In & Around Horse Country

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

VOLUME XXIV / NUMBER 1 • THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA STEEPLECHASE ASSOCIATION • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

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OPENING MEETS

Rappahannock Hunt, Opening Meet October 27, 2012 Huntsman Michael Brown moves off.

Liz Callar photo.

Blue Ridge Hunt Opening Meet, October 27, 2012, Long Branch, Millwood, Virginia Huntsman Guy Allman, Whipper-in Neil Amatt (back).

Karen L. Myers photo, KLMImages.com.

De La Brooke Foxhounds W Blessing of the Hounds, November 7, 2012 Mt. Victoria, Charles County, Maryland Dr. Eugene Guazzo, ex-MFH, gives the Blessing of the Hounds.

Christian and Nate Collins assist Guazzo as professional Huntsman Casey Copsey and hounds watch. Ron Glockner photo.

Old Dominion Hounds in pursuit.

Karen L. Myers photo, KLMImages.com.

Warrenton Hunt Opening Meet Matt Vanderwoude, Huntsman; Clydetta Poe Talbot, Whipper-in.

Douglas Lees photo.

Rappahannock Hunt, Opening Meet, October 27, 2012, Red Hill, Virginia Blessing of the Hounds. (l-r) Rev. Jennings Hobson of Trinity Episcopal Church, Washington, Va; Oliver Brown, MFH; Michael Brown, Huntsman. Liz Callar photo.

De La Brooke Foxhounds W Opening Meet, November 7, 2012 Mt. Victoria, Charles County, Maryland Joint Master John McFadden presents colors to Cristi Collins, his stepdaughter and whipper-in, as Joint Master Sarah Hruda looks on. The club celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.

Ron Glockner photo.

Old Dominion Hounds, Opening Meet, October 27, 2012, Leeds Manor Farm, Hume, Virginia Old Dominion Hounds coming to the meet. From left: Whipper-in Ross Salter, Denya Dee Leake, Huntsman Gerald Keal, Whipper-in Randi Blanchard. Karen L. Myers photo, KLMImages.com.

Bijou Springs Hunt Opening Meet, October 14, 2012, Kiowa, Colorado Jim Hatterman (left rear), Jerry Kalamen (left front), Huntsman Nancy Mitchell (center), MFH Nancy King (right rear), Meridith Hatterman (right middle). MFH Rohn Mitchell (right front). Judi Tobias photo.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

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SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTS Foxhunting Photographer Publishes First Novel

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The proper conduct of a drag hunt from start to finish.

The foxhunting photography of Karen Myers is frequently seen on the pages of In & Around Horse Country. Now our readers can enjoy Karen’s words as well as her images. Her first novel, To Carry the Horn, has just been published. Karen and her husband David Zincavage live in the Virginia Piedmont and follow the activities of the Blue Ridge Hunt, Old Dominion Hounds, Ashland Bassets, and Wolver Beagles.

She has applied her knowledge of hunting with hounds to the tale of Virginia foxhunter George Talbot Traherne, whipper-in to the Rowanton Hunt, who unexpectedly finds himself in the fae otherworld, drafted to lead the Wild Hunt.

A blend of hunting and fantasy fiction, and the first entry in The Hounds of Annwn series, To Carry the Horn takes the reader into a world of magic and ancient rivalries where hunting with hounds plays a significant role in life and law. Well-written and finely detailed, this book provides an excellent opportunity for some enjoyable hours of escapism, particularly when read on a chilly winter evening before a cozy fire.

To Carry the Horn is available in both ebook and trade paperback format. To order your copy, visit www.perkunaspress.com. And look for the next installment in the series, The Ways of Winter, scheduled for release next spring.

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How to make it as realistic as possible.

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Laying out various drag lines with jumping and land considerations.

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Horse considerations: what is different from live hunting and training?

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Social considerations concerning drag hunting and how to get new members interested in joining the hunt.

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What are the goals of drag hunting?

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The roles of staff during a drag hunt: master, huntsman, field master, secretary, and whipper-in, accenting the differences if any between that of a live hunt and drag hunt.

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There will also be a live demonstration of a properly conducted drag.

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The subjects will be covered by panels of experts with keynote speakers (still in the process of being determined as of press time).

Plans Are in the Works for a Drag Hunting Seminar The Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) plans to conduct a drag seminar on Saturday, April 13, 2013, at the Myopia Hunt in Hamilton, Massachusetts.

Initially scheduled for April 20th, that date created a conflict for many potential participants. Thus, April 13th is now the firm date, assuming a minimum number of 50 attendees is reached.

The plans call for dinner the night before, followed the next day by the seminar beginning at 8 a.m. and ending around 5 p.m. The cost of the seminar is $150 per person and attendees must be subscribing members of the MFHA to attend.

The price includes the all-day event with lunch. Prices for dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings are still being worked on.

Hotel reservations will need to be made and paid for individually. Names and rates for hotels will be provided depending on the number of people who sign up for the seminar. The 50-attendee minimum must be reached before January 15, 2013 to confirm the event will take place.

Subjects will include: • Laying a drag, lures, and the pros and cons of the various formulas and effects on hound voice and speed of the hunt.

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If you are interested and plan to attend, do not wait. Email office@mfha.com, call (540) 955-5680 or write to the MFHA and register now. If the minimum number of 50 attendees is reached before January 15, 2013, the seminar will happen.

Registration will still be open after that if the seminar goes forward as planned.

But anyone interested is encouraged to act now to help assure this informative and helpful program becomes a reality.

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Museum of Hounds & Hunting NA to Host Pop-Up Booth During Middleburg Christmas Parade Chairman Nancy Bedford is hosting a MHHNA pop-up booth on Saturday, December 1, 2012, in Middleburg, Va., the same day as the town’s Christmas Parade. The booth is located in a building directly across from the Middleburg Bank. On display and for sale will be Museum posters, stationery, and plush toys for youngsters. There will also be face painting, cider and cookies, and more. The Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center will have a pop-up booth in the same location. Visitors are invited to join the Museum, re-up their membership for 2013, and take advantage of the new category, Junior membership, just $10.00 for those under 18 years of age. The booth will be open 10-4 p.m.

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Fairfax Hound Kayla asks, “Are you for real?”

Middleburg Photo.

Hound considerations; what is the best type of hound and how is their training different than live hunting?

ON THE COVER: Snickersville Hounds’ interim Honorary Huntsman Mrs. Erwin (Beth) Opitz, Opening Meet from MFH Gregg Ryan’s Creekside Farm, November 11, 2012. A whipper-in at Sperryville, Virginia’s Thornton Hill/Fort Valley Hounds, Beth has been helping the Middleburg-based recognized farmers pack during its recent transition.

COVER PHOTO: Janet Hitchen PHOTOGRAPHERS: Michelle Arnold Liz Callar lizcallar.com Richard Clay richardclayphotography.com Evan Cox (540) 635-8238 Wayne Dementi Lauren R. Giannini Ron Glockner Ken Graham kengrahamphoto.com Janet Hitchen 540-837-9846 janethitchenphotography.com Douglas Lees 540-270-1946 Douglaslees@comcast.net Andy Lyons/Getty Images photo.

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club Tim McKee Jim Meads, U.K. 011-44-1686-420436 Middleburg Photo middleburgphoto.com Karen L. Myers KLMImages.com Betsy Burke Parker Eric Schneider eschneider@gmail.com Hugh Sproul Debby Thomas AnimalArtsandPhotography.com Judi Tobias WLS Photography wlsphoto.com

Regular subscription 6 issues $25.00, U.S.A. First Class subscription $35.00, Europe, Canada, etc. $45.00

is a bimonthly publication.

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 February/March issue is Jan. 15. Payment in full due with copy.

Publisher: Marion Maggiolo Managing Editor: J. Harris Anderson Advertising: Mary Cox (540) 636-7688 Horse Country (540) 347-3141 Contributors: Aga, J. Harris Anderson, Lauren R. Giannini, S. Scot Litke, Jim Meads, Will O’Keefe, Betsy Burke Parker, Barclay Rives, Virginia Thoroughbred Association, Jenny Young LAYOUT & DESIGN: Kate Houchin Copyright 2013 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXIV, No.1 POSTMASTER: CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

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PERSONALITIES

Keeping Ahead of Dog Face

By Barclay Rives My oldest brother, George, wearing scarlet and ridAt a humbler event held at Green Tree Hill ing his favorite bay horse, went clip-clopping farm a few miles from our home, Glory Be under down the highway. I was nine years old and not George was pony champion, winning ribbons in a much interested in horses or hunting. George hack class and over fences. I helped by piloting passed below our snow-covered hill where I was Glory Be to victory in the Walk Class, the pinnasledding on a Saturday morning. Two other brothcle of my show career. That blue ribbon boosted ers were away in boarding school. My parents Glory Be’s point total above the Reserve were not hunting that day so that 16-year-old Champion’s.

George was hacking to the meet by himself. I was For George’s next mount, our parents purhaving great fun hurtling downhill, but I could see chased Tom Thumb, a young bay horse out of a that George was excited about his pursuit. He came Thoroughbred mare by an Appaloosa. Tom was home even happier. I knew to ask him, “Did you George’s all-time favorite for showing and espekeep ahead of Dog Face today?” cially for hunting. The transition from Glory Be Dog Face was George’s name for his nemesis was not entirely smooth. Tom unseated George a in the hunting field. “There’s an old guy who gets few times their first season together. At a hunt in front and slows everybody down,” George breakfast after one of his falls, my mother overwould complain. George liked speed whether he heard someone say what a shame it was that she was on a horse, on skis, in a car, or on a roller had taken the nice pony from him and put George coaster. The man was then about my present age: on a renegade. That was a sensitive subject. late 50s. That made him Methuselah in our eyes.

George suffered from Myotonic Dystrophy, a George concocted the nickname after observing neuromuscular disease. Googling Myotonic the man’s wrinkled face and sagging jowls that Dystrophy today provides a description of George Rives on Tom Thumb, Keswick Horse Show, 1964. resembled the features of a cartoon bulldog.

George’s physical symptoms and related Rives family photo.

George told me he had stayed in front of Dog Face Asperger’s-like affect. Unfortunately he was not and directly behind Keswick neighbor Bill Rennolds who was his favorite speedy field diagnosed until adulthood. Our parents unsuccessfully sought help in the ’40s and ’50s master. Lots of galloping up and down slick Keswick mountain trails had made it a sat- from every available pediatrician and child psychologist. George had quirky perspecisfying day. tives. He freely bestowed nicknames such as Dog Face, Hurricane Hazel, or Tom George started riding at a very young age. My father fervently wanted to share his Terrific. He would repeat certain phrases until he received his specified response. This enjoyment of horses with his sons. George was placed on fuzzy ponies as soon as he could be exasperating, but also amusing and endearing. George was different. My could walk. He took riding lessons from Charlottesville legend Ellie Wood Keith at her mother did not allow the accusation that she had selfishly taken George’s pony go unanlittle city property on Bollingwood Road, near the University of Virginia. A home swered. The speaker regretted his words. movie shows George bouncing around Ellie Wood’s tiny ring on a small pony named My father tried to advise George about hunting manners and safety. He told Cricket. The pony circles machine-like no matter how far off balance George sways and George he had been going too fast across a certain field and George protested, “But I no matter what he does with the reins. A later home movie shows my three brothers tak- was holding Tom back then. I went faster later on when you didn’t see me.” Tom ing turns riding two Shetland ponies, Little Man and Charlie McCarthy. They ride bare- Thumb’s bit was a double twisted wire snaffle, but George said even with that severe back and wield sticks to promote impulsion. One of the ponies stands for all three boys bit he was hard to control on the run. However, Tom relaxed afterwards and walked to be lifted aboard and photographed. home on a loose rein. George himself did not always relax. One Saturday evening he George’s next mount was another Shetland named Pinky. Pinky stayed around long was demanding activity and amusement. My parents asked, “Aren’t you tired from enough for me to ride him in a lead line class years later. George took him hunting. He hunting all day?” George replied, “Riding isn’t exercise. You just sit there.” was surprisingly keen for such a little ball of black fur. He would snort and paw the George was delighted when he received his Keswick colors. His first scarlet coat ground, wanting to join huntsman and jumping field. My father had to help George was one made for our father when he was a teenager. Riding clothes more freely circurestrain him. George generally liked hunting, though not always in cold weather. lated in our neighborhood then, and George’s Keswick green vest had formerly George got so cold one day that he let my father lead Pinky home while he went inside belonged to a slender lady neighbor named Babs. George went with our father to a joint a farmer’s house to thaw. The lady of the house loved to recall: “That boy like to froze meet with Farmington Hunt, on the west side of Charlottesville. He told me he liked to death. I set him down next to the stove and held his little hands. Warmed him up. He showing off his scarlet to high school classmates he saw there. was a good boy and I’d a’ like to have kept him.” Forever after she called George “My When I started hunting, I rode with the non-jumpers who were kids my age and Boy.” younger, led by a few wise adults. Non-jumping fields are larger than jumping fields in Pinky was less satisfactory in the show ring. At a Keswick Horse Show he refused many hunts nowadays. I would hack to and from meets with George and our father, and the first fence and dropped his rider. In Pinky’s next class, my father enlisted the serv- catch fleeting glimpses of them during the hunts. When my father was not out, George ices of future Hall of Fame rider Rodney Jenkins who was a few years older than always took care of me, finding me at the end of the day so we could hack home togethGeorge. For five dollars, big money in the 1950s, Rodney got Pinky over every jump er. I remember my first hunt seeing George on the ground, bucked off after his horse on the course. Rodney fully employed his riding crop. Next class without Rodney had been stung by yellow jackets. George had small feet and hands and thin legs. He aboard, Pinky again dropped his rider at the first fence. was sensitive to cold weather, but claimed that wearing long underwear during one hunt A better mount for George was a large pony named Glory Be whom everyone in had cut off circulation in both legs and made matters worse. George made me wary of our family rode and loved. Glory Be was out of a keen half bred mare, Glorietta. by a tight-fitting boots and wearing too many layers.

