VOLUME XXXI / NUMBER 1 • THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA STEEPLECHASE ASSOCIATION • WINTER 2019
Ju tin H. Wile 434.981.5528
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Peter . Wile
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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
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FOXHUNTING Orange County Hounds Douglas Lees Photos
(l-r) Katie and Jim Fitzgerald of Chilly Bleak on a run with Bill Wolfe during Orange County Hounds’ meet at Stonehedge, December 12, 2018.
(l-r) Glenn Epstein, ex-MFH, and Neil Morris, MFH, hunting with Orange County Hounds on December 12, 2018, from Stonehedge.
Trevor Potter and Mary Alice Thomas hunting with Orange County hounds on Christmas Eve, 2018, from Harborvale.
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R u n n i n g of the
Orange County Hounds Point-to-Point Locust Hill Farm, Middleburg, Virginia
Sunday, March 31, 2019 Post Time 1 p.m. Hunter Pace Event Saturday, March 30, 9 a.m. pippy@vafallraces.com
Entries: www.centralentryoffice.com Amy Brown clears a jump in fine form hunting with Orange County Hounds on Thanksgiving Day, 2018, at Chilly Bleak.
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
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SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTS •
Casanova Hunt and Tommy Lee Jones Recognized by Virginia State Legislature
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Tommy Lee Jones has been a resident of Fauquier County for almost 50 years; is a former rider and trainer of show horses, as well as a huntsman; manages horse and pony shows, including the Upperville Colt and Horse Show and the Warrenton Horse Show; and currently serves as president of the advisory board for the Warrenton Pony Show. Tommy Lee Jones [is] commended for his contributions to the Fauquier County community as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for his legacy of service.
We congratulate Casanova Hunt and Tommy Lee Jones on this well-deserved recognition of their contributions to our community. •••••
Calendar of Events Upcoming Events In & Around Horse Country
(l-r) Joyce Fendley, Joint-Master, and Tommy Lee Jones, Huntsman, display the well-deserved Resolution from the Virginia State Legislature honoring Casanova Hunt and Tommy Lee. Bill Sigafoos photo
On February 1, Representatives of the Virginia State Legislature introduced a Resolution commending Casanova Hunt of Fauquier County, Virginia, on its 110th anniversary. Casanova’s history and contributions to the land and community were noted. A second Resolution recognized Tommy Lee Jones, huntsman and horseman, for his service and contributions to the Fauquier County community. Excerpts from the resolutions noted that: • Casanova Hunt has been a part of Virginia’s friendly and social sporting traditions since 1909, making it one of the oldest recognized hunting clubs in the Commonwealth. • Casanova Hunt, a hunting club that has welcomed generations of Fauquier County residents and visitors, celebrates its 110th anniversary in 2019. • Casanova Hunt was established by a group of working farmers and local residents who wanted to hunt closer to their homes, and the club’s ties to the land and the community have remained strong throughout its history. • Casanova Hunt has been a source of enjoyment for members, friends, and landowners alike.
Spring will soon be blooming with a bouquet of challenging, exciting, and just plain fun events. We encourage you to get out and enjoy the many happenings in Horse Country. Hunt Trail Rides: Many hunts will be hosting trail rides throughout the spring and summer. These are typically leisurely rides, jumping optional, through the beautiful hunt countryside. Lunch or light refreshments are usually included. Hunters depend on these rides to keep their horses fit and socialize with fellow hunters during the offseason. If you’re thinking about giving foxhunting a try, these rides are a great way to get yourself and your horse out in a group in the open country but without the added excitement of hounds and horn. To find contact information for the hunts in your area, go to www.mfha.org. Hunter Pace Events and Spring Races: The spring races and the hunter pace series begin in March. For contact information and more details, go to www.centralentryoffice.com. Spring Races, Virginia: Sat., March 16: Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point Sat., March 23: Piedmont Fox Hounds Point-to-Point Sun., March 31: Orange County Hounds Point-toPoint Sat., April 6: Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point Sun., April 14: Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point Sat., April 20: Middleburg Spring Races Sun., April 21: Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point Sat., April 27: Foxfield Spring Races, Charlottesville Sun., April 28: Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point Sat., May 4: Virginia Gold Cup Races
Spring Races, Maryland: Sun., March 31: Green Spring Valley Point-to-Point Sat., April 6: Elkridge-Harford Hunt Point-to-Point Sat., April 13: My Lady’s Manor Races Sat., April 20: Grand National Steeplechase Sun., April 21: Fair Hill Point-to-Point Races Sat., April 27: The Maryland Hunt Cup Sun., April 28: Maryland Junior Hunt Cup Sat., May 4: Howard County Cup Races Sun., May 19: Potomac Hunt Races Sat., May 25: Fair Hill Races Hunter Pace Events: Sun. March 10: Blue Ridge Hunt Sat., March 23: Piedmont Fox Hounds Sat., March 30: Orange County Hounds Sun. April 7: Old Dominion Hounds Sat., April 13: Rappahannock Hunt Sat., April 20: Warrenton Hunt Sat., April 27: Loudoun Fairfax Hunt Other Springtime Happenings: Bull Run Hunt March Madness Hunt Week Sunday, March 24 – Saturday, March 30 www.bullrunhuntclub.com Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America Members Reception Saturday, May 25, 5:00 pm The Mansion, Morven Park, Leesburg Open to current members and members’ guests. www.mhhna.org Virginia Foxhound Club Cocktail Party & Dinner Saturday, May 25, 6:00 pm Horning Blowing Contest, 7:00 pm www.virginiafoxhoundclub.org Hunt Country Stable Tour Saturday, May 25 & Sunday, May 26 www.trinityupperville.org/Hunt-Country-StableTour/ Virginia Hound Show Sunday, May 26, 8:00 am Morven Park, Leesburg rferrer@patricioenterprises.com Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America Sunday, May 26, 11:00 The Mansion, Morven Park, Leesburg Current exhibits open to the public. www.mhhna.org Hound Shows For the full schedule of hound shows: www.mfha.org/hounds-showsched.html. Upperville Colt & Horse Show Monday, June 3 – Sunday, June 9 www.upperville.com
COVER PHOTOGRAPHER:
Joanne Maisano PHOTOGRAPHERS: Mimi Gracida Boyle Liz Callar www.lizcallar.smugmug.com Claudia Coleman Lauren R. Giannini Dee Dee Hubbard Karen Kandra Chelsea Kellerhouse Douglas Lees douglaslees@comcast.net Elsa Lorieul Joanne Maisano www.joannemaisano.com On the cover: As ground conditions forestalled James Leslie Parker mounted hunting, Blue Ridge Hunt’s hounds Bill Sigafoos await a biscuit toss from Huntsman Graham Buston while walking out, January 18, 2019.
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 Spring issue is March 22. 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, Jake Carle, Claudia Coleman, Lauren R. Giannini, Will O’Keefe, Marianne Taylor, Virginia Equine Alliance, Jenny Young LAYOUT & DESIGN: Kate Houchin Copyright © 2019 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXXI, No. 1 POSTMASTER: CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Regular subscription 5 issues $25.00, U.S.A. First Class subscription $35.00, Europe, Canada, etc. $45.00
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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
FOXHUNTING
During the joint meet with Genesee Valley Hunt (January 19, 2019), Green Spring Valley professional Whipper-in Tim Michel rides hard in effort to turn the fox towards better country and away from the road. Karen Kandra photo
4HE -IDDLEBURG (UNT 0OINT 4O 0OINT SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019 POST TIME 1:00 P.M.
GLENWOOD PARK, MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA Genesee Valley’s hounds enjoyed a good day of sport with Green Spring Valley on January 14, 2019, hunting from kennels, despite some light snow cover. (l-r) Marion Thorne, MFH/Huntsman, Genesee Valley Hunt, and Ashley Hubbard, Huntsman, Green Spring Valley. Karen Kandra photo
Green Spring Valley Huntsman Ashley Hubbard moves off from kennels, January 19, 2019, aided by professional Whipper-In Tim Michel (left) and honorary Whipper-in Ned Halle. Karen Kandra photo
Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point Saturday, April 6, 2019 12 Noon Hunter Pace April 7, 2019, 1:00 pm
Ben Venue Farm, Ben Venue, VA 16 miles west of Warrenton on U.S. 211 Seven Races featuring Leeds Don Open Timber Information: 540-364-4573, 540-636-1507
PRIOR TO APRIL 15, GENERAL ADMISSION CAR PASS $30. AFTER APRIL 15, GENERAL ADMISSION CAR PASS $40. CAR PASS ADMITS CAR AND 4 OCCUPANTS. Information: Mrs. Liam Tuohy (540) 454-2991
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
When winter weather shut down mounted sport for Deep Run Hunt, Huntsman John Harrison and staff kept hounds sharp with early morning exercise walks. Chelsea Kellerhouse photos
“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. The home and its equestrian facilities are very privately situated and offered for sale for $2,900,000. There are large tracts of additional adjoining acreage that can be added to “Foxwood”, if desired. Virtual tour available at www.RVAHomePhotos.com Richard Bower 804.869.6000 Joyner Fine Properties www.RichardBower.com
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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
ARTISANS
Legends of Leather Gifted Craftsmen Serve the Equestrian World James Alford Southern Pines, NC By Claudia Coleman
There is one place I can never go on a time schedule for I will stay much longer than I expect. The Cabin Branch Tack Shop in Southern Pines, NC, provides a wide selection of tack, clothing, and equine supplies for me to peruse, but that is not all. It the back room there is a small half door, which, when opened, lets you descend stairs to a basement room. From the top of the stairs I breathe deeply of the smell of fine new leather, old musty relics needing repair, and smoke from a Tampa Nugget. This is the den of harness maker, James Alford. This room is piled high with tools, scraps of leather, rolls of new leather, someone’s golf bag, saddle trees, a few chewed up dog collars, and often a new pair of hunt boots waiting for patent tops. There are tools on racks, stitching machines, saddles stacked in the corner, boxes of buckles, and little space to walk around. James is sitting on his bench stitching a cheek piece together for a new custom bridle. He has not changed in the 40+ years I have known him. His famous smile is punctuated by the perpetual cigar, and he will always reiterate the latest tidbits from the equestrian world, or perhaps reminisce about events and characters from the past. One topic leads to another and time slips by. If you ask about anything you see hanging around or buried under a table, you will be treated to education not available anywhere else. I have learned so much from James. Originally from South Carolina, James’ family moved to Taylortown, NC, in the Pinehurst/Southern Pines area when he was 3 years old. There were jobs in all the industries that went with the famous resort of Pinehurst, built at the turn of the century as a premier vacation destination for people in colder climates to spend the winter playing golf, riding, shooting, or playing tennis. Tourists came on the train to the famous sandhills and long leaf pine forests that boasted clean air and mild temperatures. There were even mineral springs near by. One of the attractions of Pinehurst was the Harness Track and Training Center, which was built around 1910. It is still functioning and trainers spend the winters there breaking in young horses and tuning up seasoned veterans for summer racing. With the area’s horse industry, which included two packs of foxhounds, the Moore County Hounds in Southern Pines and Vernon Reed’s private pack west of Pinehurst, leather repair was a necessity. So even in the early years of Pinehurst, various harness makers would come south for the winter following their clients. In the 1930s, the Schmelzer family, originally from Germany, came to Pinehurst and built a leather shop at the Pinehurst Harness Track. At first, they came only for the winter seasons but eventually made Pinehurst their permanent residence. Their son, Edward J. (“E.J.”), after serving in WWII, continued his father’s craft producing high quality repairs and new bridles, halters, and harnesses. The growth of equine interests in the area brought more and more business to Schmelzer’s. After his father’s death, E.J. realized he needed help and he began to scout for young artisans who wanted to learn a trade. James Alford’s father was friends with one of the taxi drivers in Pinehurst who often picked James up from school if he was going that way. Since so many tourists came by train, there were lots of independent taxis. One day, with James in tow, he had to stop at Schmelzer’s shop and E.J. invited him to come and see what the shop was like. James was 14 at the time. James says, “I was fascinated. I had never seen anyone actually make harness or sew leather. He asked me if I thought I might like to learn how to make things and with his instruction, he had me cut out a piece of leather. Apparently I did it to his satisfaction and I started going after school and weekends to learn. I loved it. I had been doing a little caddy work on weekends and those were the days of huge leather golf bags loaded with every club invented. They were incredibly heavy and I really did not want to do that for a living later in life. I never looked back.” The Harness Track was a bustling place in the winters. At one time there were 19 barns full of trotters and pacers, and two tracks for training. Schmelzer’s was piled high with harness repairs, all needed immediately.
