In & Around Horse Country Summer 2019

VOLUME XXXI / NUMBER 3 • THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA STEEPLECHASE ASSOCIATION • SUMMER 2019

Justin H. Wiley

Peter A. Wiley

434.981.5528 justin@wileyproperty.com

434.422.2090 Peter@wileyproperty.com

132A East Main Street • Orange, VA 22960

503 Faulconer Drive, Suite 6 • Charlottesville, VA 22903

MANOR HOME IN NORTH GARDEN

RIVER FRONTAGE AND BLUE RIDGE VIEWS

LAUREL RIDGE - English country manor home designed by renowned architect and built by a highly respected contractor. Located amongst large, protected estates in the North Garden area of Albemarle County just 20 minutes from town. The property also has a swimming pool, storage barn, kennel, and workshop. House is in very good condition and the kitchen was recently redone. Completely private setting. $995,000 Justin H. Wiley – 434.981.5528

RIVER ROCK FARM - A beautiful farm with long frontage on the Lynch River and great views of the Blue Ridge. The main residence was custom built with reclaimed materials, native fieldstone and on-site milled oak counters. Sited for complete privacy, the home, a copper system pool and pool house enjoy beautiful views of the Blue Ridge. Pastures and a barn complex with riding trails, guest cottage/rental round complete this offering. High speed internet available. $1,400,000 Peter A. Wiley – 434.422.2090

ACREAGE IN THE KESWICK HUNT

RARE OFFERING IN WESTERN ALBEMARLE

CAMPBELL ROAD - 209+/- acres located in the beautiful Keswick hunt area of Albemarle County. The land has numerous building sites with wonderful views of the southwest mountains. Existing improvements include, 4 tenant/guest homes, stable complex and cattle barn. The property has a mix of open pastures and hardwood forest. $2,495,000 Justin H. Wiley – 434.981.5528

WILDAIR FARM - A 126 acre farm set in the heart of one of Western Albemarle’s most beautiful pastoral enclaves. Incredible mountain views in every direction.

The rolling mix of productive pasture, towering, mature hardwoods, a bold stream and two large ponds offers a diversity rarely found on a farm of this size.

Owners have taken meticulous care of the land and it shows. The charming farmhouse is in good condition as are the numerous farm buildings, riding ring and fencing. A rare find only 12 miles from town. $1,900,000 Peter A. Wiley – 434.422.2090

STUNNING MOUNTAIN VIEWS

EXCEPTION FARM 14 MILES TO TOWN

MERRYMOUNT - Located in one of the most desirable area of Somerset, is nestled amongst large estates, with incredible views of both the Blue Ridge, and the Southwest mountains. The 1850’s house is perfectly situated on 5 acres, and could be bought with additional land, if needed. The 3 bedroom house is in need of renovations, but is structurally sound, and could easily be added onto. Much of the surrounding land is in conservation easement, and the view from this property will not change. $475,000 Justin H. Wiley – 434.981.5528

SCOTTSVILLE FARM - A beautiful, medium-sized horse farm or retreat 14 miles from town. The turn-of-the-century farmhouse is well-sited in the center of 77 acres of fenced pasture and fields, with a beautiful stable, large pond and trails. The farm offers privacy and views and is adjacent to over 1500 acres of protected farmland. A 6-stall center aisle barn with power, hot and cold water, bathroom, tack room, wash stall and shavings storage is positioned near the large outdoor ring. $895,000 Peter A. Wiley – 434.422.2090

W W W.W I L E Y P R O P E RT I E S . C O M

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2019

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2019

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SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTS One of the many “Rescued Rocking Horses” on display at the Museum of Hounds & Hunting NA, Inc., on loan from the collection of Meg Gardner.

Liz Callar photo

The Masters of Foxhounds Association’s new headquarters building, Middleburg, Virginia.

Liz Callar photo Celebrating the MFHA's new headquarters Open House, Middleburg, Virginia, May 25, 2019.

Design Committee Daphne Wood, MFH, Live Oak Hounds (L) and Penny Denegre, MFH, Middleburg Hunt (R) with Fred Root, interior designer.

Liz Callar photo

The Museum of Hounds & Hunting NA, Inc., founded in 1985 and located at historic Morven Park, Leesburg, Virginia, features an extensive array of items representing the art and artifacts of mounted hunting in North America. Shown here is just a portion of this fascinating and informative collection. Liz Callar photo

Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship Save the Dates: October 7-12, 2019 Entries are already coming in for the 2019 Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship. Scheduled for October 7-12, in Northern Virginia, the week features four days of hunting with Middleburg Hunt, Bull Run Hunt, Loudoun Fairfax Hunt, and Piedmont Fox Hounds, punctuated by evening social events.

Horses and riders will be judged by an illustrious panel of eminent foxhunters during each hunting day.

Qualifying finalists are announced at the conclusion of each meet and those horse and rider combinations then gather on Saturday morning at PHOTOGRAPHERS: Brenda Black Liz Callar www.lizcallar.smugmug.com John J. Carle II, ex-MFH Claudia Coleman Karen Kandra Douglas Lees douglaslees@comcast.net Dee Leftwich Joanne Maisano www.joannemaisano.com Alice Porter Rick Stillings

ON THE COVER: Samantha Michel, representing Green Spring Valley hounds, is all smiles as she accepts the trophy as winner of the Junior Handler Division 1 at the Virginia Foxhound Show from Tim Harmon, MFH, Middleburg Hunt. (Samantha’s partner was GSV “Sapphire” who went on to be named Grand Champion of the Show.) Joanne Maisano photo

Glenwood Park, prior to the Virginia Fall Races held later that day, to contest a mock hunt and individual test. Best Turned Out judging will be held at 8:00 am and the riding competition begins at 9:00 am.

A $2000 prize will be awarded to the hunt of the Grand Champion Rider and $1000 will go to the Reserve Champion Rider’s hunt. In addition, $500 will be awarded to both the Grand Champion Rider and the Reserve Champion Rider.

A new award has been established beginning this year, the Matthew Mackay-Smith Award for the highest placing Thoroughbred at the finals. A donation of $250 will be made by the Mackay-Smith family to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation in the winning owner’s name and a cooler and trophy will be presented. (The horse must be a registered Thoroughbred ridden by the owner, and the horse’s Jockey Club name must be included on the Entry Form.)

Registration for the 2019 competition is $350 per horse and entries close September 20. The field is limited to 60 contestants. Entry forms and information are available from the Virginia Fall Races website: VAFallRaces.com. For additional information: karynwilson.fhc@gmail.com.

Mrs. Theodora Ayer Randolph was Master of Piedmont Fox Hounds from 1954 until the time of her death in 1996 and Chairman of the Virginia Fall Races for many years.

Photo courtesy of the North American Field Hunter Championship

is published 5 times a year.

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 15, 2019 Payment in full due with copy.

Publisher: Marion Maggiolo Managing Editor: J. Harris Anderson Advertising: Debbie Cutler (540) 347-3141, (800) 882-4868, Email: hcdebbiebtc@aol.com Contributors: Aga; W. Turner Boone; John J. Carle II, ex-MFH; Martha Drum; Lauren R. Giannini; Will O’Keefe; Virginia Equine Alliance; Jenny Young LAYOUT & DESIGN: Kate Houchin Copyright © 2019 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXXI, No. 3 POSTMASTER: CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Regular subscription 5 issues $25.00, U.S.A. First Class subscription $35.00, Europe, Canada, etc. $45.00

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2019

REMEMBRANCE Albert O. Poe Huntsman, Hound Man The woods sound like they’re coming apart when you have forty hounds really doing their job. There are no thrills in any kind of work that can compare to that.

Albert Poe Widely considered the best breeder of American Foxhounds of the 20th century, Albert O. Poe, who passed away on May 18, 2019, was born August 7, 1931 into a foxhunting family. At their farm near Hume, Virginia, Albert’s father, Ollie Poe, maintained a small pack of carefully bred American hounds, and it was as a toddler that Albert’s passion for venery was ignited.

From an early age, Albert had a gift with horses, and soon neighbors were sending ponies to be broken, ensuring that he always had a mount (albeit often a rank one) upon which to follow hounds. As a teenager, Albert became fascinated with hound breeding, analyzing and studying his father’s careful selection. By his middle teens, Albert was taking a major role in the breeding and hunting of the family pack.

In 1946 the Old Dominion Hounds were in dire need of a huntsman, and Melvin Poe, Albert’s older brother, fresh out of the army, accepted the position. To Albert O. Poe ensure sport, Albert would bring his hounds along on 8/7/1931-5/18/2019 Douglas Lees photo hunting days when he whipped-in to Melvin. During this period, Albert whipped in gratis, and his reputation as an exceptional horseman and hound man flourished.

In 1954 the Piedmont Foxhounds were looking for a huntsman. Albert applied and, after a successful interview with Joint Masters Mrs. A. C. Randolph and Paul Mellon, was taken on as First Whipper-In, edging 27 other applicants. At opening meet in 1954 Albert, at 23, became the youngest professional huntsman in the country. And thus began a relationship which lasted for 21 wonderful years, during which time Albert bred the very best pack in the United States (the equal of any in the world), and produced such sport as had never been seen before.

Early on, Piedmont only hunted Tuesdays and Fridays, and on the other days Albert was responsible for trail clearing and paneling. With two young sons, Steve and Larry, showing a keen interest in hunting, Albert formed a beagle pack that met Saturdays to hunt rabbits. All the local children came mounted, and these meets became wildly popular, inspiring a new generation of hunting enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Albert was breeding his dream pack of Bywaters-strain American hounds. Biddable, cheerful, and eager to please, the Bywaters hound is compliant enough to break easily, yet independent enough to work out problems without undue interference. Albert bred for nose and cry, favoring a hound that could hunt under any conditions and over any foil, and blessed with a voice that “bellows so the woods rock…”

As Albert’s pack evolved and sport improved, followers demanded more hunting days, and soon Piedmont was carding four days a week. Fridays were the showcase days.

The best hounds in the kennel hunted the crème de la crème of the vast Piedmont country, followed by huge fields, beautifully mounted. But none were better mounted than Albert, for he had to be to keep in touch with what Buster Chadwell called his “big galloping hounds.”

Albert left Piedmont in 1975 to pursue racing full time. He trained his horses with great success at Charles Town—too successfully, for all were soon claimed, and Albert went to work as an outrider. Then Randolph D. Rouse, MFH, came calling.

Fairfax Huntsman Mike Rowe was in failing health, and Albert was hired. The pack of English and Crossbred hounds needed improvement, and to this end Albert turned to his sources of Bywaters blood. One of the best hounds he imported came from a drag pack, the Norfolk Hunt in Massachusetts. Norfolk “Winthrop” ’74 sired a number of excellent hounds, notably Bull Run “Wellington,” who in turn sired the famous Piedmont “Watchman.”

In 1980 Albert moved to Middleburg Hunt, a bastion of Bywaters blood. Almost every hound in the kennel traced its lineage back to Piedmont and the famous hounds Albert had bred. For 15 years he showed superior sport at Middleburg and was able to successfully balance hunting and racing to everyone’s satisfaction.

Upon retiring from Middleburg, Albert continued to hunt, often with brother Melvin.

When Melvin retired from Orange County, he continued to hunt George Ohrstrom’s Bath County Hounds, and Albert’s hounds were eventually absorbed into the pack.

The man whom author Raymond G. Woolfe, Jr. called “…the quintessential huntsman, a veritable wizard with horses, hounds and people…” has left an indelible mark on the foxhunting world. So many hunts are indebted to Albert Poe for the excellence of their packs. It is an incomparable legacy.

“And,” said Albert, “nobody enjoyed it more than I did!”

This remembrance is an excerpt from the biography written by John J. Carle, II, exMFH, commemorating Albert Poe’s induction into the Huntsmen’s Room at the Museum of Hounds & Hunting in 2011.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2019

HOUND SHOWS

Green Spring Valley “Sapphire” Crowned Grand Champion at Virginia

By Lauren R. Giannini

Champion English and Reserve Grand Champion Hound Hillsboro “Modest” ’18 with (l-r) Huntsman John Gray; Charlie Burke; Dana Burke, Honorary Secretary; Orrin Ingram, MFH; Leilani Gray, Professional Whipper-In; and Michael Lindley, MFH. Liz Callar photo

Champion Cross-Bred and Grand Champion Hound Green Spring Valley “Sapphire” ’18 with (l-r) Huntsman Ashley Hubbard; Whit Foster, MFH; J.W.Y. Martin, Jr., MFH; Joan Jones, ex-MFH, President, Virginia Foxhound Club; Sheila Jackson Brown, MFH. Karen Kandra photo

Huntsman Reg Spreadborough shows off the form and grace of Champion American Hound Orange County “Texas” ’17.

Liz Callar photo

Orange County “Ketchup” admires his trophy for Single American Dog Unentered as Huntsman Reg Spreadborough shows him in good form and Tim Harmon, MFH, Middleburg Hunt, looks on. Joanne Maisano photo

The Virginia Foxhound Club welcomed more than 600 hounds from 37 hunts, including several firsttime packs, to the 72nd Annual Show of Champions, a traditional fixture at Morven Park during Memorial Day Weekend. In all five rings, the quality of the hounds was evident as more homebreds, drafts, and outcrosses competed against their own “families” and often won.