Welsh pony, Farnley Sirius. Glory Be was great in the show ring and the hunting field.

After high school George enlisted in the US Navy and seldom got back on a horse.

He was a rich light bay color sometimes called “blood bay.” He could gallop with Following his discharge, he moved to Charlottesville where he worked as long as his Thoroughbreds, which pleased George, and he was a sure jumper despite blindness in health allowed. George passed away three years ago. He would often recall his hunting one eye from opthalmia. When I was riding him toward the end of his career, my moth- days with pleasure. George was a “hunt to ride” type, who did not care about hounds er said, “Glory Be sees more with one eye than others see with two. He has his PhD in or what they were running. He kept a daily diary for a few of his teen years, though being a pony.” most entries are brief and unspecific. An unusually lengthy passage describes a Before one northern Virginia show, George decided to spray himself with insect December hunt: “The hounds ran a deer from Cismont to Keswick [about 5 miles]. We repellant. He mistakenly grabbed a can of white spray paint and coated the left side of galloped all the way and jumped a lot of fences. It was the best hunt ever.” his face like a white-faced mime. George had his best round at the Farmington Horse Show. Riding against talented competition, George and Glory Be earned a red ribbon. [Editor’s Note: Barclay Rives has been a regular contributor to In & Around Horse The 1960s show circuit featured an announcer called Brownie. George liked to imitate Country for 20 years. We are pleased to bring his knowledgeable and entertaining conBrownie’s signature line, “Please don’t get left out.” tributions to our readers.]

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

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BOOK REVIEW Fox Tracks

by Rita Mae Brown Reviewed by: Lauren R Giannini Clever utilization of pace comes into play in Fox Tracks, the latest offering in the Sister Jane mystery series by the senior Jt-MFH/huntsman of Oak Ridge Hunt (VA), Rita Mae Brown. Her fictional Jefferson Hunt characters – Jane, Walter, Tootie, Betty, Sybil, Shaker, Gray, et cetera – have become familiar literary friends while a known adversary, Crawford the affluent egotist, continues to amuse and irritate with every breath he takes.

The animals – from Jane’s house dogs and that obnoxious cat (well-named) to the horses and wildlife – foxes, owls, and a crow – add their own delightful sotto voce commentary to the prose.

That Rita Mae is an enthusiastic champion of country living and rural sporting traditions sings through the pages loud and clear. Starting with the earliest Sister Jane book, this is one of the reasons why the changes of pace simply add to the fun of reading Fox Tracks.

Rita Mae lulls her readers into complacency: you’re riding along at a relatively quiet, almost sedate, pace and suddenly – BLAM! That peaceful pastoral

scene changes in a New York minute to the hustle and bustle of hounds yodeling their unmistakable hound-y hallelujah chorus that announces they are on the trail of a fox or a coyote! Riders scramble to gather up their reins and get into position for the chase even as horses galvanize into headlong gallops.

You’re off! And a number of thrilling minutes of reading result. Rita Mae describes the workings of the pack, the wiliness of the fox, and the wild-card variables of running pell-mell across varied terrains. Then, the hounds either check or mark their quarry to ground, and the field gets to chat, catch their breaths, pass around flasks and grin happily over the lovely run they just enjoyed. Before you know it, hounds and huntsman lead the way to the next covert or start hacking home or back to the trailers while the field either relaxes or stays on the alert for the next blast.

Thus plays out Fox Tracks. The quiet lulls allow Rita Mae to expound on various sub-plots – Tootie not being happy at Princeton, Betty and the printing press business, Art and Donny’s smuggling of contraband, Jane and Gray’s continuing liaison, loss of a fixture (land-holding where hounds can meet and hunt across) to that dastardly Crawford, the Egyptian teacher’s attack by a politician… The opening chapter’s murder in New York City before the Masters of Foxhounds Association’s annual hunt ball results in Jane’s attempts to unravel the tobacco connection…

Tally ho, Rita Mae – many thanks for the wild ride, literally!

Available at Horse Country Saddlery. A few signed copies are still on hand.

Hardcover, 320 pages, with dust jacket. $26.00, 1-800-882-4868.

Huge Turnout for Rita Mae Brown Book Signing The line was almost out the front door on Saturday evening, November 17, as fans of best selling author Rita Mae Brown queued up to purchase Fox Tracks, her latest entry in the Sister Jane foxhunting mystery series. Rita Mae herself was ensconced in the Hunt Room, her favorite space in Warrenton’s newly refurbished Horse Country Saddlery, busily signing copies and enjoying the interaction with her many admirers.

The Horse Country staff went all out for this special event. The evening featured wine and cocktails both upstairs and in the now-open downstairs space, where visitors were also treated to a tempting array of delights from the area’s favorite caterer, Celebrations. Six models – men, women, and children – strolled among the crowd showing off items from Horse Country’s fall and winter selection of riding apparel and country clothing. A representative of Asmar, the Canadian clothes maker, presented a trunk show of the high tech clothing winning awards in Europe. Fabulous door prizes added an element of luck and surprise to the evening.

Most of those in attendance did not realize just how lucky they were: the book’s official publishing date wasn’t until three days after the signing. Thanks to the long relationship Horse Country has enjoyed with Rita Mae Brown, the publisher authorized this special batch of Fox Tracks for early release.

If you missed this event, you can still enjoy following “Sister” Jane Arnold’s struggles and challenges through her latest mystery as it unravels in the heart of Virginia’s hunt country. Available at Horse Country, 1-800-882-4868, $26.00.

Rita Mae Brown and Jenny Young, manager of Horse Country Saddlery's book department. Evan Cox photo.

Joan Jones, ex-MFH; Midge Harmon; Nancy Treusch.

With author Rita Mae Brown, left to right, Betty Oare, Diane Jones, Ernie Oare, Tommy Lee Jones.

Evan Cox photo.

Evan Cox photo.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

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FIELD HUNTERS Blue Ridge Hunt’s Barbara Batterton and Nicki Z Take the Prize at the 2012 VFHC

Karyn Wilson, Fairfax Hunt, who piloted her Chase to victory last year, presents the trophy to the 2012 winners, Blue Ridge Hunt’s Barbara Batterton and Blue Ridge MFH Linda Armbrust’s Nicki Z. Liz Callar photo.

Always elegant Devon Zebrovious, Middleburg Hunt, on her Quest, took third place.

Although this year’s Virginia Field Hunter Championship was held at Winter Farm, the day was anything but wintry. A field of 24 riders representing 14 Virginia hunts competed on a warm, sunny Sunday for the annual prize. Fairfax Hunt was this year’s host, thanks to the 2011 victory by Karyn Wilson, wife of Fairfax jt-MFH Paul Wilson, riding her Chase. The event opened with a hack on the flat, followed by a mock hunt. The chosen finalists then negotiated a handy hunter course to determine the ultimate winners.

When the judging was done, Barbara Batterton of Blue Ridge Hunt, riding Blue Ridge MFH Linda Armbrust’s Nicki Z, was awarded the championship.

Second place went to Casanova’s Kathleen O’Keefe and her Dudley. Devon Zebrovious, in elegant sidesaddle turnout, and her Quest took third place for Middleburg Hunt. But Devon was outshined, if only just, by fellow Middleburg member Helen Brettell, who captured the ribbon for Best Turned Out. Helen competed on Ann and Phil Marstiller’s Brooke.

The judging crew represented a depth of experience. Riding judges were Mrs. Michele Rouse, Fairfax Hunt and Piedmont Fox Hounds; Mrs. Joanne Possumato, MFH, Amwell Valley Hounds; Mrs. Marilyn Jarvis, Piedmont Fox Hounds, 2010 Champion; Mr. Michael E. Hoffman, ex-MFH and 2010 Reserve Champion; Dr. Roger Scullin, MFH Howard County Iron Bridge; and Ms. Mimi Schmitz, Green Spring Valley Hounds. Joseph Keusch, exMFH Fairfax Hunt, served as judge for the Best Turned Out competition.

Virginia Field Hunter Champion, Barbara Batterton, Blue Ridge Hunt, on Nicki Z, owned by Blue Ridge MFH Linda Armbrust.

Richard Clay photo.

Best Turned Out, Helen Brettell, Middleburg Hunt, on Brooke, owned by Ann and Phil Marstiller.

Richard Clay photo.

CLEVELAND BAYS

Richard Clay photo.

Cleveland Bay Day Hosted by Fairfax Hunt Farmer’s Delight, Middleburg, Virginia November 3, 2012 Liz Callar photos

Maggie Johnston on her Cleveland Bay mare IdleHour Savanna.

Eight Cleveland Bays, representing multiple hunts from Virginia and Maryland, assembled on the historic lawn of Farmer’s Delight, where the manor house dates to 1791.

Steffanie Burgevin, a member of Fairfax Hunt since 1979, and shown here on IdleHour Muthaiga (aka Mattie), organized the event for the Cleveland Bay Society.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012

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FIELD HUNTERS

Junior North American Field Hunter Championship Radnor, Pennsylvania, November 4, 2012 Richard Clay Photos

13 & Over Champion Sophia Vella on Curious George, Warrenton Hunt.

After qualifying at a series of hunts in Pennsylvania, Maryland (Northern Region), and Virginia (Southern Region), a field of 70 young riders converged on Radnor, Pa., November 4, for the Junior North American Field Hunter Championship.

Following a Saturday evening dinner reception hosted by Radnor Hunt MFH Esther Gansky, the competition took place on Sunday over the lovely, and challenging, Radnor hunting country. There were both hilltopper and first flight divisions, with the first flight group divided between 12 and under and 13 and over. The tests consisted of a mock hunt, followed by a flat phase, and then an individual test over a designated course of jumps. The winners were determined by a five-judge panel consisting of Ann Dyer, MFH; Joseph Keusch, ex-MFH; Linda Reynolds; Richard Scarlet; and Susan Ward.

When the judging was done, the First Flight, 13 and over championship went to Sophia Vella and Curious George, representing Warrenton Hunt. This pair took the top spot in the First Flight, 12 and under category in 2010. Last year’s winner in this class, Emily Digney, garnered the reserve champion ribbon riding Mariah for the Farmington Hunt/Mt. Skyline Pony Club.

The First Flight, 12 and under championship was captured by Elizabeth Scully and Hi Hopes Dream With Me, Green Spring Valley Hounds, with reserve going to Ella Brophy and Frisky Business, River Hills Hounds. Nicole Stetson and Holly, Loudoun Hunt West, went home with the Hilltopper championship. LeeLee McNeil, riding Violet, Hilltopper reserve champion, was already home as she rode for Radnor Hunt.

Quoting from www.juniorfieldhunter.com: “We hope the children, the future of our hunts, will come out for…a great day of hunting, meet new friends, see new country, and realize how important our countryside is and do their best to protect it for their future generations.”

To that end, a team of dedicated volunteers work hard to make this event happen every year. Three ladies in particular are to be cited for their devotion and hours of dedication to this program: Mrs. Robert (Iona) Pillion; Mrs. M. Douglas Wise-Stuart, MFH; and Ms. Marion Chungo.

13 & Over Reserve Champion Emily Digney on Mariah, Farmington Hunt – Mt Skyline Pony Club.

Hilltopper Champion Nicole Stetson on Holly, Loudoun Hunt West.

12 & Under Champion Elizabeth Scully on Hi Hopes Dream With Me, Green Spring Valley Hounds.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

Tanheath and Wentworth Hunts

Wentworth Hunt Opening Meet, October 27, 2012 Tuckaway Farm, Lee, New Hampshire Huntsman Kami Wolk (l) and Whipper-in Daun De France.

Eric Schneider photo.

Tanheath Hunt, September 16, 2012, Weston Nursery, Hopkinton, Massachusetts Bill Wentworth, MFH. Eric Schneider photo.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

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RACING

Fall Races

By Will O’Keefe

International Gold Cup Race Aero - 2nd, Grinding Speed - 1st, Mark Beecher up.

Douglas Lees photo.

International Gold Cup Maiden Hurdle Race Run Darlin, Hulako - 1st, Jacob Roberts up, Sporty.

Douglas Lees photo.

International Gold Cup Steeplethon Saluda Sam, Major Malibu, Sand Box Rules - 3rd, Liverpool Gloves, Gather No Moss, Eye Said Scat Cat - 4th, Zulla Road - 1st, Gus Dahl up. Douglas Lees photo.

International Gold Cup International Fegentri World Cup Flat Decoy Daddy (Ire) - 1st, Carol Ann Sloan up. Douglas Lees photo.