E.J. Schmelzer had been trained by his father, who undoubtedly had been trained in the apprentice system too, so he expected he would have to teach someone to help him in the business. He provided all the tools and instruction. “Some of the tools were hand made by him or people he knew just for a specific job. You can’t buy some of these even today. After E.J. died in the early ’70s, his son Jimmy Schmelzer returned home and kept the business going. He, too, had been trained by his father, but his heart was not in leather. When Jimmy Schmelzer finally closed the shop about 12 James Alford. Portrait by Claudia Coleman years ago and sold everything, I was able to purchase quite a few items I had always wanted.” In the nearby town of Southern Pines, Sam Bozick, another harness/saddle maker, had his shop. Also from a family of skilled craftsmen—his father worked for Smith Worthington in Connecticut—Sam catered to the hunter/jumper clientele. His father moved the family to Aiken, SC, when Sam was little, where here he and his brother learned from their father. His brother stayed in Aiken and Sam moved to Southern Pines in the early ’50s. The region supported two tack shops easily. As Jimmy Schmelzer lost interest in the harness shop, James and his brother Leroy, who had also been taught by E.J., left the business. Leroy went into construction, but it wasn’t long before Sam snagged James and put him in his shop on Broad Street in Southern Pines. Sam owned the building where the Cabin Branch Tack Shop and James are today. I asked James if he would ever think of retiring from working with leather. “Oh no,” James replied, rekindling his cigar, “I love to do this. Maybe someday I might have a little shop of my own, but right now I am happy right where I am. Who knows? Someone may come in with an interesting project! When are you going to let me build you a new saddle like the one you have?” We both laughed! Then we talked about saddles and their trees. His collection on the wall bore dusting off and in a short time, I learned how a flexible tree is built and why some break and some don’t. Of course, that brought a great story to James’ mind. “A while back,” he mused, “Mike Plumb (5 time Olympic Gold Medal winner and resident of Southern Pines) had a saddle that was given to him that he used to complain he just couldn’t seem to break it in right. I worked on it some, but there was nothing wrong with it, maybe a loose stitch once in a while— you know, he rides them hard. Well, one day he dragged it in to have some new billets put in and declared it was finally right. I picked it up to see if it was as stiff as ever, and found it bent nicely in the middle. It was broken in all right, the tree was snapped completely through in the middle!” When asked if he had trained any young people to do the work he does, he said, sadly, no. “Some have come and tried it. I like to teach people how to do things but no one will stick with it. A few thought the work was too hard!” He laughed. “It takes a push to hand sew, but if you do it right, it is beautiful. It makes me proud to have people like yourself come in with a bridle I made 20 years ago and it is still good.” Pride in his work and a great sense of humor have sustained James Alford for his lifetime. “I hope someone will come along that really does want to learn how to make wonderful things from fine leather before I forget it all.” As I left, James clamped down on his Tampa Nugget, flashed me his signature grin and hopped on his bench to sew another stitch.
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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
Edward “Skeeter” Hembry Warrenton, Virginia By Lauren R. Giannini For most of his life, Edward “Skeeter” Hembry has worked in various facets of the horse world where he became known for his custom-designed, hand-made Western and Endurance saddles, which have been used in movies, TV shows, and competitions on three continents. His portfolio includes custom items, tack repair and restorations of classic leather harnesses, Civil War saddles, and antique steamer trunks, to name a few. Now 79, Skeeter keeps up a steady pace with his own horses, teaching, training, giving clinics, and judging shows. Plus, six days a week, he can be found at Skeeter’s Saddlery, 5377 Telephone Road, Warrenton, Va. “My business is my hobby, my hobby is my business,” Skeeter said. “I come to my shop and I often stay here until 11 or 12 pm, making stuff.” Stuff, as in really nice leather stuff. Skeeter handcrafts about 30 saddles every year. He can’t begin to count the number of belts, gun holsters, and other items he has made from scratch. His saddles have been commissioned as awards for various competitions and championships. He’s a craftsman and an artist, but he’ll be the first to tell you he spent plenty of time learning to hone his leather skills, taking small steps with small pieces like a toddler learning to walk. “Back in 1960, Mitch Harrison, that guy who taught me to make saddles, made me learn to repair stuff before he let me start cutting up the big hides,” recalled Skeeter. “In between repairs, he would show me how to make a belt, make this, make that. I was a teenager when I made my first saddle.” That was in 1963—the start of everything. For a number of years his tack shop at Fairfax Circle served customers that included the Kennedys: Jacqueline, Ethel, and Bobby came to his store, members of the family took lessons with him. His inventory was divided almost evenly between English and Western tack and attire. But as Skeeter realized he needed to relocate further into the country, i.e. to Warrenton—where Horse Country was already established, as he pointed out—it was a relatively easy choice for him to abandon retail and focus on tack repair and custom work. He has many loyal customers and some bring their children and grandchildren to meet the man behind Skeeter’s Saddlery. One longtime return customer is Dr. William (Bill) Weisenburger, of Triangle, Virginia. “Skeeter himself brings me back—at this point in time, I consider Skeeter a friend. He’s not just a place where I go to get stuff,” Bill said. “He’s a great guy, a throwback old-time cowboy. He’s not into shortcuts and I’ve never been disappointed with anything he ever told me. I just like the guy.” Bill didn’t start riding until he was almost 40. “It was one of those things I always wanted to do and I jumped into horses with both feet—my whole family did,” Bill said. “My wife and I have had horses for 25 years and I guess I’ve been going to Skeeter’s for 22 of the 25, but I was kind of lost the first three years. I’ve met three or four people through the years that I completely trust and Skeeter is one of them. When I have a question about tack, about horses, I call Skeeter. He’s an amazing resource for anybody in the horse hobby.” The litany of custom items made by Skeeter for Bill runs the gamut—holsters, headstalls, and two Wade saddles—real deal Western working cowboy saddles, one for Bill and one for his son as a gift. “Right now I own five saddles that Skeeter has made. I never owned a new saddle until the custom Wade he made for me. Then I bought three custom saddles he made for other people, and my daughter rides in one of them, but it works fine for her. They’re older, but the saddles are great quality, so when I see a Skeeter saddle for sale, I buy it.” Skeeter serves both Western and English riders. He’s friendly, articulate, old-fashioned courteous to all and yet dishes up no BS whatsoever. He has history from 50 years of working with horses and horsepeople under his belt, which is handmade, of course: “I never bought a belt from a store,” Skeeter said. “I started making them in the ’60s when I first started working for Mitch Harrison.” Over the decades he has witnessed many changes, not just in the development of what used to be farmland inside the Washington, DC, Beltway, but also in outlying areas. Then there are the tools of his trade. It’s such a different horse world nowadays. “The leather has changed a lot, horses have changed, people have changed—they’re reading stuff on the internet and they have more questions for you now—saddles have changed,” Skeeter said. It’s as a breeder of Quarter Horses that his horsemanship has living legacies. Skeeter’s customers have bought offspring by or bred their mares to his AQHA stallion, Skeeters Hank (1975). Another longtime customer is Trish Ethier, an avid Quarter Horse enthusiast. “I have been Skeeter’s direct next door neighbor for 33 years. Skeeter is probably the best neighbor anyone could ever ask for,” Trish said. “He’s a very kind, helpful, knowledgeable individual when it comes to farm life. We’ve really appreci-
ated his input over the years for various things to do with farming, with having horses. I own a 1985 Skeeters Jaguar—he’s a Hank baby, and I understand from Skeeter that my Jag is Hank’s last living offspring. Skeeter gets to see him every single day. Jag will turn 34 in March and you’d never think he was that old. He has good teeth and he’s had good care.” Undoubtedly a case of the sire stamping his get, but Skeeter pretty much sets some sterling standards for everything he does. A wellmade piece of leather is a great tribute to his knowledge and expertise. Edward “Skeeter” Hembry. Lauren R. Giannini photo “Since February 1987 when we moved into our farm, I’ve had him make custom chaps for me,” Trish added. “He’s redone my boots so they fit my calves. He’s made belts for me, a purse for me. He’s forever taken care of my blankets when they needed repairs. The quality of the work is very good. I’m really hoping that Skeeter can get an apprentice he can teach everything to, because he’s so knowledgeable.” Aye, there’s the rub: Many may be attracted to making items out of leather, but learning to work with the medium takes time. In this high tech age of instant everything, the art and craft of working with leather doesn’t rank among the most desirable professions even in the horse world. Yet there’s something very grounding and fulfilling about working with leather. “I know a number of people who wanted to be leather craftsmen, but they didn’t last long,” Skeeter said. “They come in and want to make things, but they don’t know how to work with leather and expect me to set them loose on a hide. It doesn’t work that way.” The bottom line, according to Dr. Weisenburger, is this: “Skeeter’s the last of a dying breed. There aren’t many people around who can do what Skeeter does.” This elder African-American would be happy to share what he knows with an apprentice willing to make the commitment to learn. You never know if your new leather-making hobby might turn into a cottage horse industry. Ask Skeeter. He’s been there and he’s still doing it.