That’s the story of Green Spring Valley “Sapphire” ’18. This year’s Grand Champion is the progeny of Midland “Crusher” ’13 out of this year’s Performance Trial Champion, Midland “Shilo” ’15 blessed with genes from champions Midland “Rocket” ’11 and “Roxanne” ’07. Mason Lampton, MFH Midland, gave the very young puppy to a young enthusiast, Samantha Michel, as a gift to Green Spring Valley where her whipper-in father Tim was moving.

Another boost from stellar bloodlines blessed the Reserve Grand Champion: Hillsboro “Modest” ’18, an English bitch by Hillsboro “Moreton” ’13 out of Hillsboro “Sable” ’14, herself the progeny of 2012 Grand Champion Live Oak “Farrier” ’10 x Live Oak “Sarah” ’10. That’s only two instances of how the generosity of enthusiasts refreshes gene pools.

Coleman Perrin, ex-MFH Deep Run, presided over the four breed champions for the Grand Championship: Orange County “Texas” ’17, American; Hillsboro “Modest” ’18, English; Golden’s Bridge “Amber” ’16, Penn-Marydel; and GSV “Sapphire” ’18, Crossbred.

“This was the easiest Grand Championship class I have judged,” Perrin said. “I liked the Orange County dog [Texas] and the Hillsboro bitch [Modest], but the hound Green Spring Valley had in there [Sapphire] was as close to perfect as I’ve seen in a long

time. She was very well balanced and she had a lot of composure. At the end of the day, a lot of hounds were wilting from the heat, but she didn’t seem bothered by anything. She was perky—saying ‘look at me’— and really showed herself well.”

It’s a very long day for hounds and humans, and if “presence” is a mark of a champion, “Sapphire” had it from the git-go, handled in the ring by GSV huntsman Ashley Hubbard and, during the lunch break, helping Samantha to garner her second Junior Handler win, showing, as Lampton put it, “the beautiful nature both Sammy and Sapphire share. They were two ladies promenading in great form.” They would win again at Bryn Mawr, a hat trick with their earlier blue at Maryland.

American Foxhounds It’s traditional for a shoot-out to take place in Ring 1 between small kennels (under 20 couple) and large (more than 20 couple) where many hounds boasted championship bloodlines from Potomac hounds. Regardless of size, however, the stallion and brood bitches are judged together. The presiding judge was Marion Thorne, MFH-Huntsman Genesee Valley.

Orange County’s deep bench earned serious bragging rights as their “Texas” ’17, the progeny of the 2016 American Foxhound Champion (Potomac “Templeton” ’12 out of Orange County “Manic” ’13), earned the Dog Hound Championship. Later in the day, “Texas” earned his own star as the American Foxhound Champion.

“It was a very, very good day for Orange County,” said John Coles, senior MFH. “Our huntsman Reg Spreadborough has been doing the hound breeding and showing for many years. We’re very pleased with our hounds.”

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15 talented contestants vied for the horn blowing championship during the Virginia Foxhound Club’s annual dinner on Saturday, May 25, 2019, on the eve of the Virginia Foxhound Show. This year’s winner was (fourth from right) Spencer Allen, Huntsman, Live Oak Hounds. John Tabachka (second from right), Huntsman, Sewickley Hunt, was runner-up. Liz Callar photo

Middleburg Hunt did very well with wins and places in more than 20 couple and won the American Pack class. Their “Jinx” ’17 was awarded the Virginia Foxhound Perpetual Cup for Best American Bitch, Entered.

Winners of under 20 couple classes featured Aiken “Ludacris” in Unentered Dog and Aiken “Kingpin” ’18 in Entered Dog. Brazos Valley “Mystic” ’11 earned Best Stallion Hound shown with get. Piedmont Foxhounds “Misfit” and “Manic” (packmates, but not littermates) placed first and second respectively in Unentered Bitch. Goshen “Kaidence” ’13 earned the judge’s nod in Entered Bitch.

Piedmont Fox Hounds “Misfit” (Brazos Valley “Mudbug” ’14 x Piedmont “Monitor” ’16) took home the reserve title as Best Unentered American Hound and also the American Foxhound Reserve Championship.

“The Texas hound against Misfit was very tough—I was so attracted to both hounds,” Thorne said. “Texas had a real presence and maybe looked a little more powerful, and I really loved Misfit too. I agonized over that decision. As for the Potomac influence, I’m a fan. They really have a stamp and the consistency of that stamp is a credit to Larry [Pitt]’s program. I think the Potomac blood has been beneficial everywhere it has gone.”

English Foxhounds The English ring, judged by Henry Berkeley, MFH Berkeley Hunt, culminated in the “ladies” winning top honors and Live Oak basking in their own glory.

Hillsboro “Modest” ’18 claimed the English crown. Live Oak “Trusty” earned the reserve championship after she qualified with a first in Unentered Bitch, then garnered Best Unentered Hound over Amwell Valley “Hudson,” winner of Unentered Dog. Orrin Ingram, MFH Hillsboro, and huntsman John Gray have worked together on their breeding program to develop a pack of Crossbred and English hounds that hunt and show well. “I want to stress that our recent success doesn’t happen by chance,” said Ingram. “Johnny and Leilani Gray spend countless hours, seven days a week, working our hounds, helping to plan our matings and finding the right places to draft our surplus hounds. Without all their hard work, we would just be another pack of foxhounds.”

Ingram credits “Sable’s” stamp on her offspring, such as “Modest,” for providing Hillsboro with much needed depth in the pack. He isn’t concerned that the dog hounds may not be as showy, although “Sable’s” blood placed second and third to the English Dog Champion who went on to win Bryn Mawr. “The best thing about Sable’s offspring,” Ingram said, “is their hunting ability, drive, grit, and mouth.”

Live Oak took home several big wins with dog hounds from different litters but the same sire and dam, their “Assault” and their “Fable”: Live Oak “Agent” ’16 aced the Dog Championship to cap off his win in Entered Dog. Live Oak’s young ladies enjoyed a field day as their “Trusty” began her romp to the reserve honors with blue ribbons in UnLive Oak “Agent” ’16 Champion English Dog Entered entered Bitch and then with litter- with (l-r) Spencer Allen, Huntsman; Jack Hutcheson, mate “Trinket” in Unentered MFH, Old Dominion Hounds; C. Martin Wood III, MFH, Live Oak Hounds. Joanne Maisano photo Couple. Live Oak bested

Loudoun Fairfax for the pack win.

Hillsboro placed in every English dog class, but it was the distaff that recorded a banner day with “Modest” campaigning successfully for the English championship.

“The standard is good, dominated by two packs, Live Oak and Hillsboro,” said Berkeley, who judged for the second time at Virginia. “I felt the Hillsboro bitches were better furnished than their male counterparts. Numbers were down, which was disappointing, but the packs that showed, showed well. Modest is a lovely, mature, well-coupled bitch. When you stand over her, she had a lovely strong back and an elegant shoulder. The key to Modest’s success was her attitude. She had a keen eye, enthusiasm in the ring, and presence. She moved well.”

Crossbred Foxhounds Crossbreds are divided by pack size into less than 35 couple, judged by Irwin L. Crawford II, MFH Potomac Hunt, and more than 35 couple, judged by Dennis Foster, former MFHA Executive Director. Classes tend to be big and very competitive with both rings qualifying hounds for the breed championships and, ultimately, this year’s winner of Best In Show, Green Spring Valley “Sapphire.”

Under 35 couple: Goshen finished one-two with their “Poacher” and their “Port” in Unentered Dog, with their “Poet” winning Unentered Bitch. Other winners included Camden Hunt “Tartan” and “Towell” (Couple, Unentered Dog); Bedford County “Detroit” ’17 (Entered Dog); Deep Run “Sentry” ’17 and “Shropshire” ’17 teamed for first in Couple of Entered Dogs; their “Cameo” ’18 won Entered Bitch, and, with littermate “Caper” ’18, harvested blue in Entered Couple, Bitches. Blue Ridge “Merit” was deemed Best Crossbred Bitch.

More than 35 couple: Elkridge-Harford, Green Spring Valley, Hillsboro, Live Oak, and Midland divvied up the class wins. When both sets of qualified hounds met, title classes had five or six contenders. Deep Run “Cameo” ’18 was named Reserve Champion Bitch, Elkridge-Harford “Merchant” earned Best Unentered Hound, and Hillsboro “Gomer” ’18 went home with the Dog Championship and the Reserve Crossbred Championship. Midland “Stinger” ’16 prevailed as the Reserve Champion Dog Hound.

Crawford and Foster were in agreement about their top picks for the Crossbred Championship, but admitted giving considerable thought to their selections.

“The overall quality of hounds this year was exceptional and Green Spring Valley Sapphire and Hillsboro Gomer were both fantastic hounds,” said Foster. “Maybe on another day Gomer would have taken it, but Sapphire literally floated over the ground just a tad better than Gomer.”

“Sapphire” performed brilliantly for huntsman Ashley Hubbard, the most recent addition to what J.W.Y “Duck” Martin, MFH Green Spring Valley, calls GSV’s who’s who of huntsmen: Les Grimes, Andrew Barclay, Sam Clifton. Their last grand champion was more than 25 years ago when Single Crossbred Dog Unentered Goshen’s Grimes was showing hounds and “Poacher” with (l-r standing) Robert Taylor, MFHVirginia hadn’t yet moved from Oat- Huntsman, Goshen Hounds; Ellie Slater, ex-MFH; (kneeling) Sarah Seggel. Joanne Maisano photo lands to Morven Park. Continued

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Huntsman Codie Jane Hayes displays the conformation that helped Golden’s Bridge “Amber” ’16 earn the judges’ nod as Champion PennMarydel Hound. Liz Callar photo

Introducing a youngster to the sport of “drag hunting.”

Joanne Maisano photo

Leigha Crisp of The Camden Hunt showed Atticus to secure top place in the Junior Handler Division 2. Huntsman Melissa Rice joined Leigha in the ring as she received the honor. Joanne Maisano photo

“It’s very rewarding, after years of breeding foxhounds for the field, to have one jump up and win an overall Grand Championship,” Martin said.

“Sapphire was drafted to us by Midland and raised and entered by Green Spring Valley—our first Grand Champion of a total show. She’s a lovely bitch and a terrific mover, and also classy enough to be used in the Junior Handler classes by Sammy Michel, who won at Maryland, Virginia, and also Bryn Mawr.”

Penn-Marydel Foxhounds These hounds have come a long way, according to this year’s judge, John P. Ike III, ex-MFH Millbrook. He first hunted Penn-Marydels many years ago when huntsman Donald Philhower brought them to Millbrook, but was injured at the start of the season.

“I’ve been playing this hound game a really long time,” Ike said. “It was interesting to see how our Millbrook Crossbreds interacted with the Penn-Marydels.”

Ike described the mixed pack dynamics as the “accordion effect”: Crossbreds were slightly faster and would be ahead, but when they came to a check, Penn-Marydels would pick up the scent and off the pack went, Penn-Marydels falling behind.

Thanks to what Ike described as the PMD “upgrade” by Philhower, Jody Murtaugh, and Bob Crompton, Penn-Marydels now have looks and more than enough speed.

“The Penn-Marydel has come light years from what they used to be,” Ike said. “They were ‘working class’ hounds, bred only for their hunting ability, voice, nose, and drive. Fifty years ago, they weren’t very good-looking, but back then nobody emphasized conformation.”

All that has changed. When Golden’s Bridge “Phoenix” ’12 won Champion Unentered PennMarydel at Virginia in 2012, he was “the most beautiful hound I ever saw,” Ike recalled. After taking several other ribbons the following week at Bryn Mawr and again in 2013 at Virginia, “Phoenix’s” greatest triumph took place in 2014 when Jake Carle, ex-MFH-Huntsman, awarded him the Grand Championship—only the second Penn-Marydel ever to earn Best In Show at Virginia. The following weekend at Bryn Mawr, “Phoenix” substantiated that title when Tony Leahy, MFH-Huntsman, endorsed the Penn-Marydel as Grand Champion Foxhound en route to declaring “Phoenix” Best In Show.

This year, Golden’s Bridge Hounds dominated in the Penn-Marydel ring, winning six classes, three championships, and three reserve championships. Their “Amber” ’18 scored the trifecta of Entered Bitch, Champion Bitch, and Champion Penn-Marydel.

Moore County Hounds placed in most of their classes, with their “Zephyr” claiming the reserve Penn-Marydel Championship.

David Feureisen, MFH Golden’s Bridge, said, “It’s interesting that the GBH hounds which do best at shows are also our top hunting hounds.

Smurf won the Stallion Hound at Virginia and at Bryn Mawr and he’s been our lead hound for the past two to three seasons. He’s fast and powerful.

GBH Poppy won the Brood Bitch class. She’s a strong hunter, always near the front of the pack.

Her mother Pippa qualified for the Performance Trial Championship held this year in Alabama. Of course, we are all super impressed with GBH

Amber (breed champion at Virginia and Bryn Mawr). Her half-brother Yeti just entered in ’18 and he also won his class at Bryn Mawr.”

In addition to raving about their Penn-Marydels, Feureisen praised their huntsman, Codie Jane Hayes, who grew up in the kennels under the mentorship of her grandfather, Jody Murtaugh. “Codie just finished her fifth full season with Golden’s Bridge,” said Feureisen. “My joint-Masters and I could not be prouder of her performance in the hunt field, in the kennel, and in the show ring.

