In & Around Horse Country Fall 2023

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JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

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SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTS

Staff Changes

Several Updates As Huntsmen Move to New Positions

Andrew Marren is moving from Montreal Hunt/Palm Beach Hounds to Toronto and North York Hunt where he will serve as Huntsman and Master.

Mark McManus, formerly Huntsman for Eglinton/Caledon Hounds, goes to Montreal/Palm Beach.

Roslyn Balding, after taking some time off from hunting, will fill the vacancy at Eglinton/Caledon Hounds. Roslyn spent eight seasons with Toronto and North York Hunt, three as Whipper-In and five as Huntsman.

Brian Kiely, formerly Huntsman/Master at Potomac Hunt, is moving to Rose Tree – Blue Mountain Hunt where he and his wife Lindsey will serve as joint masters for the coming season.

Joshua Warren will serve as Huntsman for Loudoun Fairfax Hunt, filling the vacancy left by Neil Amatt’s decision to leave hunt service.

Mack Wertman has headed west from Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds to Missouri’s Bridlespur Hunt, creating an opening at Mr. Stewart’s for Mary Taylor Miller to begin her career as Huntsman.

It’s also the first job as Huntsman for Samantha Stevens who moves up from her role as WhipperIn at Myopia Hunt.

Lisa Tartaglia stays in New Jersey where she returns to Amwell Valley Hounds from Monmouth County Hunt.

Katherine Gunther will be carrying the horn at Camargo Hunt this season.

Sally Bickerstaff will serve as Honorary Huntsman at Bear Creek Hounds.

Chad Wilkes opted to leave hunt service, creating a vacancy at Aiken Hounds now filled by John Tabachka. John had also retired from hunt service but couldn’t resist the call to don the Aiken green livery and carry the horn again when the opportunity came up.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Beaumirage Photography

www.kmgdesign.ca

Denny Bomar

Kay Butterfield

Liz Callar www.lizcallar.com

Lefty Ray Chapa www.leftyray.com

Coady Photography

www.coadyphotography.com

Betty Cooper

Angela Fain

Peter Fountain 703-380-3263

Lauren R. Giannini laurengallops@gmail.com

Jim Graham

www.jimgrahamphotography.com

Joylyn Hannahs www.jhannahs.com

Allison Howell

www.allisonhowellimages.smugmug.com

Hannah Jones www.hannahjones.com

Douglas Lees Honored by American Horse Publications For In & Around Horse Country Cover Shot

Longtime and valued contributor to this publication, photographer Douglas Lees has added another award to his impressive collection. In the American Horse Publications Annual Award Competition for material published in 2022, Douglas was cited with a third place award (out of 11 finalists) in Freelance Editorial Action Photographs. The winning shot was from the Maryland Hunt Cup and ran in the Summer 2022 issue of In & Around Horse Country

The AHP program described the shot as “so narrative and clean that the rider and horse’s professional, calm demeanor shines through the lens of a highly proficient photographer. This image tells a story of an exciting, polished equestrian event and a crowd that loves watching the rider and horse’s accomplishments.”

Douglas’s previous wins include two Eclipse awards (1978 and 2007) and two first place AHP awards for In & Around Horse Country cover shots (2002 and 2020).

71st FISHERSVILLE ANTIQUES EXPO

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• One of the most exciting and diverse antique and collectibles shopping experience - Good Dealers, Good Antiques, Good Prices!

Mark McManus will be eying some different country as he departs Eglinton/Caledon

Mark Jump markjumpphotography.com

Jim Lane www.thephotolane.smugmug.com

Douglas Lees douglaslees@comcast.net

Diana Macdonald

www.imagesbydianamacdonald.pixieset.com

Middleburg Photo middleburgphoto.com

Gretchen Pelham gdpelhamphillip@gmail.com

Teresa Ramsay seeyouontherail@aol.com

Charles Rumph

John Smoak www.smoakstackstudios.com

Jenna Stiles www.jenniferstiles.com Third Eye Catcher www.thirdeyecatcher.com

David Traxler

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• Early Buyers: Enter Friday, 9 a.m. $10 each Friday, Oct. 13, 9-5, $10; Saturday, Oct. 14, 9-4, $5 Augusta Expoland • 277 Expo Road, Fishersville, VA (434)846-7452 • (804) 239-0553

is published 4 times a year.

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Contributors: J. Harris Anderson, Lauren R. Giannini, Osmun, Betsy Burke Parker, Erica Tergeson, Virginia Equine Alliance, Jenny Young

LAYOUT & DESIGN: Kate Houchin

Copyright © 2023 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXXV, No. 4

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COVER PHOTO: Diana Macdonald

Mack Wertman heads west from Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds to carry the horn at Missouri’s Bridlespur Hunt.

Robert Wertman photo

to hunt the Montreal/Palm Beach Hounds.

Karin McDonald, Beaumirage Photography

Roslyn Balding, shown here during her time as Huntsman for Toronto and North York Hunt, will fill the vacancy at Eglinton/Caledon Hounds.

Diana Macdonald photo

Mary Taylor Miller previously served as Whipper-In at Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds where she now returns for her first position as Huntsman. Jim Graham photo

Douglas Lees earned another American Horse Publications award for the Summer 2022 cover shot of Vintage Vinnie, with Teddy Davies up, on their way to winning the 125th Maryland Hunt Cup

Travel, Hunt, Party…Repeat A Hunt Season Grand Tour Awaits

By J. Harris Anderson, Managing Editor

Imagine a hunting season jampacked with variety, adventure, seeing old friends, and making new ones. You could haul around from one hunt to another, squeeze in a day of sport and a bit of socializing, then move on to the next place. Or you could make it an epic adventure with multiple days of hunting—and partying— at each venue. You’ll need a carefully arranged itinerary, but there’s a handy way to anchor your plans to achieve maximum enjoyment: Focus on clubs that are hosting special events with multiple days of hunting.

Of course, you’ll also need months of free time, the resources and equipment needed to haul horses over long distances, and the graciousness of others to accommodate you and your animals for several days at each stop. But, hey, this is about imagining—a “What would it be like if…?” sort of thing. And for that, we can ignore any annoying practicalities and just focus on the fun parts.

The most obvious target for our travels would be the Hunt Week, which could be a full week of mounted sport or, in some cases, three or four days of actual hunting along with entertaining side events. (And in one case, two weeks of hunting!) There could be some form of competition involved, such as hound performance trials or field hunter championships. So let’s define a suitable event as “a gathering that attracts hunting enthusiasts from an area beyond the host hunt’s home base, whether by a few counties or several states (or provinces).”

With a little ingenuity, a hefty dose of determination, and perhaps an extra helping of chutzpah, the entire hunt season could be a template for a grand nationwide adventure. And with a bit of international flair tossed in for extra spice.

To map out our fantasy season, we’ve collected scheduling info from a wide variety of clubs in the US and Canada. We then plotted the dates and laid out an itinerary designed to maximize the amount of sport from the first sound of the autumn hunting horn to the trills of “Going Home” at season’s end.

There are, of course, optional ways to execute the resultant plan. You could fly to each venue and hire a mount there. Or drive and do the same. But in our ambitiously imagined fantasy trip, we’re going for the full experience: pack up all your tack and gear, hitch up your trailer, load your horses (even if going solo, you’ll need more than one!), fill up your tank, and let the adventure begin!

Depending on your starting point, the first trip could require either a long drive or a really long drive. And it poses our first scheduling conflict. Will it be Kansas Hunt Week (September 25 – October 1) hosted by Fort Leavenworth, Flint Hills, and Mission Valley Hunts with a guest appearance by Midland Fox Hounds? Or do we opt for a trek to Utah where Santa Fe Hunt will host a joint

meet based in Bryce Canyon National Park (September 26-30)?

Of course, the decision here depends on the adventurous traveler’s starting point. Your chronicler confesses to an East Coast bias—specifically Virginia. It’s a two day trip (16 hours) from Central VA to Kansas, double that (33 hours) to Bryce Canyon. But for those in, say, Colorado or California, it’s barely a skip and a jump to join in on Santa Fe’s festivities.

If you opt for the Sunflower State, you’ll be in on the inaugural Kansas Hunt Week. The organizers promise that “Riders will enjoy five days of hunting over varied terrain suitable for all skill levels and beautiful vistas that will take your breath away! Come and see what Kansas has to offer beyond airspace!”

For Temecula-based Santa Fe (now merged with West Hills), this year’s event will be the third time for Bryce Canyon to serve as the dramatic backdrop for a week of hunting and other diversions. The topography there couldn’t be more different from the open vistas of Kansas. Bryce Canyon is famous for its horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters of hoodoos (colorful abstract spires) and mazes of slot canyons. There will be three days of hunting, catered meals on the rim of the canyon, and guided trail rides throughout the area.

Foxhunting in Palm Beach? Heck, yeah! And when Closing Weekend is held from March 6-10, many of the clubs farther north may still be feeling the chill of winter’s grip. The only chills at Palm Beach will be from hearing the huntsman’s horn and hounds’ cry. Mark Jump photo

The organizers of the first Kansas Hunt Week promise “beautiful vistas that will take your breath away!” and invite you to “Come and see what Kansas has to offer beyond airspace!” Angela Fain photo

One week later another scheduling conflict occurs. The two competing events involve both hunting and racing. One includes competition, with prize money and bragging rights. The other is just for the joy of the sport. Which one you choose might be influenced by where you plan to go next.