Punkin Lee & Journeymen Saddlers Middleburg, Virginia By Lauren R. Giannini When it comes to business and riding horses, you’re only as good as your basics. Punkin Lee knows the ins and outs of both, those basics being in her genes. A lifetime resident of Middleburg, she’s dedicated to preserving the town’s essence as a popular destination even as the small community moves forward with the times. Horses, history, shopping, and scenics right out of a magazine are only a few of the reasons why people flock to visit; some even move there. Since 1977 Punkin and her Journeymen Saddlers Ltd, 2 West Federal Street, have been right in the heart of this horse-centric community. “Journeymen has been here 41 years, and when we started, we wanted to make something, but too many were making halters, so we decided to make chaps,” Punkin said. “For the first 30 or so years, our business was heavy in custom chaps. But people look at upper level riders to see what they’re doing and wearing. The trend went from chaps during the last 10 years to half-chaps, then to breeches and boots. Now they all want zippers, so our boot repair business is huge. It goes in cycles.” Punkin has witnessed firsthand Middleburg’s evolution from a picturesque and charming small town, about an hour west of the Washington, DC, Beltway, to the thriving microcosm that attracts visitors from around the world. Her parents knew each other from childhood as next-door neighbors on Main Street, making their offspring really local. Punkin’s roots are deep and strong, and growing up living the dream of every pony- and horse-crazy kid provided the foundation for her personal and professional commitment to the Middleburg community. Continued
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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
“When I was a kid we could ride to town, ride along Zulla Road,” she recalled. “I had two ponies. I rode one before school and one when I got home. I often went from my house and picked up another friend and pony at the next house, then we went to the next house and so on. We foxhunted on the ponies, taking off and riding all day.” Punkin went away to boarding school in Richmond, attended two colleges to earn her degree, and returned to Middleburg. She Punkin Lee. Photo courtesy of Dee Dee Hubbard joined her mother, Nancy Lee, in their advertising agency in the other part of the building that became the permanent location for Journeymen. For more than 30 years Kevin Caporaletti has been doing the repairs. “It makes me very proud to actually be part of Journeymen, to be known as an artist and craftsman within the trade,” Kevin said. “I think I’ve been very lucky, but I keep learning about my craft. I go online, looking at leatherwork tools, different kinds of leather. But no matter how much you learn, you can only know about half of it. I would like an apprentice, but it seems that people only want to do the fun stuff.“ Every art and craft requires both inspiration and perspiration, so to speak. Quality is what Punkin and Journeymen promise, and quality is what people get. Granted the leather is very different from what it used to be. Most of the raw hides come from confined feedlot cattle operations—“faster, faster, faster,” as Punkin puts it—and the quality isn’t as good as the leather made from free-ranging animals raised in healthier circumstances. But Journeymen searches for the best leather they can find even though international shipping gets expensive for the foreign countries that still tan raw hides. But fixing good old leather items is a far wiser investment than putting small fortunes into what you can buy in today’s disposable world. “One thing I wish people would try to understand is that we’re a repair business—we only do English and we do things by hand—stitch by stitch,” Punkin said. “We offer quality work, and when people have a good experience and their repairs are done well, they pass it on and give us referrals. We have everything here in Middleburg in a triangle: the new store, the used store, and the fix-it store. We’re very lucky to have everything on the same block, and we all work together. The customers come to a destination where they can buy something new, check out consignments, and leave something to get repaired. In a small town like Middleburg, even though you’re all more or less in competition, you still work together and help each other out, because it’s good for the sake of the whole town.” Punkin is a dedicated volunteer, working on committees and involved in every facet of her hometown, including serving more than 10 years as president of the Middleburg Business and Professional Association. Although MBPA is in her genes, she isn’t a founder. “My mother, Nancy Lee, actually founded it, way back in the ’60s,” Punkin said. “It went up, then it went down—it resurrects itself, but we’ve been on a pretty long-term status. The purpose of MBPA is all about Middleburg as a destination for locals and visitors alike, with members working to promote and strengthen businesses and support tourism in Middleburg.” MBPA holds monthly networking events called Biz Buzz, maintains the website—visitmiddleburgva.com—and encourages promotion of Middleburg as the Nation’s Horse and Hunt Capital, offering more than 400 equestrian events such as polo, steeplechase, and horse shows. New members are always welcome, and members of the community are invited to attend meetings. Punkin enjoys being an active part of various activities and events, especially the Upperville Horse Show, Virginia Fall Races, and serving on various committees in and
around Middleburg. One loyal customer with team and individual gold Olympic medals in show jumping is Joe Fargis, based at Mary B. Schwab’s farm on the west end of Middleburg. He’s a chaps person and still wears his Journeymen custom chaps. “The quality of Journeymen’s work is dependable and reliable,” Joe said. “Punkin is sensible, down-to-earth, correct, informed, and a pillar of the community in every respect. I’ve had a lot of repairs and custom work from Journeymen, which is about the best in the whole country. She’s also informed and knows what’s going on.” Punkin’s mission is keeping Middleburg healthy and strong by helping businesses to grow. Her advice on how to succeed in Middleburg is basic and worth its weight in gold. “You have to show up every day and open when you say you’ll be open,” she said. “People love the idea of being in business in Middleburg, but it’s like anything else—you have to work it every day. You can’t just wake up and say, ‘Oh, I think I’ll ride this morning or play tennis and go to work at noon’—not if your sign says you open at 8 or 9 am or whenever. It’s nice to be in a small town, and people think it’s going to be easy, but you still have to work it and treat it like a business. You have to be there, you have to put it out there to everybody. If you can’t help a potential customer, then make sure you send them to the next person in Middleburg.” One of the world’s most unique communities, Middleburg offers something for every visitor even if they know nothing about horses. “The horse is the industry of Middleburg,” Punkin said. “People always need saddle and tack and equipment repairs. We still make and repair custom chaps, we finish needlepoint belts, and do other custom items. Through our customers, we get to hear about the Olympics and the World Championships as well as what’s happening with backyard riders, foxhunters, sidesaddle, hunters, jumpers, eventers, racing, and steeplechasing—everything.” Journeymen Saddlers and Middleburg—custom-made for horse-crazy kids of all ages.
Horse Country
®
The Delighted Look of Discovery: It Never Gets Old. The wide-eyed sparkle, the twinkling smile…it happens whenever someone steps into Horse Country for the first time. It says, “Look what I discovered!” We’ve seen countless such moments since the store first opened nearly 49 years ago. And the pleasure never gets old. Come make the discovery for yourself. You’ll be glad you did.
