1IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2022
The Foxfield Fall Races will be held at the Foxfield Race Course near Charlottesville on Sunday, October 2. The race card will be made up of a maiden hurdle race, a maiden race over hurdles for fillies and mares, and a maiden claiming hurdle race. For winners over hurdles there will be an amateur or apprentice rider race and ratings hurdle race. There will also be a flat race restricted to horses bred or sired in Virginia.
2022 Fall Racing Preview By Will O’Keefe The start of the 2022 Virginia Fall steeplechase circuit is about a month away, and this year the purses offered at the four Virginia Fall Hunt Meets will total at least $745,000. Once again the generosity and support of the Virginia Equine Alliance has made a major contribution to this purse structure.
STEEPLECHASING
On Saturday, October 8 the Virginia Fall Races will be run over the popular Glenwood Park Race Course near Middleburg. This year’s card of races will feature the $30,000 National Sporting Library and Museum Timber Stakes. Additional races will be run over hurdles for winners and maidens, over the steeplethon course, and on the flat. Some of the best horses in training will be on hand especially to contest the timber stakes.
On Saturday, October 22 the International Gold Cup Races will be run over the Great Meadow racecourse near The Plains. The purse for the International Gold Cup timber stakes will be $75,000, and the purse for the David L. “Zeke” Ferguson Memorial hurdle stakes will also be $75,000. The other races will include the highly popular steeplethon that will be run as a stakes race offering a $30,000 purse. Three more races over hurdles will round out the card. With President James Madison’s home providing the classic backdrop, the Montpelier Hunt Races will be held at Montpelier Station near Orange on Saturday, November 5. The $50,000 Noel Laing hurdle handicap stakes is one of the only remaining races in the United States run over natural hedges. The first race is a flat race for Virginia Bred or Sired horses and will be run over the dirt training track with spectators lining the rail. There will also be hurdle races for maidens, a ratings handicap hurdle race and this year a $35,000 hurdle handicap stakes race for fillies and mares.
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Bedford County Hunt (VA): Larry Pitts concluded 35 seasons at Maryland’s Potomac Hunt prior to his retirement there in 2015. But duty called at his new home hunt in Bedford County and he took up the horn once again. He now turns that duty over to Libby Gilbert who has been back and forth across The Pond over the past several years in various positions as huntsman and whipper-in. The daughter of John Gilbert, former huntsman at Essex Fox Hounds (NJ), master and huntsman for Tewksbury Foot Bassets for the past 36 years, Libby most recently served as huntsman for a beagle pack in Yorkshire, England. Larry will remain actively involved at Bedford County as he’s now been appointed a jointmaster.
Contributors: J. Harris Anderson, Will O’Keefe, Osmun, Sue Strong, Virginia Equine Alliance, Jenny LAYOUTYoung& DESIGN: Kate Houchin Copyright © 2022 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXXIV, No. 3
On the cover: When Sedgefield Snoopy was ready for retirement, he was presented to Evy Kozlowki as a gift on her third birthday. Moore County Huntsman Lincoln Sadler originally gave the hound to Sedgefield. For Evy’s amusement, Lincoln drew on the cartoonish eyebrows because, well, he’s “Snoopy.” Usually quite shy, 3-year-old Evy confidently paraded her charge and told everyone, “This is Snoopy. He won’t jump on you.” Mark Jump photo
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL
Liz Callar photo Mia Valdez, Keswick Hunt, 2021 JNAFHC Champion, First Field, 13 & Under. David Traxler photo
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Space Deadline for Holliday issue is Nov. 4, 2022. Payment in full due with copy.
• • An Extended Schedule for the Junior North American Field Hunter Championship To better accommodate the variations in hunting conditions and season scheduling across the US and Canada, the next JNAFHC Finals will be held on March 4, 2023, hosted by Mells Fox Hounds in Tennessee. Qualifiers will be held throughout the season, starting in the fall. The organization has also received 501(c)(3) status from the IRS, which will provide a benefit to donors. Goals have been set for scholarships for juniors to attend hunt clinics, as well as the finals, and gaining access to and developing a passion for the sport of foxhunting. Hunts are encouraged to host qualifiers and participate in the yearlong road to the finals. For more information, check out the website at www.JNAFHC.com or visit the Facebook page “Junior North American Field Hunter Championships.”
Publisher: Marion MaggioloManaging Editor: J. Harris Anderson Advertising: Debbie Cutler (540) 347-3141, (800) 882-4868, Email: hcdebbiebtc@aol.com
SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTS Retirements Spark Hunt Staff Changes
Several packs will be harking to the horn of a different huntsman this coming season due to multiple retirements and career moves. Hillsboro Hounds (TN): Johnnie Gray’s retirement after 42 seasons at Hillsboro comes with a smooth transition as he hands the horn off to his wife and longserving whipper-in Leilani. The pair have been sharing huntsman duties to some extent over the past few years, and Johnnie will continue to serve the hunt with his depth of experience in the kennel and in other ways. [See the full article on his retirement in this issue, page 11.]
CarolClaudiaILLUSTRATIONS:KathyVEADavidLynnDouglasKarenMarkAdrianJenniferCoadyLizDanaPHOTOGRAPHERS:BurkeCallarlizcallar.comPhotographycoadyphotography.comRogersFarrinJenningsJumpmarkjumpphotography.comKandraLeesdouglaslees@comcast.netThompsonTraxlerWismerColemanGana
Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds (PA): In another case of multiple attempts at retirement, Ivan Dowling makes his second exit from Mr. Stewart’s. Dowling retired at the close of the 2016 season, but that respite lasted just one year as he was soon called back into service. As he bows out for the second time, professional whipper-in Mackenzie Wertman will serve as huntsman for the coming season while the club’s leaders conduct a search for Dowling’s permanentGivenreplacement.thetrendnoted in these updates, we use the words “retirement” and “permanent” guardedly. But we wish the best for all, those heading off to other adventures and those coming in to take on new challenges.
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Live Oak Hounds (FL): With former huntsman Sam Andrews opting to pursue other career options, Live Oak’s siren call has lured Guy Allman back to the States from his native England where he’s been carrying the horn four days a week for the Bicester in the English Shires. Allman previously spent three of his 37 years of hunt service at Virginia’s Blue Ridge Hunt. It’s a package deal for Live Oak as Allman brings along Zara Brooks, who, in addition to whipping-in to Guy, will be kept busy training, exercising, and hunting Live Oak’s staff horses (20 OTTBs at last count).
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Camargo Hunt (OH): Another member of the “Multiple Decades Club”, Andy Bozdan has wrapped up 45 years of horses, hounds, and hunting—20 as an amateur and 25 as professional hunt staff—as he leaves Camargo Hunt for a new chapter in life. Those years took the London-born Bozdan around the world for hunting jobs in England, Australia, and the US. Rhodri Jones-Evans moves to Camargo from his post at Mooreland Hunt (AL). Mooreland Hunt (AL): To fill the vacancy left by Jones-Evans’ departure to Ohio, Glen Westmoreland steps up from his role as professional whipper-in for Fox River Valley Hunt/Massbach Hounds and Midland Fox Hounds. Westmoreland previously served as huntsman for Woodford Hounds (KY), Los Altos Hounds (CA), and London Hunt (ON).
With the retirement of Andy Bozdan, Rhodri Jones-Evans moves on from Alabama’s Mooreland Hunt to Ohio’s Camargo Hunt. Adrian Jennings photo Guy Allman accepts the call to leave the Shires where he’s been hunting the Bicester pack to take the job at Live Oak Hounds in Florida.
Robin de a quick and nimble jump off, with Schuyler Riley in the irons, secured the win in the $216,000 FEI 4* Upperville Jumper Classic at the 169th Upperville Colt & Horse Show, June 12, 2022.
UCHS Honorees: (l-r) Kitty Barker, Tommy Lee Jones, Diane Jones, UCHS President Joe Fargis, Punkin Lee, First Lady Suzanne Youngkin, Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Led by her mother Alden Denegre Moylan, Sybil Moylan rode “Churchill” in the Leadline 1-3 Division. Sybil’s father is Gavin Moylan and her grandmother is Penny Denegre, MFH of Middleburg Hunt.
Monogrammed ponytail ribbons in “Devon Blue” added a touch of flair for this young competitor.
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2022 3 “Spirit of the Horse” Award Presented to Honorees at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show
First Lady Suzanne Youngkin presented the inaugural “Spirit of the Horse” Award to UCHS Board Member Dorothy “Punkin” Lee in recognition of her decades of service to the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, the horse industry in Virginia, and to the community at large. Lee, the founder and owner of Journeymen Saddlers in Middleburg, Virginia, has served on the UCHS Board of Directors for 25 years and is deeply involved in a multitude of community organizations. Joe Fargis presented the President’s Award to Tommy Lee and Diane Jones in recognition of their invaluable commitment and loyalty to the horse show. From the tractors to the flowers to maintaining the historic show grounds, there is not one acre of land untouched by the Joneses. The President’s Award is awarded annually to a member or members of the community, chosen by the UCHS President, in recognition of their steadfast dedication and service to the Upperville Colt & Horse Show.Joe Fargis received the Randolph Perpetual Trophy, given annually by the Bonnie Family to the person who has made an outstanding contribution to the Upperville community. The Upperville Colt & Horse Show has grown into its modern form due to the leadership and vision of Fargis, who has also garnered numerous national and goldincludingashowjumpingInternationalvictoriesinlongandstoriedcareer,twoOlympicmedals.
