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TIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528 JUS
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MLS 650903 | $6,995,000
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TIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528 JUS
OPENING MEETS
A lively fox gave hunters and road spectators a thrilling view during Blue Ridge Hunt’s Opening Meet, September 26, 2024. Joanne Maisano photo
Blue Ridge hound Kidnap was quick on the hot line as the Opening Day hunt kicked on. Joanne Maisano photo
John Coles, leading Orange County Hounds first field on Opening Day, does whatever’s necessary to keep his followers close to the action. Joanne Maisano photo
Perfectly turned out and ready for Orange County Hounds Opening Meet from Meredyth Farm, The Plains, Virginia, November 2, 2024. (l-r) Marley Mikowicz, Elle Morison, Dulany Morison. Joanne Maisano photo
C. Martin Wood, III, MFH, reads the Blessing of the Hounds at Live Oak’s Opening Meet, Monticello, Florida, October 19, 2024. Allison Howell photo
Huntsman Jordan Hicks was joined by his daughter Mackenzie as he prepared to move off from Oakley, November 7, 2024, for Piedmont Fox Hounds’ Opening Day of Formal Season. Joanne Maisano photo.
Guy Allman encouraging the Live Oak hounds in covert on Opening Day, October 19, 2024. Allison Howell photo
SPORTING
LIFE HIGHLIGHTS
Old Dominion Hounds Celebrates
Centennial Anniversary in Grand Style
Scott Canard Photos
Virginia’s Old Dominion Hounds orchestrated a full week of excitement to celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary. Founded in 1924 as Mister Larrabee’s Hounds, the private pack transitioned to a subscription pack soon thereafter. In recognition of this milestone achievement—still enjoying great sport in essentially the same territory as Mister Larrabee hunted— the activities kicked off on October 21 with Centennial Hunt Week. Hounds met every day Monday through Thursday, took a break on Friday, and then reconvened on Saturday for the Centennial Hunt. A sumptuous breakfast followed under a large, festively decorated tent.
And then it was time for a quick change to formal—for some, really formal—attire for the evening’s Centennial Hunt Ball, held at the spacious High Meadow Manor. The theme for the event was “An Evening at Versailles,” complete with an appearance by Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Attendees were encouraged to dress accordingly and many of the 350 participants joined in with a range of offerings, from donning a wig to going all out in period style from head to toe.
We congratulate Old Dominion Hounds on this notable achievement and applaud the enthusiasm and creativity of all ODH members, supporters, and friends.
On the cover: Blue Ridge Huntsman Graham
pauses with hounds in the beautiful fall color before moving off from historic Carter Hall in Millwood, Virginia, for Opening Meet, September 26, 2024. Joanne Maisano photo
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Denny Bomer
Scott Canard
Coady Photography www.coadyphotography.com
Allison Howell allisonhowellimages.smugmug.com
Joshua Hoy joshuahoyphotography.zenfoliosite.com
Mark Jump
Karen Kandra
Austin Kaseman austinkaseman.com
Jordan Koepke jordankoepke.com
Douglas Lees douglaslees@comcast.net
Joanne Maisano joannemaisano.com
Darrell Wood
is published 4 times a year.
Editorial and Advertising Address: 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186
For information and advertising rates, please call (540) 347-3141, fax (540) 347-7141
Space Deadline for Winter/Spring issue is February 3, 2025. Payment in full due with copy.
Publisher: Marion MaggioloManaging Editor: J. Harris Anderson
Contributors: Carla Babcock; Helen Brettell; Laura Delaney, MFH; Allison Howell; Amy McNeely; Osmun; Betsy Burke Parker; Dr. Steven Thomas, MFH; Virginia Equine Alliance; Jenny Young
Horse Country Saddlery was honored to host the stirrup cup when Warrenton Hunt hosted the first day of Virginia Hunt Week from Hally Woddbury’s Winfall fixture, October 28, 2024. Jordan Koepke and Jean Roberts were on hand to serve the libations to an eager crowd of hunters. Jordan Koepke photo
Old Dominion Hounds Huntsman Josh Bentley with hounds ready to move off for one the many days of sport enjoyed during the club’s Centennial Anniversary Week.
No costumes were needed to distinguish these two: Martha Stewart and the evening’s host, Matt Nicewanger, who welcomed 350 hunt ball attendees to his High Manor Meadow home.
Sandra Forbush, accompanied by her husband Gus, ex-MFH, received the appropriate regal welcome her incredibly detailed turnout demanded upon arrival at High Meadow Manor for the “Evening at Versailles” Hunt Ball.
HUNTING
Kansas Hunt Week, October 2024
For a southeastern foxhunter and foxhunting photographer, heading west to participate in this event is a highlight of my year. There’s an excitement and freedom found while hunting in the Flint Hills of Kansas that’s found nowhere else.The big skies, waving prairie grass, and wide-open spaces make one appreciate the natural history of this area. The National Prairie Lands are protected from cultivation, with only grazing cattle ever allowed. The land has remained as pristine as when the first settlers found it.
Text and Photos by Allison Howell
One is at first a bit overwhelmed by the vastness of the land and paucity of physical landmarks. It’s easy to become lost, even for those familiar with the territory. Riding in the tall grass prairie is akin to sailing on an ocean with grasses and wildflowers waving in the breeze. Hounds porpoise through the vegetation on a run. Packs hunted from pond to pond where game tends to gather. There are no jumps, but other obstacles to avoid such as flint rocks and hidden arroyos, small water-carved gullies, covered by grasses. The photographer’s Polaris fell prey to a well-hidden arroyo, but was pulled out with the help of Coal, the mule. Even with these challenges, the experience is exhilarating! Runs on coyotes are fast, thrilling, and with the open space, it’s easy to view the hounds in action.
This foxhunter put aside the camera for a day to hunt in the Flint Hills.
The Easton fixture, McGuire’s, was the first hunt on Sunday as well as the last, on Saturday, which was Fort Leavenworth Hunt’s Opening Meet. This country is more traditional with hardwood forests, hay fields, and crop land. Coyotes abound in this country and both days, the FLH hounds ran hot lines with several viewings.
Three hunts participated in the second annual Kansas Hunt Week: Fort Leavenworth Hunt, Juan Tomás Hounds, and Flint Hills Hunt. The packs shared hunting duties between the Flint Hills fixtures and FLH’s Easton, Kansas, fixture. All proved to be diligent, hardworking packs, producing great sport despite the hot, dry conditions.
Midwestern hospitality is hard to beat. A Polaris carried refreshments out in the Flint Hills. For FLH’s opening hunt, a fine, well-stocked Whoopee Wagon was on hand at the McGuire Fixture in Easton, with many refreshing options, including Pimm’s Cups served by a uniformed officer from nearby Fort Leavenworth. Fort Leavenworth has a rich foxhunting history, and the hounds were at one time hunted on post. A Tallyho Wagon for nonriders was pulled by a pair of impressive Percherons. There were several lovely dinners and breakfasts throughout the week for members and guests. Visitors from near and far, from southern California to eastern Georgia, enjoyed themselves as they hunted through the week, with Wednesday being a rest day. Horses and hounds held up well despite hunting such a busy schedule.
As a foxhunter, I encourage you to come and hunt this unique territory. It’s an experience that shouldn’t be missed. I’ll certainly be there next October for the Third Annual Kansas Hunt Week. Hope to see many of you there.
The National Prairie Lands of Kansas, with only grazing cattle allowed, have remained as pristine as when the first settlers viewed these magnificent open spaces.
Hounds coursing through the tall Kansas prairie grass.
For Fort Leavenworth Hunt’s Opening Meet, riders were treated to a well-stocked Whoopee Wagon with many refreshing options, including Pimm’s Cups, served by a uniformed officer from nearby Fort Leavenworth.
Photographer Allison Howell put aside her camera to enjoy a day of hunting in the Flint Hills.
An impressive pair of Percherons pulled a Tallyho Wagon for nonriders.
FIELD HUNTERS
2024 Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship A Week of Sunshine, Change, Competition, and Comradery
By Amy McNeely Joanna Maisano Photos
Each year, foxhunters flock to the Middleburg region from nearby states for a week of competition and comradery. After another dry summer, tropical storms pushed much needed rain over Northern Virginia just before the start of the week. The footing was perfect and each day was filled with sunshine. Mornings started off foggy and crisp, and while the days warmed up quickly, it did not stop the chase.