International Gold Cup Races 10-20-2012 The International Gold Cup Races on Saturday, October 20, at Great Meadow near The Plains, Virginia offered something for everyone. Two of the races were run over hurdles, two on the flat, one over the varied fences of the steeplethon course and the featured International Gold Cup over timber. Clearly a good map and a thorough knowledge of the courses are keys to success, and therein lies the rub. What evolved could be described as a sequel to “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”

The International Gold Cup Timber Stakes qualifies as part of the “Good.” A year ago Race Director Alfred Griffin, Jr.’s Aero chased Robert Kinsley’s Maryland invader Incomplete home in the International Gold Cup, and this year Marylander Michael T. Wharton’s Grinding Speed made Aero the bridesmaid again. Grinding Speed was rated off the pace by rider Mark Beecher, moved into second place with a half mile to run, took the lead five fences from home and won easily by 2½ lengths. Kingfisher Farm and Mrs. Arthur Arundel’s Monte Bianco (Willie McCarthy) made a run at Grinding Speed as they turned for home, but he couldn’t sustain that effort.

Aero rallied to take second 2½ lengths behind the winner. Grinding Speed is in his first season racing over timber, and he sports a record of three wins and three seconds in six starts under rules for trainer Alicia Murphy. Mark Beecher, the winning rider, gained back-to-back victories, having won a year ago on Incomplete. It was unfortunate that Aero finished second for the second year in a row, but his was another good effort that just happened to be second best.

Monte Bianco finished third.

The two hurdle races on the card also can be included in the “Good” column, especially for Virginia owners and trainers. The maiden hurdle race went to Kinross Farm’s Hulako. Under Jacob Roberts he went to the lead at the second fence and was never seriously challenged the rest of the race. Farm d’Allie & Lazenby Stables’ Pleasant Woodman (Willie McCarthy) came in second 3¾ lengths behind Hulako, and Rebecca Shepherd’s Searubyrun (Richard Boucher) was third.

Clorevia Farm’s Extraextraordinary (Willie McCarthy) was victorious for trainer Doug Fout in the optional allowance/starter hurdle race. McCarthy rated the winner off the pace. As they raced toward the final turn, McCarthy had Extraextraordinary on the move. He rallied to jump the last with Jubilee Stables’ Wantan (Richard Boucher) and proved best in a duel to the finish. The final margin was ¾ of a length.

Elizabeth Barr’s Parade Lap (Barry Walsh) finished third.

The first flat race on the card was the International Fegentri World Cup flat race for amateur riders. This race attracted a big 13 horse field that got away well when starter Graham Alcock dropped the flag. Irvin S. Naylor’s hurdle stakes winner Decoy Daddy (Ire) was second early but took the lead with Carol Ann Sloan up with one more time to go around.

Decoy Daddy was ridden the best and won handily by 10¼ lengths. Carol Ann Sloan was one of the ten riders who comprised the United States contingent. Mede Cahaba Stable LLC’s Complete Zen rallied from far

back with Italian rider Fabrizio Perego to take second, and Charles McCann’s Evening Taps (Keri Brion) took third representing the United States. It is important to note here that every one of the amateur riders who finished this race stayed on course.

Now it is time to address the “Bad.” Staying on course in the steeplethon has been a challenge for the riders since its inception, and this year was not an exception. Indian Run Farm’s Swimming River is the reigning king of this type of race. He has won at Great Meadow the last two years at the spring meet and has won the similar Alfred Hunt Steeplechase at the Middleburg Spring Races the past two years. His record would even be better if he had not been ridden off course in a winning effort at this meet in 2010. In this year’s running James Slater had the mount since his regular rider Jeff Murphy was at the Far Hills Races in New Jersey. As the field raced around the south turn there seemed to be a difference of opinion on the appropriate course. Swimming River was followed by more than half of the field off course with the other half going wider and taking the appropriate beacon. At the finish Swimming River, Manown Kisor, Jr.’s Gather No Moss (Mark Watts), and Kingfisher Farm’s Major Malibu (Willie McCarthy) crossed the line in that order but were all disqualified for going off course. Celtic Venture Stable’s Zulla Road finished fourth but was placed first after the disqualifications. His rider, Gus Dahl, had seen the others go off course and anticipated the results. Elizabeth Korrell’s Leffingwell Lion (Richard Boucher) was moved up to second and Kinross Farm’s Sand Box Rules (Chris Read) was placed third. Sand Box Rules had gone off course with the others but had circled and got back on course. The final Steeplethon result was “Bad,” Zulla Road - 1st, Gustav Dahl up.

Douglas Lees photo. especially for poor Swimming River, who deserves better.

What happened in the last race, the Old Dominion Turf Championship Flat Race, was “UGLY” with a capital “U.” Nine horses went to the start and what happened resulted in a race that the Stewards declared void. You ask, “How can a race be declared void?”

The answer is that everyone in the field except for Colleen Mahoney’s Colleen’s Charm, who lost her rider, went off course at least once. You also ask, “How can this happen? Didn’t 10 amateur riders ride the course correctly in the earlier flat race?” [Editor’s Note: See “Horses and People to Watch” on page 28 for the Virginia Thoroughbred Association’s take on this.]

Since the running of this race there has been a lot of finger pointing and excuses. I’m not going join that debate in this article, but it is in the best interests of the steeplechase sport to find answers and to erase the “Bad” and the “Ugly.”

By the way, isn’t it “Bad” that two premier race meets (Far Hills and the International Gold Cup) are conducted on the same day, diluting an already thin riding colony?

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

Montpelier Hunt Races 11-3-2012 This year the Noel Laing Stakes at the Montpelier Hunt Races on Saturday, November 3, at Montpelier Station was run as a handicap. In a handicap the racing secretary assigns weight with the ultimate goal to have all the horses arrive at the finish line together.

This is an ideal that is not usually achieved and that was the case this year, but the assigned weights certainly had an influence on the outcome. Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey’s 2010 Eclipse Award winner Slip Away carried top weight of 158 pounds. The next highest weight (154) went to Irvin S. Naylor’s Irishbred Decoy Daddy, who was trying for a third consecutive win in the feature. Rounding out the top three was Augustin Stables’ Chilean-bred Rainiero (146 lbs.), who has won four races with only one loss in the past two years for trainer Richard Valentine while racing in allowance and claiming company.

At the start of the race Paddy Young went to the front with Slip Away. Jeff Murphy assumed a stalking position in Slip Away’s shadow, and Matt McCarron rated Rainiero off the pace. With a half mile to run Slip Away started to fade and it was clear that the high weight and his first start over fences this year was not going to produce a winning effort. Decoy Daddy assumed command and briefly a three-peat appeared a strong possibility. But Rainiero was closing ground with every stride and pulled alongside Decoy Daddy at the last fence. Decoy Daddy dug in, and they battled to the head of the stretch. Rainiero was not to be denied and won going away by 6 lengths. Armata Stables’ Cornhusker (Kieran Norris - 142 lbs.) came along to take third and Slip Away was fourth.

The Montpelier Cup optional allowance claiming hurdle race attracted a strong field of winners.

Steve Yeager’s Mischief had made 13 starts this year and won four races at the spring point-to-points. At Montpelier he proved that he belonged in sanctioned company. Annie Yeager kept Mischief off the early pace and rallied to take the lead at the second fence from home. From there to the wire he steadily drew away to win by 4¼ lengths over Armata Stables’ Dynaski (Paddy Young). This was Annie Yeager’s first win under rules. Don Yovanovich was the winning trainer.

The conditioned claiming hurdle race went to Dale Thiel’s Call Me Sonny (Jacob Roberts), who was making his first start over fences since being claimed at Shawan Downs for $15,000 by trainer Ricky Hendriks. At Montpelier the small five-horse field raced as a tightly bunched group. Call Me Sonny raced down the backside slightly behind Hudson River Farm’s Time Off (Brian Crowley) and Hickory Tree Stable’s Irish-bred Slaney Rock (Paddy Young).

Call Me Sonny made his move to lead over the last fence and proved best by a neck over Slaney Rock, who came again in the stretch.

Jacob Roberts completed the daily double when he won the maiden claiming hurdle race on Kinross Farm’s Schoolhouse Woods. Roberts rated the winner far off the early pace but rallied him into contention the second time around. He took the lead approaching the last fence and won easily by 12¾ lengths over Noble Stable’s Saint Nicholas (Chris Read). Leading VSA Trainer Neil Morris trained the winner and the runner up. Schoolhouse Woods was a home-bred.

In the maiden hurdle race, Richard Boucher sent Rebecca Shepherd’s Searubyrun to the lead at once and never relinquished that position. Charles Fenwick, Jr.’s Puller (Paddy Young) ran evenly but could not seriously threaten the winner. The final margin between these two was 1½ lengths. Trainer Lilith

9

Boucher was especially pleased to win a race at Montpelier for the Shepherds, who live in nearby Culpeper.

The last race in Virginia this year was a training flat race on the turf, and it produced a first time trip to a sanctioned meet’s winners’ circle for Zoe Valvo riding Nicki Valvo’s Triton Light. Triton Light didn’t break on top, but it took less than a furlong for him to assume that position. Michael A. Smith’s Blackstone Bay closed well in the stretch but fell short of giving Jacob Roberts his third win on the card by ½ length.

Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Races 11-4-12 There are no longer any timber races at Montpelier so the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Races on Sunday, November 4, near Unionville, Pennsylvania were a perfect complement. Virginia timber horses, their connections, and enthusiasts made the trip and were rewarded with some top flight efforts.

The first race was a maiden timber race that was won by Merriefield Farm’s Foyle. The owners and trainer Dawn Williams are from Maryland, but the winning rider, Chris Read, makes Warrenton, Virginia his home.

Things got even better for Virginia interests in the next race for horses that have never won over timber twice. Mrs. Magalen O. Bryant’s Dakota Slew carried Darren Nagle to an easy win over fellow Virginian Margaret Littleton’s Atrium (Roddy Mackenzie). Dakota Slew was bred by Larry F. Curtis and completed a very successful weekend for trainer Richard Valentine.

In the four mile Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Timber Stakes Kinross Farm’s Sand Box Rules (Chris Read) and Wally Pinkard’s Won Wild Bird (Roddy Mackenzie) ran as a team most of the race. When they raced to the last fence Sand Box Rules had the lead, and it looked like the Hunt Cup was going to Virginia for the second straight year. But alas a mistake by the leader and a gritty effort by the game mare reversed fortunes. Won Wild Bird won by 4¼ lengths. Sand Box Rules gave a strong effort in his first stakes start over timber.

The Madison Plate Conditioned Claiming Hurdle Call Me Sonny - 1st, Jacob Roberts up, Durer - 3rd, Time Off - 4th.

Douglas Lees photo.

Montpelier Noel Laing Stakes Hurdle Race Decoy Daddy (Ire) - 2nd, Rainiero (Chi) - 1st, Matt McCarron up.

Douglas Lees photo.

Montpelier $10,000 Maiden Hurdle Montpelier Cup Schoolhouse Woods - 1st, Mischief - 1st, Annie Yeager up.

Douglas Lees photo.

Jacob Roberts up.

Douglas Lees photo.

Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, Timber Stakes Won Wild Bird (gray) - 1st, Roddy Mackenzie up, Sand Box Rules (8) - 2nd.

Betsy Burke Parker photo.

Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, Allowance Timber Dakota Slew - 1st, Darren Nagle up.

Montpelier $15,000 Maiden Hurdle Searubyrun - 1st, Richard Beecher up.

Betsy Burke Parker photo.

Douglas Lees photo..

10

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

TEAM CHASE

Orange County Hounds Team Chase Results Old Whitewood Farm, The Plains, Virginia November 18, 2012 Richard Clay Photos

Junior Champion Caroline Fout (Orange County Hounds/MOC Beagles) on Morning Pleasure.

Genuine Hunter Champion Helen Brettell (Middleburg Hunt) on Brooke.

The Orange County Hounds Team Chase is traditionally held on the last Sunday in October—except when a “Super Storm” blows through the area and causes a ripple effect of schedule changes. This year’s event, dedicated to the memory of Jimmy Young, long-serving MFH of Orange County Hounds, was moved to Sunday, November 18. Fortunately, the weather cooperated in fine style on that day and a full card of competitors gathered at Mark and Karin Ohrstrom’s Old Whitewood Farm.

The day began with Hilltopper Pairs, suitable for children or hilltopper adults, who competed over an infield course of 13 fences, 2’4” to 2’6”. Next came Limit Hunters, teams of three to four riders who rode out over a 1½-mile course featuring 15 fences at 3’. The day concluded 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”.

Each class began with a Best Turned Out Parade. The Hilltopper Pairs were judged on their performance over the infield course. The objective for Limit and Genuine Hunters was to come closest to the pre-determined ideal time. A separate award is also given in each of these two categories for Best Hunt Team.

After all Limit Hunter teams were in, a selected group of junior riders were called back to hack and perform a handy hunter test individually. Similarly, a narrowed batch of Genuine Hunters performed a similar individual test.

When the judging was finished, the individual Genuine Hunter Championship went to Helen Brettell (Middleburg Hunt) on Brooke, and the Junior Championship was awarded to Caroline Fout (Orange County Hounds/MOC Beagles) on Morning Pleasure.

The full results were as follows: Hilltopper Pairs: Best Hunt Team: “Eduardo Coria Team 1” – Kathleen Lyons on Luke and Eduardo Coria.

Best Turned Out: “Coria Team 2” – Christie Fitzsimmons and Eduardo Coria.

Limit Hunters: Best Hunt Team: “Fox Jumpers” – Graham Alcock on Matchstick, Hayley Alcock on Foxy, Nancy Alcock on Millpoint Farbetter, Beverly Alcock on Martigraw.

