In & Around Horse Country Holiday 2014

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY, 60 ALEXANDRIA PIKE, WARRENTON, VA 20186

VOLUME XXVI / NUMBER 6 • THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA STEEPLECHASE ASSOCIATION • HOLIDAY 2014

Photo: Robert McClanahan ©2014

OPENING MEETS

Casanova Opening Meet Amanda Fendley Choby and Joyce Fendley, MFH. Robert McClanahan photo

Green Mountain Hounds Opening Meet Huntsman Kate Selby cooling the hounds in a convenient pond. Eric Schneider photo

Green Mountain Hounds Opening Meet Field Master Meghan Welch. Eric Schneider photo

Wentworth Hunt Opening Meet at Yorkfield Farm, Kensington, New Hampshire, October 4, 2014.

Joint-MFH and Huntsman Kami Wolk. Eric Schneider photo

Green Mountain Hounds Opening Meet at Lilac Ridge Farm, Charlotte, Vermont, September 28, 2014 The Blessing of the Hounds was conducted by Field Master Marten van Heuven. Eric Schneider photo

Ashland Bassets Opening Meet, October 12, 2014 Mr. and Mrs. R. James Yarbrough's Leeds Manor, Hume, Va. Rev. Benjamin Mass and Col. David Rowe.

Wentworth Hunt Opening Meet Joint-MFH Sue Levy taking the hedge jump at Yorkfield Farm.

Eric Schneider photo

Casanova Hunt, Opening Meet, October 18, 2014, Casanova Green Reverend James Cirillo attends the Blessing of the Hounds.

Blue Ridge Hunt’s hounds ready for Opening Day.

Robert McClanahan photo

Janet Hitchen photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

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OPENING MEETS

Maureen Britell elegantly turned out for Middleburg’s Opening Meet. Middleburg Photo

Casanova Hunt Opening Meet, Huntsman Tommy Lee Jones.

Robert McClanahan photo

Ashland Bassets Opening Meet, October 12, 2014 Mr. and Mrs. R. James Yarbrough's Leeds Manor, Hume, Va. Mary Reed, MBH; Miriam Anver; Frank Etherington; Sherrod Johnson, MBH.

Middleburg Hunt Opening Meet, Groveton, November 1, 2014 Whipper-in Charlie Carroll, Huntsman Hugh Robards, Whipper-in Carey Shefte. Middleburg Photo

Middleburg Hunt Opening Meet, Groveton, Nov. 1, 2014 George Kingsley in good form.

Blue Ridge Hunt Opening Meet October 25, 2014, Long Branch Plantation, Boyce, Virginia Blue Ridge Huntsman Guy Allman and hounds ready for Opening Day action. Janet Hitchen photo

Middleburg Photo

Blue Ridge Huntsman Guy Allman moves off with hounds from Long Branch Plantation, Boyce, Virginia on Opening Day. Janet Hitchen photo

Potomac Hunt’s Professional Huntsman Larry Pitts and Honorary Whipper-in Allen Forney, Opening Meet, October 25, 2014, Dickerson, Maryland. Karen Kandra Wenzel photo

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTS

Upcoming Events In & Around Horse Country It’s a busy time in Horse Country. Here’s a list of some upcoming events.

Nov. 11 Author Talk & Book Signing: Rita Mae Brown’s latest Sister Jane mystery: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie. 6:30 p.m. Horse Country, Warrenton, VA. 540-347-3141, huntbooks@aol.com.

Dec. 6 Christmas in Middleburg www.christmasinmiddleburg.com Dec. 7 Juan Tomas Hounds (NM) Guest Day. www.juantomashounds.com Jan. 15-18 Low Country Hunt (SC) Weekend. Information: 843-571-1934, melinda@shambleyequine.com Jan. 23-25 & Feb. 13-16 Casa Ladron (NM) Ski/Hunt. Information: Richard Patton, 505-466-4200, rspatton@aol.com Jan. 18-24 Belle Meade (GA) Hunt Week. www.bellemeadehounds.com Jan. 18-Feb. 28 Belle Meade (GA) Hunt Month. www.bellemeadehounds.com Jan. 30 MFHA Masters Ball, NYC, www.mfha.org Feb. 4-12 Whiskey Road Foxhounds (SC) Hunt Week. www.whiskeyroadfoxhounds.com Feb. 20-22 Juan Tomás Hounds (NM) Hunt Ball and Sunday Hunt.

Information: Jackie Cronenberg at cronenberg88@q.com

The Blessing of the Myopia Hunt on Columbus Day, October 13, 2014, at the home of Mrs. Francis P. Sears, Hamilton, Massachusetts. Huntsman Brian Kiely moves off with hounds.

Eric Schneider photo

Feb. 26-28 Belle Meade (GA) Performance Trials.

Information: www.bellemeadehounds.com March 13-15 Juan Tomás Hounds (NM) Closing Hunt Weekend: Hunting, shooting, poker, and polo. Information: www.juantomashounds.com

Wentworth Hunt Opening Meet at Yorkfield Farm, Kensington, New Hampshire, October 4, 2014.

Reverend Shipley Allinson blessing the hounds from atop Leisel while Andrea Anderson provides a unique form of acolyte assistance. Eric Schneider photo

Myopia Hunt hosted the 114th annual Myopia Horse Show at the Myopia Schooling Field in Hamilton, Massachusetts, August 30 and 31, 2014. Molly Kenney on Retrospect won the $2500 Myopia Hunter Derby. Eric Schneider photo

PHOTOGRAPHERS: George Barkley S. Buttrick Liz Callar www.lizcallar.com John J. Carle II, ex-MFH K. Chapman Richard Clay www.richardclayphotography.com Adam Coglianese Catherine French www.catherinefrench.photoshelter.com Janet Hitchen 540-837-9846 www.janethitchenphotography.com Douglas Lees Robert McClanahan www.maccamera.com Deni McIntyre Jim Meads ON THE COVER: Joyce Fendley, MFH, leads the Middleburg Photo www.middleburgphoto.com Casanova Hunt's field, Opening Erik Olsen www.erikolsenphotography.com Meet, October 18, 2014.

Eric Schneider COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Stevens Robert McClanahan Karen Kandra Wenzel

is published 5 times a year.

Editorial and Advertising Address: 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186 For information and advertising rates, please call (540) 347-3141, fax (540) 347-7141 Space Deadline for the Winter issue is Jan. 15. Payment in full due with copy.

Publisher: Marion Maggiolo Managing Editor: J. Harris Anderson Advertising: Mary Cox (540) 636-7688 Email: hcmaryads@embarqmail.com Contributors: Aga; Martha Drum; J. Harris Anderson; Jackie Burke; W. Patrick Butterfield, MFH; John J. Carle II, ex-MFH; Lauren R. Giannini; Tommy Lee Jones; Will O’Keefe; Virginia Thoroughbred Association; Jenny Young LAYOUT & DESIGN: Kate Houchin Copyright © 2014 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXVI, No.6 POSTMASTER: CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

REMEMBRANCE

Memories of Melvin

HUNT COUNTRY ACCOMMODATIONS LLC

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GUEST SUITES & HUNT BOXES

Nightly • Weekly Welcoming Traveling Foxhunters to Virginia Hunt Country

By Tommy Lee Jones

Warrenton • Piedmont • Middleburg • Orange County My memories span a lifetime.

My great uncle Ray Pearson whipped-in to Melvin at Old Dominion and lived there in what has become the huntsman’s house. At family gatherings, my cousins and I would play in and around the kennel yard. I learned to crack a hunt whip straddling the board fence that ran from the barn to my uncle’s house, often using Melvin’s hound whip and blowing his cow horn to make the hounds bark.

One day as we played in the barnyard, Melvin drove in, opened all the gates to the kennel runs, hounds poured out into the yard galloping, barking, and playing all the while keeping an eye on Melvin. He strode around opening the gates, speaking in some strange language and every once in awhile giving out this weird half-cackle/half-yell.

Melvin Morrison Poe. Then like the Pied Piper he got in August 24, 1920 – September 13, 2014. his truck and drove down the driveDeni McIntyre photo way, hounds and kids all following.

We were in a sea of tongues and tails whipping us in their joy. The kids stopped but the hounds followed Melvin on to the road, disappearing toward the Thumb Run Bridge.

This was hound walking, Melvin style. He did this throughout his life. At Orange County, he drove up and down the dirt road that runs behind the kennel. His Bath County hounds were often exercised from his tractor.

He walked young hounds on couples with horses. He had his own style with this, too. Most huntsmen when walking out carry a pocket or pouch full of kibble. Melvin had a pocket full of rocks, walnuts, hickory nuts, or some other throwing material.

As he walked, he would call a hound’s name and if the hound did not respond—bop!—a walnut zipped from nowhere, found its target, and the stunned hound would look back and wonder how he had touched him. Melvin believed the huntsman was the lead hound and if the hounds believed the same, then he could do anything he wanted with them.

He was an avid baseball player, pitching for his hometown team, Hume, when nearly every little town had an organized ball team. He continued playing throughout his army hitch, the only amateur on a team of professionals.

Though we lived in Loudoun County, we went to many of Hume’s home games. We deer hunted with him on Red Oak and up Moss Hollow, but missed him jousting as “The Knight of Ozark.” He was an all-around athlete.

He was a man who knew exactly who he was. He traveled easily among all men, grooms to kings, and conversed easily with barons of the business world. Forrest Mars consulted him on the formula of his new dog-feed company, Pedigree, and he got Elizabeth Taylor tipsy on his homemade wine and local “shine” at a hunt party at his house.

He felt that as a huntsman you were in the entertainment business. He often said that Bob Hope did not like playing to an empty theater and neither did he.

He wanted his field master to keep close so that the field could see the hounds work. He was the emcee and the hounds were his troupe.

The last few years he helped Gus Forbush and me with the terrier races at the two Gold Cup races. We usually recruit a youngster to run the tail back to the starting box after each heat. Melvin assumed this role. He would walk back slowly, grinning and smiling, as people would call his name from the rail. He was late this year at the spring meet and several people called me over to ask where Melvin was. I told them I hope he is tied up in the traffic problems that occurred that day, and that was the case. This fall the answer will not be as easy.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

Farmington Hunt Club and Blue Ridge Hunt Hold a Joint Meet Weekend Submitted by Martha Drum

Farmington Hunt Club hosted the Blue Ridge Hunt for two fun days, October 18-19, 2014. On Saturday of that weekend, the Blue Ridge hounds gave excellent sport, chasing no fewer than four foxes! That evening, Farmington hosted a festive Hound Benefit dinner at the beautifully decorated Clubhouse, with two retired hounds as guests of honor. On Sunday, the Farmington hounds pressured a brace and gave nearly the whole field a terrific view—with perfect weather, an outstanding sporting weekend.

The Blue Ridge hounds hunted the Farmington country well for visiting huntsman Guy Allman. S. Buttrick photo

Also bringing along a young charge was Mrs. Iona Pillion, visiting with the Blue Ridge riders. Past, present and future! S. Buttrick photo

Many generations of foxhunters were present: Miss Pippa Cook, 5, whose father Matthew is in his second season as huntsman at Farmington (accompanied by her mother, Julie), enjoyed the joint meet alongside Mrs. Ellie Wood Baxter, 93, and Ms. Eleanor Barnes. K. Chapman photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

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Junior North American Field Hunter Championship Meet with Warrenton Hunt, October 18, 2014, Alanthus Gate Michael Stevens photos

Keely Cooley with Bull Run. Huntsman Matt van der Woude, Clydetta Poe, Whipper-In. Justin Haeffner with Loudoun Fairfax.

Ashby Hatcher shows himself a true gentleman as he opens the gate for Stephanie Jones. Both riders were representing Loudoun Fairfax Hunt.

Season’s Greetings

From The Hounds and Humans of

Oak Ridge Fox Hunt Club

Riley Hogan with Warrenton Hunt.

Bethany Visokay with Loudoun Fairfax.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

PERSONALITIES

Magalen O. Bryant: Goals Achieved, Goals Ahead

By Lauren R. Giannini In August, at Saratoga, when V.E. Day scored an exciting upset in the Travers Stakes (1¼-mile grade 1) worth $1.25 million in purse money, the media buzzed with stories. The winner, a long shot at odds of 19-1, made a late bid to win by a nose on the nod over the favorite, his own stablemate Wicked Strong. The Travers was V.E. Day’s fourth consecutive win, his biggest career victory to date and his first Grade 1. It was only the second time in the history of the Travers that the winner and second-placed horses had the same trainer.

It was a huge day for Jimmy Jerkens, son of trainer Allen Jerkens. The Travers was an emotional win for all concerned, especially for V.E. Day’s owner, Magalen O. Bryant, who attended the race, accompanied by her US racing manager, Cynthia Tucker Curtis.

Steve Haskin, award-winning horse racing journalist and author, caught up with Bryant in the Trustees Room at Saratoga, after the press conference, where he observed her watching the replay, tears streaming down her cheeks. She talked about growing up with horses and racing because of her family’s involvement, especially her father and brother, George L. Ohrstrom and George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Her brother ran his American horses under the name Whitewood StaMagalen O. Bryant in the paddock at the Virginia Gold Cup, May, 2014. ble (after the family farm) and in 1974 owned Comtesse de Loir, the highest rated 3-year-old filly Liz Callar photo in France.

Twenty years later, Bryant went into the record books as the breeder of the 1994 European two-year-old Champion: Pennekamp, by Bering – Coral Dance, by Green Dancer, foaled in Kentucky in 1992. Acquired by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the colt raced in France, winning the Prix de la Salamande at Longchamp and finishing his 2-year-old season in Newmarket, England, with a one-length win in the Dewhurst Stakes, thereby winning the European title for his age group. Pennekamp started seven times and won six, including the 1995 2000 Guineas.

Bryant maintains a string of racehorses based in France and has a residence in Deauville, which has two racecourses as well as the full gamut of equestrian sports and disciplines.

Generating an owner report for Bryant on CentralEntryOffice.com, Will O’Keefe’s informative website, produced a document of 17 pages, listing 697 starts in sanctioned and unsanctioned races for 105 wins, 100 places, and 95 shows from March 21, 1981 and finished (as of deadline) with the Virginia Fall Races on October 4 in Middleburg. At the historic Glenwood Park, four horses carried Bryant’s distinctive light and dark blue colors with good results for three. Dakota Slew, piloted by Darren Nagle, trained by Richard Valentine, won the National Sporting Library and Museum Cup timber stakes. In the Maiden Timber, Adios Diablo, trained

by Doug Fout, ridden by Kieran Norris, was second, and Casual Creeper (IRE), trained by Jimmy Day, ridden by Paddy Young, finished third of 11 starters in the Optional Allowance/Claiming Hurdle.

