH “Eloise” ’09 and Sedgefield’s “Schoolgirl” and “Money” ’10.

“Vanna” then won with two of her produce. Having won all the qualifying classes, the championship class was all MCH; and a high quality group of ladies they were.

Crunch-time saw “Vogue” ’13 edge unentered “Damsel” for the silver, Moore County’s third in a row.

In the PMD championship class, Aiken “Raley” proved emphatically that he is in no way intimidated by rampant feminism, giving his hunt their tricolor threepeat, and bumping MCH “Vogue” to Reserve.

The American ring was especially light on entries this year. With perennial powerhouse Keswick opting for Bryn Mawr’s Centennial, only three packs competed. But Keswick breeding was much in evidence, and the standard of hounds

was tops. Aiken had the only entries in the first two classes. “Tequila” (Aiken “Trailer” ’12 x Keswick “Nipper” ’10) followed his sire’s winning ways in Unentered Dog, edging brothers “Tractor” and “Traveller.” In the tightest of races in Entered Dogs, Tryon “Beaufort” ’13 (TH “Kermit” ’09 x TH “Blue Bell” ’09) nipped at the wire the flashily-marked Aiken “Vampire” ’13 (also out of KHC “Nipper” ’10 and 2013 Champion Doghound) and his littermates “Vinnie” and “Vacuum.” Tryon had the only Stallion Hounds; Keswick-bred “Warrior” ’11 (KHC “Jasper” ’09 x KHC “Wendy” ’09) won over staunch campaigner “Kermit” ’09. “Kermit’s” son “Bullet” ’13 won with two of his get in an all-Tryon class over brothers “Beaufort” and “Kermit.” Tryon’s home-bred “Beaufort” ’13 outclassed Aiken’s “Tequila” for the Doghound Championship.

American bitch entries were sadly light. Aiken “Tequila’s” sister “Tandem” was the only Unentered Bitch, but things picked up for Judge Tommy Jackson in the competitive Entered Bitch class. Tryon “Beauty” ’13, Beaufort’s sister, slipped ahead of littermate “Bling” and Edisto River sisters “Lila” and “Lacy” (by PMD Stallion Hound winner, Shakerag “Geronimo” ’09). Aiken’s Keswick “Nipper” ’10, 2013 Champion Bitch, was the sole Brood Bitch, and the class with produce was cancelled. Tryon “Beauty” ’13 took the tricolor from Aiken “Tandem,” and then the Columbus, NC, pack made it a sweep as Judge Jackson pinned “Beaufort” over “Beauty” as American Champion.

The English Hounds share the ring with their cross-the-pond cousins, and here Tommy Jackson found enormous quality spread over more numerous entries. It could be argued that Hillsboro swept Unentered Dog with four handsome sons of their “Flintstone” ’11 out of two different bitches. However, they gave away the winner as a whelp, and Why Worry “Gordon” (HH “Flintstone” ’11 x NC “Greatwood” ’10) topped Hillsboro’s “Governor,” “Gopher,” and “Domino” in an interesting class. Why Worry’s spectacular stallion hound, “Braveheart” ’09, who died suddenly last year, sired three of the four Entered Dog winners. Green Creek “Bankrupt” ’13 (WWH “Braveheart” ’09 x GCH “Ransome” ’10) won this excellent class, with older full brother Why Worry “Ravel” ’12 in second and littermate “Banker” ’13 in fourth. Hillsboro “Moreton” ’12 snuck in to grab third. Hillsboro “Brighton” ’12 was the only Stallion Hound entry. Green Creek “Bankrupt” ’13 kept “Braveheart’s” legacy alive by winning the Doghound Championship (as his sire had done in 2010 and 2012) over Why Worry “Gordon.”

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

Hillsboro had the only Unentered Bitches, winning with “Google” (HH “Flintstone” ’11 x NC “Greatwood” ’10) over sister “Gossip.” Why Worry sires featured prominently in Entered Bitch when Hillsboro “Grateful” ’13 (WWH “Granthorn” ’06 x NC “Greystone” ’09) edged “Bankrupt’s” littermate “Barbara” ’13 (2013 Champion Bitch). “Grantham” also sired third and fourth place winning Hillsboro “Trifle” and WWH “Bree” ’09. Long live the Why Worry dynasty!

Hillsboro “Sable” ’13 (Live Oak “Farrier” ’10 x LO “Sarah” ’10), who won the 2013 Crossbred Championship here and, after a closer pedigree check, the English Bitch tricolor at Virginia, took Brood Bitch honors over another Live Oak-bred, Green Creek “Ransom” ’13. Hillsboro monopolized the Championship silver as “Grateful” ’13 beat “Google.”

The English Championship was a pure delight, both to judge and to watch, as Green Creek “Bankrupt” ’13 emerged victorious over Hillsboro “Grateful” ’13.

Bassets and Beagles then took over the American/English ring. Cheryl BatistaPenny’s Windy Acres Beagles were a last-minute post-entry, but at day’s end both she and bicycle-racer husband, Adam Penny, were bedraped in ribbons and smiles.