Ideal Time: “Robin and Allegra” – Allegra Solari on Doncaster, Robin Ross on Maverick, Enrique Solari on Ruby.

Best Turned Out: “Making Ends Meet” – Ashley Boardman on Greystone, Jane Braswell on Turf, and Caroline Fout on Morning Pleasure.

Junior Champion: Caroline Fout on Morning Pleasure.

Reserve Champion: Allegra Solari on Doncaster.

Genuine Hunters: Best Hunt Team: “Joint Ventures” – Andrea Gilman on Jamieson, Kathleen O’Keefe on Dudley, Eduardo Coria on Arcadia’s Gold.

Best Turned Out: “The Champagne Chasers” – M’lesa Boike on Bennet, Jim Drunagel on Skip Along Slew, Pann Drunagel on Jimmy Slide, Mike Olding on The Cane Prince.

Ideal Time Winners: “Tally Ho Trio” – Mark Thompson on Eli, Joy Crompton on Seamus, and Tracey Cover.

Genuine Hunter Reserve Champion Leslie Hazel (Orange County Hounds) on Bob.

The Genuine Hunter Championship Champion: Helen Brettell on Brooke.

Reserve Champion: Leslie Hazel on Bob.

11

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

2012 Virginia Steeplechase Association Final Standings

OPENING MEETS

LEADING OWNER 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Magalen Bryant Kinross Farm Randolph Rouse Edward Mulligan Michael Smith

24 22 17 16 13 LEADING TRAINER

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Neil Morris Doug Fout Jimmy Day Richard Valentine Donald Yovanovich

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Jeff Murphy Carl Rafter Annie Yeager Christopher Read Mary Motion

54 43 32 24 19

Potomac Hunt Opening Meet October 27. 2012 Potomac Hunt Kennels Boyds, Maryland Ken Graham Photos Potomac Hunt hounds on the line.

LEADING RIDER

1.

2.

3.

5.

1.

2.

4.

5.

1.

5.

LEADING HURDLE HORSE Final Straw (Edward Mulligan) Extraextraordinary (Clorevia Farm) Hishi Soar (Randolph Rouse) Brave Prospect (Woodslane Farm) Slaney Rock (Ire) (Hickory Tree Stable) LEADING TIMBER HORSE Aero (Alfred Griffin, Jr.) Swimming River (Indian Run Farm) G'day G'day (Magalen Bryant) Zulla Road (Celtic Venture Stable) Cat Walkin (Donald Yovanovich) Humdinger (Michael Smith) LEADING HORSE ON THE FLAT Zulla Road (Celtic Venture Stable) Triton Light (Nicki Valvo) Evening Taps (Charles McCann) Sir Gus (Randolph Rouse) Orchestra Leader (S. Bruce Smart, Jr.) Blackstone Bay (Michael Smith)

55 41 16 10 1 11 8.50 7 7 6 11 10 10 7.50 6 6

Potomac Hunt hounds and staff.

5 5 5 5 3 3

Potomac Hunt MFH Peter Hitchen (far left) welcomes the Opening Meet crowd as hounds gather around Huntsman Larry Pitts (on paint).

Elizabeth Reese, DVM, over a coop in fine style.

Potomac Hunt Field at a check.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

12

HUNTER TRIALS New England Hunter Trials Hosted by Green Mountain Hounds October 7, 2012 Lemon Fair Farm, Shoreham, VT. Eric Schneider photos

Norfolk Hunt's Michael Paparo and Owen Hughes, MFH, riding Maverick and Briarwood, winners of the team event.

Sarah Schindler and Hamilton of Green Mountain Hounds.

Christa Kemp of Green Mountain Hounds on Rilery VII. Norfolk's Lucy Hemenway and Simba.

Deep Run Hunt 125th Anniversary

FOXHUNTING

All-Members-Mounted Portrait on October 21st. The official portrait on the occasion of Deep Run Hunt’s Anniversary featuring 75 mounted riders, 75 members on foot, 15 couple of foxhounds, at the clubhouse in Manakin-Sabot VA. Wayne Dementi photo

Deep Run Hunt, September 30, 2012.

Deep Run Hunt hosted the MFHA and the International Union of Hunting With Hounds for a hunt breakfast.

They were presented with certificates commemorating their 125th anniversary.

WLS photo.

Wentworth's Kami Wolk and Sterling.

Deep Run Hunt Opening Meet, Full Stream Farm, October 27, 2012.

Debby Thomas/AnimalArtandPhotography.com

Deep Run Hunt Opening Meet, Full Stream Farm, October 27, 2012.

Debby Thomas/ AnimalArtandPhotography.com

Deep Run Hunt Opening Meet. Debby Thomas/AnimalArtandPhotography.com

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

FOXHUNTING

Hunt Meets Janet Hitchen Photos

Orange County Hounds, November 3, 2012 Huntsman Reg Spreadborough with hounds for blessing.

Blue Ridge Hunt Opening Meet, October 27, 2012 at Long Branch Huntsman Guy Allman with hounds.

Blue Ridge Hunt Opening Meet October 27, 2012 Huntsman Guy Allman with hounds.

Snickersville Hounds Opening Meet November 11, 2012 Joint Masters Gregg Ryan and Eva Smithwick.

Orange County Hounds Opening Meet, November 3, 2012 Huntsman Reg Spreadborough

Snickersville Hounds Opening Meet, November 11, 2012 (l-r) Robyn Harter, Whipper-In; Interim Honorary Huntsman Mrs. Erwin (Beth) Opitz; J. Harris Anderson, Whipper-In.

Piedmont Fox Hounds, November 10, 2012, Green Garden, Huntsman Spencer Allen.

(Opening Meet was cancelled due to “Super Storm Sandy”).

13

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

14

OPENING MEETS

Glenmore Hunt Opening Hunt October 27, 2012 Linnette Coaker, Whipper-in; Dan Jones, Jt. MFH, Huntsman.

Hugh Sproul photo.

Glenmore Hunt Opening Hunt October 27, 2012 Teresa Stewart, ex-MFH, Whipper-in.

Hugh Sproul photo.

Glenmore Hunt Opening Hunt October 27, 2012 Jan Jones, Whipper-in; Teresa Stewart, ex MFH, Whipper-in; Dan Jones, Jt. MFH, Huntsman.

Hugh Sproul photo.

The Thornton Hill Fort Valley Hounds and Huntsman Billy Dodson aboard Toro receive the traditional blessing from Rev. Sue Hartman at the THFVH opening meet on Sunday, November 4, at Bill Fletcher's Thornton Hill Farm, Sperryville, VA. Lauren R. Giannini photo.

After the Blessing, Thornton Hill Fort Valley Hounds and Huntsman Billy Dodson move off, flanked on left by Whipper-in Amy Kennedy, followed by two of the TVFVH masters: Jeff Lehew and Brett Jackson (back to camera).

Lauren R. Giannini photo.

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No need to knock, or say you’re “Joe” Just find the stairs and down you’ll go With one quick glance you’ll surely know You’re at Renardo’s Hideaway, Hooray!

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Fox table bell (HC7M) $36.50

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

Janet Hitchen Photography

(540) 837-9846 • Email: Janeth@crosslink.net www.janethitchenphotography.com

OPENING MEETS

Casanova Opening Meet Fox came out of Turkey Run.

Casanova Along Turkey Run after the fox.

Casanova Tommy Lee Jones, Huntsman.

Casanova Joyce Fendley, MFH.

Douglas Lees photo.

Douglas Lees photo.

Douglas Lees photo.

Douglas Lees photo.

Casanova Opening Meet at Casanova Green, Casanova, VA. October 27, 2012 Tommy Lee Jones, Huntsman, moving to first covert from the meet. Douglas Lees photo.

Warrenton Hunt moves off for its 125th opening meet Matt Vanderwoude, Huntsman. Douglas Lees photo.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

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ACROSS THE POND

Two Opening Meets and Two Visiting Packs of Foxhounds

By Jim Meads

David Davies Hunt Opening Meet October 20, 2012 The traditional opening meet at Plas Dinam, the Master’s home.

David Davies Hunt Opening Meet October 20, 2012 The mounted field on the Llandinam Hills.

David Davies Hunt Opening Meet October 20, 2012 Well over a wall in the hills is Charlotte Boow.

David Davies Hunt Opening Meet October 20, 2012 Whipper-in Neville Owen was attending his 50th opening meet.

Ullswater Foxhounds visit Mid-Wales October 22, 2012 Huntsman John Harrison with his Fell Hounds in stone wall country.

Ullswater Foxhounds visit Mid-Wales October 22, 2012 A well-attended meet near Rhayader, in the Elan Valley.

In 1900 Mr. David Davies was a Member of Parliament for Montgomeryshire, having made a fortune from his dealings in coalmines and railways during the Industrial Revolution in the UK. Later, he became the first Lord Davies, with his home in Llandinam in mid-Wales. In 1905 he founded the David Davies Foxhounds, with kennels at Plas Dinam, where they remain to this day. One year later, the kennel also became home to a pack of Otterhounds, and finally, in 1909, David Davies formed the Montgomeryshire Foot Harriers, also kept at Plas Dinam. During my research, I came across a most interesting fact from the results of the 1913 David Davies Puppy Show, when 7½ couple of doghounds and 5½ couple of bitches were judged.

The winner of Class I was “Liberty,” by Duke of Beaufort’s “Leveller” x Tivyside “Torment,” while Class II was won by “Vanity,” by Belvoir “Vulcan” x “Bridesmaid,” walked by Mr. Jones, the butcher at Clatter. Amazingly, in recent years two of the Duke of Beaufort’s champion hounds, “Bombadier” and “Bouncer,” have breeding going back to David Davies “Bouncer.”

On October 20, the David Davies opening meet was held, as usual, at the present Lord Davies’ home, Plas Dinam, where he welcomed all comers as the longest serving MFH in the country, having been in office since 1963. Huntsman Steve Bradley brought along 17½ couple of Welsh and Fell Foxhounds, while his Whipper-in, hill farmer Neville Owen, was attending his 50th opening meet. The weather was perfect and a mounted field of 36 enjoyed the sunshine and refreshments before the Huntsman led hounds to where the first trail had been laid, while Des Davies took control of the field. Starting on the low ground and running via the oak wood, the trails led us into the Llandinam Hills, where there are jumps and fantastic views over the Severn Valley in unlimited visibility. Here hounds and riders stayed until “Home” was blown at 3:30 p.m., when happy riders and tired horses hacked back to the meet after a splendid day.

Two days later I drove 35 miles south to the Elan Valley, close to Rhayader, in the Llanwrthwl hunt country, where the Ullswater Foxhounds were meeting, having traveled more than 200 miles from the Lake District in northwest England. The meet was held in stone wall country, where Huntsman John Harrison, who formerly hunted the Toronto and North York Hounds in Canada, produced a smart pack of 18 couple of Fell Foxhounds. Some 60 people turned up at the meet on a chilly, misty morning with low cloud on the hilltops, where, luckily, it stayed all day! Llanwrthwl Huntsman Mark Jones acted as a guide, and as hounds moved off to draw a rugged hillside with areas of forestry, most of the followers jumped onto no less than 31 quad bikes, which roared away, seeking a vantage point to watch hounds hunting pre-laid trails. I stayed out for 2½ hours, but was unable to take any more photos due to hounds working in dense forestry, where I could hear them but not see them. So I said “Good night” and turned for home, feeling frustrated.

David Davies Hunt Opening Meet Lord Davies, Master since 1963.

Tanatside Hunt Opening Meet October 27, 2012 Joint Master and Field Master Sarah Hodgetts leading the way.

Tanatside Hunt Opening Meet October 27, 2012 Some of the field waiting in the sunshine in superb scenery.

Tanatside Hunt Opening Meet October 27, 2012 Senior Joint Master Mary Teague in the center of the group at the meet.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

On October 27, it was back to another mounted pack of foxhounds with a long history, namely the Tanatside, which until 1926 were harriers. Records exist back to 1754, when the pack was known as the Confederate Hunt. In 1795 its name was changed to the Oswestry Corporation Hounds, then between 1820-25 Mssrs. Shuker & Habberley of Chirbury hunted hounds, but in 1825, John Pryse became master and changed the name to the Tanatside Harriers. In 1928 the harriers were disbanded and replaced with foxhounds, which continue to this day, with kennels at Guilsfield. In recent times, probably the two most influential masterships have been Major Edward Bonnor-Maurice, 1971-2001, and Charles Stirling, 1991-2001. Since 2007, Richard Evans, whose late father Len hunted the Ludlow Foxhounds, has carried the horn for two lady masters, Marge Teague and Sarah Hodgetts, now with John Jones as hunt chairman. This year, the opening meet was held at Mrs. Samuel’s home near Llanfechain, on another perfect day, with sunshine helping to dry up the saturated grassland from our wet summer.

Huntsman Richard Evans arrived with 18 couple of Welsh x English hounds, while he and his partner Julie Taylor proudly showed off their five-week-old son Archie, who took it all in his stride. There were almost 40 horses on parade, with Sarah Hodgetts, MFH, taking the Field Master’s role, while super glasses of port were handed round before hounds moved off. The initial trails laid by Andy Higgins were on the low ground, with numerous timber jumps for people to enjoy, before scent took us into the hills, with their stone walls and fantastic views of the countryside with the colors of the fall enhanced by the sunshine. Hound music was a pleasure to hear, but it was not a good scenting day, and the Huntsman had to help his pack on occasion to keep them going. After three hours of strenuous exercise, my legs cried “Enough!” and it took me fifty minutes to walk back downhill to my car and a flask of hot tea.