Codie’s success really flows from her relationship with the hounds and her work ethic. Since Codie arrived, Golden’s Bridge has focused on quality over quantity. This enables Codie to bond with each hound. She has enough confidence in her hounds to let them hunt with little interference. She understands PMD pedigrees and bloodlines. She has grown into a topnotch huntsman and is providing really good sport for the members of Golden’s Bridge.”

Performance Hounds The Performance Hound Championship is the penultimate class at Virginia, and hounds must qualify at specially designated Performance Trial meets during the hunting season. This year’s contenders hailed from De La Brooke, Mill Creek Hunt Club, Moore County Hounds, Red Oak Foxhounds, Wentworth, and Midland Foxhounds.

Midland “Shilo” ’15 took home the top honors and the prestigious Benjamin H. Hardaway Perpetual Cup. Moore County “Dour” ’17 earned reserve honors.

“This class judged itself, by their manner and overall quality,” Jake Carle said. “The first three hounds blew the others away. It’s like judging a beauty contest because these hounds are all at Virginia because they excelled in the hunt field. For this class you can ignore cosmetic blemishes because they’re hunting hounds, but you can’t overlook structural shortcomings. Shilo was head and shoulders above the rest. She has wonderful conformation, she’s built to do the job, and I liked her balance and the way she covered the ground effortlessly. She has presence.”

Mason Lampton, Senior MFH Midland, would agree with all that and then some. Bred to Midland “Crusher” ’15, “Shilo” whelped a superb litter that included “Sapphire” and several beautiful bitches.

As for Green Spring Valley “Sapphire” winning both Virginia and Bryn Mawr and her dam Midland “Shilo” ’15 earning the Performance Championship at Virginia, this was success enough for Lampton, who said, “I am plenty pleased— breeding this quality is a joy.”

Grand Champion of the 2019 Virginia Foxhound Show Green Spring Valley “Sapphire” ’18. Liz Callar photo

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2019

JUNIORS

“Young Entry” Display Their Skills at the Junior Handlers Hound Show

By Martha Drum

With its stunning views of the Blue Ridge, Larry Levy’s The Hill was a perfect location for the second annual Central Virginia Young Entry Junior Handlers Hound Show on May 19, 2019. Forty children participated in the unique event, which featured a full slate of classes devoted entirely to youngsters under age 16. Judge Epp Wilson, MFH, Belle Meade Hunt, traveled from Georgia to offer advice and encouragement to every entrant, from how to throw a biscuit to how to crack a whip. Open to foxhounds, bassets, and beagles (and at least one Jack Russell), the show brought together the next generation of sport in a welcoming and educational setting.

Founded in 2017, Central Virginia Young Entry (CVYE) offers activities in support of its mission “to foster enthusiasm for equestrian activities and the outdoors among children in the greater Central Virginia area.” The annual Junior Handlers Show provides an opportunity for both experienced foxhunting youngsters and those with little or no sporting background to learn about handling hounds, to meet their peers from a wider geographic area, and to support preservation of open space. Each year a relevant charity is chosen as the show’s beneficiary, and thanks to the generous support of dozens of donors, $2,500 was raised for the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.

The program began with a moment of silence for Albert Poe, who passed away the day before. It was observed that surely the legendary huntsman and hound breeder would approve of seeing so many children together celebrating hounds and the countryside. Judge Epp was then faced with his first classes - two sections of tiny competitors age six and under, including host Larry Levy’s two-year-old granddaughter showing from grandpa’s hip. Blue ribbons went to Collins Brown, son of Rappahannock Hunt MFH Michael Brown, and to beagle handler Will Hepper.

Winners of the next section, age 7-10, included Cade Altman and Bo Turner. Along with all other first place winners, they received gift certificates to Horse Country Saddlery and hand-painted fox and grapes ceramic plates from Merrill Strange of Or-

JUNIORS

Mac Turner of Deep Run Hunt prepares to compete in the 11-to16-year-old division as several fellow competitors look on in anticipation of awards. As Deep Run is still recovering from the recent loss of their kennel building in a fire, Bull Run Hunt offered the use of one of their hounds so Mac and his younger brother Bo could participate in the show. Alice Porter photo

ange. In the oldest section, Emmy Brown and Evan Dombrowsky placed on top. In addition to ribbons for first through sixth places, each child received an Exhibitor ribbon, a goodie bag donated by Horse Country Saddlery, and beautiful personalized certificates for two free caps at Belle Meade! This generous gift from Epp Wilson, valid for the child to hunt twice or to hunt with an adult alongside, created a great deal of excitement before the show and set a terrific standard for encouraging the future leaders of our sport.

Highlighting our duty of stewardship for our older hounds, the Retired Hound class was won by Evan Dombrowsky and his family’s pensioner, Admiral. Canine Concierge & Equine of Palmyra donated a dog bed, bowl, and 10-pound box of biscuits as special prizes for this class. As with every class at this show, hounds were available to be “donated” by their owners/huntsmen so that children with no hunt affiliation, or whose hunt did not bring hounds, could participate. Entries included connections to eight hunts: Bull Run, Deep Run (showing a Bull Run

hound), Farmington Beagles, Middleburg, New Market-Middletown Valley, Old Dominion, Rappahannock, and Thornton Hill.

Farmington Beagles and Bull Run Hunt then contested the modified Pack Class, which featured several couples walking out per the judge’s instructions with their huntsman and several junior whippers-in. The beagles earned the judge’s nod for the blue ribbons in a competitive class which made good use of the tree-lined driveway and field just beyond the lawn, where most classes had been held. Kathleen Cameron donated a decorated mirror and Liz Callar provided several fox photo prints for the winning team members.

After hounds were cooled off and put up, entries gathered in a shady corner of the ring for the horn blowing and whip cracking contests. All ages were enthusiastically represented and cheered on by the crowd, with Henry Nylen ultimately winning the horn blowing, and Colby Poe’s ambidextrous whip cracking earning the top spot in the final class. These young men received a hunt horn and a custom-carved whip handle, respectively, donated by Dark Horse Whip Handles of Shadwell. Judge Epp kindly stayed long after the final results to provide one-on-one coaching on the proper technique with the whip.

Organizers Martha Drum, Cynthia Whitman, and Melissa Zeller did their best to anticipate every need, particularly the challenge of keeping hounds and small humans cool on a 90-degree May afternoon. With Larry’s Levy’s generous hosting, several fans, a handy hose, and a 50-gallon cooling tub allowed both four- and two-leggeds to recover after their stints on the sunny boards. Meanwhile, Sally Lamb and her formidable crew provided a lavish lunch spread beneath several ringside tents.

We want to thank all our volunteers, donors, parents, and fantastic kids for their support. With its sole focus on children, including those with no prior hound or hunting experience, and a friendly atmosphere, the Junior Handler Show expects to grow in 2020. For more information, follow our Facebook group, Central Virginia Young Entry, or email Melissa Zeller at melissa_zeller@yahoo.com.

Junior Field Hunter Championship Prepares for Qualifiers & Finals

The 2019 Finals for the Junior North American Field Hunter Championship will be held in the Middleburg, Virginia, area over the weekend of November 910. The Championship will take place on Saturday at Old Whitewood Farm, located in the beautiful Orange County Hounds country.

A special event is planned on Friday night. David Twiggs, Executive Director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, has invited the JNAFHC participants and their families to visit the new MFHA headquarters in Middleburg. This will be a wonderful opportunity to tour this newly renovated historic building and hear about the MFHA’s role in promoting mounted hunting and encouraging juniors to become involved in the sport. The Saturday night party will feature a dinner and the ever-popular—and always lively—horn blowing and whip cracking contests.

Qualifying meets are held during hunt season. Most are scheduled from September through early November, but dates may vary depending on the hunting season in a given area. Check with your local hunt. Hunts all along the East Coast from Massachusetts to Florida, as far north as Canada, and as far west as Washington State are already on board to host qualifiers. More may be added as we get closer to hunt season, so be sure to check out the website (see below) for updates.

This program is designed to achieve several important goals. Number one is for juniors to come together, get to know each other, form friendships that may last a lifetime, and enjoy foxhunting. Seeing juniors embrace the sport is a vivid way to remind hunt members how important juniors are to preserving both foxhunting and the countryside. The JNAFHC has proven to be a valuable tool in encouraging more cooperation among hunt clubs, thus strengthening the bonds of foxhunting throughout the country. Juniors travel around to the different par-

ticipating hunts, enjoy hunting in new territory, and learn about the different hound packs.

We encourage everyone who cares about the future of foxhunting to help support the JNAFHC. For more information, go to www.jnafhc.com or contact Marion Chungo at 540-220-7292 or Mchungo@aol.com.

Hillsboro Hounds (TN) kicked off the 2019 JNAFHC season on March 10. The smiles on Juniors (l-r) Kate Puckett, Brooks Marie Sneed, Audri Hoos, and Ava Wood are what these events are all about. Brenda Black photo

8

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2019

HOUND TRIALS

A Trifecta for Ripshin Bassets at Spring Trials

By W. Turner Boone

Thirteen basset packs gathered at the Institute Farm in Aldie, Virginia, on the third weekend in April for the spring Basset Trials. The 512-acre Institute Farm is the headquarters of the National Beagle Club of America and hosts a variety of events, including beagle and basset field trials in the spring and fall. Basset packs came from Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. The newly formed Old Port Bassets from Montreal, Quebec, made their debut.

Over the course of four days, each pack hunted up to three times for 50 minutes each hunt, first with seven couple, then three couple, and finally a five couple. The packs were judged on their ability to find and run rabbits as well as conformation and presentation. The trials concluded with a stake, in which the packs entered hounds to be hunted by a neutral huntsman, Michael Gottier, with hounds judged individually.

A committee of able judges was assembled to provide two judges each day: Neil Amatt, Stephanie Woods-Phillips, Alasdair Storer, and Katie Schoettle.

The Ripshin Bassets from Ellerslie, Georgia, pulled off a trifecta, winning the seven, three, and five couple classes. Ripshin is the first pack to win each class since the introduction of the seven couple class.

The Ripshin is a crossbred basset pack started by Ann and Edgar Hughston in 1987. Ann Hughston attempts to put into practice what she has learned from Ben Hardaway in order to breed a pack where every hound is able to find, run, pick the check, and account for the rabbit.

For years Ann and Edgar’s daughter, Sally Bickerstaff, was stuck at home caring for horses and whelping puppies while her parents traveled to the Basset Trials, with Edgar hunting the hounds and Ann whipping in. Beginning in 2014, Sally began hunting the hounds in the large wooded coverts shared with the Midland Foxhounds. Hunting there does not suit the timid. Coyotes are plentiful and the trim and fast Ripshin crossbreds can run them well. Mounted whips are almost mandatory. Sally has been diligently working with her pack and prior to arriving in Aldie reported that her hounds were “on fire.”

In the Seven couple, the hounds trailed a rabbit in the cool mid-morning until they finally erupted in full cry and ran it hard to the edge of the Institute Farm along Oatlands road. The rabbit obligingly stayed on the grounds and the hounds were pulled running when time expired.

For the three couple, the Ripshin began their hunt as heavy rain began and tornado watches were issued.

Despite the miserable conditions, the hounds found several rabbits and ran them well, making the most of their allotted time.

For the five couple, Ripshin found itself on a warm afternoon in the Oliver Iselin enclosure, but with all gates open, as the Skycastle had ended its hunt there.

The hounds quickly found, running a rabbit back and forth along the southern Sally Bickerstaff, MBH/Huntsman, Ripshin Bassets. edge of the enclosure, delighting the field with multiple views. After that rabbit was lost and the hounds refreshed themselves with a dip in a small pond, huntsman Sally Bickerstaff decided to stay in the enclosure. The hounds found near the southeast entrance and ran the rabbit hard to the northern boundary. The hounds brought the rabbit quickly all the way back south and were headed back north when time expired.

Although Ripshin swept the awards for hunting, they let two of the awards that are scored 50% hunting and 50% presentation and conformation slip away to the Foxboro Foot Hounds and Three Creek Bassets. Hounds with extreme drive to get in the bushes sometimes fail to present and parade perfectly for the judges at the beginning of the hunt.

Following the hunting on Saturday afternoon, the masters, staff, and friends of the assembled packs celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Hill and Hollow Basset Hounds of Howard County, Maryland. Tribute was paid to the late Marion Scullin, founder, master, and huntsman of the Hill and Hollow. Fittingly, Hill and Hollow Bumble emerged victorious in the stake on Sunday morning.

FOX ACCENT LAMP 1888-AL0001 (HC1A) $47.95

THINKING FOX WALL CLOCK 1893-WC0001 (HC1B) $59.95

Imaginative Gifts Abound

SPIRIT SPIRAL NOTEBOOK 1893-NB0001 (HC1C) $12.80

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BELMONT CHEESE DOME 4005-H236BT (HC1L) $56.50

(540) 347-3141 • 800-88-2-HUNT (4868) 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, Virginia 20186 Store Hours: Monday–Friday 9AM - 6PM, Saturday 9AM - 5PM (ET)

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BROADVIEW Ave.