[From UCHS Press Release]: Four members of the Upperville community were honored on Grand Prix Sunday, June 12, 2022, at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared June 6-12 “Upperville Colt & Horse Show Week” across the Commonwealth. UCHS President Joe Fargis accepted the proclamation on behalf of the horse show’s Board of Directors.
Madison Smith Helfrich rode Unbuckled to a blue ribbon win in the 7 & Under Walk/Trot Division.
SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTS
Liz Callar Photos
Another name that figured prominently in the show season results was Hillsboro Sable ’13, whose bloodline figures in 85% of the Hillsboro Hounds entered in this show. Wagtail is the granddaughter of Sable, who was a gift from Live Oak’s Marty Wood. Her bloodline appears in the pedigree of 19 ribbons awarded this day; eight of those for first place and four garnered by other hunts.
HOUND SHOWS It’s All About Bloodlines Good Breeding Leads to Hound Show Championships
Central States Hound Show May 14, 2022
Eight packs competed at the show hosted by Live Oak Hounds (FL) at the home of joint masters Marty and Daphne Wood. The camaraderie was warm and welcoming despite the unusually chilly and breezy weather. The host hunt settled for Reserve Grand Champion with their Norseman ’20 while Hillsboro Hounds began their impressive run with Wagtail ’20, winner of the bitch class, taking the Grand Champion rosette.The2022 show season was a last hurrah of sorts for Hillsboro Huntsman Johnnie Gray as he wraps up a 42-year career with the Tennessee pack. [See page 11.] Not only did Hillsboro start off with this championship, Gray also took home the check for most points scored.
Among Potomac’s many winning hounds during Larry’s three-and-a-half decades there, most impressive of all was Potomac Jefferson ’05, whose collection of rosettes was capped off by being named Centennial Grand Champion during the MFHA’s Centennial Year 2007. Jefferson bested the Grand Champions of hound shows held across the country to claim that title.
Carolinas Hound Show May 7, 2022
By J. Harris Anderson, Managing Editor
Larry Pitts was all smiles, despite his rain-soaked kennel coat (a downpour hit during the pack classes), as he wrapped up his career as Huntsman (for the second time) with one more Grand Championship, this time at the Carolinas Show with Bedford Krystal ’21.
Six hunts took hounds to Blue Valley Farm, home of Dr. Steven Thomas, Master and Huntsman of Fort Leavenworth Hunt in Kansas. It proved to be a win for the home team as their Drop Zone ’20 was judged Grand Champion. Founded in 1926 by the 10th Cavalry Regiment, the Fort Leavenworth Hunt disbanded during World War II but was reconstituted in 1964 and recognized by the MFHA in 1966. Membership is open to military members and their families as well as civilian subscribers. The military connection accounts for some non-traditional hound names such as Drop Zone. More traditional, though, is the connection to the Hillsboro line. Drop Zone is by Hillsboro Warrior ’17, Grand Champion at the Southern Hound Show in 2018, out of Fort Leavenworth Zaza ’18. This year’s Grand Champion at the Florida show, Hillsboro Wagtail ’20, and Drop Zone are first cousins as the former’s dam and the latter’s sire were littermates. Drop Zone’s dam, Zaza, claims royalty in her bloodline as well. Her sire, Fort Leavenworth Richmond, was a multi-time champion in his own right, which is no surprise as his paternal grandfather was Potomac Jefferson ’05. For another instance of impressive bloodlines, we turn to the Central States Reserve Champion of the Show, Brazos Valley Dugley ’21. Under the leadership of Master Sandy Dixon, the Texas hunt collected a bounty of ribbons and trophies on their way to achieving the high points score for the show. Dugley, an American dog hound, is of mostly Brazos Valley breeding. But one outcross does appear in his lineage; his maternal grandfather is Potomac Jefferson. Hillsboro Hounds’ 2022 show season got off to a solid start when their Wagtail ’20 took the Grand Championship at the Southern Hound show. Photo courtesy Hillsboro Hounds
Throughout the show schedule, from April through May and from Florida to New England and out to Kansas, one name came up in reference to most of the champion hounds—Hillsboro.
Mark Jump photo
Southern Hound Show April 9, 2022
Krystal, by Bedford Hunter ’18 out of Bedford Krispy ’14, is a fourth generation descendant of Jefferson on her sire’s side and third generation on her dam’s side. Go back a bit farther, to the fifth and sixth generations, and you’ll find Piedmont Watchman ’89, another stallion hound of great repute.
The smart money was on Fort Leavenworth Drop Zone ’20 to take the Grand Championship at the Central States Hound Show. Sired by Hillsboro Warrior ’17, Grand Champion at the 2018 Southern Hound Show, and with a line back to Potomac Jefferson ’05 on his dam’s side, the rosette was all but assured at the Kansas show. Kathy Wismer photo
This spring saw the return of hound shows in full force up and down the East Coast and out to the Midwest. As COVID restrictions eased, hound enthusiasts were eager to congregate again for friendly competition and long-overdue socializing.
A huntsman’s retirement also figured into the outcome of the Carolinas Hound Show, hosted by Moore County Hounds, Southern Pines, North Carolina. Larry Pitts, who stood proudly at day’s end with Grand Champion Bedford Krystal ’21, closely rivals Johnnie Gray in length of hunt service, but has twice as much “retirement” experience. Pitts concluded a stellar 35-year career with Maryland’s Potomac Hunt at the close of the 2014/2015 season. He and whipper-in wife Peggy moved down to Bedford, Virginia, where they planned to relax and enjoy riding in the field with Bedford County Hunt. But circumstances soon changed and Larry once again took up the horn. This second role as huntsman now concludes on a high note, with one more championship to add to his impressively long list.
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 20224
The many achievements at the previous shows—whether by actual participation or vicariously through bloodlines—were but prelude to what Hillsboro accomplished at the Virginia show. Despite the greatly increased level of competition—hounds from 34 hunts vied for ribbons—Hillsboro capped off their 2022 show season with a feat never realized before at Virginia. Hillsboro and one other hunt, Live Oak, had previously scored both the Grand and Reserve Grand Championships at the same show. On this day, Hillsboro became the first hunt to achieve that for the second time. It was a lovely late spring weekend for the show and related events at Leesburg’s Morven Park, an exquisite location for the four-ring affair. With COVID restrictions forcing cancelation the past two years, hound enthusiasts were eager to return for what some consider the Woodstock of hound shows. They were not disappointed with the impressive line-up of competing hounds. At day’s end, the champions from each of the four classes were presented to Dr. John W.D. McDonald, ex-MFH, London Hunt (ON): American Champion Orange County Pimple, English Champion Hillsboro Wagtail, Crossbred Champion Hillsboro Ringo, and Penn-Marydel Champion Golden’s Bridge Yeti. After careful consideration, Dr. McDonald selected Hillsboro Wagtail ’20 as Reserve Grand Champion and the top spot, Grand Champion of Show, went to Hillsboro Ringo ’19.
Norfolk Hunt’s Mickey ’21 not only had two connections to Hillsboro Sable ’13, he also had a secret weapon to help secure the New England Hound Show Grand Championship: Hillsboro Ringo ’19 contributed to the Tennessee hunt’s singular achievement at the Virginia Foxhound Show when he bested hounds from 34 hunts to take the Grand Championship. With his kennel-mate Wagtail ’20 selected as Reserve Grand Champion, Hillsboro became the first hunt to be awarded both the Grand and Reserve Championships at the Virginia show for the second time. Photo courtesy Hillsboro Hounds American Class Champion a week earlier at the Virginia Foxhound Show, Orange County Pimple ’19 was awarded the Grand Championship rosette at Bryn Mawr. From start to finish, breeding told the tale at this season’s shows: OCH Pimple’s pedigree includes both the famous stallion hound Piedmont Watchman ’89 and Potomac Jefferson ’05. Karen Kandra photo Displaying perfect form on the boards at the Bryn Mawr Hound show, five-year-old Ada Townsend positions Andrews Bridge Basil for proper inspection. Ada is the daughter of Andrews Bridge Foxhounds Huntsman Adam Townsend and Lori Stambaugh Townsend. Karen Kandra photo
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2022 5 New England Hound Show May 22, 2022
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Think you can escape the omnipresent Hillsboro influence with a trip to New England? Think again. Norfolk Hunt (MA) dominated the day, taking the Championships in the English, American, and Crossbred classes. With three of the four competitors in the line-up for the Grand Championship, the odds were strongly in Norfolk’s favor. So it was no surprise when their Mickey ’21 clinched the top spot. Princess Anne Wallace ’19 and Princess Anne Midnight ’18 produced an unusually large litter of 15 pups. With Midnight struggling to produce enough milk for that many puppies, Huntsman Steve Farrin and his wife Jennifer Rogers Farrin had the perfect solution—goat’s milk. Fortunately, the Farrins had goats on hand and with their milk as a supplement, all the pups survived. There was likely some joy at that outcome among the folks down in Tennessee. Mickey bears two connections to Hillsboro via one hound, the ubiquitous Sable, who is both his tail-female grandmother and his paternal great-grandmother.