Genesee Valley’s Race Week kicks off on October 9 in Geneseo, New York. Hounds will go out on Monday and Wednesday, the club’s regular weekday meets. But then the weekend gets extra busy. Conditions permitting, there will be an extra day of hunting on Friday. Then Saturday it’s time to party at the NSA sanctioned races. Best not overindulge at railside, though, because hunting for that weekend will be switched to Sunday. So the week will include at least three, and possibly four, days of hunting plus a day of action-packed racing.

That same Monday sees the first of four hunting days leading up to the Theodora A. Randolph North American Field Hunter Championship. A different Virginia hunt will host each day’s sport from Monday through Thursday. Judges ride along to assess the merits of each competing horse. Qualifiers then square off on Saturday morning, prior to the Virginia Fall Races at Glenwood Park in Middleburg, to vie for titles and prizes. This is definitely not a horse-for-hire event. The same horse-and-rider combination participate in the qualifier hunts leading up the finals. (The participants are not required to attend all four hunting days. But, in the spirit of our “epic adventure,” of course you will!)

Now we’ll see who’s willing to say, “So you think four straight days of hunting last week was a challenge? Well, hold my beer. Virginia Hunt Week is back!” More precisely, it’s Virginia Hunt Weeks, October 17-29. Yes, a fortnight’s grand tour of nearly a dozen premier clubs that encompass a wide range of Virginia’s storied hunt country. The 2021 list of participating clubs featured eleven days of hunting plus one day for shopping/travel (or resting, as needed). The final schedule for 2023 has not been finalized as of our press time, but details will be available shortly (see page 16 for a full list of event dates and web addresses).

If you choose New York for a week of hunting and a day of racing, and would prefer your next undertaking to be something less rigorous than a madcap run through Central Virginia, you could hark to Canada’s call. Ottawa Valley Hunt will be hosting their 150th Festival Celebration, October 19-22. Travel conditions were a bit rougher in 1873 when the Earl of Dufferin, then Governor General of Canada, imported 12 couple of English hounds and founded the Ottawa Hunt. The club’s sesquicentennial celebration will begin with a meet-and-greet on Thursday followed by the first day of commemorative hunting on Friday. Horses will rest on Saturday while the revelers trade their boots for dancing shoes and kick their heels up at that night’s hunt ball. It’s back in the saddle on Sunday for another day of hunting to close out the anniversary observance and look ahead to the 151st year of north-of-the-border sport.

Virginia Hunt Week Is Back! Save the Dates: October 17-29, 2023

The always-popular Virginia Hunt Week features 12 days of hunting, each with a different hunt, plus one day of shopping/travel (or rest, as required!). Participating clubs encompass a wide range of Virginia’s storied foxhunting country. Registration forms and waivers will be available around September 1. Go to www.vahuntweek.org for more information. $300.00 for any member of a participating hunt. Juniors of participating hunts are free. $400.00 anyone not associated with a participating hunt.

Genesee Valley Hunt Week includes a day at the races on Saturday, sandwiched in between hunting days. The day includes a parade of hounds, as (l-r) Kathleen Kirkwood, Honorary Whipper-in, and Marion Thorne, MFH/Huntsman, did at last year’s race meet on October 8, 2022. Third Eye Catcher photo

After qualifying for in the 2021 North American Field Hunter Championship, the contestants donned their finest turnout for the mock hunt to be followed by the final tests and ultimate awards. Liz Callar photo

The dramatic landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah provides a striking backdrop to the hunting action during Santa Fe Hunt Week at the end of September. Gretchen Pelham photo

The autumn foliage should still be in glorious splendor, as it was last year on Canada’s Thanksgiving Day, when Ottawa Valley Hunt holds their 150th Anniversary Celebration, September 19-22. Betty Cooper photo

If you opt for LowCountry Hunt Weekend, January 11-14, in South Carolina, you’ll be hunting along avenues of live oaks draped in Spanish moss, riding past historic plantations, and communing with abundant wildlife (including the occasional alligator). You’ll also be enjoying signature LowCountry cuisine and elegant social events. Mark Jump photo

Each year a different guest huntsman is invited to hunt the mixed pack at the Blue Grass Performance Trials. Last year’s guest was Bart Poole from New Jersey’s Essex Fox Hounds, accompanied by Long Run Woodford’s Professional Whipper-In Leta Allen to serve as guide. (Leta was subbing for her husband, Spencer Allen, who was out of action from a knee injury.) Allison Howell photo

With the conclusion of an Octoberfest of sporting festivities, you can focus on the fun back home through Halloween and Thanksgiving. But you’ll need to shake off that tryptophan torpor soon after Turkey Day to get in on the Blue Grass Performance Trials, November 30 – December 2. Hosted by Long Run Woodford Hounds from their kennels just outside Louisville, Kentucky, the schedule includes a day of sightseeing sure to please any fan of equine sports. On Thursday guests will tour several famous Kentucky race barns and get to meet some legendary horses including Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (sic) and Derby winner Justified. The Friday and Saturday performance trials are open to any MFHA-sanctioned hunt and all foxhunters are welcome to follow the action whether or not your club has hounds entered. There will be ample socializing opportunities, three hunting fields, and—in true Blue Grass style—two tally-ho wagons!

Now comes the holiday break. Not a break from hunting, of course, as there will be plenty of that to enjoy on your home turf between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. And as 2024 rolls in, the siren song of the road will soon have you back in the driver’s seat, ready to resume the adventure.

It will also require you to make another choice on where to go.

While Ottawa Valley easily claims the title of Oldest Club on the tour, Cloudline Hounds is equally proud of reaching the half century mark. The late Col. Rex Denny founded the Celeste, Texas, based hunt in 1974. The colonel’s daughter, Susan Denny Gentry, now serves as master and huntsman. Running from January 11 through 14, the four day observance will include plenty of Lone Star-style coyote chasing along with a gala ball at the Westin Galleria in Dallas on Saturday night. (We assume cowboy boots are optional with your formal attire; y’know, Lone Star-style.)

But if the wide open Texas cattle country ain’t your preference, you could spend those same four days in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. The scenery there features historic plantations along avenues of live oaks draped in Spanish moss. Commune with bald eagles, abundant waterfowl, and perhaps the occasional alligator. Interspersed with three straight days of hunting will be tempting Lowcountry cuisine and festive social events.

Barely a bit more than a fortnight later our whirlwind season wrap-up begins. And now we’re really putting the “Week” in “Hunt Week.”

On a Texas hunting day with Cloudline Hounds, you’re likely to be riding along with a couple of cowboy-style outriders who help open gates and provide other assistance (as well as some Lone Star State atmosphere). Shown here are (l-r) Cloudline Whips Dom Chiffolo and Rex Hamilton Gentry along with Cloudline Master and Huntsman, Susan Denny Gentry in the lead. Jenna Stiles photo

It starts in Aiken, South Carolina, with Whiskey Road Foxhounds. The annual gathering in ’24 will run from January 31 thru February 4 with four days of hunting featuring gourmet breakfasts, tailgates, cocktail parties, and the hunt ball. There are thousands of beautiful countryside acres around this famous nexus for mounted sport, including Hitchcock Woods, a name well-known to foxhunting devotees.

The “Week” pattern continues, but this time with a week’s gap between the fun at Whiskey Road and the start of Belle Meade’s Gone Away With the Wind Hunt Week. Based in Thomson, Georgia, it’s just an hour’s drive from Aiken. Tennessee Valley hounds will be on hand to kick off the jam-packed week of sport with a joint meet Saturday and Sunday, February 10 and 11. Hounds continue to go out every day the following week through the 30,000 contiguous acres of Belle Meade’s territory. The action continues right up through Saturday morning, the 17th, which just leaves time to refresh for the hunt ball that evening. Not to be outdone, there are five field options to follow the action, stabling and pastures for more than 75 guest horses, and lots of lodging options.

As Florida is right next door, you could take a leisurely drive down to New Port Richey for the All Florida Meet, hosted by South Creek Foxhounds. Where the races at Genesee Valley are held after two or three hunting days, the All Florida Meet puts the Sport of Kings at the front of the schedule. The action gets started on Wednesday, February 28, at Tampa Bay Downs with a welcome brunch and live racing. Attention to every detail is assured as the owner of Tampa Bay Downs, Stella Thayer, is a South Creek member. (Her late husband, Bronson Thayer, was one of the original founders and an early master of the club, which began as Two Rivers Hounds.) The hunting action begins on Thursday, Leap Day, the 29th, shortly after dawn in the Sunshine State, 7:00 am. Get a good night’s sleep because the sport resumes the following morning at the same time. A catered tea follows each day’s hunting. A hunt ball, to be held at J.C. Newman Cigar Co. in Ybor City, closes out the festivities on Saturday night.

Need a bit more sunshine before heading back up north where winter’s grip probably still has hunters shivering in their saddles? There’s one more chance to hunt and party where the temps are pleasant. Palm Beach Hound’s Closing Weekend features three days of hunting: Wednesday, March 6, Friday the 8th, and Sunday the 10th. The hunt ball falls in the middle of the sporting days, on Friday evening. But that doesn’t end the revelry. After some time to relax Saturday morning, the Palm Beach crew will host another party that afternoon (and into early evening). Then there’s one more day of hunting on Sunday, followed by the closing breakfast. It hasn’t been confirmed as of press time, but it’s possible this will be something a little different—a bonfire party on the beach. Now that’s closing out the season in Florida style!