Their Windy Acres’ Barren Hills “Ike” won Unentered Dog as sole entry. Then in marched Lincoln Sadler, whose Entwhistle Village Beagles had all the Entered Dog entries and won with veteran “Staple” ’06 over “Waiver” ’12 and “Chief” ’07.

Entwhistle went 1-2 in Stallion Hound with “Stamen” ’06 and “Copper” ’07, who repeated with their get. Lincoln’s lovelies then swept the championship, with “Staple” over “Stamen.”

Windy Acres gave notice in the Bitches with their unopposed Unentered beauty, Barren Hills “Melanie.” Entwhistle Village roared back to dominate Entered Bitch, winning with “Penny” ’09 over EV “Gallant” ’11, and WA’s GCH Barren Hills “April Flower.” Miss “Penny” then took both Brood Bitch and with-get classes. However, in the chase for the Bitch Championship, the younger “Melanie” edged “Penny.”

For Champion Beagle, Judge Peter Howe, who over a long career has made his mark with both foot-hounds and foxhounds, gave Windy Acres “Melanie” the nod over Entwhistle Village “Staple.”

New Huntsman Beth Blackwell loaded the De La Brooke foxhounds and her own Cedar Way Bassets into her huge gooseneck and went to the Hill & Hollow Bassets’ kennel to pick up Carter Amigh, MBH, and her hounds; then the two gals made the exhausting drive from eastern Maryland to central South Carolina. The foxhounds had already had a good show, and now it was her bassets’ turn to shine brightly. Hill & Hollow had the only Unentered Dogs, pinning in order, “Charlie,” “Charmer,” and Ripshin “Nautical.” Scratches left only Cedar Way in Entered Dogs, where “RumRunner” ’12 beat brother “Rupert.” Hill & Hollow half-brothers, Ripshin “Rooster” ’09 and “Barron” ’08 emulated their sire by winning the Stallion Hound class, something the grand old man “Rattler” ’05 has so often done; and with their get, were similarly placed. Judge Howe liked “RumRunner” over “Rooster” for Champion. Or maybe he just liked what the name promised!

Cedar Way “Scarlett” punched her ticket in Unentered Bitch, beating H & H “Claire,” CW “Sassafras,” and H&H “Chesapeake.” Entered Bitch went Beth Blackwell’s way as CW “Raspberry ’13 beat H&H “Bella” ’12 and CW “Rainbow” and “Ragtime” ’13. The two Maryland packs split the Brood Bitch ribbons: Hill & Hollow first and third (Ripshin “Daisy” ’07 and Ripshin “Rhonda” ’07); Cedar Way second and fourth (“Raincoat” ’12 and “Ragtime” ’13). With their get, the winners were reshuffled: “Ragtime,” “Rhonda,” “Raincoat” and “Daisy.” In a spirited Bitch Championship, CW “Raspberry” ’13 beat her elder, H&H Ripshin “Daisy” ’07. And then she came back to drive her kennelmate “RumRunner” to drink and the Reserve ribbon as she won top prize. All in all, the foothounds were a great success.

Then Iroquois Joint Master Jerry Miller became the busiest man on the grounds, judging all the remaining classes. The Junior Handler Class is always well-filled with competent, well-schooled youngsters. In the age 7-12 division, Camden’s Leigha Crisp and Hallie Geddings edged Aiken’s Grace Ellis and Taylor Permenter from Sedgefield. In the 13-18 group, Aiken’s Caroline Wolcott was gunning for her fifth win in six years, but she was bumped into second ahead of Jada Lee from Green Creek and Moore County’s Kate Liner. The winner was fellow Aiken member, Madeline Eaves, whose poise, maturity, and calm competence belies her seventeen years. Then the stunning redhead took the Championship Trophy, with Leigha Crisp in Reserve.

The Junior Pack Class was a walkover for Aiken, with Caroline Wolcott carrying the horn and Madeline Eaves whipping-in. Well done, girls!

In the class for Best Performance Trial Hound (the only one where you’re assured of seeing only true working hounds!), Hillsboro’s doghounds “Kingpin” ’11 and “Parson” ’11 took the blue and red. They were followed by Full Cry “Roger” ’11, Sedgefield “Budweiser” ’09, and two more of David Hayman’s Full Cry hard-knockers, “Clifton” ’08 and “Sumo” ’07. The winning order was a rever-

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sal of their Crossbred in-ring standings.

Judge Miller’s preference for the English Hound was evident first in the Unentered Hound Championship, as the trophy went to Hillsboro “Google,” and Best of Opposite Sex to Why Worry “Gordon.” Then a wonderful Grand Champion Foxhound extravaganza ended with Green Creek “Bankrupt” ’13 beating Aiken “Raley” UE for the G. L. Buist Rivers, Jr., MFH Memorial Trophy.

Then it was on to the racecourse for the pack classes. In a surprise move, Green Creek Joint Master Jefferson Goodwin handed the horn to his lovely wife Coleen and turned hounds to her. It was in that role that most of the hunting world first met “Tot,” as Ben Hardaway’s dashing Whipper-In. Well, the switch worked, and Green Creek won the Foxhound Pack Class. David Raley, in his lucky Nantucket Red trousers, waltzed his way to second, just ahead of a bubbling Beth Blackwell and her De La Brooke pack, and Camden, with Kurt Kruke at the helm.