On October 29, my home hunt country, the David Davies, was visited by the Cumberland Farmers Foxhounds, who had driven 250 miles south from their kennels close to the Scottish border for three days’ hunting. This was a joint day, with hounds from both packs, so we had a mix of broken-coated Welsh hounds and smooth-coated Fell hounds working together. This foot meet was in an isolated village called Llidiartywaen and a big crowd gathered. In 1978, Peter Wybergh became a Joint Master of the Cumberland Farmers, taking over as Huntsman in 1980, and this is his farewell season. Accompanying him on the long journey were his daughter Holly and Steve Blamire, who takes over as MFH and Huntsman next season – a tough task he is looking forward to taking on. The morning was dull but mild with a light wind, and for almost three hours after hounds had moved off, we stayed on a grassy hillside, watching and listening to hounds on the other side of the valley, making it a really lazy day for us old but dedicated foxhunters.

Tanatside Hunt Opening Meet Hunt Chairman John Jones with daughter Anna in rugged hill country.

Tanatside Hunt Opening Meet October 27, 2012 Alison Harper takes a timber fence in her stride.

Tanatside Hunt Opening Meet October 27, 2012 Trail layer Andy Higgins over a stone wall in the hills.

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Cumberland Farmers Hounds visit Mid-Wales October 29, 2012 Well-attended meet at Llidiartywaen School.

Cumberland Farmers Hounds visit Mid-Wales October 29, 2012 Personalities at the meet: Clem Richards, David Davies Hunt President; Steve Bradley, David Davies Huntsman; Peter Wybergh, MFH and Huntsman since 1978; Holly Wybergh, Master’s daughter; Steve Blamire, becomes Huntsman next season.

David Davies Hunt Opening Meet October 20, 2012 Young rider Jenna Sherrard in action.

David Davies Hunt Opening Meet October 20, 2012 Field Master Des Davies with Rosie Gater and Holly Gee.

David Davies Hunt Opening Meet October 20, 2012 Lord Davies’ eldest daughter Eldrydd with two of her children, Bayden and Oscar, and Hunt Chairman Scott Lewis.

Ullswater Foxhounds visit Mid-Wales October 22, 2012 Among the many visitors was George Hardy with “Sarn” and “Dee.”

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

HORSE CARE

Horse Owners Face Down Greatest Fears Learning How to Handle Equine Emergencies

By Betsy Burke Parker The barn is cozy and quiet, afternoon sun slanting across the center aisle and catching pretty particles of dust that dance in its warm late autumn rays. A dozen horses doze in their stalls, others nosing for the last bits of their lunchtime hay.

Suddenly, the smell of smoke permeates the air, dark gray columns rising rapidly towards the open rafters. A horse in the corner box snorts in alarm, almost as one the others lurch to the fronts of their stalls to see what was happening.

The barn’s on fire!

Firefighter Justin McLeod – dressed in full gear, including hat, boots, thick gloves and a respirator mask – strides purposefully into the smoky stable. He grabs a halter and rope hanging on a stall door and hurries into the first stall to begin rescue operations.

Though the paint gelding seems uneasy with McLeod’s strange attire, Diego allows him to quickly loop the halter over his head and follows the rescuer obediently out of the now smokefilled stable. Outside, Diego’s owner babbles with excitement, thrilled at the safe return of her beloved horse, and his calm demeanor under this worst kind of stress, having survived a “barn fire.”

McLeod reminds her that if Diego had resisted rescue attempts, he would have been left in the stable. His owner looks relieved, peering back towards the smoke now pouring from the sliding doors of the barn.

Fortunately, in this case, Diego is relieved to be rescued from a barn full of smoke there’s no fire to go with the by firefighter/instructor Justin McLeod in a simulated stable fire. Smoke machines were used to create a mock smoke, yet the practice exercise fire while horses were in their stalls. Horses that are not contained every other facet of an willing to be rescued by the firefighters are often left emergency rescue. behind. This exercise helps owners understand how their Students at a recent Equine horse will react in this situation. Michelle Arnold photo.

Emergency clinic in The Plains, Va., were trotted through a battery of stressful situations, participants with horses practicing rescue and recovery techniques as auditors took careful notes on how to handle a wide variety of problems.

“There are so many different emergencies a horse can get into, we have trouble fitting it all in,” said McLeod, a Fayetteville, N.C., professional firefighter, paramedic, and instructor at the Nov. 3-4 event held at the Morningside training center.

“You have to be prepared.”

McLeod joined natural horsemanship trainer Kelly Sigler and paramedic Tracy Miller, founder of the North Carolina-based NCSmart large animal rescue, to teach the two-day clinic. The trio tag teamed the big group of active participants with horses plus auditors – some 30 students all told – throughout the weekend. They taught skills as basic as how to call 911 emergency and what information the operator needs, to the more complex concepts of horse behavior under stress – like the simulated fire, or how to handle a horse stuck under a fence or stuck in the mud – and how they might react to particular situations.

“Emergency responders typically perform rescues of humans and not horses,” said clinic organizer Charlotte Cottrill. “Therefore equine psychology and behavior under stress, handling and safety concerns are not foremost on their minds during a rescue operation. Think of how your horse might handle being trapped in a situation with no escape, only to be approached by vehicles with loud sirens and flashing lights, then approached by multiple responders, looking like ‘predators’ wearing emergency gear, smelling of smoke, and making scary noises.

“Then those same people gather around your horse, who already is stressed and acting on instinct alone, and touch, push, and pull on [him] with rope and straps, use noisy equipment, [and] deploy heavy equipment in order to perform the rescue.”

Cottrill said by asking themselves how they and their horses might react in an emergency, handlers can prepare for calm response to scary incidents.

“The four P’s apply to any horse emergency,” explained Miller. “Prior, proper, preparation and prevention. First of all, learn how to prevent a lot of problems by

running a safe horse operation and thinking ahead. But if you can’t prevent an emergency, learn how to deal with it.”

Sigler, a trainer based in Aiken, S.C., feels that training can help horses learn to help themselves. A top-level Parelli method instructor, the former upperlevel eventer employs natural horsemanship methods to train horses Emergency Clinic participant Michael Sparling prepares his horse for to move away from the “sideways drag saving technique.” Teaching your horse to be applied pressure – help- comfortable with ropes around his body will help him remain calm ful in getting a horse should he ever be rescued using this technique. Michelle Arnold photo. extricated from being cast in his stall, and to train horses to step forward, one foot at a time, using a taptap-tap method – something that might help rescue in a trailer accident, or release from entrapment in a mudhole or a swimming pool.

“Another thing to remember is that if your horse is ever rescued, we’re thinking you, yourself, could be [unavailable],” Sigler said. “Think about it; you’re in an accident. How are you going to help put on your horse’s leadrope and get him up, and maybe loaded into another horse trailer? Somebody else will be doing this, [probably not] a professional horseman. You want your horse knowing how to ‘follow’ anybody when being led – even if they’re all decked out in protective equipment, and knowing how to go onto a horse trailer when you ‘point’ them on.

“That lesson might just save you someday.”

Sigler spent time with participants helping them learn methods of pressure and release that the horses translate into equine language telling them how, where, and when to move their feet. “It’s using the horse’s own nature,” Sigler said.

Other topics covered included practice of attaching webbing to drag a horse to safety, how to deal with a cast horse, trailer safety, safety gear and emergency kit items, farm and fire evacuation, water and ice rescue, bandaging, and more.

“Do not assume your local emergency services responders know how to safely and successfully rescue your horse,” Miller said. “Their expertise is in rescuing humans…instead be an asset in an emergency and help them to help your horse. You may be the difference between the life and death of your equine partner.

Be prepared to respond instead of react See no evil...In case of an emergency, use what you have. In this example, a woman’s bra is and know what to do, when to do it, and used to protect the horse’s eyes from both debris how it should be done. and the sight of frightening objects or equipment “Don’t be that horse owner that ends utilized during a rescue. Michelle Arnold photo. up saying ‘I wish I would have known what to do to help!’ Be that horse owner that says ‘I know what to do. And I can help!’”

Participants were given special emergency contact flyers to fill in and laminate to place around their farms, homes, and trailers, as well as a reference manual.

“Natural horsemanship training helps develop the horse into a more calm and cooperative ‘victim’ during a rescue operation,” Sigler added. “Which way do you want it?”

The emergency course is offered throughout the year. Log onto Sigler’s website for a schedule – www.KellySigler.com.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

Equine Clinic Knowledge Put to Use Cpl. Rees Glad for Information in Near-Disaster for Virginia Horsemanship From: Cpl. Brian Rees, Fauquier County (Va.) Sheriff’s Department To: Tori Miller and Justin McLeod, equine emergency experts Date: Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 Dear Tori and Justin, Thank you for the [equine emergency] class this past weekend. It was very informative and useful.

That said…

This morning at 6:15 a.m. I got called by the office to come in early because a horse was stuck in a pool (near Warrenton.) It was 21 degrees outside. The horse had gotten out of the fence and went into the homeowners’ yard where the pool was located.

The green pool cover that was “supposed to support an elephant” failed, and the horse fell through.

Two deputies got to the house before I did. They helped keep the horse’s head above water and cut the pool cover.

The horse “semi-swam” to the shallow end and attempted to get out. This is now about 30 minutes since the homeowner first saw the horse in the pool. The water that was splashing out of the pool and was freezing instantly [made] a hazard for our deputies getting around the pool.

The pool is surrounded by gray slate with sharp edges.

So you can see where this is going I’m sure.

The slate broke with the horse kicking and trying to get out of the pool. The horse (eventually) got out of the pool.

I was able to halter the horse; he was shaking and bleeding profusely from his leg.

I walked the horse to the old barn and started to dry him off with lots of beach towels. I then was able to see there were four cuts – one on each leg. Three were superficial, (but) the one to the front left leg was bleeding badly.

I tried to clean it off and see where the bleeding was coming from and saw an artery was pumping the blood out as fast as I could clean it.

I had the horse owner call her vet, earlier, but the vet was not on location at this point, so I took it into my hands with what you showed us this weekend. I had a gauze wrap for humans that I covered the wound with, and applied pressure for about five minutes. I then added a second gauze, and wrapped it really big and thick.

About 10 minutes later the vet showed up. He said, “Who told you to do that to the leg?” when I told him what I’d done. I told him you showed us this weekend.

When he took off the bandage to start his treatment he said, “Oh, wow!”

Later, after he stitched the wounds, he said that the horse could have bled [to death] if I had not done what I did, because of hitting the artery.

So, long and short of this is you all helped me learn something that I did not know, and it helped me save this horse’s life.

Thank you for all the knowledge you gave us this past weekend.

Signed, Cpl. Brian Rees

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OPENING MEETS Fairfax Hunt and Loudoun Hunt West Joint Opening Meet October 28, 2012, Valley View Farm, Hamilton, Virginia

Loudoun Hunt West Huntsman Martyn Blackmore (l) and Fairfax Hunt Huntsman Kevin Palmer. Middleburg Photo.

Fairfax Hunt Members Paul Wilson, MFH; Dr. Nancy Voytosh; Dr. Mary Frances Smoak Walde.

Liz Caller Photo.

Loudoun Hunt West’s recently appointed joint master David Moyes and his wife Dr. Ann Ma.

Loudoun Hunt West member Rita Kaseman.

Middleburg Photo.

Middleburg Photo.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

EDITORIAL

What’s a Joint Like You Doing in a Nice Guy Like This?

By J. Harris Anderson When golfers get together, they compare You might, in rare instances, glimpse a hint scores, brands of clubs, and favorite courses. of scarring, perhaps a healed incision trail When foxhunters get together, they compare along knee or shoulder at, say, a summer picfractures, concussions, and joint replacements. nic or pool party. Catching sight of the hip scar The first two have been relevant since the requires, shall we say, a deeper level of friendsport began. The third is a fairly recent topic of ship. For the most part, however, the general conversation. It is also the bonding element of public is blind to the presence of JRC members a new, and growing, subculture: the Joint who walk – quite well, thank you – among Replacement Club (JRC). I became an entrythem. level member of the JRC two years ago when Such invisibility is a testament to the skills my old, worn out, right hip was replaced with of our surgeons and physical therapists, as well a wondrously artful assembly of titanium and as to the wonders of modern medical proceceramic parts. I say “entry-level” because inidures. Our more learned readers will know the tiation into this select group revealed a clear name Isaac “Ikey” Bell, famous master and hierarchy among the members, a stratification huntsman in the early part of the 20th Century. based on both the number and type of replaceAccording to Peter Holt’s The Keen ments.

Foxhunter’s Miscellany*, Bell’s arthritis Not all joints are created equal. Hence neibecame so crippling by the 1930s that he tried riding sidesaddle in an effort to continue huntther are their replacements. The knee, for ing his hounds. Alas, that did not prove effecinstance, is mechanically more complex than A Happy Hipster, Junior Jointer Member of the JRC. tive and, while then only in his 50s, he had to the hip, the latter being a simple ball-and-sockTim McKee photo. give up hunting altogether. While Bell’s plight et design. The knee is also more weight-bearmakes for a sad historical note, there is some relief to be drawn from the failure of ing and hence the post-replacement recovery may take longer. Consequently, a his sidesaddle experiment. Had that worked, many members of today’s JRC might person who has had one knee replaced automatically outranks a mere one-hipster have chosen the saddle over surgery. For some of us, though, that option would on the Joint Points scale. Shoulders top the list, garnering a full three points per prove awkward. Although both the hunting community in general and the JRC in joint. The most exalted members of the club are those who have undergone particular maintain gender neutrality in most respects, riding aside has not yet replacements of the replacements; all point values are doubled. reached that level of enlightenment.