“Mrs. Bryant has about 100 horses, probably 45 in training,” said Tucker Curtis. “Her US trainers include Jimmy Day, Doug Fout, Richard Valentine, Neil Morris, Jimmy Jerkens, Chad Magalen O. Bryant’s V.E. Day scored an upset in the 2014 Travers (Gr 1) at Saratoga, Brown, Jonathan Sheppard, Leslie and Paddy Young, Tres Abbott, Linda Rice, Kelly Breen, and relegating stablemate Wicked Strong, the favorite, to second place by a nose.

Michael Matz. You can’t have one or two horses and expect to win at that level. We have a lot Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo of good horses.”

That’s probably an understatement. The Travers win alone propelled Bryant into the upper echelon of flat racing owners for the current year. V.E. Day, purchased for $135,000 by Tucker Curtis for Bryant at the 2-year-olds in training sale held by the Ocala Breeders Sales Company, is by English Channel, out of California Sunset, by Deputy Minister (CAN). English Channel, in his career finale in the 2007 Breeders Cup Turf, won the 1½ mile race by a record-setting seven lengths. He was Champion Turf Horse of the year and retired to stud with career earnings of $5,289,028. His get can go a good distance, as proven by V.E. Day. ’Chasers As for the jump side of her racing interests, Bryant has finished well up in the top 10 of the owner standings (National Steeplechase Association) for a number of years, including third last year and fourth in 2012, and second in 2011. But it isn’t about titles for Bryant although yearend awards are great accolades. It was very pleasing when Ptarmigan (by Unbridled Jet out of Flaine, by Chenin Blanc) earned the NSA Filly and Mare Championship in 2010.

Eve Fout had raised the mare, but after her death in 2007 Bryant bought the horse and kept her in training with Doug Fout. “Maggie and my mom were really good friends and they both loved the outdoors, riding, foxhunting, racing,” recalled Fout. “We grew up with her kids and called her Aunt Maggie. When she’s in town, she likes to come over and watch her horses school.

She goes to France, to Florida, and stays really busy. She does things like supporting the Wounded Warriors and makes it possible for children to experience music. She’s really kind about doing things for people.”

Bryant loves her horses and, whenever possible, retires them to her farm after they finish racing. She’s particularly fond of homebreds descended from Second Bar, a horse she raced and then stood at her Middleburg farm. Fout trained G’Day G’Day, who retired in 2012 after five years and 42 lifetime starts: 5-11-6. The homebred gelding (Eastern Echo – Say Farewell, by Second Bar) started over hurdles and transitioned to timber, topping his 2010 triumph in the AlTurnadieu, one of Magalen O. Bryant’s homebreds, excels as a field hunter and, with Karen Russell, earned the reserve championship in the 2013 Theodora Randolph North lowance Timber at the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Races by returning in 2011 to win going away American Field Hunter Championship of America at Glenwood Park. Richard Clay photo by nearly seven lengths in the feature, the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, a four-mile timber stake.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

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Because so many steeplehas in partnership with her chase trainers use hunting to connephew, Clarke Ohrstrom, and I dition and prepare their timber see her maybe once or twice a horses, G’Day G’Day made a relyear,” said Richard Valentine atively easy transition to earning whose training stables are based his keep as a field hunter. Both at Whitewood. “Mrs. Bryant is Doug and his wife Beth Fout very knowledgeable, she knows hunted the horse, reputed to be a her horses’ bloodlines, she’s coveted ride to hounds. “Mrs. very to the point, and she has a Bryant adores him—she loves all good sense of humor. She’s a her horses, but especially him,” very nice person and a great said Karen Russell who has owner. It’s an honor to train for worked for Bryant for 19 years her and to have her horses here and manages her horse farm opat Whitewood, her family home eration in Middleburg. “He’s a and the farm where she grew good boy. He’s a brilliant up.” jumper.”

Valentine thinks that G’Day G’Day has several Dakota Slew, Bryant’s winner at siblings, out of Bryant’s homethe Virginia Fall Races, has a lot bred mare, Say Farewell (by Secof potential. “He’s a horseman’s ond Bar). Two younger brothers ride—we don’t do speed works are racing: Adios Diablo (timber) with him, because he gets a little Magalen O. Bryant’s US racing manager Cynthia Tucker Curtis with Travers winner V.E. Day, and Last Farewell, trained by too buzzed,” said Valentine. “He ridden by Javier Castellano, in the winner’s circle at Saratoga Racetrack in August.

Larry Curtis, is running on the doesn’t take a lot of training.

Robert McClanahan photo flat. “Turnadieu is G’Day’s half We’ve always liked this horse sister, and I taught her to hunt,” said Russell. “Last year she was second in the fi- and thought a lot of him. He has more maturing to do. He’s by Slew City Slew, nals of the [North American Theo A. Randolph] Field Hunter Championships at bred by Larry Curtis in Kentucky. He ran in the three-year-old hurdles—he’s plenty Glenwood Park. She was very keen, stood way off her jumps—very impressive.” fast enough—and started over timber in 2012. Mentally and physically, he prefers Russell should know: she was riding Turnadieu. Russell and Natalie Wales longer distance races.” bring along the youngsters, exercise and school the riding horses at Bryant’s farm Just like his owner, really: Bryant is still going strong, full of spirit, passion, in Middleburg. They are also honorary whippers-in with Orange County Hounds. and life. Best of all, she holds a special place in her heart for all of her horses and A few years ago, John Coles, jt-MFH OCH, called and asked if Russell could help ponies, but especially for her beloved homebreds like G’Day G’Day and the other out and whip-in. “I said they’re Mrs. Bryant’s horses, you have to check with her,” horses with Second Bar in their pedigrees. Right now, you can bet that she feels recalled Russell. “He called Mrs. Bryant and she said it was fine. So, Natalie and great affection for V.E. Day after his impressive performance in the Travers. If she I hunt fairly often and help whip-in. I’m very lucky. Mrs. Bryant is such a great per- has any regrets, it may be that she doesn’t ride anymore, because V.E. Day is reson to work for and she’s so generous about letting me ride and hunt and enjoy her puted to be a wonderful horse to gallop. wonderful horses.”

“Mrs. Bryant used to hunt, she grew up racing and riding and she’s very good Ponies about bloodlines and she understands the horse business, understands the ups and Thoroughbreds are definitely Bryant’s major interest, but she’s also a pony downs,” said Tucker Curtis. “Mrs. Bryant is a horsewoman. She always says ‘you breeder. Catherine P. Mack (The Plains, VA) first met Bryant because their children have to have more heart than the horse.’” attended the same school. “When Maggie was very young, she and her father brought the first Connemaras to the US, a couple of stallions and a couple of broodmares,” recalled Mack, who stood Aladdin, an imported purebred stallion, long before the breed got really popular here. “They named the first ponies they bred and foaled in the US Whitewood Irish Adam and Whitewood Irish Eve. I ended up with Eve, and she was a wonderful pony. Maggie just wanted to breed these horses for her children.”

Bryant’s children are grown, but there are new generations of riders to encourage. She keeps a Welsh Section B pony stallion and one pony broodmare at her Middleburg farm. Lemontree True Blue (by Rowfantina Truly Scrumptious out of Top Blue Magic, by Gayfields Rambeau) is quiet enough to use for pony rides for her grandchildren. Purchased originally as a teaser, he gets occasional bookings for his own mares. Ten years ago, on a Chronicle of the Horse forum, a pony breeder stated that Lemontree True Blue “is undoubtedly the best kept secret on the east coast.”

Goals Harking back to the Travers, Haskin wrote that, when he reminded Bryant that “you’re never too old to achieve great things in this sport and that California Chrome’s trainer, Art Sherman, was 77 before he had a horse like this, Mrs. Bryant said, ‘Heck, that’s a baby. I’m 85 and I don’t give a damn anymore what anybody thinks. I still have lots to do. And today was the first goal.’”

Bryant has the right spirit. She also has the means to fulfill her own bucket list and to continue her good works, serving (in the past and currently) on various boards and supporting many organizations and causes. Bryant is passionate about land conservation and in 2011 earned the Land Conservation Trust of Virginia’s Conservationist of the Year Award. A resident of northern Fauquier County for more than 50 years, she was one of the first to put her land, more than 1,000 acres just outside Middleburg, under permanent conservation easement. She founded Virginia Fall Races National Sporting Library and Museum Cup Tara Wildlife with 9,000 acres (as stated on the website) of hardwood forests and Dakota Slew (Jacob Roberts, up) – 1st. Douglas Lees photo oxbow lakes in easement along the Mississippi River. She served two terms (six years) as chair of the board of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and has [Special thanks go to Steve Haskin, who granted permission to harvest from his earned the reputation of leading by doing.

Blood-Horse post, “A Victory For The Family” (Aug. 25, Hangin’ With Haskin).

“I have trained a handful of Mrs. Bryant’s horses over the years and a few she LRG]

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

FOXHUNTING

Try Back: A Stroll With Robards

By John J. Carle, II, ex-MFH “As times run the river, we purchase with memory the pieces of it that were better, purer, happier. The ways that are no longer available in the emporiums of the present we seek in the only place they remain: the small, quaint shops of the past.” Mike Gaddis It was August, 1973 and I was in Adair, Ireland, with my family, staying at the Dunraven Arms. At the moment I was on the phone having a most difficult conversation with Lord Daresbury, Joint Master of the Limerick Foxhounds, whom I had met the previous spring when he had stayed with my aunt and uncle, Jean and John Carter, during the Bryn Mawr Hound Show. I wanted to visit the kennels and meet their young Huntsman, an Englishman named Hugh Robards who, in his brief tenure, had shown such extraordinary sport that he was the talk of the foxhunting world. His reputation had leapt the Atlantic, and hordes of American sporting folk clamored for the chance to bask in the glow of his genius. But for a while on this rainy evening, it seemed I’d be disappointed.

Hounds were going cubhunting the following morning at a distant fixture; and no, it wasn’t convenient that I follow. Lord Daresbury was about to go earthstopping, which made him rather snappish. When I asked if I could accompany him—having never stopped earths—his reply left no margin for error: “Hell, no!

I go alone!” But he said I could go on hound exercise in two days. “Call You,” he said.

“You?” I asked.

“Yes, You.” “Why me?”

“What? Are you daft? You, You… Robards!”

“Oh, Hugh! Yes, I will; and thank you.”

“Must be deaf!” he muttered as he abruptly hung up. Not quite the affable “Toby” from the Hound Show!

The Limerick’s lovely stone kennel complex was easy to find, although a bit farther away than I remembered from my 1967 visit. I’d never seen so many hounds in kennel as there were here, well on the far side of fifty couple. However, the numbers seemed down a bit from the “87 or so couple” kept in ’67, according to Paddy O’Reagan, kennel huntsman at the time. All Belvoir-tan, and almost as confusingly alike to the untrained eye as were Melvin Poe’s red ringnecked hounds at Orange County, they made a lovely sight. And silent. When I parked near the kennel and walked past, not a hound spoke. My Keswick hounds would have been ecstatic in greeting a visitor, but the Limerick lovelies barely glanced my way, eyes glued on a nearby building, from whence suddenly emerged a smiling Hugh Robards.

Hugh’s greeting was warm and genuine, and soon we were chattering away like life-long friends. When I told him I was going to carry the horn at Keswick for the first time that season, he was very encouraging and offered some helpful suggestions. Then: “Let’s be at it!” and he opened the kennel doors. Out flowed “40 or so” couple, silently purposeful, and down the driveway we marched. We turned up the narrow country lane, hounds filling the road ditch-to-ditch and stretching away in front of Hugh for twenty yards. Accompanying us was a newly-arrived (last night) whipper-in, who tagged along behind, and some coupled-up beagle-terrier crosses (used to bolt foxes from briar-tangles too tight for

Hugh Robards, Huntsman, Limerick Foxhounds, Ireland. circa 1975. Jim Meads photo

hounds to get into). I wondered what would happen should we encounter riot, for both the new boy and I would be useless. But I needn’t have worried, for these hounds were far too dignified to stoop to folly.

As we marched along, talking hunting, Hugh and I were like tiny, floating islands in a fast-flowing river, red with runoff. Hounds were acutely attuned to Hugh, with a concentration I’d never experienced and, at first, could scarcely believe. They totally ignored me, except for one beautiful young bitch who thrust her nose into my hand and licked my palm. Immediately hounds all around her growled, and she cringed with shame. She never came near me again. Then the first of a small number of cars appeared ahead, and at so quiet a word from Hugh that I could barely hear it, the entire pack drifted to the far ditch and, like a breaking wave, flowed partway up the roadside bank. In the wake of the car, back they flowed. After that they only needed a word when a car approached from the rear.

After an hour or so there appeared over a rise an old woman on a bicycle, zipping along with skirts and hair flying. “Now we’ll have some fun,” thought I. But no: the pack parted like the Red Sea, and she raced past, dropping a flirtatious quip on Hugh as she went.

A couple of miles farther we finally had a bit of excitement. Atop a small hill, from a blind farm-lane, out popped a herd of Holstein heifers. Upon suddenly encountering a sea of hounds, they whirled like polo ponies and, tails aloft, stampeded back from whence they’d come. Their departure was accompanied by a tirade of what was definitely not Sunday School language. Then, still muttering some colorfully imaginative phrases and scraping mud and manure off with a stick, the somewhat battered farmer appeared.

“Oh, hell, it’s only you!” he said, upon spying Hugh and his pack, and began to laugh. To Hugh’s offer of help he replied cheerfully, “Not likely. They’ll quieten.” And so away we went.

The rest of the walk was uneventful. Upon our arrival at the kennels, I asked Hugh how far we’d walked. With a twinkle in his eye, he replied, “Oh, maybe ten miles!” Probably not; but close. After putting his hounds away, Hugh turned to me and said, “If you’ve a minute, I could use some help.” One of his better, older bitches had a toe badly infected from a poisonous whitethorn puncture. The local vet was coming to amputate, and they needed help holding her. The old girl, a real demon for hunting, was already missing two toes, and she wasn’t real keen on the procedure. But, with me at her head and the new lad at t’other end, we kept her still; and the operation was over in a trice.

Then, after a welcome cup of tea, I had to say my good-byes, for my family and I had many more adventures planned all about the Emerald Isle.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

FOXHUNTING

A Frosty Middleburg Morning Story and photos by John J. Carle, II, ex-MFH The lovely lake at “Mt. Pleasant Farm” near Aldie, Virginia, steamed like a witch’s cauldron on this, the first really cold morning of autumn. It was 33 degrees in distant Rappahannock and 39 degrees at the Monday meet, but a field of eleven keen foxhunters had scraped the ice off their windshields to experience and marvel at the magic of Huntsman Hugh Robards and his superb pack of Middleburg hounds.