In the Beagle/Basset Pack Class, Carter Amigh’s well-behaved and level Hill & Hollow Bassets edged Beth Blackwell’s Cedar Way. Lincoln Sadler’s exuberant Entwhistle Beagles, in third, had to bow to the ladies and their bassets.

The day ended with the presentation of The Huntsman’s Trophy, and this year it went to an exhausted but beaming Johnny Gray from Hillsboro. Showing—and winning—in two rings (English and Crossbred), plus the Performance Hound class, he and Whipper-In Leilani Hrisko had no other help. They make a wonderful team, always hustling and punctual, yet they lose neither their aplomb nor their sense of humor.

Each year it seems impossible that any improvements could be made to this wonderful show; and each year the cadre of imaginative, practical and hard-working Camden Carolinians produce new magic. This year was no exception: Jeff Teter had the immaculate grounds even more pristine, the welcome more open-armed.

The gourmands in charge of food added another star to their reputation; and the quality of hounds continued to escalate. The show is renowned for its pretty girls, and this year they were prettier than ever—and more of ’em. However, when it came down to awarding the tricolors, competing against the likes of Amy Fritz and Madeline Eaves, “merely pretty” was out of the ribbons! And, in finale, Martha and John La Roche outdid themselves with their incomparable Low Country Boil. Only one complaint: with the ravenous crowd so huge, there were no seconds!

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

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HOUND TRIALS

2014 NBC Spring Basset Trials

By John J. Carle, II, ex-MFH “April, like October is an affair of light…

Each day is bathed in a blue-green clarity too perfect to last for long.”

Christopher Camuto

Judge Libby Gilbert.

Judge David Vore.

Hill and Hollow Bassets Carter Amigh, MBH, Huntsman.

Calf Pasture Bassets “Jeep” Cochran, MBH/Huntsman with Whipper-in Liz Reeser (left).

In early April in Aldie, Virginia, Spring was preparing for her annual celebration. The dogwoods and redbuds were poised like young ladies anxiously awaiting their debut; jonquils bowed and swayed as if in rhythm with the chorus of bird song overhead; and the bassets were again competing at “The Institute.”

On the second day of the trials, jealous March, that vernal imposter, rudely crashed sweet April’s party, bringing an icy dawn, a brittle frost and impossible scenting conditions, which put a veritable curse on the three-couple class. For all the packs competing on the day, conditions varied constantly from poor to impossible, which proved increasingly frustrating for hounds, staff, and spectators. It was fascinating—at once enlightening and often discouraging —to watch how hounds from different packs tackled the challenge.

The bassets in the packs that had a touch of success went about their work with hearty determination, crashing into briars and tangled blow-downs, hoping to rouse one of the enclosure’s plethora of rabbits. Sadly, however, too many hounds in the other packs often seemed afflicted with attention deficit disorder and indifferent curiosity. Their comical faces wreathed in lugubrious smiles, they skirted most of the briars, content to waddle along the manicured trails, pausing occasionally to graze like Nebuchadnezzar. Perhaps they were just smarter than the rest, realizing the impossibility of their task and refusing to waste energy. But all the packs tried—some just harder than others—yet none were rewarded with what even the most optimistic followers would consider really outstanding hunts. And amazingly, some packs considered specially low-scenting could smell absolutely nothing. To make things more confusing, the judges—Libby Gilbert and David Vore— were forced to give huntsmen the aid of views constantly which, although it helped a hunt’s continuity, counted against the pack’s score at tabulation time.

Of the packs to have decently scored hunts— that is, the ribbon-winners—Monkton Hall, the first pack afield after lunch (usually an awful timeslot), with Joint Master Liz McKnight, exMFH ElkridgeHarford carrying the horn, was chosen best. Drawing the long fingers of covert above the stone wall at the upper end of the Field Marshal Liz McKnight, enclosure, hounds MBH, ex-MFH, calls the next went immediately pack.

to work, speaking only occasionally, but constantly pushing forward until they dislodged a closelying rabbit. Harking immediately to their Huntsman’s lovely, ringing horn and galvanizing voice, they ran as hard as conditions allowed, which amounted to much start and stop, closehunting followed by hard bursts, all accompanied by much hearty hound-music. Up and down the strips of woods they went, seeming to go better the longer they hunted, settling and packing better.

There were a lot of views and, although the judges helped at times, hounds did most of it on their own.

Calf Pasture, the last pack of the afternoon, had what could have been the best performance of the day but for some bad luck. These go-getters jumped a speedster early on and were away at a Derby-day pace, their cry fierce with desire. They flew through the woods below Squaw Hill toward the kennels on a strong line until it died abruptly in the cutover tangle left from the walnut tree harvest. Jeep Cochran then lifted her pack to the impenetrable hell near the ponds. Here one hound literally stepped on a rabbit and almost chopped it, then led a badly strung out pack in a big left-hand circle to a loss near an exceptionally large earth, once the domain of a red fox. Trying back, hounds soon jumped another rabbit and were having a fine old time with him when the clock ran out.