The Joint Points scale begins with the simple assignment of one point for a Fortunately, if riding aside does not alleviate joint pain, an exercise regimen hip, two for a knee, and three for a shoulder. Each joint then entitles the bearer to and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might, but only for a while. his or her entry-level rank: Happy Hipster, Knight of Knees, or member of the Once the twinge is felt, the clock starts ticking. And though the twingee may Chivalrous Order of the Shoulder. (As with the terms “Huntsman” and “Master,” attempt denial and self-delusion, rest assured JRC membership awaits.

JRC titles are gender-neutral.)

Fear not though. We Further titular stratification is then based on total amassed point values: are a welcoming lot.

Points Title Though but a Happy 1-3 Junior Jointer Hipster of Junior Jointer 4 Baron of Bionics status, I have been warmly 5 Rajah of Repairs accepted into the club.

6 Archduke of Arthroplasty Where I might have previ7 Prince of Prosthetics ously found conversation 8 Monarch of Motion difficult with some people, I 9 and up Emperor of Ambulation now find ample fodder for One’s title then determines one’s position of choice in the hunt field, seating tailgate talk focused on who selection at the ball, and exemption from summer trail clearing duties. has had which parts done, Surgical technology has advanced to where most any joint in the human body and where each person can be repaired or replaced. But that doesn’t mean the venerable JRC is willing to ranks on the Joint Points admit just anyone who’s had, say, a thumb joint tweaked. Nor is someone who has scale. I’m also pleased to undergone a less common but more complex procedure a viable candidate. The say the new right hip has former may think himself the equal of those who have spent hours on the surgical performed marvelously table and months in recovery. The latter is likely to consider himself instantly well. So well, in fact, that vaulted to nothing less than Archduke of Arthroplasty status. And the more joints its partner is now showing accepted, the more arduous the Joint Point math. (Consider as well that most JRC signs of envy. The left side members have probably experienced a few TBIs – traumatic brain injuries – durtwinge has begun, the clock ing their riding and hunting years. Thus our cognitive and calculation skills are is ticking. Today a Junior “If you chaps joined the JRC, you could dispense with those likely to be somewhat impaired. Ciphering beyond single digits becomes a vexaperambulation aids.”

Jointer, soon a Baron of tion.)

Bionics.

Given those exclusions, you might think the JRC is open to none but a narrow slice of foxchasers, a population sample more miniscule than Mensa mem[Editor’s Note: Nothing in this article should be considered reliable medical inforbers. Yet you would be surprised to find how many of those riding alongside you mation. The author’s medical credentials are, to put it charitably, non-existent.] in the hunt field could walk through airport security naked and still set off the *The Keen Foxhunter’s Miscellany, an entertaining read, is available at Horse metal detector. And JRC membership covers the range of hunting enthusiasts, at Country Saddlery, 1-800-882-4868. least for those of a certain age, including a substantial number of huntsmen, masters, and staff.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

Jet Drama Captured by Photographer Jim Meads

almost every newspaper and magazine across the world.

In January 1963 it was named Picture of the Year

by Granada television programme What the Papers Say. Jim, who started as a freelance photographer in 1950 when he was just 20-years-old, still works fulltime despite now being 82-years-old.

His work has seen him fly to America on 181 occasions and features in the Guinness Book of World Records for photographing 500 different packs of hounds from all over the world during his long career.

But despite all this, Jim, who has kept extraordinarily fit by running across country with hounds and horses to take his pictures in the hunting field, insists “retirement is not on my agenda.”

By Richard Jones in County Times Friday, September 28, 2012

The amazing photographs [shown here] were taken by Carno photographer Jim Meads and one was named “Picture of the Year” in 1962.

Taken using his trusted Micro-Press camera, it shows test pilot George Aird ejecting out of a Lightning Jet Fighter after it suddenly rolled out of control and [just before it] crash-landed near Hatfield Airfield in Hertfordshire [England].

Jim, then a hard-up 32-year-old photographer, was playing outdoors with his two children, Paul, four, and Barry, three, when suddenly he heard a huge explosion and witnessed the jet plane nose-diving towards the ground.

He only had two shots on his 5 x 4 plate camera and captured these two images, one of the pilot ejecting from the plane and one of the explosion as the jet plummeted into the ground.

He sold his shots to the Daily Mirror for £100 and eventually made enough money from the picture to buy himself a small family home.

“It changed my life,” explained Jim, who has lived in Carno for the past 26 years.

“I remember it like it was yesterday. I was out trying to amuse my two children by taking photographs of them as the Lightning Jet was coming in to land, but then at 300 feet the jet rolled out of control and started roaring nose-first to destruction at 200 mph.

“Pilot George Aird, who I have since flown with, pressed the button on his ejector seat and shot up into the air. Knowing I only had two shots on the camera I waited for the perfect moment before pressing the button and then used my second shot to capture the explo-

23

Picture of the Year: Jim Meads, of Carno, captured this image of a Lightning Jet Fighter plummeting to the ground in Hertfordshire in 1962. It was later named “Picture of the Year.”

sion when the smoke was at its highest.

“Cameras were not like they are today. These days I could have captured an amazing sequence of pictures by holding down the button, but I had just the one chance. I was so nervous when processing the picture in my dark room, crossing my fingers and praying that the picture would come out all right.”

George Aird, then 34-years-old, made a full recovery despite breaking his leg and receiving a black eye after crashing through a greenhouse roof into a bed of tomato plants.

The picture appeared in the Daily Mirror on Tuesday, October 9, 1962, and quickly appeared in

Explosion: Jim had just two shots on his Micro-Press camera. The explosion was the second image he captured.

OPENING MEETS Middleburg Hunt Opening Meet November 3, 2012, Groveton Farm, Middleburg, Virginia Middleburg Photo

Dawn Ellis and her daughter Ava.

Middleburg Hunt member Ann Denison.

Huntsman Barry Magner with the hounds of Middleburg Hunt.

Middleburg Hunt member George Kuk.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

24

A Foxhunter’s Christmas

By S. Scot Litke

’Twas the night before Christmas and all through the barn, The horses awaited the morning alarm.

The hounds were all snuggled warm in their beds, While visions of Reynard danced in their heads.

The huntsman in flannels, all tucked up at peace, Dreamed of the dawning, of hounds at release.

When out at the kennels arose a great clatter, Of barking and yowling and all sorts of yatter.

The Huntsman sprang spryly from the comfort of sleep, Charged to the window leaving bedclothes a heap.

Snow had been falling all through the night, Turning pasture and meadow a blanket of white.

He dressed in long woolens, headed out in the cold, To the kennels where havoc was yet being told.

The hounds upon seeing their master arrive, Ceased baying and scrambling, their eyes most alive.

He checked out the latches and surveyed the scene, Could find nothing strange, his senses quite keen.

He peered about wholly; saw naught but a mouse, Trudged back in the deep snow to the warm welcome house.

He’d not made it home before howling anew, Made him stop in his tracks to take in the view.

While scanning the night sky a wondrous sight, In the winter moon shadow that gave off great light.

Across the dark skyscape a strange view appeared, A sleigh being drawn by eight tiny reindeer.

In front of the sleigh only meters ahead, Ran a wily old fox, who turning his head.

Hallo’d “come try to catch me” away as he ran, “I’ll be back tomorrow, for that is my plan.”

Christmas day came a sunny surprise Hounds, horses, and hunters, a smile in their eyes.

Gathered in concert to greet the great day, Stomping and chomping to be on their way.

The huntsman knew well the day that would be, A run to remember o’er hilltop and lee.

For the past evening’s message was plain as the day, A hunt to be cherished awaited the fray.

A gift from old Reynard, a long speedy line, A hunt to remember, a hunt for all time.

Scot is a member, with colors, of Cloudline Hounds and Hickory Creek Hunt in north Texas.

Janet Hitchen photos

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

AGA’S SAGAS

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Happy Howlidays!

constant moaning at not being given enough Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Mare-y Christmas! I scraps from the table. can’t believe the year has flown by so quickly.

After a busy fall, the howliday season is upon “I say this every year, Lassie. It is nae right us. Bunsen and I are taking our duties as that the table is groaning with food and what Santa’s Little Yelpers very seriously this year. gets passed to me under the table? Green We hope to see you soon so we can give you a beans! Do they think I canna smell the turkey tour of the store now that it’s completely finand the gravy? The tatties and the stuffing? ished.

Even the buttered biscuits?”

But first we must tell you about our fab“Listen, Bunsen, when I heard Marion say ulous fall! We had the pleasure of helping out the props people for a movie with the working ‘Butterball’ that morning, I was sure she was title of Foxcatcher. It’s the story of the wealthy talking to you.” heir who murdered a wrestling coach on his “She was referring to the turkey. Lo, my stature farm in Pennsylvania. A number of Horse is a sign of living a good life.”

Country items are being used for the sets.

Filming took place at Morven Park and also in “Your stature is becoming more like a statue Sewickley, Pa. The stars are Steve Carell, every day. You should join me in my runs Mark Ruffalo, and Channing Tatum. Local around the store. Oh, don’t give me that look!

Aga and Bunsen. horses from Cavallo Farm in Leesburg were You know you can run when you want to. Or Janet Hitchen photo used as equine extras. It’s not the first time have you forgotten how to run?” we’ve supplied items for a film, but it’s always so exciting to have that little con“If Marion wants me to run around the store, she should turn a few squirrels loose nection to Hollywood, don’t you think? in here.”

“I would make an excellent canine actor.”

“That would be nutty!” Arf arf arf!

“Well, Bunsen, the waiting around between takes would drive me nuts, but you’ve So now the countdown to Christmas has begun and as Sandy Paws’s deputies here proved you can sleep anywhere.” at Horse Country we have to tell you that we have so many wonderful things for “Pfffft” So then for months Bunsen and I heard all this noise about “running.” Everyone seemed to be “running.” We heard about it every night and all day long on television. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out how all these TV people knew how much running room there is in the store now that everything’s been changed around. I can fly along the aisles and not have to slow up to cut left and right.

Bunsen can’t keep up even though he’s been on his pre-holiday diet.

“I dinna understand why I must diet in November when the Howlidays are nae for another month.”

“I’m telling you, Bunsen, Christmas will be here before you know it. You want to look like an elf, not be mistaken for Sandy Paws!”

I even jumped a Melvin Poe throw that was sitting next to a pillow in one of my run-round-the-store steeplethons. Up the step, through the children’s department and down the step into the men’s country clothing...jumping the black and white tiles...yippee, the race is on!

Well, now, I have to tell you about our wonderful book signing with Rita Mae Brown. It was a howling success! Rita Mae signed Fox Tracks, the latest Sister Jane fox hunting mystery, in the Hunt Room, her favorite space in the newly redecorated store. Bunsen’s favorite caterer, Celebrations, provided wonderful tasty morsels for Rita Mae’s many admirers. Fabulous door prizes added an element of luck and surprise to the evening. Rita Mae is certainly one of our sport’s favorite writers and it was wonderful to see her interacting with so many of her fans that evening. Our customers didn’t know how lucky they were; the book’s official publishing date wasn’t until three days after our signing. So our customers were able to enjoy their new books before Fox Tracks was even released. Rita Mae was kind enough to sign a few extra copies, so if you didn’t order your copy in advance, Jenny might just be able to find you a signed copy for a Christmas present.

Since December is such a busy month, Marion wanted to have a preChristmas celebration. So in conjunction with the signing, Marion also brought in Asmar and had a trunk show of their riding raincoats, vests, and jackets with a sneak preview of the spring 2013 line. Marion asked Hally, Jessica, Phillip, Chris, and two young friends to model the latest looks while mingling with our guests.

We introduced the newest Le Chameau boots, Eos blankets for horses, and stable clothing for humans. Le Chameau boots are still handmade in France and, along with the well-known rubber boots, Horse Country is carrying their waterproof Goretex lined leather and suede boots for men and women. Tres chic and sturdy.

The next best thing to paws!

Thanksgiving was another fabulous event even if it was marred by Bunsen’s

you and everyone on your list! We have stocking stuffers galore: socks, cards, guest towels, gloves, totes, brushes and other grooming tools. We have gifts for the kids: toys, puzzles, books, games, and stuffed animals galore. We have big gifts for big girls and boys: jewelry, fine silver, crystal, barware, beautiful coffee table books, decanters, work jackets, and vests. We elves have been reading the almanac, and we know that a hard cold winter is expected, especially east of the Mississippi, so we’ve stocked more heavy weight hunt coats and frocks in black, scarlet and navy, winter gloves to keep your fingers comfortable, toasty warm Viyella shirts, Thermatex and quilted vests and jackets, cotton or wool sweaters, mufflers, and waxed jackets and winter coats from Barbour and Outback for both men and women. Did we mention we have socks? Cashmere, cotton, wool, bamboo, as well as microfiber and coolmax. You humans are lucky. We have to wear the same paws every day, but you can wear different socks for different occasions and different weather conditions. Elven reminder: If there is going to be a pony under the tree (or in the barn), now is the time to order the custom halter and stall plates! If you cannot visit the store, go online to www.HorseCountryCarrot.com.