This year, the championship saw 38 entries in total including riders from Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and, the furthest, a junior from Georgia. The competitors visited four host hunts throughout the week, beginning on a truly foggy morning at the Warrenton Hunt on Monday, October 7, and then moving on to Tuesday where Huntsman Graham Buston made the most of a warm day with his beloved Blue Ridge hounds. Wednesday, they visited Larry Levy’s The Hill for some incredible views and hound work in Rappahannock’s countryside and finally finished with some big runs with the Piedmont Fox Hounds on Thursday.
For many years, the Championship has been a part of the Virginia Fall Races and shared a space on race day at Glenwood Park. Glenwood Park simply could not support both events any longer, so the Board needed to make adjustments. The decision was made for the Championship to stand alone and finals were moved to Friday at Sunny Bank Farm, the home of Eva Smithwick. The change to Friday was a recognized risk, but the competitors appreciated it and the community turned out in droves to support the event. I was once again honored to chair the event with the help of Eva Smithwick and Karyn Wilson who provided consistency throughout the change.
Friday’s events began with the Best Turned Out competition. In previous years, Best Turned Out participation was limited to finalists; however, this year it was open to all registered competitors for the week. BTO is a long-standing tradition so this change in the format was applauded by many. Kathleen O’Keefe typically joins the competition to judge and then graciously shares her knowledge with any competitors eager to learn to better their next performance. This year’s BTO field saw four beautifully turned-out riders. Katie MacSwain of the Loudoun Fairfax Hunt was awarded BTO Grand Champion with her entry, Frosty, owned by Lynn Pirozzoli, and Cathy Gomez took BTO Reserve with her entry Excel Star Tristan, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ismael Gomez.
Next, Field Master Mo Baptiste of the Orange County Hounds led the finalists through Sunny Bank Farm’s adjacent territory for the mock hunt. The competitors jumped coops and stone walls, galloped Sunny Bank’s rolling hills, and even passed the hound kennels. All sixteen finalists were selected for the individual course which consisted of ten fences and various handy hunter tests. The course brought them directly in front of the crowd of spectators, jumping coops and stacked logs; sent them on a hand gallop across the back hill; and finished them out with a gate and a stirrup cup for a job well done (water for the juniors, of course!). It was a relatively technical course and challenged the advanced and competitive field.
The top eight finalists are pinned at finals and several other awards are also given. This year Will Driskill of the Orange County Hounds took top honors with his entry Paddy. Paddy is a nine-year-old bay Irish sport horse owned by Bryce Lingo. Will piloted Paddy around the individual test flawlessly and it seemed everyone immediately knew he was the winner. It was a breathtaking ride. Reserve Champion went to Jocelyn Cole of Old Dominion Hounds with her very own Thunder (JC Thunderville). Since Thunder is a registered JC Thoroughbred, Jocelyn also took the Dr. Matthew Mackay-Smith High Point TB Award—a repeat win for her and her beloved Thunder. Additional awards include Most Suitable Pair to Rosie Powers with Robert E. Lee and Sportsmanship to Jen Taylor with More to the Point. The Moore County Hounds were also awarded the Hunt With the Most Competitors.
Dates will be announced shortly for the upcoming 2025 Championship.
Reserve Champion Thunder owned and ridden by Jocelyn Cole, Old Dominion Hounds, negotiating the individual course phase.
Amy McNeely, Event Chair, presents the trophy and cooler to the 2024 TAR Field Hunter Champion team of Will Driskill and Paddy.
Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Champion Paddy, owned by Bryce Lingo and ridden by Will Driskill of Orange County Hounds, over a Sunny Bank stone wall during the mock hunt.
Future Master. Fort Leavenworth Hunt. Allison Howell photo
Fifth Generation in Line. Thornton Hill Hounds. Denny Bomar photo Already in the Winner’s Circle. International Gold Cup. Douglas Lees photo
Proud Grandpa, Blue Ridge Hunt. Joanne Maisano photo
Eyes on the Thornton Hill hounds! Denny Bomar photo
Casual Elegance, Wentworth Hunt Club. Mark Jump photo
HUNTING
To Big Sky…And Beyond!
Text and Photos by Allison
Howell
Montana’s Big Sky Hounds, founded in 2013 and recognized in 2018, hosted a weekend of sport in their breathtaking Three Forks country in late September. Friday, September 27th, was a day of hunting in casual attire, a hunter pace was held on Saturday, and Sunday featured the Blessing of the Hounds and Opening Day of formal season.
The Friday and Sunday hunting days were held from two separate fixtures at Bob and Pat Green’s ranch. Friday’s informal hunt went from Wagon Wheel, which is in the higher elevation of the ranch, and Sunday’s Opening Meet was from Green’s Corrals, located in the valley. As Opening Hunt was formal, Western riders were required to wear their formal Western show clothes.
Angela Murray, MFH and Huntsman, maintains a Big Sky pack made up of All American Foxhounds with a third being Western Coyote Hounds. Coyote were plentiful and five were viewed in the first 30 minutes on the Friday hunt. The mountain range seen in the background is Horseshoe Hills near Three Forks. The headwaters of the Missouri River lie at the base of those mountains and several times during the hunts I could actually see it. The hounds flushed a large herd of antelope one day, but otherwise ignored it.
The game was found in the deep ravines with vegetation seen in the photo where you can see the center of the ranch. Hounds ran down into these ravines and the huntsman had to follow from above in most instances.
It was unseasonably hot that weekend, but the hounds were keen. There was very little water available, so the off road vehicles following the hunt carried water for the hounds. The scenery is unbelievably stunning and the membership is extremely welcoming. It’s a small membership, but everyone seems very involved in the workings of the hunt.
The snow limits the hunt season there to early fall, so the main pack travels to a second kennel in Tennessee, about an hour south of Nashville. A few remain in Montana and continue to hunt twice a week as long as the weather permits. From there, Angela takes the hounds around the country to hunt. They plan to be at Briar Creek in Texas for their Opening Meet and some are entered in the Mission Valley Performance Trials later in November. The hounds will then return to Montana during spring to finish out the season.
Here’s Angela’s description of their hunt country: “Large cattle ranches and huge production farms make up the bulk of the hunt country throughout Montana. We also have country throughout the USA and travel with the pack to hunt where the best weather is seasonally for hunting. We have fixtures throughout the Western United States and several down South as well.”
Big Sky’s Huntsman/Master, Angela Murray, casting hounds in the upper elevations approximately 5500 feet above sea level.
At Green Ranch, the staff hunted from above while hounds ran a coyote below in the trees and shrubs where it’s very thick and rocky, difficult and dangerous for the horses.
Friday featured a day of informal hunting. Seen here are two whippers-in; Richard Pye, Joint Master (third from left); and Angela Murray, MFH and Huntsman (far right) heading to the next cast.
Overlooking the headwaters of the Missouri River in the valley below.
PERFORMANCE TRIALS
Andrews Bridge Hosts A Successful, If Soggy, Performance Trial
By Dr. Steven Thomas, MFH Karen Kandra Photos
The 2024 performance trial season got underway on September 25 and 26 with a successful event hosted by the Andrews Bridge Foxhounds in Pennsylvania. It was my honor to serve as trial president and to work with the host huntsman Adam Townsend as he guided the combined pack of lovely hounds, totaling 18½ couple from seven packs plus a couple of “blank” hounds from Andrews Bridge. This was the third such event Andrews Bridge has hosted. Mother Nature brought plenty of rain both days but the hounds and fields were undeterred and the sport was excellent. Hounds were judged by the professional huntsmen from each of the packs and they did a spectacular job. Hounds did their work methodically and never strayed from the accepted quarry. The judges and huntsman were a credit to their respective organizations. The masters and members of ABF provided outstanding hospitality and set the bar high for future performance trials. Trial organizer Betsy Harris, MFH, did a remarkable job planning and executing the event.
Green Spring Valley Hounds took the top honors, winning the trial on points as well as entering the top hound and Huntsman’s Choice hound, GSVH Notebook. Second and third place hunts were Millbrook Hunt and Windy Hollow Hunt, respectively. Congratulation to all of the participating hunts!