Unfortunately, during some of the best running, the pack was down a hound. Nevertheless, theirs was a well-deserved red rosette, and the only blip on an otherwise perfect run throughout the trials.

Hill and Hollow had the longest sustained hunt of the day, but conditions were such that hounds got badly scattered at times, and runs were a series of short bursts and long checks. The pack also had to rely on the judges’ aid too often. It was a most entertaining effort regardless, and good enough for third ribbon.

Tintern from Ontario was the first pack to have even a modicum of success. Hunting earlier the same upper coverts as Monkton Hall and Hill and Hollow, their success was of the same variety, but just less of it, despite desperate try that left hounds quite exhausted at the end.

With the rescheduled Thornton Hill/Fort Valley Hounds’ Point-to Point upcoming, I was able to cover only the three-couple. However, I understand that the rest of the trials produced much better hunting.

Ontario’s Tintern Hare Hounds Carly Martin, MBH/Huntsman (right); whippers-in Lee Resser and Hank Martin.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

RACING IN MARYLAND

Grand National

My Lady’s Manor

Butler, Maryland, April 19, 2014

Monkton, Maryland, April 12, 2014

Douglas Lees photos

Douglas Lees photos

118th Maryland Hunt Cup Glyndon, Maryland, April 26, 2014 Douglas Lees photos

112th Grand National Steeplechase (l-r) Foyle – 2nd, James Slater up; Spencer Road – 1st, Erick Poretz up; Delta Park – 3rd, Connor Hankin up.

104th My Lady’s Manor Race Nat Grew – 1st, Jody Petty up.

Stewart Strawbridge, owner; Jody Petty, rider; Sanna Neilson, trainer.

Grand National Races, Thomas L. Macfarlane Memorial Field Masters Chase Daisy Fenwick wins large pony on D’Artagnan.

104th My Lady’s Manor John Rush Street Memorial, 2nd Div. (l-r) City Press – 1st, Connor Hankin up; Monstaleur – 4th; Voler Bar Nuit; Dax – 3rd; Brother Sy; Classy Rascal; The Bees Knees.

104th My Lady’s Manor John Rush Street Memorial, 1st Div. (l-r) Organisateur – 1st, Jody Petty up; Seize Power, Fritz Boniface up; Raven’s Choice – 2nd, Ross Geraghty up; Here Comes Badness – 4th, James Slater up.

At the 13th fence, Guts For Garters – 1st, Jody Petty up; Bon Caddo – 3rd, James Slater up.

Close finish for the Maryland Hunt Cup. (l-r) Jody Petty and Guts For Garters close in on and catch Imperial Way (Bethany Baumgardner up) in the stretch.

112th Grand National Steeplechase Spencer Road – 1st, Erick Poretz up.

Grand National Races, Thomas L. Macfarlane Memorial Field Masters Chase Junior Horses: (l-r) West Mesa – 1st, Charlie Mourier up; Sweet Talking Guy – 2nd, Erin Swope up.

104th My Lady’s Manor John D. Schapiro Memorial (l-r) Illustration – 2nd, Conrad Somers up; Sand Box Rules – 1st, Diana Gillam up; Terko Service – 4th, Nick Carter up.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

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AGA’S SAGAS

Thrown from the Throne

Marion’s story: England was on the phone. It was crunch time. They needed to know my final choices for the Fall/Winter 2014 tweeds. I told them I had made the choices and would send an email shortly, but England couldn’t wait any longer and needed cloth numbers and dye lots at that moment. With the phone to my left ear, I spun in the chair and reached for the swatches sitting in a box just a wee bit out of reach.

ly said, “I’ll call you back!” and let the phone drop.

There was no way to catch myself. I was thrown forward and down as the wheels of the chair scooted back and out from under me.

Bunsen’s story: Ah opened m’left eye. What was she doin’ right above me? Give me some space, woman!

Aga’s story: One minute, Marion was at the desk talking on the Bunsen’s story: phone, the next, her head was at desk level and then… ’Twas a glorious nap at m’favorite time o’ day, a few CRACK! minutes after partakin’ o’ lunch bits the girls share w’me at the communal mid-day meal. In m’dream, Ah Marion’s story: was chasin’ that black Lab—a spawn o’ Satan if ever All I could do was catch myself on my right foot. And there was one—that lives next door. That devil dog only by the big toe. The toe was the only thing between gallops up and down the fence line—illegally off lead me and falling on my helpless unsuspecting Bunsen.

Ah may add—and calls to me to come out for a run. How I did it, I’ll never know!

Well, in the dream, therrrre Ah was, about to bite off Bunsen’s story: his ugly head, when, suddenly, the earth shook…

Yawn! Ach, such a dry mouth Ah’ve got. The bit o’ quiche was verra salty. Since Ah’m awake, Ah’ll have Aga’s story: Well, I knew there were more snacks to be had in the a wee drink o’ water. But first, a looong stretch. kitchen. Let that old Bunsen sleep, but me, I know to Aga’s story: hang around ’til the bitter end and find a pot of gold. He’ll never know how close he came to being flatSuddenly, I heard my Marion shout out “AHHHHH’ll tened. He tried to tell me how my Marion interrupted call you back.” Then a loud crack. his dream at the very moment he gets to bite off the head of his nemesis. Of course, now we’re all running Marion’s story: You know how everything goes in slow motion. I around getting ice for the “hero toe.” mean, I didn’t see my life pass in front of me or any- Marion’s story: thing like that. But I did see Bunsen lying right below Funny though, as I was going down, I was wondering me. I knew he was in REM. His eyelid was twitching. if I chose the best swatches. More ice, please.