Kim is adding gifts to our e-commerce site as quickly as they arrive. She suggests you check out the handmade felt fox and rabbit ornaments.

As exciting as all that is for you, the girls at the store are excited by new wrapping paper, bags, and ribbons so that we can gift wrap your presents with that special Horse Country touch. We have bags and bags of packing peanuts so all your fabulous things arrive in perfect condition. I love packing peanuts; I pick them up whenever I find them on the floor!

We have the ability to store your “wish lists” with sizes, color, and weight preference for both yourself and your equine friends. Do not forget your canine friends this Christmas. We have Thermatex dog coats, fine leather collars and leads. I’m hoping for a spike collar to wear to the Spring Races. Bunsen has a very short Christmas list this year. Tell our readers what it is, Bunsen. Don’t be shy.

“I want my own standing rib roast. With big bones.”

“Well, I hope you get it, my friend. Every dog and human should get something they really want for Christmas.”

With that in mind, we’d like to send out our annual Howliday Greeting to all our dog friends, especially Lamb Chop, Zack, Fluffy, Sandy, and Oscar, and one very talented literary kitty, Sneaky Pie, and our new donkey friends, Abilene and Weezie. Sometimes angels don’t have wings, they have fur and collars. If you don’t have a furry angel in your life right now, consider visiting your local shelter and becoming an angel to a shelter dog or kitty. If you can’t adopt one now, please consider sponsoring one until a forever home can be found. After all, it is the season of giving so please give generously to your local shelter. We both wish you the Happiest of Howlidays!

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

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JENNY’S PICKS Christmas is right around the corner! To help you with your shopping list, here are some new books for your consideration. First are two new ones and a back-in-stock for all you foxhunting enthusiasts.

Addis, H. L. Todd. Our Penn-Marydel Hound.

Many hunts are partial to the strain of foxhound known as the Penn-Marydel, from the three states in which it primarily developed. This is the story of that strain’s development, accompanied by numerous photographs in b&w and color, but it is not a beginning-to-end history so much as an anthology of writings by a wide variety of people.

Hardcover, 224pp. $39.00 Foster, Lt. Col. Dennis J. Introduction to Foxhunting. Move over, Wadsworth! You’re being replaced! Although Wadsworth’s booklet has been the foxhunter’s propriety bible for years, his information has become a little outdated with newer technology and practices. Dennis Foster, author of Whipper-In, has undertaken to write a more up-to-date guide to foxhunting, its etiquette, terms and attire, in conjunction with the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America. Text is spattered with small b&w photos as well. Highly recommended for neophytes! Softcover, 63pp. $10.00 Ryan, Thady. My Privileged Life with the Scarteen Black and Tans. Back in stock after a long hiatus, Thady Ryan’s autobiography of life in Ireland should be in every foxhunter’s library. His reminiscences of days gone past are entertaining and lively, and foxhunting is definitely the focus of Ryan’s book – and life. Hardcover, 301pp. $75.00 Coffee-table books are always lovely presents. We still have many in stock that I have reviewed before, but we keep finding new ones to feature.

De Nicolay-Mazery, Christiane; and Bernard Touillon. The French Country House. Perusing the pages of this book reveals a distinct difference between the French country house and those of its UK counterparts. Perhaps the difference results from a different perspective of the photographers; but what we see here is not the manorial splendor of the very wealthy. Rather, we see large houses that often suggest “shabby chic” with a faded splendor, houses that are still used as dwellings rather than showpieces. Dusty attics and peeling wallpaper alternate with silken tassels, family portraits, and ornate decorative plasterwork. Of special interest to those of us in the “horsey set” is the chapter on Le Mesnil, home of champion racehorses. The large color photos render exquisite detail, and the text is minimal, each estate having only three or four pages to give its history and notable points. Hardcover, 192 pp. $49.50 Fisher, Aynsley Miller. For the Love of the Sport.

The Deep Run Hunt Club from Richmond, Virginia is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, and to commemorate it, they have produced a beautiful numbered, limited edition book, with introductions by Joe Fargis, Rita Mae Brown, John L. McElroy, Jr, and Tony Leahy. Destined to become a collector’s item in the future! Hardcover, 132pp. $89.00 Flach, Tim. More Than Human. Photographer Flach is at it again, this time with a large collection of animal photographs. Some are repeated from several of his earlier books that we still carry, Dogs and Horses. Most are wildlife photos, including insects and reptiles with their wild and colorful patterns. A beautiful coffee-table book of the world’s fauna. Hardcover, 312pp. $65.00 Knox, James. The Scottish Country House. The English weren’t the only ones with grand country houses. Enjoy a peek into the vast corridors of some of the handsomest in Scotland courtesy of the photographs of James Fennell. Houses range in age from the 17th to the early 20th century.

Artwork, gardens, interiors, even some old photographs are included to give you a taste of the upper class in Scotland. Hardcover, 208pp. $50.00 Montrose, Sharon. Mutts. There are many dog books depicting the stylish beauty of the pedigreed dog; this celebrates the mixed breeds that make up the majority of household pets around the world – the mutts, the mongrels. There is a caveat, however; these are dogs whose parentage is known. Each delightful photo names the dog and the breeds that went into it. These are “art photos” by a professional photographer, carefully staged and cropped,

HORSE COUNTRY BOOKSELLERS Specialists in New, Old & Rare Books on Horses, Foxhunting, Eventing, Polo, Racing, Steeplechasing & Sporting Art 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186 • 800-882-HUNT • 540-347-3141 with no text beyond the identification of the animals. Hardcover, unpaginated. $19.95 Slater, Kitty. The Hunt Country of America Then and Now. We just received a box of this out-ofprint book about the beautiful hunt country found in Piedmont Virginia. Mostly b&w photos illustrate huntsmen, hounds, followers, and estates with a great deal of historical information as well. In addition, other equine sports such as steeplechasing and showing are covered. Get yours now while you can! Supplies are limited. Hardcover, 234pp. $75.00 Smith, J. Nichole. Puppyhood. Everybody loves a puppy! This collection of puppy pictures portrays them at their cutest, whether wrinkled or smooth, shaggy or silky coated, large or small. These are life-size portraits of six-week-old puppies of a variety of breeds, from “Min-pin” to Great Dane.

Great coffee-table book! Hardcover, unpaginated. $29.95 Tabor, Bob. Horse Whisperings. Photographer Tabor, whose photographs grace the “Romancing the Horse” calendar, has captured intimate moments in the lives of horses with a bare minimum of text to accompany the large images, most of which are placed on plain white or black backgrounds to emphasize the uniqueness of the equine form. Hardcover, 11½ x 14½”, unpaginated. $69.50 Then there are books that are “good reads,” on a variety of topics.

Barey, Patricia; and Therese Burson. Julia’s Cats.

The late beloved TV French cooking instructor, Julia Child, loved cats as well as cooking. She had a succession of them as she traveled from location to location, always unable to take them with her and leaving them in someone’s care until she returned. B&w photos of the kitties and Julia and husband Paul are scattered throughout. A charming vignette into the life of a fascinating woman.

Hardcover, 144pp. $16.95 McDonald, Leslie. Down the Aisle for the Love of Horses. Published privately, this autobiography of a woman whose whole life has centered around horses reads as dramatically as a novel. No novice to writing, the author has also produced a primer on foaling, Making Magic; Musings of a Horse Farm Corgi; and a children’s book about one of her early horses, Tic-tac. From childhood pony rides through lessons with a former German military officer, foxhunting, eventing, and dressage, over time she became an instructor as well as a trainer of horses she purchased or bred. Her obvious love and respect for the animals she owns and rides reverberates throughout this engaging book that has passages that read like pure poetry. Highly recommended! Paperback, 244pp. $19.95 Price, Steven D., ed. The Quotable Horse Lover.

From the days of the ancient Greeks, the horse inspired literary quotations and homilies (“Don’t put the cart before the horse,” etc.). This book of collected quotations is broken into eight chapters: Horses in Literature, Riding and Training, Out of the West, A Shakespearean Interlude, Racing – the Sport of Kings, A Pack of Hunting Quotations, Horse Laughs, and Horse Truths. From Plato to Steinkraus come fragments to make you think, or laugh, or sigh. You’ll find a lot of contemporary horsemen’s tidbits – Rodney Jenkins, John Lyons, Lendon Gray, and others have a lot to offer as well as the classical masters like Xenophon and Podhajsky. Softcover, 379pp. $9.95 Richter, Judy. It Begins It Ends/It Ends It Begins.

The author’s second book of reminiscences of her many years as horse trader/trainer/shower is sprinkled with b&w photos and dozens of life snippets, most no more than a couple of pages long. Much of it involves horses, of course, but there are some other chapters that touch on other subjects. It’s a

fun read that can be easily set aside and picked up when time permits. A columnist for the Chronicle of the Horse, she has also written several other books, including Riding for Kids (see our children’s section for that one), Longeing, Pony Talk, and more. Softcover, 221pp. $19.99 Last fall I had a request from a customer for a book of venison recipes. I didn’t have any at the time, but I made sure I dug up a few to offer this year. After all, hunting season is underway, and I certainly hope those of you who hunt the edible critters don’t waste the meat! Several of these cookbooks are not limited to venison, so you rodand-reel and bird-hunting enthusiasts won’t feel left out.

Gray, Rebecca. Eat Like a Wild Man/The Ultimate Game and Fish Cookbook. This collection of recipes is drawn from 110 years of recipes published in Sports Afield magazine. Venison, boar, bear, rabbit, fish and fowl are all covered, as are a few exotics like cougar casserole and mouse stew. The last must have been submitted tonguein-cheek, as the man who submitted it reported that he did not care for the mouse stew at all! Oh, yes, there are even ways to eat crow…literally. And at the very end is a small chapter on wild vegetables should you want to pursue wild rice, dandelions, or cress. Hardcover, 302pp. $25.00 Gray, Rebecca. Venison. One of several in The Game and Fish Mastery Library, Venison is divided into three main sections: roasts, steaks and chops, and “sundry versatiles,” which includes meat pies, sausage, soup, stew, and more. The back contains a list of suppliers and metric conversions.

Mouth-watering color photos encourage us to try our hand at preparing this tasty meat that unfortunately acquired the reputation of being “gamy.”

Well, if you were trying for a ten-point trophy buck, you probably would have something a little gamy; if you want meat, go for a doe or spike buck (local hunting laws permitting). Health-wise, the author compared venison to the other commercial meats sold and found that venison has by far the least number of calories (159 per 3.6oz. helping as compared with beef at 214 and chicken at 239), fat grams, and cholesterol. If you’re fortunate enough to bag a deer or have venison given to you, these recipes can help you prepare a delicious meal.

Hardcover, 96pp. with 35 recipes. $19.50 Shaw, Hank. Hunt, Gather, Cook/Finding the Forgotten Feast. Our ancestors were hunter/gatherers long before they began raising crops and livestock and became sedentary. If you’d like to emulate them and don’t know where to start, Shaw’s book is a great guide to learning to live off the land. Fish, game animals, and plants are all featured, along with some recipes to make them more palatable. He gives explicit instructions on preparation of animals and other foods such as dandelions and acorns, as well as fishing and hunting tips. Hardcover, 324pp. $25.99 Sinkus, Henry, ed. 100 Venison Recipes from Down Home to Uptown. Whether you prefer hearty traditional comfort foods or are looking for an elegant meal for entertaining, you need look no farther than between the covers of Sinkus’s third cookbook. Most require less than 60 minutes to prepare. Softcover, 142pp. $14.95 Sinkus, Henry, ed. Venison/Fast and Foolproof Favorites. From the readers of Sports Afield magazine comes this collection of recipes for the avid and successful deer hunter. Don’t have venison?

Try them with beef! Steaks, chops, stews, ground venison, sausages abound, plus a chapter of gowiths (carrots with pistachios, acorn squash with cranberries, etc.) will get your mouth watering.

Softcover, 144pp. including some space for recipes of your own. $14.95 Tennant, S.G.B. Jr. Wild at the Table. Adding to

our collection of recipe books is this compilation covering 275 years of North American fish and game recipes. If you wonder what to do with the remains of that elk carcass or the brace of woodcock you brought home, turn to this for mouthwatering recipes that have stood the test of time.

Bayou chowder, roast haunch of boar, shish kabunny, Chinatown sea bass, lonesome dove pie, and much more are supported by campfire stick bread, cheddar scones, and orange sauce. And let’s not forget the faithful hound: “hound dog come backs,” “spaniel sparkers,” and “Labrador learners” should keep them happy while you eat.

Hardcover, 312pp. $25.00 Winter, Galen, ed. 500 Wild Game and Fish Recipes. Fish, venison, and game birds predominate, but there are also plentiful recipes for rabbit and squirrel and some for more unusual game such as bear, moose, skunk, ’coon, and groundhog. (I have personally eaten barbecued groundhog and found it very good – like chicken – honest!) The final chapter deals with smoking, canning, and preserving game. Winter’s humorous commentary introduces each chapter with a light touch. A few samples of great-sounding food: pike rolls with cucumber stuffing, venison sauerbraten, mallard with orange/mustard sauce, Bavarian pheasant soufflé. Softcover, 165pp. $14.95 Last, some small stocking-stuffers: Barrett, Mark J. You’ve Got a Friend. Looking for a little gift for a special friend that likes horses?