But hold on…your season’s not done yet. If you’re craving one more adrenaline fix, you have ample time to motor back to Virginia where Bull Run Hunt has you covered. A favorite local tradition, their version of “March Madness” runs from Sunday, March 17, through Saturday, March 23. The full week features six days of sport in the heart of Virginia’s celebrated hunt country. The schedule begins with an oyster roast on Sunday and then on to a half dozen days of action following hounds. A hunt breakfast is served on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; cocktail parties are held Tuesday and Thursday; and the hunt ball caps off the week on Saturday.

That also caps off what could be a season-long one-for-the-record-books road trip adventure. What a whirl! From Florida to Canada, Virginia to Utah, with multiple stops in between. And these are just a sampling of the many possibilities. Whether you choose to go with the options we’ve laid out here or make up your own itinerary to enjoy watching hound work and socializing with a wide variety of hunt clubs, it’s sure to be one heck of a season to remember. And where scheduling conflicts require a choice between one option versus another, not to worry. Next season you can simply switch things around to include the ones you missed or add new ones and do it all again!

So here’s to an epic 2023/2024 season. Let’s hit the road!

Everyone knows a gathering of foxhunters is about more than just the sport. It’s also about seeing old friends, making new ones, telling tales of exploits afield, bragging about hounds and horses, and…food! The folks at South Carolina’s Whiskey Road Foxhounds make sure the latter is provided in abundance. Do that, and everything else will take care of itself.

The scenery at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City, Florida, northwest of Tampa, lives up to its descriptive name. It served as the site of South Creek Foxhounds Opening Meet in 2020. South Creek will host the 2024 All Florida Meet which starts at the end of February. John Smoak photo

Mark Jump photo

What better way to close out the season-long adventure than with one more full week of sport back in Virginia at Bull Run Hunt’s “March Madness”? Liz Callar photo

Belle Meade Hunt’s “Gone Away With the Wind” Hunt Week (February 10-17) is hard to top when it comes to optional ways to follow the action. Tally-Ho Wagon? How about what has to be the world’s longest Tally-Ho Wagon Train? Allison Howell photo

Running from mid to late October, Virginia Hunt Week offers a fortnight of sporting opportunities throughout the legendary foxhunting territory of Central Virginia.

Denny Bomar photo

CARRIAGE DRIVING

Inaugural Carriage Driving Event Held at Morven Park

Liz

Callar Photos

The Carriage Association of America (CAA) hosted a traditional driving event at Morven Park International Equestrian Center, Leesburg, Virginia June 23-25, 2023. This was the inaugural competition in the Concours International D’Attelage de Tradition (CIAT). Building on the popularity of driving events in Europe, the CAA is focused on bringing three-phase driving competition to North America.

Erin Smith, driving her Hooded Phaeton built in the 1890s with her Dutch Harness Horses and passenger Katie Devan, Grand Champion in the Pairs Class. The competition ran for two days and included a presentation for turnout, Routier (a road drive through the estate with several required obstacles), and Maniabilité (a challenging cones course).

You and yours are cordially invited to Celebrate the Basset Bleu de Gascogne at the 2023 Ashland Bassets’ Benefit for the Hounds

Saturday, September 23, 2023 4pm to 7pm

at Fantasy Fields, 13050 Crest Hill Road, Flint Hill, VA with a Guest Speaker

Kindly RSVP by September 15th to reserve your seats!

Betsy Smith, (540)270-7353 or AshlandBassets@gmail.com

$60 advance donation appreciated/$70 at the door

Appetizers, dinner, beer, wine, & desserts provided! SILENT AUCTION

and his passengers.

Doctor Thomas Burgess with his Friesians in harness of an 1890s vintage Spider Phaeton.

orld class Ste W tpeli s Mon ’ t James Madison a acing and a full eeplechase R

S & INFO TICKET aces.ormontpelierr g

OSMUN’S OBSERVATIONS Forecast Fails, Party Prevails

It was a pleasant summer afternoon. Marion was overseeing the landscaping crew as they prepared the yard. She was hosting a small gathering that evening to honor a dear friend.

As the golden rays of a hot August day warmed the earth, the expert garden crew mulched the beds, tidied the dahlia flower displays, and mowed the lawn in a formal checkerboard pattern. Every boxwood, all 60 of them, was slightly clipped to rounded symmetry and the tall yews trimmed to formal pyramidal perfection. The tables were placed around the pool and on the terrace. The blue and green French linens looked vibrant against the turquoise water of the pool.

On the back steps, Marion sat in awe as the garden came together exactly as she envisioned. “Oh, Osmun, it looks just like Veranda magazine.” Then, with a glance at her watch, she said, “Five hours to go.”

I thought I detected a note of concern in her voice. During my years in Montana, I learned that weather conditions can change in little more than an instant. The temperature there can suddenly drop from 90 to 55 like it just saw a state trooper. One minute it’s a sunny day and the next it’s raining so hard the mud in the Breaks has turned to gumbo. When I moved to Virginia, I thought the weather in the Old Dominion would be more, y’know, genteel than how it was in Big Sky country. Turned out the weather here has its own bag of tricks. And genteel is rarely among them.

“Don’t worry, Marion,” I said, trying to sound reassuring. “The Weather Channel reports there’s only a 15% chance of rain tonight.”

Her expression showed a passel of skepticism. She knows those forecasts are about as reliable as a greenbroke bronc. You never know which way it will toss you.

But when faced with a challenge, I’ve learned that Marion will always cowgirl-up.

We continued on with our party prep.

Around four o’clock, a few drops of rain fell.

They say the success of a rain dance has a lot to do with timing. I suppose the same is true for a no-rain dance. “It won’t last,” I said, sniffing the air, as if my canine sense was more reliable than all the experts at NOAA. “I think I’ll go in the house and take my nap.”

At five o’clock, the skies darkened.

I awoke to find Marion and her friend who volunteered to help hurriedly moving tables to the porch. The tiny droplets of rain grew in size. Checking the Weather Channel again, the hourly forecast said the rain would be gone by six o’clock. A distant rumble of thunder seemed to suggest that prediction could be a mite iffy. But not to worry, Marion and I agreed. Guests were scheduled to arrive at six-thirty. We’ll be okay, we told ourselves.

At six, it was obvious the rain had decided to invite itself to the party. The decision was made to set the tables on the porch. Everyone would be crowded together, but that would be more fun, we reasoned.

At six-thirty guests in rain coats and hats started to arrive. “Horse people are undaunted by weather,” Marion observed reassuringly. “Everyone will still be here.” Guests showed up in their smartest attire, eagerly anticipating an evening of merriment and camaraderie. Rain? A minor inconvenience at most for these folks. I have to admit, I admired their grit.

I milled through the crowd saying “Howdy” and was pleased by the attention. I sniffed some mighty fine footwear, so different from the boots and sneakers usually found at Horse Country. And certainly a far cry from what’s known as a Montana Shoeshine (what you get when you step into a pile of cow poop).

By seven o’clock, the party was in full swing and the guest of honor was totally astonished as she walked in the front door. All her best girlfriends surrounded her shouting “SURPRISE!” and handed her a cocktail. I sashayed around the scene, eagerly greeting each guest with a joyful bark and a friendly sniff. I weaved my way through the laughter and conversations, catching snippets here and there of local gossip.

Marion steered everyone to the porch but no one wanted to sit for dinner. “Take a look at the garden,” she pointed to one guest.

“Beautiful,” the lady replied politely. But she turned quickly back to the bartender and said, “A martini, please.” Glancing out at the pouring rain, she added, “Extra dry.”

The party was in full swing.

Finally, forming a quirky procession to find a chair on the packed porch, everyone was seated. Dinner was served as the rain was now a real frog strangler. Luckily, the guests were protected on the porch. With determination and a sense of togetherness, everyone united to salvage the celebration. Tables were lifted with laughter and shared effort. The garden party found itself transformed into an intimate, cozy affair— a porch party!

I scampered alongside my newfound friends, weaving in and out of the sea of legs, with refueled admiration for the mettle of these folks. My fur was damp but my enthusiasm for the gathering was undeterred. Amid the cramped space, the party took on a new life. Laughter echoed off the walls, stories flowed like the rain just a few feet away, and the spirit of camaraderie flourished.

With improvised toasts and speeches, the guests raised their glasses high, toasting the guest of honor, the resilience of the day, and the unexpected turn of events. My tail wagging in rhythm with the heartbeat of the gathering, I barked in enthusiastic agreement.

The night pressed on and, as the rain eventually subsided, the garden regained its tranquility. With the moon casting a soft glow over the porch, the garden party had become an unforgettable memory. The warmth of human connections, combined with the guests’ unwavering spirit, turned what could have been a washout into an evening of sheer delight, a testament to the power of friendship, the beauty of adaptability, and the joyful chaos the weather brought to the occasion.

Do I miss Montana? Maybe a little. But thanks to evenings like this, I think I’m becoming less Big Sky and more Old Dominion every day.

Claudia Coleman illustration

★RAVE REVIEWS

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FF 5 POINT HUNTING BREASTPLATE

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FOXHOUND COUPLES

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RAMBO AIRMAX MULTI-PURPOSE COOLER

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FLY WHISK

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Varnished Wooden Shaft #981-MDF6-02 (HC4J) $69.95

FF HUNT BRIDLE

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BLUE ALLOY HUNTER DEE JOINTED BIT

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Other better leather halters available from $110.00.

Jeninne & Emile Adjustable Saddles

Extremely comfortable and well crafted. Call the store for details, available sizes & pricing.

RUBBER ENHANCED LEAD SHANK

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STUBBEN SEQ SOFT TOUCH

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FLEECEWORKS FIELD HUNTER SADDLE PAD

Can be used with Close Contact and All Purpose. Internal pockets hold removable inserts. Sizes SM - XL. Available in Therawool (HC5B) $280.00 or Sheepskin (HC5C) $370.00

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ENGLISH STYLE KANGAROO

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Made especially for Horse Country®. 12 plait with 4 plait inner. Brown. Choose from 5' or 6' lengths.