If I landed on him, I would have crushed him. I calm-

Aga and Bunsen assist with selecting fabrics.

Bunsen’s story: Faith and bejabbers, even when they told me what was goin’ on—the “hero toe” and everythin’—all Ah could think about was that tasty Virginia ham in the quiche.

Ah am so thirsty. At least all of the racket has ended.

Aga’s story: It wouldn’t have been funny if the cloth order didn’t get in on time, yes siree, or her toe was broken! I can’t help but wonder, if something had happened to Bunsen—you know, something unthinkable—would I get his tasty bits… in addition to my own tasty bits?

I’m just wondering?

ACROSS THE POND

A Look Back to 1976 & 1977

By Jim Meads My early trips “across the pond” were to photograph and report on such events as deer hunting in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, goose hunting from pit blinds on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, and duck hunting in the Santee Marshes of South Carolina. However, by 1976 I was being commissioned to visit mounted foxhunting and rabbit hunting along the East Coast, and I’ve selected some of these photos from that era, which I hope my readers will enjoy.

Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Hunt, PA. Diana Norris at whose home the meet was held.

Bull Run - Warrenton Joint Meet, Virginia Elegantly riding sidesaddle is Janeen Granakis.

Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Hunt, PA Huntsman Curt Crossman with hounds marking to ground.

Wilbur Ross Hubbard, MFH, Mr. Hubbard’s Kent County Hounds, Maryland, 1931-93.

Relaxing at his Chestertown home.

Bull Run-Warrenton Joint Meet, Virginia.

Joan Jones, MFH (President Virginia Hound Show), Douglas Harcourt Lees, MFH, Gordon Erricker.

Amwell Valley Hunt, N.J. Joint Master and Huntsman Bill Read with hounds after catching their fox.

Meet of the Coldstream Bassets, PA. With hounds is Joint Master and Huntsman Joseph McKenna.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

JENNY’S PICKS I suspect many little girls—and maybe boys as well—have daydreamed about having a flying horse to ride. As a child I would have loved to read the following book! (As an adult I still did.)

Spiler, Amber C. The Secret of Blackwatch. The main character of this charming fantasy is a twelve-year-old girl who has lost her mother, who was a great equestrian. At the start of the book, her father takes her to Blackwatch Stables, where she is to get riding lessons and, to her astonishment, to get a pony as well. But the pony she gets from a shabby horse salesman turns out to be not just any pony, but a magical one that was apparently meant just for her—in fact, it demands her attention in the sales lot by blocking her access to the bay pony that first catches her eye. Not only that, but she begins to discover that Blackwatch Stables itself is more than a little out of the ordinary.

I would recommend this for the 8-10 age range that can still enjoy imagining magic ponies. I hope there are more books to come from this author.

Paperback, $12.95

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nent Masters of Foxhounds in North America, essentially those that became presidents of the MFHA. There’s a chapter devoted to the American Foxhound Society and Foxhound shows. Red cloth cover in good, clean Specialists in New, Old & Rare Books on Horses, Foxhunting, condition, no dj, corners bumped, small Eventing, Polo, Racing, Steeplechasing & Sporting Art dent near top of spine. Small book60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186 • 800-882-HUNT • 540-347-3141 seller’s label lower front flyleaf.

Includes many b&w photographs and

by Lionel Edwards. This assemblage of Quorn; the latter was whipper-in and artwork depicting the various Masters. hunting characters, although named, then huntsman of the Belvoir, serving Hardcover, 216pp. (6307) $125.00 does not depict any particular individ- that hunt from 1837-1859. In addition Paget, Guy. Life of Frank Freeman, ual but rather stock types of which you to general biographical material, the Huntsman. Edgar Backus, Leicester, may say, “I know someone just like book contains a number of letters and 1948. Frank Freeman was truly “born that!” Four or five pages are devoted to excerpts from hunting journals. Very to hunt”—he was born at the Kildare each, and most are prefaced by one of good cond., w/price-clipped dj covered Hunt Kennels in 1876 and lived at varLionel Edwards’s delightful pencil in plastic wrap. Hardcover, 182pp. ious kennels until, closing his life as sketches. Green cloth cover w/red (6299) $75.00 huntsman with the Pytchley, he retired spine, no dj, good sound cond., some Halpin, Warren T. Hoofbeats. J. B. in 1931. At his last hunt, young wear to the cover. Marbled endpapers. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, New York Princess Elizabeth—who became the Hardcover, 139pp. (6302) $80.00 & London, 1938. Edition limited to current Queen of England—experi-

