Sporting Pursuits

By Jimmy Hatcher

While I was reading Jim Wofford’s very good new book, “Still Horse

Crazy After All These Years,” I was reminded of something that happened way back in the 1970s. Jimmy and his wife, Gail, built their house and stable, replete with an indoor arena near Upperville. I happen to have a house in the village with a telephone number that, as it turned out, was only one digit different from the Wofford Stable office phone number. Wofford was in his stable office one morning when the phone rang. It was the late Hebe Waters, who had sold the Wofford’s a piece of land bordering their property they had bought to build on. Hebe was an active fox hunter and the consummate hostess. Her opening line was “Jimmy, can you come to dinner on Friday night?“ His reply was “I’d love to come to dinner Friday night. I assume, the invitation includes Gail, too. “ Hebe said, “Who is Gail?” Somewhat taken aback, Wofford responded, “Well Hebe, she’s my wife.“ “Oh,” she said, rather startled, “When did you get married?“ Said Wofford, “Hebe, I was born married.” Actually, the Wofford’s started dating when they were 14. At that point, Wofford’s little gag was done and we all enjoyed a delightful Friday night dinner with Hebe.

Elizabeth von Hassell (far right), executive director of the National Sporting Library & Museum, at the organization’s Polo Classic at Great Meadow in The Plains. Team Holman Hall (right, in orange shirts) of Bill Ballhaus and son Will Ballhaus, with brothers Tolito and Lucio Ocampo won the Mars Cup 9-8. Nacho Figueras (number 3) and his son, Hilario Figueras played for the NetJets team.

Photo by Doug Gehlsen of Middleburg Photo

Middleburg native and tireless community booster Punkin Lee, head of the Middleburg Business and Professional Association and a long-time volunteer of countless other worthy groups, was honored at the Loudoun Laurels Gala on Friday, Sept. 24 at Landsdown Resort in Leesburg. Conservationist and philanthropist Chuck Kuhn was also honored as the 2020 Laureate.

Photo by Peter Leonard-Morgan

Photo by Peter Leonard-Morgan

Photo by Vicki Bendure Allie Nault, food and beverage manager and certified sommelier at Creighton Farms, and Emmanuel Padilla, of Opus One wine. Held at Creighton Farms, this was the first Opus One tasting in the U.S. of the 2018 vintage. The vintage officially releases to the public on October 1.

Photo by Doug Gehsen Middleburg Photo. Marlene Allen represented the Potomac Hunt at the Warrenton Horse Show for very popular Hunt Night.