W IN CH ES TE R

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Store Hours: Monday–Friday 9AM - 6PM, Saturday 9AM - 5PM (ET)

29

17 Pk. DRIA ALEXAN

60 Alexandria Pike • Warrenton, Virginia 20186

To WASHINGTON via I-66 Rt. 17 By pass

To CULPEPER & CHARLOTTESVILLE

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2019

AGA’S SAGAS

9

Wanted: Live-In Executive Assistant (Scotties Only Need Apply)

It was a hot as Hades day at the Virginia Hound Show. Martha, Sophie, and I unloaded the van and created the Horse Country display for exhibitors and friends attending the show. This year, our 20th annual appearance, we chose straw hats, scarves, stationery and books, our wildly popular Degas rain cape, and gift items folks would want to take home to their stable and dog sitters. For those gifts, we packed our most vibrant sherbet colored HC bags. Hot yet festive…our motto for the day.

The 8” tall grass at Morven Park was wet from the previous evening’s deluge, and if you didn’t bring Le Chameau wellies, dry socks were needed by 9 am.

We stacked the socks in baskets at the checkout table and offered a nice chair so one could change to fresh socks with ease. For aesthetics, presenting a southern feel in a field, Martha placed huge hydrangeas in tall decorative urns at tent corners and, inside, created a showpiece floral display for the main table; salvia, liriope, and something purple. Piled on small dishes, bite size squares of bakery teacakes and banana bread were offered.

Full service, yessiree! Not exactly Abercrombie and Kent, but a nice presentation nonetheless.

I was refreshing myself with a wet wipe when a woman entered the tent and asked about the dog bed on display, the one with cavorting foxes. I mentioned it was also available with cavorting chickens and cows if she so desired. She asked if we had it with cavorting Scotties. Bingo! My mind started to race. Perhaps she has an older Scottie looking for a nice home.

She asked to sit in the chair next to me and gently questioned me about my desire for a rescue Scottie. I told the woman about Aga and Bunsen and my search for an older dog now that they were gone. She was upbeat and we spent 15 minutes eating cake and sharing pet-finding experiences. She explained why people adopt pets to suit various purposes. Older folks look for companionship in their golden years. Some seek a guardian, vigilant in protecting the hearth and loved ones. Others just want conversation. Then she told me about her best friend, Gertrude.

“People want to outlive their pets,” she said. “Of course, my friend, Gertrude, who adopted a Galapagos turtle, went too far.” Gertrude’s unusual pet fulfilled a rather specific job.

“Here is where Gertrude’s pet, Rocky, leaves a bit to be desired,” she said.

“After 300 years of plodding through life, Rocky still divides all things into two groups, dragonflies and lettuce. However, he follows Gertrude around the garden toting an amply supplied Campari bar tray on his shell which, she avers, beats the heck out of witticisms any mid-afternoon.”

The quest to find the right pet is fraught with misunderstandings. I told my cake-eating friend about several attempts to find the right terrier. My first attempt, in London many years ago, led me to a “pet” adoption agency where a man in a snappy jacket and very little mustache sat across from me shaking his head as I recited my desires in a pet. He didn’t seem to be listening and finally wagged his finger back and forth, “Pardon my interruption, but you don’t really want a Scottie. Or a dog for that matter. You are definitely a snake person. I have a sense about these things.”

“He has a sense about these things,” said his secretary, never looking up from

Liz Callar www.smugmug.com

her typing.

He continued, “I have two boa constrictors, both young, under 6 feet.”

“Eight feet now,” said the secretary.

“Eight feet,” he rushed on. “Just babies. Cute as can be. And I will throw in two months of rodents.”

Needless to say, I did not go in that direction. I refined my search to highly recommended English agencies that specialized in placing Scotties in good homes. One such place seemed to be scrutinizing me to an extreme degree.

When I was admitted to the agent’s spaClaudia Coleman illustration cious London office, I was handed a stack of forms to fill out. As I went through them, I was caught up short.

I said, “This form gives permission to access Interpol for any criminal history I may have! And this one requires certified copies of my tax returns for five years!

Why is this necessary?”

“We must ensure the new owners are responsible and able to maintain a high level of quality living, allow for a smooth and comfortable transition to a new home. Our current adoptees come from one of the oldest and most distinguished houses in England. “ I asked, jokingly, who would possibly expect me to hand feed my Scottie with a silver spoon? After a moment of silence, the reply came, “One of the oldest and most distinguished houses in England.”

After my guest and I laughed about our puppy search experiences, she trundled off in search of Scottie jewelry. For myself and the store, a pet should, in addition to performing all the duties of a loving member of the company and personal household, offer sage advice on affairs of business, which is to supply the best quality and most fashionable apparel and supplies to my clients, the lovers of horses and hounds, dogs, rabbits and donkeys, and small children. For this, “Make no mistake, only a Scottie will do,” Aga would bark.

You may remember when the owners of a not too distant saddlery, not to be named, adopted as their business advisor a Shih Tzu, with a major in Feng Shui.

Well, after three buying cycles, things came to a head, to be sure. Product was flimsy, unsuitable colors, and obviously disrespectful of tradition. The company soon closed the door. “’Twas verra sad,” Bunsen said at the time. “But such would nae have happened if the owner had relied on the wisdom of a Scottie. There are two things ye can always depend on a Scottie to uphold: quality and tradition.”

“True, Bunsen,” Aga agreed. “But we also have to be mindful of changing trends and tastes. I have to keep the store up to date and well stocked. Prepared for any eventuality, for anyone who calls or walks in the door. My Marion can only do so much.”

“Aye, and what a lucky lass she is to hae your wee self as such a trusty helper.

With a wee touch of assistance from m’self, of course.”

Yes, I thought, I was a lucky lass to have had their help for so many years.

With those soundbites in my head, I walked out of the tent, into the glaring sunlight, looked at all the beautiful hounds, the hard working exhibitors, and the well turned out spectators, and called back to the folks in the tent. “It’s way cooler out here, ladies.”

10

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2019

HORSE COUNTRY BOOKSELLERS

York, 1933. #474 of ltd. ed. of 780 copies, signed by Paul JENNY’S PICKS Brown. No dj, fair cond., bumped corners, upper spine edge This issue I’m delving into the used book section entirely to frazzled. Exciting moments of equestrian sports captured in try to unearth some nice finds on various topics. pencil by the author/artist. Hardcover, unpaginated. $595. (#6439) De Trafford, Sir Humphrey F. The Horses of the British EmSpecialists in New, Old & Rare Books on Horses, Foxhunting, pire (2 Vols.). Southwood & Co., London, 1907(?). First ediCaldecott, Randolph. Randolph Caldecott’s “Graphic” PicEventing, Polo, Racing, Steeplechasing & Sporting Art tion. Blue patterned cloth cover, gold lettering. Good tures. George Routledge & Sons, London, 1883. Oblong condition, no dj, spines sun-faded, corners bumped. T.E.G., 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186 • 800-882-HUNT • 540-347-3141 folio, illus. in color. Ex-library, fair cond., worn hinges, marbled endpapers. Includes many pedigree charts of differbumped cardboard covers, lots of wear, original color picpedigrees, hound names, and sire lines. 277pp. $175.00 (#5942) ent breeds. A great compilation of breeding information about vartorial boards. A delightful picture book that includes chapters on ious British horse & pony breeds and types, some of which are no Sadler, Julius Trousdale, Jr. and Jacquelin D. J. American Stables, the hunting family, the steeplechase and haymaking. This may be longer in existence as a breed, such as the Yorkshire Coach Horse. an Architectural Tour. New York Graphic Society, Boston, 1981. the original predecessor to the “graphic novel” of today! Caldecott’s Vol. 1 includes Arabian, Eastern breeds, TB, Cleveland & Yorkshire Fine condition, dj fine. Green cloth cover, bottom page edges have humor is irresistible here, his artwork typically Victorian. Stories Coach horses, and steeplechasers, hunters, and trotters. Vol. 2 fea- “LB” stamped near the spine. A wonderful collection of pictures of include “Mr. Chumley’s Holidays,” “Flirtations in France,” “The tures Hackneys & other harness horses; polo ponies; Welsh, Shet- some of America’s finest stables, mostly b&w but some in color. It Rivals,” “Our Haymaking,” “Mr. Carlyon’s Christmas,” “The land, Exmoor, “mountain and moorland” ponies; Clydesdale, Shire, is also an architectural history of stable styles and includes a few Wychdale Steeplechase,” “A Hunting Family,” and “A Visit to and Suffolk draft breeds, and Australian and “colonial” from the Old Country for comparison. Hardcover, 219pp. $150.00 Venice.” Hardcover, 96pp. $100.00 (#2253) (Indian/African) breeds. Many b&w photos of prominent breeding (#5855) Edwards, Lionel. Beasts of the Chase. Putnam & Co. Ltd, London, stock. Hardcover. Vol. 1-286pp. Vol. 2-245pp. text plus numerous Hunting has been a favorite topic for artists beginning with the cave paintings of our long-distant ancestors. We have numerous used 1950. First ed. 4to, dj badly torn; book itself in very good cond. Ilphotos of breeders at the back. $395.00 (#6314) lustrations in b&w (pencil reproductions) and color by Lionel EdMacKay-Smith, Alexander. Masters of Foxhounds. Masters of books featuring the works of noted artists in our “stacks”; here are wards of the many beasts hunted by the English—foxes, hounds, a few of them for your consideration.

Foxhounds Assoc., Richmond, VA, 1980. Fine cond., signed by auotters, stags, hares, and more—including “man” (those who lay the thor, unnumbered one of 750 copies. Red cloth cover, no dj as is- Armour, G.D. The Humours of Sport. Bradbury, Agnew & Co., drag hunt, not escaped convicts, though there is mention of that sued, 4to, b&w illus. A history of the founding of the Masters of Ltd., London, n.d. Sm 4to oblong, bright red binding, all edges & with the bloodhounds). Hardcover, 49 pp. $125.00 (#3009) Foxhounds Assoc. of America, good character portraits of MFH’s. lettering gilt. Foxing on flyleaf front & rear, otherwise fine. Wonderful b&w plates, some with a light yellow background, most of Egerton, Judy. British Sporting Paintings. U. of Washington Press, Hardcover, 216pp. $125.00 (#5220) them humorous and most dealing with horses. Hardcover, 40pp. Seattle, 1985. Fine condition, dj fine. A full-color catalog of Paul MacKay-Smith, Alexander. The American Foxhound. American Mellon’s collection of sporting paintings that was donated to the $150. (#3994) Foxhound Club, Millwood, VA, 1968. Red cloth cover, no dj as isVirginia Museum. Most paintings are hunting or racing depictions; sued, fine cond., signed, #311 of 1,000 copies. Owner’s bookplate Brown, Paul. Aintree-Grand Nationals—Past and Present. Der- however, there are a few others illustrating rural life and animals. rydale Press, New York, 1930.

First ed.

Limited to 850 copies, profront flyleaf. A comprehensive history of the American foxhound, Hardcover, 87pp. $75.00 (#6276) including Penn-Marydels, with mention of Walker and Trigg lines fusely illus. by the author. Sm 4to, very good cond., gilt horse & that influenced the modern American foxhound. A host of b&w rider on front, spine worn top & bottom. Includes all great steeple- Leech, John. John Leech’s Pictures of Life and Characters, 3 Vols.

Bradbury, Agnew & Co, London, 1886/7. Good cond., 4to, brightly photographs of hounds, hunts, documents, etc. accompanies this chases, including Virginia Gold Cup. Hardcover, 191pp, $400. illus. covers, spines cracked & frayed. Wonderful b&w caricatures massive reference text. Hardcover, 451pp including supplemental (#5142) Brown, Paul. Ups And Downs. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, of English life in “Mr. Punch” cartoons. Covers red w/gilt & black index. $395.00 (#6120) illust. Hardcover, 276, 268, 284pp. $250.00 (#5597) MacKay-Smith, Alexander. The Songs of Foxhunting. American 1936. Ltd. first ed. Oblong Sm 4to, good cond., circular stain on Foxhound Club, Millwood, VA, 1974. #288 of 1500 copies, in- cover, bright & tight; Remarqued with pencil of racehorse head, Munnings, A. J. Pictures of Horses and English Life. Eyre & Spotscribed by the author to former owner of the book. Red leatherette signed & inscribed “to Jim, May you always pick the Winners.” tiswoode, Ltd., London, 1927. Fair cond., cloth cover soiled, covers boards, top edge gilt. No dust jacket as issued. Color frontispiece Various scenes from Aintree, spills, etc. Hardcover, unpaginated. bumped, foxing throughout. Some pages stuck together. A collection of the works of the artist A. J. Munnings, with some in color

by John Fernley, numerous b&w illustrations, plus the musical $650. (#5485) scores and much background information on the songs, their com- Brown, Paul. Good Luck and Bad. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New but most reproduced in b&w. Hardcover, 199pp. $275.00 (#5997) posers (if known), and local history. Really a great reference book! York, 1940. Ltd.first ed., #318 of 750, signed. Oblong Sm 4to, good Wilder, F. L. Sporting Prints. Viking Press, New York, 1974. 4to, cond., cover worn & lightly stained, edges bumped. Vignettes from illus. mostly color & a few b/w reproductions, price-clipped, front Hardcover, 186pp. $100.00 (#6278) different races. Book is dedicated to Bill Streett, a sports writer. Re- inside wrinkled but otherwise in vg condition. Most of the prints Paget, Capt. J. Otho. Beagles and Beagling. Hutchinson & Co., marqued with cocker spaniel head & inscribed “To Marion /very in this book are photographed from the collection of Mr. & Mrs. London, 1923. Green cloth cover, good cond. w/foxing. Dj good, sincerely/ Sally and Paul/’40.” Hardcover, unpaginated. $650. Paul Mellon. About half of the pictures are equine (racing, foxhuntsome wear & discoloring. Ill. w/b&w photos. A great reference (#5486) ing, coaching); the rest are a scattering of other sports, from fishing book for the hunting beagler and breeder. Discusses beagles, their keeping and hunting, and some notable packs. Appendices include Brown, Paul. Spills and Thrills. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New to boxing. Hardcover, 224pp. $90.00 (#5212)

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2019

RACING

11

Spring Races

By Will O’Keefe

Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point 4-14-2019 The Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point on Sunday, April 14, at Oatlands Plantation near Leesburg attracted a big crowd to cheer on runners in ten races over timber, hurdles, and on the flat.