HORSE COUNTRY BOOKSELLERS

Bathurst, Earl. A History of the V.W.H. Country. Constable & Co., London, 1938. The Vale of White Horse Hunt was established in the first third of the 19th century. Included in this volume are numerous tales of their hunts and huntsmen, illustrated with 19 b&w photos and copies of artwork, plus a map at the back. Hardcover, good conFrom time to time we purchase books dition, no dj, corners bumped and cover that are not about foxhunting or about soiled. 274pp. (6297) $120.00 horses at all but that are in one way or another special books that our cus- Case, Walter O., ed. Ninety Years of tomers might enjoy. Ben Greenberg’s Horse and Hound. Country Life Ltd., book that has just come out is one of London, 1977. First published in 1884, those that I can recommend as being the weekly publication Horse and one of the most beautiful books on Hound became a staple in the hunting world that continues today. Walter Case Virginia that I have ever seen. was its second editor, and has here Greenberg, Ben. Natural Virginia. compiled an assortment of articles, This luscious book of panoramic photographs, and even advertisements Virginia landscapes is sure to make a for our amusement, ranging in topics hit, whether you give it as a gift or just from sage advice for the rider/ horseset it on the coffee table for guests to owner to the latest gossip on personaliperuse. Actual images are about 5¼ by ties, both equine and human. Near-fine 15 inches and range by section from condition with v.g. dj enclosed in plasTidewater through Piedmont to western tic cover. All illustrations in b&w.

Virginia with its mountains and valleys Hardcover, 224pp. (6304) $39.00 and depict all seasons in glorious color.

The book itself is about 10 x 18. Dale, T. F. The History of the Belvoir Hunt. Archibald Constable & Co., Hardcover, 240pp. $59.95 London, 1899. Although there is a Hitchen, Janet. Album of Horses and recent history published about this venHounds. Janet Hitchen, the photogra- erable English hunt, if you want the rippher whose photographs regularly roaring accounts of hunting in the olden grace the front cover of our newspaper days, this is the more interesting and often articles within, has produced choice. Replete with photographs and yet another beautiful book of her hunt- art reproductions depicting the hunt ing photographs. This is a very limited and its fascinating characters of yore, edition, with more pages than her pre- this volume includes a colored fold-out vious books and printed on the same map of the country at the back. Lengthy superb quality paper, and features appendices list the hounds and their linhounds and huntsmen from many of the eage, and considerable breeding inforhunts in the States. You won’t find this mation is to be had within the text as one on Amazon! Photos are a mix of well. Hardcover, good condition, edgecolor and b&w, made all the more worn and age-discolored, bumped corimpressive by the paper quality. ners. 429pp plus publisher’s catalog of Hardcover, unpaginated. $350.00 books at the end. (6298) $230.00 We have a number of very nice used Goodall, Daphne Machin. Huntsmen hunting books for your consideration of a Golden Age. H.F. & G. Witherby, this month. As always with the used Ltd., London, 1956. The author is books, if you see one that appeals to descended from the chief characters in you, it’s best to call right away, as the this account of foxhunting long ago: popular ones often go quickly.

Stephen and William Goodall. The forBall, Richard. Hounds will meet… mer was huntsman of five different Country Life Ltd., London, 1931. Illus. hunts, including the Pytchley & the

1550 numbered copies; this is #317.

With minimal descriptive verbiage describing the artwork or, more often, the action depicted, Halpin has assembled a collection of his pencil sketches of polo, foxhunting, and steeplechasing. With pages measuring 12 x 9 inches, each drawing is satisfactorily large, and there is a small sketch like a Remarque on each text page. Good condition, cover soiled and frayed, interior sound. No dj. Hardcover, unpaginated, but there are 65 images with text on opposite pages. (6306) $95.00 Higginson, A. Henry, ed. As Hounds Ran/Four Centuries of Foxhunting.

Huntington Press, New York, 1930.

Higginson has compiled writings on foxhunting from a number of notable writers and other personalities, beginning with George Turberville’s Booke of Hunting. While there are some obvious inclusions (Beckford, Apperley/ ”Nimrod”, Squire Osbaldeston, WhiteMelville, Bentinck, and even Wadsworth), others don’t come to mind as readily when speaking of foxhunting literature: William Shakespeare, George Washington, and John Masefield, for example. Illustrations are often from the text quoted, as the woodcuts in Turberville’s opus. Both Cecil Aldin and Lionel Edwards added new drawings as well. The lovely color frontispiece by Lionel Edwards is a tribute to the hounds themselves, resting in the evening in their kennel.

Hardcover, no dj, good sound condition but spine faded and corners bumped.

Inscription front flyleaf reads Norfolk Hunt Club from Henry G. Vaughan.

(6302) $130.00 Mackay-Smith, Alexander. Masters of Foxhounds. Published by the MFHA and printed by Whittet & Shepperson, Richmond, Virginia, 1980. Limited edition signed and numbered #116. The author’s writings on foxhunting and foxhounds are in many a foxhunter’s library, especially his classic history, Foxhunting in North America, still in print today. This volume, published by subscription, concerns largely the creation of the MFHA and certain promi-

enced her first hunt on her pony, an event captured by Lionel Edwards and included as the final plate in the book.