This 6” x 6” square book is full of horse photos and accompanying quotations that reflect the special quality of friendship, such as the introductory page: “For you, my friend, a small token…for words unspoken.” Hardcover, unpaginated. $14.95 Rubin, Leigh. The Wild Life of Cats. This little book of cartoons will keep you in stitches from one cover to the other. Take this one, for example: Papa cat to kitten, peering around a tree at a pair of birds sunbathing on the grass – “I’m in the mood for a little treat, son. How’d you like some baskin’ robins?” (Groan!) Softcover, 93pp. $10.95 Rubin, Leigh. The Wild Life of Love. This was sent us by error, but I thought it might give rise to a few laughs from our readers. A wide range of (mostly) animal life holds forth on the topic of – what else? – love life, often reflecting the bizarre behavior of animals like the black widow spider: “You know, ladies, it’s not very productive just hanging around complaining about the difficulties of single parenthood…After all, we did eat our husbands.” Well, you get the idea. Softcover, 94pp. $10.95 Kuchler, Bonnie Louise. Jack Rascals. This small (6” x 6”) gift book on Jack Russell Terriers is sure to get a chuckle out of every page. While you may not agree that “there’s a reason Jack Russells are football-shaped,” you will definitely enjoy the pairing of JRT traits with their “translations.” For instance: “Trait: Moody. The excitable personality of the JRT comes with a flipside. They are adrenaline addicts, hooked on the thrill of the hunt.

Translation: A bored Jack is a one-dog demolition team, seeking thrills deep within the laundry basket, at the bottom of the trash can, under the lawn, or in your closet.” Delightful color photos of Jacks in action complement each page of text. $14.95 Ronnow, Karen. Lawless Labs/Good Labs Gone Bad. Made to resemble a criminal rap sheet, each pictured Lab is identified with name, color, and age, and his or her “crime” listed, along with the “resolution.” Whimsical, good for a chuckle or two, makes a great “little something” to give someone who has Labs. Hardcover, 6” x 6” square, unpaginated. $14.95 Willow Creek, pub. The Language of Labs.

Arranged alphabetically, words describing Labrador retrievers are supplemented by quotations from people famous and anonymous and color photographs of all three colors of this popular breed. A small book that makes a great gift!

Hardcover, unpaginated. $14.95 Willow Creek, pub. 101 Uses for a Jack Russell.

Features humorous photographs of the feisty little terriers engaged in a variety of activities from “garbage disposal” to “best friend.” Hardcover, 102pp. $14.95

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

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GEORGE WHITE FENCING AND SUPPLY Installation • Repairs • Fence Painting Portable Barns and Sheds FERNANDO VILLAVICENCIO General Manager Office: 540-687-5803 Licensed & Insured Fax: 540-687-3574 www.georgewhitefencing.com

Adams Custom Painti ng, LLC

TO GET YOUR AD IN THE NEXT ISSUE

Serving Fauquier and surrounding counties with pride since 1976

CALL MARY COX (540) 636-7688 OR HORSE COUNTRY (540) 347-3141

Residential Specialist – Interior & Exterior

• Drywall & Plaster Repair • Deck Treatments • Carpentry • Wood Staining • Pressure Washing • Remodeling Free Estimates

www.adamscustomservice.com

CLASSIFIEDS REAL ESTATE

COME HUNT BELLE MEADE! Historic Miss Pauline’s store just renovated into a mini-huntbox, next door to hunt barn, kennels and clubhouse, 2 twins, 1 bath, kitchen, sitting area, 650 sq.’, plus 2.5 ac board fence turn-out. $100 night, plus 1x $25 cleaning fee. Call Jean Derrick to reserve (o) (803) 359-6189; (c) (803) 238-6210; jderrick@windstream.net.

EMPLOYMENT RED MOUNTAIN HOUNDS is seeking a Huntsman for the 2013-2014 season. Candidates currently under contract with another hunt may be considered for this position only with the approval of their Masters. The Hunt is located in North Central North Carolina approximately 30 miles from the Durham/Chapel Hill area.

Housing is provided. A valid Driver’s License is required. The Huntsman will be responsible for the care of the hounds and kennels. The hounds are a well-established pack of Penn-Marydels.

Inquiries will be accepted and considered from whips, staffs, and other professional personnel interested in a Huntsman position. Inquiries and resumes should be directed to Lewis A. Thompson, III, P. O. Box 535, Warrenton, NC 27589, (252) 257-2201 or (252) 432-4783.

THE PIEDMONT FOX HOUNDS are seeking a Whipper-in for 2013-2014 season. The successful candidate will work in the kennels and the country. Strong riding skills are a prerequisite.

Licensed and Insured

540-349-8125 Competitive salary, housing and benefits. Apply to: Piedmont Fox Hounds, P.O. Box 13, Upperville, VA 20185 or piedmontfoxhounds@gmail.com LOS ALTOS HOUNDS is currently seeking a Huntsman for the 2013-14 season. Candidates currently under contract with another hunt may be considered for this position only with the approval of their Masters. The Hunt is located in Northern California, approximately two hours south of San Francisco. Housing is provided, adjacent to the kennels on a 70 acre property. A valid Driver's License is required as hunting is always off-site. The Huntsman would be responsible for care of hounds, kennels, staff horses and whipper-in. The hounds are a well-established pack of English and xBred Hounds. Inquires will be accepted and considered from Whipper-in, staff and other professional personnel interested in a Huntsman position. www.losaltoshounds.org.

Inquires: 650-465-8900. Resumes should be directed to: P.O. Box 620456, Woodside, CA 94062.

www.lizcallar.com FOXHUNTING PHOTOGRAPHER lizcallar@aol.com

HORSE AND DOG SITTING Professional qualified caring for your horses and dogs while you are on holiday or otherwise out of town. One day to one month. References available. Contact Mairead Carr at 540-687-3814 (h) or 540-687-0155 (c).

Richard Clay Photography

Janet Hitchen Photography

www.richardclayphotography.com (540) 837-9846 rclay@hughes.net www.janethitchenphotography.com

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

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Horses and People to Watch

HORSE RACING

Virginia Thoroughbred Association Old Dominion Turf Championship Wiped Out by Disqualifications It was going great, until it wasn’t.

That oft heard quote by the character Peggy Olson from the Emmy-winning television show Mad Men aptly describes the Old Dominion Turf Championship run in mid-October at the International Gold Cup meet at Great Meadow racecourse in The Plains.

As part of a six-race card on a spectacular autumn day, the $15,000 Old Dominion Turf Championship (ODTC) is the grand finale for the series for Virginia-bred and Virginia-sired horses at various jump meets both spring and fall in the Old Dominion.

The series’ primary sponsor is the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (VHBPA) with the Virginia Thoroughbred Association and the Virginia Horse Industry Board kicking in purse money for the ODTC, which concludes the annual series.

Everything went according to plan as nine horses went to post including the 2011 winner of the race, Alix White’s Tu Baku. He was joined by other veterans of the series including Sara Collette’s Wahoo, Daybreak Stables’ Wolverton, and Rebecca Shepherd’s Pride of the Fleet. The field also included Colleen Mahoney’s Colleen’s Charm, Michael Bordwell’s Class Code, Mede Cahaba’s Complete Dyno, and John Baffa’s Prized Pupil.

The race got started well enough, but things soon got interesting. Along the backside Willie McCarthy came off of Colleen’s Charm and, shortly thereafter or as a direct result of the incident, Simon Hobson (somewhat reluctantly back in the saddle) left the course on board his Daytime. Hobson’s Seeking Daylight gelding looked no worse for the Wolverton (l) and Prized Pupil (r). wear and all of Hobson’s tack seemed to be intact Douglas Lees photo. and functioning.

The comment on the viewing stand was direct “either Simon just left the course or everybody else just went off course.”

As they came around the turn for home and headed down the stretch John Baffa’s Prized Pupil (Tommy Lee Jones, Roddy Mackenzie) hooked up with Daybreak’s Wolverton (Jimmy Day, Gustav Dahl) for a furious duel in the late stretch. Baffa’s four-year-old Prized gelding prevailed by a nose to the delight of his long-time Warrenton-based owner and his wife Sally.

Immediately following the race a Steward’s Inquiry was announced while the unofficial winners were declared as Prized Pupil first, Wolverton second, and Pride of the Fleet third. Hobson did not appear to claim foul nor did McCarthy who was unseated.

The Devil’s Bag perpetual trophy presentation ensued with the Baffa and Jones families enjoying the moment and John Baffa openly and frequently declaring his disbelief as veteran trainer Jones grinned in the background. Perhaps he knew something?

After the handshakes and presentation photos, an awkward wait ensued. A few minutes later, announcer Mike Hughes summoned “all the riders in the sixth race” to the Stewards’ Stands. Shortly, all riders appeared in various forms of dress and trudged up the steps to an audience with the officials.

After a brief meeting, the Steward’s declared the race “void” as all starters save Colleen’s Charm (who lost her rider) had gone off course. Evidently, some of them more than once!

A terrible disappointment for the Baffas who went from joyous to meaningless winners in a matter of minutes. It really was “going great until it wasn’t.” [Editor’s Note: See page 8 for Will O’Keefe’s comments on this.]

•••• Audley Sells Bodemeister’s Dam for $5 Million Untouched Talent, the dam of Grade 1 winner and dual Triple Crown race runner-up Bodemeister, was sold to Michael Vincent Magnier of the Coolmore partnership for $5 million at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky selected fall mixed sale.

The Grade 3-winning mare by Storm Cat gained national attention when Bodemeister, her first foal to race, became one of the standout three-year-olds of his class earlier this year when he finished a close second in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.

Bodemeister.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images photo.

In addition to her on-track success as a producer, Untouched Talent also established herself as a successful commercial broodmare this fall when her Smart Strike filly brought $1.3 million at the Keeneland September sale.

“There was a lot involved,” said Aisling Duignan, director of bloodstock at Coolmore America. “She’s a very good-looking mare, her yearling was very good looking at the sales in September. She’ll go home to be bred to [elite international sire] Galileo in Ireland.”

Brookdale Sales consigned Untouched Talent as agent for Virginia-based Audley Farm, who also bred Bodemeister and the seven-figure filly. Untouched Talent sold in foal to Unbridled’s Song.

“It was a nice culmination of a great year for Audley, raising a great horse like Bodemeister,” said Joe Seitz of Brookdale Sales, “and this is why a mare like this sells like that, because of a good program. It’s because they put their time and their money in, and their effort.”

•••• Virginia Racing Commission Awards 2013 Live Racing Days Citing ongoing operational losses in recent years similar to those suffered during live harness racing meets at the New Kent racetrack and a desire to return to “major league” racing, Colonial Downs wanted the 2013 live race meet to be made up of 17 days over four weeks from June 8 to July 7. According to their request for racing days submitted to the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) on October 29, the short meet would dramatically increase the daily purse average and dramatically decrease their operational losses.

The Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (VHBPA) was sympathetic to a point and advocated a slightly longer meet of six weeks in an attempt to give local horsemen an opportunity to run more than once and enough racing to motivate out-of-state horsemen to bring their string to the track.

When the two were unable to reach a compromise, the VHBPA filed a request mirroring last year’s live meet of 32 days over an eight week period.

VRC Executive Director Bernie Hettel summoned the two sides to the Commission’s New Kent offices to try to broker a deal prior to the VRC meeting. To the credit of all parties, a compromise was reached, but, like any good and true compromise, nobody was particularly happy as neither got exactly what they wanted.

The compromise, which was ultimately approved unanimously by the VRC, is comprised of the following: • 25 race days (Wed-Sunday) over five weeks (June 8th-July 13th) • The Virginia Derby purse is cut from $600,000 to $500,000 and the Colonial Turf Cup from $500,000 to $300,000. (The savings are added back into the overnight purse account) • As it did for many years when the Maryland Jockey Club managed the facility, Colonial Downs will fund and operate a 12-14 horse shuttle from Maryland for each day of live racing. The fee to ride the shuttle will be $50 round trip.

• The steeplechase races normally run during the live meet will be held on April 6th as the Dogwood Classic (formerly the Strawberry Hill races).

• Daily purses will average about $250,000.

The decrease in days will make the average overnight purse approximately $22,000 (a 43 percent increase over this year’s $15,000 average). Daily purses, including stakes, will average $248,000 (a 25 percent increase over this year’s $200,000).

•••• Va-Bred Dannhauser Wins Laurel Turf Cup Audley Farm has had a very good year, and their racing success continued at Laurel Park in October when Virginia-bred Dannhauser won the $100,000 Laurel Turf Cup. The Audley-bred son of Johannesburg, out of Hatpin by Smart Strike, saved ground close to the pace and then sprinted clear from the sixteenth pole. Under jockey Sheldon Russell, Dannhauser dug in to prevail by a neck over hard-charging See Tobe and Manchurian High who were separated by a nose.

Russell also was aboard Dannhauser when Dannhauser. they won the $50,000 restricted Daniel G. Van Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club photo.

Clief Stakes at Colonial Downs. In between his two 2012 stakes wins, the Virginia-bred ran third, beat two lengths by Laurel Turf Cup runner-up See Tobe and Mr. Irons.

Audley Farm sold Dannhauser as a yearling at the 2009 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $270,000. He was later pinhooked for $350,000 at the 2010 FasigTipton Florida Select Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

The win was Dannhauser’s fourth of the year for owner Prince Farm LLC and trainer Kathleen O’Connell. He has made 12 career starts with five wins, two stakes wins and lifetime earnings of $185,223.