Below are the comments from trial huntsman Adam Townsend regarding his observations of the days:
“Day 1 on Wednesday produced 18½ couple from the Kennels at 8am. Five hounds apiece to be judged from Essex Fox Hounds (NJ), Golden’s Bridge Hounds (NY), Millbrook Hunt (NY), Windy Hollow Hunt (NY), Kimberton Hunt Club (PA), Radnor Hunt (PA), and Green Spring Valley Hounds (MD). With an additional two hounds unjudged for host Huntsman. Very solid day for hounds, under cloudy to raining skies. The first fox in Hunt Woods produced a nice local looping run with great cry between Tick Hill and Hunt Woods for a couple circuits. Hounds looked and sounded quite nice. A good mark to ground in Fisher’s Mule Field to conclude. Nice work by them to start. Drew out a portion of country under a steady rain with nothing doing, but hounds drawing soundly. The second fox was up in the Ravine, busily with good cry, before a loss in the lower Pines. Drew out the Reservoir, then found a brace in Fisher’s back cornfield. Good drive and cry out of there with a small split out the top on the second. The majority heading to the Reservoir Woods for a driving run around there and out the far side into a sliver of uncut corn for a loop with the hunted and hounds viewed back into the Reservoir Woods. Nice sight to see. Gave hounds the slip in there. The split rejoined quickly, for all on. Quite a productive morning of hunting in the rain. No frills. Hounds worked well together and for the most part stayed tidy with a good flow for 2½ hours.
“Day 2 produced the same 18½ couple, with no hounds scratching from the day prior. Left from the Kennel Meet at 8am once more and hacked over to the Smith’s Meadow country in a steady heavy rain. That was the story on that side of the road, a lot of constant rain and no foxes afoot. Hounds drew steadily throughout. Crossed back into the Kennel country and as the downpour was finally deciding to fizzle, hounds jumped a fox at the far corner of Fisher’s. They sounded fantastic across Mt. Eden and into the Reservoir. Great cry and drive through the Marsh before they turned up into the Reservoir Woods, then the far ridge. A tenacious mark of the earth was had to finish off the day and to complete a very successful trials for all involved. What a wet day, everyone was beyond soaked. Great for hounds to get such a rewarding finish. Once more a tidy day of sound drawing with no frills. A good two-plus hours in a soaking rain left everyone’s boots full of water. GSVH Notebook #15 was awarded Huntsman’s Choice. From the onset on Day 1 her presence was noted in the initial find and picking a check. Her build dropped her a few positions off the front from the rangier types in full cry, however she was always in the first quarter to half of the pack. She finished strong at the earth, being quite an avid marker. Her drawing on Day 2 surpassed the majority who at times were albeit shallow due to the miserable conditions, but she carried on quite carefree with a constant wag of the tail. A very nice over-all hound, in all phases.”
Trial Huntsman Adam Townsend moves off with 18½ couple from the Andrews Bridge Kennels for the start of the 2024-2025 Performance Trials schedule.
A steady rain moved in on Day Two but hounds ignored the wet conditions and provided excellent sport. (l-r) Trial Huntsman Adam Townsend, Andrews Bridge Foxhounds; Dr. Steven Thomas, MFH, Fort Leavenworth Hunt, Trial President; and Phil Shirk, Huntsman, Kimberton Hunt Club.
Green Spring Valley Hounds Notebook received the Huntsman’s Choice Award.
Dark and dreary it was. The sun had set, and the wind was moaning through the bare branches. Dry, curly leaves were playing tag on the wooden deck, scratching, and clawing every which way. Then, the moon heaved itself over the horizon, an unblinking ogre disgorging its blood-red shine over the forest and lake as the eerie night creatures came to life. Or, if you prefer, spilling like a 32ounce cherry Slurpee over the leather seats of a 2024 Lexus to the accompanying screams of the owner/driver.
I was in a snit. Marion was dressing for a Halloween costume party and didn’t plan on taking me along. She had decided to go as a witch (surprise!) and I suggested accompanying her as Toto.
“No!” she said, “Pets aren’t invited. And besides, there is no way I am going to dress up as Dorothy!”
A Bump in the Night
I offered to stay in the car and guard it while she went inside but she said I had best stay home and “Hold down the fort,” whatever that means.
While she put on her make up and adjusted the hump on her back, she told me a Halloween story about a particularly villainous rogue known as “Foxula”.
I was immediately wrapped up in the story and forgot all about my snit.
It seems this fox was extra bold and fearless, to the point of actually sneaking up to people’s houses and slinking onto their porches in search of kittens and puppies to steal.
“No!” I blurted out. “The audacity! What would he do with the kittens and puppies?”
“You don’t want to know,” Marion said in a quiet voice. I shuddered.
The tale continued.
One day, about dusk, and on Halloween, this fox found himself on an expansive estate with stables and sheds and a large house with a wrap-around veranda where a litter of Irish Wolfhounds were nestled, sleeping while their mother was off getting food. The wily fox, bold as could be, hopped up on the veranda behind some wicker furniture and started working his way to the litter.
Being so enthralled by the story to this point, I’m sure my mouth was touching the floor. Marion added another wart to her already wart-festooned nose.
She continued. The fox was close to the litter now. It originally had planned to grab several of the sleeping puppies but, seeing how large they were, decided to grab only one and run with it.
Just then, in the far corner of the veranda, the old sire wolfhound, Boru, sleeping and partially blind, but still a champion at heart, caught the scent of the intruder and let out a low and thunderous roar that shook the timbers of the house
Mama Wolfhound heard the roar; the puppies heard the roar and startled, woke up, opening their eyes for the first time. The owners heard the roar. Caught red-handed, the fox, startled too, gave up entirely and, wheeling to flee, ran full into the wicker sofa and jabbed himself in the eye with an errant piece of rattan. He yelped in pain and surprise. Turning again, he bumped into a side table that was covered with a red tablecloth held in place with a hook and clasp. In a clatter of falling furniture, the fox sprang up quick as a flash and darted away with the red cloth around his neck. As the
owners, the dogs, and the puppies all stood gaping, the fox reached the end of the veranda, stopped, turned around and snarled at the onlookers. With the tablecloth now securely clasped around his neck forming a billowing cape and his damaged red eye winking excitedly, he darted across the lawn and into the woods beyond.
Although the fox never was seen at the estate again, he was often seen at other farms and he still had the red cape around his neck and his damaged eye was always winking. In the neighborhood, he earned the nickname Foxula because he was so crafty and because of his dashing movements with the cape. And you can bet when people heard Foxula was in the area, they locked up the kittens and puppies at night! And everyone around knows that if you see Foxula, just start howling low and loud like an Irish Wolfhound and he’ll take off and won’t stop running until morning.
And with the story done, Marion was ready to go out for the evening.
She grabbed her broom and pointy hat, asking, “How do I look?”
“Ruff,” said I.
Marion has now been gone for a while and as you know, dogs are not good at gauging time, so the night drags on and it is still dark and dreary.
Occasionally, I hear noises outside. And voices. When I go to the front window and look, I see little goblins with bags running around to the neighbors’ houses asking for treats and offering—or are they threatening?—to do tricks if they don’t get the treats. Seems to work for them. I’ll have to try that on Marion tomorrow.
As I yawn, ready to kick back, I hear a thump on the back porch. What was that sound? I creep up to the glass door and peer into the darkness. Ah! I see Foxula with a red billowing cape, a red eye winking at me from among the flowerpots! I turn and run to my bed and close my eyes with all my might. Just then another noise. What now?
Yay! It’s Marion, home at last!
“Marion! I saw him! Foxula! On our back porch. Winking and his cape and all. Oh, it was horrible to see.”
Marion said, “Oh, I doubt it, Osmun. It’s pitch dark out there. You can’t see anything and, besides, that story is so old, Foxula is surely dead by now. Come on, go outside and do your business so we can go to sleep. I’m exhausted. You know how parties wear me out.”
I told her I was too afraid to go out there alone, so I made a deal with her. We turned on all the outside lights, stepped on the back porch, looked at each other and then we both did our best wolfhound howls, loud and long. After that, I was satisfied the yard was empty. I boldly scampered down the steps, did my business on the fly, and knew I would sleep like a puppy.
“How was the party?” I asked as we headed upstairs.
“It was good,” she said, “but it would have been better if you had come along.”