A good read with lots of hunting tales.

Autographed copy in very good condition w/vg dj covered in plastic wrap.

Bookplate inside front cover, some foxing on several pages closest the covers, and some pencil notations on the back endpaper, but overall very clean & sound. Color frontispiece from painting

by Lionel Edwards, 5 half-tone plates and two in-text line drawings by various artists, including one more by Edwards. Hardcover, 107pp. (6300) $110.00 Sparrow, Walter Shaw. Henry Alken.

Williams & Norgate, London, 1927.

This is the first volume in a series devoted to “the sport of our fathers.”

Henry Alken’s artwork is featured in eight color plates and 64 in half-tone (b&w). Like A.E. Munnings of more than a century later, Alken rode to hounds and thus knew his subject.

Nearly all of the work pictured is of foxhunting. Good cond., no dj, corners bumped and cover edges frayed in spots. Interior sound & clean, with no appreciable foxing. Hardcover, 55pp. of text in addition to the unnumbered artwork pages. (6304) $120.00 Yates, Arthur, with Bruce Blunt.

Arthur Yates/Trainer and Gentleman Rider/An Autobiography. Grant Richards, Ltd., London, 1924. This is one for you steeplechase enthusiasts!

Yates, descendent of a Royalist fighting the Parliamentary forces in the 1600s, was a gentleman jockey and subsequently trainer of ’chasers. It reads as lively as many hunting tales. Further of interest, the bookplate of none other than Harry Worcester Smith is on the front flyleaf, along with, on the next page, an envelope with Smith’s return address that contains several clippings about the book and Mr. Yates. No dj, but pasted to the inside front cover is what appears to be the front part of the original dj, containing a b&w photo of Arthur Yates on a horse. Good cond. but showing wear; corners bumped, light soiling of cover, occasional pencil marks in text. Hardcover, 278pp.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

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HORSE RACING

Horses and People to Watch Virginia Thoroughbred Association

Tonalist, winner of the Grade II Peter Pan and the Grade I Belmont, was raised in Virginia at Woodslane Farm. Adam Coglianese photo.

Virginia-Raised Tonalist Wins Belmont Stakes “It’s the lightning in the jar.”

That’s the first thing Lauren Woolcott says when you ask her about Tonalist, the son of Tapit that she and husband Rene bred—the horse that on June 7 won the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Grade I Belmont. The bay colt was a 4-length winner of the Grade II Peter Pan in May and returned to nab the 1½-mile classic by a head.

Of course, it’s easy to call Tonalist lightning in a jar now, but for a long time, he was the horse nobody wanted.

In 2007, advised by Virginia bloodstock agent Patrick Lawley-Wakelin, the Woolcotts spent $800,000 to purchase Settling Mist, a Pleasant Colony mare with a Seeking the Gold filly in utero. The mare had one foal who had already been shipped off to Mexico, something Woolcott says would probably give the couple cause to hesitate now, but at the time raised no red flags. Although experienced in the steeplechase world, the Woolcotts were just getting into the Thoroughbred game at the time.

“We were pretty green,” Woolcott says.

Settling Mist had a tough time. The Seeking The Gold filly broke her maiden—but not much else. A Smart Strike baby did nothing. Then the mare slipped to A.P. Indy in the waning years of his life. By that point, the Woolcotts knew they needed to inject a little speed into the mare, so in 2010, they tried to get into Speightstown. The horse’s book was full, so they turned to a horse that was, at the time, second-best: Tapit.

Of course, we all know how that story goes. Tapit may have stood for $50,000 at the time, but his stud fee quickly doubled as he blossomed into the superstar of the Kentucky breeding sheds. That didn’t sway buyers, however. When the Woolcotts entered Settling Mist into the elite Fasig-Tipton November sale, she got so little interest that the couple decided to withdraw her before she entered the ring.

The only serious look the mare got was from Shel Evans’ bloodstock agent—and he passed.

So the Woolcotts kept Settling Mist and her Tapit colt, who was raised at their Woodslane Farm in The Plains, Virginia. The colt, of course, was Tonalist.

“He was very laid back, really super conformation the whole way,” Woolcott said. “Very easy, pleasant horse. Easy keeper.”

When Tonalist was sent to Wayne and Kathy Sweezey for a bit of prep before the Saratoga Sale, Kathy Sweezey felt the same way: “Kathy was over the moon about him,” Woolcott said. “He was a little fat and didn’t have any definition. She would take him out to the round pen, and she would have to get after him. But she just loved his temperament.”

The Sweezeys and the Woolcotts may have loved Tonalist, but no one else did.

No one, except the man who had passed up Settling Mist over a year before: Shel Evans.

Evans’ father Thomas Mellon Evans campaigned Pleasant Colony in the 1981

Kentucky Derby and Preakness, before the horse finished third in the Belmont. Tonalist, according to Sweezey, was a lot like his broodmare sire as a yearling: “Whenever we would put Tonalist back in his stall, he’d take a few nips of hay and then lay down and sleep,” Sweezey explained.