FORMAL FOX MARTINI COCKTAIL GLASS 4005-G446DF1 (HC1D) $105.00
BELMONT STIRRUP ICE BUCKET Arriving Soon (HC1A) FORMAL FOX WINE GLASS 4005-G444DF1 (HC1B) $105.00
HORSE HEAD TRAY 2680-TRY01 (HC1C) $115.00
BELMONT ICE-PUNCH BOWL 4005-H419HL (HC1E) $795.00
SOLOGNE PHEASANT PLATTER 1753-PHSTR (HC1F) $270.00 THE PARTRIDGE TRAY 1753-PARTR (HC1J) $65.00 FULL CRY DOUBLE OLD FASHIONED, SET OF 2. 1416-HC/001 (HC1G) $72.00
TALLY HO CARAFE 4005-G400GH (HC1H) $99.00
(540) 347-3141 • 800-88-2-HUNT (4868) 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, Virginia 20186 Store Hours: Monday–Friday 9AM - 6PM, Saturday 9AM - 5PM (ET)
Visit us online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com www.HorseCountryCarrot.com
All prices subject to change without notice. All items subject to availability. IAHC 02-2019
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BARBOUR速 ANNANDALE 4-LQ0475BL (HC2B) $169.00
BARBOUR速 LIGHTWEIGHT LIDDESDALE Black. 4-LQ0235BK (HC2C) $99.00 Emerald. 4-LQ0235EG (HC2D) $99.00
CAVALRY JACKET BY BARBOUR速 4-LQ0228IN (HC2E) $199.00
DOG LOVER SWEATSHIRT 1858-LT051 (HC2J) $39.95
TAFANI LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET. Available in Navy, Orange, Purple and Blue. (HC2A) $165.00
LADIES' COOL LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT 273-306189TB (HC2G) $34.95
JAMIE JERSEY BLUE 1652-21544A (HC2H) $39.99
EDITH COWL CJBGKF-CD01 (HC2F) $59.99
REVERSIBLE TOTE Chocolate Fuchsia. 1873-TOTE010 (HC2M) $120.00 Black & Green. 1873-TOTE011 (HC2N) $120.00
HERITAGE POLO SERIES H20 JACKET CENEKN-NEFR (HC2L) $124.95 LADIES' MUDS COLD FRONT BOOTS 1652-66002A (HC2K) $109.99 www.Facebook.com/HorseCountryLife
HC2 HORSE COUNTRY速 800-882-HUNT
All prices subject to change without notice. All items subject to availability. IAHC 02-2019
www.HorseCountryCarrot.com
Visit us online! www.horsecountrylife.com
Shop online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com ESSEX BORDEAUX TALENT YARN 143-SR62W11 (HC3C) $125.00
INPERIA JACKET CCPDKM-K000 (HC3A) $179.00
KASTEL SHIRT 1774-LRS10 (HC3D) $75.00
ATHENA 1/4 ZIP 1652-21520C (HC3B) $54.99
COMPETITOR FULL SEAT WHITE 962-COMP-WHT (HC3E) $176.00
SOFTSHELL FLEECE LINED BREECH Available in Tan and Black 1652-24009A (HC3F) $89.95
BARBOUR速 MEN'S CHELSEA BLUE STEEL 4-MQ0007BS (HC3H) $229.00
MEN'S VIERZON GREEN 3352-BCB1497O (HC3G) $199.00
BARBOUR速 MEN'S LANGDALE VEST 4-MF0079OL (HC3J) $129.00
BARBOUR速 MEN'S LOWERDALE VEST Available in Olive and Blue 4-MQ0495GN (HC3K) $179.00
Visit us online! www.horsecountrylife.com
HORSE COUNTRY速 800-882-HUNT HC3 Not responsible for typographical errors. IAHC 02-2019
Shop online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com Shop online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com
CAPRIOLE WEYMOUTH BRIDLE 327-RBCRW (HC4A) $475.00
MILLBROOK BRIDLE 327-KLMB (HC4B) $280.00
PIROUETTE BRIDLE 327-KLPB (HC4C) $475.00
RAMBO IONIC® STABLE SHEET ADJK4V-KKS0 (HC4E) $229.99
FLY VEIL Green/Ecru 327-03941 (HC4F) $28.50 Grey/Mint 327-0390 (HC4G) $28.50 Many Colors Available
USG® A/P PAD Green/Ecru 327-53941 (HC4H) $60.95 Anthracite 327-59053 (HC4J) $60.95 Many Colors Available
FLEXCITE GRIP STIRRUPS 44289-122 (HC4D) $329.99
EXERCISE SADDLE 1282-001 (HC4K) $595.00
CLEAR RACE GOGGLES 16370-C (HC4L) $13.95
JOCKEY RACING PANTS Several Types - Starting at $89.00
Horse Country® www.HorseCountryCarrot.com
To WINCHESTER, I-66 & I-81
29
BROADVIEW Ave.
To SPERRYVILLE & I-81 211
Visit us online! www.HorseCountryLife.com All prices subject to change without notice. Not responsible for typographical errors. All items subject to availability. IAHC 02-2019
St.
MAIN St.
HORSE COUNTRY
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WATERLOO St. ss RT. 29/17 Bypa
Store Hours: Monday–Friday 9AM - 6PM, Saturday 9AM - 5PM (ET)
W IN CH ES TE R
Pk. DRIA ALEXAN
60 Alexandria Pike • Warrenton, Virginia 20186 www.Facebook.com/HorseCountryLife
Rt. 17 By pass
17
(540) 347-3141 • 800-88-2-HUNT (4868) CUSTOMER SERVICE AND INQUIRIES: (540) 347-3141 24 HOUR FAX: (540) 347-7141 For Orders Only: 800-882-HUNT(4868)
To WASHINGTON via I-66
To CULPEPER & CHARLOTTESVILLE
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
AGA’S SAGAS
9
Greetings and Welcome
Whew! I was glad it was getting brighter. For a while, I couldn’t see my paws in front of my face. Then the fog cleared and I could see where I was. One thing was for certain—I was not in Horse Country anymore. A minute before, I was admiring the new array of saddle pads, standing on a Persian carpet, and then I was standing on grass as fresh as springtime. But where was Bunsen? He’d gone missing while looking for Jenny to remind her that she was late for our morning walk and elevensies biscuits. The store was jam packed with newly arrived merchandise, cartons piled high and filling the aisles. The last thing we heard Bunsen say, as he plunged into the maze of boxes, in his distinctive Highland brogue, “Marion could nae have more stock in this store if she’d raided Marks & Spencer’s Edinburgh warehouse!” When he didn’t return after a long span of time, I volunteered to go in looking for him, as I could fit into smaller places than any of the staff could and I have much better scenting ability. And here I was, in an unfamiliar, albeit lovely and peaceful, field of soft, fragrant grass. Hoping he might be in hearing range, I called out, “Bunsen!” “Ovah here, lassie! I ran to him quickly. “Ah, there you are! What are you doing?” “Waiting for ye, m’wee darlin’. I knew ye’d find me.” “Are you okay? We were all so worried about you.” “Never better! And look at ye! Ye darted to me like a young pup, nary a limp to be seen.” “Why, so I did!” I hadn’t even realized that my limp was gone until Bunsen mentioned it. “But where have you been?” I asked. “I tracked you in the store as far as the book department, lost your scent, so I headed over to the gloves, then the umbrellas, all the way to the tweed jackets. The scent was all gone.” “Oh, I walked in t’other direction. Verra strange, but a thick fog rolled in, like a creamy Scottish fish soup. I couldn’t see over the hat boxes and then… somehow…I ended up here. Verra strange indeed!” “So what do we do now?” I asked. “Try to go back to Marion? She’s missing us for sure.” “I suppose we could try. But I dinnae know where we’d start. Maybe we should just wait for the gates over there to open. They appear to be the entrance to some kind of park on t’other side.” I’d been so focused on finding Bunsen and confused about where we were and how we’d gotten there, that I hadn’t noticed the gates. “Do you think that’s where Marion might be? Will we see her there?” I saw a look of ancient wisdom in Bunsen’s eyes, a knowing glimmer I’d never seen before. “Aye, lassie,” he said, his voice gentle and reassuring, “I believe we will. Just not for a while, though.” He then turned his attention back to the mysterious gates. “The task now is to figure out how to get those gates open.” What I thought was a brilliant idea occurred to me. “Alexa,” I commanded, “open these gates!” Nothing happened. “Nice try,” Bunsen said, an amused smirk on his face. Then his expression brightened and he said, “Faith and bejabbers! Looka there! ’Tis Saint Bernard himself standing on the other side. I remember the tales m’father used to tell me about him, the legendary dog rescuer.” “Will he open the gates for us?” “According to the stories heard in m’youth, yes. But only if we’ve been good little dogs.” My heart sank when I heard that. “Then I guess we won’t pass through, as bad as we’ve been.” I noticed a small creature walking toward the gates. “Look,” I said, “it’s a Yorkie.” “Ha! St. Bernard is coming out to greet the wee laddie. They must know each other by the way they’re dancing all around. A canine Highland Fling!” The two dogs danced through the open gates and then, “Oh, nooo! The gates are closing behind them.” “C’mon, lassie. What say we go over and try our luck?” I was downcast. “Luck? If what you say is true, that only good little dogs are allowed in, then I think our chances are slim.” My mood brightened and I thought of an action plan. “I know! We’ll hide in the bushes and wait till the next time the gates open. Then you go up and keep Saint Bernard busy while I dash around you both and run through the gates. When he turns to see what just streaked past him, you dash through the gates yourself.” “I dinnae think that will work, lassie. Aye, your legs have suddenly become much more spry since we landed here. But even if we were both able to sneak past the good Saint Bernard, I doubt they’d let us stay.” “Yeah, right. That ‘good little dogs’ thing.”
Claudia Coleman illustration
Bunsen lapsed into a reflective mood. “Have we really been that bad? T’be honest, I think you’ve been worse than me, but just have nae been caught near as often.” “We’ve both had our moments,” I admitted. We sat quietly for a while. Then Bunsen, with his eyes cast down, said, “Aga, me wee darlin’, I confess that I was the one who took the t-bone you were hiding under the blanket for a rainy day.” “Oh, Bunsen, I’ve always known you took it, even though you tried to blame it on our Marion. I mean, really, why would Marion have taken it, what with most of the meat already gone?” We remained in silence a while longer. Then I said, “Remember when Marion cut your dessert for a week after that incident when you chased me through the store and we knocked over the precious wooden screen? When the Tally Ho flower vase was found broken on the floor, I lied and told her you had done it, when it was me.” “Well, if that’s the worst of our deeds, we shouldn’t be judged as too bad a lad and lassie, now should we?” “Maybe we should just go back to Marion. She’ll forgive us for being missing. Besides, she needs us to help with spring inventory, especially the new jackets and hats she’s ordered for the races. The point-to-point season is starting soon.” “I have a verra strong feeling that we cannae go back now. Whatever this place is, I think we’re here to stay. So we should try to make the best of it.” “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to at least ask if we could be allowed in. The worst that can happen is we get turned away. Then we’ll know.” “Aye, lassie. Looks like Saint Bernard isn’t at the gates now. Let’s go give a bark and see what happens.” As we walked over to the gates, Bunsen asked me, “Do ye think Marion will get another pup or two? Maybe a handsome lad like me?” “Perhaps. But she’ll have a hard time finding any pups as clever as me! She always said her next Scottie would come with a PhD in behavior and an MBA in marketing.” “Well, here we are. Let’s give it a shot.” Together we hollered, “Helllloooo! Anybody home?” The gates slowly opened to reveal verdant fields, stout trees, dogs of all sorts running and playing everywhere. And sitting in the middle of the path was a dashing Scottie, his black coat gleaming, a bright smile wreathing his face. “And who might this handsome lad be?” Bunsen asked. “I can’t believe my eyes!” I replied. “Bunsen, allow me to introduce you to my old, dear friend, Pandore.” Pandore’s smile widened and he said, “Beannachdan agus fàilte.” I thought Bunsen would burst. “Faith and bejabbers!” Bunsen said. “He speaks Gaelic! That means ‘Greetings and welcome.’ We’re home, lassie. We’re home!” “It appears we are, Bunsen,” I said, nodding to Pandore, “it appears we are.”