“As Toto?” I suggested.
“No, a flying monkey.”
Good night and sweet dreams.
Claudia Coleman illustration
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ENGLISH BRIDLE LEATHER HALTER #140-5140 (HC23H) $219.95
FF HUNT BRIDLE
Designed to withstand the trials of the hunt field. Hand polished buckles, darkened finish edges. Waxed thread hand stitching, slotted caveson. Reinforced billets in reins and cheek pieces. Laced reins included. Havana. Available in Pony to Oversize, 5/8 - 7/8. #98-962-001 (HC23A) $490.00 - $590.00
FF 5 POINT HUNTING BREASTPLATE
Fully adjustable, triple stitching. Available in Cob, Horse and Oversize. #962-264B-HCRB (HC23B) $375.00
FF RUNNING ATTACHMENT
Attachment is .75" in width. Fully adjustable. Available in Cob, Horse and Oversize. #962-900 (C,H,X) (HC23C) $74.00
BIT CONVERTER WITH RING
JUMPER BREASTPLATE
Made in America
Cob #758-32-34 (HC23D) $176.00
Horse #758-33-34 (HC23E) $176.00
Jeninne & Emile Adjustable Saddles
Extremely comfortable and well crafted. Call the store for details, available sizes & pricing.
HEAVY DUTY COTTON LEAD ROPE
100% cotton, 8' long. Also available in Navy, Black, & Purple. 299-390(Color) (HC23J) $13.99
LEATHER / PLASTIC HOLE PUNCH
Made in Germany. Ideal for breastplate, bridle, stirrup leather, etc. Suitable for very thick or hard materials. Made of plastic-coated stainless steel. #45259002 (HC23L) $71.95
SWEET IRON LOOP RING GAG 6". #299-51960 (HC23G) $36.99
STUBBEN SEQ SOFT TOUCH Stainless Steel. Small roller. 35mm neck size. Rubber covered for boot protection. #247-1152 (HC23K) $60.00
JENNY’S PICKS
If you are within driving distance of Horse Country, consider coming to this year’s booksigning with Rita Mae Brown at the store between 6:00 and 8:00 November 20. Those who have been before know there’s good food and a good speaker to make the trip worthwhile. Get your book personally autographed!
Brown, Rita Mae. Time Will Tell. Fans of Sister Jane will be happy to hear that this volume is full of foxhunting action from start to finish.Joining the Jefferson hunt in the fun is the Bull Run Hunt, with cameo appearances by MFH Adrianna Waddy and Lynn Pirozzoli.
The mystery starts when Sister Jane stumbles over an expensive man’s watch while walking in a cowpasture. Perhaps it came off the wrist of one of their hunt members during a hunt; Sister and her husband Gray Lorillard decide that he should wear it publicly and see if anyone says “Where’d you find my watch?” No one seems to notice it. Next the police are summoned to the body of a man found dumped beside I64 who turns out to have local connections. While hunting, hounds discover the mutilated corpse of a woman tucked away in the cemetery of an old estate, followed by the appearance of a blood-stained delivery truck on a farm track well off the road. Members of the Jefferson Hunt begin to be concerned. So do some women restoring an old estate, two sisters who have established a construction company employing former female prisoners to help them get started over in life with a paying job that trains them for future employment.
As always, it’s an easy read that will have you staying up at night to finish as action heats up to a chilly finish with the Bull Run Hunt. Hardcover, 275pp. $30.00
Berlie, Laurie. Jingle Horse. The fourth book from the pen of Laurie Berglie is a short romance taking place in Maryland in the fall. Macy Holland is surprised by a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, Adam Cleary. They decide on a Christmastime wedding. With only a few months to prepare, and both of them still mourning—Macy from her mother’s sud-
HORSE COUNTRY BOOKSELLERS
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60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186 800-882-HUNT • 540-347-3141
den passing and Adam from a dear friend’s—they have a lot to keep them busy. And then in the middle of it all, Macy gets a chance to go to Florida with her friend Erin and her horses she was taking to winter over near Wellington. Paperback, 108pp. $7.99
Your Complete Guide to Equine Arenas. Planning a new riding arena or needing to improve what’s there? Read this book! It’s chock-full of good information, lots of “pros and cons” to help you make a decision on everything from construction to footing and equipment to use. For instance, how do you keep dust down in an arena? Turns out there are no easy answers— every option has pros and cons. There’s even a chapter on racetracks! (If you’re going to train racehorses on your property, you need a training track, right?) Well illustrated with color photos. Softcover, 196pp. $26.95
Harrison, Beverly. Illustrated Guide to Saddle Fitting. The author uses illustrations rather than photographs to show saddle and rider fit for forward seat and dressage saddles. Chapters include parts and styles of the English-style saddle; basic anatomy of the horse as it relates to the saddle; ditto for the rider; saddle safety; saddle-fit checklists for the horse and the rider; indicators of saddle fit; girths; saddle pads; and repairs, maintenance, and resources. Spiral hardcover, 160pp. $26.95
Sinner, Andrea. Newcomer to the Horse World. Not everyone has the opportunity to grow up with horses and learn how to handle, feed, ride and manage them over the years. I didn’t get my first horse until I had been working for a year teaching school, and I have
always regretted not having had that childhood experience. Sure, I read horse books all the time, and got a few riding opportunities occasionally, but that doesn’t take the place of actual experience. This book, however, is not going to tell you the symptoms of colic or founder, or how to ride or train a horse. Rather, the author has created charts to help you decide if you want to get into horses to start with. She discusses the various ways you can involve yourself with horses if you’re not sure you actually want to own one; warns of “hidden” costs you may incur and of the potential for being “misled” by sellers; offers a detailed checklist to evaluate boarding barns and trainers; and much more. She has thought of and listed many questions that will need to be answered involving purchase, boarding, training, and keeping a horse—things I never considered during the many years I was boarding out. Paperback, 264pp. $29.95.
Bohmke, Waltraud. Ground Games for Horses
Sometimes a horse cannot be ridden for a while due to health or psychological problems but could benefit from work in hand. The author offers 26 in-hand courses involving skills, tests and obstacles to stimulate your horse’s outlook on life. It’s a good way to introduce yourself to a new horse, too, if you are at all concerned about his behavior. They can be practiced while riding as well as with long reins. Paperback, 36pp. $22.95
Equels, Tom. The Horseman’s Tale. Written in first person, Equels’s protagonist is an interesting character—a former Marine who endured the Vietnam War—who introduces himself as writing for therapeutic purposes when diagnosed with PTSD. He starts to reveal his life, jumping around in time from childhood memories straight to a very satisfying lovemaking with his wife in his truck. Many of the ills of our time are addressed: racial prejudice, autism, even the toxicity of Camp Lejeune that affected both his second son and ultimately his beloved wife. Horses filter in and out throughout from childhood, from racehorses to a vicious Paso Fino stallion. I’ve enjoyed the brief snips I have read, though be forewarned, there is explicit sex on occasion. Hardcover, 274pp. $19.95
Warrenton Huntsman Matt van der Woude gathered hounds at Barry Dixon and Will Thomas’s Elway Hall which hosted the Opening Hunt breakfast, November 2, 2024. Jordan Koepke photo
Sue Bopp, MFH, led the field for the Virginia Hunt Week guests and Warrenton Hunt members from Winfall, October 28, 2024. Jordan Koepke photo
FALL RACES
By Betsy Burke Parker Douglas Lees
The National Steeplechase Association fall circuit has suffered as much as an autumn-planted garden this year, with two meets canceled altogether—Pennsylvania Hunt Cup and Charleston Cup, another moved to a temporary new venue due to footing and turf growth concerns.
NSA president Al Griffin said this year is extreme, and that the meet cancellations were not made lightly. The move of the Gold Cup was huge, too, Griffin said.
“First time a meet has gotten moved like this,” said Griffin of the International Gold Cup Races shifting from their longtime home at Great Meadow in The Plains to the Glenwood Park racecourse near Middleburg. “Great Meadow suffered from having record entries at their spring meet (the May 1 Virginia Gold Cup Races) on a really rainy day. The course just hadn’t recovered for a safe racing surface for the fall meet.”