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5/A BAKER® IRISH ANTI-SWEAT SHEET

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ROSALIE COOLING SHIRT

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#1972-HB0037 Tan (HC6J) $97.00

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DENIM BLUE BREECH BY KERRITS

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PHEASANT SHOTGUN SQUARE

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GRIPSTIK MAGNETIC CARTRIDGE COLLECTOR

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VIERZON RUBBER BOOTS

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A New Generation Shines in the Show Ring

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SHOW BOWS

Call or visit the store for availability. (540)347-3141

SHO Cal for (54

JENNY’S PICKS

Good news for all you Rita Mae Brown fans! Her next Sister Jane book, Lost and Hound, is scheduled to be released October 24, and we’re planning a booksigning! Mark November 3 on your calendars as a tentative date – it’s a Friday night. As always, you may preorder and, if you can’t be here, we can have one signed for you.

Anderson, J. Harris. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Fox Den. These days with all the grim news from all over the country—let alone the whole world—it’s a real relief to come across a light-hearted book that will lift your spirits, at least while you read it. If you’ve been reading your In and Around Horse Country issues for a while, you’ll recognize several of the essays included herein. Also included are excerpts from Anderson’s second book, The Foxhunter’s Guide to Life and Love. There are “short snorts” as well as deeper chuckles throughout the pages; a goodly section is devoted to a whimsical contest between a former Master and his Huntsman, reincarnated as a fox and a hound, who meet one night as they have obviously been doing regularly. The game is “Name that Hunter.” Each takes turns describing a certain “type” of foxhunter while the other tries to come up with the name of a rider that meets that criteria. As I read that section I found myself imagining Thelwell cartoons to suit the character! Those of you who know and love Thelwell’s cartoons will probably find the same images popping up in your minds. The book is lightly illustrated here and there with various appropriate images. Paperback, 179+pp. $14.95

Brown, Rita Mae. Hiss of Death. For Sneaky Pie enthusiasts, I apologize—I was misled about this one that did indeed come out in May as I had originally thought. In this, Harry’s husband Fair is witness to an accident in which a speeding van runs a stoplight, swerves to avoid a car, and slams into a tree. Roughly-dressed occupants spill out of the car and split like a crowd of marbles smacked by a shooter. Some time later, Harry and her friend Susan, out driving the back roads, come upon a frozen body face-down in a ditch. They promptly call their friend Cooper, a police officer, who discovers the man has been shot. There is no identification. Cooper explains it’s not unusual if the person is either an illegal immigrant or has a police record, “like that bump into a tree that your husband saw. Everyone ran.” That sets the stage for the mystery. Are we dealing with illegal immigrants here, and was this one of the ones that ran? Are they drug runners? Or what?

Then there is the 18th Century flashback to characters that we’ve met before that takes place in the same vicinity around Crozet and Charlottesville. Catherine Ewing is preparing a steeplechase course on their property, and the French Revolution is just beginning. Americans who have foreign interests are watching with concern to see if the situation is going to affect them financially. Hardcover, 276pp. plus “acknowledgements.” $28.00

HORSE COUNTRY BOOKSELLERS

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

Snow, Adam; and Shelley Onderdonk, DVM. Winning with Horses. Adam Snow is a 10-Goal polo player and Shelley Onderdonk, his co-author and a veterinarian, keeps their ponies in good health. Together they have combined to write a book that defies categorization. Partly memoirs, partly advice on horsekeeping and training, it is fun to read whether you’re a polo player or a horse enthusiast. The subtitle suggests the content: “How one of the best polo players of all time and a sport horse veterinarian balance human goals with equine needs.” Obviously concerned for the welfare of their mounts, the authors try to get the most out of their horses while not overstressing them to the point of breakdown or cruelty. They stress the need for “keeping your cool” while training horses. Paperback, 231pp. $29.95

Wickens, Kim. Lexington. Okay, you’ve read the novel (Horse, A Novel, by Geraldine Brooks)—now read the history around the famous stallion Lexington and his owners. An enormous amount of research went into this biography; I highly recommend you start reading at the end of the book—the Acknowledgements—to appreciate this effort. There’s a lot of racing within these pages, separated by the tragedy of the Civil War, in which the residents of Kentucky suffered severely from raids by Northern troops—never mind that the state had never seceded—and Southern, especially the guerilla raider Quantrill, who was essentially using a Confederate uniform as an excuse to “forage” wherever the pickings were most attractive, and fine horses were a constant object. Toward the end of the book, Lexington’s offspring take the stage following the passing of their great sire; his descendants live on today and feature in nearly all, if not all, winners of the Triple Crown races. Hardcover, 401pp. $28.99

Now for a few used books: Armour, George Denholm. Bridle & Brush. Ashford Press, Southampton, 1986. Reprint of 1937 original. Armour’s autobiography will keep you riveted to the action—and this artist provides a lot of action, from hunting various prey to travels abroad and throughout Britain. Polo, racing, bullfighting, and boar-hunting provide the sport; WWII provides an interlude. Armour’s artwork, both black and white and full color, copiously illustrates the pages. Those of you who are familiar with the novels of Surtees may have copies with Armour’s illustrations. In excellent condition, includ-

Warrenton Pony Show Teresa Ramsay Photos

The Warrenton Pony Show celebrated its 103rd year this summer when it was held on the Warrenton Show Grounds June 28 – July 2. The show is unique in that it is organized and run by the youngsters themselves. Several generations of participants have kept it going for more than eight decades now. The lifelong connections this shared effort creates and the camaraderie it builds is an essential part of what makes this show so unique, as Sarah Wiles and Grace Simpson demonstrate here.

Locklyn Willwerth and Beverly Allen took an impromptu bareback ride around the show grounds between classes. Locklyn, age 8, was the youngest competitor in the headliner event, the two-round, $2500 Country Chevrolet Pony Derby. Riding Cover Story, a 21-year-old veteran of the show ring leased from Amanda Hurley, Locklyn took the top prize. A show ring veteran herself—she began showing before she could walk—it was still an impressive

ing the dj, for a very reasonable price. Hardcover, 384pp. $25.00 #6539

Paget, Capt. J. Otho. Beagles and Beagling. Hutchinson & Co., London, 1923. It’s harder to find books on beagling and basseting than foxhunting; this is one for you beaglers out there. Contents run similar to foxhound books: Part 1 discusses the sport itself, starting a pack, kennel construction, care, handling, and staff. Part 2 contains a short introduction to the beagle packs of Britain. Appendices contain hound names (in case you can’t come up with one yourself, I suppose) and pedigrees of some “celebrated hounds,” including direct male lines tracing back to their origins. Fun to have if you’re into the history of the sport. It’s in pretty good condition for a 100-year-old book, but there is foxing on the pages, the green cover is faded and corners bumped, and the dj, now protected by plastic wrap, is a bit torn at the top spine and back. The binding is sound. Illustrated with b&w photos. Hardcover, 277pp. including appendices. $175.00 #5942

“Snaffles” (C. J. Payne). A Half Century of Memories. Collins, London, 1950 reprint of 1949 edition. If you enjoy art, especially with hunting as a focus, you’ll enjoy this slim volume. It’s a mish-mash of topics and pictures, from fox and boar hunting and steeplechasing through World War scenes, biplanes and sea-going vessels, and on to countryside farm scenes. Text is fairly limited, artwork supreme. A number of books have been illustrated by this artist. An article ripped from The Field magazine of October 4, 1973 contains a few paragraphs about a then-current exhibit of his work states that Payne served in both the British army and navy and, probably in army service, spent time in India. This article was found and will be sold in book #3466, and I will place a copy in book #3467. Both books are in good condition, no dj, light beige cloth cover that looks like linen, bumped corners. Hardcover, 95pp. $250.00 each.

Rita Mae Brown Book Signing

Horse Country Saddlery, November 3, 2023

Bestselling author Rita Mae Brown will be at Horse Country Saddlery, Warrenton, VA, on Friday evening, November 1, to sign copies of her latest entry in her popular Sister Jane series of foxhunting novels. Lost & Hounds marks the fifteenth entry in the series. When a body is found dumped in the Jefferson Hunt’s territory, Sister and other hunt members realize someone is sending them a dire message. And thus the action is off and running as our favorite New York Times bestselling author takes us for a merry ride of mystery through Virginia’s storied hunt country. As always, you may preorder and, if you can’t be there, Horse Country can have one signed for you. But Rita Mae’s pre-signing talks are always a pleasure, so we encourage you to be there if possible.

accomplishment for her first competition at that level of pressure.

STEEPLECHASING

Virginia’s Fall Race Calendar Boosts National Steeplechase Association

Purse Structure, Stakes Schedule

By Betsy Burke Parker

It’s all about the numbers this fall race season in Virginia, and around the National Steeplechase Association circuit. And all of them are up. With more racing and more purse money than ever at two of the season-ending championship meets, The NSA autumn calendar spans 10 weeks with 12 meets from Sept. 14 at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York City to the curtain closer Nov. 18 at Aiken Fall Races in South Carolina. The 102nd Far Hills Races are Oct. 21 in Far Hills, New Jersey. Seven stakes races worth $675,000 serve as the NSA year-end championship.

Four Virginia meets anchor the circuit—more than any other state.

The 45th annual Foxfield Fall Races are Oct. 1 in Charlottesville. Six races worth more than $140,000 in purses begin at 12:30 p.m. first post. www.foxfieldraces.com.