Virginia Foxhound Show May 29, 2022
The hunting gene runs strong in three-year-old Wakem Snively, shown here with Bedford County Hunt’s Potomac Knickknack at the Virginia Foxhound Show. Wakem is the grandson of Dr. Roger Scullin, MFH (since 1978), Howard County – Iron Bridge Hounds (MD) and his parents are members of Virginia’s Bedford County Hunt. Liz Callar photo Precision Riding Rings
Bryn Mawr Hound Show June 4, 2022 Whether or not the competitors at Bryn Mawr were relieved to see no Hillsboro hounds among the entries we can’t say. But with the folks from Tennessee opting to take a pass on this final show of the season, it was an open field for otherBrynhunts.Mawr holds the distinction of being the oldest and longest-running hound show in North America, tracing its founding back to 1914. It’s also a six-ring show as, in addition to the four foxhound breeds, beagles and bassets are also shown. The champions from all six rings then compete for the Grand Champion of Show award. Having been just barely edged out at the Virginia show by the dominance of Hillsboro hounds, American Champion Orange County Pimple ’19 took the Bryn Mawr trophy as Grand Champion. By Piedmont Pilgrim ’16 out of Orange County Manic ’13, Pimple shares some notable lineage of her own. Her pedigree includes both Piedmont Watchman ’89 and the aforementioned Potomac Jefferson. The number of first- and second-generation offspring these two hounds have produced now totals more than one thousand direct descendants.
Augusta Expoland •
rarity in Montana, where I’d moved from a little over a year ago, but this had all the earmarks of something as severe as I lived through out there. I was taught the safest place to be in a situation like this is the tub. So, just as a spinning thirty foot section of a poplar tree fell into the pool, taking out a fence line, a huge limb fell across the driveway barely missing the house, trees came down on every neighbor’s property, and multiple tree tops were sheared off, I high-tailed for the bathroom. The tub offered only minimal relief. The whole house shook as if being jiggled by a giant paw. And the cast iron tub amplified the crashes of thunder. I peered out under the shower curtain as pictures on the wall swayed back and forth, threatening to go sailing across the small room and hall. And, of course, the power went out with a bang. I felt like I’d been in my makeshift shelter for hours by the time the rain transitioned to steady showers and the wind moderated to residual gusts. Cautiously, I hopped out of the tub and went to inspect the inside of the house. Although the view outside was truly a disaster scene, the inside had suffered no Asdamage.Iwas completing my inspection, I heard Marion’s car pulling into our culde-sac. A huge fallen tree prevented her from parking on the driveway. “Oh, Osmun!” she shouted. “You can’t imagine what I’ve just been through. A power line fell on my car as I drove up the road. And then three—three!—trees fell into the lower parking lot at the store. The power line to our second building fell to the ground and the power was cut off. There were fire trucks and police cars immediately in front of the store. They were putting up barriers and directing traffic away from downed power lines. Everyone was rushing to get home. It was complete Ichaos!”wasn’t sure if she’d even taken in all the carnage around our house. She might have been so shell-shocked from what had happened at the store that the piles of downed trees, scattered limbs, and severed power lines hadn’t yet Sheregistered.tookabreath, regained some semblance of composure, and looked around. “Well,” she said, “everything in here looks okay. I hope you enjoyed your nap.” “Oh,” I replied, “it was just fine. The tub was quite comfortable, though it was a bit dark without electricity.”
The remark got her attention. Then she noticed my hair was still standing straight up from my trauma. “Oh, my! Of course it was terrible here at home, too. I’m so sorry I left you alone. But it was your nap time. I couldn’t have taken you with me and I had to get back to the store to see how things were there. You understand, don’t you? You needed your nap.”
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OSMUN’S OBSERVATIONS The morning began like any other. I had my constitutional stroll with Kathy, my walker, and my three walking buddies, after which she returned me to Horse Country and work. With greeting people and attending to some shop duties, it was time for a rest. Marion chauffeured me back home so I could settle in for my regular afternoon nap. “I have to get back to the store,” she said. “There’s so much to do! The new summer hats and shirts arrived yesterday and they must move quickly to the floor. You enjoy your afternoon here at home and I’ll see you Thelater.”rain was just beginning as she left. Did I say “rain”? Back in old Montana, we called these gully washers. More like a torrential MariondownpourandI are avid weather forecast followers. Sitting on the porch at night, unwinding from the day at work, we watch the small propellers turn on our fence-mounted weather station in the yard. For several weeks, through late spring and early summer, in our part of Virginia, the weather forecasters had been over-predicting while the weather itself under-performed. Warnings of “severe thunderstorms” and “damaging winds” had turned out to be mostly passing showers and modest breezes. I’m sure as Marion drove away she envisioned nothing more than a steady rain that would help lull me into a pleasant snooze, and recharge her drooping mandevilla. Boy, would she have been wrong! This time the meteorologists had nailed it. Warrenton, and the surrounding area, were about to get whacked. And poor little me was home alone. I had settled into my fluffy bed but a nap eluded me. Growing rumblings kept opening my eyes. When I realized they weren’t coming from my stomach, as it was nowhere near dinner time, I got up and looked out the glass door into the yard. The sky turned an ominous green, like the hair of a high school skateboarder I saw in the park yesterday. Rain was cascading down in a deluge and the wind’s assault suddenly rattled the house. Tree limbs cracked and became airborne missiles as the storm worsened. Funny where your thoughts turn in stressful situations. It made me think how prescient Marion was to order extra rain ponchos and bucket hats. Clever name for them, Tornadoesreally.area
Home Alone Claudia Coleman
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“Sure. And now we’ll have to deal with cleaning up the debris field outside and wait for the power to come back on.” “Right. I’m sure the chainsaw crews are going to be very busy. But, on the upside, there will be plenty of firewood this winter. Tomorrow, we’ll drive around and look at all the fallen trees.”
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SOUTHDOWN MS32 Made in England. Pale Green with Blue windowpane. Sizes 38-46. #281-MS29. (HC3D) $795.00 VICMEAD MV17 Green Gabardine. Sizes 36-48. #3660-MV017 (HC3E) $750.00 Shown with stock tie 4F-082 (HC3F) CHATHAM MC35 Made in England. Green herringbone w/Med Blue and Light Blue windowpane. Sizes 38 - 44. #1329-MC35. (HC3C) $895.00 Shop online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com HC3Visit us online! www.horsecountrycarrot.com H ORSE C OUNTRY ® 800-882-HUNT Not responsible for typographical errors. IAHC 08-2022 FIAN HELMETS BY CHARLES OWENS ASTM/SEI Certified. Classic profile, Italian velvet covered. Available in Black, Navy, and Brown. Grey and Green available by special order. Sizes #2036-BFFH6⁵⁄₈-7⁵⁄₈.(HC3B) $351.00 WOODLEY DRESS BOOT Made in Italy. Spanish top. Full zipper. European sizes 36-46. (HC3G)#1132-1600(M)$899.00 MEN'S ARGO EURO SEAT BREECH Butter-soft, micro-cotton, quick to dry. Flat front pockets, flapped back pockets. Stretch ankle sock. Beige SizesWhite #2039-469627W#2039-469627B 30-38.(HC3H)$154.00 HERRING COVEREDLEATHERFLASK Stainless Steel Flask. 6 oz. Funnel included. #5010HS (HC3A) $54.00
FOX AND RABBIT MUFFLER / SHAWL Ultra-soft fabric with tassels. 27" x 70". 100% polyester. Navy. #1961-SC0002 (HC4A) $44.95 BARBOUR WRAY VESTS Diamond-quilted, fleece lined. Double zipper front. Sizes US6 - US12. Plum #4-LG0017RE; Dijon #4-LG0017YE; Black #4-LG0017BK (HC4B) $175.00 HOLLY BETH OLIVE HAT Made in England, 100% Wool. Elasticized headband, fleece lined. One size. Olive/Yellow plaid. (HC4C)#1170-R4769OLV$105.00 SHOT SHELL BELT HAVANA 11⁄4” wide creased English bridle leather belt. Genuine shot shell on the keeper. Brass buckle that is attached with snaps. Sizes 32"#876-2151.40". (HC4F) $60.00 BARBOUR® PRESTON SHIRTS Regular fit, button down collar. One front pocket, 100% cotton. Twill weave. Brush finish. Sizes SM - XL. Red #4-MS5046BE Shop online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com Visit us online! www.horsecountrycarrot.comHC4 H ORSE C OUNTRY ® 800-882-HUNT All prices subject to change without notice. All items subject to availability. IAHC 08-2022 SH #8Stonle11⁄hiz ve elt eeper.GenuinBrass ached with snaps. 40". 51. (HC4F) UFFLER SHAWL tassels 4ester. NavyA)$44.95 Black #4LG0017BK (HC4B) $175 00 Red (HC4E)Navy#4MS5046BE#4-MS5046NY$110.00 FOX AND RABBIT HANDBAG 7" (L) x 7½" (H) x 2½" (W). #1961-HB0002. (HC4D) $69.95 ne ssbuckle H (HCplalinElaMasedid.4C MEN'S JACKETWAXEDCORBRIDGEUTILITY (HC4G)#4-MW0340OLSizeslining.collar, Barbour®pocket.zipMid-weight, innerandpatchCorduroytartanClassicSage.SM-XL.$425.00