October 6, 46th Annual Foxfield Fall Races Barracks Road Racecourse, Charlottesville, Virginia
Timing was everything for the 46th annual Foxfield Fall Races, run one week after Hurricane Helene irrigated the Barracks Road racecourse with eight inches of steady rain that turned fast ground to yielding turf. Course officials and National Steeplechase Association representatives called course conditions “the best in years,” and horsemen responded with record entries for a full card.
Highlight of the afternoon was the new grade 3 $75,000 Mariann De Tejada memorial hurdle handicap, named for the course creator and meet creator.
After twice finishing behind Bruton Street’s Snap Decision, Jack Fisher-stablemate Sebastopol turned the tables to win the 2 1/8-mile headliner.
After Snap Decision (Graham Watters up) led early, Sebastapol advanced on the inner rail at the top turn to edge away by a length at the wire. Sebastopol, who like Snap Decision, is 10, earned almost a quarter-milliondollars in Europe before coming stateside last spring.
Riverdee Stable and Ten Strike Racing’s Jimmy Dan gave leading NSA jockey Graham Watters his 19th victory of the season with an off-the-pace rally in the ratings handicap hurdle. The win gave Watters the single-season all-time NSA earnings record, surpassing the mark set by Gus Brown in 2001. At press time, Watters has nearly $850,000 in purses; Brown earned $815,897.
October
12,
70th Annual Virginia Fall Races
Glenwood Park, Middleburg, Virginia
Two standouts on the timber circuit, age 15 and 14, with a combined 21 stakes victories, battled it out in the $50,000 National Sporting Library and Museum Cup at Virginia Fall Races. At the wire, Mystic Strike, 15, outlasted defending champ Schoodic, 14.
Schoodic, owned by Dolly Fisher and trained by her son, Jack, had the lead for much of the 3¼ miles under Graham Watters as Upland Partners’ Mystic Strike and Gerard Galligan stalked the pacesetter. He
Mell
the
drew even with Schoodic two fences from home, leading the downhill charge before the uphill run to the final fence and maintained his advantage to the wire, withstanding a late charge by his Todd McKenna-trained stablemate Hard Strike (Harry Beswick).
With the win, Mystic Strike went over the $400,000 career earnings mark, the ninth stakes victory for the Florida-bred son of turf star Smart Strike.
Making his third lifetime start—second time over jumps—Vivian Rall’s four-generation Maryland homebred Super Chunk carried trainer-rider Sean McDermott to win the inaugural running of the Will O’Keefe memorial 3year-old hurdle stakes.
October 26, 41st Annual International Gold Cup Glenwood Park, Middleburg, Virginia With victory in the $75,000 International Gold Cup timber classic, veteran Mystic Strike officially retires, trainer Todd McKenna said, going out at the top of his game.
Upland Partner’s veteran, 15, turned in a sharp performance in the 3½ mile stake with an 8-length score over Druid’s Altar.
It was one of three wins on the day for rider Gerard Galligan.
The International Gold Cup Races were run for the first time at Middleburg’s Glenwood Park. Glenwood was a hastily arranged substitute venue when a few weeks prior National Steeplechase Association safety committee members determined that the turf on the Great Meadow course near The Plains—home to the International and Virginia Gold Cup races since 1984— had not recovered from record entries on a rainy day at the spring meet. Protracted drought conditions this summer stunted grass growth, and a lowered water table curtailed use of Great Meadow’s irrigation system.
The lack of rain had, of course, also dried the Glenwood footing, but the racing strips were level and smooth, safe for racing, according to safety committee members.
Gold Cup co-chair Al Griffin said “the post-race vet assessment reported no injured horses. No fallers. It was a good day of racing. We’re so grateful to [Glenwood clerk of the course] Doug Fout and [facility manager] Bryon Pope for all the hard work they did the past two weeks since their October 12 Virginia Fall meet to make this day such a huge success for Gold Cup.”
Foxfield Fall Races, Filly and Mare Maiden Hurdle (l-r) Easy Squeeze (Parker Hendriks, up) – 1st; Madaket’s Arrow (Bernie Dalton, up) – 3rd; Avakate (Graham Watters, up) – 4th
Foxfield Fall Races, Ratings Handicap Hurdle (l-r): Hold Hard (Bernie Dalton, up); Blue Nile (Gerard Galligan, up); He’ll Do (Parker Hendriks, up) – 4th; Lydford (Stephen Mulqueen, up) – 3rd; Jimmy Dan (Graham Watters, up) – 1st
Foxfield Fall Races, Mariann De Tejeda Memorial Sport of Kings Hurdle Stakes (l-r) Snap Decision (Graham Watters, up) – 3rd; Sebastopol (Parker Hendriks, up) – 1st; Total Joy (Paddy O’Hanlon, up) – 5th
Virginia Fall Races, Theodora A. Randolph Cup Virginia Equine Alliance Maiden Hurdle (l-r) Gaston (Paddy O’Hanlon, up); Fouroneohsmokesshow (Stephen Mulqueen, up) – 2nd; Praghas Ceart (Sean McDermott, up) – 1st
Virginia Fall Races, The Kinross Steeplethon (l-r) Court Ruler (Jamie Bargary, up) – 2nd; Wicked West (Dan Nevin, up) – 1st; Fashion Line (Evan Dwan, up) – 3rd
Photos
Virginia Fall Races, Will O’Keefe Memorial Sport of Kings Three-Year-Old Hurdle Stakes (l-r) Holiday Charm (Gerard Galligan, up) –4th; Super Chunk (Sean McDermott, up) – 1st
Virginia Fall Races, Daniel C. Sands Cup, First Division
Boucher was all smiles after winning
first division of the Daniel C. Sands Cup Optional Maiden Starter/Maiden Claiming Hurdle aboard Why Not Racing LLC’s Lowcountry.
In the headline feature, the 87th running of the historic International Gold Cup swiftly became a match race when Sherry Fenwick’s Anticipating went off course after the first jump. Aboard Hyggelig Haven’s Druid’s Altar, Evan Dwan inherited the lead, with Galligan drafting the front-runner early. In the final quarter-mile, Galligan gave Mystic Strike the signal to unfurl his famous stretch run and they took command before the final fence. Mystic Strike drew off in the long Glenwood stretch, in front by eight lengths at the wire.
Pennsylvania-based trainer Todd McKenna was exuberant. “He’s just the best,” McKenna proclaimed. “That’s it. He’s retired.
“What a horse, a real competitor and a dear friend,” McKenna continued. “We’ve been together almost every day for 10 years. [I’m] happy it was an easy race and ended his career on a good note.”
The Florida-bred son of Smart Strike won 17 of 53 starts since beginning his career on the flat in 2012, winning at least one race in 10 of his 12 years racing. Mystic Strike earned almost $462,000.
In the day’s other racing, Gold Cup rolled out the circuit’s newest grade 1 hurdle handicap, the $150,000 William Allison stakes. Trainer Keri Brion saddled Paul and Molly Willis’ Carloun (Stephen Mulqueen, up) for a flag-to-finish dazzler. Carloun had won a ratings handicap hurdle race two weeks ago over the same 2 1/8-mile distance at the Virginia Fall Races. It was Carloun’s first grade 1 effort, Brion’s seventh grade 1 winner.
Gold Cup co-chair Griffin said he hopes this year’s venue swap was a one-off: “We have every intention to work closely with Great Meadow to find a solution that works for both organizations” to return the International Gold Cup to The Plains, and be able to run the Virginia Gold Cup at Great Meadow in May.
November 2, 89th Annual Montpelier Races
Montpelier Station, Virginia
One of the NSA’s most unique racecourses—in the shadow of Founding Father James Madison’s former plantation house—the 89th Montpelier Hunt Races attracted a near-record crowd for eight races worth a record $250,000.
Headliner was the Grade 3 $75,000 Noel Laing stakes at 2½ miles over Montpelier’s signature natural brush fences. Five went to post with Keystone Thoroughbreds’ Noah and the Ark (Gerard Galligan) prevailing at the wire. The dual grade 1 winner trailed the field much of the route, with Frontline Citizen (Dan Nevin) setting a hot pace early. The 2023 American Grand National winner took command before the final bend into the stretch, and drew clear under strong urging. Noah and the Ark was up by nearly five at the wire. Highweight at 158, Noah and the Ark carried 16 more pounds than runner-up Frontline Citizen. Noble Stables’ Total Joy (Paddy O’Hanlon) was a dozen lengths back in third.