The 69th annual Virginia Fall Races are Oct. 14 at Glenwood Park in Middleburg. Seven races worth $175,000 are carded. Headliners include the $50,000 National Sporting Library timber stake, the $25,000 Kinross Steeplethon crosscountry ’chase, and the newly renamed Magalen Bryant Memorial ratings handicap.

The championship finals of the Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship are at 9 a.m. on race morning. The meet benefits the INOVA Loudoun Hospital Foundation and the Glenwood Park Trust that protects and preserves the 112-acre park bequeathed to the community by the late Daniel Sands. www.vafallraces.com

The 40th annual International Gold Cup Races are Oct. 28 at Great Meadow in The Plains. Post time is 12 p.m. for the first of seven races worth more than $325,000. Featured is the 84th running of the International Gold Cup timber stake, a $75,000 open stake set at 3½ miles. Rare in American steeplechasing, Great Meadow offers pari-mutuel wagering, available at selfserve kiosks or with live tellers on site or on a smart-phone betting app. www.vagoldcup.com

The 88th annual Montpelier Hunt Races are Nov. 4 at the Montpelier estate south of Orange. Post time is 12:30 p.m. for the first of seven races worth $225,000. Anchoring the card is the $75,000 grade 2 Noel Laing brush handicap—over living hedges—and a new race, a $50,000 distaff hurdle handicap over national fences, the Marion duPont Scott Memorial. www.montpelierraces.org.

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SHOWING Warrenton Horse Show Grounds Still Making History, 124 Years Later

By Betsy Burke Parker

From country music legend Patsy Cline to Horse Show Hall of Famer Betty Oare, the Warrenton Horse Show grounds have held a special place in history and in the hearts of competitors.

Soon, say owners of the tiny property just blocks from iconic Old Town Warrenton, Virginia, that ardor will expand to town residents and visitors to the Fauquier County seat.

A proposed sale of the privately-owned showgrounds will be a uniquely modern partnership: The Town of Warrenton is currently considering plans to purchase the showgrounds on East Shirley Avenue for $1.6 million using a portion of the town’s COVID-19 relief money—$10.4 million from the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 from state and federal funds.

The idea would be to turn the property into a public park while allowing the Warrenton Horse Show—which turns 124 this Labor Day weekend, and the Warrenton Pony Show—which celebrated 103 years this summer, to carry on.

Negotiations have been underway for a year, say Warrenton Horse Show manager Tommy Lee Jones and show co-president Hilary Scheer Gerhardt. They maintain that the shows are safe either way, but selling the valuable real estate to the town shields it from development.

“This is a good thing, not a bad thing,” Jones says. “Either way, the shows will still go on. But we like the plan for the town to own the showgrounds. That protects it.”

The 9.57-acre property is owned by the Warrenton Horse Show Association, purchased in 1900, the year after the first Warrenton Horse Show was held in 1899. The facility includes a small permanent stable block, a lighted show arena with professional footing; warm-up ring; a four-section, tiered grandstand; parking berms; pavilions for concession, announcer, judges, and staff; and lots of parking.

The property is valued at around $2 million and is zoned residential for up to 37 lots, according to a town staff report.

The plan is that the town of Warrenton buys the property, improves the facilities, and maintains it as a community park. Jones says the sale will allow the Warrenton Horse Show and Warrenton Pony Show to remain at the property in perpetuity.

Warrenton Mayor Carter Neville told the local newspaper that he envisions adding trails around the grounds for dog-walking and jogging, and that the space could host a farmers’ market, car shows, and other events.

The space could be leased for other horse shows.

The main concern, Jones explains, was that a developer might make an offer. “A purchase by the town would take that off the table. You can’t move the Warrenton Horse Show someplace else and expect it to be the Warrenton Horse Show. It is a jewel, quaint,” and a perfect community anchor. “We need it to stay there. That’s why we’re doing this.”

Most horse shows, like the venerable 160-year-old Upperville Colt and Horse Show that Jones also manages, run classes in two, three, four, or more, rings at the same time. Bigger equals better in terms of spectators, competitor numbers, and—because of those—revenue.

“The best horses and ponies and riders have competed in our iconic ring,” Gerhardt says, though “the historic grounds have much more significance than just a horse facility. It’s a special open space (near) the middle of town,” one that will make a natural extension of Warrenton’s public park spaces.

At press time, the Warrenton Town Council was still working on their proposal, but Jones stresses that the shows will carry on regardless of who owns the land. “We’re not disbanding. No way. The Warrenton Horse Show and the Warrenton Pony Show are not going away.

“The Warrenton Pony Show (June 28-July 2) was one of the best on record,” Jones adds. “The group of kids running it were organized, almost professional. They take more and more responsibility every year. That’s great to see on my part.”

Hilary Gerhardt runs the show with co-president Helen Wiley. “The show is run by a volunteer board of directors, (and) the showgrounds are owned by the Warrenton Horse Shows Association, the oldest continuously-operated stockholders’ corporation in Virginia.

“We are gearing up for a great 124th show. We’re continually working on improvements to the show grounds—this year we regraded the schooling area and enlarged one of our longeing pads.”

The Warrenton Horse Show runs Wednesday, Aug. 30 to Sunday Sept. 3. Highlights include a full schedule of hunter classes daily, plus jumper classes Thursday evening, two $1,500 hunter derbies Friday evening, the $5,000 Toyota Hunter Classic Saturday evening, and hunt classes all day and all night Sunday.

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Staff Class is always a popular event at the Warrenton Horse Show Hunt Night. Hannah Jones photo

Lilla Mason and Iroquois Hunt Featured in “Women and Horses Revisited”

By Lauren R. Giannini

In 1996 the International Museum of the Horse in Lexington, Kentucky, debuted a collection of photographs by Charles W. Rumph. Titled “Women and Horses—A Celebration,” the exhibition celebrated a wide range of interactions between horses and females of all ages, interests, and backgrounds through Rumph’s unique artistic style.

Rumph (see sidebar) achieved his heart’s desire: “I am attempting to truly celebrate the skill, daring, and competence of women in all the various ways in which they are engaged with horses. I have recorded images of women – young and not so young – in most parts of the horse world: as farriers, veterinary surgeons, therapists, owners, trainers, jockeys, teachers, exercise riders, hunters, competitors – riding, using and caring for all breeds from thoroughbreds, saddlebreds, and standardbreds, to ponies, draft horses and cutting horses. The exhibit illustrates the remarkable extent to which horses rely on and look to women.”

Earlier this summer, “Women and Horses Revisited” opened at the National Sporting Library & Museum in Middleburg, Virginia, running from June 3 until September 17. The photos on exhibit are also online, and that’s where and when this story leapt off the screen.

Well-known as a major center of equine-related activities, Lexington is also the home of one of the oldest hunt clubs in the US—Iroquois Hunt, founded in 1880. The only foxhunting photos in Rumph’s collection were from the action he caught at Iroquois, and if there’s anyone who personifies the essential role women play in today’s hunting world, it’s Lilla Mason, MFH and Huntsman.

Lilla did not spring fully formed into that role. While at the University of Kentucky in 1982, she answered an ad that read, “Person needed to exercise hunting horses, must have car, no pay.” When Licking River subscriber Jerry Miller interviewed Mason, an accomplished show jumper from Texas with no hunting experience, he made the right call in hiring her. She took to hounds and hunting like the proverbial duck to water, working her way up through the ranks from field member to whipper-in to official huntsman (amateur) in 2004 and Master of Foxhounds in 2013.

When the press release about “Women and Horses Revisited” went out in May, personal experience with Rumph’s photo quest from nearly 30 years ago prompted this writer to contact Claudia Pfeiffer, NSLM’s George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Deputy Director and Head Curator. Rumph, based in Washington, D.C. and no stranger to horse, journeyed up and down the East Coast and his subjects ran the gamut from horse-crazy kids of all ages at lesson barns to serious amateurs and professionals. His images documented the magic and mystery of the horse-human connection wherever he aimed his camera. Browsing through this extensive and eclectic collection, one photo in particular emerged as a candidate to be featured in these pages—a shot of Iroquois hounds with MFH/Huntsman Jerry Miller and Whipper-in Lilla Mason. It’s a seemingly traditional image of hunt staff with hounds. But through the photographic artistry of Charles Rumph, the photo called out to have its story told.

Hooked on Hunting

Because Licking River had disbanded, Miller bought a farm in the Iroquois country and joined the historic club in 1988. Five years later he took on the role of Huntsman. Mason continued as his horse trainer, finding young, green prospects, schooling and showing them in the summer, getting them ready and fit for hunting. At the time, coyotes were moving into the Kentucky landscape.

“Iroquois had always had Crossbred Foxhounds with a lot of Walker blood and it was a superb pack on fox, but now we chased coyotes,” Lilla said. “For years Jerry went all over England, Ireland, and France, going to Peterborough Hound Show in the summer, and taking groups, always looking for the kind of hound that would suit our country and the new quarry. I was the benefactor. It was a real foundation, because when Jerry traveled, he spent all this time in the kennels with the huntsman, talking hounds, and I learned so much listening to them. I became a hound person by osmosis. My interest in the horses led me to the Millers where I found my huge interest in hounds. I never set a goal of becoming huntsman. I just wanted to keep up with Iroquois’ hounds. One day when I was a whip, Jerry said, ‘You hunt the hounds today.’ When Jerry retired [in 2018], I started hunting hounds all the time.”