What a lovely sight the pack made when Hugh unboxed them: lean and fit, in good flesh without any summer excess. “Economical” could describe them: a perfect size for a foxhound for this or any other country, long of leg and deep of chest, they can fly their fences and cross country effortlessly all day. The picture they made clustered around Hugh’s rangy chestnut horse was one of mutual admiration and trust; hounds were where they wanted to be, which is as it should be.

At the appointed hour, with barely a murmur from Hugh, hounds quietly moved off. Field Master George Kuk, on a flashy paint, had his charges in close attendance. Behind George came his lovely and vivacious wife, Devon Zebrovious, aboard her versatile hunter, “Quest,” who the day before had been named Reserve Champion Virginia Field Hunter and Best Turned Out (immaculate today as well!), and also won sidesaddle honors at Harrisburg recently. Today, however, “Quest” carried his owner/rider astride. It was obvious that the members of this field were serious about their hunting, for there was a wonderful and most welcome lack of the deafening chatter that all too often characterizes the lack of appreciation for, and attention to, the pack of hounds that fields elsewhere show, even though they expect—yea, demand—to be shown sport. What a blessing for a Huntsman to have silence attend his young entry as they draw first covert! All heads down, with no cacophonous vocal distractions as they go about learning their trade. Encouraged by Hugh’s softly melodious voice, hounds entered covert immediately, and quietly went to work.

Well, young “Beamish” proved he was ready for his “A-Levels” in this first covert, the part-swamp, part-briarpatch below the lake’s dam. Along the bluff on the south side he opened with great excitement, just as a deer was viewed away. A caution from his Huntsman was unnecessary, for a fox closely followed the deer away and was viewed by Whippers-In Julie Robards and Libby Gilbert. As Libby closely watched him, Charlie ran under a coop, thinking, I’m sure, he’d watch hounds away on riot. But to his chagrin, here came the pack with an absolute thunder-clap of cry that sent young Charles rocketing into “White Stone Farm.” Turning in a large, left-handed circle, the pack was flying, pressing their fox hard and announcing their every intention with music that mixed the beauty of a heavenly choir with the exuberance of a marching band. And it seemed the harder they ran, the higher they cranked the amplifiers. As that old rogue hero and role-model from the antiquity of my youth, former Keswick Huntsman Andrew Branham, so often said

to me, “Brings tears to your eyes, don’t it, Boy?” Brought ’em to mine—unashamedly. How this young pack (6½ couple of young entry out of 17½ out) kept the pressure on: with scent apparently breast-high despite a southeast wind, they never checked (“adjusted” occasionally), and drove their pilot back to his home covert. Here Libby Gilbert viewed him as he crossed the “Mt. Pleasant” dam. Soaked from the wet grass, stained to the shade of Brazilian mahogany, he was wasting no time; yet the pace had taken its toll, and he veered back into the thickets, where he went to ground.

After making good the ground, Hugh lifted his pack across Oatlands Road and threw-in at “The Institute” (where Wednesday of that week saw the Bassets return for their Fall Trials). At this point I was what Mr. Hardaway calls “a throwed-out dog.” My quest around the perimeter of the beagling grounds proved fruitless; and then, once atop the far western hillside, I heard hounds open and go away on a fox from almost opposite the Meet. By the time I got back to Oatlands Road, they were gone. A lady driving past said they’d run a fox through her yard, to the great amusement of her beagles. Beyond that, I had to get a partial report from Devon Zebrovious, who had returned to the Meet, having given her wonder horse to a friend whose horse had lost a shoe.

When Hugh, hounds, and First Flight returned, I got the whole story. The “Institute” fox, unfortunately—but probably purposely—had run through impossible country to the immediate east, unpaneled and unlikely to ever be (when city moves to the country!).

Hounds were gently stopped, and then drew eastsoutheast. Finding an apparent visitor almost immediately, they were away like Scud missiles, slicing diagonally through extensive woodland to cross former Master Mrs. Rodion Cantacuzene’s “Land Fall Farm,” and race to Tail Race Road beyond Aldie. Running with fierce purpose, this superb pack drove their pilot relentlessly all the way to historic “Oak Hill,” which borders Route 15 on the last lap to Leesburg.

Their anxious Huntsman caught up with his darlings at a brief check along a dense hedgerow, where their red racer had successfully sought refuge. With the menacing growl of nonstop traffic echoing from nearby, Hugh blew for home.

Back at the Meet, Whippers-In Libby Gilbert (a lifelong foxhunter/basseter with her father, John Gilbert, at Essex) and Cary Shefte, a Middleburg stalwart, were effusive in praise of their Huntsman. Libby talked of the joy of working under Hugh, the laughter and the learning, the trust and confidence she feels for him. Cary, wide-eyed, said that the way he brings on young hounds is “absolutely awesome.” His quiet, loving, kind way with hounds inspires an unbreachable bond. And, she added, his ability to stay with hounds in a difficult country he hasn’t had time to learn thoroughly (one year as Kennel Huntsman and First Whipper-In under his former protégé, Barry Magner) is amazing. Born of instinct and a lifetime of “doing it,” this is a rare gift. It’s “Hunting Sense,” and all too few have it anymore. Hugh talked briefly about the difference between these Bywaters Americans and his beloved Old English, Belvoir-bred hounds. He sat quietly, a slightly sad look on his face, nostalgic of course, then he said, “It’s taken a while to learn to leave these hounds alone. They work so much better that way.” After reflecting a moment, he said, “I love the nose and cry. They’re the best for this country.”

Amen, brother!

Helluva cubhunting morning, Hugh! So whatcha gonna do for an encore?

9

Professional Whipper-in Libby Gilbert.

Hugh Robards.

Whipper-in Julie Robards.

Hugh Robards.

Honorary Whipper-in Carey Shefte.

10

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

SHOWING

Tryon Equestrian Center Looks Back, Plans Future

By Jackie Burke

Ernst Mahler and his son Pete en route to winning the family class at Harmon Field, where Olympic team horses were stabled for winter training. Mahler, director of the USET, brought the team to Tryon in 1956, ’58, and ’60. Photo courtesy of Ernst Mahler, Jr. Artist’s rendering.

The new Tryon International Equestrian Center in Polk County, North Carolina, paid homage to five stars who brought fame and glory to the area in a former age by naming the five—yes, five—arenas in their honor. Three of these luminaries are deceased: Gordon Wright, Jarrett Schmid, and Carter P. Brown. But Betty Reynolds Oare and the legendary George Morris were on hand as honorees at the facility’s opening ceremonies on October 5.

Appropriately, Morris’s name was allotted to the grand prix arena, which was used for the first time that day, featuring a $100,000 class, won by Chester VDL, ridden

by Amanda Flint for the Coverboy Group.

Tryon Equestrian group’s managing partner Mark Bellissimo and Roger Smith were the pair who pinpointed the south central site, midway between Florida and the Northeast, where the new center staged three shows this summer, and several this fall, in a “soft opening” before the big October 5 launch. The two, along with other partners, are also part of the team that owns the Wellington winter show grounds (WEF) and in September staged the first ever horse show in NYC’s Central Park.

Carter Brown got Tryon’s equestrian scene rolling in 1918 when he opened the Pine Crest as winter quarters to compliment his popular summer resort on Lake Michigan. Visitors, who included major industrialists and businessmen, liked what they saw in the mountain community just south of Asheville, and stayed.

The genial hotelier also founded the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club in 1925, The Tryon Hounds and the Tryon Horse Show in 1926, as well as the Block House Steeplechase in 1947. Too, Brown and neighbors created a unique—now oft copied—public-private trail system linking and protecting equestrian “greenways” around the horsey neighborhoods.

The steeplechase, now held at Foothills Equestrian and Nature Center, still bears the Block House name after a frontier fortress established in 1756. Brown relocated and preserved the old structure, which overlooked the original course, which crossed boundaries of two states and three counties.

The Reynolds clan moved to Tryon in 1939 when patriarch J. Arthur Reynolds responded to Brown’s newspaper ad for a position as huntsman for the Tryon Hounds and manager of the tony Pine Crest Inn’s hack

barn.

Daughter Betty and son Bucky were born in Tryon and learned to ride following the Tryon Hounds. The siblings topped junior hunter and horsemanship classes in those days.

Betty Reynolds Oare continues to dominate amateur-owner competition. Bucky, who like his sister now lives in northern Virginia’s hunt country, trains show horses—including Betty’s—and is among leaders in the hunter breeding handler division.

Bucky, Betty, her husband Ernie Oare, and sisterin-law Linda Reynolds are all A-rated judges and USEF and Virginia Horse Shows Association committee members.

Gordon Wright’s first trip to Tryon was the stuff of legend in the 1950s. Wright and several New Yorkbased clients decided to head south one winter to foxhunt. The religiously diverse group, turned away by another North Carolina hunt, called Brown to see if he would have them. Brown said, “Come on. We’ll have a hot dinner waiting and stalls bedded,” the story goes.

With good hunting and the warm welcome, Wright is said to have declared, “I’ll just start my own hunt here.” True to his word, Wright organized the Greenville County Hounds, which later merged with the Green Creek Hounds.

Wright and one of his major NY clients, Jarrett Schmid, went partners to purchase the Reynolds’ home place and named their farm for the trail riding area across from Wright’s Secor Farms. The pair also jointly owned Naute Mia, who won 43 championships, 222 blue ribbons, all in top rated shows.

Like Schmid, Wright eventually retired to the area, spending his final years on a farm he built in nearby Gowensville.

George Morris, Wright’s star pupil and disciple, came to Tryon as a teen in 1956 to train with the US Equestrian Team, which had winter quarters in Tryon in 1956, 1958, and 1960. Nineteen-year-old Morris wasn’t selected for the team in 1956, but won team gold at the 1959 Pan Am games, and in Rome took the team silver in 1960.

“Back then, the USET didn’t have a permanent base,” Morris explained. “The town [of Tryon] more or less adopted us.”

Horses were stabled at Harmon Field, the town’s public park, while riders were billeted by local families, who all but spoon-fed them gourmet lunches at noon time. At the direction of Tryon Hounds’ MFH and USET Director Ernst Mahler, everything was absolutely free for the team from nuts and bolts to bales of hay to a European style grand prix course built by the Kuhns family at their Cotton Patch Farm. Other training arenas also were built to the specifications of Bertalan de Némethy, the team’s newly hired coach The USET shifted to Gladstone, NJ, the Reynolds family relocated to Virginia, and the older generation passed away. Yet Tryon remained largely unchanged— leafy, sleepy, and uncrowded. Tryon fell into what Morris described as a “time warp, and isn’t it lucky.”

A New Generation It was this unchanged tapestry with its staid tradition for equestrian sports that became an open canvas for the new Tryon International Equestrian Center.

“What Mark Bellissimo and Roger Smith have done here is positively brilliant,” Morris said. “I’ve lived long enough to have seen all the great venues, in Europe and in Calgary, and [TIEC] measures up. It’s world class.”

Erik Olsen photo.

11

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

Roger Smith and his wife Jennifer left Atlanta congestion for the Tryon area more than a decade earlier. The Smiths built a Kentucky style showcase and expanded the Green Greek Hound’s hunt territory with the purchase of thousands of more acres.

Smith said he was drawn to Polk County’s interesting culture, as well as equestrian sport.

Bellissimo and wife Katharine had often visited their friends the Smiths in North Carolina. Later research revealed the Smiths had settled at a midpoint roughly halfway between the major Mid-Atlantic/Northeast show venues and the Florida winter show facilities. Polk County, North Carolina is, literally, the epicenter of good 12month-a-year weather—the fewest heating and cooling days in the Eastern US, protected by high surrounding maintains from major storms and no threats from the hurricanes that can threaten the Florida show grounds, which Bellissimo purchased in 2006.

Things began to gel for Smith and Bellissimo, already partners in WEF, last year when they purchased White Oak, a partially-built golf course and equestrian community, in a bankruptcy auction.

When plans were announced for a major new hunter-jumper horse show center, local residents were astounded and the greater equestrian world incredulous that such a remote site had been selected. But the 1,400 mostly wooded, undeveloped acres that back up to the White Oak tract fronts an existing Pea Ridge exit off a four-lane limited access federal highway within a few minutes of I-26 and is located a half hour’s drive from Charlotte’s major international hub. In short, Pea Ridge was perfect, just what the creators imagined as a dream horse show destination.

Dream Team When entertainment magnate Sheila Johnson signed on to build a glitzy hotel on the show grounds, the final part of the puzzle dropped into place. Her new 150-room hotel is projected to open in 2016, with a 200-room spa in 2017. It comes not a moment too soon to a growing area currently lacking in nearby accommodations, say TIEC officials. The hotel follows an equestrian theme Johnson established at her Salamander Resort and Spa, opened in 2013 in Middleburg, Virginia.

Some on-grounds accommodations are already available, including six fully-fitted 2,800 square foot deluxe rental log cabins, with others almost ready. The just opened RV park on the show grounds has proved wildly popular with road-weary horse show horsemen.

Johnson, on hand for TIEC’s grand opening, said she, like Bellissimo, sort of “backed” into the horse business. “I absolutely got into all this when [daughter] Paige wanted to take riding lessons.” The Johnson family’s access to riding expertise found in Middleburg launched then-teenaged Paige from success on junior hunters to, at age 29, prizes in grand prix.

Johnson bought and renovated the stately Salamander Farm just south of town, and opened the gourmet Salamander Market in the village before creating her resort just north of town. She compares Middleburg and Tryon, saying both hotels “fill a void. Middleburg had its cute B & Bs, [providing not many rooms,] but no destination resort.”

Johnson, who stood with Morris to present prizes for Tryon’s first $100,000 grand prix on opening weekend, laughed when asked if her daughter’s first riding lessons had led her to this point. “ You just never know where life is going to take you,” she said.

Renaissance He’s an unlikely, though not unwilling, equestrian mogul.

It was his daughters’ summer camp riding lessons that brought Bellissimo out of early retirement to an all new career as hunter-jumper developer.

He purchased the financially stressed Wellington Equestrian Festival in 2003.

Bellissimo bought the Middleburg-based Chronicle of the Horse magazine in 2013.

In what most consider his boldest move yet, Bellissimo convinced the city of New York to permit him to use Central Park for its first-ever horse show this September. He signed on NBC television to broadcast live the show’s highlight, a $200,000 grand prix, during prime time.

Bellissimo envisions TIEC as a total resort for the family—sports bar to bring sparkle back to dad’s eyes after too many hunter rounds, tennis courts, a pool and climbing wall to keep Junior from the “not another horse show” eye roll.