For Galligan, it was one of three winners on the card, one week after the 2020 NSA champion rider had tripled at the Gold Cup meet.
The Montpelier Hunt Races were established in 1929 by Marion duPont Scott, heiress to the duPont family fortune and wife of Hollywood star Randolph Scott. An avid and accomplished horsewoman, Scott and her brother were responsible for turning the Montpelier estate into a world-class racing and Thoroughbred facility. Now a National Trust property, Montpelier has been used for several Hollywood movies, including the 2001 horrorthriller, “Hannibal.”
(l-r)
Training
Although but a small fraction of Will Allison’s countless admirers, the winner’s circle was still filled to overflowing when Will (at the center) presented the trophy named in his honor.
International Gold Cup, William H. Allison Stakes Sport of Kings Hurdle Stakes Who’s Counting (Sean McDermott, up) – 4th; Carloun (Stephen Mulqueen, up) – 1st; Too Friendly (Paddy O’Hanlon, up)—3rd
International Gold Cup, Virginia Equine Maiden Hurdle (l-r) Cartographer (Graham Watters, up) – 3rd; Risk Taking (Gerard Galligan, up) – 2nd; St. James The Great (Stephen Mulqueen, up) – 1st
Montpelier Hunt Races, The Montpelier Cup Maiden Hurdle (l-r) Bee Well (Sean McDermott, up); Fouroneohsmokesshow (Stephen Mulqueen, up) – 2nd; Maryland Moon (Teddy Davies, up) – 4th; Rucker Road (Paddy O’Hanlon, up) – 1st; Hashtag No Wonder (Sarah Cundith, up); Denis Anthony (Gerard Galligan, up).
Montpelier Hunt Races, The Montpelier Foundation Cup
Montpelier Hunt Races, The Noel Laing Sport of Kings Hurdle Handicap Stakes (l-r) Noah And The Ark (Gerard Galligan, up) – 1st; Andy Dufresne (Sean McDermott, up).
International Gold Cup Timber Stakes (l-r) Mystic Strike (Gerard Galligan, up) – 1st; Druid’s Altar (Evan Dwan, up) – 2nd
Montpelier Hunt Races, The Constitution Maiden Claiming Hurdle (l-r) Tartan Green (Gerard Galligan, up) – 1st; Ice Bar (Sarah Cundith, up) – 2nd
JUNIORS
2024 Junior North American Field Hunter Championship
By Carla Babcock
Joshua Hoy Photos
Rocky Fork Headley Hunt, in Gahanna, Ohio, with its long-standing traditions of foxhunting and beautiful, iconic territory, welcomed the 2024 Junior North American Field Hunter Championship on September 27 & 28. Following the need to relocate the venue, the dedicated and gracious masters—Sharon Chappelear, Sally Crane Cox, Dave Straub, and Stephanie Woods Phillips (Chairman), along with their members, stepped up to the plate in late June and created a fun-filled and challenging weekend for juniors representing 26 hunts and 15 Pony Clubs from 12 US States and Canada.
There were some “firsts” for the JNAFHC this year. For the first time in its history, the finals became a two-day championship. The first phase of the competition started on Friday morning with a live hunt so the judges could see how the riders faced actual hunting questions. Following the hunt, a tea for everyone was hosted by The Hound and Wildlife Habitat and Welfare Fund, a 501(c)(3) offshoot of RFHH focused on land conservation and the education of the public about all things foxhunting. During the tea, the judges deliberated on the ten finalists from each division (First flight 14-18, First Flight 13 & under, Hilltopper 11-18, and Hilltopper 10 & under). As the morning’s slight drizzle had turned to a steady rain (for the first time in two months in Ohio!), participants in the whip cracking and horn blowing contests now adjourned to the VIP tent at the spacious Brave Horse show facility where all the competitors were stabled. Whip thongs were a bit soggy, but there were some excellent “cracks” nonetheless, and the horn blowing was simply amazing. Afterwards, the ten finalists for each division were announced for the next day’s individual tests—then on to Day Two!
The individual tests, designed by Ashley Johnson, Iroquois Hunt and JNAFHC board member, were thought-provoking, and required the competitors’ best problem-solving skills. With an early start on the day, juniors, friends, and families cheered the riders on as they navigated through 11 questions including accepting a stirrup cup, opening/closing a gate, several trotting or jumping obstacles, a hand gallop uphill and ending with a dismount to lead a hound from one point to another.
The Hound Judging seminar and judging contest followed the completion of the individual tests. Aliina Keers, kennel huntsman for the Iroquois Hunt, arrived with eight beautiful Iroquois hounds, which were welltrained in the finer points of hound show behavior, to give the juniors an experience in judging alongside Dr. Jack van Nagell, MFH, Iroquois; Charles Montgomery, MFH and Huntsman, Mells Foxhounds; and Bill Haggard, MFH, Mells Foxhounds. For this contest, we employed the resources from the MFHA Junior Hound Judging Program, designed to teach young people about hound standards in a fun and educational way.
The competition closed with dinner and award ceremony on Saturday evening, with 200 people attending under the VIP tent at Brave Horse. The many well-de-
served awards included:
Hilltopper 10 & under
Champion: Layla Heyworth - Bush Park Cayenne
Pepper - Deep Run Hunt
Reserve Champion: Ansley Daniel - Butch CassidyOld Dominion Hounds & ODH Pony Club
Hilltopper 11-18
Champion: Mary Brooks McElheney - JosieBelle Meade Hunt
Reserve Champion: Andrew Blagg - RiverBelle Meade Hunt
First Field 13 & under
Champion: CaraLyn Daniel - Tornado TexOld Dominion Hounds & ODH Pony Club
Field 14-18: Lily Comer-TaylorSedgefield Hunt & Yadkin Valley Hounds PC
Champion, First Field 13 & Under CaraLyn Daniel & Tornado Tex, Old Dominion Hounds & ODH Pony Club.
Champion, First Field 14-18 Caroline Hickman & Ide Love Lucy, Belle Meade Hunt.
Champion, Hilltopper 10 & Under Layla Heyworth & Bush Park Cayenne Pepper, Deep Run Hunt.
Everyone was invited to hunt with Rocky Fork the following morning, so at 6 AM on Sunday, the barns were abuzz with those who chose to stay for one more day of great sport and comradery with the members of Rocky Fork Headley Hunt.
There are so many people to thank for pulling it all together in Columbus, Ohio, for 2024. We’d like to give a special shout out to the owners of Brave Horse—a beautiful horse show facility in the heart of Central Ohio—they welcomed our foxhunters with extraordinary hospitality. The Rocky Fork Headley Hunt did not have an event this large on their radar screen for the 2024-25 season, but they made it happen! The sponsors of the awards, dinners, tea, stabling, EMTs, farrier, photographer, caterers were so generous. The US Pony Club and the crew from RFHH transformed a fairly plain 100-foot-long tent into a vision for the award dinner! The field masters, outriders, volunteers, and judges who came from near and far—they did it all for the juniors!
Another special first for the JNAFHC was an invitation for the Champion and Reserve Champion of the First Flight 14-18 division to participate in the Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Competition. Held in Virginia a week after the JNAFHC finals, this event includes four days of foxhunting, each day at a different Virginia hunt, during which four riders are chosen daily to compete in the finals at the end of the week. This year’s finals were held at Sunnybank Farm in Middleburg, home of Eva Smithwick and Snickersville Hounds. Three juniors competed this year, two from the JNAFHC, and Lily McKee from Thornton Hill Hounds placed 7th overall.
And now preparations are underway for 2025. Moore County Hounds will host the finals on November 14 & 15, 2025, in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Qualifiers are taking place this fall and upcoming spring. Any junior who was 18 or younger on August 1, 2024, is eligible for the 2025 Championship. Go to the website www.JNAFHC.com for information, forms, and requirements.
A list of all the winners from this year’s competition can be found on the website. Beautiful photos of the 2024 finals, by John McKean, can be found on the Facebook Page—Junior North American Field Hunter Championship—arranged by division and contest. A list of all the volunteers and judges can be found on the website. The JNAFHC is a 501(c)(3), and welcomes donations of all amounts. We look forward to rolling out some new opportunities for juniors during this next year. Details will be updated on the website.