“We are all very proud of Lilla as joint-Master and Huntsman of Iroquois,” said Miller, now exMFH. He’s still closely involved with the Iroquois hounds, both active and retired, as they are housed on Miller Trust Farm, Jerry and Susan Miller’s home. “Lilla is athletic and has had a lifetime of experience with horses, but she is also very knowledgeable about hound breeding. For many years, she hunted in England, Ireland, and France. Lilla is very humble about her abilities, and one of her strongest suits is her willingness to listen to other people before giving her opinion. It’s obvious that Lilla appreciates her position with Iroquois and appreciates the opportunity to do it. As any master or huntsman will tell you, it’s not always easy.”

The Birth of Iroquois’ Hound Welfare Fund

A brilliant rider, Mason does dressage with all of the horses and they hunt in rubber snaffles. This is almost unheard of: the chase is exciting and intoxicating to all concerned, be they human, equine, canine, or vulpine. Her concern for the wellbeing and welfare of the field hunters and the hounds is second to none. In 2000 Mason and Glenye Cain

would reverberate throughout the hunting world.

Oakford had a casual conversation that

Charles Rumph’s shot of Iroquois Hunt member Sally Gregory typifies his uniquely artistic style represented in the Women and Horses Revisited exhibit.

A moment in time from the mid-1990s that hints at a larger story. Iroquois hounds with MFH/Huntsman Jerry Miller (on the gray) assisted by Whipper-In Lilla Mason, who would go on to succeed Miller in both roles.

Charles Rumph photo

Lilla Mason and Iroquois Hackle, champion English Foxhound Bitch, enroute to the Reserve Grand Championship at the 2018 Virginia Foxhound Show. Lauren R. Giannini photo

Blessing Day ceremony at Kentucky’s Iroquois Hunt held in front of historic Grimes Mill, November 4, 2017. (l-r) MFH Jack van Nagell, Bishop Bruce Caldwell, MFH/Huntsman Lilla Mason, and MFH Jerry Miller.

David Traxler photo

“Lilla and I were saying: Wouldn’t it be great if we had a hunt supporter’s club at Iroquois? Like they have in England—even if people don’t ride or hunt— for old and injured hounds,” Cain Oakford recalled. “Wouldn’t it be great if we had a fund for a costly repair at the vet’s, even if it wasn’t life threatening? It was a dream, but Jerry Miller was already retiring hounds and he showed us it could be done. The way to do it was to start an independent hound welfare fund. We thought if we supported this, surely there would be other people out there.”

The Hound Welfare Fund continues to thrive under the directions of Mason and other Iroquois members. Registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the HWF is the first of its kind in this country and the tax-deductible donations go directly to cover the care and maintenance of these retired hounds. The annual fundraiser is a very popular event that helps to ensure that Iroquois Hunt’s English Foxhounds, after providing seasons of sport to enthusiasts of all ages, will retire to their own kennels and receive the best of care until the time is right for their final farewell.

Photographer’s Inspired Vision

Back in the 1990s, Rumph recognized the important presence of women in the horse world although he had no clue that Iroquois Hunt would contribute mightily to the way hounds are treated when their hunting days are over. The concept of hound retirement raised quite a few eyebrows. Many believed that turning foxhounds into house pets was an exercise in futility, a myth dispelled when Miller took over the hound program. After all, he had grown up hunting Walker hounds, which were like members of his family. He funded the retirement of their hounds until the HWF took wings.

Miller Trust Farm eliminates the awkward transition (and occasional messes) because they keep their retired hounds in lodges that open to 15-acre grassy exercise yards with trees for shade, woods and a pond where small wildlife such as rabbits and squirrels might hang out. The retirees are with pack mates in familiar circumstances, and are often heard raising their lovely voices to serenade whatever scents are wafting on the air currents. They are treated with dignity and respect. They know they are loved and appreciated.

“Looking back at the time, we had no idea that, twenty-three years later, most hunts would have some sort of hound retirement program,” Miller said. “What we started had a ripple effect that just got bigger. Lilla has always recognized the sensitivity in animal welfare issues as they related to the perpetuity of our sport.”

Iroquois Hunt’s HWF offers their template and plenty of advice to any pack interested in their own retirement program. Mason and her joint-MFHs Jack van Nagell (1997) and Martha Venable Johnson (2019) may be at the helm, but they are supported by loyal Iroquois members and the community. The masters are on the same page when it comes to the ethical treatment of their hounds and horses. If a retired hound needs treatment or surgery, they discuss if that hound will have a better life than it’s having now or will it just make them (the people) feel better. They strive to make decisions based on their responsibility to do the best they can for the greatest good of all their animals.

Dignity is high on their list of considerations, as well as not letting their retired hounds suffer. Iroquois is determined to honor their elderly hounds with a better life and a very fond farewell.

This Lady Does More Than Blow The Horn

As for Mason, she’s happiest when surrounded by hounds and horses. She also built a successful career in a high position in public relations. Her advice is worth its weight in gold and can be applied to many endeavors and dreams—in the hunt field and out in the world.

“If foxhunting is your passion, pursue it. Stay true to your ambition. Find your first job in hunt service and keep your standards high no matter the difficulties. Always present yourself perfectly turned out and with confidence. Respect the other hunt staff and Masters and learn all you can from them. Stay physically fit and do your best by the hounds, not only out hunting but also in the kennel. Build a solid reputation and you’ll get noticed. Great opportunities for better and better jobs will come your way. Every hunt day, as you arrive at the meet, smile and remember you are the one who is being paid to be there. How lucky can you get?”

Very lucky, indeed, when you follow the example of one of the oldest hunts in America which takes pride in being a Kentucky tradition in animal welfare, conservation, and community. As stated on the hunt’s homepage: “The life of an Iroquois foxhound is a dog’s heaven on earth.” We humans should all be so blessed and appreciated.

If you can’t get to the NSLM before September 17, go online to check out the exhibition and silent auction. It’s quite a celebration. While you’re online, be sure to check out Iroquois’ retired hounds: they still sing for their supper and for scent.

For more information: IroquoisHunt.com HoundWelfareFund.org

National Sporting Library & Museum: nationalsporting.org

Charles Rumph

Charles Rumph (1932-2019)) was born and raised in Texas where he enjoyed camping, hiking, and earning awards in horsemanship as a Boy Scout en route to achieving the lofty status of Eagle Scout. A degree in music led to his first job as high school band director with multiple awards in local and state band competitions. He formed the Chuck Rumph Quintet, playing in big cities in Texas and even the Big Apple. He pursued a legal career, becoming the Deputy Attorney General of California (c. 1962).

In 1966, he contributed to the Amicus Curiae presented to the US Supreme Court, arguing successfully that Japanese Americans were entitled to reparation for their internment during World War II. His next career moved him to Washington D.C. where he worked for the IRS and took up photography. His first published photo in 1972 evolved into a late life new career, teaching master classes in France and the Greek Islands, various courses at the Smithsonian, workshops at Glen Echo Photoworks, and lecturing at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

• • • •

National Sporting Library & Museum

Founded in 1954 to preserve, promote and share the literature, art and culture of equestrian, angling and field sports, the National Sporting Library continued to grow and expand. In 2010, the NSL added the Museum in a rebranding that celebrated its inaugural exhibition one year later. The NSLM is a renowned research library and fine art museum, open to researchers and the public, offering a wide variety of educational programs, exhibitions, and family activities throughout the year.

The NSLM owes great thanks to Rumph’s wife, Shirley Z. Johnson (1940-2021). After her husband’s passing, Johnson donated the entire collection, including thousands of original slides, photos, transparencies, and archival material, to the NSLM. Johnson also bequeathed funding for an online repository to preserve Rumph’s legacy and his tribute to Women and Horses. The idea was to sell the images being revisited in Middleburg as a fund-raiser, following the summer exhibition. This has served as a fitting memorial to Rumph, a cheerful and enthusiastic presence at every equestrian setting he visited, and a most appropriate coda to his vision.

Lilla Mason, MFH, now carries the white whip to mark her position as Huntsman for Iroquois Hunt. Jim Lane photo

SHOOTING SPORTS Have Gun, Will Travel And Did I Mention I’m a Girl?

By Erica Tergeson

“Pull!” yells my friend Val.

Boom goes the shotgun report as she squeezes the trigger.

“Hurray! Yeah! I know I can do it again! Let’s do another! Pull!” exclaims Val, ecstatic with shooting her very first clay pigeon.

It’s a feeling similar in many sports when you make a goal or hit a beautiful shot—and you are surprised that it was, indeed, you who did it! Add to this participating in a sport that is historically and traditionally male-dominated (no offense, gentlemen!) and it’s even more satisfying as a female. If you haven’t already guessed it, I’m referring to shooting clay pigeons with a shotgun. There are many different categories of shooting clay pigeons, but the most common are trap, skeet, and sporting clays. And recently, more and more women are taking up the sport.

Why are women attracted to this sport? I can’t tell you the individual motivations of each and every woman who shoots, but my general observation has been: confidence, comradery and …the clothes. Learning to be confident with a firearm builds an enormous amount of confidence—especially for women, who, again, haven’t been as involved in shooting sports as men. But as an increasing number of women take up the sport and learn that safely and competently handling a shotgun is something that any woman (and any person for that matter) can do, it’s gained popularity.