“Pleasant Colony did exactly the same thing, and I think that since Shel was around the barn so much and saw that, Lauren Woolcott, who with husband Rene raised Tonalist at Woodslane Farm. Photo courtesy of the Woolcotts. it may have contributed to his buying the horse.” Evans has since told the Bloodhorse that if the horse won the Belmont, it would be “the win Pleasant Colony didn’t get.”

Tonalist left Saratoga to justify all that faith. After a fourth-placed debut at Aqueduct in the fall of his 2-year-old year, the bay colt went on to break his maiden by 4 lengths at Gulfstream in January. He was second in an allowance at that same oval the next month, then returned on May 10 to dominate the Peter Pan. The rest, of course, is in the Classic record books. Tonalist broke from the outside post position, settling in sixth place not 2 lengths off the leaders. Rounding the first turn, the colt was trapped almost five wide on the Belmont loam, but he kept tight with the front-runners and by the quarter pole was grinding away at the lead.

Despite lugging in under the shadow of the wire, he wore down front-runner Commissioner to prevail by a neck—giving Evans “the win Pleasant Colony didn’t get.”

•••• Reminder: $15,000 VTA Yearling Futurity August 30 Just a reminder to get your 2013 Virginia bred yearlings out of the field and gussie them up for the $15,000 VTA Yearling Futurity, August 30th at the Warrenton Horse Show Grounds. There is $10,000 in prize money for the colt and filly yearling divisions and another $5,000 in prize money for those that compete and are the highest earners during their 3-year-old year.

Don’t have a yearling to show? Come join us for a post futurity breakfast and hear what this year’s judge thinks is important to look for in a race horse prospect.

Entry forms and show details will be sent to all breeders of Virginia foals in July.

•••• Virginia Gold Cup Turf

Virginia Gold Cup Turf: Jeff Murphy performs a flying dismount off Prima Facie, with trainer Simon Hobson on the right, in the winners circle. Douglas Lees photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

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ACROSS THE POND

Mid-Wales Hound Show

By Jim Meads

Best Entered Fell Bitch Teme Valley “Gracious,” shown by Robbie Savage.

David Davies Hunt Country Show May 2014. Judging the class for Welsh Entered Bitches.

Best Entered Fell Dog Eryri “Saracen,” shown by Huntsman Emyr Jones.

May 4 saw the season’s first hound show in MidWales, being organized by the David Davies Hunt close to their kennels. These were well filled classes for Welsh, Fell, and Hill Foxhounds, with the wellqualified Neville Owen doing the judging. In the Welsh ring, the Llanwrthwl, Brecon & Talybont, and Plas Michynlleth won first prizes, with the entered bitch Plas Machynlleth “Dorcas” named as Champion.

In the Fell Hounds, the Eryri, Penllyn, and Teme Valley had winners, with their unentered bitch Penllyn “Marie” taking the accolade. The Hill Classes were dominated by Mark Powell, MFH, and his Brecon & Talybont hounds, with their unentered bitch “Kindly” being Champion. A new class for unentered hounds was won by Brecon & Talybont “Bronwen” and then, in the Supreme Championship, Plas Machynlleth “Dorcas” was unbeatable, with Lord Davies, MFH since 1963, presenting the trophy to Huntsman Aled Jones, to Welsh cheers.

Champion Unentered Hound Brecon & Talybont “Bronwen,” shown by Mark Powell, MFH and sponsor Hannah Richards.

Champion Hill Hound Brecon & Talybont “Kindly,” shown by Mark Powell, MFH.

Best Unentered Welsh Dog Llanwrthwl “Timber,” shown by Huntsman Mark Jones.

Supreme Champion Hound Plas Machynlleth “Dorcas,” shown by Huntsman Aled Jones. Left is Judge Neville Owen and right, Lord Davies, MFH since 1963.

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Philip & Angelina Calubaquib, Administrator & Owners Champion Fell Hound Penllyn “Marie,” shown by Huntsman Guto Roberts.

13114 Canova Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112 • 703-791-0058 • 703-791-0612 (Fax) Email: goldenyearsandmore@yahoo.com • Website: www.goldenyearsandmore.org

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2014

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GEORGE WHITE FENCING AND SUPPLY

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Brenda Milne (540) 937-2099 Cel. (703) 609-7200 18691 Springs Road Jeffersonton, VA 22724

Richard Clay Photography www.richardclayphotography.com

TO GET YOUR AD IN THE NEXT ISSUE

Loudoun Horse Show, Upperville, VA

CALL MARY COX (540) 636-7688 hcmaryads@embarqmail.com

View of the ring during a class showing the beautiful Virginia countryside in the distance.

Janet Hitchen photo

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Casanova Huntsman Tommy Lee Jones Scores Big at the Virginia Hound Show Casanova Huntsman Tommy Lee Jones was very successful at the annual Virginia Foxhound Show. He brought home the Orange County Hunt Melody Perpetual Cup for Champion American Bitch Hound, the Essex Fox Hounds Perpetual Cup for Best Single American Bitch - Entered, the Virginia Foxhound Club Perpetual Cup for Best Single American Dog – Un-entered, and the Warrenton Hunt Perpetual Cup for Best Un-entered Hound.