KERRITS DIAMOND HORSE QUILTED VEST 100-gram poly-loft fill. Blue. Full front zip with tall collar. Sizes SM, MD, #1773-60261BLXL.(HC5B) $79.00 HORSE LOVE SWEATSHIRT Navy. 95% cotton, 5% elastane. Raised collar to keep the neck warm. Sizes 3/5, 5/6, 6/8, 9/10, 11/12. #4333-CSS010. (HC5A) $41.95 GIRL'S ICE FIL® FULL SEAT TIGHT Tan. UPF 50+ sun protection. Also available in Blue & Concord. Sizes SM - XL. #1773-60524TN (HC5C) $84.00 BOYS' BREECHEUROWEAVE TwillFlex™ Woven 2-way stretch. UPF 50+ protection. Tan. Sizes 12(HC5E)#2039-464974ST16.$95.00 PINK PONY'S ONESIE 60/40 combed ring-spun cotton/polyester. Reinforced three snap closure. Sizes 6M & 12M. #2011-T0243 (HC5F) $25.95 NELLIE PINK BABY BIB 100% cotton bib. Terry cloth back. #1622-81968 (HC5G) $14.50 PHIL FOX PACIFIER BLANKIE No more lost pacifiers! #1622-24132 (HC5H) $15.50 PHIL TRAVEL PILLOW 11" soft velour and jersey. (HC5J)#1622-24104$25.00 Shop online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com HC5Visit us online! www.horsecountrycarrot.com H ORSE C OUNTRY ® 800-882-HUNT Not responsible for typographical errors. IAHC 08-2022 0 T ntane. eckwarm.1/12.41.95on.84.00 Sizes 6M & 12M. #2011-T0243 (HC5F) $25.95 erry81968 No more4132 ( OW 4 #1622-2 BLANKLFOX 4.50 Nothing creates stronger waves of affection Than a kid in a saddle dressed to perfection. In a blazer or tweed, Whatever you need, It's in our young riders collection. #1773 60261BL (HC5B) $79 00 CHILDS' TWEED JACKET Made in England. Wool blend. Zipper front with snap placket. Moleskin collar and placket lining. Olive tweed with Orange and Rust windowpane. Sizes MD, LG, XL. #1639-TJ01 (HC5D) $189.00
NIMROD 6 BREASTPLATE WITH ATTACHMENTSTANDING (not Brownshown)Italian leather. Cob, Horse, Oversize. #3487-006 (HC6D) $195.00
NIMROD 6 HUNT BRIDLE Italian Leather. Havana. Nose band measures 1¼". Brow band is ¾". Comes complete with ¾" laced reins. Cob, Horse, Oversize. #3487-001 (HC6G) $249.00 E 5.00
FIRST FLIGHT HUNT BRIDLE Made in England. Classic style designed to withstand the trials of the hunt field. Hand polished buckles, darkened finish edges. Waxed thread hand stitching. Slotted caveson and reinforced billets in reins and cheek pieces. Superior quality, Havana color. Cob, Horse, Oversize 3⁄4" cheek. #98-962-001 (HC6A) $518.00 MD Pony, LG Pony, 5⁄8" cheek. #98-962-00(5,6) (HC6B) $459.00 Wider Horse 7⁄8" cheek. #98-962-002 (HC6C) $549.00
FIRST FLIGHT HUNTING BREASTPLATE Made in England. Heavier weight, thicker and wider. English leather. Fully adjustable, matches other First Flight tack. Triple stitching, heavy-duty stainless steel hardware. Standing or (HC6F)#962-100(S,P)MD(HC6E)#962-100Cob,soldattachmentsRunningavailable,separately.Horse,Oversize(C,H,X)$298.00Pony,LGPony$284.00
ANNICE GENESIS ADJUSTABLE SADDLE Close contact saddle. Perfect for hunting, showing, jumping or just everyday. A slightly wider, medium deep seat. Adjustable tree allows a single saddle to custom fit multiple horses. Havana. #1284-3803175 (HC4L) Go to www.horsecountrycarrot.com for additional information. Call the store for available sizes and(HCpricing.6G)GENUINE SHEARLING SEAT SAVER Improves comfort, security and provides warmth. In Green, Natural, Brown, Blue and White. Sizes Regular and XL. #764-002-(color). (HC6K) $130.00 - $154.00 Shop online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com Visit us online! www.horsecountrycarrot.comHC6 H ORSE C OUNTRY ® 800-882-HUNT All prices subject to change without notice. All items subject to availability. IAHC 08-2022 JENINNE GENESIS ADJUSTABLE SADDLE Forward padded flap, deep seat medium/narrow twist. Genesis adjustable tree allows a single saddle to custom fit multiple horses. Removable front and rear blocks can be positioned for custom rider fit. Complete with Wool Soft Touch panels. #1284-6701185 (HC6H) Call the store for available sizes and pricing. HEAVY QUILT BABY PAD Made in America. Outer shell consists of a washable 7 oz. pre-shrunk polycotton. 3⁄8" thick padding with brushed canton flannel underlining. #1022F (HC6J) $55.95
Shop online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com HC7Visit us online! www.horsecountrycarrot.com H ORSE C OUNTRY ® 800-882-HUNT Not responsible for typographical errors. IAHC 08-2022Visit us online! www.horse KATE LEATHER HALTER By KL Select Fine, soft supple English leather. workmanship.DetailedSolid brass hardware. Round raised noseband and crown. Australian Nut with fancy stitching. Sizes Cob, Full, and Oversize. #327-RBKH (HC7A) $172.00 HKM WAFFLE STABLE SHEET Breathable, 100% cotton. Protective padded withers. Adjustable front closures. Cross surcingles with metal buckles. Double front fastenings. Tail strap. Machine washable. Blue with Red/White windowpane. Sizes Cob, Horse, Oversize. #4333-SS0001 (HC7B) $43.95 LEATHER SHOW HALTER English bridle leather. Triplestitched, two-ply construction. Hand-rubbed edges, straight chin, round throat. 1" wide, double buckle crown and solid brass hardware. Havana with white stitching. # 140-5140 (HC7D) REFLECTIVE RIDING QUARTER SHEET Waterproof and breathable. Blaze orange for high visibility. Features reflective stripes on body, chest and tail. Adjustable Velcro front closure for secure fit. Polyester lined, Sizes 72 - 84. #4335-29326 (HC7C) $89.95 ALLURE GROOMING TOTE Orange. Reinforced bottom. Removable shoulder strap. 100% polyester. 15" x 11" x (HC7E)#4333-GTS22B12".$41.99 WOOLBACK SADDLE PAD Made from highly absorbent virgin wool pile fabric. Excellent breathability. Excellent for saddles that slip. $171.95#18-114Halfwashable.Creme. MachineSizes17"-19½"andFullFlap.(HC7F)-$187.95 5/A BAKER® IRISH ANTI-SWEAT SHEET Made in America. 50% polyester, 50% natural cotton. Comes with two straight surcingles and one buckle front. Can be used as a fly sheet in summer or a blanket liner in winter. Truly an item for all seasons. Sizes 72 - 82 # 282-7011NY (HC7G) $111.99
17 29 211 To viaWASHINGTONI-66 CULPEPERTo CHARLOTTESVILLE& To I-66WINCHESTER,&I-81 To SPERRYVILLE & I-81 WATERLOO St. WINCHESTERSt.BROADVIEW Ave MAIN St. ALEXANDRIAPk RT.29/17Bypas HORSE COUNTRY® Rt.17Bypass(540) 347-3141 • 800-88-2-HUNT (4868) CUSTOMER SERVICE AND INQUIRIES: (540) 347-3141 24 HOUR FAX: (540) 347-7141 For Orders Only: 800-88-2-HUNT (4868) Store Hours: Monday–Saturday 10AM - 5PM (ET) Visit us online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com All prices subject to change without notice.Not responsible for typographical errors. All items subject to availability. IAHC 08-2022 60 Alexandria Pike • Warrenton, Virginia 20186www.Facebook.com/HorseCountryLifewww.HorseCountryCarrot.com Horse Country® Shop online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com MELAMINE EQUUS TUMBLERS Heavyweight, BPA free. Food & dishwasher safe. Set of four tumblers. One design, 5" high #4027-940001 (HC8B) $52.00 MELAMINE EQUUS LARGE BOWL Heavyweight, BPA free. Food & dishwasher safe. 11¼" diameter x 4¾" high. (HC8A)#4027-940003$46.00 MELAMINE EQUUS BOWLS Heavyweight, BPA free. Food & dishwasher safe. Set of four small bowls, one design. 6½" diameter x 2¾" high. (HC8C)#4027-940002$56.00 SOLOGNE PLATES Made in France, Fine china. Dishwasher & microwave safe. 9¼" (HC8E)RedPheasant #1753-PHSDPdiameter.Fox#1753-FOXDP$48.00 THOROUGHBRED TRAY Heavyweight, BPA free. Food & dishwasher safe. 4½"x 6½". #1944-TRAY01 (HC8D) $14.00 KENTUCKY FARM TEA TOWEL 100 % Cotton. White. Embroidered #1951-TT0001scene.(HC8H) $12.95 THOROUGHBRED NAPKINS Printed on a textured cotton fabric. Piped edges, Set of four, one print. 20"x20". 100% #1944-NAP001Cotton.(HC8F) $88.00 WHITE FOX TREAT CADDY 7" tall treat jar and serving tray. Pour spout makes it easy to refill tray. Perfect for small cookies, candies, and other tiny treats. Ideal for any party, tailgate or huntboard. #1868-K00100 (HC8G) $26.95
JENNY’S PICKS
Lindsey Williamson and Gabrina Von Schweetz on their way to capturing the 2021 North American Field Hunter Championship during the finals at Middleburg’s Glenwood Park, October 9, 2021. Douglas Lees photo Just In! Available at Horse Country
Specialists in New, Old & Rare Books on Horses, Foxhunting, Eventing, Polo, Racing, Steeplechasing & Sporting Art 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186 800-882-HUNT • 540-347-3141
Clapham, Richard. Foxes Foxhounds & Fox-Hunting. Heath Cranton, London, n.d. Illus. with b&w photographic plates, color frontis. by Lionel Edwards and b&w sketches by Richard Clapham. Book in fair condition, considerable foxing, dj torn, in plastic wrap. Extensive information on foxes and hounds is interspersed with foxhunting advice. Being an English book from the last century, some of the information is a bit outdated or inapplicable to American foxhunting, but it is fascinating nonetheless. There is also a section on the “trail hound,” which involves a timed drag hunt in which the hounds are released to race to the end of the trail, the fastest being the winner. These are, of course, English hounds of varying sorts. It’s a great book for background information on breeding and hunting practices. Hardcover, 318pp. $50.00. #5906 Clayton, Michael. The Golden Thread/Foxhunting Today. Methuen, London, 1984. The title of this lovely volume is taken from a quote from Lord Willoughby de Broke: “Foxhunting is the golden thread running through the history of the British countryside.” Lavishly illustrated with 32 color plates and innumerable b&w sketches by artist John King throughout, Clayton’s book is divided into chapters on horses, hounds, and then the British countryside divided into areas. John King is not an artist familiar to me, but his illustrations, reminiscent of both Lionel Edwards and Paul Brown, rank with the best. You will not be disappointed with his work. I’m sure Michael Clayton’s name will be familiar to most older foxhunters as a prolific writer on the sport and editor of Horse and Hound. The book is in fine condition inside a beautiful slipcase illustrated with one of King’s works. Has a gift inscription on title page. Brown cloth hardcover, gilt illustration of a fox on front cover, 192pp. $100.00 Hardaway,#6287 Ben. Never Outfoxed. Privately printed, 1997. Deluxe edition. If you didn’t get a chance to buy Ben Hardaway’s foxhunting book when it came out, now’s your chance, and this is a beauty— leatherbound, gilt-edged pages, in a slipcase, like new and autographed by Ben himself “to Mary.”
Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship Save the Dates: October 3-8, 2022
First, a couple of new books we recently got in: Brooks, Geraldine. Horse/A Novel. Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks has created a fascinating tale involving the famous Kentucky sire, the Thoroughbred Lexington, and a primarily fictitious slave boy who became his devoted groom. Intertwined with the 19th century action, however, are 20th and 21st century characters who become intrigued by the story of the stallion from their interest in both his preserved skeleton and a discarded painting by T. J. Scott depicting him and his groom Jarret, of which nothing but his name is known. The painter Jackson Pollock and his wife Martha make cameo appearances along with the fictitious characters who help advance the tale. It’s a good read – try it! Hardcover, 401pp. $28.00 Dover, Robert. The Gates to Brilliance. The subtitle bares it all—“How a Gay, Jewish, Middle-Class Kid Who Loved Horses Found Success.” Dressage star Robert Dover has written a lively account of his life that will be hard to put down once you start. He’s not shy about his sexual preference and explains how he started out enamored of a girl friend who ultimately turned him down because she found another man. Reminiscences of both good horses and bad enliven an already ebullient text; Dover is not afraid of revealing his mistakes as well as his winning rides and experiences. One I shall remember involves a horse that had to be somewhat addled; during one of his escapades at an indoor arena, he panicked at the sight of it and fled to the safety of the warmup arena. After a repeat performance with a handler at his head, Dover got back to the danger point, turned him around, and backed him through the ingates. The horse was so overwhelmed he proceeded without incident partway through the test—until a nearby departing spectator’s seat banged shut during Dover’s walk pirouette. Then—well, I’ll just say the judge and scribe at H had to vacate the area in a hurry. Read the book if you want to find out what “Crazy Walter” did! I’ve not had time to read the book through, but the many pages I have browsed urge me to continue. Paperback, 275pp. $24.95 Now for some nice used books on foxhunting, since everyone’s eagerly looking forward to the opening of cubbing season—if you haven’t already started, as some more northerly hunts may have to do before bad weather sets in.
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2022 7
The Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship, scheduled for October 3-8, features four days of hunting in Virginia with Middleburg Hunt, Blue Ridge Hunt, Rappahannock Hunt, and Piedmont Fox Hounds, enlivened 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, October 8, at 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. The Matthew Mackay-Smith Award for the highest placing Thoroughbred at the finals includes a donation of $250 from the Mackay-Smith family to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation in the winning owner’s name. A cooler and trophy will also 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 2022 competition is $350 per horse and entries close September 19. The field is limited to 60 contestants. Juniors are also encouraged to compete. Entry forms and information are available from the Virginia Fall Races website: VAFallRaces.com. For additional information: karynwilson.fhc@gmail.com.
HORSE BOOKSELLERSCOUNTRY
The Red Truck Bakery Farmhouse Cookbook by Brian Noyes is the second cookbook to come from Fauquier County’s great bakery, the Red Truck. When you live near a great bakery, there’s less inclination to bake and more to buy what you want already made; but not everyone has that opportunity. This volume offers “sweet and savory comfort food from America’s favorite rural bakery,” and do the recipes ever sound scrumptious! As with most cookbooks, it’s divided into sections: breakfast, breads, lunch, soups & stews, cookies & bars, dinner, sides, desserts, and condiments; introductory segments include advice on what you should have in your pantry and equipment drawer, as well as a few cooking suggestions. From fried green tomato sandwiches to corn ice cream via squash casserole, sweet potato and poblano enchiladas, carrot, parsnip and leek potpies and much more, the recipes are all screaming to be sampled. Hardcover, 223pp. $28.00
One of last century’s most noted foxhunters and President of the MFHA from 1981-1984, Hardaway was Master of the Midland Fox Hounds and a keen hound breeder, always trying to improve his pack and generously sharing his good hounds with other hunts. Loaded with photographs and memories of hunting days, the book also provides hunting advice for readers to glean as it progresses its story. Epp Wilson sums it up: “No one has had a greater impact upon modern hunting.” Hardcover, 377pp. $250.00 Sage, E. Helen. Bridle Rosettes/Two Centuries of Equine Adornment. Atglen, PA, Schiffer Publishing, 2011. Nowadays the only place you’re likely to see bridle rosettes is in an antique store or museum, but several centuries ago, a myriad of lovely rosettes was available to add a personal touch to one’s horse’s bridle, be he hack or carriage horse. As more people are attracted to them and start collections, a book becomes necessary to identify them more fully than just “rose,” “horsehead,” or “initial.” The variety illustrated herein is astounding, and they weren’t all round, either. Their beauty also led to the idea of bridle rosette pins, which were not conversions but actual pins for human wear fashioned like bridle rosettes. Valuable resource for collectors! Fine condition, 256pp. $59.99 #6536
Carol Gana illustration
ADVENTURES Hauling Horses Cross-Country What Could Possibly Go Wrong? By Sue Strong
The balloons were soon forgotten when, as we were approaching Huntington, West Virginia, a big rig pulled alongside and his passenger held up a sign that said “Smoking Tires.” I looked in my side view mirror and, sure enough, I was on fire! I pulled over, grabbed the fire extinguisher, and put out the fire on the right rear brake. Not knowing what to do next, I paced around for about 15 minutes while Julie called Dan. He, also not knowing what to do, wished us good luck. Thanks, Dan. So for lack of any better ideas, we decided to unhook the hoses to the brake line and continue to the closest rest stop. Once there, we met “Mr. Greenjeans” (shiny shoes with a bow tie), who proceeded to give us instruction on the operation of truck brakes in high country. He followed us to the next stop to ensure our safety and said we could continue because the brakes had cooled. We weren’t sure he knew what he was talking about but neither did we. Maybe it was the bowtie that made him seem trustworthy. Thirty or forty minutes later we hit highway construction and noticed a terrible rattling noise. We stopped for diesel and an old badly dented and rusted Chevy pulled in behind us. Two very large black men approached saying that flying debris from the brake assembly had hit their truck and damaged their fender. Upon assessing their truck—trying not to laugh—we could find no recent damage and continued on our journey. Our once-bright spirits were starting to dampen but we remained stoic as we pulled into a truck stop in Ashland, Kentucky, in search of a mechanic. Although it was only early afternoon, we were told they had all gone home for the day. I asked the attendant if there might be anyone else in the area that could help us. She gave me directions to “Tim’s.” I placed an order at the lunch counter while Julie watered the horses. All of a sudden, a woman in the restaurant went berserk, emitting Linda Blair exorcist type howling. Fearing an explosion of pea soup, I ran out before our order was up and jumped in the truck while an ambulance appeared and attendants put her in a straight jacket. Julie and I just looked at each other as if to say “Holy Toledo, what’s next?” No lunch today! We got to Tim’s Automotive, which had an abundance of “girlie” calendars strewn throughout the garage. Tim was very nice, a one-armed man with a good sense of humor. He said he could only fix three of the four brakes and charged us just $20.00. Was something fishy? We had no way of knowing. We gave him a $10.00 tip and off we went. We were soon on Route 64 headed to the farm outside of Lexington, Kentucky, where we were to pick up the two yearlings. It was dark by now; we had no GPS and there were no road signs. We managed to find the gravel driveway, which was very narrow, and I took off the two left trailer hubcaps courtesy of a large rock at the entry. When I got to the barn, there was no turn-around. Having had more than enough excitement for one day, I figured I’d deal with that in the morning. We unloaded the horses, who were delighted to touch terra firma, and put them in stalls where they could eat, drink, and relax. We followed Beth, the owner, up to her house, which smelled strongly of multiple dogs, and were served vegetarian chili which was highly welcomed as we hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Julie took the bedroom upstairs and I took the couch next to an open window. The next morning, I awoke gasping, not knowing if I was being attacked or was hallucinating. By the open window sat a huge, black bird with wings fully extended. Beth, hearing my gasp, chuckled and said, “Oh, don’t worry, that’s just our stuffed vulture mascot that we named Patrick Swayze.” (We were given no explanation for the name.)