Handling any firearm, no matter the size, is intimidating—and not just for women. There is no doubt that when you own or operate a firearm it is dangerous and there is a tremendous responsibility on your shoulders to learn gun safety, range etiquette (which is just an extension of safety), proper ammunition, proper cleaning and handling of the firearm, and safety around others. Only until you know and understand these things can you even begin to worry about squeezing the trigger and hitting your target. So when you develop this understanding and get to the point where you can really hone in on a fast- moving clay pigeon flying through the air and then actually hit it, the feeling is truly one of great accomplishment. It takes dedication and commitment to get to that point and it can sometimes be boring and/or monotonous, but it’s all for the purpose of competency and that, my friends, builds confidence.

While shooting well is rewarding, it’s even more fun, as most things are, with your friends. Especially when you’re doing something that’s considered a man’s sport. Unlike when I first learned to shoot, there are now many different groups of women who get together on a regular basis to shoot clays. No Title IX needed here—slowly but surely women have infiltrated the formerly male-dominated clubs and even started their own. Don’t worry gentlemen, if you’re nice to us, we might let you join.

Women From All Walks of Life Shoot

Beth Benhard is your quintessential outdoorswoman. She grew up in Louisiana with two brothers. “My Barbies were in mint condition because I never played with them—I was always outside with my brothers!” says Beth. She grew up hunting and shooting and has loved every minute of it. “I like to be outside and I love the adventure.” Beth started shooting when she was four and still has her 20 gauge shotgun her dad gave her—a treasured object that she will keep for the rest of her life. In college she was on the shooting team where she made lifelong friends. One of her coaches had bright pink shooting vests made for the women’s team. “We had so much fun wearing those vests and competing.”

Now we finally have an array of beautiful shooting clothes and vests for women (check out Horse Country for the latest styles!). Beth is active with Ducks Unlimited—a waterfowl conservation organization funded by hunters and non-hunters alike. She’s as passionate about conserving Mother Nature as she is about hunting and shooting. For Beth, hunting and shooting is most certainly a life sport.

Ladies of the National Sporting Library & Museum await the next shot as an eager canine companion looks on. Peter Fountain photo

(l-r) National Sporting Library & Museum Director of Development Reid O’Connor looks on as Elizabeth von Hassell (NSLM Executive Director) zeroes in on a flying target. Peter Fountain photo

Sporting items from the new Herfield Collection, these ladies clearly enjoyed their day afield. (l-r) Maite Dougherty, Sandra Ranke, Teresa Condon, Kelly Johnson, and Tamara Gifford. Joylyn Hannahs photo

The author upland bird hunting at historic Rose Hill Game Preserve in Northern Virginia, accompanied by Zuma, one of Rose Hill’s German Shorthaired Pointers. Photo courtesy of the author

Teresa Condon, competitive shooter and popular instructor. Joylyn Hannahs photo

Isobel Ziluca is a Virginia horsewoman turned competitive shooter. “I didn’t start shooting until I was 50, and I was pretty good, so I just kept going,” says Isobel. Ziluca grew up foxhunting, eventing, and everything in between—she’s always had a sport. When her parents sold their farm, she decided to try something new. Now she’s a competitive shooter and travels the country competing. When I ask her what she loves about shooting, she says, “The adventure, meeting new people, seeing the world with like-minded outdoorsy people.” She is inspired by the American women shooters who win at the Olympics and other international competitions. “American women are great shooters,” she says. And for those who want an activity with less of a time commitment than some other pursuits require, such as horse sports, Isobel notes that, “Unlike a barn full of horses, you can walk away.” While shooting isn’t inexpensive, it is less expensive than horses and is based more on fixed prices (unlike a horse’s vet bill!). She’s evangelical about shooting. When she’s at a competition and sees women on the sidelines not competing, she’ll approach them and say, “Why aren’t you shooting? I’ll teach you!”

Teresa Condon, originally from Massachusetts, is another competitive horsewoman turned competitive shooter. She started shooting when she met her now husband, Britton Condon. “I wasn’t one to sit on the sidelines and watch, so I joined him.” Fast forward several years and now Teresa is known as a great local instructor, teaching not only women, but men, children, and teenagers. Of the beginner women she gives lessons to, about 90% continue to shoot and take up the sport. Her favorite part, however, is shooting and hunting with her family. “We eat everything we hunt” she says.

When Teresa had to put down her eventing horse four years ago, she decided to focus more time on shooting rather than taking on a new horse. This is another way for her and other women to enjoy country pursuits and, as she says, it’s “a great way to spend the afternoon with your girlfriends.” Rather than complaining about the lack of attractive and functional clothing for the sport, Teresa took matters into her own hands and is in the process of launching her own line of shooting vests specifically for women.

It’s clear that not only is shooting fun, but it’s rewarding. “You’re in it together and supporting each other,” says Teresa of shooting with other women. “You bring each other’s games up.” Whether it’s just being outside, being with your girlfriends, or practicing for hunting or competitive shooting, comradery and confidence are built into this worthy endeavor.

The Clothes

Even if you’re not interested in shooting, it’s hard not to be interested in the clothes (think: Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton at Balmoral Castle!). In the past, hunting and shooting attire for women was mostly the same things produced for men, just smaller, with no consideration of the bodies and needs of women. That is finally starting to change with some beautiful clothing now available to women in a variety of price ranges. You can certainly go the bespoke route, and that will cost you a pretty penny, but now there are some amazing options right off the rack. And just like your foxhunting wardrobe, there’s a wide range of fabrics and garment weights depending on the time of year you’re shooting—from the heat in the summer, to the brisk winter days and everywhere in between, you can look stunning. Most of this clothing also doubles as beautiful attire to wear to point-to-points, picnics, polo, and hunt breakfasts. And as my mother would say, even if you don’t do well, you can still look good doing it!

How to Start

Many women don’t want to try shooting because they’re afraid of a firearm, the sound, the “kick” (i.e., recoil) and, quite honestly, not being a good shot. No one

wants to make a fool of themselves, so both Condon and Ziluca recommend you start small. Find an instructor you like (there are so many in our beautiful horse country) and take a lesson by yourself or with friends. Your instructor will provide a shotgun most suitable for your size and height and the right gauge and type of ammunition to minimize recoil.

“In the past it was really hard to find shotguns for women—they were all made for men,” says Beth Benhard who used to sand down her own gun stocks in her garage and re-build them with Bondo. Luckily, that’s not necessary any more as there’s a wide variety of shotguns and recoil reduction mechanisms to make shooting larger gauges comfortable for all women. “Get the appropriate equipment,” states Condon. You wouldn’t ride a horse with an ill-fitting saddle and the wrong bit. Shotguns are no different and your instructor can help you.

Should you buy a shotgun right away? “No!” exclaims Isobel Ziluca. First shoot with your instructor and try many different firearms; get comfortable and make certain this is something you want to do for a while and then invest in a shotgun. “Shotguns can range from about $2000 to $5000 for something relatively fitted to you. Competition guns, which are highly customized, can range anywhere from $9,000 to $15,000; and then there are the pretty shotguns.” Antique, historic, engraved, you name it—you can easily spend a lot of money on a shotgun. Just like a horse, you can have a nice reliable horse that gets you what you need, or you can have a fancy, highly specialized horse that you pay a pretty penny for. It’s up to the individual woman.

For Those Interested In History

What’s amazing about the beautiful Virginia horse country is not only do we have an incredible network of sporting folks and pursuits, but we also have the National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM)—truly a treasure and just around the corner for many of us. While many think of horses when they think of NSLM, the museum is also dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing the literature of field sports. This includes shooting, hunting, angling, and wildlife. There are a variety of events and exhibits at the sporting library to enrich everyone’s lives, so why not check it out.

Fun Facts

Did you know that the US brought home six Olympic medals in shooting from the last summer games? Three of these were American women shooting shotguns competing in trap and skeet. Over the history of the Olympics, the US has brought home a total of 116 medals in shooting. The country in second place? China, with only 67 total medals. In 1980, women’s only shooting divisions were created in the Olympics which led to the influx of female competitors we see today. While it’s still far less than men, the number of women taking up shooting is growing. Did you also know that when you buy a firearm or ammunition you support wildlife conservation? This is the product of a law passed back in 1937 when the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act was passed. At that time, wildlife was on the decline in America. The law, known as the Pittman-Robertson Act, created an 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition. The revenue from the law then goes to state fish and wildlife departments to help conserve wildlife. Since the law has been passed, over $15 billion has been spent on wildlife and habitat. Species we take for granted, such as white-tailed deer, numbered just 150,000 nationwide in the 1930s. Now we have over 30 million. So even if you are only shooting and not hunting, you are supporting healthy populations of wildlife.

The Nuts and Bolts

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the basics of shooting safety. There are four main rules to handling a firearm. If you stick to these and make them part of your routine when shooting, they will become almost automatic to you. In no particular order (because they are all equally important):

1. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.

2. Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction (never point a firearm at something you don’t intend to destroy).

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

4. Always know what is behind and beyond your target.

Further, always wear “eyes & ears” when shooting or observing. This can be as simple as earplugs and sunglasses or as complex as custom ear protection and shooting glasses. And it must be said that alcohol and firearms absolutely do not mix. If you want to enjoy a libation after shooting, be sure that all shooting is over, and all firearms and ammunition are safely stowed. Stick to these rules and you will safely have a great time shooting. And don’t be too hard on yourself: if you’re nervous when first handling a firearm, you are human! The more you practice, the more comfortable and safer you will become.

Shooting is truly a life sport that can be enjoyed by anyone: man or woman, child or senior citizen. You can practice every day, or once in a while. When life becomes busy, you can lock up your shotgun and bring it back out again when things slow down. But be warned, one good shot will have you striving for another….and another….and another!

and eventing. But her sporting focus changed when she discovered shooting. She now travels the country competing in shooting events.