The field for the featured Eustis Cup timber classic scratched down to two runners, but they put on a good show.

Wally Pinkard’s Our R J (Archie MacAuley) went to the lead with Keystone Thoroughbreds’ The Duck (Bethany Baumgardner) racing close behind until the final quarter mile. At this stage, Bethany Baumgardner asked The Duck to quicken, and he responded with a move that challenged Our R J at the last fence and brought The Duck home first by 8 widening lengths.

A high classed field of nine horses went to the post in the open hurdle race. Duodecim Stable’s All for Us (Brett Owings) set the early pace with Irvin S. Naylor’s Sempre Medici (Graham Watters) reserved off the leaders. As the field turned for home, Sempre Medici had rallied to take the lead and he won going away by 2½ lengths over All for Us with Sara E. Collette’s Balistes (Shane Crimin) a close up third. Cyril Murphy had the winner ready to live up to his potential and stakes company should be next on his schedule.

The maiden hurdle race attracted seventeen runners and was split. The first division went to Stonelea Stables LLC’s Plumes (Shane Crimin), who came from off the pace to take the lead at the second last fence and drew away to a 2¾ lengths victory.

Sara E. Collette’s Eryx (Kieran Norris) was second and Beverly Steinman’s Paris Lady (Barry Foley) was third. The first and second placed horses were trained by Julie Gomena. The second division was won by Riverdee Stable’s Archanova, who was ridden by Bernard Dalton and is trained by his wife Kate Dalton.

Archanova raced on the pace with Ballybristol Farm, LLC’s Rakhaa (Aaron Sinnott). With a half mile to run, he took sole possession of the lead and won in hand by 12 lengths. Rakhaa held second and S. Rebecca Shepherd’s Trustifarian (Barry Foley) was third.

The novice timber race over the Oatlands course is always popular with the horsemen. Once again, this was the case as ten horses went to the post. Celtic Venture Stable’s Bridge Builder (Woods Winants) went to the front at the drop of starter Graham Alcock’s flag and remained there with Lucy Goelet’s Forever Bernardini (Jack Doyle) and Kinross Farm’s Jump to Juneau (Gerard Galligan) just off the pace. These three were all in contention over the last fence and battled to the finish where Bridge Builder held on to win by a length. Forever Bernardini was second and Jump to Juneau finished third. Eva D. Smithwick was the winning trainer.

The open flat race had a full field of twelve horses, which made for a lot of action. Rosbrian Farm’s Veneer of Charm (Gerard Galligan) was rated off the pace, went to the front in the final quarter mile and won easily by 3 lengths. PathFinder Racing’s Eastport (Graham Watters) and Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr.’s Mutasaawy (Sean McDermott) were second and third. Ricky Hendriks saddled the winner, and Neil Morris trained the second and third place finishers.

Four horses and junior riders contested the restricted young adult flat race. PathFinder Farm’s My Own Lane (Mell Boucher) set the pace but went wide around the turn a half-mile from the finish and lost any chance. Colin Smith’s Bishop’s Castle inherited the lead and arrived at the finish 3½ lengths before Charlie Marquez’s owner-ridden Mast Strike. Keystone Thoroughbred’s Be Great (Hannah Belt) was third and My Own Lane was fourth.

Colin Smith’s mother, Mimi Schmitz, trained the winner.

In the Virginia-bred flat race, the five-horse field ran as a group for much of the race. Everyone was in contention with a ½ mile to run, but PathFinder Racing’s Talk Less (Michael Mitchell) emerged from the pack at the head of the stretch and won handily by 10 lengths over S. Rebecca Shepherd’s Dragonthorn Steed (Barry Foley) and William Aylor, Jr. and Heather Booterbaugh’s Scented Up (Mike Woodson) finished third.

The sidesaddle exhibition races once again proved crowd pleasers. In the jumping division, Julie Nafe’s Gun Lobby and Cherry Blossom Farm LLC’s King of Hearts (Devon Zebrovious) jumped the last fence together, but upon landing Gun

Lobby sprinted clear and won by 2½ lengths. King of Hearts was second and Ketterman’s Jeweler’s Always As You Wish (Dillyn Ketterman Millnick) was third.

In the flat division Rebecca Barker’s Evacuation quickly dashed to the finish and won going away by 8 lengths over Kristen Kirchner’s Cracker Jack Dad (Alexandra Arabak). Michele Craig’s Night League was third.

Middleburg Spring Races 4-20-2019 The Middleburg Spring Races on Saturday, April 20, held a great day of steeplechase racing over one of the sport’s most popular racecourses at Glenwood Park near Middleburg, Virginia. The $75,000 Temple Gwathmey Hurdle Handicap Stakes was the featured race, and attracted some of the best horses in training. Heading the entries was Bruton Street-US’ Scorpiancer, who won the Eclipse Award in 2017. This was his first start in nearly two years, and he was being asked to give 10 or more pounds to all of the others in this solid ten-horse field. Scorpiancer (Sean McDermott) ran close to the pace that was set by Rosbrian Farm and Meadow Run Farm’s Clarcam (Ross Geraghty). Setting the pace on soft ground took its toll on both of these horses as Scorpiancer pulled up with two fences to go and Clarcam tired badly finishing a distant sixth. It was another Bruton Street-US’ runner Moscato (Michael Mitchell) that stole the show. Moscato had not started since September 2017. He had won two novice stakes at Saratoga that year and was a star in the making when forced to the sidelines. In the Temple Gwathmey he was rated off the pace, made his move into contention with two fences remaining, and won a duel with Gary Barber, Brous Stable, and Wachtel Stables’ Belisarius (Bernard Dalton) in the stretch and pulled away to win by 3½ lengths. Bruton Street-US’ Jaleo (Willie McCarthy) finished third. Jack Fisher saddled all of the Bruton Street-US’ runners.

A solid field of 8 ran in the $30,000 Middleburg Hunt Cup Timber Stakes that included Mike Smith’s Le Chevalier, who had run second in this race a year ago. Last year’s Alfred Hunt Steeplethon winner, Ballybristol Farm LLC’s Andi’amu, was returning from nearly a year off and was making his first start over timber for trainer Leslie Young. In the race, Andi’amu (Jack Doyle) raced close to the pace while Le Chevalier lingered in the rear. Le Chevalier staged a rally and joined Andi’amu with two fences remaining. These two dueled into the stretch but Andi’amu drew clear and won by 5¾ lengths. Le Chevalier was second and Bruton Street-US’ Two’s Company (Sean McDermott) was third.

The steeplethon ranks have lost Andi’amu to a timber career, but Jack Fisher introduced a new potential star, Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr.’s Days of Heaven in the Alfred M. Hunt Steeplethon. In the early going, he raced off the pace while Ballybristol Farm LLC’s Mercouer (Jack Doyle) and Kinross Farm’s Just Wait and See (Thomas Garner) made the running.

With two fences to go, Days of Heaven launched a rally that got him to the finish 1½ lengths ahead of Mercouer with Just Wait and See third.

Jack Fisher won the non-winners of two allowance hurdle races contest with Bruton Street-US’ Special Relation (Michael Mitchell). Far back in the early going, he rallied to the front at the head of the stretch and outdueled Merriebelle Stable LLC’s Renown (Jack Doyle) to the wire. Mrs. S. K. Johnston’s Set to Music (Sean McDermott) was a well-beaten third. On the day, trainer Jack Fisher tallied three wins, and trainer Leslie Young scored twice. In addition to Andi’amu, she saddled Sharon E. Sheppard’s Moorland (Jack Doyle) to win the maiden claiming hurdle race. Moorland was never far from the leaders, was second to Turks Head Turf’s Brooklyn Speights with a half mile to go and got up to win by ½ length over Brooklyn Speights. Ballyerin Racing LLC’s Masquerader (Kieran Norris) was third.

Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard won the maiden hurdle race with KMSN Stable’s Sportswear (Gerard Galligan), who was making his debut over fences. Sportswear closed with a rush after the last fence and won going away by 2¼ lengths over the early pace setter, Rosbrian Farm’s Teodoro (Ross Geraghty). Sharon Sheppard’s Khafaya (Barry Foley) came in third.

Continued

Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point, Audi of America, Inc. Novice Timber Bridge Builder (Woods Winants, up) – 1st.

Liz Callar photo

Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point, The William Corcoran Eustis Cup Open Timber The Duck (Bethany Baumgardner, up) – 1st.

Liz Callar photo

Middleburg Spring Races, Middle Hunt Cup Timber Stakes (l-r) Andi’amu (#8, Jack Doyle, up) – 1st; Grand Manan (#6, Willie McCarthy, up).

Joanne Maisano photo

Middleburg Spring Races, VEA/Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle Sportswear (Gerard Galligan, up) – 1st.

Joanne Maisano photo

Middleburg Spring Races, Alfred M. Hunt Steeplechase Steeplethon (l-r) Sweet Talking Guy (#5, Erin Swope, up); Days of Heaven (#8, Michael Mitchell, up) – 1st; Overwhelming (#3, Willie McCarthy, up) – 4th.

Joanne Maisano photo

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2019

Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point, Woodley Cup Virginia Bred/Sired Flat Talk Less (Barry Foley, up) – 1st.

Joanne Maisano photo

Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point, Amateur/Novice Rider Hurdle (l-r) Tiz Tasty Too (Carl Rafter, up) – 2nd; Virginia Envy (Teresa Croce, up) – 1st.

Joanne Maisano photo

Foxfield Spring Races, VEA Filly & Mare Maiden Hurdle (l-r) Market Alley (Barry Foley, up) – 1st; That’s That (Ross Geraghty, up) – 2nd. Rick Stillings photo

Foxfield Spring Races, Grover Vandervender Memorial Maiden Timber (l-r) El Jefe Grande (Graham Watters, up) – 2nd; Jump to Juneau (Barry Foley, up) – 1st. Rick Stillings photo

Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point, Louis Leith Maiden Timber (l-r) Veyron (Bethany Baumgardner, up) – 2nd; Mr. Brightside (Kieran Norris, up) – 1st.

Joanne Maisano photo

The highest rated horse in training, Rosbrian Farm’s Optimus Prime (Ross Geraghty), won as his rider pleased against a big field of quality runners in the training flat race. Optimus Prime took command with six furlongs to run and widened his lead in the stretch. He won by 11¾ lengths with Kinross Farm’s Mutin (Gerard Galligan) second and Shannon Hill Farm’s Macnicholson (Sean McDermott) third. Winning trainer Ricky Hendriks declared that this was a perfect prep for Optimus Prime’s future stakes engagements.

Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point 4-21-2019 The competition among race meets for horses was intense the third weekend of April. The Middleburg Spring sanctioned races on Saturday in Virginia and the Fair Hill Point-to-Point on Sunday in Maryland left only a handful of horses for the Easter running of the Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point on Sunday, April 21. In spite of the light entries, a good crowd was on hand and the off track activities were entertaining. Stick pony races and Easter egg hunts were held for the kids. The Nantucket Treweryn Beagles and the Blue Ridge Hunt paraded hounds between races, and everyone was invited to get up close and personal with the beagles and foxhounds.

On the racing front, two races were run over hurdles and three flat races completed the card. In the maiden hurdle race, Hume Stable’s Keoni (Woods Winants) shared pace-setting duties with his stablemate, Scrappy Warrior (Mike Woodson). On the turn for home, Shannon Hill Farm’s All Out of Aces (Barry Foley) took the lead. Keoni battled back but his rally fell short by ¾ of a length. The Stewards lodged an inquiry, and after hearing from the Patrol Judges and reviewing the films, All Out of Aces was disqualified for going off course. This made Keoni the winner and Bonnie Rye Stable’s Big E. (Kieran Norris) was moved up to second. Mike Pearson was the winning trainer.

The other hurdle race was for amateur and novice riders and was a match race between two horses trained by Carl Rafter. Rafter rode Jennifer Taylor’s Tiz Tasty Too and Teresa Croce was aboard Ridgeview Farm’s race mare, Virginia Envy.

She set the pace with Tiz Tasty Too close behind until the final quarter mile. At this stage, Virginia Envy steadily widened, winning by 40 lengths.

The Virginia Bred/Sired flat race was another match race.

This time the series leader, PathFinder Farm’s Talk Less (Barry Foley) was facing William Aylor, Jr. and Heather Booterbaugh’s Scented Up (Mike Woodson), who has run well in every start but has yet to win. This time Talk Less and Scented Up raced as a team until the final quarter mile where Talk Less asserted his superiority. He won as he pleased by 10 lengths for trainer Neil Morris.