The five-day trip from California to Maryland went without incident. I dropped off the mares, and went to stay with friends, Julie and Dan McHenry. In hindsight, the first part of the trip must have lulled me into thinking cross-country hauling was a piece of cake. My come-uppance awaited on the return journey. I’d met Julie McHenry at Laurel where we both worked for trainer Donald Souder. Julie was a very fine horsewoman in her own right and had a wonderful sense of humor that I’d enjoyed every day while working in her company. When I told Julie and Dan about my plans for the trip back to California, Julie decided that she didn’t want me to go unaccompanied because of the new horses I’d have to pick up. So she decided to make the trip with me. I was totally relieved. Although the solo trip out alone had gone smoothly, it was still an exhausting drive. Having Julie’s companionship would be welcome relief. Dan then planned to meet Julie in California when we arrived and they would take a few days for a vacation.Perfect! And off we went. Day One: Balloon Barrage and Burning Brakes
Anyone who has hauled horses over long distances, or even short ones, is likely to have experienced some “challenges” along the way. Looking back over my years in the world of Thoroughbred racing, one particular trip stands out for its succession of misadventures; some amusing, some terrifying. Twenty-five years later, I still recall every twist and turn, narrowly avoided disaster, and nickof-time save in one epic cross-country. The year was 1997. My husband and I had been racing Thoroughbreds at Maryland’s Laurel Park for about six years when he, a California native, informed me he could no longer imagine another winter of galloping horses in a snow suit. So we packed up our three-year-old colt, two cats, all our furniture, and a rather large ficus in our newly acquired Cummins diesel Dodge Ram 2500 and the gooseneck 5-horse DiBella van and set sail for Bonsall, California. We set up our new training stable at San Luis Rey Downs, roughly halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, and rented an adjacent condo. While there had been room in the van for the furniture and a ficus, I had to leave my broodmare at a farm in Albemarle County, Virginia, and a yearling colt out of that mare at Derby Hill Farm in Mount Airy, Maryland. I was barely unpacked before I started making plans to return to the East Coast to pick them up. Leighann Howard, manager of the Downs, also managed a breeding farm in Valley Center, California. When I mentioned my plans, she said she had three mares to go to Kentucky for the late spring sale and also had a friend who was moving back to California from Kentucky who had two yearlings and a broodmare that needed to ship from Kentucky to California. So rather than driving all the way across the country with an empty 5-horse trailer and then all the way back with just my two horses, I could haul Leighann’s three mares on the first leg and then pick up her friend’s three horses on the way back. It sounded like the perfect arrangement and I was thrilled that the additional hauls would cover most of my costs I made all the arrangements for the trip with the help of my handy horse transport layover guide. Everything was set in perfect order, but one seemingly minor change arose. A quarantine had been imposed in Kentucky. So the plan was adjusted to drive straight to Maryland and drop off Leighann’s three mares at Derby Hill Farm where they would remain until the quarantine was over and further shipping could be arranged.
We arrived at Derby Hill at 6:00 am but had to wait for Suzy and Bill, the owners, who didn’t arrive until 7:30. While Julie slept in the cab, we loaded Javalina, the pregnant broodmare, and her yearling colt Ricky. With spirits high we left the farm about 9:00. The weather was perfect as we headed west on Highway 70 to pick up Route 68, which would take us to Route 79 through West Virginia. As we were approaching Duck, West Virginia, with Julie still enjoying a morning snooze, I saw a collage of hot air balloons that were apparently having some sort of mechanical difficulty and were landing haphazardly on the freeway. I slowed down to avoid hitting the falling baskets, which was hard in this very mountainous stretch of highway. Once safely through the balloon obstacle course, as I was giving a sigh of relief, Julie woke up and asked what was happening. “Just a bunch of falling balloons,” I replied. “Go back to sleep.”
Day Two: An Imperfect Storm Julie and I woke up to coffee, anxious to be on our way. At the barn I hooked up the trailer while we discussed future business possibilities. Although the yearlings were unbroken, we had little difficulty getting them in the trailer and mine loaded like pros.
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Since there was no turnaround, I had to back the trailer out of the half-mile narrow driveway laden with overhanging branches that scraped the sides of the trailer. But I managed to retrieve the two hubcaps that I’d dislodged the night before, so at least that was a minor win We still had one more broodmare to pick up in Versailles. At the entrance to that farm, we stopped to ask a woman standing by the fence where the broodmare barn might be. She replied, “I couldn’t tell you; I have no idea where I am!” Julie said, “Oh boy, another nut job. Keep driving!” (Maybe that woman had gotten a bad batch of pea soup from the truck stop.) We managed to find the broodmare barn and loaded a very pretty gray with impeccable manners and headed out on Route 64 toward Arkansas. It was another beautiful day and as Julie and I recounted the episodes in our journey so far— and thinking there would be much smoother sailing ahead—we started laughing almost on the verge of hysteria. What’s that old saying, “Red sky in morning, sailor take warning”? In our case it was “Sunshine on the highway turns to rain going sideways.” Our laughter quickly ceased as the rain began to rip across the road, almost appearing as snow. There were no reflectors or luminescent markings on the road and truckers passed by like bats out of hell. Julie kept asking me if I could see. I didn’t want to scare her, but I couldn’t. We started counting down the exit signs that we could read so we wouldn’t miss our turn off to the farm where we were supposed to stop for the night. It was pitch dark when we finally found the exit and the directions seemed to be leading us into the Ozarks. To our relief, we found the farm and were greeted by the owner, Kevin, who could have doubled for the Marlboro Man. He was very helpful and a good horseman. We noticed that the colt and filly we picked up at Beth’s farm had elevated temperatures and coughs. I got out the penicillin and banamine and doctored the yearlings while the rain continued to come down sideways. After turning the rig around—and almost sliding into a ditch—we reached the hotel about 11:00 pm. We were soaking wet and when we retrieved our luggage for the night, we found it was all soaked too. Day Three: Amarillo By Midnight We stumbled out of our room to a continental breakfast…and a dead battery. In my haste to get into a dry hotel room, I had left the trailer lights on. I was totally embarrassed and disgusted with myself while calling the garage. A man arrived in a beat-up old truck leaking anti-freeze. His ancient jumper cables proved useless. We lent him ours and Julie commented on the anti-freeze in case he was unaware. “Oh, that,” he replied. “It’s been doing it for some time now. Don’t know why.” We were glad we needed nothing more from him than a jumpstart. His services cost us $10.00. We tried to retrace our steps back to Kevin’s, a challenging task considering the previous night’s foul weather, the late hour of our drive to the hotel, and the near exhaustion we were both experiencing by the time we got there. Instead of the ranch, we wound up at a campground near a lake. A ranger stationed there noted we were lost but wasn’t familiar with the location of the ranch and couldn’t give us directions. So we got back to the highway, retraced our steps again, and eventually managed to find our way. Kevin immediately offered to turn the trailer around. I’m sure he witnessed our near debacle the night before and thought his equipment might be in danger. We prepped the trailer for the journey and doctored the yearlings, who appeared to be somewhat better, no fevers. We were cruising along on Highway 40 to our next destination, Amarillo, Texas, where we had made arrangements to stable for the night. Reliving the adventures of the previous two days, we joked and carried on until it was apparent that I was in dire need of a bathroom due to a combination of laughter and bad coffee. The closest exit only had a restaurant that wasn’t open but I banged on the door and a kindly cleaning lady let me in. Still laughing like a couple of loons, we got back on the freeway at mile marker 38. After a timely lapse, I noticed we were at mile marker 64. I asked Julie, “Why is the sun in our faces; we’re supposed to be going west?” Thirty miles out of our way, we turned around to proceed in the proper direction. My bathroom break resulted in a 60 mile side trip. When we arrived at the Amarillo fairgrounds about 10:30 pm, no one was there and the stalls were bolted shut. We called the management repeatedly but got no answer. Julie consulted the directory and called “Happy Tracks” who, to our relief, was still awake and had five stalls available. It was extremely cold, although it was barely mid-October, and there were snow warnings for Flagstaff, which we hoped to reach by the next night. We fed and watered the horses and doctored the filly who still had a snotty nose but no fever. We unhooked the trailer—I remembered to turn out the lights—and it was midnight by the time we arrived at the hotel. Having not eaten all day, we thought of pizza delivery. Oddly enough, there was no pizza delivery in Amarillo after midnight. So we went to bed cold and hungry. Day Four: Take Me Home, Country Road A continental breakfast and decent coffee helped revive us in the morning. Catching the news on the TV in the restaurant, we learned of John Denver’s death. A sense of shared mourning seemed to come over everyone in the room, a group of traveling strangers but with a feeling that we’d all just lost a friend. We still had challenges of our own to face so we set off again with a positive attitude, although weary and looking forward to arriving in California and some much-needed rest. The positive attitude faded when I heard a strange noise and looked to see pieces flying off a tire in every direction. I pulled off to the side of the road and we limped to the next exit; one mile to the gas station where, happily, there was one tire our size in stock. On the downside, by the time the job was done, it was evident we wouldn’t be making it to Flagstaff that night. So we called ahead to make reservations at Red Rock National Park. As we were driving into the park, which is located in a large canyon, the full moon came up over the canyon wall and illuminated the area in a red glow that was breathtaking. With the horses comfortably stabled, we got a motel room in Gallup where Julia called Dan, who was already in California waiting for us, with an update on our expected arrival time. (Emphasis on(l-r)“expected.”)SueStrong, Julie and Dan McHenry, looking forward to what all assumed would be a pleasant, uneventful cross-country trip.