OPENING MEETS
(l-r) Kate Dendinger and Rita Kaseman, turned out in proper style for Loudoun Fairfax Hunt’s Opening Day of formal season, November 3, 2024.
photo
FIELD HUNTERS
Jocelyn Cole and Thunder Roll to a Win at the Virginia Field Hunter Championship
Joanne Maisano Photos
Piedmont Fox Hounds hosted this year’s Virginia Field Hunter Championship at Clifton Back Gate on Sunday, November 10, 2024. The field saw 20 horse and rider pairs competing from 11 Virginia Hunts. The competition traditionally consists of a mock hunt followed by individual tests. When the results were in, it appeared the Theodora A. Randolph North American Field Hunter Championship, held a month earlier, served as a good tune-up for many of the Virginia competitors. This was particularly noteworthy given Mrs. Randolph’s storied tenure as master at Piedmont.
At the top, moving up from their Reserve Champion position at the TAR, the top honors went to Jocelyn Cole and her Thunder (aka “Thunderpants”) of Old Dominion Hounds. Reserve here was Piedmont’s own Amy Brown and Manley Cross. Katie Macswain and Frosty (owned by Lynn Pirozzoli) from Loudoun Fairfax Hunt, Best Turned Out champs at the TAR, repeated that performance taking the BTO award at the Virginia FHC.
Rounding out the top six finishers were:
Third: Local Color, Jennifer Daly, Farmington Hunt
Fourth: Robert E Lee, Rosie Powers, Orange County Hounds
Fifth: White Oaks Joyride, Kristiane Pellegrino, Piedmont Fox Hounds
Sixth: Winterstormwarrior, Joel Merle Smith, Keswick Hunt Club
Competitors, spectators, and volunteers were treated to a beautifully decorated and scrumptious tailgate following the event.
Reserve Champion, First Field 14-18 Lily McKee & Charlie Horse, Thornton Hill Hounds
Reserve Champion, First Field 13 & Under Avery Wismer & Ascend, Iroquois Hunt.
Champion, Hilltopper 11-18
Mary Brooks McElheney (#58) & Josie, Belle Meade Hunt.
Austin Kaseman
Jeff Woodall, ready to move off from the Clubhouse, November 3, 2024, for his first Opening Meet as Huntsman for Loudoun Fairfax Hunt. Austin Kaseman photo
Jocelyn Cole and her Thunder, representing Old Dominion Hounds, were champions at this year’s Virginia Field Hunter Championship, hosted by Piedmont Fox Hounds.
By Helen Brettell • Joanne Maisano Photos TEAM CHASE
Orange County Hounds Team Chase 2024
It was a glorious fall day for the 2024 OCH Team Chase at Old Whitewood by kind permission of Mark and Karin Ohrstrom. Initial fears that both entries and attendance would be severely impacted by the re-routing of Gold Cup from Great Meadow to Glenwood Park and subsequent date change to clash with our date, proved unfounded as spectators and riders alike enjoyed the sunshine. Mrs. Anne McIntosh, MFH; Ms. Amy McNeely; and Mrs. Karyn Wilson were kind enough to judge the event this year.
The young entry were conspicuous by their numbers in the Hilltoppers division and had all made a tremendous effort for the best turned out pair with special mention of the “Calamaris,” Zach Malevich and Parker Simmons on two well-matched dun ponies, and also to the “Beagle Bagels,” Nina Fout and Conner Spreadborough, son of huntsman Reg, who rode matching chestnuts and with matching jackets. However, the “Silver Vixens” (Shannon Davis and Rae Stone) could not be bested on their immaculate greys. These two also put in a great performance to win the overall best Hilltopper pair. Much credit for the performance of many of the juniors goes to Hayley Walsh, who mentors and guides them to be confident riders.
First Flight Best Turned out was narrowly won by “The Blue Ladies” (Lisa Fimiani and Eden Riegel) from “Landmark Ladies” (Lauren Nicholson and Lynn Symansky) with Eden and Lisa also winning best Hunt team. The Optimum Time was divided into pairs and teams with Mo Baptiste and Kristiane Pellegrino having a stranglehold on both with a horse in each division. Annalies Casiera joined them in the team and were within ten seconds off the optimum time which was set over the course a couple of days prior and had not been divulged to competitors.
The afternoon culminated in the call back for a short handy hack to determine the first flight overall champion. Sadly, this year the juniors who could compete for the junior championship all ran into trouble resulting in no Junior Championship being awarded. Eleven riders came back and the first out, Mo Baptiste on Fifty Grand, set a standard which proved impossible to beat, although Lauren Nicholson gave it her best shot on Landmark’s Monte Carlo. But the dreaded gate proved to be the deciding factor. Mo therefore went home with the Alfred Hunt Perpetual Challenge Trophy, Tri County cooler, and Ethel M chocolates. The award in memory of Cindy Hair for the most suitable hunter went to Kristiane Pellegrino on White Oaks Conbrio.
This event could not happen without the help of the OCH family past and present whether it be secretariat, announcing, timekeeping, awards, stewarding and starting, providing sound system, setting up a sumptuous food table, contributing food to said table, and invaluable help with course set up. Thank you all!
Mo Baptiste and Fifty Grand took the Alfred Hunt Perpetual Trophy at this year’s Orange County Hounds Team Chase.
Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Monte Carlo finished as the Team Chase Reserve Champions.
Potomac Hunt Rallies, Returns to Full Hunting Form
By Laura Delaney, MFH Karen Kandra Photos
At the end of the 2022-23 season, Potomac Hunt members found themselves in the unfortunate situation of having no Huntsman and no remaining staff to care for hounds. With the hounds’ welfare our top priority, we made the painstaking decision to draft our pack to other hunts. While this was not the path we hoped for, this decision was made to ensure our hounds continued to receive proper care.
New Masters Carol Spicer Nair, Tim Hanson, and myself worked diligently on a game plan to ensure the Hunt’s survival. In early June 2023, we received an invitation from Robert Taylor and Andrew Barclay to meet at the MFHA Headquarters along with the masters of the three local hunts closest to us: Goshen Hounds, Howard County-Iron Bridge Hounds, and New Market-Middletown Valley Hounds. The agenda for the meeting was how to work together to help Potomac; this was a welcome invitation.
At this meeting, these hunts agreed to help us in our rebuilding year, playing an essential role, by generously inviting our members to hunt with them several times per month, or by bringing their hounds and hunting Potomac’s country. We shared joyful camaraderie and great sport both at home and away meets. We are forever grateful to them.
Also in June of 2023, we met with huntsman and friend, Steve Currey, who had previously been our professional whipper-in for ten seasons, from 2001 to 2011. He was interested in moving back east from Arapahoe Hunt where he’d been huntsman since 2011. Fortunately, we were able to work out a deal with Steve to be our huntsman, and he started with us in early August.
We had some work to do to get back on our feet and Steve was just the man for the job. He hit the ground running, cleaning up the hunt club grounds, restoring the hunt stable to working order, and clearing our trails. Good thing for Steve’s industriousness because just a few short weeks later, we kicked off Autumn Hunting in mid-August with two back-to-back days with Bedford County Hunt (BCH) in our territory.
We were also fortunate to have several members take an interest in whipping-in. They began working with Steve and riding with visiting hunts’ whippers-in to learn the job. They have been critical to this process as well.
On November 18, 2023, we were fortunate enough to have an Opening Hunt from our kennels, thanks again to the kindness of BCH. We were out for an unprecedented five hours leaving members exhausted, but jubilant.
BCH left us a parting gift that weekend—2.5 couples of hounds and the start of our new pack! Some much-needed kennel renovations had just been completed, and we were ready to get back on our feet.
Less than a week later, members were thrilled to be able to continue our Thanksgiving tradition with a hunt at the Kiplinger’s Montevideo Farm, with Robert Taylor, MFH, and Goshen Hounds providing our day of sport. We’d also like to thank Loudoun Fairfax, Marlborough, Elkridge-Harford, and Wicomico hunts who provided days of hunting for us and know many more were ready to step up and help as well. We have experienced such great generosity and support over the past year!
Over the next few months, we continued to draft hounds from various local hunts. Everyone was so generous, and we were even able to recover some of our previous pack. We have also received hounds with bloodlines going back to Potomac Jefferson ’05.