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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
HORSE COUNTRY BOOKSELLERS
sides and accompaniments. Fried alligaJENNY’S PICKS tor, anyone? Hardcover, 350pp. $35.00 What a winter it’s been for most of us this season! Rain, bitter cold, snow— For those like myself who don’t indulge makes it hard for both fox and rabbit in obtaining wild food (though I wouldn’t hunters to get out as much, since none of turn down any offer of free meat!), we Specialists in New, Old & Rare Books on Horses, Foxhunting, us want to damage our landowners’ have plenty of other cookbooks. Here are Eventing, Polo, Racing, Steeplechasing & Sporting Art property with tire grooves, nor bring two worth considering. horses to ruin with bad footing. So it’s a 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186 • 800-882-HUNT • 540-347-3141 Brown, Ellen. The New Pressure good time to relax with a cup of your faCooker Cookbook. My mom used to use They’re illustrated with lovely color photos to whet your vorite beverage—hot or not—and a good book. It’s also a the pressure cooker to cook green beans both to speed up appetite. At the back of the book are illustrated, step-bygood time to try out some new recipes, especially those the cooking time and for improved taste, but I’ve always body-warming, delicious hot meals. We have a number of step, various culinary procedures that you might enbeen afraid to try it. If you want to try out pressure cookers delightful selections for you to choose from; however, counter. Hardcover, 94pp. $19.50 for the improvement not only in taste but in nutrition, conmany of these we have only one copy of, so order quickly Sinkus, Henry. 100 Fast and Foolproof Freshwater Fish sider this book offering “150 delicious, fast and nutritious if you want one. First, for you who like to catch your own Recipes. Sinkus includes a wide range of different fish as dishes.” One thing I like about this that you don’t often main course, that is to say, hunters and fishermen, you well as styles of cooking for you to try, ranging from apsee is a little square by each recipe indicating if it can be might try one of these: petizers through soups and salads to entrees. Walleye prepared ahead a day or so and reheated. There are a few mousse, molded lake trout salad, catfish, crayfish, nut and Shaw, Hank. Hunt, Gather, Cook/Finding the Forgotten introductory pages relative to the skill of pressure cooking Feast. Humankind started out as hunter/gatherers; or fruit mold, smoked salmon and potato bisque, Indian fish and why it is beneficial; if you haven’t worked with a presmaybe that’s what made us humans instead of apes. stew, bass fillets with orange tomato sauce, and sucker sure cooker, be sure you read these pages carefully before (Apologies to any Creationists out there!) Since foragers jambalaya are but a few of these enticing recipes for the trying it! In these pages you’ll be introduced to a savory were more likely than hunters to come home with some- venturesome. Paperback, 127pp. $14.95 variety of recipes such as Carolina fish muddle, Lemon thing edible (no rifles to ensure a carcass back then), it’s Winter, Galen, ed. 500 Wild Game and Fish Recipes. Herb Cod en Papillotte, moussaka, Guinness beef stew, appropriate that the author begins with foraging from coast Once you get through the side-splitting introduction and and much more. A few color photographs introduce the to coast. Part 2 is fishing and feasting from streams to the into the “meat” of the book, you will be introduced first various chapters. Hardcover, 291pp. $24.95 sea. Mmm, “My Mum’s Clam Chowder” sounds great to fish, then venison, game birds and small game before Ottolenghi, Yotam; and Helen Goh. Sweet. We have fearight now! And of course, to finish the book we have the getting a crash course on smoking, canning and preservtured several of the famed Ottolenghi’s books in our store, meat section: the small stuff (rabbits, hares, squirrels), ing. Like the book above, there are no pictures, just page and this, the latest, seems a good one to end my column. venison of various orders, wild boar, game birds and wa- after page of useful recipes and information. To quote As the name indicates, it is entirely devoted to desserts— terfowl. Scattered throughout are the author’s tales of his Galen Winter from the introduction, “If you aren’t a game wonderful desserts, illustrated with full-color, often fullexperiences hunting and gathering, and lots of tips. Great cook but have the vague suspicion that the entirely natural page photos. Cookies, cakes, ice cream—all with an for the man or woman who wants to learn to live some- foods represented by the wild fowl, fish and game meats Ottolenghi flair guaranteed to bring the oohs and aahs to what as our distant ancestors did. Hardcover, 324pp. are superior to the packaged junk in the super market, your guests should you serve them. Orange and star anise $25.00 you’ve come to the right place.” Paperback, 165pp. $14.95 shortbread; chocolate, banana and pecan cookies; saffron, Tennant, Jr., S. G. B. Trout. Part of the Game & Fish Mas- Rinella, Steven. The Meateater Fish and Game Cook- orange and honey madeleines; chocolate Guinness cake tery Library, this focuses on trout alone, though many if book. Written by the host of the TV show “Meateater” with Bailey’s Irish cream; cinnamon pavlova, praline not all of the recipes might work for a number of other (Netflix), this is a coffee-table sort of cookbook—full of cream and fresh figs—you get the idea. And there are lots fishes. A simple recipe is “rainbow wrap,” trout wrapped color photos—but it’s also full of valuable information on of tips throughout, including several pages in the back, to in prosciutto with sherry. Or how about “turbans of trout butchering and preparing the fruits of one’s field labors as help you make the best sweets you can. Hardcover, 363pp. with cilantro mousse,” “trout for the Baroness Blackburn,” well as great recipes. There’s even a chapter on sauces, $35.00 or “grilled brook trout with Barbados fruit splash”?
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
RACING
11
2019 Spring Steeplechase Season Preview By Will O’Keefe
The Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point at Airlie Farm near Warrenton will kick off the 2019 steeplechase season in Virginia on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Post time will be 12:00 PM. The Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point will have their traditional card of hurdle, timber, and flat races. Last year a sidesaddle race was added to the card and was run in the memory of former Warrenton MFH, Viola T. Winmill, who was a renowned side saddle enthusiast. It was a thrilling race last year and will be run again this year. The remaining point-to-point schedule will remain the same with race meets every weekend until the Middleburg Hunt pulls down the point-to-point curtain in Virginia on Sunday, April 28. The Piedmont Fox Hounds Point-to-Point on Saturday, March 23, will run junior pony flat races. These were added to last year’s card and proved to be a crowd pleaser. If there are sufficient entries, three divisions will go to the post for small, medium, and large ponies. These races are for riders who have not reached their 16th birthday as of the first of the year. For hunter pace enthusiasts there is a date change as the Blue Ridge Hunt will run their events on May 5 at Trelawny Farm near Berryville. The Middleburg Spring Races at Glenwood Park near Middleburg will kick off the season of sanctioned race meets in Virginia on Saturday, April 20. This year Middleburg will offer $205,000 in purses. The purse for the featured Grade II Temple Gwathmey Hurdle Stakes was increased from $50,000 to $75,000 last year and always attracts a stellar field. Last year this race was won by Robert A. Kinsley’s Lyonell (Ger), who upset Rosbrian Farm and Meadow Run Farm’s Zanjabeel (GB), who subsequently won the 2018 Eclipse Award for the leading steeplechase horse in America. The $30,000 Middleburg Hunt Cup timber stakes is an ideal prep for the Virginia Gold Cup and a strong field is always on hand. The card also includes the Alfred M. Hunt Steeplethon, which is a crowd favorite with its circuitous route over varied obstacles. Additional hurdle races and a flat race round out the card. The Foxfield Spring Races will be run on Saturday, April 27, at the Foxfield Race Course near Charlottesville, Va. The Spring Races always attract a huge crowd of students and race fans. The feature race is the Daniel Van Clief Memorial
ratings handicap hurdle race. The purse for four-year-olds and upward which are rated 115 or lower will be $25,000. The other three races are for non-winners. One of these is over timber and the other two are maiden hurdle races. The finale will be a training flat race going one mile and one sixteenth. The Virginia Gold Cup Races on Saturday, May 4 will be run with parimutuel wagering available on the races at Great Meadow and the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Kentucky. You can bet that the races will be highly competitive with at least $420,000 in purses being offered. The eight race card is headlined by the $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup Timber Stakes and the $75,000 David Semmes Memorial Hurdle Stakes. Last year it was a great day for local interests. Sara E. Collette’s Zanclus was brilliant winning the Virginia Gold Cup, and Magalen O. Bryant’s Personal Start was impressive winning the David Semmes Memorial. Everyone is going to want to be on hand early as the second race on the card is the $40,000 steeplethon stakes run over one of the most unique courses in steeplechase racing. Two additional hurdle races will be run, one for maidens and the other a ratings handicap race for horses that are rated at 115 or lower. This race should attract a large field with the better horses having to give weight to the others. With the incredible support of the Virginia Equine Alliance, the card includes three lucrative flat races. There will be two 1½ mile allowance flat races, and a 1¼ mile flat race for horses bred, sired or certified in Virginia. Complete information for these races can be found on the nationalsteeplechase.com website. The Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) has been a great friend to steeplechase racing in Virginia in recent years. Their support to the purse structure at the Virginia and International Gold Cup Races has contributed to these meets becoming two of the country’s premier race meets. This year they will introduce a starter reward program for the 2019 point-to-point races. Any horse that starts in a flat, hurdle or timber race, which is owned by a Virginian or trained in Virginia, shall receive $200 per start. The Starter Reward program is funded by the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA), whose purpose is to sustain, promote and expand horse breeding and horse racing industries in Virginia. Call 540-347-4313 or email for any questions about the program. The VEA Board recognizes how important the point-to-points are to the steeplechase industry and they also serve to help get young riders started. The VEA Board is also funding the purse for one race at each of the non pari-mutuel jump meets this year. That includes Middleburg Spring, Foxfield Spring and Fall Races, the Virginia Fall Races, and the Montpelier Hunt Races. They are able to make these additional contributions due to the success of their off-track betting centers. As a non-profit, the VEA is able to put all funds back into the industry. On Friday, March 8, the Virginia Steeplechase Association’s Thirty Third Annual Steeplechase Awards Dinner will be held at the Middleburg Community Center in Middleburg. The leading Virginia based owners, trainers, and riders will be crowned as will the leading hurdle and timber horses. Awards will also be presented to those participants that raced in Virginia but were not necessarily based in Virginia. One of the highlights of the evening will be inductions to the Virginia Steeplechase Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was created in 2007 to recognize the leaders of the sport in the Old Dominion. Contact Don Yovanovich (540) 270-0115 for reservations.