And as for competition, Bellissimo is not just going for USEF Premier but world ranked FEI-rated events. The giant indoor arena (240’ by 400’), already being booked by other horse disciplines, opens this winter. Four new grass arenas should take hold for summer competition, where the layout can be reconfigured for polo, hunter derbies, and grand prix courses with European-style banks and other obstacles.

A Personal View of Tryon International Equestrian Center: Insider’s Insight When the first grand prix competitor entered the arena July 4, 2014, at Tryon International Equestrian Center’s newly opened facility, a band might have broken into “This Could be the Start of Something Big.” The sweet mountain air wafting down the nearby Blue Ridge seemed to whisper that the kickoff event at TIEC was just the beginning of something special.

So quickly has TIEC risen from the eastern edge of North Carolina’s Piedmont region that it would make for an interesting time-lapse video. Over 1½ million cubic yards of dirt have been shifted, 6.7 miles of underground cable laid, 300,000 pounds of specially formulated, all-weather geotextile footing have been put down. But site diagrams and numbers can’t possibly describe the activity that’s been required to bring the $100 million facility so far so fast since breaking ground just this past winter.

The hilltop parking area just off the interstate provides the best perspective. From there, you can watch a half-dozen giant mining trucks shuffle back and forth. Giant

TIEC’s jumper vision has been strong since the start. Each ring has its own small schooling area, plus shaded area for final prep. Spectators view from raised decks, with plenty of comfortable seating available. Shown in the background are a few of the stable blocks, with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains beyond. Erik Olsen photo.

cranes and highway-sized graders that munch and put in place materials render ordinary vehicles to the size of matchbox toys by comparison.

While life here in Tryon is typically quite slow and sedate, buildings at TIEC have sprung up like spring mushrooms—what was bare ground during the first week of showing this fall became a comfortable inside cafe by week two. A crew putting the finishing touches on the Venetian carousel centerpiece to the family play area said they had seating for the grand prix arena set up in three short days, the ring itself, from bare dirt to opening day in seven.

Bellissimo said that the team he assembled both understands how to get the job done and is committed to the mission, which promised long term employment in a part of the country which has seen its once thriving cotton mills go overseas. Sub-contractors include 67 local companies hiring a majority of local workers for the 600plus-man force.

Five hundred permanent show stalls have been completed, built with the safety and comfort of horses in mind. Each stall is fitted with overhead barrel fans, rubber matting, and full-length sliding doors. There is a locking tack room on each row of the center-aisle barns, with covered wash racks between each stable block.

Everything is designed for a thorough hosing down between events.

Arenas were built just steps from the L-shaped stable complex. There are two large schooling areas on the grounds, but each arena also offers a smaller schooling area for competitors’ final preparations.

Human niceties include raised walks with shaded viewing areas between arenas, wi-fi throughout, and picnic tables with bright umbrellas have been placed outside each barn.

I talked to Florida show rider Jessie Smith at one of the picnic tables after the last class on October 5. She explained that her barn came “on the spur of the moment” with trainer Allison Firestone Robitaille. “We had heard all about the new show grounds from Betty Oare, who saw it in June. We thought, why not take a look.”

Smith said they will definitely be back next season, but not only for the obvious reasons. In addition to the quality of competition arenas, Smith factors another draw.

“They just have so many darn nice indoor restrooms.”

Show secretary Jen Hicks predicts that as word spreads, TIEC will easily need the additional 500 stalls in the works for the six-month season in 2015.

She says articles in horse magazines have started the ball rolling, and local newspaper stories have drawn spectators, but Hicks credits social media for the wildfire spread of the word about TIEC. Those who come like what they see and send reports to their Facebook friends.

Thanks to the buzz about TIEC, friends who asked me “Where is Tryon?” when I moved here three years ago are now jostling in line to come visit.

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12

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

BOOK REVIEWS Two Additions to Popular Series and a Hunting Diary

By Lauren R. Giannini

Dick Francis’s Damage by Felix Francis This is a well-crafted mystery about attacks on British racing via the horses, jockeys, stewards, and even a racecourse (no spoilers, sorry). Protagonist Jeff Hinkley works as an investigator for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and his efforts are enhanced by an unusual skill set that includes disguise, subterfuge, and surveillance techniques, thanks to years in the British Army Intelligence Corps.

Damage starts at the Cheltenham Racing Festival with Hinkley tailing a trainer, banned from all racecourses for horses testing positive for prohibited drugs. Jeff, working undercover for the BHA, follows at a discreet distance, but isn’t close enough to prevent the trainer from slashing a bookmaker’s throat. The murder leads to several story threads, which Francis weaves into an engrossing tapestry of sabotage, doping, race-fixing, and extortion, spiced by detours into compelling dramas involving people within Hinkley’s own life.

With everyone’s racing-related livelihoods at the BHA threatened by “Leonardo’s” clever attacks, Hinkley sticks out his neck to be scapegoated and “dismissed” in order to continue his covert investigations. As the BHA loses confidence in his ability to identify the diabolical mastermind, let alone sort out the ensuing mess, the suspense finds a new gear about the same time that Hinkley decides that the attacks on racing have to be a BHA inside job. He also learns the hard way that his life is in danger.

While his late parents’ influence and legacy live on in their son’s novels, Felix Francis has been growing into his own as a writer and developing his own very distinctive voice. Felix’s protagonist in Damage verbalizes thoughtfully to the point of introspection, more human and emotional than most of the protagonists in mysteries authored by his father. The partnership between Dick and Mary, his wife of 54 years, came to light after her passing in 2000: they had collaborated on his mysteries, both contributing vitally to the success of each masterfully told tale. Their prose was sparse, lean, full of action and drama, drawing the reader into the web of suspense from the first sentence.

Now, however, enthusiasts are being treated to the heir apparent of the Master of Mystery as he comes of age and follows his own destiny. Francis fils sets a pace uniquely his own, and his writing is like a good horse that needs the distance of the Grand National to hit top gear and finish well. Hinkley’s interactions with other people make him an interesting puzzle of a man. He’s committed to his work, not quite sure about Lydia (the woman he thinks he loves), very close to his sister Faye (having a horrific health crisis), helpful albeit not chummy with his brother-in-law (asks a huge favor), and totally committed to going over the top to do his job. It will be interesting to see where Francis goes with this character as he has already promised to feature Jeff Hinkley in another mystery. Bring it on!

Hardcover, 400 pages, $26.95. Signed copies available at Horse Country.

Call 800-882-4868 to order.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie by Rita Mae Brown Rita Mae Brown dishes up another Jefferson Hunt mystery, featuring “Sister” Jane Arnold, in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie. The action gets underway when Jane and

From back in the day: Virginia Gold Cup, 1980s: Jeannie Waldron; author Dick Francis; Joan Jones, MFH; James L. Young, MFH.

her troupe of enthusiasts travel to Kentucky for a joint meet with the Woodford Hounds. A nasty pogonip (sleet and fog storm) ruins the day’s sport and thoroughly chills Sister Jane, who accompanies her whipper-in friend O.J. (Other Jane), herself a Master of Foxhounds. The uneasy feeling caused by the pogonip’s bone-penetrating chill doesn’t really go away, and the evening’s social festivities are somewhat subdued by the discovery of human and canine skeletons in the grave of a horse called Benny Glitters.

The Jefferson Hunt cast of characters is back, including Walter Lungren, Gray Lorillard, huntsman Shaker Crown, whipper-in Betty Franklin, Tootie Harris (who fled Princeton to return to the hunt), and whipper-in Sybil, to name but a few humans. The fauna have their voice and place of importance: strike hound Cora, steady hound Asa, Diana, Dragon, Dasher et al, the horses, foxes, birds, and Sister Jane’s trio: canines Raleigh and Rooster, and Golliwog the grumpy cat.

Brown’s plot thickens as Mercer Laprade, bloodstock agent, becomes doggedly determined to prove he’s right, that the skeletal remains in that horse grave in Kentucky belong to his grandfather, who disappeared back in 1921. Of course, as things turn out, someone is willing to kill to keep the truth from being known. Subplots include Tootie, who helps move the story with her computer skills while garnering support for her independence and desire to become a vet; an outlaw pack of hounds and Crawford Howard create their own havoc; Uncle Yancey (fox) moves into great winter quarters; and wealthy widower Kasmir Barbhaiya receives a sign of romantic approval from his late wife.

The Sister Jane series is more focused on the foxhunting world than is Brown’s other current line, her Mrs. Murphy mysteries. But whether you’re a fox chaser or not, Brown’s storytelling skills will keep you entertained throughout.

Hardcover, illustrations, 304 pages. $26.00. Signed copies available at Horse Country. Call 800-882-4868 to order.

See You At Second Horses by Barclay Rives Reviewed by J. Harris Anderson In See You At Second Horses, Barclay Rives recounts his 1999 hunting trip to England, accompanied by his good friends Grosvenor and Rosemarie MerleSmith. Grosvenor was then MFH and Huntsman at Virginia’s Bull Run Hunt where Barclay whipped-in (in addition to his staff duties at the Keswick Hunt Club). Grosvenor is a former MFH at Ireland’s Golden Vale and he and Rosie are now joint-masters at the Tennessee Valley Hunt.

The Americans saw beautiful scenery between horses’ ears: green pastures, villages clustered around stone churches, hedges, and board fences. Barclay learned to jump fences at unaccustomed speed, heeding advice he had received in America to crouch forward and trust a good horse.

(Some of his assigned mounts met that criterion, others not so much.) The trio enjoyed extraordinary hospitality and learned the origin of the expression “paint the town red.”

Four years later Barclay made a solo trip to Ireland where he discovered that foxhunting on “The Ould Sod” demands even greater fortitude. He experienced a cordial welcome and much Irish charm, as well as hunting moments he doubted he would survive.

Always entertaining and at many times hair-raising, these well-told tales take the reader on wild rides across open country and over ditches, hedges, stone walls, and anything else that got between hunters and hounds… and made sure they eventually got back to the pub.

Softcover, 198 pp, $29.95. Signed copies available at Horse Country. Call 800-882-4868 to order.

Felix Francis at booksigning for Damage at Horse Country.

Barclay Rives at author booksigning at Horse Country.

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29

17

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

13

Coyote Specialist to Talk at Belle Meade Hunt Week

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Hunt Week 2015 January 18 - 24

Hunt Month 2015 Jan. 18 - Feb. 28

Thomson, GA

• • • • • • •

Lots of Hunting, Social Events and Southern Hospitality Family Friendly Environment - Children Welcome Four Flights for Foxhunters of all Levels Hunt Breakfasts and Stirrup Cups Tally Ho Wagons for Non-Riders Hunt Ball with Silent Auction and The Root Doctors Annual Performance Trials February 26-28

Epp Wilson, MFH

706-449-1771

eppwilson@foxborocompany.com

www.bellemeadehounds.com

Georgia’s Belle Meade Hounds announced a special event for the 2015 “Gone Away With The Wind” Hunt Week, Jan. 18 to 24: Renowned coyote expert Stanley D. Gehrt, PhD—one of the most popular speakers to address MFHA Staff seminars—will share knowledge and insights harvested from 14 years of intense study of this elusive “wild dog” species. Dr. Gehrt’s talk on Thursday morning, Jan. 22, will be followed by a luncheon.

Gehrt, Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Extension Specialist at the Ohio State University, has been the principal investigator in the largest study of urban coyotes ever conducted. He has tracked hundreds of coyotes and observed their ongoing quest to colonize urban environments in Chicago and via projects in Ohio and Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island.

Dr. Stanley Gehrt, PhD, noted At Belle Meade, Gehrt’s talk will cover reproduccoyote expert, will share his tion, behavior, habitat preferences, population dynamknowledge and insights on ics, including survival and mortality, their ecology, and January 22, 2015, as part of relationships with other wildlife species. He has great Belle Meade Hunt’s “Gone Away understanding of how coyotes function, what makes With The Wind” Hunt Week. them successful, and the challenges of humans living in increasing proximity to them.

“On a professional level, coyotes are fascinating, because they are one of the few species that seem to be immune to our efforts to control them,” said Gehrt. “I have a personal fascination with them because they humble me daily. Once you think you have them figured out, they remind you how little you really know.”

This is a rare opportunity to listen to an expert speak about the quarry that has taken over the country surrounding many packs of foxhounds. The presentation is included for guests who registered for “Gone Away With The Wind” Hunt Week as riders and non-riders. Everyone is welcome; if you are not registered for Hunt Week, tickets must be purchased in advance for the talk and luncheon.

Belle Meade’s “Gone Away With The Wind” Hunt Week is a fun-filled, total immersion sporting and social experience steeped in Southern hospitality that takes place in 35,000 acres of country. Four flights (two jumping, two non-jumping) led by experienced field masters cater to every enthusiast. Families and children are very welcome.

Please visit: www.bellemeadehounds.com—all forms and information can be found on the home page. For questions, contact: Epp Wilson, MFH: 706-449-1771 or EppWilson@foxborocompany.com or Angela Smith, Hon. Sec’y, C: 706-833-3104 or ke4nnr@classicsouth.net.

14

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

FIELD HUNTER TRIALS

A Fall Full of Field Hunters

By J. Harris Anderson The first human to climb onto the back of a horse created a revolution in transportation. The second person to do so created competition. There’s been no shortage of that spirit this autumn.

PFH Hunter Trial: Jeanne Clark, MFH-Casanova Hunt, Low Hunter Champion on Boardwalk Empire. Middleburg Photo

PFH Hunter Trial: Carol Farnow, Piedmont Fox Hounds, Adult Amateur Champion on Sequro Que Si. Middleburg Photo

Piedmont Fox Hounds Field Hunter Trial The fall fun got underway on September 28 when the Piedmont Fox Hounds (PFH) hosted a Field Hunter Trial at MFH Shelby Bonnie’s Salem Farm in Upperville, Virginia. A fundraiser for the club’s new kennels construction project, this open event saw 86 horses and riders compete over a course of 10-12 jumps all simulating natural hunt country, such as coops, post and rails, stone walls, gates, brush, and logs.

Divisions were offered for horses and riders of all levels. The winners were: Children’s Hunter: Beverly Alcock, “Martigraw” (Piedmont) Junior Hunter: Hayley Alcock, “Long Johns” PFH Hunter Trial: Hayley, Beverly, and Nancy Alcock, (Piedmont) Piedmont Fox Hounds, winners of the Hunt Team Class.