The maiden flat races for colts and geldings scratched down to one starter, Justine M. Hughes’ Ice Cold Tap and this race was declared a walkover. With trainer George Wood in the irons, Ice Cold Tap galloped around the course.

Four starters went to the post in the filly and mare maiden flat race. Mike Dalton’s Izzy’s Mark (Victoria Lawrence) raced within striking distance, split horses on the final turn, and won going away by 7 lengths. Susan S. Cooney was the winning trainer.

Foxfield Spring Races 4-27-2019 Trainer Lilith Boucher and her husband Richard Boucher have always had good luck at the Foxfield Spring Races near Charlottesville, Virginia, and this year was no exception. They partnered to win the featured race, the Daniel Van Clief Memorial Ratings Handicap, with Mason Hardaway Lampton’s Maccabee. In the race Maccabee was reserved well off the pace, rallied up the hill the last time around, took the lead at the last fence, and widened quickly in the stretch. The final margin was 5¾ lengths over Bethany Baumgardner’s ownerridden Mavourneen, who was easily second over the early pace setter, Bullet Star (Barry Foley).

Trainer Jonathan Sheppard sent out Taking The Lead Stable’s Lead Investor with apprentice rider Aaron Sinnott up to win the maiden claiming hurdle race. He was rated off the pace, launched a winning rally up the hill on the final turn, and was second to Stonelea Stable LLC’s Naval Gazer (Shane Crimin) over the last fence. In the run to the finish, Lead Investor drew away and won by 8½ lengths. Naval Gazer held second and Morningstar Farm’s Shoreline (Ross Geraghty) finished third.

Doug Fout saddled Beverly R. Steinman’s Market Alley

(Barry Foley) to win the maiden hurdle race by 1¼ lengths over Debra E. Kachel’s That’s That (Ross Geraghty). That’s That had been on or near the pace for most of the race while Market Alley raced in the middle of the nine-horse field. At the last fence Market Alley had joined That’s That and pulled away in the stretch to beat that rival by 1¼ lengths. Clarke Ohrstrom’s Furiosa (Archie MacAuley) was third for much of the race and finished in that spot.

The maiden timber race was the best of the day as the result was not decided until the final strides. The early leader, Kiplin Hall’s Renegade River (Paul Crawley), fell with three fences remaining and the stage was then set for Kinross Farm’s Jump to Juneau (Barry Foley) and Irvin S. Naylor’s El Jefe Grande (Graham Watters) to battle to the finish. Jump to Juneau prevailed by a neck over El Jefe Grande with William Meisters’ Dr. Keogh (Archie MacAuley) a distant third. Neil Morris trained the winner, and was back in the winners’ circle following the training flat race.

In that race Graham Watters sent PathFinder Racing’s Glad Moon to the lead and was never seriously challenged. Another Morris trainee, Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr.’s Mutasaawy (Shane Crimin) raced close to the leader for most of the race, but was second best, losing by 3¾ lengths. The Fields Stable’s End of an Era (Bethany Baumgardner) finished third.

Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point 4-28-2019 On Sunday, April 28, the Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point held their annual races over the extremely popular Glenwood Park racecourse near Middleburg. The steeplechase sport’s leading owners, trainers, and riders were on hand and the racing action was great.

This was the last meet on the Virginia Point-to-Point Circuit and several year-end champions were yet to be determined. The novice rider flat series was one of the titles that had not been decided, and Eduardo Leiva thrust himself into a tie on top with Bryan Cullinane by winning the first race on PathFinder Racing’s Kikinboy. He rallied from far back through the last quarter mile, saved ground around the turn, and won going away by 2½ lengths over Julie Nettere’s Conquest Bandit (David Pawlak). Yellow Branch Stable’s Sir Smarty (Erika Taylor) was third. Winning trainer Neil Morris added a half point to his quest for leading trainer honors, but the day was young.

The amateur/novice rider race followed and Irvin S. Naylor’s On My Wish List (McLane Hendriks) made a successful debut in the United States. With a quarter mile to run, the field was tightly bunched, but On My Wish List and Rather Be Racing’s Our Legend (Brett Owings) pulled away from the others and jumped the last fence as a team. Upon landing, On My Wish List quickly assumed command and was best by 3 lengths. Ridgeview Farm’s champion race mare, Virginia Envy (Teresa Croce), finished third and added to her lead in the amateur/novice rider hurdle series.

The maiden flat race was split with Charlie Marquez’ Mast Strike winning the first division by ½ length over Beverly R. Steinman’s Fashion Line (Barry Foley). This was an exciting race as the top two battled through the stretch. This was Charlie Marquez’ first win out of the junior ranks. Betty McCue, the winning trainer, calls Maryland her home now but she grew up as Betty Hughes in Warrenton, Virginia. Don Yovanovich’s Viola’s Legacy (Kieran Norris) finished well and was third.

Owner Beverly Steinman just missed in the first division, but her Speed Alert (Barry Foley) made up for it in the second.

Speed Alert rallied from off the pace on the outside, took a share of the lead at the head of the stretch, and proved best by ½ length over Armata Stables’ Tesoro (Archie MacAuley) with Steinman’s Inside the Box (Bryan Cullinane) finishing third.

Doug Fout trains for Miss Steinman.

The novice timber race and the open timber race were combined, providing a four-horse field. Within a half mile, that field was reduced to two as T & C Elite Sport Horses’ Mo’s in the House lost his rider, Sam Cockburn, and their other entry, Rocking Allen (Barry Foley), went off course. Ballyerin Racing LLC’s Mr. Brightside (Kieran Norris) and Ellerslie Farm’s Veyron (Bethany Baumgardner) raced as a team until Mr. Brightside eased away on the backside the final time around. Veyron did not throw in the towel and remained within striking distance but was second best by 3½ lengths. Madison F. Meyers was the victorious trainer.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2019

The next two races on the card were for maidens over hurdles. Rider Kieran Norris and trainer Julie Gomena teamed up to win both races. In the first Colvin Ryan’s Ace of Diamonds inherited the lead when Shannon Hill Farm’s Kanaka (Sean McDermott) fell. Ace of Diamonds led to the finish, holding off DASH Stable’s Prayer Hope (Michael Mitchell) and S. Rebecca Shepherd’s Trustifarian (Barry Foley), who finished in that order. The final margin was ¾ length.

The restricted maiden race went to Sara E. Collette’s Eryx (Kieran Norris), who went to the lead at the start. Eryx was challenged by Debra E. Kachle’s Argentic (Thomas Garner) from the last fence to the finish, but Eryx proved best by ½ length. David Belt, Jr.’s Artic North (Aaron Davis) finished third. This was leading rider Kieran Norris’ third win on the card and back-to-back wins for Julie Gomena. This moved her to the championship in the trainer standings, a point ahead of Neil Morris.

The open flat race was won by Caroline Collomb’s Gold Shield, giving rider Barry Foley and trainer Neil Morris their second wins on the card. Shortly after the start, Gold Shield and Ballyerin Racing LLC’s Crimson Hayes (Kieran Norris) took command. They raced as a team with Gold Shield holding a slight lead. On the backside, Gold Shield pulled away a bit and held that advantage through the stretch to finish first by 3 lengths. Neil Morris added a half point to his total but it was too little too late and he finished second in the trainers’ standings. Wykham View Stables Smokin Caraquena (Teresa Croce) was third.

Virginia Gold Cup Races 5-4-2019 A strong field of seven starters went to the post in the Virginia Gold Cup Timber Stakes at Great Meadow on Saturday, May 4. Six of these had won stakes races over timber, and Charles C. Fenwick, Jr., Michael Hankin, and Charles Noell’s Doc Cebu was the NSA timber champion the last two years. His record includes winning last fall’s International Gold Cup. Doc Cebu (Hadden Frost) went to the lead after the start with Ballybristol Farm LLC’s Andi’amu (Jack Doyle) in his shadow. After one time around the course, Andi’amu went to the front with Doc Cebu close behind. In the last three furlongs, Le Chevalier (Kieran Norris) started to rally while Doc Cebu had no response. At the head of the stretch you had to like Le Chevalier’s chances as Andi’amu had been on the pace the entire race and Le Chevalier should have had a lot of run left. To the contrary, Andi’amu dug in, answered the challenge and held off Le Chevalier by 3 lengths. For the second time in two weeks, Andi’amu proved to be the better horse. Leslie Young did a great job with Andi’amu, bringing him back to top form after a long layoff.

Rosbrian Farm’s Optimus Prime proved that he is one of the best hurdle horses in training by winning the David Semmes Memorial Hurdle Stakes handily. Optimus Prime (Ross Geraghty) was ridden confidently and when asked he came flying to the lead with two fences remaining and drew away as much the best. The final margin was 8¾ lengths but could have been more. Irvin S. Naylor’s Sempre Medici (Graham Watters) set the pace, but could not match strides with the winner. Straylight Racing LLC’s Invocation (Sean McDermott) picked up third money but was no threat. Winning trainer Ricky Hendriks said that we’ll see Optimus Prime at Saratoga. I can’t wait.

When Arthur Arundel developed the steeplethon course he intended that this would be a place where the older veterans would be able to compete. In recent years many of the horses entered have been hurdle horses looking for a new career. The prime example is Andi’amu, who won this race last year. In this year’s race Kinross Farm’s Just Wait and See (Thomas Garner) set the pace with Donna Roger’s Dapper Dan (Gerard Galligan) close behind. Dapper Dan went to the front on the final turn and looked good, but Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr.’s Days of Heaven (Michael Mitchell) was on the move. He was second to Dapper Dan over the last fence, landed running, and won going away by 2½ lengths. Jack Fisher added one more win to his incredible list of successes at Great Meadow.

Here is a question for you. What do Andi’amu, Optimus Prime, and Days of Heaven have in common? I’ll give the answer later.

Jack Fisher made two more trips to the winners’ circle when he saddled Woodslane Farm’s Other Cheek to win a maiden hurdle race and Riverdee Stable’s Gostisbehere to win a division of the race for non-winners of two allowance flat

races.

Other Cheek (Michael Mitchell) was rated off the pace while Mrs. George L. Ohrstrom, Jr.’s Rashford’s Double (Thomas Garner) made all the running until the stretch. Other Cheek rallied to be fourth when the field turned for home, and advanced steadily to be second over the last fence. Other Cheek prevailed in a driving finish with Rashford’s Double second and Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr.’s Lost Story (Paul O’Neill) third.

Gostisbehere (Willie McCarthy) raced near the back of the field until the final turn where he moved into contention.

At that time, Pathfinder Racing’s Glad Moon (Graham Watters) held the lead by a narrow margin over Patricia Bosley’s Tap the Moment (Ross Geraghty). These three battled through the final furlong with Gostisbehere winning by ½ length over Tap the Moment and Glad Moon holding on for third.

Beverly R. Steinman’s Deposit (Barry Foley) won the other division of the allowance flat race by upsetting the betting favorite, The Fields Stable’s Barnacle Bill (Jack Doyle).

Deposit was never worse than fourth, took the lead at the head of the stretch, and held off Barnacle Bill to win by 2¾ lengths.

Alison B. Fulmer’s The Happy Giant (Ross Geraghty) closed well to take third. Doug Fout was the winning trainer.

Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard demonstrated his ability to prepare a newcomer for a race over hurdles when Buttonwood Farm’s Clondaw Camp (Thomas Garner) won at first asking in the maiden hurdle race. Not only had he not made a start over hurdles, but he had never raced, period. Behaving like a veteran, Clondaw Camp was rated slightly off the pace, took the lead on the final turn, and won handily by 7½ lengths. Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr.’s Brianbakescookies (Willie McCarthy) made a late move to take second but was no match for the winner. Christina V. Mosby’s Foxhall Drive (Sean McDermott) just missed second.

Twelve runners contested the hurdle handicap and the winner, Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr.’s Ack Feisty (Michael Mitchell) had only one horse beaten in the early going. He started to advance on the last turn, led over the last fence, and drew off in the stretch to win by 4 lengths over Woodslane Farm’s Pik Em (Wilie McCarthy). Pik Em rallied with the winner but was second best, and Kinross Farm’s Mutin (Kieran Norris) ran evenly to finish third. Neil Morris was the winning trainer.

The final race on the card was the Virginia Bred, Sired or Certified flat race, and the final margin of a neck was the closest finish of the day. Lady Olivia at North Cliff’s Accountable (Ross Geraghty), who won this race at the International Gold Cup Races the past two years, and Sara E. Collette’s Balistes (Emme Fullilove) were always within striking distance and moved as a team to the front with a quarter mile to run. Accountable held a slight advantage as Balistes tried to pull off an upset. Sara E. Collette’s Eryx had won this race a year ago, but history did not repeat for them. Balistes just missed in a driving finish. Carla Morgan has trained Accountable for all of his starts at Great Meadow.

The answer to my earlier question: Andi’amu, Optimus Prime, and Days of Heaven all ran and won at the Middleburg Spring Races two weeks before they won at Great Meadow.

Remember this when handicapping this fall at the International Gold Cup Races.

Virginia Gold Cup Races, $40,000 Steeplethon Stakes In the Splash (l-r) Dapper Dan (Gerard Galligan, up) – 2nd; Just Wait And See (Thomas Garner, up) – 3rd; Days of Heaven (Michael Mitchell, up) – 1st (between horses); Katnap; Overwhelming; Curve of Stones – 4th; Show King; Sweet Talking Guy. Douglas Lees photo

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Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point, Amateur/Novice Rider Hurdle On My Wish List (McLane Hendriks, up) – 1st.