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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
FOXHUNTING
Joanne Maisano photos
Loudoun Fairfax Hunt member Donna Poe and her granddaughter Hayley Rees await the Blessing of the Hounds at Farmer’s Delight on Thanksgiving Day, 2018. With ground conditions ill-suited to mounted hunting, Huntsman Richard Roberts took the Middleburg hounds out from Wind Fields Farm with staff and followers on foot, January 28, 2019.
Piedmont Fox Hounds Huntsman Jordan Hicks helps his hounds sort out a tricky line along a stone wall while hunting from Dencrest, January 3, 2019.
A Stonehedge fox employs one of many tricks in an effort to throw off the Orange County hounds, December 12, 2018.
The field waits at Meredyth Farm while Orange County Hounds pick up the line when hunting from Stonehedge Farm on December 12, 2018.
Loudoun Fairfax Huntsman Neil Amatt readies his pack for the Blessing of the Hounds, Thanksgiving Day, 2018, at Farmer’s Delight.
A hound of the Middleburg Hunt eager for a day of sport at Wind A member of the Piedmont Fox Hounds Fields Farm, home of pack waits for the huntsman’s instructions Joint-Master Tim Harmon, during a brief pause in the hunting day at January 28, 2019. Dencrest, January 3, 2019.
Out for a day of driving from Oxbow Farm on December 12, 2018, (l-r)Adalbert von Gontard and Glenn Eickhoff pause for a moment with two Clydesdales from the famous Budweiser Clydesdales breeding program.
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
FOXHUNTING
13
Liz Callar photos
Hunting on foot takes on an airborne twist for Orange County Hounds Huntsman Reg Spreadborough at Barton Oaks on January 28, 2019.
Lindsey Kiely (wife of Huntsman Brian Kiely) ponies “Paddy” for professional Whipper-in Catherine Hanagan prior to the start of Potomac Hunt’s day of sport from the Pony Club Field, January 27, 2019.
Natalie Wales and Orange County “Rowdy” express their mutual admiration on a winter’s day of hunting on foot from Barton Oaks, January 28, 2019.
Blue Ridge Hunt’s professional Whipper-in Ashten Sfarnas negotiates a typical coop while hunting from the Woodley fixture on January 26, 2019.
Jeffrey Yost, Iona Pillion’s grandson, enjoys a personal moment with Blue Ridge “Radar” as Huntsman Graham Buston prepares to move off from Woodley, January 26, 2019.
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
14
HORSES
Western Prospect A Very Expensive Two-Year-Old Racehorse Turned Extraordinary Show Hunter By Marianne Taylor
Western Prospect with owner/rider Don Stewart at Devon in 1993 – they were Working Hunter Champion that year. Western Prospect was Grand Champion and Don was Leading Hunter Rider in 1992 at Devon. Photo courtesy of the author
Western Prospect with owner/rider Bryan Baldwin showing in the Adult Amateurs in Kentucky in 1998. Photo courtesy of the author
Western Prospect with owner/rider Bryan Baldwin receiving an Adult Amateur Champion trophy and ribbon from Ringmaster Bill Venditta in 1997. James Leslie Parker photo
Western Prospect in retirement at Chester Bar Farm. Mimi Gracida Boyle photo
The beautiful bay Thoroughbred colt that came to be named Western Prospect was born on a warm May day in 1986 at one of the country’s best Thoroughbred farms—John Nerud’s Tartan Farms in Ocala, Florida. This son of Fappiano (by Mr. Prospector), out of the Dr. Fager mare, Explorare, led everyone to have great expectations for him as a top racehorse. He had the look, size, and way of moving for the job. In September of his yearling year, Tartan Farms sent the handsome colt to Kentucky to be sold at Fasig Tipton’s September Yearling Sale. The pinhookers all attended the sale in hopes of finding colts and fillies that they could get broken and, in a few months’ time, send them to one of the Two-Year-Olds In Training sales to be sold for a big profit. The bidding at the yearling sale was fierce for Western Prospect. When the hammer dropped on the final bid of ninety-five thousand dollars ($95,000), it was Richard Shockey, Jr. of Maryland’s Shockey Equine Management that bought the colt. After six months of training, Western Prospect was shipped back to his home state of Florida to be sold at the Fasig Tipton Selected Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale in March. This time, it was not just his beauty that interested buyers, but also his way of moving as he galloped around the track at Gulfstream Park. Will Farish, one of the leading owners and breeders of top racehorses in the world, liked what he saw in Western Prospect. Mr. Farish bought him for two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000). The price was just twentyfive thousand dollars ($25,000) shy of the sale-topper (a colt by Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew). After the sale, Western Prospect was shipped to Mr. Farish’s Camden Training Center in Camden, South Carolina, for more training and prep for his life as a racehorse. It was there that Andrea King first saw Western Prospect. At the time, she broke and rode Mr. Farish’s two-year-olds, as well as having her own show horses. When Western Prospect showed no signs of being a good racehorse, he was sent back to Camden for Andrea King to turn into a show hunter. Andrea had Aaron Vale riding for her at the time. They prepared the handsome 17.0 hand bay gelding, that didn’t want to be a racehorse, for the show ring and started him in the Pre-Greens. He won wherever they showed him. By 1991, at the age of 5, Western Prospect and Aaron were showing in the 1st Year Green Working division at the major A shows. In the fall, Western Prospect was entered at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. Don Stewart stepped in and showed him at Harrisburg for Andrea. Western Prospect won the 1st Year Green Working Under Saddle and Don bought him shortly after the show. Showing in the 2nd Year Green Working and Conformation Hunter divisions in 1992, Western Prospect (with Don as owner and rider) was Champion at every show in which he was entered—including all of the Florida shows, Devon, all over the Midwest, plus Pennsylvania National (Harrisburg, PA), Washington International (Capital Centre, Landover, MD), and the National Horse Show (Meadowlands, East Rutherford, NJ). He won almost every Under Saddle class. Western Prospect was Grand Champion at Devon and Don was Leading Rider. He was also Grand Green Champion at Harrisburg in 1992. Don said, “Western Prospect was very scopey, quiet, consistent, reliable, and sound. He had a remarkable atti-
tude and was very easy to train. He was a pleasure to ride.” As 1993 started with shows in Florida, Western Prospect and Don continued their winning ways in the Working and Conformation divisions over 4’. It was during the year that amateur rider Bryan Baldwin came to ride with Don, after having not shown since her childhood. She needed a good horse to show in the Adult Amateurs, so Don recommended Western Prospect. Bryan thought the price was too high for what she wanted. She thought that she’d wait for the price to come down on the lovely bay gelding. Don kept telling Bryan that Western Prospect was the horse for her throughout the summer, but the price never came down. Finally, right before indoors, Bryan bought Western Prospect. She was rewarded by not only getting a great horse for herself to show, but he was Working Hunter Champion at Washington International that year. Bryan nicknamed her new horse “Pro Pro” and started to show him in the Adult Amateur divisions. When Don couldn’t leave Ocala to show at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington in 1994, he sent Bryan and Western Prospect to show with Louise Serio for the circuit. Louise showed him in the Working Hunters while Bryan showed him in the Adults. They both were very successful. After the WEF, Western Prospect was returned to Don’s barn for Don to show in the Working division as Bryan continued to show in the Adult Amateurs. This was the program through 1995. After that, Bryan showed him solely in the Adults with Louise Serio as her trainer. Western Prospect was retired in 2002. Bryan remembers Western Prospect as being a real character. He showed that part of his personality when he trotted into the Rost Arena at Wellington, picked up a Palm tree in his mouth, carried it down the length of the ring, and finally dropped it as Bryan asked for a canter. They continued on with the course and won the class. Bryan said that Western Prospect was easy to ride and perfect for her because he was literally a “point and shoot” horse. All Bryan had to do was steer and Western Prospect did the rest. When Western Prospect retired, after eleven years of showing on the A circuit, Bryan sent him to Mimi Gracida Boyle’s beautiful 600-acre Chester Bar Farm, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina near the Virginia line, just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. He lived out his years in a big grassy field with his buddy Valencia and other retirees. Western Prospect passed away on March 22, 2007 from natural causes. Roger Maines, farm manager of Chester Bar Farm, remembers Western Prospect as a true gentleman. Roger said, “He was a special horse who had an unmistakable presence about him. He stood out from the rest. We considered it an honor to have been Western Prospect’s caretakers for the last years of his life. We will never forget him.” Everyone that had anything to do with Western Prospect had the same things to say about him—that he had a remarkable attitude, tried very hard to please, was easy to train, was kind, and was very quiet. He was loved by all that knew him. There are not many Thoroughbred show horses that have been bred as well as Western Prospect. A well-bred horse is a well-bred horse. No matter the discipline. Western Prospect may not have been fast enough to be a racehorse, but he was a terrific show horse and a winner for everyone that showed him.