Reaching humble Bonsall, California, felt like arriving at the Emerald City. We unloaded Ricky at San Luis Rey Downs and continued to Valley Creek Farm to unload the broodmares and the other yearlings. The drive was steep into Valley Center but the brakes seemed to be still working on the truck, although the trailer brakes were totally gone. We pulled back into Bonsall with a tremendous sense of relief, much too tired to celebrate. We were certain our traveling woes were over, but the mischievous gremlins that had been our constant companions couldn’t resist one final jab. As I retrieved my luggage from the truck, I banged my head on the trailer. The resounding smack had me clutching my noggin with Julie in a panic, no idea where the closest hospital was or even which condo was mine. As any good horse person would do, I shook it off and began to laugh. Relieved, Julie joined in. Thankfully, the horses had all fared well and reached their assigned destinations. They probably had their own tales to tell from their view in the trailer. Most likely, though, they were enjoying some much-needed rest in their comfortable stables. Which was exactly what Julie and I planned to do in my Bonsall condo.
From the initial barrage of hot air balloons landing on the highway to the whiteknuckled drive through the Arizona mountains, and the many other adventures along the way, it had been a memorable journey, one I’ll certainly never forget— and one I hope to never repeat!
It had been two weeks since I’d left home and both Julia and I were beginning to feel a bit undone. Travelling though Winslow, Arizona, (no, we didn’t see any girls in flatbed Fords) we came upon a road block; cops were rerouting travelers along with many truckers down a dead end road. A helpful trucker clued us in that there was an overturned tractor trailer spilling fuel all over the highway; no way to know how long we’d have to wait, perhaps days before the highway would open. We all discussed alternate options and a fellow traveler recommended Highway 87, which he said was an old route previously used by truckers. He said that the roadway was in good shape so we decided to give it a try. The route brought us into Coconino National Forest where our attention focused on a sign warning drivers to turn off before a 6% grade. Our fellow traveler failed to mention that detail.We turned off for a once over safety check; a bit concerned that the gauge on the vacuum brakes didn’t return to normal readily. Upon further inspection we found what appeared to be damage to the vacuum pump. A Department of Transportation worker named William stopped to assist us but knew little of the problem so he went to phone the Dodge service department. As we waited for his return along the side of the road, we were horrified to smell rotting flesh. Shots were being fired all around us. It was hunting season, and we were sitting ducks. We spotted the source of the odor—four deer legs in a pile warming in the sun about 20 feet from us. We were greatly relieved at William’s return. After speaking to the dealership, they all thought that we could make the grade, however cautiously. We headed out on the two-lane road to experience unbelievably steep mountain passes, winding with cliffs, construction in progress, and no turnaround or turnoff places. We watched the pressure gauge, chewed nails and prayed. The tension increased as Julie, who had never been east of the Alleghenies, realized that she was deathly afraid of heights. The drive through the mountains continually got worse with only one-horse towns along the way. The brakes were beginning to burn on the horse trailer and we prayed that the truck brakes would hold. I was afraid to go any faster than 20 mph with the road getting even more winding and steep. We felt as if we had been battling these grades all day when the road finally opened up to a four-lane highway. We had failed to realize how many cars were behind us, as our focus had been solely on the road ahead. The opening of the highway gave pass to drivers who bombarded us with visual and verbal profanity accompanied by honking horns. There were at least 20 of them. Tough turkey, guys, the alternative would have been much less appealing. Perhaps in sympathy with the suffering brakes, the transmission light also came on. I pulled over to let things cool down as the owner’s manual said this was the proper action to take. There was no further problem with the transmission and the roadway got a bit gentler as we made our way into Phoenix to get a new vacuum pump for the brake system. We wound up going through downtown Mesa to the Chevy dealer who said that the part we called about was on its way. When asked if they could do the repair, they said that they had no idea what the part was or how to fix it. The people were really rude and of little help; you could tell that we were back in a city. My temper was becoming increasingly shorter by the minute when they reluctantly responded and produced the pump. Julie and I both felt that they were way too inept to repair the rig and the next part of the journey—the final leg of our trip—did not require mountain climbing, so we thought we could make it as is. We left Mesa in late afternoon and came into the desert after dark, which was easier on the horses, the temperature having dropped about 15 degrees.
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 202210 Day Five: A Steep and Winding Road
Journey’s End: Out of the Woods, Into the Light!
Perhaps “transition” is the better word to describe the way Johnnie Gray is closing out his 42-year career as Huntsman for Tennessee’s Hillsboro Hounds. The hunt will still have a Gray (the third one, and only the fourth huntsman in the club’s 90 year history) at the helm; Johnnie’s wife Leilani will now be carrying the horn full time, a role she’s already been playing in tandem with Johnnie for the past few seasons.
The absence of any victories in 2019 and 2020 was only because the hound shows were canceled those two years due to the pandemic. However, with the return of the show schedule in full swing this year, Hillsboro surged back with a Grand Championship for their Wagtail ’20 right out of the chute at the Southern Hound show. They then repeated the elusive double win at Virginia when their Ringo ’19 took the top spot and Wagtail was chosen as Reserve; the first time any hunt had achieved that for a second time in the 67 year history of the Virginia show. [For more details on the results of this year’s hound shows, and the dominant role Hillsboro breeding played in the results, see our recap on page 4.]
Hillsboro Huntsman John Gray Retires…Sort Of
Originally from Alnwick, England, Johnnie was born into a foxhunting family. His father served as a huntsman for 30 years with the Milvain Percy Hunt and his older brother, Bob, hunted hounds at Hillsboro until his retirement in 1980 when he passed the horn to Johnnie. When Hillsboro was organized in 1932, Felix Peach was hired for the huntsman job, which he held until the mid-’70s. Peach was inducted into the Huntsmen’s Room of the Museum of Hounds and Hunting in 2003.