Joanne Maisano photo

Virginia Gold Cup Races, $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup Timber Stakes (l-r) Doc Cebu (Hadden Frost, up)– 4th; Andi’Amu (Jack Doyle, up)– 1st. Douglas Lees photo

Virginia Gold Cup Races, $40,000 VEA Moody Aylor Memorial Hurdle (l-r) Sudden Victory (Kieran Norris, up); Other Cheek (Michael Mitchell, up) – 1st. Douglas Lees photo

Virginia Gold Cup Races, $75,000 David H. Semmes Memorial Hurdle Stakes (l-r) Optimus Prime (Ross Geraghty, up) – 1st; Portrade (Jack Doyle, up). Douglas Lees photo

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2019

HOUND SHOWS

The 2019 Bryn Mawr Hound Show

By John J. Carle II, ex-MFH The lovely grounds and clubhouse of the Radnor Hunt in Malvern, PA, are always abuzz, ’tis the nature of the place. But, when on 1 June the Bryn Mawr Hound Show carnivalled into town, the buzz rose to a nearroar. Gossips’ tongues wagged like cur-dogs’ tails, and rumors flitted about like fireflies. An unfortunate teapot-tempest and a fierce legal wrangle, all part and Grand Champion Foxhound and Best in Show Blue Ridge parcel of the politics of foxiana, were the topics, and “Rambler” ’18. they certainly kept those not directly involved amused.

But the welcoming party Friday night was as charming as ever, with a delicious offering upon the groaning board, libations most generous, and the entertainment of horn-blowing and whip-cracking as jolly as ever. In the former, New Market-Middletown Valley’s Randy Medd topped the amateurs and Radnor’s James Dean had more hot air than the rest of the professionals.

Whip-cracking plaudits went to Rowan Bennett of Golden’s Bridge. As we departed, the voices of hounds rose from the kennels in anticipation of the morrow.

Saint Medard, patron of good weather, had obviously listened to the Show Committee’s entreaties, as the dawning of June had about it almost the champagne tang of a Southern morning. Almost. Clear skies, demurely veiled in light clouds and kissed by cool, cat’s-paw breezes, produced nearly ideal conditions for hounds to show. Sadly, numbers were down across the boards, with entries light in every ring, alarmingly so in most; but competition was fierce, quality high, and spirits soaring.

Penn-Marydel Foxhounds The Penn-Marydel ring saw lovely hounds laying down exemplary performances to tax the eyes of DonChampion Crossbred Foxhound Green Spring Valley “Sapphire” ’18, who also partnered with Samantha Michel to ald Philhower, Millbrook Huntsman, and roving apwin their third Junior Handler Award of the spring show seaprentice Melanie Snowhite, Whipper-In at Palm son. Looking on are GSV Joint Masters Sheila Jackson Brown Beach. Throughout the show, two packs primarily and Sherlock Gillett, Jr. “surfed the wave of success” (to borrow from Horse & Hound’s Pippa Roome): the Red Oak in the Listed Golden’s Bridge Huntsman Codie portion, Golden’s Bridge in Registered. There were no Jane Hayes shows off “Yeti” ’18 to se- unentered hounds in Listed competition, but Red Oak dominated both entered dogs and bitches, winning cure the Champion Penn-Marydel Dog Listed Champion with “Flint” ’17 (Andrews Bridge title. (Their “Kendol” ’14 x ROH “Annie” ’14), and Best of Op“Amber” ’16 won posite Sex with his sister “Fame” ’17.

Champion PennMarydel Foxhound, In Registered, Golden’s Bridge simply smashed repeating her victhe competition, winning twelve of the fourteen classes tory the week bethey entered. GBH “Duke” won Unentered Dog over fore at Virginia.) their “Dinan,” leaving third for Kimberton “Luke.”

They then swept Couples and Two Couples. Moore County-bred GBH “Yeti” ’18 won Entered Dog, with kennelmate “Cosmo” ’18 second, ROH “George” third. The James J. Culleton Memorial Trophy also traveled back to the North Salem, NY, kennel with “Smurf” ’15 being named best Stallion Hound over ROH “Kendol” and Kimberton “Bunky” ’13 (later best Veteran Hound). “Yeti’s” balance and long, easy stride won the doghound championship over “Smurf” in a close call, leaving their “Duke” waiting for next year.

GBH “Duke’s” sister “Duchess” won Unentered Bitch over Kimberton “Lucy.” Like “Yeti,” another red-roan hound, GBH “Amber” ’16 lapped up Entered honors over kennelmate “Chanel” ’18 (last year’s Unentered Champion) and ROH “Gracie” ’17. Couples and Two Couples fell GBH’s way as well. They also Champion American Foxhound Potomac “Tempo” ’17 with swept Brood Bitch with “Runaway” ’11, “Poppy” ’15, Whipper-In Lindsay Kiely. and “Sequence” ’13 (2014 Bitch Champion). “Amber”

(Mill Creek “Stout” ’07 x GBH “Kindy” ’09) took home the tricolor, with “Duchess” in Reserve. Like “Yeti,” “Amber” has balance and grace; but a shade more presence landed her the Kirkwood Farms Champion Trophy, leaving “Yeti” as Best of Opposite Sex. Said Judge Philhower of “Amber,” “she is stronger behind and a better mover, with a nice shoulder and good reach. Yeti will be better with more muscle.” In a lovely display of quiet control, Red Oak took the Second Radnor Hunt Trophy back to Rawlings, VA, after winning the Pack Class over GBH and Kimberton.

American Foxhounds The American Ring listed five packs showing, but only three had multiple entries; yet Judge Fred Getty, MFH, Middlebrook Hounds, and his apprentice, former Keswick Whipper-In Michael Gottier, were kept on their toes. Bridlespur’s long trip from Missouri bore fruit in Unentered Dogs, with Huntsman Eleanor Hartwell standing up their “Gilbert” and subduing Millbrook “Captain” and Potomac “Hector.” Potomac gave notice in Entered Dog, as their “Ace” ’15 won over their “Accordion” ’17 and Piedmont “Preacher” ’16. Piedmont “Pilgrim” ’16 (“Preacher’s” brother) topped Millbrook “Hermit” ’15 in Stallion Hound, and won with his get. “Pilgrim” (Keswick “Saracen” ’12 x Piedmont “Perfect” ’08) franked his form in the doghound championship, relegating the lighter-framed Potomac “Ace” to Reserve. Looking the picture of sturdy serenity atop the podium, “Pilgrim” is bred to hunt and is a sire to seriously consider.

The distaff side of things got pretty heated, all classes a-swarm with lovely huntin’ hussies. Potomac won Unentered with “Keebler” in a close fade over Piedmont “Manis” and “Misfit.” Potomac “Tempo,” a fire-engine red daughter of their “Templeton” ’12, raced to the wire first in Entered Bitch, winning over kennelmate “Action” ’15 (also by “Templeton”) and Millbrook “Countess” ’18. There were, sadly, no Brood Bitch entries. “Tempo” caught Mr. Getty’s eye, flying across the ring with graceful, seven-league strides to take the tricolor over “Keebler.” The breed championship proved a contest of different types: “Tempo,” the type British judge Mathew Higgs once referred to as “a beautifully proportioned yet rangy” sort, in contrast to the more compact, rock-solid “Pilgrim,” simply outmoved him. Bred by Orange County and drafted to Potomac unentered, “Tempo” (Potomac “Templeton” ’12 x Orange County “Manic” ’13) is royally bred: in 2015 her dam stood American Champion, her sire Reserve. Incidentally, “Tempo’s” littermates, OCH “Texas” and “Termite,” won Entered Dog and Stallion Hound respectively at Virginia this year.

English Foxhounds There were only three English packs on the grounds, but their quality fairly overflowed the rings; and the judging taxed heavily the talents of Liz McKnight, ex-MFH, Elkridge-Harford, and Arapahoe’s Joint Master, Mary Ewing. Amwell Valley’s brandnew Huntsman, Kate Butler, made her Bryn Mawr foxhound debut a winning one, as she presented their “Hudson” beautifully to repeat her Virginia victory in Unentered Dogs over Princess Anne “Wallace” and Blue Ridge “Angus.” Showcasing the skills honed during years in the beagle and basset ranks, her hounds showed obediently and adoringly.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2019

Well done, Kate! As was widely expected, 2018 Unentered winner Blue Ridge “Rambler” ’18 sped to the finish line first in the Entered. While awaiting the biscuit toss, this leggy, blue-mottled dog resembled an idling Corvette, power held precariously under wraps; then the flag drops and he’s gone—not with a roar, but rather the rush of eagle wings. A Whisperjet on four legs, he outraced kennelmate “Wizard” ’18 and PAH’s Lowcountry “Sniper” ’15.

The Couples class went to Blue Ridge, as well as the Two Couples. Princess Anne Huntsman Martyn Blackmore, resplendent in Tom Firr side-whiskers, put their LCH “Huckleberry” through his impressive paces to win Stallion Hound.

Exhibiting no ill effects from his in-kennel free-for-all on Friday, PAH’s Hillsboro “Moreton” ’12 took second. Huntsman and hounds were the picture of old-school professionalism. In quest of the doghound tricolor, BRH “Rambler” stood supreme, repeating his feat of 2018. Despite a toe “down” from a hunting accident, his power and presence overwhelmed the opposition. “Wizard” accepted the Reserve ribbon graciously. Huntsman Graham Bustin, in his relatively short tenure at Blue Ridge, has quietly produced some stunning hounds, both afield and on the flags; and the future shines brilliantly for this pack.

In Unentered English Bitches, PAH “Wanted” wanted the blue the most, leaving red to BRH “Angel” and yellow to PAH “Midnight” ’18 (2019 Champion English at the Carolinas’ Show). Couples and Two Couples fell to BRH. Continuing their run, “Merit” ’14 was chosen best Brood Bitch over PAH’s Lowcountry “Ladybird” ’16 and “Taffeta” ’14. Then 2018 Bitch Champion, BRH “Lacework” ’16, all pure feminine class, flew across the ring on the wings of Horus, the Egyptian falcon god, to retain her title, with Unentered “Jailbird” sentenced to Reserve.

However, “Rambler” overwhelmed her in the breed championship, with a display of power even more impressive than last year’s. “Chivalry be damned!” he seemed to say, as he snatched the Charles E. Mather Trophy.

Youngster Amwell Valley “Hudson” returned to win Best Old English Dog over a stellar lineup, leaving behind BRH “Porlock” ’18 and PAH’s LCH “Trident” ’14. Bitch honors were then earned by BRH “Kipling” ’17 over their “Gusty” ’18. In the Old English championship, Judges McKnight and Ewing gave their approval to “Kipling” over “Hudson.” In the English Pack Class, Martyn Blackmore’s showmanship and the longtime rapport he has had with these hounds earned the blue rosette over Kate Butler and her Amwell Valley pack. But watch our next year, Martyn.

Crossbred Foxhounds For many years at Bryn Mawr the Crossbred ring featured a running duel between Elkridge-Harford and Green Spring Valley; but for a short period, Old Chatham held sway; and when the Midland trekked northward, the Yankees all bowed in respect. Now Old Chatham has vanished, their place taken strongly by Rose Tree-Blue Mountain, Piedmont, and, surprisingly, Potomac (well, Larry Pitts did produce 2013 Doghound Champion Potomac “Dapper” ’11!). Overall, quality in this ring was the highest of the foxhound rings, and although ElkridgeHarford was among the missing this year, GSV was here in force and fine form, fresh from a steamroller performance in Virginia. There was to be no relaxing for Judges Oliver Brown, MFH, Rappahannock; Cameron Sadler, MFH Moore County; and alternating apprentices Jennifer Buckley, MB Still Meadow Beagles; and the aforementioned Ms. Snowhite. As they did last year, GSV began with a flourish when the Unentered Dog “Postman” (who stood second to E-HH “Merchant” in Virginia) put Piedmont “Meslin” in his place (2nd), with Bridlespur “Pippin” third. GSV “Jimbo” ’18 jumped ahead of kennelmate “Niko” ’18 in Entered Dog. GSV then went 1-2 over Howard County-Iron Bridge in Couples. Kate Butler, having recently taken up the horn as Huntsman at Amwell Valley, shows their Continuing to roll, their “Native” ’15 was “Hudson,” Unentered English Dog winner. judged to be the best Stallion Hound, facing down RT-BM “Watchman” ’16 and HC-IB ‘“Jake” ’15. With his get, “Jake” was again third, this time to GSV’s “Nomad” ’14 and “Monitor” ’14. For the doghound championship, 2018 champion GSV “Potter” ’16 returned, but he could only earn Reserve, as “Jumbo’s” youthful exuberance and athleticism proved superior.