Hilltopper: Olivia Johnson, “Lollipop” Middleburg Photo (Piedmont) Low Hunter: Jeanne Clark, “Boardwalk Empire” (Casanova) Adult Amateur Hunter: Carol Farnow, “Seguro Que Si” (Piedmont) Open Hunter: Frankly My Dear, Katie Gardner Hunt Teams: “Positively Piedmont” Hayley, Beverly, and Nancy Alcock Huntland Derby: Jill Wilson, “Apple” (Keswick) Best Turned Out Hilltopper: Christie Fitzsimmons Best Turned Out First Flight: Eduardo Coria (Casanova) Leading Junior Rider: Hayley Alcock (Piedmont) Leading Adult Amateur Rider: Carol Farnow (Piedmont) Leading Professional Rider: Jill Wilson (Keswick) High Point Hunt Challenge: Piedmont Fox Hounds PFH Hunter Trial: Jill Wilson of Keswick Hunt

NAFHC: (l-r) Denali, ridden by Eduardo Coria, Casanova Hunt, Reserve Champion and Best Turned Out; Quest and Devon Zebrovious, Middleburg Hunt, Best Turned Out Reserve. Middleburg Photo

NAFHC: Laurie Ambrose, Piedmont Fox Hounds, and Grand Champion Stretch, flanked by Laurie’s husband, a proud Chris Ambrose.

Richard Clay photo

North American Field Hunter Championship Club riding Catherine Wheeler’s Apple, Huntland Derby winner. Middleburg Photo The North American Field Hunter Championship (NAFHC) is, as the name implies, open to all across the US and Canada. In reality, the fixed location for the championship finals in Virginia at Middleburg’s Glenwood Park results in a heavy concentration of participants from the Mid-Atlantic region, although some enthusiasts do haul in from more distant locales.

Entrants pay to ride with four Virginia hunts during the week before the championship finals.

Mounted judges ride along and select those deemed worthy of competing in the championship finals on Saturday. Riders selected early in the week have the option to continue hunting for the remainder of the week but are not required to do so.

The finalists then compete in a hack class, mock hunt, and, after the field is narrowed down to the final contestants, over a hunter course designed to test the horses’ manners and hunting abilities. (Technically, the horse is the “field hunter” and while the rider’s skills certainly play a significant role, the winning nod goes to the horse.) Trophies are awarded for Field Hunter Champion, Reserve Champion, Best Turned Out, Most Suitable, and Sportsmanship.

This competition was created in 1989 to honor the memory of Mrs. Theodora A. Randolph, Master of the Piedmont Fox Hounds for over 40 years. This year’s winners were: Grand Champion: Stretch, ridden by Laurie Ambrose, Piedmont Fox Hounds Reserve Champion: Denali, ridden by Eduardo Coria, Casanova Hunt Most Suitable Pair: Butterfly Painting and Rita Kaseman, Loudoun Fairfax Hunt Best Turned Out: Denali and Eduardo Coria, Casanova Hunt Best Turned Out Reserve: Quest and Devon Zebrovious, Middleburg Hunt NAFHC: Schiller and Allie Lawaetz, Palm Beach Sportsmanship Award: Schiller and Allie Lawaetz, Hounds, were cited for the Sportsmanship Award.

Palm Beach Hounds Richard Clay photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

NAFHC: Stretch, ridden by Laurie Ambrose, Piedmont Fox Hounds, shows his Grand Champion winning form. Richard Clay photo

Virginia Field Hunter Championship The Virginia version of a field hunter championship (VFHC) differs from its North American cousin in two ways. First, it’s an invitational event. The masters of Virginia hunts are invited to nominate two members to compete. There are no trials to qualify, but no open registration either. Second, the hosting duties rotate yearly based on the results. The hunt whose rider won is accorded the privilege of hosting the following year.

Other elements of the competition are similar to the broader field hunter championships. The day begins with the judging of Best Turned Out and a hack on the flat, followed by a mock hunt. Finalists are announced who then must negotiate a handy hunter course. Spectators gather to watch and cheer on their favorites. 2014 winners: Champion: Sur La Tete, ridden by Neil Morris, MFH, Orange County Hounds Reserve Champion: Quest and Devon Zebrovious, Middleburg Hunt (Quest and Devon also won Best Turned Out)

VFHC: Neil Morris, MFH, Orange County Hounds, and Grand Champion Field Hunter Sur La Tete receive the trophy platter from last year’s winner, Middleburg Hunt’s Tracey Cover, as Middlburg’s joint masters Jeff Blue and Penny Denegre hold up the trophy cooler sheet. Middleburg Photo

VFHC: Middleburg Hunt designed a Handy Hunter course complete with some unique challenges. Here Middleburg member Karen Nutt-Kingsley and Bijoux negotiate the hound rolltop.

OCH Team Chase, Old Whitewood Farm, The Plains, Virginia, Sunday, October 26, 2014 Junior Champion Hayley Alcock on Joey: Piedmont Fox Hounds. Richard Clay photo

Middleburg Photo

Orange County Hounds Team Chase The Orange County Hounds (OCH) variation is an adaptation of the English team chase. It’s akin to a Hunter Pace/Pair, with some elements of Handy Hunter, and a few original twists. Competitors must belong to an organized hunt (recognized, registered, farmers pack, etc.) and while a team can be made up of riders from different clubs, they must ride under a single team name. (Some catchy monikers have been created to meet that requirement.)

The day begins with Hilltopper Pairs, suitable for children or hilltopper adults, who compete over an infield course of 13 fences, 2’4” to 2’6”. Next comes Limited Hunters, teams of three to four riders who ride out over a 1½-mile course featuring 15 fences at 3’. The program deOCH Team Chase: Best Hunt Team scribes this class as suitable “For junior riders (age 16 or (l-r) Eliza van der Woude on Secret Adios, Sophia Vella on Curious George, Carmen Cantrel on Idle Hour Grace: Warrenton Hunt. younger), first year hunters, young horses, and/or riders of Richard Clay photo any age who desire a shorter course.” The day concludes with Genuine Hunters, also teams of three or four, riding horses that have been fairly hunted, over a 2½-mile course with 22 fences from 3’ to 3’6”.

After all Limited Hunter teams are in, six to eight junior riders are called back to hack and perform a handy hunter test individually.

Similarly, six to eight OCH Team Chase: Optimum Time (l-r) Middleburg Hunt’s George Kuk (Kalliopy), Holly Rachel OCH Team Chase: Hilltopper Genuine Hunters are Smith (The Count), and Devon Zebrovious (Quest) receive the Best Turned Out invited back for a simiaward from Jackie Mars of Orange County Hounds. (Nick GreenKathleen O’Keefe (rear) on Lefty Rosenlar individual test. well, riding Money, was also on the team but had to leave before thal, and Hilary Gerhardt on Oakfields Jensen: Casanova Hunt. Richard Clay photo

15

the award presentation.) Richard Clay photo

OCH Team Chase: First Flight Best Turned Out Kolby Noe on Pepper, Camila Coria on Shanti, Eduardo Coria on Denali, Jeanne Clark on Boardwalk Empire: Casanova Hunt. Richard Clay photo

OCH Team Chase: Adult Champion Kristin Dillon on Smooth Jazz, Piedmont Fox Hounds.

Richard Clay photo

16

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

PERSONALITIES Bobbie Wells: A Permanent Fixture

By W. Patrick Butterfield, MFH

medium pony named Fancy for her. While Sam worked with Sambo in football and little league baseball, many of Bobbie’s weekends were spent campaigning Logan and her pony at area horse shows.

In the mid-1970s, following the retirement of Grover and then Everett Sanner, Farmington Hunt hired a new huntsman, Jack Eicher. He and wife Donna and son Johnny had returned to Virginia after leaving the Litchfield Hunt in Connecticut. The Farmington Hunt Club was a constant hub of activity in the seventies and at this time Bobbie and Sam were very active in its social aspects, swimming at the pool in the summers and playing paddle tennis in the winter. The Eichers lived on the club property, and soon a lasting friendship developed between the Eicher family and Bobbie. Bobbie often babysat Johnny when Jack and Donna were away on joint meets or horse shows. Jack was an accomplished rider and he was adept at taking “difficult” horses and turning them into “good citizens.” Jack was also a real horse trader. He had a good eye and was very quick to assess the value of a piece of “horseflesh.” One of the horses that he found was a small buckskin mare that they named Sophie. Jack started Sophie but soon turned her over to Donna. Sophie was a bit small for Donna but she was very useful as a whipper-in’s mount. She was equally good in the field. Jack believed that Sophie would be the ideal horse for Bobbie and he persuaded Sam Wells to purchase the mare as a gift for Bobbie. It was a perfect fit, and Bobbie became a constant presence in the hunt field. She rode right up front with the field master, and Sophie sailed effortlessly over the coops and barways of the Farmington Hunt territory.

Bobbie Wells at a recent meet, still enjoying great sport, always setting an outstanding example.

Photo courtesy Farmington Hunt

I first met Bobbie Wells (née Roberta Mount) in the hunt field in the mid-sixties.

While we were at a check I noticed a very attractive, well turned out, petite woman riding a nice looking chestnut mare named April Spirits. The mare was a witch in the show ring, but like many horses she loved the hunt field. Bobbie, who is just shy of five feet tall, told me she couldn’t hold a lick of her, but fortunately the mare wasn’t going anywhere—just following along with the others.

Bobbie had that classical forward seat that one learned in the 1940s and ’50s.

Bobbie grew up in the Chicago suburbs and northern New Jersey. She began riding at an early age, and like many young girls she developed a lifelong love for horses. In her late teens she became a camp counselor and riding instructor at Camp Robin Hood in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where she developed some lasting friendships. Bobbie matriculated to Bradford Junior College (Haverhill, MA), where she concentrated on horses and boys. I once asked her if Bradford was a finishing school like neighboring Pine Manor. She said that if it were they failed with her. Her fondest college memories were the great beach parties they had down on the Cape. I think that she majored in Massachusetts’ geography with stress placed on sand dunes!

After completing her two years of study, Miss Mount secured a position teaching riding at Fairfax Hall in Waynesboro, Virginia. While there she escorted her students to horseshows in the surrounding counties. It soon became known among the young men in Charlottesville that there was “one hot little number” working across the mountain in Waynesboro. Several of them courted Bobbie and she eventually accepted a marriage proposal from Samuel B. Wells, a local realtor and native of Albemarle County. The newly weds first resided in a small apartment in Charlottesville. With the birth of son “Sambo” and, two years later, daughter Logan, the Wells family needed a bigger place. Sam had purchased a couple of acres on Free Union Road not far from Fox Fields. There they constructed a home designed by Sam’s father, Marshall Wells, a well-known classical architect, in which the Wells have resided for over 50 years.

Before their move to the “country,” Bobbie had already developed a working relationship with Grover Vandevender, the longtime charismatic huntsman for Farmington Hunt Club. She returned to teaching youngsters to walk, trot, and canter in the rings of Grover’s Fox Fields Riding Academy, often with Sambo in tow. Like many newly marrieds with young children, Bobbie didn’t have much time for foxhunting. Occasionally when Sam was not showing real estate and could watch the children, Bobbie was able to take one of Grover’s horses hunting. Logan, like her mother, had the horse “bug.” Bobbie and Sam purchased a

Very few people can say they hunted regularly with a Nobel laureate, two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, and a man widely considered a giant of American literature. Bobbie Wells is one of those few. In this undated photo are (l-r) William Faulkner, Bobbie Wells, Huntsman Grover Vandevender, and Mary Jordan. They are seated on a fence at what was then Grover’s Fox Fields Riding Academy, now home of the Foxfields Race Track. George Barkley photo

Bobbie Wells and Sophie, her best-ever hunting horse. Wells Family photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

17

Sophie proved her hunting prowess and Bobbie her mettle one day at Bailey’s Sawmill, a new fixture in the Free Union area. I was whipping-in at the time. Hounds found a fast running fox. He quickly circled the fixture and took a straight line into unopened country. Jack and I galloped across Catterton Road and jumped a fallen down fence line into the deserted Catterton farm bottomland. The low area was totally overgrown with tall lush weeds and clusters of multiflora rose…nasty stuff. Jack’s horse breasted a hidden barbed wire fence.

Fortunately the horse was not cut up. Jack dismounted, tore at the weeds, and covered the wire fence with his coat. Remounting, he backed his horse up and popped over the wire. I was next and was unsure what my horse would do…no problems. Robert Ashcom, the field Master, soon followed. Bobbie was right behind. I heard her ask, “What are we doing?” “Just jump the coat!” Bobby Ashcom snapped. Bobbie Wells always followed instructions. Bobbie and Sophie were a lasting combination. I have always heard it said that one is lucky to have one great hunting horse in one’s lifetime. Sophie was Bobbie’s.

When Grover died in1976, his close friend Marion de Tejeda purchased Fox Fields, Grover’s riding academy, to create the Foxfield Steeplechase Course, dedicated to his memory. At that time, Mrs. Wells wanted a part-time job and she became one of the local ladies who “manned” the Foxfield office. Those first few years were turbulent. Bobbie, having a thick skin and the ability to “get along with others,” managed to stay the course. Bobbie worked for Foxfield from 1978 to 2013. She is a master of organization. I came on board as the Race Director in 1990. Bobbie managed the office and ticket sales and I dealt with the rest. Those first few years were filled with drama but we all hung in there. We worked together for 23 years…there was no subject or person that was not discussed in that office. Fortunately Bobbie and I love to laugh a lot…and we did. There was always a lot of excitement and with every race we felt we had earned a new stripe on our uniform!

Today the Foxfield operation is much more modernized—you know, fancy computers, and all the works. I have no complaints. Despite the modernization, Bobbie’s system for the sale of reserved parking spaces is still in place. Our office staff is intelligent enough to keep a good thing when it works!

At the age of 80 Bobbie retired from Foxfield; fortunately she has not retired from the hunt field. At least two times a week you can see her, beautifully turned out on her mare Summer, helping Liz King lead the third flight. Bobbie is one of Farmington’s permanent fixtures.

Friday, December 12, 2014

18

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

RACING

Blue Ridge Fall Races Maiden Hurdle Perfect Union (Gerald Galligan, up) – 1st. Liz Callar photo

Blue Ridge Fall Races Open Hurdle Blazing Beryl (Gerald Galligan, up) – 1st. Liz Callar photo

Blue Ridge Fall Races Maiden Flat Tutuolo (Zoe Valvo, up) – 1st. Liz Callar photo

Blue Ridge Fall Races Maiden Timber Senior Senator (Eric Poretz, up) – 1st. Liz Callar photo

Fall Races

By Will O’Keefe

Blue Ridge Fall Races 9-20-2014 Steeplechase racing in Virginia resumed after a four month break at the Blue Ridge Fall Races on September 20 at Woodley Farm near Berryville, Virginia. This day of racing provides trainers an opportunity to prep their horses for the upcoming season, and no one took a greater advantage of this opportunity than Middleburg trainer, Doug Fout. He sent horses to the post in five of the six races and took home trophies after three races—the maiden and open hurdle races and the open timber race.