Ringo and Wagtail aren’t the only Hillsboro couple with impressive bragging rights. Another Tennessee twosome’s success story is that of Johnnie and Leilani Gray. In addition to his five decades in hunt service, Johnnie also rode on the steeplechase circuit for several years. That adrenaline-fueled practice ended when, at the age of 35, he suffered a serious injury from a fall at a Kentucky meet. In the resultant melee, a horse stepped on his face. Delicate surgery and a few metal plates later, he decided foxhunting was a sufficient thrill and hung up his racing silks. Leilani, whose father served in the military, was born in Hawaii and grew up in Northern Virginia. At the age of ten she discovered riding at a summer camp and thus began a lifelong pursuit. Unaware that foxhunting was still a horse sport option, she showed hunters and show jumped for several years, eventually relocating to Chicago. But it wasn’t until she moved to Tennessee, where she bought property close to hunt country, that she discovered the allure of ars venatica. She found the foxhunting lifestyle just right for her, and hired on as a staff member at Hillsboro Hounds in 2006. For the Grays, the positions of huntsman and whipper-in have been somewhat fluid over the past few seasons. Several years ago Johnnie needed surgery on a rotator cuff and the recovery would limit his ability to hunt the hounds for at least six months. They decided that he would carry the horn on Saturdays and Leilani would serve as huntsman on Wednesdays. Thus began a working relationship that was more coequal than hierarchical. The Hillsboro country is dotted with steep, tree-lined ridges. As anyone who has hunted in such territory knows, a sharp pack of hounds hot on a line can quickly cross to the far side of a ridge, making it difficult for the huntsman to hear the pack or for the hounds to hear the horn. Having co-huntsmen covering both sides, both of whom hounds know and respect, allows the action to continue flowing seamlessly.With that arrangement already well-established, switching the official titles will be, initially anyway, more a matter of form than function. Johnnie will continue to serve in both the field and at kennels while a new team member is brought along. And we have no doubt that both good sport in the field and impressive wins on the boards will continue with Johnnie Gray still an essential member of the Hillsboro team.
FOXHUNTING
Hillsboro Hounds don’t just wow the crowds when on display in the show ring. They perform like hunting demons in the field as well, a skill amply displayed at the recent MFHA Performance Trials. Their Striker ’17, by the famous Midland Striker, took the top spot at the second Belle Meade Performance Trial with two other Hillsboro hounds, Piston and Charity, finishing in third and fifth place. At the Grand Championship Performance Trial, hosted by Sedgefield Hunt in North Carolina, Piston and Charity were again in the top rankings at #5 and #7. While any hunt would be justifiably envious of Hillsboro’s achievements at the hounds shows, the Grays, as well as the Masters and members at Hillsboro, are even more proud of how their hounds perform in the hunting field, whether at performance trials or any day of sport. Of the 45-plus couple currently in the kennels, roughly half are English, known for their biddability and stamina, while Crossbreds, which bring the qualities of nose and voice from the American blood, make up most of the other half. As an increasing number of hunts are starting to do, Hillsboro is also introducing some Penn-Marydel blood to their pack.
Johnnie arrived in the US more than 45 years ago and the close of this past season marked the end of his 50th year in hunt service. Along with providing excellent sport for the members of Hillsboro, Johnnie’s meticulous breeding program has also produced a host of hounds that consistently take the top rosettes at the hound shows. Notable examples include: Hillsboro Graphic ’14, Grand Champion, Carolinas Hound Show, 2015. Hillsboro Siskin ’14, Grand Champion, Virginia Foxhound Show, 2015. Hillsboro Godfrey ’16, Grand Champion, Southern Hound Show, 2017. Hillsboro Walnut ’17, Grand Champion, Virginia Foxhound Show, 2018. Hillsboro Starlight ’17, Reserve Grand Champion, Virginia Foxhound Show, 2018.
Leilani and Johnnie Gray will continue to work together closely, just in different roles now. Dana Burke photo After 42 years of service, Johnnie Gray received a well-deserved retirement celebration from the masters and members of Tennessee’s Hillsboro Hounds. Dana Burke photo
On those last two bullets, this was only the second time the same hunt took both the Grand and Reserve titles at the Virginia show. (Florida’s Live Oak Hounds had also achieved that once before.)
Leilani Gray takes on the full time huntsman role at Hillsboro Hounds as her husband Johnnie Gray eases into retirement. Lynne Thompson photo
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The Virginia Equine Alliance presented a check in the amount of $100,000 to “Friends of the Richmond Mounted Squad” in a winner’s circle ceremony at Colonial Downs in August.
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LargentPhotographywontheEdward P. Evans Stakes July 11 at Colonial Downs for the second time. Coady Photography Three of Richmond’s Mounted Squad horses enjoy a day off from duty at the Tuckahoe Plantation. VEA photo An 8-week harness race season in Woodstock will kick off September 16. VEA photo
RACING Colonial Downs Thoroughbred Season Off To Strong Start; 9-Week Meet Continues Thru September 7 Colonial Downs kicked off its “More Racing, More Money” summer Thoroughbred racing season in grand fashion July 11 with a large crowd on hand and a record opening day handle. A gathering of 3,077—up 23% from last year’s opener—saw 11 races, ten of which were over the Secretariat Turf Course. Two non-betting steeplechase races kicked off the afternoon festivities followed by nine flat races, including a four-pack of $125,000 turf stakes races for Virginia-bred/sired horses. Total handle of $3,029,205 was an all-time record for opening day, up 13% from last year’s $2.6 million day. “It’s great to see opening day results signal a successful race meet to come,” said John Marshall, Executive Vice-President of Operations. “We thank our horsemen for committing to Colonial, our team for executing on service and the public for believing in the entertainment and wagering value of Colonial Downs. These results do not come easy in times like these and are driven by a genuine team Eclipseeffort.” Thoroughbred Partners and Twin Creeks Racing Stables’
Barn Area Improvements Underway as Shenandoah Downs Prepares For Its 7th Harness Racing Season
Virginia harness racing is poised to take another step forward this fall when Shenandoah Downs ushers in its seventh season of pari-mutuel harness racing beginning September 16 and continuing thru November 6, an increase of three weeks from prior meets that ran at the Woodstock oval from 2016 - 2021.
Largent connected for a second time in the Edward P. Evans Stakes, capturing the ’22 edition by one-half length over fast closing Alex Joon. The 6-year-old Into Mischief gelding, who entered the race with $504,320 in earnings, won the 2020 Evans in his only other New Kent start. Paco Lopez led the effort for trainer Todd Pletcher in the one-mile turf event. Largent raced second behind Passion Play—winner of the ’21 Evans— until midway through the second turn when he made his move. The winner took control by 2½ lengths at the top of the stretch then crossed in 1:35.81 to record his seventh career win from 14 starts. D. Hatman Thoroughbreds and Kingdom Bloodstock’s Determined Kingdom powered home by 5½ lengths in the Punch Line Stakes with Trevor McCarthy aboard. The 3-year-old Animal Kingdom gelding, winner of last year’s Jamestown Stakes at Colonial, was fresh off a victory in the James Murphy Stakes at Laurel a month ago. 2019 Jamestown Stakes winner Embolden finished second and ’21 Punch Line winner Boldor was third. Lothenbach Stables’ Mo Clare’s authored a gate-to-wire performance in the Brookmeade Stakes for fillies and mares. The 5-year-old Uncle Mo mare crossed in 1:43.22, 1½ lengths ahead of ’21 Brookmeade winner Urban Fairytale. Winning trainer Chris Block’s 30-horse stable is competing in Virginia for the first time. Sam English II’s Chambeau had a most impressive career debut with a gateto-wire effort in the 5½ furlong M. Tyson Gilpin Stakes. Led by Colonial’s all-time leading rider Horacio Karamanos, the 5-yearold daughter of Japanbred Karakontie crossed 3¼ lengths the best in 1:03.64. Susan Cooney’s Carolina Sun finished second and Eagle Point Farm’s Tea In China took third. The biggest payout of opening day came from Andy Dion’s Luca Drew the Ace who was sent off at 51-1 and triggered a record $1 trifecta payout of $52,170.
The popular VHHA “Own a Horse for a Day” promotion will return, and more fans than ever will get a chance to “own” a horse for a day and keep the purse winnings their horse earns. In all, 32 winners will participate over four differentParkingweekends. and admission are free to the fall races and the action is family friendly. Details are available at shenandoahdowns.com.
The Richmond Police Mounted Unit, formed in 1894, is one of the oldest, continuous mounted units in the country. The equine squad has multiple functions which include a daily patrol throughout the entire city of Richmond, crowd control during major events, occasional search/rescue operations, and to build positive community relations. The four-horse unit currently resides in a stable downtown but is in desperate need of a new facility. Fundraising efforts to facilitate a move have been underway for several years now. Since 1991, the equine unit has benefitted from a 501c3 non-profit group called The Friends of the Richmond Mounted Squad. They help provide awareness, opportunity and financial support to the Richmond Police Mounted Unit. Friends have generously purchased several horses and equipment for the unit, 2022”“RaisewardsdonationThetheirnatedfundraisersorganizedanddo-manyhoursoftimetoassist.VEA’scheckwillgoto-a$3.1milliontheBarncampaign. Chambeau captured the M. Tyson Gilpin Stakes opening day in New Kent. Coady
Horses and People to Watch VirginiaEquineAlliance
The track will host pacers and trotters every Friday at 3:00 PM and Saturday at 1:00 PM thru October 15, then switch to a Saturday and Sunday format the final three weeks with a 1:00 PM post both days. A barn area upgrade project took place during spring and summer that involved leveling out undulating terrain that had impacted a large section of the backstretch. The barn area will feature improved drainage, new lighting and new fencing. The enhancements will provide horses and horsemen with a safer and more pleasant experience while stabling in Woodstock. Highlight of the meet is the 25th running of the Virginia Breeder’s Championships which will be held closing day, Sunday, November 6. A series of $80,000 pacing and trotting finals for 2- and 3-year-olds of both sexes will take place that afternoon in a “Day of Champions.”
“Friends of the Richmond Mounted Squad” To Receives Donation from Virginia Equine Alliance