Unentered Bitch found GSV again ahead, as “Poultice” outshined RT-BM “Rizzo” and Bridlespur “Penelope.” The Entered Bitch was not only the biggest in the division, it was the best, with quality unending. Fresh from her Grand Championship victory at Virginia, GSV “Sapphire” ’18 floated into the ring with what Rita Mae Brown terms “effortless elegance,” to lead a battalion of beauties from their Glyndon, MD, kennel. Here they faced as tough and level competition as imaginable; there wasn’t an inferior hound in the ring. But the entire GSV entry proved to be on an ethereal level: “Sapphire” ’18, “Notice” ’14, and “Karma” ’18 (who pinned in that order) took command. Off lead they danced

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about the ring with the balance and beauty of divas in a ballet choreographed by Balanchine. But “Sapphire” separated herself with an extraordinary performance: she soared and swooped and turned as effortlessly as a swallow on the feed. Her balance, effortless athleticism, poise and feminine grace are utterly amazing and a joy to behold. Standing at ringside, it seemed that the English language lacks the proper superlatives to describe her. The judges were mesmerized. RT-BM earned the Couples blue over GSV and HC-IB. GSV “Willing” headed the Brood Bitch lineup. At seven years, she still moves with the grace associated with revered Southern ladies of a certain age, and of an era gone; and now more likely found in the hound-show ring than the drawing room. Piedmont “Jezebel” ’14 and RT-BM “Bridle” ’15 played ladies-in-waiting. With her produce, GSV “Pastry” ’14 (by Potomac “Jefferson” ’05’s fuzzy-whiskered son, Hillsboro “Jethro” ’08) beat “Willing” and HC-IB “Zag” ’11. “Sapphire” (Midland “Crusher” ’13 x their “Shilo” ’15) then put on a clinic for kennelmates “Poultice” and “Willing” to cop the J. Stanley Reeve Trophy as Champion Crossbred Bitch, with “Poultice’s” youth landing her in Reserve. HC-IB “Zag” ’11 won the Veterans medal over the Radnor duo of “Artful” ’12 and “Jeb” ’12. Ashley Hubbard, GSV Huntsman, then won his second Robert M. Six Award on the trot as best handler.

The Crossbred Championship class was a beauty, but short in duration, as GSV “Jimbo” was simply dazzled by “Sapphire.” While she has earned accolades for GSV throughout this show season, she represents a real triumph for the Midland, where she was bred. The runt of the litter, she was raised in the household of then-whipper-in Tim Michel, where she became the very soulmate of daughter Samantha, under whose loving care she has flourished. When Tim moved to Green Spring, “Sapphire” came along, there to be entered. Standing like a statue and gazing adoringly, “Sapphire” enabled Samantha to blow away all comers in the 3-to-10-year-old Junior Handler Class. Actually, she showed better for Samantha than for Tim or Ashley, truth be known! Incidentally, “Sapphire’s” dam, Midland “Shilo” ’15 was Bitch Champion here in 2016.

Pack Class, Grand Champion Foxhound, and Best in Show Green Spring continued their rout in the Pack Class, outperforming RT-BM and Radnor, with Piedmont in Reserve.

The anticipation amongst the spectators thronged on the terraced hillside overlooking the Radnor racecourse was a tangible thing, as they awaited the Grand Champion Foxhound and Best in Show classes. The air fairly thrummed as Potomac “Tempo,” Golden’s Bridge “Amber,” Blue Ridge “Rambler,” and Green Spring Valley “Sapphire” lined up before Judge Dr. Marvin Beeman, MFH the Arapahoe and former MFHA President. It was soon apparent that, in Dr. Beeman’s eyes, the competition was strictly between the English dog and the Crossbred bitch. An English Hound man all his life, Dr. Beeman, after a brief scrutiny, gave Blue Ridge “Rambler” his seal of approval, leaving “Sapphire” in Reserve.

To the spectators, it was baffling that hounds were never allowed to show offlead, the judge saying they’d had a long day and were tired. Not to take anything from “Rambler,” for he proudly takes his rightful place among the pantheon of former winners of the Midland Fox Hound Trophy. Hopefully “Sapphire” will return in 2020. Foregone, now, the conclusion that “Rambler” would be Best in Show, for, although beagle winner Sandanona “Inkling” ’14 and their Calf Pasture “Trusty” ’17, the basset banner-bearer, are extraordinarily nice hounds, they seemed to shrink in the shadow of the English dog.

It had been a delightful show—short on entries but long on fun, as always.

My stay with Dr. Scott Traphagen, MFH, and his lovely wife Patty, host and hostess extraordinaire, at their charming “Stonehouse Farm” (“a house in which hospitality never sleeps,” as said their late and not-so-distant neighbor, Jack Van Urk) was heavenly. The evening ended with a compelling conversation on their broad porch, as soft rain rattled off the roof. All too soon it was time to heed Dolly Parton’s in-song advice: “Spin those wheels and make it on back where heaven and earth and love is at…Like a rollin’ stone, better get it on back.” See y’all down the road.

NOTE: Special thanks to Betsy Burke Parker of the Fauquier Times for the background on GSV “Sapphire” and Samantha Michel.

Theresa Miller, MFH, led her Red Oak Foxhounds to first place in the Penn-Marydel Pack Class.

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HORSE RACING

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • SUMMER 2019

Horses and People to Watch Virginia Equine Alliance

Colonial Downs Update: Two Historical Horse Racing Centers Open; Controlled Burn Of Secretariat Turf Course The rebirth of Virginia’s horse racing industry took another big step forward when Rosie’s Gaming Emporium at Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent opened its doors in grand fashion April 23rd. A ceremonial ribbon cutting took place inside the renovated main lobby while 500 eager players lined up outside the front entrance waiting to charge through the front doors.

Rita McClenny, Virginia Tourism Corporation President and CEO, emceed the festivities which included dignitaries, politicians, industry participants, and media members.

The facility features 600 Historical Horse Racing (HHR) machines, live simulcast wagering from tracks around the country, four cocktail lounges, a concessions/dining area, and a gift shop.

Rosie’s Gaming Emporium sites feature Historical A second Rosie’s location opened May 9th in Vinton at the Horse Racing (HHR) terminals, which will help fund live thoroughbred racing in Virginia. VEA photo same site as the former Colonial Downs OTB. Located minutes from downtown Roanoke in southwest Virginia, this complex features 150 HHR machines along with similar amenities as the New Kent site. Future Rosie’s Emporiums are slated to open in Richmond this June and in Hampton later this fall. A fifth location for a facility in Chesapeake is still being sought.

The Colonial Downs Group is investing $300 million in Virginia and creating 800 jobs statewide. Aaron Gomes, the Colonial Downs Group’s COO, said “The Rosie’s opening Virginia Gold Cup Chairman Dr. Will Allison and Virginia marks an enormous economic Racing Commissioner Stephanie Nixon are pictured at the development for the entire ComColonial Downs-Rosie’s ribbon cutting. VEA photo monwealth that has brought together gaming enthusiasts, horse lovers, and the community to experience an exciting and fun activity. In February, we had 50 employees,” he added. “Come June, we’ll have 745 and when live racing starts in August, we’ll be up to 900. That will represent $20 million in payroll.”

The revenues generated through HHR machines will enable Thoroughbred racing to return to Virginia this summer. The 15-day meet will run from August 8th thru September 7th with racing every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 5 PM and on Labor Day at 1 PM. The Grade 3 Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks will both be held as part of a stakes filled card on August 31st. An average of $500,000 in purse monies will be given away daily.

Colonial Downs, through a partnership with Equibase, will be one of just seven tracks in the country to use GPS timing technology to gather more in race data to help both trainers and fans. Through a partnership with the National Steeplechase Association (NSA), Colonial will host two steeplechase races every Saturday during the summer meet and is working toward hosting a single one-day steeplechase festival beginning in 2020.

The annual controlled burn of the Secretariat Turf Course took place on April 16th. VEA Track Superintendent John Dale Thomas and Colonial’s Jeff Wingrove conducted the burn in concert with the New Kent Fire Department. Thomas said the burn removes dead cover from the top layer of grass in a quick and efficient manner. “The grass surface will come back more green, lush and safe especially with hot weather on the horizon,” he said. Thomas will mix crumb rubber into the course as well and, come racing season, believes the track will be its best condition ever.

The Secretariat Turf Course is 180 feet Colonial Downs VP of Racing Jill Byrne wide and at its outermost point is one and one- watches her turf course go up in flames eighth miles around. About 80% of this sum- as part of a controlled burn, an annual mer’s races are expected to be contested over task that removes dead cover from the top layer of grass in a quick and efficient grass. manner. VEA photo

Lady Olivia Northcliff’s Accountable Wins For The Third Time At Great Meadow Lady Olivia Northcliff’s Accountable capped off Virginia Gold Cup Day May 4th with a victory in the 1¼ miles, $35,000 Virginia-Bred, Sired or Certified Flat Race at Great Meadow.

A total of six steeplechase and three flat parimutuel races were contested including the 94th Accountable (outside, Ross Geraghty, running of the Gold Cup, which carried a up) holds off Balistes $100,000 purse.

(Emme Fullilove, up) in a $35,000 Accountable raced in second through the Virginia-bred flat race May 4th at Great Meadow. Douglas Lees photo first mile behind Dragonthorn Steed but when the frontrunner tired, Lady Olivia’s 5-year-old Cosa Vera gelding took over and dueled with Sara Collette’s Balistes to the wire. Accountable was a head better at the finish in 2:23.80.

In four starts at Great Meadow, the Carla Morgan trainee has won three times and finished third in the other. His other triumphs there came in allowance races in the 2017 and 2018 fall meets. Ross Geraghty rode the Virginia-bred, who is out of Seeking Allie by Seeking Daylight.

“It was a challenge to get the horse ready to go that distance because he had been off since October,” said Morgan. “Great Meadow has some up and downhill areas so you never know if the horse is ready and how they’re going to react. He gave a gritty performance and Ross gave him a solid ride.”

The fall International Gold Cup event is scheduled for Saturday, October 26th.

Details are at www.vagoldcup.com.

One Go All Go Named 2018 Horse Of The Year At Virginia Breeders Awards Ceremony The 41st annual Virginia Thoroughbred Championship Awards ceremony was held trackside at Great Meadow in The Plains May 3rd, on the eve of the Virginia Gold Cup races.

VTA Executive Director Debbie Easter emceed the event while VEA Executive Director Jeb Hannum encouraged members to stay abreast of upcoming legislative matters that could affect the horse racing industry.

One Go All Go received Horse of the Year honors courtesy of a win, a trio of runner-up finishes and a third in 2018. He was also named Champion Turf Horse.

The 7-year-old Fairbanks horse, bred by Albert Coppola, had his most lucrative year in 2018 with $363,550 in earnings. He won the Grade 2 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland and had three seconds in Grade 2 events—the Fort Lauderdale, Mac Diarmida, and Pan American Stakes, all at Gulfstream.

Other recipients included Elusive Mischief (Champion 3 YO Male), Altamura (Champion 3 YO Filly), Long On Value (Champion Sprinter), Realm (Champion Dirt Male), Zanclus (Champion Over Fences), and Sadler’s Joy (Champion Virginia Raised Horse) along with Susan Cooney, who was named Champion Virginia Based Trainer, and the William Backer Estate, which was recognized as Breeder of the Year.

Richest Horse In Harness Racing History To Make Promotional Appearance At Shenandoah Downs September 14th Superstar harness horse Foiled Again, who competed and won at Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock, Virginia, last fall as part of a national Farewell Tour, will return to the Valley on Saturday September 14th for a promotional appearance that will help kick off the fourth pari-mutuel race season.

The Dragon Again gelding, now 15, ended his racing career on New Years Eve this past year. Foiled Again won 109 total races from 331 starts and amassed $7,635,588 making him the richest standardbred horse in history. Owned by the Ron Burke Racing Stable, his national Farewell Tour at 18 different tracks last year created so much interest and enthusiasm from fans that he won the prestigious Stan Bergstein/Proximity Award in 2018.

Racing will take place at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds in Woodstock from September 13th thru October 13th. Race programs are scheduled every Friday at 3:30 PM and Saturday at 2 PM. Parking and admission are free and wagering is available. The track is located off I-81 at Exit 283, halfway between Harrisonburg and Winchester.

Details are Foiled Again, winner of $7.6 million in purse monies, will appear at Shenandoah Downs September 14th. at shenandoahdowns.com.

Dee Leftwich photo

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117th Grand National Steeplechase · Butler, Maryland · April 20, 2019 At the last fence, (l-r) Senior Senator (Eric Poretz, up) – 1st; Monstaleur (Forrest Kelly, up).

RACING Maryland Races

Douglas Lees Photos 109th My Lady’s Manor Monkton, Maryland, April 13, 2019 At the 10th fence, (l-r) Mystic Strike (Mark Beecher, up) – 1st; Grand Manan (Bethany Baumgardner, up).

123rd Maryland Hunt Cup · Glyndon, Maryland · April 27, 2019 At the 13th fence, Senior Senator (Eric Poretz, up) – 1st; on his way to retiring the trophy with a third straight win in what is widely considered the most demanding steeplechase race in the US.

“FOXWOOD” Located west of Richmond in Goochland County, “Foxwood” is a renowned equestrian estate set on 150 gently rolling acres. It has been the centerpiece for the Deep Run Hunt Club community since it was established in the 1960’s by legendary Hall of Fame trainer Frances Rowe who gained international fame for helping develop Olympic caliber horses.

Included in its many amenities are multiple pastures & paddocks, a 22-stall horse barn, stable, ring, quaint cottage, charming guest home, 2-acre pond, and large machine shop.

The historic primary residence, with painted clapboard siding and a slate roof, dates to the 1840’s and was thoughtfully renovated by the late Robert and Faye Kilpatrick. The equestrian facilities and residences are approached by a long gently curving drive affording breathtaking views of a rolling countryside, 3-board fencing and long western vistas.

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