Stable rider Gerard Galligan was up on Fout’s first two winners. In the maiden hurdle race Beverly Steinman’s three-year-old, Perfect Union, won at first asking. He was reserved within striking distance while Gordonsdale Farm’s Storm Task (Willie McCarthy) set the pace. Perfect Union moved alongside Storm Task at the last fence and pulled away in the stretch to win by 1 length. Beverly Steinman’s Master of Markets (Kieran Norris) finished third just ahead of Betsy Mead’s Storyville (Jeff Murphy). The third and fourth placed finishers were also Fout trainees.

When the field turned for home in the open hurdle, there was little doubt that a horse owned by Margaret R. White and trained by Fout was going to win the race. The only question was would it be her maiden, Blazing Beryl (Gerard Galligan), or her winner, Mystery Maeve (Willie McCarthy). Blazing Beryl answered that question when she raced close to Mystery Maeve’s pace and pulled away in the stretch to a handy 3 length score.

The three-horse maiden timber race was the most exciting race on the card. Hunter’s Trap Farm’s Senior Senator (Eric Poretz) set most of the pace while opening a commanding lead. Only two remained when Zoe Valvo pulled up Triton Light, and it was left to Magalen O. Bryant’s Lea Von (ridden by Woods Winants and trained by Doug Fout) to make a race of it. Lea Von took up the chase and rallied to draw abreast of Senior Senator with a quarter mile to run. The race was on as these two dueled to the finish where Senior Senator proved best by a neck.

Fout greeted Magalen O. Bryant’s Adios Diablo (Kieran Norris) in the winners’ circle following the open timber race. In the early going Indian Run Farm’s Whodoyoucallit (Woods Winants) made most of the running in the three-horse field. Conrad Somers’ ownerridden Illustration ran in his shadow with Adios Diablo close up. With one more time to go around Whodoyoucallit was pulled up leaving Illustration with the lead; but Adios Diablo quickly joined him. In an instant he proved his superiority and romped home to win by 30 lengths. Doug Fout’s final line was three wins, three seconds, two thirds and a fourth. Not too bad of a day.

There is no special way to win a race. Sometimes the winner leads all the way, sometimes he comes from just off the pace and at other times the race is won with a late charge from way back. Two of these winning styles were exhibited in the two flat races. In the maiden race Zoe Valvo sent Jean L. Rofe’s Tutuola to the lead at once and was never seriously challenged winning by 8 lengths over Mason Lampton’s Carobelle (Kieran Norris). In the open race David Byrne rated Rosbrian Farm’s Argentine bred Wantan off the pace. He rallied in the last quarter mile and proved best by 1 length over Betsy B. Mead’s So Far Away (Willie McCarthy).

The junior and senior field masters chases were combined with Chris Harting winning the senior division on Two Is A Crowd, Ellen Brophy up on Modernly Millie to win the large pony division, and John Brophy winning the junior horse division on Royal Garden Blues.

Foxfield Fall Races 9-28-2014 After dominating the Blue Ridge Fall Races, the Virginia Steeplechase Association’s leading trainer, Doug Fout, and jockey Gerard Galligan continued to hold a hot hand at the Foxfield Fall Races on Sunday, September 28. These two got off to a quick start winning the first two races on the card.

In the maiden claiming hurdle race Sharon E. Sheppard’s Wicklow raced within striking distance, went to the lead on the last turn and held off Thomas E. Nugent’s Murphy’s Covert, who had forced the pace throughout and finished well. The final margin was ¾ of a length. Wicklow had prepped at Blue Ridge and was set up well to break his maiden.

Beverly Steinman’s Beamer (Galligan) had a hard earned ½ length win in the training flat race. He raced in third place down the backside, joined Noble Stables’ Kingofalldiamonds (Jacob Roberts) for a share of the lead at the head of the stretch and proved best in the final sixteenth in a driving finish.

Fout and Galligan may have gotten off to a quick start, but National Steeplechase Association leading rider, Willie McCarthy, and trainer Lilith Boucher matched their win total.

In the Virginia-bred or sired flat race Why Not Racing LLC’s Complete Dyno immerged from a tightly packed field to score a 1¼ length win. In the early going Celtic Venture’s Prima Facie (Ross Geraghty), who had won this race a year ago, took the lead. Daybreak Stables’ Wolverton (Jeff Murphy) was the first to make a move at the leader. He put Prima Facie away at the head of the stretch, but that set the stage for Complete Dyno to win in the stretch. Complete Dyno moved to contest the lead after the field turned for home and proved best over a determined but second best Wolverton.

Continued

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

Foxfield Fall Races The Barrack’s Filly and Mare Maiden Hurdle Bau Bai Gold (Ross Geraghty, up) – 1st. Catherine French photo

Foxfield Fall Races Chef’s Plate Training Flat Beamer (#4, Gerald Galligan, up) – 1st. Catherine French photo

JENNY’S PICKS Our booksignings are now in full swing; if you missed Felix Francis’s, we still have some signed copies of Dick Francis’s Damage available. We will also plan on having some signed copies by the other authors, and definitely Rita Mae Brown’s books.

Read-and-Play Sticker Books. These make a great birthday or Christmas gift, as well as being something to occupy youngsters on a long trip. All three sticker books have a middle section of stickers that can be reaffixed to scenes on the front and back inside fold-out covers for hours of play. If your child reads, there are a few explanatory pages of text as well as the stickers. Makes me want to be a child again! We have three versions in stock: The Horse Farm, The Horse Show, and the Barnyard. Each is $7.95.

Abbott, Gareth; and Catherine Britton, eds. Hollywood Dogs. From the archives of the John Kobal Foundation comes this beautiful book of beautiful people—and dogs. Some dogs belong to the stars, others are their companions in films.

There’s the original “Lassie” with a very young Elizabeth Taylor, and there’s Liz bathing her own cocker spaniel. Rock Hudson pairs with a Schnauzer, Charlie Chaplin with a stage Mutt, Buster Keaton with a Saint Bernard—just about everyone who was anyone in 20th century Hollywood. These are all high-quality publicity shots, not casual snaps, so each is clear and masterfully composed.

Makes a great gift—but you’ll probably want one yourself if you’re a movie buff! Hardcover, 168pp. $45.00 Baxter, Nicola. My Book of Magical Pony Tales. Beautifully illustrated by Cathie Shuttleworth, this selection of 12

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Foxfield Fall Races Old Dominion Virginia Bred or Sired Training Flat Complete Dyno (#4, Willie McCarthy, up) – 1st. Catherine French photo

Foxfield Fall Races Blue Ridge Maiden Hurdle Marq Your Bible (Willie McCarthy, up) – 1st. Catherine French photo

to set forth the life of an ancestor who lived in the 19th century, a protégé of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

Like so many Virginians, when the South seceded he followed his state, but that Specialists in New, Old & Rare Books on Horses, Foxhunting, service is not a primary focus of thisth book. Rather, it is the first part of the 19 Eventing, Polo, Racing, Steeplechasing & Sporting Art century when he was active in the Amer60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186 • 800-882-HUNT • 540-347-3141 ican political scene that Barclay chooses to dwell upon. See a more complete reshort children’s stories is sure to delight this one written by a local author, and it view by our editor in the previous issue your youngest children, whether you is set in the Fauquier County locale. The of IAHC. Softcover, 373pp. $19.95 read the stories to them or they are able basic characters start out with the proto read themselves. Softcover, 80pp. tagonist, Jordan DuBois, a teacher who Thelwell, Norman. The Cat’s Pyjamas. $9.99 rents a house on an old plantation, and This is the only Thelwell I’ve been able to obtain recently. This one’s for cat Groux, Rosemary. Finding Secrets. The Santiago MacRae, the teenage heir to the lovers—a whole book of puns on cat estate.

But other characters from the past second book in the Brenwyd Legacy trilphrases and words having “cat” or some ogy by teenage novelist Rosemary begin entwining themselves among the variation thereof—and a few that, I conGroux is now in print! The first book left pages; the novel shifts from first person fess, I don’t “get.” Maybe you have to be heroine Cassie Pennington and her to third and back again. This isn’t a novel English to understand those. But whatfriends having escaped from captivity by one can skim through easily to assess the ever the topic, Thelwell can wring humor the evil Brotherhood in England, but her plot; I haven’t had time to read it beyond out of it, and his kitties are as cute as his parents are still held captive. In this vol- snippets myself, so I can’t tell you a lot ponies. Paperback, 96pp. $12.95 ume the teenagers find themselves going about it other than it looks like a good Wilson, Alison. Drawing and Painting back in time to the Arthurian age to ful- read. Hardcover, 533pp. $29.95 fill a prophesy. But there is no end to the Rives, Barclay. See You at Second Horses. For the adult artist, this is possidanger: the Brotherhood was founded by Horses. Barclay Rives has written many bly the most informative book I have none other than Mordred! And he is out articles that have appeared in such mag- seen yet on equine art. First and most imto eliminate all Brenwyds. Join Cassie azines as In & Around Horse Country, portant to me, the author is an excellent and her friends at Camelot! Softcover, Virginia Sportsman, and Albemarle painter of horses. Second, she is aware 400pp. $14.99 Magazine as well as penning The 100 that not every aspiring equine artist is also an equestrian, so she gives plenty of Kellon, Dr. Eleanor. Dr. Kellon’s Guide Year History of the Keswick Hunt Club. cautionary advice about how to act and Here he delightfully recounts his advento First Aid for Horses. Now packaged position oneself when working from life with two DVDs as well as the 338-page tures hunting in England and Ireland, models, and what to expect in horse bebook. Dr. Kellon & Dr. Teresa Conway with a few photographs to illustrate the havior. The emphasis in the first half is show you how they diagnose and treat action. I thoroughly enjoyed the advance heavily on drawing, including materials, many common and uncommon equine copy, and I’m sure all you foxhunters out anatomy, and movement. The second ailments and demonstrate such proce- there will as well. Softcover, 198pp. part deals with painting theory, practidures as drug selections and dosages. $29.95 calities, composition, and development Great value for any horse owner at only Rives, Barclay. William Cabell Rives/A of a painting. Finally is a short chapter $69.95 for the package.

Country to Serve. Barclay Rives is bet- on the professional side of art. Very King, Rosa DeBerry. House Key. An- ter known to foxhunters for his foxhunt- highly recommended! Softcover, 192pp. other tale with peripatetic time periods is ing writing, but here he takes up the pen $34.95

HORSE COUNTRY BOOKSELLERS

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

The filly and mare maiden hurdle race followed, and this time Ross Geraghty had better luck with a front running score on Jennifer H. Pitts’ Bau Bai Gold. Trainer Jazz Napravnik had Bau Bai Gold ready for a winning effort at first asking. Under McCarthy she exploded to the lead at once and was never threatened winning by 13¼ lengths over Betsy B. Mead’s So Far Away (Willie McCarthy).

When last seen in Virginia, Perfect Peace Racing Stable LLC’s Marq Your Bible ran an impressive second place in the Virginia-bred flat race at the Virginia Gold Cup Races.

Lilith Boucher had him sitting on go at Foxfield as he found a field very much to his liking. He opened a clear lead at the drop of Graham Alcock’s flag, continued to widen, and romped home alone by 34½ lengths over William G. Wofford’s Albus (Bernard Dalton), who rallied for second.

Virginia Fall Races 10-4-2014 The feature race at the Virginia Fall Races on Saturday, October 4, at Glenwood Park near Middleburg was the W. Gary Baker Memorial Hurdle Stakes. This race was run in memory of the man who for many decades was the driving force behind this race meet. The generosity of his many friends made possible a $40,000 purse that attracted a strong ten-horse field.

The race was limited to horses that had never won an open stakes, and these conditions suited Andre W. Brewster and Sheila Williams’ All Together perfectly. He was a novice stakes winner earlier in his career but had often been running against the best horses in training since losing the novice condition. Two fourth place finishes in the New York Turf Writers and Lonesome Glory stakes at Saratoga and Belmont Park made him the favorite here, and he did not disappoint his supporters. Sam Jones rated him off the pace and asked him to quicken his pace with three furlongs to run. He took the lead approaching the last fence and won easily by 7¼ lengths. The Field Stable’s Bob Le Beau (Gus Dahl) rallied belatedly to be second and Woodslane Farm’s Sharp Numbers (Bernie Dalton) finished third.

The first and third place finishers were trained by Jack Fisher, who is currently the National Steeplechase Association’s leading trainer in races and money won.

Magalen O. Bryant’s Dakota Slew (Darren Nagle) won the co-featured National Sporting Library & Museum Cup Timber Stakes. The Bryant horses have been hot recently, and trainer Richard Valentine was more than pleased to be part of this streak. Nagle rated Dakota Slew off the pace, took the lead racing down the backside the final time around, and opened a clear lead entering the stretch. Armata Stables’ Brother Sy (Paddy Young) came again in the stretch but was held safe by 1¼ lengths.

This was part of a great day for Virginia owners and trainers. The leading trainer was Neil Morris, who won three races with the meet’s leading rider Jacob Roberts up in each instance. Their day started with a bang in the optional allowance/claiming hurdle race when Kinross Farm’s Schoolhouse Woods rallied from far back to win going away by 2¾ lengths over Michael A. Smith’s Arrow’s Conquest (Willie McCarthy), another horse trained by Morris. Magalen O. Bryant’s Irish-bred Casual Creeper (Paddy Young) ran a strong third.

The Morris-Roberts team also won a division of the three- and four-year-old maiden hurdle race with Noble Stables’ Kingofalldiamonds. In the race he rallied from off the pace going down the backside the final time to take the lead with three furlongs to run. Woodslane Farm’s Overwhelming (Sean McDermott) posed a threat in the stretch but could not reach the winner, who won by 1¼ lengths. The hat trick was completed when Sara Collette’s Wahoo won the Virginia-bred or sired flat race. Wahoo was rated within striking distance, took the lead with a quarter mile to run and held off Daybreak Stables’ Wolverton (Jeff Murphy) to win by 2¼ lengths.

Local connections took home the trophy in the James P. McCormick maiden timber race. Under Mark Beecher, Oakwood Stable’s Country Cousin was impressive winning by 2½ lengths over Magalen O. Bryant’s Adios Diablo (Kieran Norris). Going down the backside the last time around, it appeared that Country Cousin could have taken the lead anytime Beecher wanted. When asked, he responded immediately, took command approaching the last fence and won easily for trainer Julie Gomena. Country Cousin was a stakes winner over hurdles and appears to have a future running over timber.

Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard had two horses in the entries, and they both won maiden hurdle races with NSA leading rider Willie McCarthy up. In the maiden hurdle race for five-year-olds and up Lewis Schaffel’s Sal the Barber went to the lead at once, was never headed and won easily by 7½ lengths over Rose Marie Bogley’s Jake’s Mandate. The other Sheppard entry Radical Chic won by the slimmest of margins over Augustin Stables’ Hallam (Robbie Walsh) in the second division of the maiden claiming hurdle race.

This was the day’s most exciting race as Radical Chic and Hallam dueled for nearly a half mile. Without the help of the photo finish camera, the result would have probably been declared a dead heat, but the camera told the tale and the margin was about ½ inch.

The other division of the maiden claiming hurdle race went to Armata Stables’ Tentimesthetrouble, who was ridden by Bernie Dalton and trained by Katherine Neilson. Tentimesthetrouble raced close to the pace that was set by Elizabeth B. Barr’s Brief Holliday (Robbie Walsh). The winner jumped the last fence in second but had dead aim on Brief Holiday and took the lead on the turn. Brief Holiday fought back, but Tentimesthetrouble held him off to win by ¾ length.

Virginia Fall Races Bon Nouvel Optional Allowance/Claiming Hurdle Race (l-r) G G Gal (Bernie Dalton, up); Schoolhouse Woods (Jacob Roberts, up) – 1st.

Douglas Lees photo

Virginia Fall Races Theodora A. Randolph Memorial Cup Maiden Hurdle Sal The Barber (Willie McCarthy, up) – 1st; Tahoe Lake (Robbie Walsh, up) – 2nd.

Douglas Lees photo

Virginia Fall Races Daniel C. Sands Cup Maiden Claiming Hurdle (l-r) Tentimesthetrouble (Bernie Dalton, up) – 1st; Brief Holiday (Robbie Walsh, up) – 2nd. Douglas Lees photo

Virginia Fall Races James P. McCormick Maiden Timber Country Cousin (Mark Beecher, up) –1st. Douglas Lees photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

International Gold Cup Races 10-25-2014 The International Gold Cup Races on Saturday, October 25, at Great Meadow near The Plains, Virginia, was a headline event, but I had to decide which of the multiple headlines should lead this article. Was it the $60,000 International Gold Cup Timber Stake, the $50,000 David L. “Zeke” Ferguson Memorial Grade III Hurdle Stake presented by the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, or the fact that five of the nine races on the card were $25,000 flat races also underwritten by the VHBPA? The demise of Colonial Downs has headlined numerous stories in recent weeks, but how that will affect steeplechase and flat racing in Virginia is a story in itself. Is this a new beginning for the sport or a transition into the future? I am going with tradition, and that makes Grinding Speed and rider Mark Beecher winning their second International Gold Cup in the last three years the lead.

Only four horses went to the start for the International Gold Cup, but they were competitive all the way and each had a chance in the final half mile. Kinross Farm’s Schoolhouse Woods (Jacob Roberts) made most of the running with the remainder of the field very content to be rated in his shadow. With about three furlongs to run Mark Beecher made his move with Grinding Speed. They appeared to be in a perfect position to win as the field approached the third fence from home. At that fence Grinding Speed made a mistake that shuffled him back to last before the field turned for home. Beecher recovered, gathered Grinding Speed and asked him to come again.

His response was dramatic, and by the last fence he had rallied to be second. He kept coming and proved best in a driving finish by ¾ of a length over Magalen O. Bryant’s game Dakota Slew (winner of the National Sporting Library & Museum Cup – Darren Nagle), who gave way begrudgingly. Grinding Speed regained his winning form over a race course that he obviously loves.

Irvin S. Naylor has imported many top class horses from England and Ireland in recent years that have excelled racing in the United States. This past summer he imported Able Deputy from England. As a seven-year-old he had found his best form winning four races in England this year. He made his debut in Virginia in the W. Gary Baker Memorial at the Virginia Fall Races, but poor racing luck compromised his chances, and this resulted in what appeared as a bad effort. The bettors at the Gold Cup jumped on Sheila Williams and Andre Brewster’s All Together, who had won the Baker Memorial easily, establishing him as the favorite. In the race All Together (Sean McDermott) had another winning effort, but he finished a well-beaten second. Able Deputy (Ross Geraghty) had a trouble free trip and won easily by 11 lengths. Magalen O. Bryant’s Casual Creeper (Darren Nagle) was third.

The opening race on the card was a $25,000 Sport of Kings maiden hurdle race, which resulted in a popular local victory for Magalen O. Bryant’s Plated, who is trained by Jimmy Day and was ridden to victory by Jeff Murphy. Woodslane Farm’s Overwhelming (Sean McDermott) ran second, and Rose Marie Bogley’s Jake’s Mandate (Kieran Norris) was third. Plated rallied down the backside the final time.

He moved to third with two fences to jump, led over the last fence, and held off Overwhelming to win by 3¾ length.

Sean McDermott and trainer Jack Fisher had better luck in the non-winners of two allowance race over timber. In the race McDermott was content to let the other four starters make the running as he kept

Jeremy Batoff’s Certain Swagger, who was making his first timber start, trailing the field but well within striking distance. Racing around the last turn he was still last but was starting to make his move. He was second over the last fence, drew away in the stretch and won handily by 3¾ lengths. Irvin S. Naylor’s Almarmooq (Jacob Roberts) raced close to the pace but was second best.

When entries closed on the Tuesday prior to the races there were not sufficient entries in the steeplethon, and that popular race had to be dropped.

However, the entry box was overflowing with entries for the three flat races, and this turn of events resulted in splitting the two open flat races.

The first two flat races were run at the sprinters distance of seven furlongs. In the first of these two races Rebecca Shepherd’s long shot Pride of the Fleet (Gerard Galligan) was sent to the lead at the break, held that position throughout and won by 1¼ length over Shamrock Farm’s Monument Hill (Tom Foley).

Monument Hill got away poorly from the start and closed with a rush but had to settle for second.

The second seven furlong race was a thriller as R. Larry Johnson’s Grand Old Game (James Slater) and Magalen O. Bryant’s Slews Best Quality (Jacob Roberts) waged a battle through much of the last quarter mile. Grand Old Game proved best by a very short nose. This was trainer Gerald E. Brooks’ debut at a hunt meet, and he appeared to be very happy in these unfamiliar surroundings.

The other two open flat races were run over one mile and a furlong, and were won by trainers who come from long pedigrees of racing at hunt meets. In the first division the late Tom Voss’ daughter Elizabeth saddled the winner, Trillium Stable’s Atherton (Gus Dahl). In the race Atherton moved into contention going into the last turn, took the lead in the final furlong and proved best by a neck over Alexander R. Levengood’s Aridus, who finished strongly but had to settle for second.

In the second division Eva Smithwick’s Coturnix was in the entries with Eva’s husband D. Michael “Speedy” Smithwick, Jr. training. Coturnix won three races at Colonial Downs last year and came into this race with wins in his last two races at Laurel and Kentucky Downs. In the race Coturnix (David Byrne) raced within striking distance, took sole possession of the lead at the head of the stretch and drew away to win by 3¼ lengths over Jimmy Day’s multiple hurdle winner, the Irish-bred Manacor (Ross Geraghty).

Anyone including myself who saw Perfect Peace Racing Stable, LLC’s Marq Your Bible win the maiden hurdle race at Foxfield by more than thirty lengths and didn’t have something riding on him in the Old Dominion Turf Championship for Virginiabred horses going one mile and a quarter should try another pastime. To make it even worse most of us saw him run an impressive second in this race at the Virginia Gold Cup in May. In the race Marq Your Bible (Kieran Norris) moved to challenge on the backside of the course, went to the front entering the final turn and won by 1¼ lengths over R. Larry Johnson’s Hard Enough, who had gone off as the short priced favorite. Hard Enough was subsequently disqualified for going off course, and Quest Realty’s Gumper (Tom Foley) was placed second. Marq Your Bible paid $19.20 for a $2.00 wager.

It was a great day of racing with the nine races being won by nine different owners, trainers, and riders. We’ll all have to stay tuned to find out what the future might bring.

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International Gold Cup Race (l-r) Dakota Slew (Darren Nagle, up) – 2nd; Schoolhouse Woods (Jacob Roberts, up) – 4th; Straight To It (Sean McDermott, up); Grinding Speed (Mark Beecher, up) – 1st. Douglas Lees photo

International Gold Cup Maiden Hurdle Plated (Jeff Murphy, up) – 1st. Douglas Lees photo

International Gold Cup Maiden Hurdle Plated (third from left, light blue colors, Jeff Murphy, up) – 1st.

Douglas Lees photo

International Gold Cup Allowance Timber (l-r) Wildcatter (Bethany Baumgardner, up) – 3rd; Almarmooq (Jacob Roberts, up) – 2nd; Certain Swagger (Sean McDermott, up) – 1st; Country Cousin (Mark Beecher, up).

Douglas Lees photo

International Gold Cup Old Dominion Turf Championship (l-r) Marq Your Bible (front left, blue colors, Kieran Norris, up) – 1st; Hard Enough (front, far right, James Slater, up).

Douglas Lees photo

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AGA’S SAGAS

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

Sing A Song, Dream A Dream

As I set paw to keyboard, it’s hard to believe that Christmas is just a handful of Fridays away. The countryside has been full of autumnal splendor and the crisp smell of leaves is in the air. Bunsen and I have been very busy with annual fall events; hunt races, field hunter trials and hunter paces, tailgates, the International Gold Cup. Lovely to see so many of our hats, tweeds, and country clothing being worn by our good friends wherever we go.

We’ve been taking long walks in the fall air to maintain our figures. Sometimes we pretend we are Ashland Bassets and flush rabbits. Marion indulges us in our fantasy. She uses her voice to encourage us and always praises our work saying, “Good hounds, good hounds.” [Editor’s note: This is a clear case of what Aga hears vs. what Marion says. “Aga! Bunsen! Come back here RIGHT NOW!” is not the same as “Tally Ho!” Nor is the high-pitched terrier yap, yap, yapping in any way similar to the beautiful deep hound music of the Ashland Bassets.]

We may be no match for true hunting dogs when it comes to rousting up real game, but Horse Country has become a popular covert of sorts.

Horses, foxes, rabbits, foxhounds, Corgies, and JRs—of one fabrication or another—are marching into the store and finding particular places in our fall and holiday displays. Happy visitors—of the fleshand-blood type—are arriving from England, Wales, and Ireland. Many Canadians are in Virginia on hunting trips while others, old friends included, are stopping in from around the country. I love it when the front door jingles open and a voice calls out “Where are the dogs that write?” Now that’s my kind of visitor!

mature Rita Mae. I totally agree, Bunsen. But our Marion is wellknown for upholding long-standing traditions while also working hard to keep a fresh voice about what we offer. Take our Country Clothing department, for example. While folks will keep their Barbour Bedales for years, they love to change their look with the different styles of quilted vests and jackets that are new each year. With stylish waterproof hats to keep the rain off their heads, our customers are perfectly prepared for whatever weather comes their way. This year Marion has expanded the Hat Department and brought in many new stylish hats, new tweed flat caps, and waxed hats to go with your waxed jackets. Hurry in and get yours while the selection is the best.

Another group of items we have in copious colors and styles are scarves.

Ye mean mufflers, dontcha lassie?

No, I mean scarves… ladies’ scarves.

Aga, when they are made of luxurious cashmere and fine wool, they are properly called mufflers. When they have decorative fringe, they are mufflers. Horse Country is overflowing with mufflers.

Bunsen, while “muffler” might be the more common parlance in Scotland, where people need a heavy wrap against the Highland chill, in the States most people think of a “muffler” as something that belongs on a car to reduce the engine noise. Although now that I think about it, Marion has wrapped one of our lovely scarves around your neck and muzzle in a vain attempt to muffle your intense vocalizations while we are driving.

Aye, and I like it especially when the door opens and a familiar voice calls out “I’ve got biscuits!”

Yes, Bunsen, even better when it’s a delicious buffalo treat, my new favorite. And we must remember to write Nardeen and thank her for the gourmet cookie basket she sent us, her two most favorite Scotties.

And Marion tells me she sprinkles pumpkin spice on our food at holiday time. She is so wonderful to us!

She is that, Bunsen. But you might have to extend your walks to work off all those extra goodies.

Ach, lassie, I’ll be so busy keeping the store in shape for all our holiday shoppers, I’ll nae likely see a pebble’s worth o’ extra weight on my manly physique.

You and me both! Marion’s already kicked off the holiday spirit with the special book events she’s been hosting. What could make a better stocking stuffer for a fan of horse sports than a great new book? It was an especially exciting time when Felix Francis arrived with his new book Damage and treated us all to an evening of good stories, including how his famous father, late author Dick Francis, eased Felix into helping with household management and then into writing a chapter here and there. Felix has written the last six Dick Francis books to great reviews and we give him the Sigh-of-Relief Award for carrying the flame for all us Dick Francis fans. How wonderful that the Dick Francis franchise continues! If you didn’t drop by or order your copy yet, we might have a few signed copies left. Contact Jenny right

Bunsen hears reindeer on the roof.

away if you need one. Email her at huntbooks@aol.com or call 540-347-3141.

Also getting an award from us is another of Horse Country’s favorite authors, Rita Mae Brown, for her latest Sister Jane mystery Let Sleeping Dogs Lie. With a cast of characters we’ve come to know and love, this book is eagerly anticipated by many devoted followers. Some of Rita Mae’s readers may never throw a leg over a horse, but thanks to the author’s skillful descriptions, they certainly feel like they’ve ridden in the hunt field.

Barclay Rives receives the It’s-About-Time Award for finally getting his hunting diary See You at Second Horses, tales of his adventures in England and Ireland, to press. Angie Cooney and Maury Oare each receive kudos for bringing their children to the Rosemary Groux author talk and book signing, the second installment of her trilogy, The Brenwyn Legacy: Finding Secrets. This teenage author is off to a great start in what we hope will be a long literary career. Let’s get books in children’s hands this Christmas.

As ye know, Scotland has a long, proud history of producing great literature. It truly warms me wee heart to see Horse Country serve as the launching pad for so many wonderful new publications. And— faith an’ bejabbers!—such a range of talent… from young Rosemary to—Ach! How shall ah put it?—the

My dear, my vocalizations, as you call them, are the traditional Scottish sing-a-long with the radio! I love singing along with the greats: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Tom Jones. I happen to know Marion enjoys my covers of the classics.

Actually, Bunsen, I think it was your attempt at “What’s New, Pussycat?” that finally drove Marion to reach for the scarf.

Well, whether you prefer to call them mufflers or scarves, we have LOTS in cashmere, wool, silk for outerwear, or to accent a dress or sweater. We also have shawls and ruanas from England.