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
FOXHUNTING
15 Claudia Coleman illustration
Montpelier Races – No Hunting By John J. Carle II, ex-MFH For many years, members of the Keswick Hunt Club hunt staff have acted as outriders at the Montpelier Hunt Races. This National Steeplechase Association-sanctioned race meet is held at President James Madison’s “Montpelier,” near Orange, Virginia. It was, in glorious days past, home to Marion du Pont Scott, who invited the entire community to the races free of charge. Traditionally, the Keswick hounds met at dawn’s debut so people could hunt before immersing themselves in tailgate entertainment at trackside. However, on the fateful second Saturday in November, 1977, all that changed. Guy de Valdene could have been describing that morning when he wrote, “Dawn was a pale affair, a triumph of graduations and the preface to a new adventure…” The surprisingly cold (22o) 7:00 a.m. meet was at my family home, “Raynham Hall,” in Keswick, and everyone’s expectation was for a quick, sharp run on a resident red, or perhaps on one of the sporting grey gentlemen known to like the environs ’round Dora and Eudora Bolling’s “Findowerie” (believed at that time to be the oldest continuously occupied dwelling in Albemarle County). Little did we know! A Field of 23, unusually large for Montpelier day, assembled in the barnyard for an eye-opener. Professional Whippers-In Joe Collins and Charlie Brown were on duty, along with extraordinary amateurs Barclay Rives and Spencer Young. Tiana Young, recently separated from Spencer, was in the Field. I’d gathered their parting was not all “jolly hockey-sticks”! I hadn’t seen her in a while, but when I welcomed her, all she said was a murmured “O-o-o-oh, yes!” Her eyes were aglow with a disquietingly strange light, and she focused upon me a look of such reptilian evil that I felt like the sacrificial victim in some Santerian ritual; and icy fingers crept down my spine. Further, “Shamrock,” my unflappable Connemara/Thoroughbred cross, began to tremble and edged nervously away. She then turned upon Spencer an unwavering gaze of purely murderous malignancy. Spencer took me aside and explained that she was a witch and was trying to put a spell on him. “But,” he continued, “I’m a warlock, so she can try, but I can block it…well, most of it, anyway.” Thoroughly rattled now, I couldn’t wait to unbox hounds and move off. As we rode out of the barnyard, Tiana wore a thin, self-satisfied smile on her exotically lovely face. I hacked hounds to “Oakdale” next door and drew down the creek bordering the long hayfield. Betty Rewer, riding instructor at the Oakland School, had brought six students—little boys on shaggy ponies, all wide-eyed and eager—who sat mesmerized by hounds’ work at this, their first, hunt. Hounds drew on into the woods back of “Oakdale” and, angling toward “Findowerie” via “Freedom’s” cliff (named for an excellent hound from early days who always seemed to find here), where they began belaboring a faint line, “snowplowing” the deep, frost-kissed leaves as they went. Joe then came looking for me, with the welcome news of a red fox away. A large, greyhound-legged fellow with a turn of toe to match, he soon proved to be a visiting Lothario, setting a course quite unlike that of the resident reds. He had a bit of a lead, and early on, hounds had the devil’s own time sticking to the line as it meandered through the thick cutover due west, then turning south into the creek bottom. As I followed hounds through the deep bottom, a scene unveiled straight from a Christmas card: a dazzling world of ice and frost, every tree limb and leaf bejeweled in diamonds, sparkling in the wan sun—blindingly. I galloped down the railroad access road as hounds, getting on better terms, fought their way through an impossible hell of every kind of vine and briar imaginable, to break out into John Randall’s “Devon Lake,” which lines both sides of the end of Tyler’s Shop Road (these days officially rechristened Clark’s Track Road). Hustling to catch up here, I misjudged the depth of a large mudhole; belly deep it was, and “Shamrock” went partly down, filling my left boot with icy water and breaking his polo breastplate. Puzzled at the road, hounds crossed the wide bridge past the tracks into “The Oaks” (at the turn of the 20th Century, home to Keswick Master Julian Morris, for whom my father made green horses when he was a University of Virginia student), now the home of the William White family. “Donna” recovered the line on the bridge, and hounds swung through Barbara White’s schooling area, then swept up the high bluff above Mechunk Creek, turning south. There was a trail here, but I didn’t know about it until much later. Joe remembered it from years past and followed it. We— staff and Field—galloped past the stately house atop the hill and around by the stable, only to find the gate blocked by a truck. The plank fence wasn’t so high, so I headed “Shamrock” at it—and he really got in the air! Only Spencer, on his paint mare “Pokey,” followed; everyone else stopped to fool with the gate. Hounds were going into Archie Davis’s farm to our right, but when we got there we found his “can’t-sag” gate locked. It came off its hinges easily enough. Spencer had to stop “Wilbur” (a puppy) running Davis’s calves, but not before he’d run two through a barbed-wire fence. The “can’t-sag” out of the Davis farm was also locked but was missing the two top slats: narrow between the vertical braces, but jumpable; and “Shamrock” did it beautifully. This stopped the staff and Field—except Charlie—but they made a panel of limbs and carried on. Charlie and I galloped down an overgrown path, dodging limbs, to come out on a bulldozed road (part of General Harry Disston’s subdivision of farmettes, “Hackingwood”). The pack sounded like turning right back toward Mechunk Creek at the Missellman property, so we turned that way, picking up “Wishful” and bringing along “Widgett,” “Wilbur” and “Watchful.” The road ran out at a new house under construction, and just as we pulled up, hounds turned hard left and straight toward I-64. We set sail, scattering the Field, and “Please, God, don’t let hounds get killed!” flashed through my mind as the pack screamed toward certain annihilation. We were flying and, crossing a blind culvert pipe, Charlie yelled back to watch the hole: “Jody” has stuck a foot through it and faltered—merely opening a hole and then kicking
leaves over it, so that even Connemara-clever “Shamrock” couldn’t see it. I couldn’t pull up in time…then “Shamrock” went down, his right foreleg going in to the shoulder. He landed hard on my right leg, the pommel of the saddle digging into my groin, and rolled completely over me. He continued over, his momentum standing him on his shoulder. I looked up, still pinned, to see his rump descending. It landed full on me (thankfully the rump and not the cantle of the saddle), but luckily he was small, and it didn’t hurt. Fortunately his legs were pointed away from me, and we scrambled up together. Poor “Shamrock” was muddy and shaken but sound and, miraculously, uncut. Only my left jockey muscle was a little tender. The breastplate was done for, and I threw it off into the woods, reset the saddle, and we were off again. The bulldozed road ran into Campbell Road just short of the driveway to Cary Jackson’s “Tucked-In Farm.” Barclay woke up Cary, who came out to direct us to the Interstate: a “path” that eventually led to Mechunk Creek and a new barbed-wire fence. I blew frantically, trying to stop hounds, but only “Rookie” turned back. At this point, Charlie, Barclay and I were alone; the Field, having had enough, stopped at Cary’s and eventually went home. The new fence was the Suttons’ boundary, and we followed it to the Mussellmans’ land, where we met Joe, who aimed us at a decent creek crossing. We found a good trail here—probably used by the riding school children at Marilyn Boyle’s— and rode up to a hilltop where I blew and hollered till a few hounds came on. Charlie got “Domino” and “Whimsey” at the edge of 64, but there were no others. And no one had seen Spencer since leaving the Davis farm. Finally we rode to the Suttons’ to call “Raynham Hall” for my truck. Joe Wyant, who’d stopped by the barn to see how hunting had gone, brought it; then took Joe and Charlie back for the club truck and trailer and my van. Beth Sutton, barefoot and looking most comely, came out and commiserated, as Barclay and I held horses and hounds—and polished off Barclay’s and Joe’s flasks. The cold wind felt especially bitter through sweat-soaked clothes, and Beth brought us some very hot coffee, generously laced with bourbon, which stopped the cold immediately! Charlie took our horses and Barclay’s “Tim,” and Joe took “Monarch” and the hounds. Joe Wyant and I set out on a hound search; but no sooner had we started than Shirley Collins (Joe’s wife) came on the CB radio to say hounds were on the Keswick Country Club (now ultra-swank Keswick Hall) golf course! A panicked call from the golf pro to the kennel brought Shirley in her compact car, clad only in nightgown and bathrobe! Somehow, she began corralling hounds, packing them into the tiny vehicle like circus clowns, then racing back to the kennel. It took three trips, but she got all but two shy ones. Joe Wyant and I got “Heather” and “Regal,” and later, at the Meet, “Keswick,” “Woody,” “Wilbur” and “Raquel” returned. By the evening we were “all on.” There was still no sign of Spencer, so Charlie Brown and Joe Collins went looking for him. When he did appear, Spencer had quite a tale to tell. Taking his own line after leaving the Davis Farm, he could hear hounds plainly and, as he was galloping through the woods to intercept them, “Pokey” fetched up against one of the old, blind wire fences that make riding through this piece of country so dangerous. The little mare somersaulted, launching Spencer; then, bleeding from wire cuts, disappeared in the woods. A bit bruised but otherwise unhurt, Spencer ran back to “The Oaks,” where he roused Brent White, who drove him to “Raynham Hall.” In the field behind the barn were two grey Quarter Horses, owned by Ramie Woolfe, former steeplechase jockey, author of the best book ever on “Secretariat,” and son of Ray Woolfe, Mrs. Scott’s Hall of Fame trainer. They were almost twins…almost: one was broke to ride (but very green) and the other hardly halter-broke. Luckily Spencer grabbed the right one—“Mac”—and, with borrowed tack, set off in search of “Pokey.” Then, mid-afternoon, he lost “Mac”: tied him to a tree and he got away! Joe Collins found him on the road and rode him home. Meanwhile, Brent White found Spencer and reunited him with “Pokey.” She had come on her own to John Randall’s stable, and John called local vet Greg Schmidt to sew her up. Joe then hauled her back to Spencer’s “Sunny Dell Farm” in Barboursville. Here one last misfortune occurred: while Spencer was showing Joe his new prospective hunter just off the flat track, it began to run across the field, slipped and fell in the mud, then got hung in the wire fence, pulling both hind shoes. A skeptic earlier, Joe was by now firmly convinced of Tiana’s demonic powers, attributing Spencer’s and my falls to her spell. He also blamed her for my fall recently while hunting at Peter and Cindi Howe’s “Red Horse Farm,” where she worked. He also conceded that Spencer’s powers are at least powerful enough to counter her spells to the extent that they aren’t fatal. For years thereafter I carried a rabbit’s foot while hunting. And, had I known beforehand of the rowan tree’s power to keep the devil at bay, I’d have planted one at each entrance to the stable and barnyard. And that’s the story of why Keswick no longer hunts on Montpelier Race Day. Note: Novelist Carol O’Connell describes Santeria as “…that mix of Catholic rites and voodoo, sympathetic magic and animal sacrifice.” Other writers have described it as a viciously Satanic cult.