Lefty Ray Chapa photo

REMEMBRANCE

Ellie Wood Keith Baxter

September 10, 1921 – June 12, 2023

If anyone in the horse world could be referred to as “legendary,” Ellie Wood Keith Baxter fits that title. Born into an equestrian family in Charlottesville, Virginia, at the start of the 1920s, she left her mark on equestrian sports throughout the ensuing century and into the next.

While still in her early teens she won he ASPCA Maclay Trophy at the National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden. Over the next several decades she dominated the major East Coast show rings with impressive wins at Upperville, Warrenton, Devon, Harrisburg, the National Horse Show, and the International as well as many others.

From her home base, The Barracks in Charlottesville, she introduced countless riders, young and old, to equestrian sports including foxhunting. Several of her protégés went on to become major figures in the hunter/jumper realm and foxhunting field. Her name was inscribed on the original members list when the Farmington Hunt was founded in 1929 and she remained an active hunting member for the next 73 years.

Barclay Rives, one of her many devotees, recalled in a 2017 article that, “Ellie Wood never used any tranquilizers. To quiet the fractious ones, hours of ring work or long hacks to hunt meets had to suffice. She also demanded 50 cent contributions to a ‘cursing jar,’ whenever she heard unacceptable language, even if provoked by bucking or other equine misbehavior.”

The name Ellie Wood Keith Baxter is inscribed on multiple Hall of Fame lists including The Virginia Horse Show Association, the National Horse Show Association, The American Horse Show Association and several others. She was awarded the United States Equestrian Federation’s Pegasus Medal of Honor in 2003. In 2002 she received special recognition with the presentation of the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Founder’s Cup for Excellence, joining another legend, Olympian William Steinkraus, as one of only two recipients thus far so honored.

Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship

Save the Dates: October 9-14, 2023

The Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship, scheduled for October 9-14, features four days of hunting in Virginia with Middleburg Hunt, Bull Run Hunt, Orange County Hounds, 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 14, 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 7:45 am and the riding competition begins at 9:00 am.

A $1500 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, $750 will be awarded to the Grand Champion Rider, $500 to the Reserve Champion Rider, and $250 to the Third Place 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 2023 competition is $450 per horse and entries close September 27. 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: amymcneely.tarfhc@gmail.com.

A Sampling of Special Hunting Events For the 2023/2024 Season 9/25-10/1

9/26-9/30

10/9-10/15

Valley Hunt/Race Week Geneseo, NY

11/29-12/2 Blue Grass Performance Trials Versailles, KY www.longrunhounds.org

1/11-1/14

Lowcountry Hunt Weekend Ravenel, SC www.thelowcountryhunt.com

1/11-1/14 Cloudline Hounds Hunt Weekend Celeste, TX www.cloudline.info

1/31-2/4

2/11-2/17

2/28-3/2

3/6-3/10

3/17-3/23

Whiskey Road Hunt Week Aiken, SC www.whiskeyroadfoxhounds.com

Belle Meade Hunt Week Thomson, GA www.bellemeadehunt.org

South Creek Foxhounds All Florida Meet New Port Richey, FL www.southcreekfoxhounds.com

Palm Beach Hounds Closing Weekend Wabasso, FL www.pbhounds.com

Bull Run Hunt March Madness Mitchel, VA www.bullrunhuntclub.com

Trophies and ribbons galore are awarded in a variety of categories at the Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship Finals, Saturday, October 14, 2023, Glenwood Park, Middleburg, VA. Middleburg Photo

Ellie Wood Keith Baxter at the Farmington Hunt Closing Meet in 2014 when she was 92. Kay Butterfield photo

RACING

Horses and People to Watch

Virginia Equine Alliance

Determined Kingdom Impresses Again In Opening Weekend’s $125,000 Punch Line Stakes at Colonial Downs; Four Virginia-Bred Stakes Highlight Festivities

D. Hatman Thoroughbreds and Kingdom Bloodstock’s Determined Kingdom authored a convincing gate-to-wire victory under Mychel Sanchez in the 5½ furlong Punch Line Stakes July 15 at Colonial Downs—one of four turf stakes on the card for Commonwealth-bred and sired horses with purses that totaled $500,000.

The 4-year-old Animal Kingdom gelding won his fifth career race and pushed his bankroll to $325,189 with the win. The Phil Schoenthal trainee, bred by Audley Farm Equine, won the 2022 Punch Line by 5½ lengths in a rallying effort and captured the 2023 edition by 5¼ lengths as a front runner.

“He’s always been the kind of horse that relaxed off the pace and came on with a rush,” said Schoenthal, “But in the last two starts, he was very keen and showed a lot of speed and didn’t have his relaxing kind of run. We cut blinkers way back today and felt like that might slow him and relax him but I told Mychel in the paddock that if he wants to go, don’t fight him. He came out of there running. Mychel had a ton of horse, put him in place and put the field away.”

Sam English’s Chambeau defended her 2022 Tyson Gilpin/Glenn Petty Stakes title by defeating seven other fillies and mares in this year’s edition. The 6-year-old Karakontie mare was ridden by Colonial’s all-time leading jockey Horacio Karamanos and left the winners circle with a career bankroll of $200,300.

Country Life Farm’s Galilei angled three-wide from third at the top of the stretch, passed two front runners and hit the wire a length the best in the Brookmeade for fillies and mares at one and one sixteenth miles. The 4-year-old daughter of Lemon Drop Kid had her best outing since a maiden breaking turf win at Colonial last summer. Karamanos was in the irons for trainer Michael Trombetta. The winner was bred by Audley Farm Equine.

Six-year-old Flatter gelding Alex Joon, who finished second in last year’s Edward P. Evans Stakes, took a step forward this year with a three-length victory over Reiley McDonald’s Passion Play. A field of nine battled one mile in the stake’s fifth running and after an inside move from deep in the field early on, trainer Lindsay Schultz’s Virginia-bred crossed first with Forest Boyce up top. Alex Joon was bred by Morgan’s Ford Farm.

Carmelina, Going Up Capture $150,000 Virginia-Restricted

Dirt Sprint Stakes August 5 at Colonial Downs

A pair of Pennsylvania-bred 2-year-olds made their Colonial Downs debut August 5 in a pair of 5-furlong dirt stakes, and both came away with victories—though they occurred in very different fashion.

Cash is King and LC Racing’s Carmelina and Robert and Tammy Klimasewski’s Going Up got their pictures taken respectively in the Keswick Stakes for fillies and Hickory Tree Stakes for males.

The former departed from post position eight in a nine-horse field, settled into third after the start, then surged on the outside just before the wire to edge Beachfront Breeze and Remember Me.

Robert Reid Jr. trains the winner who is now 2-for-3 with earnings of $134,800. She dominated while breaking her maiden June 18 at Parx and came to New Kent fresh off a fifth place finish in the Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes at Saratoga.

“You never expect to win, especially asking her to come back for a third start in a month and a half,” said Reid. “She shipped all the way from Saratoga just two days ago so it was a lot of work to get here but she came through.”

Going Up, on the other hand, did not need a late rally to capture the Hickory Tree. The Mineshaft gelding went gate-to-wire in beating seven other freshmen males by a comfortable 6¾ lengths in :57.04.

“He’s been training well, he’s a cool dude and he takes everything in stride,” said co-owner Tammy Klimasewski. “Nothing bothers him. He acts like he’s been around the world three times. We couldn’t ask for a better trainer and rider. We have a great team.”

Shenandoah Downs To Host 7-Week Fall Harness Race Season in Woodstock, VA

The 8th annual fall harness racing season at Shenandoah Downs will run from September 16 - October 29 with racing scheduled every Saturday and Sunday at 1 PM. Highlight of the meet is the 26th annual Virginia Breeders’ Championships on closing day, where over $650,000 in purse monies will be on the line for 2and 3-year old pacers and trotters of both sexes.

A 7-week spring season was held earlier this year for the first time ever. In all, 28 days of pari-mutuel racing will be conducted over the Downs’ half mile oval in 2023. The track underwent a $300,000 renovation project this summer. This is the 137th year of harness racing in Woodstock.

Secretariat Bronze Statue Visits Woodstock & New Kent Among Triple Crown Travels

Secretariat, in the form of a 3,500-pound bronze monument, raced back to his home state of Virginia after a journey to Churchill Downs to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his immortal Triple Crown sweep in 1973 when he won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont in record setting times.

The “Secretariat Racing Into History” monument by renowned equine artist Jocelyn Russell initially traveled over 1,000 miles from a foundry in Oklahoma to the historic town of Ashland, where it was unveiled as the centerpiece of an anniversary celebration on April 1. The statue—21 feet long and 11.5 feet tall— is the largest monument of Secretariat in existence.

After spending Derby week at Churchill, Big Red trailered to Shenandoah Downs where he spent a week for fans in the Valley to enjoy before traveling on to Pimlico for the Preakness, Belmont Park, and then to Saratoga. Secretariat returned home for the Arlington Million/Festival of Racing Day at Colonial Downs August 12 and will return for the Virginia Derby on September 9.

Determined Kingdom and jockey Mychel Sanchez finish off a gate-to-wire effort in the Punch Line Stakes. Coady Photography.

Jockey Horacio Karamanos and trainer Anthony Aguirre celebrate after winning the Gilpin/Petty Stakes with Chambeau. VEA Photo.

Virginia State Racing Commission employees pose in front of the Secretariat bronze statue at Shenandoah Downs. VEA Photo.

Virginia-Certified filly Carmelina captured the $150,000 Keswick Stakes at Colonial Downs August 5. Coady Photography.