And just like our range of book offerings, Horse Country continues to be popular among folks of all ages. Children have been bringing their parents in with wish lists in hand. In addition to books and toys, children’s clothing has taken on a larger role at Horse Country. We have lots of tee shirts and sweatshirts with pony appliqués and embellishments. Many young riders will be overjoyed to find new paddock boots and helmets under their tree as well as groovy socks, plush toys, games, and books. Parents and grandparents will find it easy to call and order the perfect gift keeping the recipients completely surprised.

Barking of Christmas, I have to tell you what happened a few weeks ago. Once again we were patiently waiting for Marion to come back from her dinner. She hadn’t been gone long when suddenly, what to our wondrous ears should appear, but the sound of the hooves of little reindeer. Well, that’s what Bunsen thought it was anyway.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

It was, lassie, it was! I know reindeer hooves when I hear them. Santa came for an early visit. I SAW HIM. Did you now?

Well, I couldn’t get you to follow me, but I leapt off m’chair, ran to the back of the store, and who popped out of the dressing room but Santa himself. I was kippersmacked! I asked if he was here to get my list, or Marion’s which is way longer. But he just said, “Ho, Ho, No! I’m here to fill up my sack with things I can only get at Horse Country.”

But Santa, I said, you’re so early. You’re not even really that fa-, um, plump yet.

“Well my good little Bunsen, so many riders and foxhunters have been very good this year, I can’t get everything they want in one trip. Horse Country is the one store with all the tack, clothes, and gifts our good riders are wanting. Now, why don’t you go back to your bed and dream of steak bones while I fill up my pack?”

That’s when I came back to the front and hopped back up in my zebra-striped chair.

(Just between us, dear reader, I didn’t have the heart to tell Bunsen that he never actually left his chair. His little legs were churning and he was making chirping sounds like he was talking to someone… Santa in

his dream, no doubt.)

But, still, we both did hear something on the roof. I was pondering this when Marion and a man came in the front door. As we rushed to greet our beloved Marion, she said, “Dogs, I want you to meet the man who is going to solve all my problems.” But Bunsen was all “Marion, Marion, Santa was here, I saw him.”

However, Marion just shushed us and unrolled a set of blueprints. While Bunsen walked off in dejection, I listened while the man explained about the roof repair. Remember the tree that fell on the Horse Country roof in June during a huge downpour, flooded the store, and I saved the day? (Well, Bunsen did help a bit). Finishing up the repair work was the problem Marion was talking about.

Later, at home with Bunsen in snoozeland, as I curled up next to Marion, she asked, ”You two were so chatty tonight. Whatever was Bunsen going on about when we got home?”

I gave her a long look. She was the picture of innocence. “That was you on the roof, wasn’t it?” I thought.

She patted my head and said, “Good night Aga.” She needn’t worry, I’ll never tell. I wouldn’t

23 want to be the one to burst a Bunsen bubble. Besides, I’m still hoping for lamb chops under the tree.

Since we didn’t get anything that night from Santa, we are eagerly awaiting his next visit.

And to help him out—along with all the other little Santa’s helpers out there—as we have in the past, we will be open on Sundays from 12:00 - 4:00 from Thanksgiving to Christmas to make your holiday shopping easier. We hope you’ll come in so we can wish you an appropriate seasonal greeting in person.

At this time of year, Bunsen and I ask that you think of the dogs and cats who are still looking for their furever homes. If you are not in a position to adopt, please consider making a generous donation directly to your local shelter. They do not benefit from donations to the Humane Society of the United States no matter how warm and heartrending their commercials seem. Our Howliday Greetings go out to all our special dog friends and one very special tuna-loving cat. We hope you all have the best of days with your companions and Santa Paws leaves lots of yummy things under your tree.

Happy Howlidays!

Aga and Bunsen

International Gold Cup VHBPA 11/8 Mile Open Flat – 1st Division (l-r) Aridus (James Slater, up) – 2nd; Atherton (Gus Dahl, up) – 1st. Douglas Lees photo International Gold Cup Zeke Ferguson Memorial Hurdle Able Deputy (Ross Geraghty, up) – 1st.

International Gold Cup Race Mark Beecher and Grinding Speed won the International Gold Cup. Douglas Lees photo

International Gold Cup VHBPA 11/8 Mile Open Flat – 2nd Division

Douglas Lees photo

International Gold Cup Terrier Races (l-r) Angel (Carol Stadfield’s) – 3rd; Keagan (Mary E. Musheno’s) – 1st; Ghost (Moira Kelly’s) – 2nd.

Douglas Lees photo

International Gold Cup Maiden Hurdle (l-r) Jake’s Mandate (Kieran Norris, up) – 3rd; Tiz Relevant (Mark Beecher, up); Plated (Jeff Murphy, up) – 1st; Canyon Road (David Byrne, up); Zanclus (Jacob Roberts, up).

Douglas Lees photo

International Gold Cup Race (l-r) Grinding Speed (Mark Beecher, up) – 1st; Straight To It (Sean McDermott, up) – 3rd; Dakota Slew (Darren Nagle, up) – 2nd; Schoolhouse Woods (Jacob Roberts, up) – 4th. Douglas Lees photo

Coturnix (David Byrne, up) – 1st.

Douglas Lees photo

24

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2014

HORSE RACING

Horses and People to Watch

Over Fences or On the flat, Virginia is Still the Place to Find Grade I Winners Virginia Thoroughbred Association All summer and into the fall, Virginia-connected horses have excelled at the elite level across the country. Horses bred, raised, and trained in the Old Dominion have won Grade I races from Saratoga to Arlington. The VTA caught up with the local connections of these performers to find out what’s next.

V.E. Day, Winner Grade I Travers Virginians had reason to crow in the Midsummer Derby, with Virginia horses coming in 1-2-3. Local owner Magalen O. “Maggie” Bryant went to the winner’s circle with V.E. Day. Wicked Strong and Tonalist, the two posterboys for raising a horse in the Old Dominion, both turned in great performances to be second and third.

The lightly-raced V.E. Day put together a 4-for-4 win-streak with the Grade I Travers. The chestnut colt broke his maiden on his third try going a mile on May 10, in an off-the-turf maiden special weight. He got the weeds he wanted in a 1 1/8-mile non-winners-of-one at Belmont in July and went off the chalk. Sitting in third for most of the running, the chestnut colt took the lead at the sixteenth pole and won by 2 lengths.

He returned to the dirt to be the victor by a head in the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga on July 25. He went off at long odds in the Travers, paying $41 to win—but he won with a decisive rally, a head over Grade I Wood winner and stablemate Wicked Strong.

“I got to watch him train all winter, really liked him and liked him at the sales,” recalled Bryant’s bloodstock agent Cindy Tucker. “Mrs. Bryant in particular liked English Channel and we bought him at the OBS March sale.”

Out of the Deputy Minister mare California Sunset, V. E. Day is trained by Jimmy Jerkens.

Meanwhile, Wicked Strong, also trained by Jerkens, put in a strong bid to turn the stretch run of the Travers into a thrilling match race. The winner of the Grade II Jim Dandy and the Grade I Wood Memorial was raised at Centennial Farm’s facility in Middleburg, and is owned by a partnership that Bryant is involved in.

Centennial Farms syndicate’s Don Little, Jr. purchased the colt for $375,000 last year under the moniker Moyne Spun, and renamed him Wicked Strong in memory of the Boston Marathon bombing victims. Mrs. Bryant became involved with the group shortly thereafter, one of several Centennial syndicates that Tucker has guided her into.

The horse went on to be a Kentucky Derby contender after winning the Wood.

V.E. Day winning the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga.

Adam Coglianese photo “We were fortunate to get him,” Little told the Boston Herald before the Kentucky Derby. “We had to stretch our budget, but he stood out. He’s very keen-eyed, he didn’t miss a beat. And when we got to our farm in Middleburg, Virginia, he was a dominant horse of the group. He impressed me from Day One.” Trainer Jimmy Jerkens has been similarly bullish on the horse, remarking after the Jim Dandy, “The way he works in the morning, I don’t think Secretariat worked any better than this horse does in the morning.”

Meanwhile, the third-placed horse was also Virginia-raised Tonalist, who returned to win the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup. Tonalist, Winner Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup Virginia-raised Tonalist was back in the winner’s circle again in the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park in September. Foaled in Kentucky but raised by breeders Rene and Lauren Woolcott at their Woodslane Farm in The Plains, the 3year-old has earned an automatic berth in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Classic, and trainer Christophe Clement said he is likely a go.

“From the three-eighths on, he looked really good,” said Clement. “He was closer and closer, and you could see the horse was going really well.”

Winner of the Grade I Belmont and second in the Grade II Jim Dandy, the lightlyraced son of Tapit was sold by Timber Town Stables and is now owned by Shel Evans.

The colt debuted at Aqueduct in the fall of his 2-year-old year, finishing fourth, and went on to break his maiden by 4 lengths at Gulfstream in January. He was second in an allowance at that same oval the next month, then returned on May 10 to dominate the Grade II Peter Pan by 4 lengths, beating Belmont second Commissioner in the process.

The rest, of course, is in the Classic record books. Tonalist broke from the outside post position, settling in sixth place not 2 lengths off the leaders. Rounding the first turn, the colt was trapped almost five wide on the Belmont loam, but he kept tight with the front-runners and by the quarter pole was grinding away at the lead. Despite lugging in under the shadow of the wire, he wore down front-runner Commissioner to prevail by a neck—giving Evans “the win Pleasant Colony didn’t get.”

When asked about Tonalist as a young horse, Rene Woolcott calls Tonalist “light-

ning in a jar.”

“He was very laid back, really super conformation the whole way,” Woolcott said.

“Very easy, pleasant horse. Easy keeper.”

Hardest Core, Winner Grade I Arlington Million The Grade I Arlington Million might have looked like a stretch for a horse that had only won one overnight stake before (even if he was three-for-three Tonalist in the Travers. Adam Coglianese photo going into the race), but Virginian Rusty Carrier knew it wasn’t as big of a jump as it looked like for Hardest Core.

Carrier first noticed the 4-year-old son of Hard Spun when he was coming from the back of the pack to win a Saratoga allowance last summer.

“I said, ‘Oh, my God, what is that?’” Carrier recalled “He had the big long stride that I like.”

Carrier called regular partner Greg Bentley about buying the horse. Bentley was game, but the current connections weren’t interested in selling. It was trainer Eddie Graham who noticed that the horse had been entered in Keeneland November last year.

“We went down to where he was being showed and he turned and looked at us, and he just had that look: ‘What are you looking at?’” Carrier said. They bought the horse for $210,000—and they were underbid by Kiaran McLaughlin, the colt’s trainer up until that point, Carrier said.

“When I went to sign the ticket,” Carrier said, “my hands were shaking. I’ve picked out a few good ones over the years and this is the one I liked more than any of them.”

And thus “Team Hardest Core” was formed. Bentley and Carrier put the horse in the name of Bentley’s oldest son, Andrew, a racing enthusiast who has Down Syndrome. They shipped Hardest Core to Graham in Unionville, Pennsylvania, cut him— and promptly almost lost the horse. A high hernia, totally unforeseeable, felled him in the paddock after he was gelded. Graham found Hardest Core in the field and raced him to New Bolton.

The horse recovered, but Graham, Bentley, and Carrier decided not to challenge him too much in the spring. Carrier had originally purchased the 17-hand horse to be a steeplechase prospect—after all, it’s horseman Jody Petty who gets on him every afternoon—but Graham called him and suggested that he see what else the horse could do on the flat.

They ran him twice before the Million—an allowance at Parx where he dominated by 3 lengths, and in the Cape Henlopen at Delaware, where he won by the same margin in July.

“We didn’t want to overface him [in the spring], but we thought we knew what we had,” Carrier said.

Demonstrative, Winner Grade I Lonesome Glory, Grade I Turf Writers Virginia-trained Demonstrative strung together his second grade I in a row in September, dominating in the Grade I Lonesome Glory at Belmont. The son of Elusive Quality, trained by Richard Valentine and owned by Jacqueline Ohrstrom, became just the ninth steeplechase horse to surpass the $600,000 mark with this win. The veteran campaigner won his fifth grade I here, adding to the New York Turf Writers, the Iroquois Hurdle, the Colonial Cup, and the Grand National.

“We’re pretty lucky, pretty damn lucky to have a horse this good,” said trainer Richard Valentine.

At Saratoga on August 25, venerable campaigner Demonstrative brought home the win in the New York Turf Writers. Demonstrative had been a nose second in the Grade I A.P. Smithwick a month prior, losing on the bob to Elizabeth Voss’ Makari (who sadly fell at the last fence in the Turf Writers).

Demonstrative won the Turf Writers in 2012, and seemed to be back to that form in August, jumping well and turning back challengers to win by half a length. The son of Elusive Quality was an Eclipse finalist that year for his two 2012 Grade I wins. He has been winless—if close—since the Grade I Calvin Houghland Iroquois Hurdle in 2013, but “announced his return” in the Smithwick (per steeplechase writer Joe Clancy).

“I’m incredibly proud of my horse and my crew,” said Valentine, who trains the 7-year-old on his farm in Virginia.

“This is the best horse I’ve worked with by far in my life,” Valentine’s assistant George Laird told the Saratoga Special. “It’s great fun to work with a horse like that and in an environment like we do—the farm, with Richard, coming up [to Saratoga] and doing well. It means something.”

GEORGE WHITE FENCING AND SUPPLY Installation • Repairs • Fence Painting Portable Barns and Sheds FERNANDO VILLAVICENCIO

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The New England Hunter Trials Hosted by Wentworth Hunt on October 26, 2014, at the Norfolk Hunt Steeplechase Course in Medfield, Massachusetts.

Eric Schneider photos

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Crista Kemp of Green Mountain Hounds, winner of the Qualified 2’9” Division.

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Michael Paparo of Norfolk Hunt, winner of the Heard Cup.

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REAL ESTATE Lionshare Antiques J. Patrick Newell Proprietor 7 Horner Street Warrenton, VA 540-219-1952 HORSEFARMSANDCOUNTRYHOMES.COM Cindy Polk, 703.966.9480, David O’Flaherty Realtor specializing in country properties from cottages, land and hobby farms to fine estates and professional equestrian facilities. Washington Fine Properties. 204 E. Washington St., Middleburg, VA. WELLINGTON FL. Located in Palm Beach Polo Club. Across from horse show and dressage at Wellington. Looks over polo fields. One bedroom, one bath, full kitchen W/D. 1st floor, parking, pool, great security, fully furnished, cable, maid service.

Seasonal rental. Please call Patty @ 561-714-1130. ptrap14410@gmail.com

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Corrner of Horner Street and Alexandria Pike

Fanny Lee of Norfolk Hunt, winner of the Open 4’ Division.

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