In early 2024, we began staff-only mounted hound exercise. By the end of the 2023-24 season, our members were able to enjoy a few days of hunting with our very own pack! Hounds worked amazingly well together thanks to Steve’s hard work, and in the spring of this year we were able to show a few of our hounds at the Virginia Hound Show where we won the American pack class!
We now have some puppies on the ground thanks to BCH, who shared two litters with us, one by a Potomac dog and the other going back to Potomac bloodlines.
We just wrapped up our Opening Meet on October 26 where Master Emerita Vicki Crawford gave the Blessing of the Hounds alongside her husband, Skip Crawford, Master Emeritus. Both have stayed engaged this past year and we are thankful for their support.
We all believe the future is looking bright.
At Potomac Hunt’s Opening Meet, October 26, 2024, Lana Parvizian handed out special treats to the special hounds that now make up the newly reformed pack.
Opening Meet with new staff, new hounds: (l-r) Steve Seeger, Helena Hanson, Steve Currey, Casey Hilton, Dr. Javier Donatelli, DVM.
Steve Currey, who served as Potomac’s professional whipper-in from 2001 to 2011, returned from his Huntsman’s role at Arapahoe Hunt in Colorado to carry the horn for Potomac.
RACING
Horses and People to Watch
Virginia Equine Alliance
Jockey Manny Franco Dominates on Virginia Derby Day at Colonial Downs
The 27-day Colonial Downs summer racing season—its second under Churchill Downs ownership—concluded September 7 with Virginia Derby Day festivities and a showstopping performance by jockey Manny Franco. Deterministic showed off his late kick on the Secretariat Turf Course, running down Grand Mo the First to win the Grade 3 $500,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby by a neck. Trained by Christophe Clement, who also sent out Style Points, the dead heat co-winner of the Virginia Oaks, Deterministic was piloted by Franco, who won five stakes and seven races total on the card.
“Every time I come prepared with a good mind, which gives me a good chance to win races,” Franco said. “I had a big day today. I want to say thanks to all the trainers who brought me here. I’m just happy. All the horses were running good. The turf course is perfect. After each race I just kept looking forward to keep my momentum going.”
The top two Virginia Derby runners both qualified for Kentucky Derby 150 back in May. When the connections of Deterministic decided not to run, it opened a spot in the starting gates for Granpollo Stable’s Grand Mo the First’s “Run for the Roses”.
In a nail-biting edition of the $250,000 Woodford Reserve Virginia Oaks, Style Points and Deep Satin dueled down the stretch and were declared dead heat winners. Style Points is trained by Christophe Clement and was ridden by Franco while Deep Satin is trained by Cherie DeVaux and had Mychel Sanchez up. The pair covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.15.
Making his North American debut, Hollywood Syndicate’s South African import Isivunguvungu was an impressive victor in the $150,000 Korbel Da Hoss Stakes. The Group 1 winner was transferred to trainer Graham Motion at the beginning of the year with a run in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in mind.
“I can’t say enough about what a good effort this was today,” Motion said. “He spent two months in quarantine at the beginning of the year. He is a very special horse. He has a big following in South Africa and I am so happy for the owners.”
$500,000 Secretariat Stakes during Colonial Downs’ annual Festival of Racing program August 11. Virginia’s Thoroughbred track now prepares for a new three-day spring meet in March 2025 (pending VRC approval), anchored by the Virginia Derby on Saturday, March 15.
Both the 2025 Virginia Derby and 2025 Virginia Oaks have earned the distinction as “win and you’re in” qualifying races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks. Virginia’s Derby and Oaks stakes have traditionally been turf races that signified the culmination of the summer racing season in New Kent. Next year, as part of a 50-point race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks will transition to the dirt track. The respective winning horses will be guaranteed a post position in the starting gate for the 151st Kentucky Derby on May 3 and Kentucky Oaks the day prior.
New Historical Horse Racing Gaming Resort Opens in Northern Virginia
The Rose, Colonial Downs’ new gaming resort in Dumfries, opened in late October at its nearly 100-acre site just off I-95 in Northern Virginia. The facility is the largest of any Rosie’s Gaming Emporium, by far. It houses 1,650 Historical Horse Racing (HHR) terminals, eight bars/restaurants, 102 hotel rooms initially, 2,530 parking spots, meeting and event space, and an OTB with a capacity of 171. In Phase Two, additional hotel rooms will be added along with an entertainment and convention center. A total of 480 team members will be employed.
Compared to its seven other Rosie’s locations in the state, The Rose has more of an upscale decor and atmosphere and will feature HHR machines from 11 different manufacturers. Food and beverage will play a more important role with a much bigger footprint. Projected handle is $2.2 billion in its first year. Funding for Thoroughbred purses is driven mainly by expansion of HHR terminals in the marketplace so this is great news for the industry moving forward.
Former Baseball Player/Coach Michael Dailey Wins First Pari-Mutuel Harness Race
as a
Driver at Shenandoah Downs
Michael Dailey, fresh off a thirty-year career in baseball at the professional, college, and high school levels, completed a successful transition to harness racing professionally when he collected his first pari-mutuel driving win October 19 at Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock at the age of 58. Dailey directed Henry Lewis’s 4-year-old gelding pacer Singforyoursupper to an impressive 1:54 4/5 wire-to-wire score in a U.S. Harness Drivers Club race.
“It was a thrill to win for sure,” said Dailey. “Somebody asked me if it was anything like hitting a grand slam. I said I wouldn’t know; I was a pitcher and I’ve given up a couple.”
Colonial Downs Completes 2024
Summer Meet; New Spring Meet and Expanded Summer Meet in Store for 2025
Over the course of 27 live race days in New Kent, 250 races were conducted including the $1 million Grade 1 Arlington Million, the Grade 2 $500,000 Beverly D. and Grade 2
Prior to his latest foray, Dailey had an extensive baseball career that included a recent stint as Director of Baseball Operations at Virginia’s Radford University. Dailey has had 21 players drafted or signed to play professional baseball.
“I have been on the other side of horse racing for a long time,” said Dailey. “At six years of age, I knew the difference between an exacta and a quinella. But I wasn’t on the backstretch side. After I retired from baseball, I had free time and an opportunity to finally get involved and buy a horse. I love driving but really have no desire to train. There is no thrill to that part of the business,” he added, “but it is a necessity to be able to drive. At my age, nobody’s really out there putting me on horses so I have to have my own to drive.”
Shenandoah Downs completed its fall harness meet October 27 and, pending VRC approval, will host a seven-week spring meet from April 26 - June 8.
Deep Satin and Style Points thrilled fans with a dead heat finish in the Virginia Oaks, resulting in both declared winners. Coady Media photo
Harness driver Michael Dailey won his first pari-mutuel race at Shenandoah Downs this fall. Darrell Wood photo
Jockey Manny Franco won seven races on the Virginia Derby Day card at Colonial Downs. Darrell Wood photo
Nation’s Pride won the G1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs. Coady Media photo
OPENING MEETS
Green Mountain Hounds, Jericho, Vermont, shows that great sport can be had with a small drag pack. Honorary Huntsman Meghan Welch, on the left, brings hounds in on Opening Day, September 29, 2024 with (l-r) Whipper-In Emma Welch; Christa Kemp, MFH, First Field Master; Suki Flash, Second Field Master; Deirde Quinn, Whipper-In.
Rachel Duffy, Honorary Huntsman for the Wentworth Hunt Club, Lee, New Hampshire, was all smiles with the performance of hounds on Opening Day, September 28, 2024.
Jay Dee Thomas, MFH, and Huntsman for Mecklenburg Hounds, Waxhaw, NC, raised a toast to the sport at the conclusion of the Opening Meet action, November 2, 2024. Jefferson “Tot” Goodwin of Goodwin Hounds contributed his deep experience to the day’s action.
Bull Run Huntsman Jody Michel and staff cast reflections of good sport to come as they move off from Locust Hill for Opening Meet, October 19, 2024.
Limestone Creek Huntsman Douglas Russell, aided by Whippers-In Bill Day and Lyssa Brennen, led the annual parade through Cazenovia, New York, prior to Opening Meet on September 8, 2024.
Mark Jump Photos
Bull Run Tender seems to be asking a question as she crossed the Robinson River during Bull Run’s Opening Meet from Locust Hill. Any guesses what it was?