16
HORSE RACING
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • WINTER 2019
Horses and People to Watch Virginia Equine Alliance
New Starter Reward Program For Virginia Point-to-Point Series Announced The Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) announced it will fund a new starter reward program for the spring point-to-point races, with the goal of increasing participation in the series which begins March 16th. Every time a Virginiaowned or Virginia-trained horse makes a start in any point-to-point race, the owner will receive a $200 starter reward. The bonus is designed to increase steeplechase participation at all levels, from ownerrider divisions to open hurdle and timber divisions. series takes place every weekend from “The VEA recognizes The spring Point-to-Point March 16th through April 28th. Photo courtesy of Montpelier that the point-to-point circuits are a vital element of steeplechase racing and we want to do everything we can to promote and support the point-to-points in Virginia,” said VEA Executive Director Jeb Hannum. “The point-to-points are an important first step for many horses as well as giving young riders an opportunity before going to the sanctioned meets. We hope the Reward Program will encourage new owners and broader participation this year.” The spring schedule, which runs from March 16 through April 28, features a point-to-point meet on seven consecutive weekends. In order, they will be held in Warrenton (Warrenton Hunt), Upperville (Piedmont Fox Hounds), Middleburg (Orange County Hounds), Ben Venue (Old Dominion Hounds), Leesburg (Loudoun Hunt), Berryville (Blue Ridge Hunt), and Middleburg (Middleburg Hunt). More details are available at www.vasteeplechase.com and at www.centralentryoffice.com. The VEA will also give $25,000 to each of five National Steeplechase Association (NSA)-sanctioned meets in the Commonwealth and donate $10,000 to the Virginia Point- to-Point Foundation. Included are the spring and fall race meets at both Glenwood Park in Middleburg and the Foxfield race meets in Albemarle County along with the November race meet at Montpelier in the Town of Orange. ••••• Colonial Downs Update: Live Thoroughbred Racing Set To Return August 8th The Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) approved a new license for Colonial Downs at its December meeting, which paves the way for a 600-unit historical horse racing (HHR) operation at the New Kent track and the return of Thoroughbred horse racing in 2019. The last Thoroughbred meet was held there in the summer of 2013. VRC Chairman D.G. Van Clief, Jr. called the license approval “a historic moment for Virginia racing.” He thanked everyone involved with both the new Colonial Downs Group and the VEA. “I can’t tell you what an important day this is and how appreciative we are for such a well crafted application.” A 15-day summer meet will run from August 8th thru September 7th, with racing every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 5 PM. A special holiday Monday card will be held on Labor Day at 1 PM. The Grade 3 Virginia Derby will return to Colonial on August 31st and the Virginia Oaks will be held the day prior. A slate of Virginiabred stakes will also return to New Kent in 2019. The stable area, which can accommodate 1,000 horses, will open July 25th. Moving forward, Colonial expects to host up to 30 days of racing in 2020. Colonial GM John Marshall gave VRC Commissioners and meeting attendees a preview of what a “reimagined” Colonial Downs will look like in 2019. He said the first floor of the facility will feel “social and local,” and will feature 508 HHR terminals, a Player Rewards area, a cocktail lounge with live simulcast betting, and a smoking section. The third floor will provide an OTB experience with several tellers and 16 self-betting machines and a high level HHR area with 92 terminals. He said that floor will be “vibrant and comfortable.” In regards to the layout for live racing, Marshall said Colonial will be prepared to accommodate up to 8,000 spectators. The initial part of the first turn area will feature a viewing platform geared as a social experience for fans. A tailgating section will extend beyond that through the turn, all the way to the chute area. “We’ll experiment with tailgating much like the Virginia Gold Cup has at Great Meadow.” The track apron will feature railside covered suites with beverage service then farther up, a VIP Experience will be located near the top of the stretch. “That should be a great vantage point for fans,” said Marshall. “They’ll be able to overlook horses on the Secretariat Turf Course as they come out of the final turn and hit the stretch.” The Colonial Downs Group is making a $300 million investment in the Commonwealth, creating 800 jobs by the end of 2019. This effort will generate $25 million annually in state tax revenues, $17 million annually in local tax revenues, and $25 million annually to Virginia’s horse industry. Plans continue to evolve for its Rosie’s Gaming Emporium sites in the state. Locations are set for the first four, which, like the track itself, will feature live simulcast wagering, historic horse racing, a restaurant/lounge and entertainment. After the New Kent facility opens in April, the second will open later this spring in the Town of Vinton, located just outside of Roanoke, in the former Colonial Downs OTB center. The Richmond location, in a former Kmart building on Midlothian Turnpike, will open
in June. A fourth will be located in Hampton at the Power Plant complex, next to Bass Pro Shops, directly off I-64. Track officials are working to secure a location in Chesapeake, and hope to have one open in that Tidewater market by year’s end. Details are at www.colonialdowns.com. ••••• Horseshoe Hill Farm’s Stephanie Nixon Appointed To Virginia Racing Commission Stephanie Nixon, long time board member of both the Virginia Thoroughbred Association and Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, has been appointed by Governor Ralph Northam’s office to serve on the Virginia Racing Commission. Nixon owns Horseshoe Hill Farm in Ashland where she has broken, owned, bred, and raised horses for all of her adult life. At the age of one, her father purchased a cabin in Ashland—which has since become Horseshoe Hill—and moved the family from the City of Richmond. After relocating, he soon caught the racing bug from Howard Gentry, Farm Manager of The Meadow Farm in Caroline County. That passion was passed on to his daughter. Nixon has had success in all facets of racing. As a trainer, her horses have made 391 starts, have won 38 times, and have bankrolled $670,144. She was the trainer of Action Andy Horseshoe Hill owner when he won the Kitten’s Joy Stakes at Colonial Downs in Stephanie Nixon is now 2011. She’s had multiple winners at the New Kent track with on the Virginia Racing horses like Baton On Fire, Bella Principessa, Saintly Love, Commission. VEA photo and Boltin’ Out, who won five races in New Kent between 2012 and 2013 including the Punch Line Stakes. “There’s nothing like seeing a horse you train cross the finish line first,” said Nixon. “It’s quite a rush. But breaking horses for clients like the Mobberley family in Maryland is just as satisfying. Those business relationships grow into lifetime friendships.” While serving as a Commissioner, Nixon will no longer be able to own or train horses that compete at Colonial Downs. “This is something I’ve had in the back of my mind for a long time,” she said. “With my background, I think I can be of benefit to the industry here, especially in these exciting times. It’s great to see a company putting energy and financial resources into Virginia racing. The possibilities now are endless. I didn’t think we’d ever be in this position.” ••••• $427,944 In Bonus Monies Awarded To Virginia-Bred/Sired Owners From 2018 Mid-Atlantic Incentive Program A total of $427,944 in owners bonus awards were distributed to 80 different owners of Virginia-bred or sired horses that won non-restricted races at tracks in the MidAtlantic region last year. The bonus dollar total was generated from 129 individual wins. Topping the list of bonus money earners were Chester and Mary Broman, who accumulated $64,162 from eight winners, seven of which were Virginia-sired horses. Their Mr. Buff won four races and reached the award cap of $10,000 in all four. The 5-year-old Friend or Foe gelding captured them at New York tracks—three at Aqueduct and one at Saratoga. Eagle Point Farm in Ashland, who bankrolled $26,088 from six awards, was second. Braxton, a now 5-year-old Virginia-bred Peak Dancer gelding, earned Karen Godsey and Donna Dennehy four of those bonuses. He captured a quartet of allowance races at Charles Town and earned rewards of between $3,645 and $4,495 in each. Owners Eric Dattner and Barclay Tagg received two $10,000 bonus checks, and both came from now 6-year-old gelding Realm. The son of Haynesfield was bred by Morgan’s Ford Farm and, like Mr. Buff, was successful in the Empire State. Realm captured the Alydar Stakes at Saratoga and an allowance optional claimer at Belmont. He is out of the Chief’s Crown mare, Shawnee Country. Eric Rizer finished fourth by earnings with $14,820. His Gingeresk, who he cobred with Nancy Rizer, won a trio at Laurel—a maiden claimer followed two claiming race triumphs. Sara Collette finished fifth courtesy of her 9-year-old Xenodon gelding, Zanclus, a steeplechaser who won the Virginia Gold Cup at Great Meadow and the My Lady’s Manor Timber Stakes at Monkton. She was rewarded with respective $10,000 and $4,500 bonuses. This incentive program continues to flourish. Owners of registered Virginia-breds are eligible for a 25% owners bonus for winning non-Virginia restricted races at any racetrack in the Mid-Atlantic region (NY, NJ, PA, DE, WV, MD). Details are at www.vabred.org or by calling Debbie Easter at 434-977-3716. Mr. Buff captured the Jazil Stakes January 26th at Aqueduct, his fourth straight win. Elsa Lorieul photo
HUNTING
REMEMBRANCE James F. Scharnberg, MBH, Skycastle French Hounds February 21, 1938 – January 27, 2019
James F. Scharnberg, MBH, master of Skycastle French Hounds, Malvern, PA, passed away on January 27, 2019. An avid supporter of field sports and land conservation, Jim was also a noted author whose writings were an important contribution to the sport of hunting with hounds. He edited the collection of essays Rycroft on Hounds, Hunting, and Country; authored Beagling and Basseting, a handbook for hunt staff; as Matt van der Woude, Huntsman of the Warrenton Hunt, moves off from the December 22, 2018 meet at The Moorings, home of well as other articles and several volumes of poetry. A striking sunrise frames Blue Ridge Huntsman Graham Busjoint-master Celeste Vella. Douglas Lees photo ton and hounds while out for exercise, January 18, 2019. Joanne Maisano photo
Emily Melton, currently professional Whipper-In at Howard County – Iron Bridge Hounds, will be carrying the horn next season as Huntsman for New Market – Middletown Valley Hounds. Karen Kandra photo
When winter ground conditions prevent mounted hunting, staying with hounds on foot still requires good jumping form, as Orange County Hounds Huntsman Reg Spreadborough demonstrates while working the pack on February 8, 2019. Joanne Maisano photo
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Two Blue Ridge Hunt hounds negotiate a tricky fence during the joint meet with Thornton Hill Hounds, January 8, 2019. Joanne Maisano photo
Liz Callar www.smugmug.com