IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2018
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SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTS Virginia Hunt Week 2018: A Recap An impressive 65 riders representing 22 different hunt clubs signed up to participate in this year’s Virginia Hunt Week. The package consisted of 15 hunting days (weather permitting) with hunts throughout the state, plus a shopping day at Horse Country Saddlery. Participants included juniors and several folks who did a good bit of traveling. The distance award, though, goes to two chaps from across The Pond: James Tonery from Ireland and Stephen Pettit from the UK.
all for different reasons. Some was the territory. Some was the people. Some was the actual hunting. Some was the hospitality…For us hunt week is a special mother/daughter bonding and I was able to provide her with fond memories that will last a lifetime.” Maggie Johnston is a seasoned Hunt Week participant. “This is my fifth Virginia Hunt Week. I really love being able to travel to other hunts and enjoy their territory and hospitality. I participate in lots of hunt weeks/weekends every season. It’s a community and enjoying events such as hunt weeks and weekends shows everyone how large that community is. I don’t know of another hunt week that’s as large as ours in Virginia. It’s well organized and you get so much for $400!” So now it’s time to enjoy the memories and look forward to Virginia Hunt Week 2020!
First Field 13 and Over Champion Ashleigh Currier (Quint), Belle Meade Hunt, and (l-r) Iona Pillion, JNAFHC Co-Founder; David Twiggs, MFHA Executive Director; Douglas Wise-Stuart, JNAFHC Co-Founder; JNAFHC Co-Organizers Michelle Arnold and Marion Chungo.
Junior North American Field Hunter Championship Hosted by Old Dominion Hounds, Orlean, Virginia
Waverly McDavid, among the youngest, and James Tonery, among the farthest travelled, celebrate after a good day out with Farmington Hunt, October 16, 2018. Mary Lee Pemberton McDavid photo
Tonery, who is with Cooper’s Hill Equine in Galway, was left with three impressions from his first hunting trip to the US: the absence of terrier men, the use of different flights to accommodate riders of varying skill levels, and, as he put it, “the spectacle and beauty of all the horses and riders. Everyone’s turnout was exceptional and the horses were well behaved and knew their jobs. The focus on keeping traditional attire alive is probably more visible in America than even in the home country of foxhunting.” For Mary Lee Pemberton McDavid, Virginia Hunt Week was a mother/daughter adventure. Waverly McDavid, 12, participated in the previous Hunt Week three years ago. This year she moved up to first field, taking some pretty impressive fences (aided by James Tonery’s support and encouragement). “My daughter and I talked a lot about which was our ‘favorite’ but we really couldn’t come up with one,” said Mary Lee. “We thoroughly enjoyed them
On the cover: An amused Dr. William H. Allison, ex-MFH, president of the Virginia Gold Cup Association, looks on as Hadden Frost lays a kiss on the International Gold Cup trophy after piloting Doc Cebu to victory in the featured race at Great Meadow, The Plains, Virginia, October 27, 2018.
Joanne Maisano Photos The Junior North American Field Hunter Championship concluded another outstanding season with the series championship hosted by Old Dominion Hounds, Orlean, Virginia. 110 juniors participated in qualifier hunts held by 57 clubs across 14 states. Of those who qualified, 71 of them made the trip to compete in the finals over the weekend of November 10-11. The competition is divided into four categories based on age and jumping/non-jumping to give all the juniors the chance to participate at their skill and comfort level. This program provides the opportunity for juniors to come together, get to know each other, form friendships that may last a lifetime, and enjoy foxhunting. The JNAFHC has also proven to be a valuable tool in encouraging more cooperation among hunt clubs, thus strengthening the bonds of foxhunting throughout the country. The finals were held on a windy, chilly Saturday but that did not deter the huge turnout of juniors and their parents, friends, and supporters from enjoying the day in the lovely Old Dominion country. A legion of volunteers—far too many to name, of course—worked tirelessly to provide this special opportunity for young foxhunters, starting with the many qualifier hunts up to the finals weekend. We encourage everyone who cares about the future of foxhunting to help support the JNAFHC. For more information, go to www.jnafhc.com or contact Marion Chungo at 540-220-7292 or Mchungo@aol.com.
COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: Liz Callar www.lizcallar.smugmug.com PHOTOGRAPHERS: Alan Brown Shannon Brown John Cooley Janet Hitchen Allison Howell www.reflectedgloryphotos.smugmug.com Tiffany Dillon Keen www.dillonkeenphotography.com Douglas Lees douglaslees@comcast.net Joanne Maisano www.joannemaisano.com Jim McCue Mary Lee Pemberton McDavid Julie McQuire www.juliemcquire.com Middleburg Photo www.middleburgphoto.com (Doug Gehlsen and Karen Munroe) Michael Stevens Rick Stillings www.rickstillings.com Debby Thomas www.animalartandphotography.com Stephen Weinstein www.stephenweinsteinphoto.com Darrell Wood
Hilltopper 10 and Under Champion Ashby Hunt (Scout), Blue Ridge Hunt.
First Field 12 and Under Champion Gavin Sacco (Toffie), Live Oak Hounds.
Hilltopper 11 and Over Champion Ella Johnson (Isadorable), Orange County Hounds.
Other Awards: Lynda Johnston Perpetual Spirit Award: Henry Nylen, New Market-Middletown Valley Hounds Best Turned Out: Clayton Heider VanPelt, Loudoun Fairfax Hunt Horn Blowing: Sam Dozier, Belle Meade Hunt Whip Cracking: Colby Poe, Old Dominion Hounds
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is published 5 times a year. Editorial and Advertising Address: 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186 For information and advertising rates, please call (540) 347-3141, fax (540) 347-7141 Space Deadline for the Winter issue is January 22, 2019. Payment in full due with copy. Publisher: Marion Maggiolo Managing Editor: J. Harris Anderson Advertising: Debbie Cutler (540) 347-3141, (800) 882-4868, Email: hcdebbiebtc@aol.com Contributors: Aga; J. Harris Anderson; Lauren R. Giannini; Will O’Keefe; Virginia Equine Alliance; Epp Wilson, MFH; Jenny Young LAYOUT & DESIGN: Kate Houchin Copyright © 2018 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXX, No. 5 POSTMASTER: CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED