In & Around Horse Country Holiday 2020

VOLUME XXXII / NUMBER 3 • THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA STEEPLECHASE ASSOCIATION • HOLIDAY 2020

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

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SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTS

Remembrance Larry LeHew, MFH February 14, 1937 – October 23, 2020 A foxhunter for more than 50 years, he served as Master of The Rappahannock Hunt for 20 years and founder and Master of The Thornton Hill Hounds for almost 20 more.

Joint-Masters John and Barbara Anderson of Limestone Creek Hunt (NY) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 25, 2020. In & Around Horse Country congratulates them on this notable milestone and wishes them many more seasons afield together.

Photo courtesy of the family.

Matt Spitzmueller photo

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ON THE COVER: Orange County Hounds Huntsman Reg Spreadborough calls in hounds as the morning’s sport concludes on the opening day of cubbing season from Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ferguson’s Oakendale, September 12, 2020. Liz Callar photo

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Jenni Beck Denny Bomar Liz Callar www.lizcallar.com John J. Carle II, ex-MFH Seth Dowling Karen Kandra Jordan Koepke Douglas Lees douglaslees@comcast.net Joanne Maisano www.joannemaisano.com Jim McCue Gretchen Pelham Anna Purdy Matt Spitzmueller Rick Stillings www.rickstillings.com Cindy White

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Editorial and Advertising Address: 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186 For information and advertising rates, please call (540) 347-3141, fax (540) 347-7141 Space Deadline for the Winter issue is Jan. 29, 2021. 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: J. Harris Anderson; John J. Carle II, ex-MFH; Jean P. Derrick; Will O’Keefe; Virginia Equine Alliance; Jenny Young LAYOUT & DESIGN: Kate Houchin Copyright © 2020 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXXII, No. 3 POSTMASTER: CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Regular subscription 5 issues $25.00, U.S.A. First Class subscription $35.00, Europe, Canada, etc. $45.00

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

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FOXHUNTING

Green Spring Valley Hounds Professional Whipper-In Brian Groves was part of the crew that visited Andrews Bridge Foxhounds for a joint meet from their kennels in Kirkwood, PA, October 26, 2020. Karen Kandra photo

Mike Long, MFH, hosted Bull Run Hunt’s Opening Meet, October 17, 2020, from Locust Hill, the home of Mike and his wife Betty, in Locust Dale, Virginia.

Poised and ready for the start of a new season, Opening Day of autumn hunting from the Green Spring Valley Hounds kennels, Glyndon, Maryland, September 7, 2020. Karen Kandra photo

Karen Kandra photo

A rainy Monday did not prevent Huntsmen Adam Townsend (front) of Andrews Bridge Foxhounds and Ashley Hubbard (right) of Green Spring Valley Hounds from combining their skills for a day of sport from the Andrews Bridge kennels in Kirkwood, PA, October 26, 2020. Karen Kandra photo

Bull Run Huntsman Tim Michel, followed here by his wife Jody Michel, provided Bull Run Hunt’s members a good day of sport for their Opening Meet from Mike and Betty Long’s Locust Hill on a lovely mid-October day.

Karen Kandra photo

A steady rain fell Sunday morning, October 25, 2020, when Thornton Hill Hounds held their Opening Meet at High Thicket, Woodville, VA, the home of Joint-Masters Beth and Erwin Opitz. 40-plus dedicated hunters donned rain gear and followed hounds despite the conditions. Donna Dayton (left) and Cindy Harper Lin braced themselves with some stirrup cup libations before heading out. Days afield aren’t always sunny and pleasant, but dedicated foxhunters go out anyway.

Denny Bomar photo

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

PERSONALITIES

MFHA Names Andrew Barclay Director of Hunting

By J. Harris Anderson, Managing Editor The Masters of Foxhounds Association has selected a well-known old hand to fill a new position. The MFHA board recently opted to split what had been the Executive Director job into two separate positions: Director of Operations and Director of Hunting. Billie-Jo Pearl, who has been handling operational duties for some time, now holds the director’s title for that function, and Andrew Barclay assumes the mantle of Director of Hunting.

The foxhunting community widely agrees that Andrew is the perfect choice for that role.

As a boy growing up in the mountains west of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Andrew’s natural ability with horses was evident from an early age. Initially, his mounts were a variety of backyard horses. By the age of fourteen his riding skills were already honed enough for him to take up eventing. However, that only held his attention for two years because at sixteen he discovered foxhunting.

The Rose Tree Foxhunting Club had moved to the York, Pennsylvania area, and Andrew hunted with them for two seasons, serving often as Honorary Whipper-In, until his high school graduation. At this time, Mrs. Garnett Palmer, wife of Rose Tree’s Joint Master, offered him a job with her racehorses. Since most of his time was spent at the track, Andrew had little chance to hunt for the next two years.

In 1974 Maryland’s Green Spring Valley Hounds were looking for a professional whipper-in to turn hounds to Huntsman George Leslie Grimes, and Andrew’s work at Rose Tree earned him a recommendation. Les Grimes was then one of the country’s best Huntsmen, whose excellent Crossbred pack had for years shown legendary sport. A perfectionist in all things and a stern taskmaster, Les Grimes instilled in his willing pupil a reverence for perfection in all aspects of his chosen vocation.

In just his third season, Andrew was faced with the daunting task of carrying the horn when Les was hurt. It was apparent from the beginning that this young man was born to the task. In his fifth, sixth and seventh seasons, Andrew carried the horn after Christmas until the weather broke in March, when Les would resume the Huntsman’s role. In 1981 failing health led to the end of Les Grimes’s 35-year career, and he retired, handing the horn to young Barclay.

Thus began a legendary 20-year career, during which the Green Spring Valley Hounds set the standard for excellence throughout the foxhunting world. At home, in the field, and at competitions, they were exemplary. With Andrew Barclay at the helm, this pack showed astounding sport across the stiffest hunting country, followed by the most capable and demanding fields ever to crowd hounds’ heels. But showing sport under such trying conditions comes at a steep price; and, in 2001, the cumulative effects from injuries incurred in some devastating falls led to Andrew’s retirement. He left as his legacy excellence in all aspects of the Huntsman’s vocation and a standard against which all hunts will long be measured.

“I was so damn lucky to fall in where, when and with whom I did,” Andrew says. “All the World War II guys—the Greatest Generation—were still hunting.

It was hunting at its best, with the best of people. I’ve been truly blessed.”

In 2006 the MFHA began their Professional Development Program. Andrew was selected to serve as the chief instructor and mentor of those who enter the program, a position he continues to hold in addition to his new role as Director of Hunting. No better teacher or role model could possibly be found.

In 2015 Andrew was in inducted in the Museum of Hounds and Hunting’s Huntsmen’s Room, marking the third Green Spring Valley Huntsman to be so honored (Charles Carver in 1997 and George Leslie Grimes in 2001).

For In & Around Horse Country, we recently had a Q&A with Andrew about his new position, his views on the current state of foxhunting in North America, and his goals and objectives as he takes on this role.

In & Around Horse Country: In what ways, if any, do you see your role as Director of Hunting differing from how your predecessors handled their duties as Executive Director?

Andrew Barclay: I don’t see the role as different. The MFHA is first and foremost a governing organization. I’m sure that I’ll bring my own style to the job. One of my big hopes is to have a concerted effort toward education. I think there’s a lot we can do for Staff, Masters and our fields. My philosophy is that the more your field knows about hounds and hunting, the more fun they will get out of the day.

Andrew Barclay enjoyed the sport during the 2009 Hunt Week sponsored by Moingona Hunt in Iowa. Gretchen Pelham photo

IAHC: How have you seen the sport change over the many years you’ve been involved as a whipper-in and huntsman and then managing the Professional Development Program?

AB: The biggest change is the coyote. It’s because of him that a lot of our other changes came about. Tracking collars and radios are a direct result of the encroachment of the coyote. The other change is the development of our countryside. Here in the Mid-Atlantic the development has been staggering. With the developments come more traffic, infrastructure and all the other consequences.

Another big change is that foxhunting is no longer an all-consuming pastime.

In days past, it was the center of country life. Now there are so many other things that people are doing that hunting is just another diversion, not necessarily a lifestyle.

IAHC: What would you consider the most pressing challenges facing the sport today?

AB: I think one of the most pressing issues facing hunting today is the development of our countryside. To address this, the MFHA has implemented our Hunting Habitat Conservation Award, which helps create awareness of the issue.

I feel that another challenge is the Animal Rights issue. Although we do not have the problems of the antis disrupting our hunting the way our European counterparts do, we have the subtle niggling away at our lifestyles. The Disneyfication of animals has made our sport more difficult at times.

There is also a real labor issue. Young people today are not growing up with horses and hunting. There has been for some time a shortage of young people wanting to get into the horse business and fewer still who want to go into hunt staff. This is hurting all aspects of the industry.

IAHC: In what ways can the MFHA respond to those challenges?

AB: Our response to the development issue has been to create an awareness. As I mentioned, the conservation award is a direct result of this. It not only benefits the recipient, but all those who apply have been a part of conserving our countryside, whether they win that year’s award or not.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

As for the Animal Rights issues, we work with other organizations as well as independently to monitor legislative issues. Dennis Foster is still our point man on this, and as always, he does a wonderful job keeping his finger on the pulse. We also work to educate our fields and subscribing membership on these issues and on the animal rights agenda and countryside issues though Covertside and ECovertside.

And on the labor side, we Andrew Barclay was inducted into the Huntsmen’s Room at the Museum of Hounds and Hunting in May, 2015. started the Professional DevelLiz Callar photo opment Program to try to help the people who do want to work with hounds. We are looking at other ideas of getting the word out that there is a good job opportunity working with hounds and horses. It’s an ongoing effort.

IAHC: You have extensive experience as a huntsman, but a master’s role differs in many ways. Do you see your position as a bridge between those two roles?

And, if so, in what ways can you help bridge those differences?

AB: No, not really. I feel that the bridge between masters and staff is one that already exists. It exists through the daily communication that happens in the course of running a hunt. I look at myself as someone that huntsmen or masters can contact for advice and guidance, but not as a mediator between masters and staff.

Of course, if asked, I will try to help should a difference arise.

IAHC: The MFHA’s official announcement of your appointment cited your role as covering four duties: Hunt Development, Territory Matters, Education Initiatives, and Studbook Registrations. Could you expand a bit on each of those areas?

AB: Hunt development encompasses a lot. I have already been involved in a good bit of hunt development through my involvement in the PDP. We’ve spent time with hunts, at their request, to help sort out difficulties of some variety or another. I also hope to be involved with not only the bigger issues facing individual hunts, but hope that I will be able to help with some of the smaller problems facing hunts in general.

We are currently involved with a couple of hunts hoping to get started. I think it’s always good to get involved in the early stages to help steer things the right way.

The MFHA was originally founded to settle territory disputes. It’s a major reason for our existence. Fortunately, they do not happen that often. I’m hoping that we will be involved with guiding hunts in the “best practices” of dealing with landowner relations, territory acquisitions, and conservation efforts.

I’ve been involved with the Professional Development Program since its founding in 2006, so staff education is important to me. I hope to have a series of seminars around the different districts for staff and masters.

I have always maintained that the field will enjoy a day’s sport more, the more they know about hounds, so I hope to also do things to educate our subscribing members. Stay tuned!

The Studbook is one of the most important things the MFHA does. It’s the official record keeper of the working foxhounds bred in this country. We record every foxhound born and bred by our member hunts in North America, where they end up, and how they got there.

It’s our duty to see to it that the records we keep are accurate and up to date.

Our online studbook is a wonderful tool for masters and staff. This is something that the regular subscribing member never thinks about, but it is one of the most important things we do. Good record keeping in our Studbook ensures that any hunt can keep accurate bloodlines and create a healthy breeding program.

IAHC: How can those among the rank-and-file membership of hunts help you in this new role, and help their home clubs remain viable?

AB: I think the biggest help the rank-and-file can do is stay active and supportive of their local hunt. Do what you can to help masters and staff. These are difficult times right now and any show of support is helpful.

IAHC: As mentioned, the anti-hunting forces don’t have as strong a pubic platform here as they have in the UK, but groups such as HSUS and PETA do have

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an active anti-hunting element on their agendas. How can supporters of mounted hunting help defend against the possible erosion of hunting rights?

AB: Actually, joining the MFHA as a subscribing member is a good start. By joining, you are supporting all of our efforts to keep tabs on what is going on in the world of animal rights.

Our members are our best defense, by behaving in an ethical way, and being good ambassadors of the sport, we are always putting our best foot forward. We need to be proud of what we do and our influence on our countryside.

IAHC: You come into this job at a challenging time, facing restrictions related to a global pandemic. Not only does the MFHA represent foxhunting clubs across the US, but there’s an international element as well with clubs in Canada. To what extent is the COVID situation hampering your ability to do the job as you’d like, and how are you managing around the restrictions to go where you need to go and do what needs to be done?

AB: Well, it has been interesting. COVID has absolutely changed the way I would have liked to have done the first few months of the job. There are places that I would have wanted to visit, that will have to wait. Zoom has been huge; I have been able to meet with numerous people that way. I’m anxious to get out in the country and see what we can do for our member hunts, but it might have to wait a bit.

We are all sick and tired of it, but we can not let our guard down, we must remain vigilant and practice caution.

It has really messed up our PDP for this year, with no hound shows, kennel tour and time together as a group. We have been trying to make up for it through Zoom meetings once a month, but it’s not the same.

Here’s hoping that 2021 will be an easier year to deal with.

We add our “Amen” to that last thought, and look forward to the many ways our sport will benefit well into the future with Andrew Barclay serving as Director of Hunting.

[Editor’s Note: Much of the personal background details for this article came from Jake Carle’s bio of Andrew for his induction into the Museum of Hounds & Hunting’s Huntsmen’s Room in 2015.]

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HOUND SHOWS

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

A Lifetime of Judging, Part Three

By John J. Carle II, ex-MFH [Editor’s Note: Part One of Jake’s reminiscences about his extensive hound show judging experiences ran in our Winter 2020 issue and Part Two appeared in the Fall 2020 issue. We conclude the series with Part Three here.]

Jake judging Grand Champion Foxhound Golden’s Bridge “Phoenix.”

Bryn Mawr Hound Show Champion American Foxhound Potomac “Jipsy” ‘01 with Larry Pitts, Huntsman.

Judges Sally Bickerstaff and Jake Carle judge the Penn-Marydel Stallion Hound Class at Carolinas’ Hound Show in Camden, SC, 2013.

Bryn Mawr Hound Show Champion American Doghound Essex “Chadwell” ‘03 with John Gilbert, Huntsman and Radnor Jt. Master Terry Griffin.

Throughout these But then I saw Bill wonderful years of Brainard: he was hound shows, as rolling on the turf conjudge, steward, correvulsed in gales of spondent or spectator, laughter! And soon I’ve had some interthe Major joined in, esting experiences, soaked leg and all! some funny, some My foxhunting menfrightening, some tor from leadline days painful, and some at Keswick, Andrew pure fun.

Branham, had moved The first was at to Fairfax and figured my inaugural show, in two amusing incithe Deep Run Hunt dents at the Virginia Farmers’ Show. All Bryn Mawr 2001. Back row (l-r) Frank Houghton Brown, unidentified Bassett judge Show after its move to from England, Russell Clark, JWY “Duck” Martin, Jerry Miller the regular classes had “Oatlands,” near Front row (l-r) Jimmy Young, Sally Young, Cindy Bedwell, Jake Carle. gone well, but at the Leesburg, Virginia. In end there loomed potential disaster: the Best Pet Class! the first, Andrew, a staunch American hound man, had to “How do we judge this class?” I asked my co-judge. “Oh, show a handsome but worthless English hound someone you’ll do fine,” she replied, and disappeared quicker than had palmed off on Randy Rouse, MFH. Andrew’s hound my first date. When I looked at the lineup of beribboned was one of the later entries to show and set about gleaning pets, most in the laps of very large, scowling women, my leftover biscuits. “Sir,” announced the starch-collared Engeuphoria began to wane. I asked host Coleman Perrin how lish judge, “your hound has his head down!” one judged such an odd mixture. When he replied, “I don’t Andrew looked up and replied, “I don’t know how know; I’ve never been fool enough to try! Want me to start y’all do it ’cross the water, but that’s how our hounds find your truck?” and he nearly fell on the ground convulsed a fox.” with laughter, my heart really sank. There were myriad In a pique, the judge shrieked, “Sir, you and your Chihuahuas, lots of nasty rat-terriers, and a few rather hound are both excused!” To which Andrew replied over pleasant old mutts. The smaller the dog, the larger the his shoulder, “Good! Didn’t want to be here no how.” He owner, and the more fierce the scowl; and most of the little departed happily in the direction of the kennels and his SOBs tried to bite me, to their owners’ evident amusement. stash of Old Rocking Chair bourbon.

I finally picked a friendly old fellow, whose young owner’s The second Andrew faux pas came when I was stewpretty smile didn’t hurt her pet’s chances one bit, and the arding in the American ring. Andrew had done all right durless aggressive dogs, places two through six; then I fled for ing the morning’s doghound classes, but by the afternoon the beer tent! I’ve never again judged a pet class! the effects of Old Rocking Chair were strongly in evidence.

My first stewarding job was at the Virginia Foxhound For the unentered bitch class, he led in an elderly entered Club Hound Show, held in those years at Bill and Patsy bitch. When I reminded him that this was a class for single Brainard’s “Glenara.” Bill had coached me well in ad- unentered bitches, he replied, swaying like a windblown vance, and things went without mishap until the American sapling, “Single dawg? I don’t see but one dawg here.” pack class. Bill had told me that before the packs were With which he passed out cold, going backwards over the called to make a list, with Orange County called last. His rope (we had no fences those early years). Someone else reasoning was this: OCH always appeared on the scene showed the remaining Fairfax entry, and they scratched out first and, after completing the judge’s drill, when leaving, of the pack class. Shortly thereafter, Andrew joined his Huntsman Sterling “Dukes” Leach had his whippers-in brother Boley at Georgia’s Shakerag Hunt. surreptitiously scatter biscuits in their wake to distract the Once, many years ago, while stewarding at Bryn other packs: a most successful ploy over the years. All went Mawr, after the completion of a couple of classes, the esaccordingly, but when OCH departed, Dukes Leach teemed judge announced that it was time to “start spreading growled at me, “This is all your fault you G-D-S-O-B!” out the ribbons.” When I asked him what he meant, he exNow, Mr. Leach got his nickname because he loved to plained, “There are packs here that won’t win anything, fight, and he made a point of showing me his formidable and might not come back. But if I award them ribbons in right fist! Luckily, OCH won the class with a classic dis- the less important classes, they’ll be happy and return.” As play of excellence; and peace was restored. Did Dukes he turned away, smugly pleased with his philanthropy, I apologize? Hell, no! muttered, sotto voce, to a fellow steward, “Hell, maybe we But mishaps were far from over. When the English could just draw numbers out of a hat and mail out the ribpack class had concluded and the tall, lean and rather aus- bons – save travel expenses!” That judge and I have barely tere judge, the Duke of Beaufort’s Major Gerald Gandry, spoken since. I believe it is every judge’s responsibility to MFH, was congratulating the winning Huntsman, a cheeky always pin what is, in his/her opinion, the best hounds in doghound snuck up behind him to bestow a good old the class, no matter from what pack they originate. The Southern baptism. Wind had gotten up, and the Major winners should inspire the less successful packs to upgrade couldn’t hear my yelled warning, so I scaled my clipboard their breeding program (provided, of course, that they at the offender. Unfortunately, a gust of wind caught the breed to and from hounds that hunt as well as or better than clipboard, sailing it high and knocking the Major’s bowler they show!). It takes time, hard graft and continuity in a flying. “What the devil are you playing at?” he roared; and hunt’s hierarchy, from Master and Huntsman downward; I thought then and there my hound show career was ended. but it can and has been done, often with brilliant results.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

One thing I’ve disliked about some English hounds, especially those brutes from early days, is their propensity to fight; and at shows the Cheshire seemed always the worst. One year at “Oatlands,” the Couple of Entered Dogs class was in-ring, and one of the Cheshire handlers held their two-couple entry at ringside.

This fellow was a fireplug, but barely five feet tall, and he had his hands full keeping four hounds in order. Suddenly, all four decided they hated each other, and a free-for-all broke out. Impossibly tangled in four leads, the unfortunate handler fell into the midst of things, upon which all the combatants savagely turned on him! Several of us raced to the rescue, but MFHA President Bill Bermingham, MFH, Canada’s Hamilton Hunt, arrived first and, swinging a folded metal chair like John Henry’s nine-pound hammer, quickly restored order.

Until they were called into the ring, volunteers held three of the Cheshire hounds.

They lost the class to Hamilton.

Like Monday-morning quarterbacks everywhere, every ringside spectator has an opinion, often not in accord with the judges. In truth, judging from ringside is what my mother called “a snare and a delusion,” for only the judge has a true view, especially of subtleties not apparent from afar. However, injustices do occur; and one I remember in particular was not the fault of the judge. At Bryn Mawr, back in the days before the stately sycamores all died, the roadside rings were all bathed in afternoon shade, and the class for Grand Champion Foxhound was held in one of them. On this particular year there were only three participants.

Although they had been overwhelming winners with champions of both sexes, Mrs. Hannum withdrew her Cheshire entry, angrily proclaiming that the judge had pinned “the wrong hound.” The American entry was a bit slab-sided and straight behind; the crossbred was cursed with a loaded shoulder and no length of stride; but the Andrews Bridge Penn-Marydel winner was sleek as Seattle Slew. Filled with confidence and with balance to burn, he moved on lead with elegant ease, and seemed poised to preside. Sadly, he never got his chance to shine. Because of Andrews Bridge’s hidebound refusal to show off-lead, this lovely hound never got into the biscuit chasing display of galloping movement.

He wanted to, would have, and lunged at his lead. “Turn him loose!” I begged of the handler. “He’ll win the class!”

“I know he would, but they won’t let me,” he replied, tears seeping down his cheeks. And so a lovely, deserving hound was cheated of his just reward by his own constituents. It was decades later that Andrews Bridge-bred Goldens Bridge “Phoenix,” showing loose with brilliance, won the top prize. Would he have beaten his long-ago predecessor? Perhaps not.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

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BOOK REVIEWS Bound to the Country A 30-Year Photographic History of an Historic Hunt Country Reviewed by J. Harris Anderson, Managing Editor A little more than thirty years ago, photographer Jim Graham was working with Anthony Edgeworth on a book, The Brandywine, A Legacy of Tradition in the du Pont-Wyeth Country, a coffee table book of a storied region where, in many ways, time stands still. Jim and Tony were chauffeured through the countryside around Unionville, Pennsylvania, in a battered jeep driven by Nancy Penn Smith Hannum, legendary master of Mister Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds. A year or so later Jim returned and asked if he might follow again.

At day’s end, he asked Mrs. Hannum if he might be allowed to return. Mrs. Hannum replied, “Jim, as long as you do your best, I’ll always invite you back.”

Happily, the invitations continued and Jim kept shooting.

Three decades later, a stunning collection of photos he’s captured over those years has been assembled into a moving array of images and texts. Bound to the Country is sure to find a place of prominence in the home of anyone, foxhunter or otherwise, who appreciates the beauty and variability of natural landscapes and the interaction between the land and those who cherish it.

Although his instrument is the camera rather than the brush, Graham has long felt a kinship with the artist Sir Alfred Munnings who captured mounted hunting action in precise detail. One particular Munnings’ work, The Huntsman, that depicts a scarlet-clad rider negotiating a briar hedge, closely mirrors one of Jim’s shots of a whipper-in caught in similar pose. The sense of connection grew deeper when Jim, who as a young man almost lost the sight in one eye from a hockey accident, learned that Sir Alfred had lost vision in one of his eyes.

Jim’s work as a professional photographer extends far beyond the Cheshire hunt country. He honed his craft as a documentary photographer working at The News Journal Papers and freelancing with USA Today, The Associated Press, and Bloomberg News. Today, his work encompasses corporate profiles, working portraits, customer stories, weddings, and special projects worldwide. His images have appeared in such publications as Town & Country Magazine, Vanity Fair, Wine Spectator, Sports Illustrated, Time, Newsweek Magazines, and several others. The outstanding quality of his work earned him a Pulitzer Prize nomination

The Country Life of an Artist How Christmas Cards Tell My Story This book is about making the most of your opportunities. When Anita Baarnes came to America, she realized her childhood dream to study fine art.

Her creative talent was recognized in college, where she created a process for creating works of art using crayon and ink, for which she was awarded a U.S. Patent. She also started creating Christmas cards and continued to do so for more than 25 years. When her husband suggested she write stories about her Christmas cards, Anita realized that those cards depicted her life story of becoming a successful professional artist.

The stories describe humorously how her relief from studies was riding dressage at Rock Creek Park Horse Center, where Anita met and bonded with Binky, her first horse. This led her husband to buy a farm in Virginia horse country, which opened the opportunity for her to join the Piedmont Fox Hounds.

After graduation, Anita set up her studio at the farm, acquired Binky, a dog and a cat, and received her first commission to recreate a George Stubbs painting for a neighbor. These life changes led her to create Christmas cards featuring her farm, her animals, and the hounds and foxes she adored. Anita seized these op-

and the prestigious Southern Photographer of the Year award. His fine art photography is shown in many galleries throughout the United States.

Why, then, the fascination with the comparatively limited confines of the Cheshire hunt country? Because Jim has found it offers unlimited photographic possibilities.

“The topography changes every day,” Jim says. “The light, the sky, the fields and forests, it was never the same so there was always something new to capture. Over these thirty years, it’s been an evolutionary process for me, personally and professionally.”

Jim also learned much about the people who value and protect the countryside.

“The country becomes part of you, and you become part of it,” he says. “It’s a matter of balance.” It was this personification of the land and the people who cherish and preserve it that was the inspiration for the title, Bound to the Country.

He recognizes that it was people such as Mrs. Hannum and George Weymouth who had the vision to keep wide tracts of land in Chester County open. They inspired others, such as the masters and members of Mr. Stewart’s and those involved with the Brandywine Conservancy, to continue that effort today.

The book is divided into three sections— The Hunt, The Countryside, and The People— each of which is presented with images and text that takes you into the heart of the land and will leave you with a deep sense of what being Bound to the Country truly means.

Available at Horse Country. Hardbound, Photographer Jim Graham.

196 pages, 162 images with text, $75.00.

Jenni Beck photo

portunities to become a sporting artist.

Each Christmas card is dated by the year Anita created it and recounts a significant moment in her life. Most are humorous and uplifting, but a few memorialize a sad event. All are personal, and most include poems that gave the drawings more meaning. Anita also started to use the Christmas cards as a tool to promote her art, and soon many of her friends started to collect and frame the cards.

This book includes hundreds of her works of art that show a tightening of her creative style to satisfy the opportunities to create art given to her by her patrons. She said, “I enjoy working with patrons who love their animals as much as I love mine.” Many funny stories were shared, which created personal bonds with her patrons. These art-related stories are titled and placed chronologically between the stories of her Christmas cards. They explain why her abstract style changed in order to create realistic portraits of animals. By this book, Anita encourages the reader to seize every opportunity, as it often will lead to another.

For those who are aspiring artists, she says, “I hope this book will encourage aspiring artists to follow their dream; stay the course, never give up, and take every opportunity offered to you and use it to promote your art and yourself as an artist.”

Available at Horse Country.

Hardbound, 205 pages, 281 works of art, with text, $65.00.

ATWOOD CRYSTAL GLASSWARE Multi-layered etching. Finest quality.

European crystal.

Bit Decanter #1897-BWB001 (HC1A) $279.00 Bit Double Old Fashioned. Set/4 #1897-GSB001 (HC1B) $199.00 Bit Wine Glasses. Set/4 #1897-GSB002 (HC1C) $199.00

HUNT SCENE DECANTER #1897-BWC001 (HC1D) $199.00

A Christmas Visit to Horse Country

Do you remember how it felt in December, When you went to your favorite store?

Coming in from the weather, the warm scent of leather Brought a smile as you stepped through the door.

FOX DOUBLE OLD FASHIONED Set/4 #1897-GSD001 (HC1E) $199.00 Fox Decanter #1897-BWD001 (HC1F) $279.00 (Not Shown) Fox Wine Glasses Set/4 #1897-GSD002 (HC1G) $199.00

HORSE COUNTRY®

GUN DOG Double Old Fashioned Set/4 #1897-GSE001 (HC1H) $199.00 Decanter #1897-BWE001 (HC1J) $279.00

(540) 347-3141 800-88-2-HUNT (4868) 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, Virginia 20186 Store Hours: Monday–Saturday 10AM - 5PM (ET) M OPEN SUNDAY 12-4 FROM THANKSGIVING UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Visit us online! www.HorseCountryLife.com MARE AND FOAL Decanter #1897-BWA001 (HC1K) $279.00 Double Old Fashioned Set/4 #1897-GSA001 (HC1L) $199.00

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Shop online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com WRENDALE MELAMINE TRAY Small serving tray 15.25" x 6.75" or Large serving tray 19.25" x 11.75" Small #3161-RWMT1 (HC2A) $9.99 Large #3161-RWMT2 (HC2B) $19.99

A bounty of wonder, up high and down under, Of presents for those on your list.

In every direction, gift-giving perfection.

Not a name on your list would be missed.

BEDTIME KISSES TRAY Melamine, Large handles Dishwasher safe 18.9" L x 11.6" W x 1" H #3161-RWMT3 (HC2C) $19.99

POPPY FOX TEA POT Fine Bone China.

Dishwasher, Microwave, Freezer and Oven Safe. 1 pint. #3161-RWTP1 (HC2D) $40.00

BEDTIME ME KISSES MU MUG M UG Fine Bone nee Ch C China hina naa n she her aand he nd d Dishwasher Microwave safe 11 oz. #3161-RWMG6 (HC2E) $13.00

POPPY POP P OP O PPY PPY PY FOX FO OX MU MUG UG FFine Fin ine B in Bone on one nee Ch C China hina inaa ina Dishwasher and Microwave safe 14 oz. #3161-RWMG4 (HC2F) $13.00

WOODL WOODLAND WO WOO OO ODL DL MITT OV O OVE OVEN VE V NM Cotton Co Cot o ton to on w with P Po Pol o olyyes eeste te Filling te Polyester # #3 #31 316131 61-R R #3161-RWOM1 (HC (H HC2J) 2JJ $ (HC2J) $10.00 THE MASTER’S BAR HERRING HUNT Classic Herring Hunt Scene.

Double Old Fashioned Set of four. 14oz #2026HS (HC2G) $49.95; Decanter with four DOF in gift box. #2039HS (HC2H) $87.95

WOODLAND WO W WOO OODLA DL D LA AN APRON Cotton, 24.4" x 32.7" #3161-RWAP1 (HC2K) $19.99 WOODLAND TEA TOWEL 100% Cotton #3161-RWTT1 (HC2L) $11.99

FULL CRY. Horse Country Signature.

Etched glasses. Made in the USA, double old fashioned. Set of two. #1416-HC/001 (HC2M) $72.00

HC2 H O R S E C OUNTRY ® 800 88-2 HUNT Visit us online! www.horsecountrylife.com

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SECOND HORSES Horse Country Signature, etched glasses.

Made in the USA. Wine Glasses. 16oz.

Set of four. #471-HCGS02.

(HC2N) $89.95 Double Old Fashioned.

Set of four. #471-HCSGS01.

(HC2P) $89.95

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BELMONT WOODEN CADDY Made from gorgeous acacia wood Lead-free pewter. #4005-H264LB (HC3D) $98.00

BELMONT SUGAR, CREAMER, & TRAY Lead Free Pure-pewter accents Set includes - Creamer pitcher, serving tray, sugar bowl with pewter lid and sugar spoon. #4005-H317EQ (HC3G) $145.00

BELMONT WOODEN CHEESE CRACKER BOARD Created from resilient acacia hardwood. 10" diameter. #4005-H251BT (HC3E) $45.00

BELMONT STONEWARE Made in the USA Stoneware and pewter serveware.

Handle resembles realistic snaffle bit, horseshoes and buckled cinches.

Oval Dish. 13.5"L x 8"W x 3"D. #4005-H305E (HC3A) $220.00 Large Oval platter. 22"L by 14"W by 2"D. #4005-H307E(HC3B) $325.00 Small Oval platter. 17.5"L x 11"W x 1.5"D. #4005-H306E (HC3C) $253.00

BELMONT CHEESE/ CAKE PEDESTAL Removable Acacia hardwood board. 13" Diameter #4005202E31 (HC3F) $145.00 WATERCOLOR RABBIT PILLOW Moisture and fade resistant 100% polyester, 18" square. #1923-TP0002 (HC3H) $29.95

RABBIT DRESSED IN FOX COSTUME Resin material.

6” x 2” #1883FIG001 (HC3J) $17.95

SPOD MEADOW LANE RABBIT SPODE Drawn bunny design. Gold accents on each piece and Draw soft p pastels. Made of porcelain and gold plated steel.

Pastry Fork Set/4 #3161-MLPF10 (HC3K) $25.00 Teaspoon Set/4 #3161-MLSS10 (HC3L) $25.00 Mug Set/4 12 oz. #3161-MLM010 (HC3M) $40.00 Cream Jug 8fl oz. #3161-MLC010 (HC3N) $10.00 Covered Sugar Jar 8 oz. #3161-MLS010 (HC3P) $10.00 Tray 12” x 7.5” #3161-MLT010 (HC3Q) $25.00

FOX FULL BODY PILLOW Great for the floor or rest your back. Double life size at 45” long. Plush with zipper. #1660-PL003 (HC3R) $99.99

HUNT BUTTON AFGHAN Hunter Green with the hunts of Virginia around the edge. Famous Huntsman Melvin Poe is hunting the hounds this day.

Cotton. 65” X 52” #422-003 (HC3S) $85.00

H ORS E C OUNTRY ® 800 88-2 HUNT HC3 Shop online! www.horsecountrycarrot.com

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Shop online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com SOLOGNE PHEASANT PLATTER Hand-made in France Each piece is one of a kind and unique Hand-painted pheasant among the reeds Hand washing recommended for longevity 17.75"x 14.45" #1753-PHSTR (HC4A) $270.00

New books and old ones, scarves that are bold ones In colors and patterns quite brightful.

Tack for your horses, plus stable resources, And hats that are truly delightful.

SOLOGNE CANAPE PLATES 7" (HC4B) $32.50 each Made in France. Limoge porcelain.

Dishwasher safe, low heat cycle.

Microwave safe.

Rabbits #1753-RABCP Fox Kits #1753-FOXCP Piglets #1753-PIGCP

THE PARTRIDGE TRAY GAME BIRD Dishwasher safe, gentle detergent and low temperature cycle.

Microwave safe (short period). Refrigerator safe.

14.5"x 11" #1753-PARTR (HC4C) $65.00

SOLOGNE PLATES 9.25" (HC4D) $45.00 each Made in France, Limoge porcelain Basset #1753-BASDP Pheasant #1753-PHSDP Hound #1753-HNDDP Labrador #1753-LABDP Fox #1753-FOXDP

PORCELAIN HORSES SCALLOPED TEA LAMP Lamp base height 12.5". Lamp base depth and width 7.6"x 5.9". 3 way socket, maximum 100w, UL listed Shade and Finial included. Shade Color: Antique White. #1895TL0010 (HC4E) $245.00

PORCELAIN HORSES BOWL Detachable Wooden Black Base 14" Diameter #1895-PB0010 (HC4F) $305.00

CERAMIC VINCENT FIGURE 6"x 9.5"x 8" #1184-61147 (HC4G) $48.00

PORCELAIN HORSES GINGER LAMP MP Lamp Base Height: 10.4" Depth and Width: 6.3" X6.3" ed 3 Way socket, maximum 100W, UL listed Shade color: Antique White #1895-TL0020 (HC4H) $215.00

P RCEL PORCELAIN POR C A AIN IN NH HO HORSES OR RSE SE ES CACHEPOT VASE 14"x 9.5" #1895-PV0010 (HC4J) $180.00

HC4 H O R S E C OUNTRY ® 800 88-2 HUNT Visit us online! www.horsecountrylife.com

All prices subject to change without notice. All items subject to availability. IAHC 11-2020

PORCELAIN HORSES LAMP Antiqued solid brass base and cap. Lamp base height: 13.2". Lamp depth and width: 5" X 5". 3 way socket maximum 100W, UL listed Lamp shade: Antique White #1895-TL0030 (HC4K) $325.00

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Shop online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com GAZING FOXES TRAY FSC Certified Birch wood 10.75"x 8". Item #1792-FTRSM (HC5A) $32.95

FOXY F FO OX O XY JUG JUG UG FFine Fin iine bone china 4.25" x 3" IIt Ite tem #179 te # 179 792 Item #1792-FJG00 (HC5C) $2 $29 29.95 95 95 $29.95 FOXY MUG Fine bone china 3.25" x 4" Item #1792-FMG1L (HC5D) $26.00

FFOXY FOX OX XY TEA TEA EA BAG B HOLDER Fine bone china. Item #1792-FTBH0 (HC5E) $15.00

A TOTE FOR ALL REASONS Our sturdy canvas tote will organize the day. Natural cotton canvas with an all-over classic hunting scene toile. Even the bottom hosts a surprise. 16”x 13”x 5”. In #1890-tote1A Brown; #1890-tote1B Green; #1890-tote1C Blue; #1890-tote1D Black. (HC5L) $45.00

DOES THE FOX CARE WHAT THE HOUND THINKS? Our own cotton bandana, 22” square.

Lots of color choices.

Navy, Yellow, Lt. Blue, Black, Deep Blue, Tan, Red, Green, Pink, Purple, White, Brown and Orange.

(HC5M) $12.00

FOXES TELESCOPING UMBRELLA 100% Pongee material canopy Auto open and canopy close Item #1792-FUM00 (HC5G) $48.00

FOXES OILCLOTH TOTE Made from matte oilcloth Zip closure and adjustable shoulder strap.

19"x 14"x 5" #1792-FT001 (HC5H) $75.00 24"x 13"x 6" #1792-FWB00 (HC5J) $95.00

PADDOCK PARADE An oversize scarf with beautifully rendered horses. Silk. 70”x36.” #4245-0920-11 Teal; 4245-0920-12 Red (HC5N) $49.95 FOX AND VIXEN IN CUT OUT LOG FIGURE Made from Resin and Stone Powder 9.75"L x 4.75"W x 7.75"H #1917-WF0001 (HC5K) $48.00

H ORS E C OUNTRY ® 800 88-2 HUNT HC5 www.Facebook.com/HorseCountryLife

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A Horse Country visit for something exquisite Is the clearly reliable reason For fully assuring that this Christmas morning Will be your best holiday season!

MUNNINGS, ART ON THE TABLE Sir Alfred Munnings was one of the most important Equestrian and Sporting Artists of the early-mid 20th Century. His unforgettable and timeless style of capturing rural, sporting and equestrian themes is now brought to life on a range of greeting cards and home wares available at Horse Country. From the Munnings Museum collection. All images are the property of the Munnings Estate. Please visit www.HorsecountryCarrot.com to view the stocked range.

Placemats, luncheon mats, coasters, greeting cards, notebooks and pillows.

BARBOUR® DOG LEAD Tartan/Leather. Classic tartan design, lined with leather. Aged brass metal buckle and loop.

Sizes Small - Large #4-UA0112TN (HC6A) $60.00

BARBOUR® TARTAN DOG COAT Diamond quilted nylon, with an insulating 70g wadding. Corduroy collar, adjustable underbody strap. Velcro-fastening chest. Sizes XSmall - Large #4-UA0062TN (HC6B) $60.00

BARBOUR® WAX COTTON DOG COAT Waxed cotton canvas repels rain. Tartan lining adds warmth. Sizes XSmall - XLarge. #4-UA0005OL (HC6C) $70.00

HORSE DESIGN DOG BED H Waterproof and easy to clean W SSmall 23.5" x 31.5" #299-6999ES ((HC6E) $32.99 LLarge 31.5" x 39" #299-6999EL ((HC6F) $49.99

BARBOUR® DOG COLLAR Tartan/Leather. Classic tartan design, lined with leather.

Aged brass metal buckle and loop. Sizes Small - Large #4-UA0112TN (HC6D) $60.00 FOXES DOG BED Removable 100% cotton outer Polyester padded inner Small 27"x18"x5" #1792-FDBSM (HC6G) $95.00 Medium 34"x27"x5" #1792-FDBMD (HC6H) $110.00 Large 42"x34"x5" #1792-FDBLG (HC6J) $154.00

DIGBY DIG D IG IGBY Y DOG DO D OG COAT OG CO C OAT T AQU AQUA QU Q UA UA Waterproof, breathable outer. Padded lining, reflective strips. Touch-close chest and belly flap. Elastic hind leg straps. Available in Aqua and Orange.

Sizes XXXS - XL (HC6K) $28.99 - $38.99

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HC6 H O R S E C OUNTRY ® 800 88-2 HUNT Visit us online! www.horsecountrylife.com

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FOX DOG TOY Canvas with rope legs.

One squeaker.

8.5" x 9" # 1792-FDT0 (HC6L) $18.95

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HERRING JOCKEY PILLOWS 18"x18". Poly blend that feels like silk. Same image on both sides.

Pink #1602-EQU0032020 (HC7A) $135.00 Yellow #1602EQU0022020 (HC7B) $135.00

WOODEN JOCKEY FIGURES Sold separately (HC7C) $65.00 each #1899-FOLK1A - Red #1899-FOLK1B - Yellow #1899-FOLK1C - Green #1899-FOLK1D - Brown GARDEN FLAGS 13" x 18" (HC7D) $19.95 The Derby #1922-GF0004 AND THEY'RE OFF! #1922-GF0005 Adjustable flag pole sold separately. Three piece pole, adjustable up to 40". #1922-GF3PCP (HC7E) $14.95

COLORFUL JOCKEY SILK COCKTAIL NAPKINS 20 napkins per package, 3 ply. Printed in Germany using non-toxic, water soluble dyes. 5" x 5" #3618-C017500 (HC7F) $5.50

WELCOME FOX GARDEN FLAG 13" wide x 18" long #1922-GF0002 (HC7H) $19.95 Adjustable flag pole sold separately THREE PIECE POLE Adjustable up to 40" #1922-GF3PCP (HC7J) $14.95

RUN FOR ROSES ACCENT LAMP Black horse, Herringbone lampshade. Overall height with shade is 14.25". #1816-AL01 (HC7K) $58.99

WESTING HORSE DOORMAT 100% Polyester fiber and backing 21" x 33" #1247-DM0500 (HC7N) $39.99

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OVER THE STICKS STATUE Made in England. Detailed jumper and jockey.

English sterling hallmarks.

7.5" tall #977-015 (HC7G) $1,112.00

MAN AND STEED Vinyl floor mat for indoor use. 30"x 23" #1446-VM21 (HC7L) $69.99

STANDING HUNTER Horse Country® Exclusive. Indoor or Outdoor use. Rubber non-slip backing.

25" x 18" #1567-008 (HC7P) $38.95

EARLY HUNT FLOOR MAT Vinyl floor mat for indoor use. 30"x 23" #1446-VM22 (HC7M) $69.99

HUNT SCENE DOORMAT 100% Polyester fiber and backing. 20" x 30" #1247-DM0700 (HC7Q) $39.99

H ORS E C OUNTRY ® 800 88-2 HUNT HC7 Shop online! www.horsecountrycarrot.com

Not responsible for typographical errors. IAHC 11-2020

SADDLE UP HOODED THROW Flannel Sherpa Throw. 50" X 60" #1926-HT0002 (HC6B) $39.95 HORSES HOODED THROW Flannel Sherpa Throw. 50" X 70" #1926-HT0001 (HC6C) $39.95 HORSES FREE QUILTED BEDDING SET Full/Queen Size Quilt and 2 Matching Shams. 100% polyester printed face and microfiber back. 50% cotton 50% polyester fill. #1926-BS0001 (HC6H) $48.95

It’s wonderful to be able to do

something we love and to serve people who are truly friends

and not just “customers.” So to all of you, from the entire Horse Country team, may you have a fabulous Christmas and a

happy New Year full of merry times and exciting chases.

Sincerely, Marion CARSON COLT TAN PLUSH BLANKET. Super-soft plush blanket. 29" x 40" #1622-81761 (HC8B) $26.50 CARSON COLT BIB. 100% cotton, terry cloth back #1622-81768 (HC8C) $14.50 NELLIE PACIFIER BLANKIE. No more lost pacifiers! #1622-81932 (HC8F) $15.50

FOX BABY BLANKETS (HC8G) $36.00 each 100% certified organic interlock cotton OEKO-TEX 100 ecofriendly fabric dyes Two-ply reversible Gray Fox Pink Trim #1876-BL002 Red Fox Green Trim #1876-BL001

CARSON COLT RATTLE. Soft cotton jersey material. 6" tall #1622-81723 . (HC8A) $12.50

FOX FOOTIE SLEEP & PLAY WEAR (HC8K) $39.50 each 100% certified organic interlock cotton OEKO-TEX 100 eco-friendly fabric dyes Long sleeve, snap front and legs Fold-over mitten cuffs & attached feet Gray Fox Pink Trim #1876-BG02A 0-3 Months Gray Fox Pink Trim #1876-BG02B 3-6 Months Red Fox Green Trim #1876-BB02A 0-3 months Red Fox Green Trim #1876-BB02B 3-6 months

NELLIE HORSE PLUSH PINK BLANKET. Super-soft plush 611 blanket. 29" x 40" #1622-81961 (HC8J) $26.50 on, on n, n NELLIE BABY BIB. 100% cotton, 68 8 terry cloth back. #1622-81968 (HC8E) $14.50 NELLIE PACIFIER BLANKIE No more lost pacifiers! #1622-81932 (HC8F) $15.50 NELLIE BABY RATTLE Soft cotton jersey material.

6" tall #1622-81923 . (HC8H) $12.50

Horse Country® (540) 347-3141 • 800-882-HUNT (4868)

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29

BROADVIEW Ave.

To SPERRYVILLE & I-81 211

W IN CH ES TE R

St.

MAIN St.

HORSE COUNTRY

®

WATERLOO St. ss RT. 29/17 Bypa

Store Hours: Monday–Saturday 10AM - 5PM

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Rt. 17 By pass

17

60 Alexandria Pike • Warrenton, Virginia 20186 CUSTOMER SERVICE AND INQUIRIES: (540) 347-3141 24 HOUR FAX: (540) 347-7141 For Orders Only: 800-88-2-HUNT(4868)

To WASHINGTON via I-66

Pk. DRIA ALEXAN

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To WINCHESTER, I-66 & I-81

To CULPEPER & CHARLOTTESVILLE

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

HORSE COUNTRY BOOKSELLERS

resulted in the revocation of their gold medal.

JENNY’S PICKS Seeing riders and horses that I know from the We have quite an assortment of new books to ’50s and ’60s was a pleasant “good old days” offer our readers this issue! Check these out for moment: Kathy Kusner, (I once touched “UnChristmas and other special occasions! touchable” as they stood near the in-gate at the Washington International Horse Show), Pat Baarnes, Anita. The Country Life of an Artist.

Local artist Anita Baarnes, who hunts with Specialists in New, Old & Rare Books on Horses, Foxhunting, Smythe and Flanagan, little Stroller, and on to Reiner and Ingrid Klimke, Blyth Tait, and Piedmont Fox Hounds, has created a number Eventing, Polo, Racing, Steeplechasing & Sporting Art many more champions. The 2018 WEG at of portraits and other paintings that crop up in Tryon finishes the book. Hardcover, 272pp. this self-published treasure, which is subtitled 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186 $45.00 “How Christmas Cards Tell My Story.” Between these covers you will find not cutesy 800-882-HUNT • 540-347-3141 Clotten, Peter. The Equestrian World. A lot is cartoons but beautiful renderings of favorite packed into this summary of the world as we animals in both pen or pencil and colored love it: major sections include Events & Lomedia as well. Most are horses and dogs—lots of lovely recipe of your own. A few more pages include some cations, which includes racing, show jumping, dressage, dogs!—but also a few other pets as well. As I dabble in quickie information to help you select a menu—fancy or art myself and have been accepted into some local art quick’n’easy. Sample recipes to whet your interest: sweet and polo; Champions & Horse Lovers; The Wild West; shows, I have seen some of Anita’s work, but nearly all and sour sprouts with chestnuts and grapes; cardamom Horse Breeders & Stables; The Art of Riding; The of this is new to me and I am totally impressed. I expect tofu with lime greens; tapioca fritters with orange syrup Beauty of Horses; and Equestrian Lifestyle, featuring craftsmanship, famous brands, exclusive shops, and luxthis book to be of limited availability, so order now if and star anise. Hardcover, 321pp. $35.00 you want one. Hardcover, 200pp. $65.00 (See full review We usually have in stock Ottolenghi’s other cookbooks ury hotels. Text is in English, German, and French; photographs attempt to convey the flavor of everything on page 8.) as well, so call if you’d like the following: Plenty More; equine. It’s a large coffee-table book, 11 x 13½ inches, Rocky Fork Headley Hunt. Tally Ho, Tea, and a Tale to Jerusalem: a Cookbook; Ottolenghi: the Cookbook; with big photographs. I could be a little miffed that Horse Tell. We’re delighted to introduce the latest in our hunt Sweet; and Ottolenghi Simple. All sell for $35.00.

Country isn’t listed among “exclusive shops,” but on the club cookbook series. This delightful version is spiral Vanderveldt, Leah. The CBD Kitchen. Having found an other hand, we don’t want to exclude anybody, so maybe bound so it will stay open to the recipe you’re working eager audience with Marijuana Edibles, which we still that’s not so bad. This is an interesting overview into the on, and is illustrated by the same artist who illustrated carry, we decided to try this compilation of “over 50 equine lovers’ world, but of necessity has to be limited our charming children’s book series, Pony Scouts. plant-based recipes for tonics, easy meals, treats & skin- in scope. Hardcover with interesting textured finish, There’s a chapter devoted to hunting anecdotes from the care made with the goodness extracted from hemp.” 256pp. $95.00 hunt’s history, which dates to 1925. Then it’s on to the CBD stands for cannabidiol, derived from the hemp hunt breakfast table with chapters entitled “Horse D’oeu- plant, and according to the book is “purported to have DK. The Horse Encyclopedia. New books featuring vres,” “Soups, Salads & Sandwich Cases,” “Mane all the benefits of medicinal marijuana—like stress and horse breeds surface regularly, and each one seems to Dishes,” “Vegetables and Sidesaddles,” “Stirrup Cup and pain relief—without leaving the user feeling high or find some new breeds to include. This coffee-table book Hunt Flask,” “Ware Sweets!”, and “Horse & Hound”— stoned in any way.” You can read all about it and form is no exception. While much of the book is devoted to goodies for your favorite four-legs. Each chapter has a your own conclusions. The author offers good advice on worldwide horse breeds, there is a small section on uses colored illustration to accompany it. Even reading the what to look for and where to get it, how much to take of the horse over the centuries and a section on horse recipes evokes a chuckle here and there, and there’s some and how to cook it. Sections include Lattes & Tonics, care at the end. Full color photos except for a few b&w good cooking and storing advice to be gleaned as well. Smoothies & Breakfast, Snacks & Desserts, Savouries historical ones. Many of the breed photos are split across Hardcover, 168pp. plus an unpaginated insert on pantry (soups, salads, spreads & other dishes), Cocktails & two pages, which I find annoying, because one gets a basics, herbs and spices, and other cooking/serving ad- Mocktails, Infusions, and Skincare. And the food looks distorted picture, but there’s a lot of good information vice that should be in every cookbook. $32.00 scrumptious in the full-color photos. Hardcover, 128pp. between the covers. Hardcover, 360pp. $40.00 Holden, Linda Jane et al. Garden Secrets of Bunny Mel- $19.95 lon. If you didn’t get enough of Bunny Mellon’s garden- Daulter, Anni. Bites on a Board. Many holiday celebra- New children’s books: ing inspirations in the previous book, The Gardens of tions require interesting edibles and/or drinks. I’ll use a DK Eyewitness. Horse. Lovely photographs illustrate Bunny Mellon, we have another to ponder. This has lots quote from the book’s introduction, because it’s so ap- this encyclopedic pastiche of equine information. of color photos (what else for a garden book?), many of propriate: “Bites on a board is an exciting dining trend Breeds, uses, history, behavior, and care are combined which are from Bunny’s own estate, Oak Spring. They that has culinary masters expanding their menus to ex- in a barrage of photos reminiscent of the bombardment often evoke a time long gone by (at least half a century plore possibilities, and home cooks excited to dive in and of images in today’s television advertisements. I’d guess in some cases). Text is minimal and succinct, right to the play with creative serving options. This book has unique it’s appropriate for ages 8 and up—heck, I enjoyed seepoint without a lot of extraneous chatter. Beautiful! recipes that are inspired from many lands…Service on ing the very good images portrayed and wondered if I Hardcover, 176pp. $32.00 funky boards gives the dining experience a unique twist, should include it in my horse photo library. There’s a lot Bunny Mellon Garden Journal. You don’t have to use and invites you to dive into the beauty world of food packed into these pages! Softcover, 72pp. $9.99 this for writing about your garden; you can just use it as styling while feeding your guests amazing foods!” These Woodward, John. The Ultimate Treasury/Horses. Ana diary or journal for personal observations of life about recipes are perfect for buffet-style dinners or hors-d’oeu- other DK production, this is equally informative but a you. It’s full of lined pages with occasional quotes from vres and run the gamut from appetizers to desserts and little less slam-bang-in-your-face than the one above. A Bunny, such as “Allow plants to roam a bit, like clouds drinks. Hardcover, 176pp. $24.99 few illustrations are scattered among the profuse assortthat float over an organized design lasting three weeks Sassoon, Siegfried. Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting ment of photographs illustrating, again, breeds, uses, and or so. Then cut back and watch where they seed for an- Man/the Memoirs of George Sherston. I remember history. Also excellent for children who can read. Softother year.” Sketches accompany the quotations, which reading some of Sassoon’s war poems when I was in cover, 160pp. $15.99 I presume came from Bunny’s own writings. Hardcover, school; at the time I had no idea he was also a foxhunter unpaginated; comes with a stretchy binder to keep cover and that his writing was so much fun to read. When I Deutsch, Georgiana. Along Came a Fox. For the beginclosed. $19.99 started working here at Horse Country, I found out oth- ning reader or for reading to the very young. A young Cider Mill Press. Sweet Cravings. Just in time for the erwise. Now I can offer you a handy, affordable copy in vixen wanders through the forest at night, picking up a holidays, this hefty volume contains over 300 desserts paperback format so if you don’t have an old hardback hedgehog and an owl on the way, and encounters what “to Satisfy and Delight.” Talk about a book that’s hard copy, you too can enjoy these memoirs. I’m not sure how she thinks is another fox in the lake when she goes for a to review—each recipe features a full-color, full-page much is really fiction and how much was based on his drink. Super simple, charmingly illustrated by Cally photo of the finished product, each one beckoning to me own life experiences growing up in England before Johnson-Isaacs. Hardcover, unpaginated. $17.99 for a thorough reading. Chocolate…fruit…pastry…ice WWI. This volume ends with Sherston at the front when creams… Some recipes are so easy a five-year-old can the war breaks out. Two more in the series follow his McGrory, Amik. The Christmas Fox. Illustrated by the fix them, others take a little more preparation, but all wartime adventures and his return home. Paperback, author, this take on the Christmas story has a host of animals, the wind and the stars urging a little fox to 292pp. $18.00 look great to eat. Hardcover, 590pp. $29.95 “Come!” No Joseph, no Mary, not even Jesus is menOttolenghi, Yotam; and Ixta Belfrage. Flavor. He’s at it De Pellegars-Malhortie, Marie; and Benoit Capde- tioned, but the animals all end up in a stable with a wellagain—one more great plant-based cookbook, this time barthes. An Illustrated History of Equestrian Sports. lit manger of hay, and on the last page, a baby. Simple in conjunction with Ixta Belfrage, whipping up new taste Don’t expect chariot racing in this history—it’s primarily and sweet. Hardcover, unpaginated.$16.99 experiences with ingredients that will have your mouth devoted to the Olympic sports of dressage, show jumpwatering as you read. Of course the book is copiously ing, and three-day eventing. About 2/3 of the book’s pho- Ruch, Lizi. Merry Christmas to You from Little littered with color photographs, but there is also a heap tos are b&w, until color film became of high enough Dreamer. Little Dreamer is a cute dappled chestnut pony of useful information. There are three major chapters: quality to use professionally. The text is sequential by who dreams of being a great show jumper. He awakes Process, Pairing, and Produce. Each is introduced by year, and a few riders are picked out to feature in each from sleep one night to the sound of celebratory music several pages of text explaining the theme. Charring, Olympiad plus FEI Championships. You’ll find the text coming from a nearby showjumper barn, and decides to browning, infusing and aging are included in Process. contains some interesting information: the Japanese join the crowd despite heavy snow coming down and Pairing contains sweetness, fat, acidity, and chile heat. champion from 1932 was suspected of intentionally covering the ground. Fallen limbs make great practice Produce lists mushrooms, alliums, nuts & seeds, and falling in 1936 (the Berlin Olympics) so as not to beat jumps—but can he make that last enormous jump over sugar—fruit and “booze.” Two more pages list “flavor the Germans, with whom the Japanese emperor was the brick wall? Softcover, 53pp. $35.95 bombs,” or special combination sauces with quick go-to cozying up. In the ’48 Olympics, a Swedish sergeant was Also available: a lovely stuffed “Little Dreamer” for page references in case you want to try “fenugreek mari- promoted temporarily to lieutenant for the event, which your child to take to bed for his/her own dreams. $39.99 was limited to officers, and demoted thereafter, which nade” or “sweet tamarind dressing” with a different

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

FIELD HUNTERS

Bull Run Hosts Virginia Field Hunter Championship

By Jean P. Derrick • Liz Callar Photos

Farmington Hunt’s joint-master Kip Holloway and Fincastle show off their winning form in the hack class.

Bull Run Hunt’s Joint-MFH Rosie Campbell and Sommers Olinger presenting the trophy to champion pair Katherine “Kip” Holloway, MFH, and Fincastle representing Farmington Hunt.

Kip Holloway sets her eyes toward the next jump as Fincastle manages the stone wall on their way to securing the championship.

Middleburg Hunt’s George Kingsley and Stalypso, owned by Anne McDowell, captured the Reserve Champion title.

Bull Run Hunt on October 18, 2020, hosted the 70th annual Virginia Field Hunter Championships, when the Masters of Virginia foxhunts each nominate two horse and rider teams to compete for this valued title. This year, 23 competitors from 13 hunts participated.

The event was bittersweet. Bull Run MFH Rosie Campbell held a brief memorial at its commencement in memory of Pam Cibula, who had ridden her Thoroughbred mare Fine Art to victory for Bull Run Hunt at the championship event hosted by Loudoun Fairfax Hunt the preceding year. Pam had been killed in a tragic horse trailer accident several months ago. Her dear friend Sommers Olinger rode Fine Art in her memory at the Championship.

Judges were Jean Derrick, First Flight Field Master of the Belle Meade Hunt in Thomson Georgia; MFH Cameron Saddler of Moore County Hounds; Nicole Zardus, member of Moore County Hounds and professional horse woman in Southern Pines North Carolina; and MFH Brian Kiely, Master and Huntsman of Potomac Hunt in Maryland.

The site of the competition was Locust Hill, circa 1770, the family home of Betty Long, wife of Bull Run Master Mike Long. When her greatgreat-grandfather bought it in 1864, he acquired 350 acres. When Betty and her siblings inherited the property in 2000, that had dwindled to 50 acres. Master Mike Long has now expanded the holdings to 5,000 acres.

The event was COVID-friendly, with social distancing. Masks if desired were worn by the spectators but the mounted participants enjoyed the autumn sun on their faces.

The event began with a hack class. Some unusual requests were made of the competitors, such as a hand gallop ended with a hold hard,

and canter on a loose rein.

Then, Sommers Olinger and Fine Art led the competitors in a mock hunt across a dozen obstacles ranging from a stone wall in-and-out, coops, to a tire jump, and a box. The pace was fast—the mounted judges galloped furiously to leap frog ahead to the next jump. The long flask break failed to flush out any entrants whose horses had trouble standing—no one moved a foot. Then, midway through the mock hunt, Sommers rode to the back of the field and directed the competitors to reverse, letting those in the rear then become the leaders. Again, this failed to fluster. The mock hunt was finished with an inviting box jump within full view of the bystanders.

Ten competitors were selected to ride the final test, which consisted of nine elements, none of which exceeded three feet. The individual course was set in a rolling meadow behind Locust Hill House, and the obstacles ranged from coops to boxes to rails to hay bales. While the stone wall in-and-out was set in a fence line, there were little or no wings on the remainder of these jumps, so they looked pretty substantial.

However, the majority of finalists again fluidly negotiated the course. In the end, the top two horse and rider teams were obvious.

Judge Nicole Zardus observed, “It was an absolute pleasure to judge the Virginia Field Hunter Championships. Bull Run hosted a wonderful event and set a course that showcased the athleticism and suitability of a proper hunt horse.”

Judge MFH Cameron Saddler concurred: “Bull Run hosted a terrific event with lovely horses, beautifully shown in a magnificent location. The course was both challenging and fun, and it was a lot of fun to judge Virginia’s best.”

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

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Judge Brien Keily, Huntsman and Master at Potomac Hunt, commented, “Rosie and her team did a wonderful job organizing the event, and Bull Run gave us all a warm welcome with great hospitality.

“The quality of horses was a credit to the Virginia hunts. The horse that won, Fincastle with Farmington’s Kip Holloway, is a fine example of what a field hunter should be. He had a wonderful presence, a kind eye, and went with a manner that was willing and eager to please. He covered the ground beautifully in both the individual test and the mock hunt. He was an eyecatching horse, and a lovely type.”

“All in all, this was a wonderful event. The hunts in Virginia were well represented, and I was very impressed with both the horses and the horsemanship on display,” Kiely said.

MFH Rosie Campbell was the driving force at Bull Run to organize the event “All of the event planning needed was a bit daunting but we got together with members and built a beautiful course in a spectacular Katie MacSwain, who setting at Locust Hill Farm and the day ended up being rode London By Night for a very successful event. Competitors showed highest Loudoun Fairfax Hunt, won Best Turned Out. level of sportsmanship and riding ability and Virginia certainly has some beautiful riders and horses.

“I think it was a particularly nice touch to have Judges from out of state.”

Results were: Kip Holloway, MFH, riding Fincastle for Farmington Hunt.

George Kingsley riding Stalypso Dream for Middleburg Hunt.

Tiffany Snell riding Thunder in Saratoga for Farmington Hunt.

Linden Ryan riding Innisfree for Blue Ridge Hunt.

Jennifer Nesbit riding Virginia Grace for Keswick Hunt.

Nancy Alcock riding Bellfast Lad for Snickersville Hounds.

Vanessa Mossaro riding Churchill for Rappahannock Hunt.

Karen Nutt riding Synge for Middleburg Hunt.

County Hounds TEAM CHASE Orange Old Whitewood • October 25, 2020 Joanne Maisano Photos

Orange County Hounds’ own Jane Bishop riding Adios Diablo received the Alfred Hunt Memorial Trophy as First Flight Champion.

First Flight Optimum Time Winning Team, “The Foxes” from Piedmont Fox Hounds: (l-r) Jack Holz, Linda Vegher, Cynthia Holz.

Beverly Alcock, riding Twinkle and representing Piedmont Fox Hounds, was awarded the Champion Junior Jacqueline Ohrstrom Perpetual Challenge Trophy.

Natalie Wales took the lead as she and husband George Laird rode to an Orange County Hounds’ victory for the First Flight Fast Time crown.

Kristin Dillon Johnson (Piedmont Fox Hounds) and Smooth Jazz, 2018 Team Chase winners, took this year’s Reserve Champion spot.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

RACING

Fall Races

By Will O’Keefe

Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point, Meeting House Mountain Open Hurdle (l-r) Surprising Soul – 1st; Big Bend (Graham Watters, up) – 2nd; Orchestra Leader (Mell Boucher, up).

Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point, The Leeds Don Open Timber Just Wait And See (Chris Gracie, up) – 1st.

Douglas Lees photo

Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point, Ben Venue Maiden Hurdle, 2nd Division (l-r) West Newton (Graham Watters, up) – 2nd; Yankee Doodle Boy (Barry Foley, up) – 1st. Douglas Lees photo

Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point, Ben Venue Maiden Hurdle, 1st Division (l-r) He’ll Do (Parker Hendriks, up) – 2nd; You’re No Better (Archie Macauley, up) – 1st. Douglas Lees photo

Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point 9/12/20 In recent years entries have been light for the Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point at Ben Venue Farm near Ben Venue, Virginia, but spectators filled the hill overlooking the race course. This year heavy entries were a welcome sight, but spectators were limited by the COVID-19 restrictions. Horsemen found that this was a really good race course; especially when this meet was the only steeplechase action over the weekend. The normal spring date competes with several other point-topoints and sanctioned race meets.

Last year Kinross Farm’s Irish bred Just Wait and See won at Old Dominion and he repeated that result again this year in the open timber race. He stalked Sheila J. Williams and Northwoods Stables’ Storm Team for most of the race. Three furlongs from home, rider Chris Gracie let out a notch and found another gear. The others in the race pulled up acknowledging Just Wait and See’s dominance. Trainer Richard Valentine did a great job having him ready to win at Warrenton in the spring and back again at Old Dominion in the fall at first asking.

The amateur and novice rider timber race was won

by Irvin S. Naylor’s Rappahannock winner, Withoutmoreado (Skylar McKenna). Six of the nine horses in the race pulled up after the second time around in a three-lap race. Withoutmoreado won in a romp by at least a quarter of a mile over Peter and Sarah Jay’s Prime Prospector (Colin Smith) and Jeremy Batoff’s Class Indian (Justin Batoff).

The secondary feature was the open hurdle race and it attracted a multiple stakes winner among the five horses that went to the post. Wendy W. Hendriks’ Surprising Soul (McLane Hendriks) was clearly the class of the field and his 2 lengths victory was accomplished easily. He made the early running but was joined by Kinross Farm’s Big Bend (Barry Foley) and Team Ollies’ Orchestra Leader (Mell Boucher) with a quarter mile to run. Orchestra Leader went off course, and Big Bend was no match for Surprising Soul. The winner was a Hendriks’ family affair. He is owned by McLane Hendriks’ grandmother and was saddled by his father, Ricky Hendriks.

Ricky Hendriks saddled two more winners and was the meet’s leading trainer. He won a division of the maiden hurdle race with Armata Stables’ You’re No Better (Archie MacAuley) and a division of the novice rider flat race with Emily Astor’s Good and Proper (Courtney Dankanich). You’re No Better won his race in front running fashion. Sanna Neilson and John Huganir’s He’ll Do (Parker Hendriks) rallied, but had to settle for second.

In the novice rider flat race, Good and Proper had the lead entering the stretch and easily held off Noble Stables’ On a Rock (Bryan Cullinane) by 6 lengths.

The other two maiden hurdle races went to MRQ Racing’s Argentic (Graham Watters), trained by Neil Morris, and Melissa Cantacuzene’s Yankee Doodle Boy (Barry Foley), trained by Doug Fout. Argentic rallied to win easily by 4½ lengths over Magalen O. Bryant’s Sea Mast. In the other maiden race, Yankee Doodle Boy went to the front at once and led the entire race, winning by 2¼ lengths over Irvin S. Naylor’s West Newton (Graham Watters).

Doug Fout also trained Beverly R. Steinman’s Invester (Sophie Henelius) to win the maiden division of the novice rider flat race. Invester was always on the pace, saved ground around the last time around, and won in hand by 6 lengths. Riverdee Stable’s Include It (Colin Smith) finished second.

Novice rider Mell Boucher rode two winners on the card. She rode Why Not Racing LLC’s Paddy’s Crown to win the amateur/novice hurdle race. Paddy’s Crown went to the front after running a quarter mile and led the rest of the race, winning by 1¾ lengths over Alex Leventhal’s owner-ridden Praeceps.

She also won the restricted young adult flat race with

Why Not Racing LLC’s True Calling, who raced on the pace, went to the front with a quarter mile to run and won going away by 3 lengths. Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr.’s Be Counted (Colin Smith) was second, and KMSN Stable & Keri Brion’s Swim (Parker Hendriks) came home third.

The Bouchers are another steeplechase family: trainer Lilith Boucher, rider Mell Boucher, and father Richard, who is also a rider.

The Virginia Bred/Sired flat race was a popular win for Sarah E. Collette’s Eryx (Emme Fullilove). He went to the front shortly after the start and won handily by 6 lengths over Flying Elvis Stable’s Vincent Van Gogo (Graham Waters). S. Rebecca Shepherd’s Curve of Stones (Barry Foley) came in third.

Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point, Big Cobbler Amateur/Novice Rider Hurdle (l-r) Adjutant (Skylar McKenna, up); Paddy’s Crown (Mell Boucher, up) – 1st. Douglas Lees photo

Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point 9/19/2020 The original date for the Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point was April 19 but the pandemic forced rescheduling to five months later on Saturday, September 19. This was a week after the Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point, which attracted more than eighty starters in their ten races. In spite of their date being the week after Old Dominion and two weeks before the Foxfield Fall sanctioned races, there were good entries and nine entertaining races.

The day started with a great win for the Joint Master of the Blue Ridge Hunt, Jeff Lehew, whose horses run under the Shannon Hill Farm’s silks. In the first division of the maiden hurdle race, Graham Watters sent their All Out of Aces to the lead at the drop of the flag, and the result was never in doubt. He won handily by 5 lengths over Beverly R. Steinman’s Speed Alert (Barry Foley).

This was trainer Neil Morris’ first of three wins on the card.

The second division of the maiden hurdle race went to Sanna Neilson and John Huganir’s He’ll Do with apprentice rider Parker Hendriks up. In the early going, He’ll Do stalked Crooked Run Racing’s Super Bird (Barry Foley). With a half mile to run, He’ll Do assumed command and won easily by 7 lengths over Ballybristol Farm LLC’s Cause for Pardon (Thomas Garner) with Super Bird fading to third. Parker Hendriks’ mother Sanna Neilson was the winning trainer.

The most exciting race of the day was the amateur/novice rider hurdle race. Irvin S. Naylor’s Mighty Mark (Skylar McKenna) set the pace with Irvin L. Crawford’s To Be Or Not To Be (Brett Owings) close behind. These two battled the length of the stretch with To Be Or Not To Be the winner by a head. Joseph G. Davies saddled the winner. This owner/trainer combination won three Maryland Hunt Cups with Senior Senator.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point Open Hurdle (l-r) Junonia (Graham Watters, up) – 1st; Surprising Soul (McLane Hendriks, up) – 2nd.

Douglas Lees photo

In the open hurdle race, Wendy W. Hendrik’s stakes winning Surprising Soul (McLane Hendriks) was a short priced favorite over Kinross Farm’s Junonia (Graham Watters) and Heather and Peter Austin’s Corky Lemon (Sean McDermott). Surprising Soul set the pace with Junonia in his shadow. These two battled to the finish with Junonia upsetting the favorite by ½ length. This was Neil Morris’ second win.

Apprentice Skylar McKenna won the restricted young adult flat race. Her mother and trainer, Katherine Neilson, won with Irvin S. Naylor’s Bercasa, who moved to the lead on the backside and held off William F. C. Marlow’s Hail Michigan in the stretch by ¾ of a length.

Neil Morris completed his day as leading trainer with Irvin S. Naylor’s Choo Choo (Bryan Cullinane) in the novice rider flat race. Choo Choo was rated off the pace and rallied in the final half mile. He took the lead on the turn and won going away by 4½ lengths over Jennifer Taylor’s Smokin Caraquena.

It’s always nice when local supporters of the host hunt have success, and Blue Ridge Hunt had a second win on the card. This time it was Wayne and Susie Chatfield-Taylor’s Morgan’s Ford Farm’s River Deep (Gerard Galligan) that carried the local banner to victory. River Deep is a Virginia bred stakes winner, and he won the Virginia bred or sired flat race as much the best. The margin of victory was 5½ lengths but probably could have been more. D. M. Smithwick, Jr. was the winning trainer. Flying Elvis Stable’s Vincent Van Gogo (Graham Watters) was second.

The following race for maidens on the flat had four entries, and three of these were trained by Ricky Hendriks. He trained the winner, Morningstar Farm’s Detroit Blues (McLane Hendriks) and the second placed horse, Armata Stables’ Pincer Movement (Archie MacAuley). His other entry was fourth. Detroit Blues was rated off the pace, rallied to join the leaders on the final turn and won by ½ length.

The remaining two races were over timber, the first of which was for novice horses, and five went to the post. Irvin S. Naylor’s Hollywood Strike (Gerard Galligan) made most of the running with Armata Stables’ Highway Prince (Barry Foley) close behind. Hollywood Strike tired and Mrs. George L. Ohrstrom, Jr.’s Hafajay (Chris Gracie) had the lead briefly, but crossed the finish line second to Highway Prince, who came again. After reviewing the patrol films, Highway Prince and Hollywood Strike were disqualified. Hafajay was made the winner and Adlestrop Hill’s Cocodimama (Chloe Hannum) was moved up to second.

Wendy W. Hendrick’s Cheers to Us (McLane Hendriks) won the amateur and novice rider timber race and was the only one of three horses that

finished the race. Kinross Farm’s Pocket Talk (Brett Owings) was pulled up shortly after the start, and Matthew Bright and his horse parted company between the 11th and 12th fences. The winner was the only survivor. Ricky Hendriks was the winning trainer.

Foxfield Fall Races 10/4/2020 The Foxfield Fall Races on Sunday, October 4, were held near Charlottesville with no spectators, but enough horses to fill the seven-race card of hurdle and flat races.

The featured race was the ratings handicap for horses that are rated 110 or lower, and this race was popular with thirteen starters. Jonathan Sheppard is in competition with Jack Fisher for the leading trainer by races won. At Foxfield he added a win in this race and saddled the second placed horse also. KMSN Stables’ Inverness (Tom Garner) established a clear lead the second time around. Buttonwood Farms, LLC’s Zoom Zoomzoe (Gerard Galligan) made a late charge but fell one length short of the winner.

Neil Morris was the meet’s leading trainer with three winners. He started his triple with William Russell’s Animal Kingston (Graham Watters), the winner of the maiden claiming race.

Slightly off the pace the first time around, he went to the front the second time and easily held off Sanna Neilson and John Huganir’s He’ll Do (Parker Hendricks) by ½ length.

Morris also saddled the winners of both flat races. In the apprentice rider flat race, he trained the first two finishers with horses belonging to Irvin S. Naylor. These two horses, Choo Choo (Parker Hendriks) and Family Tree (Brett Owings), were part of a tightly bunched group of five horses at the head of the stretch that were all in contention. Halfway down the stretch it was obvious that a Naylor entry was going to be the winner—but with which horse? In a driving finish, Choo Choo prevailed, winning by 1 length over his stablemate. This was Parker Hendriks’ first win on the flat under rules.

In the Virginia-bred or sired flat race, Flying Elvis Stable’s Vincent Van Gogo (Graham Watters) was sent to the front immediately and Foxfield Fall the only question was what Races, Virginia the final winning margin would be. Make that 8½ Bred/Sired Training Flat lengths as his rider won as he pleased over Mark W. Vincent Van Gogo (Graham Watters, Buyck, Jr.’s Tolaga Bay up) – 1st.

(Archie MacAuley).

Rick Stillings photo

Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point, Maiden Hurdle, 1st Division (l-r) Noble Weed (Sean McDermott, up); All Out Of Aces (Graham Watters, up) – 1st. Douglas Lees photo

Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point, Amateur and Novice Rider Hurdle (l-r) Mighty Mark (Skylar McKenna, up) – 2nd; To Be Or Not To Be (Brett Owings, up) – 1st. Douglas Lees photo

Foxfield Fall Races, Maiden Claiming Hurdle Animal Kingston (#6, Graham Watters, up) – 1st. Rick Stillings photo

Foxfield Fall Races, Ratings Hurdle 110 or Lower (l-r) Inverness (blue helmet, Thomas Garner, up) – 1st; Motivational (#7, Sean McDermott, up).

Foxfield Fall Races, Filly & Mare Maiden Hurdle (l-r) Speed Alert (Barry Foley, up) – 2nd; Screen Image (Bernard Dalton, up) – 1st; Just A Whim (Thomas Garner, up) – 3rd.

Rick Stillings photo

Rick Stillings photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

14

Virginia Fall Races, National Sporting Library and Museum Cup Timber Stakes Curve of Stones (Barry Foley, up) – 1st.

Douglas Lees photo

In the apprentice rider hurdle race, Irvin S. Naylor’s Elucidation won for trainer Cyril Murphy and rider Elizabeth Scully. This team had won at the Virginia Gold Cup Races in June in come-from-behind fashion. Using the same tactics, Elucidation launched his winning effort the second time around and proved best by ¾ of a length over Hyggelig Haven LLC’s Cracker Factory (Teddy Davies) whose rally fell short.

The other two races on the card were maiden hurdle races—a claiming race and the other for fillies and mares. The second division of the maiden claiming hurdle race went to Holwood Stable and Port Lairge Stables’ Decisive Triumph (Sean McDermott), who was rated off the pace before making his move to lead over the second last fence. Jeremy Gillam’s Belay (Bernard Dalton) finished well but missed by 1¼ lengths. Mark Beecher was the winning trainer.

The fillies and mares race was won by owner and trainer Theodore Gregory’s Screen Image (Bernard Dalton), who shipped in from South Carolina to win this race. She rallied into contention on the final turn and drew away after the last hurdle to win by 4½ lengths. Beverly R. Steinman’s Speed Alert (Barry Foley) finished second.

Virginia Fall Races 10/10/20 The Virginia Fall Races took place on Sunday, October 10, at the popular Glenwood Park Race Course near Middleburg, Virginia. This was the first time this year that owners were allowed to attend, and it was great for them to see a card that included nine races with big fields and driving finishes. The races were very exciting—especially the five that were decided Virginia Fall Races, Kinross Steeplethon by a neck or less. th (l-r) Hepcat (Gerard Galligan, up) – 4 ; Invocation (Sean McThe feature race was the National Sporting LiDermott, up) – 1st; Peppay Le Pugh (Michael Mitchell, up). brary & Museum Cup Timber Stakes, and S. Rebecca Douglas Lees photo Shepherd’s Curve of Stones (Barry Foley) won in a driving finish by a neck. Upland Partners’ Mystic Strike had the lead on the final turn but drifted wide, giving Curve of Stones the opportunity to take the lead and win the race. Charles C. Fenwick, Jr.’s Royal Ruse (Skylar McKenna) saved ground when Mystic Strike went wide and was briefly second but could not withstand Mystic Strike’s desperate finish. Curve of Stones had broken his maiden over timber at Virginia Fall last year. Trainer David Bourke has won races with Curve of Stones on the flat and over hurdles and timber, and for at least now timber is his favorite.

The popular steeplethon resulted in the same order as last year’s race. Straylight Racing LLC’s Invocation won again with Sean McDermott up both years. In this year’s race Ballybristol Farm LLC’s Mercoeur (Thomas Garner) established a big lead that Virginia Fall Races, James P. McCormick Memorial Maiden seemed insurmountable, but McDermott had enough horse to reach Mercoeur at the last fence and win Timber (l-r) Mr. Fine Threads (Gerard Galligan, up) – 3rd; Flash Jackson (#3, Michael Mitchell, up) – 1st; Satish (Thomas going away by 2½ lengths. Hudson River Farm’s Skydiving (Darren Nagle) finished third but was not a Garner, up) – 4th. Douglas Lees photo threat to the top two finishers. Mark Beecher was the winning trainer.

The three maiden hurdle races attracted full fields. The first race of the three went to Riverdee Stable’s Lemonade Thursday (Michael Mitchell), who rallied from off the pace to join Leipers Fork Steeplechasers LLC’s Thomas Cubitt (Thomas Garner) approaching the last hurdle. From that point to the finish, these two horses and riders never gave an inch that wasn’t earned. Lemonade Thursday proved to be narrowly the best. For the winning trainer Jack Fisher and rider Michael Mitchell, this was their first of three visits to the winners’ circle.

The second division was won by Clarke Virginia Fall Races, Theodora A. Randolph Cup Maiden Ohrstrom’s Mr. Bridger (Graham Watters), who led Hurdle, 1st Division throughout the race. Jonathan Sheppard and Vincent (l-r at the last fence) Lemonade Thursday (Michael Mitchell, up) – 1st; Thomas Cubitt (Thomas Garner, up) – 2nd; Compass Bonnani’s Bet the Pot (Gerard Galligan) just missed by a neck after rallying to share the lead over the last Zone (Sean McDermott, up) – 3rd. Douglas Lees photo

hurdle and through the stretch. This was a popular win as the owner, Clarke Ohrstrom, and trainer, Richard Valentine, are from nearby The Plains.

The third maiden hurdle race was restricted to three-year-olds and four-year-olds. Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr.’s Bickley (Michael Mitchell) crossed the finish line first by a head over Hudson River Farm’s Another Try (Darren Nagle) but was disqualified for interference on the final turn. Bickley was placed third, Another Try was made the winner and Silverton Hill LLC’s Rambaldi (Thomas Garner) was moved up to second. Jonathan Sheppard trained Another Try, who found his best stride after the last hurdle and just missed.

Michael Mitchell and Jack Fisher added a second win when Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr.’s Brianbakescookies won the ratings handicap hurdle race.

The winner rallied from well off the pace to join Bon Nouvel Chasers LLC’s pacesetting Repeat Repeat (Ross Geraghty). Repeat Repeat held on around the turn but couldn’t match strides with the winner in the stretch. Brianbakescookies won by 4½ lengths.

A big field of twelve starters went to the post in the maiden timber race. Michael Mitchell completed his hat trick when he guided Ann Jackson’s Flash Jackson from off the pace to victory for trainer Todd Wyatt. He launched his rally in the final quarter mile and took the lead before the last fence. He landed running and won going away by 2¾ lengths. Four Virginia Gents’ First Friday (Bernard Dalton) and Sharon Sheppard’s Mr. Fine Threads (Gerard Galligan) ran well but could not match the winner and finished second and third.

The last two races were also restricted to amateurs and apprentices. These two races showcased the depth and quality of our young riders. McLane Hendriks won the timber race on his grandmother Wendy Hendriks’ Cheers to Us, who is trained by his father, Ricky Hendricks. Cheers to Us was reserved well off the pace but when he started to make up ground, he did it so easily that it was obvious three furlongs from the finish that he was going to be the winner. Irvin S. Naylor’s Withoutmoreado (Skylar McKenna) ran well for second, and Jeremy A. Batoff’s Class Indian (Justin Batoff) put in a good effort but was third best.

The amateur apprentice training flat race was another thriller. Armata Stables’ New Member (Teddy Davies) ran most of the way within striking distance and took the lead with three furlongs to run. Beverly R. Steinman’s Invester (Colin Smith) made a race of it in the stretch and the final margin was a neck. This win completed Jack Fisher’s hat trick.

Virginia Fall Races, Theodora A. Randolph Cup Maiden Hurdle, 2nd Division, Mr. Bridger (Graham Watters, up) – 1st. Douglas Lees photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

International Gold Cup Races 10/24/20 The 81st Running of the International Gold Cup Saturday, October 24th, at Great Meadow near The Plains attracted many horses but once again no spectators. There were ten races with the International Gold Cup the feature. Two weeks earlier S. Rebecca Shepherd won the timber stakes at the Virginia Fall Races. In that race Curve of Stones won by a narrow margin, but at Great Meadow he won easily. In the race Barry Foley was content to stay at the rear of the field until the last time around.

Curve of Stones made a bold move around the final turn, led over the second last fence and was in hand and in command winning by 7 lengths over Irvin S. Naylor’s Super Saturday (Gerard Galligan). Super Saturday seems to always run in the timber stakes at Great Meadow and always gets a piece of the purse, but once again he was the bridesmaid There’s nothing like a good rivalry, and at Great Meadow the rivals are Straylight Racing LLC’s Invocation and Ballybristol Farm LLC’s Mercoeur in the steeplethon races in Virginia. Last year Invocation won at the Virginia Fall Races with Mercoeur second. At the 2019 International Gold Cup Races Mercoeur won with Invocation second. This year Invocation with his regular rider Sean McDermott up won again at Virginia Fall. At Great Meadow Invocation added another win with his rival second.

At least for now he is the champ. Invocation was confidently ridden off the pace and started to rally on the final turn. He jumped the last with Mercoeur (Thomas Garner) and Jeffrey S. Aimling and Merriefield Farm’s My Afleet (Graham Watters) but landed on top and steadily lengthened his lead to 8 lengths. Mark Beecher has done a great job training the winner, who won at first asking in the spring and in the fall.

There were two ratings handicap races on the card and the first was for horses rated under 130.

The goal in a handicap is to weight the horses so are all competitive. The winner was Sherry L. Fenwick’s Anticipating (Parker Hendriks), trained by Jonathan Sheppard. Second place went to Armata Stables’ New Member (Michael Mitchell). Under handicap weights Anticipating would have carried 144 lbs. with an additional 10 lbs. off because his rider was an apprentice. New Member had to carry high weight of 158 lbs. and still only lost by 1 length. There was a water and ice dousing following the race because this was Parker Hendriks’ first sanctioned win over fences.

It didn’t take long for Parker to add another win in the maiden claiming hurdle race with Sanna Neilson and John Huganir’s He’ll Do. Unhurried early, He’ll Do improved his position to be third at the second hurdle from home and led over the last fence. He won going away by 2¾ lengths. Melissa Cantacuzene’s Yankee Doodle Boy (Barry Foley) rallied from far back to be second.

Riverdee Stable’s Douglas Road had won the maiden hurdle race with leading rider Michael Mitchell and leading trainer Jack Fisher doing the honors. This was a thrilling race as Douglas Road and Sara Collette’s Eryx (Darren Nagle) jumped the last as a team and battled to the finish where Douglas Road won by a short neck.

The second ratings hurdle handicap for horses rated 120 or lower was won by one of the high weights in the race. Hudson River Farm’s Galway Kid (Darren Nagle) has now won three times in six starts this year and looked good doing it. Reserved off the pace that was set by Bon Nouvel Chasers LLC’s Repeat Repeat (Ross Geraghty), Galway Lad made his move around the turn to lead over the last hurdle and won by 2¾ lengths. Repeat Repeat, who had been second at Virginia Fall, had to settle for another second-place finish.

The first of three races restricted to apprentice

riders was over timber, and it attracted five starters.

Armata Stables’ Vintage Vinnie (Archie MacAuley) quickly made this a one horse race. He sprinted to the lead and forgot to stop. He led at stages by as much as a quarter of a mile leaving the others in his wake. Trainer Joe Davies had Vintage Vinnie tuned up for a monster effort. Irvin S. Naylor’s Withoutmoreado (Skylar McKenna) ran well for second but was no match for the winner The apprentice rider hurdle race was much more exciting. Sheila J. Williams and Northwoods Stables’ Notjudginjustsayin (Teddy Davies) jumped the last hurdle on top and seemed to be on his way to a certain victory. Colin Smith had rallied Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr.’s Be Counted from far off the pace and jumped the last in a group that seemed destined to be runners up. Smith did International Gold Cup, not stop riding and got Apprentice Rider Timber up to win in the final Vintage Vinnie (Archie MacAuley, up) – 1st. strides and claim vicDouglas Lees photo tory by a neck. This was Todd Wyatt’s second win and he was overheard praising Mrs. Johnston for letting green apprentices ride some of her horses. That’s the only way they are going to learn. Smith’s first win meant he was going to get the ceremonial ice bath.

The third apprentice rider race was on the flat and eleven horses went to the post where starter Graham Alcock got them off in good fashion. Emily Astor’s Pony Up (Courtney Dankanich) went to the front shortly after the start and tried to hold the lead deep in the stretch. Irvin S. Naylor’s Choo Choo finished like a locomotive (pardon the pun) and won his third flat race this fall. As a three-year-old, Choo Choo won the California Derby and it’s going to be interesting to see where trainer Neil Morris will send Choo Choo from here.

Over the years the Virginia-bred flat race has produced a number of close finishes, but this year that was not the case. Morgan’s Ford Farm’s River Deep (Gerard Galligan) was always within easy striking distance, went to the front and was not under any pressure, winning by 3¼ lengths. River Deep is a Virginia-bred stakes winner and it will also be interesting where trainer D. M. Smithwick, Jr. and the Chatfield-Taylors go for his next start.

Why Not Racing LLC’s Ismusbemyluckyday (Michael Mitchell) ran a strong race to finish second.

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International Gold Cup, Steeplethon At the Splash (l-r) Belisarius (Bernie Dalton, up); Invocation (Sean McDermott, up) – 1st. Douglas Lees photo

International Gold Cup, Maiden Hurdle (l-r) Douglas Road (Michael Mitchell, up) – 1st; Cause For Pardon (Thomas Garner, up). Douglas Lees photo

International Gold Cup, Ratings Handicap Hurdle (l-r) Anticipating (#9, Parker Hendriks, up) – 1st; Noah And The Ark (#2, Thomas Garner, up); Go Get the Basil (#8, Bernie Dalton, up); A Silent Player (#6, Ross Geraghty, up).

Douglas Lees photo

International Gold Cup, Apprentice Rider Hurdle (l-r) Notjudginjustsayin (Teddy Davies, up) – 2nd; Be Counted (#5, Colin Smith, up) – 1st.

Douglas Lees photo

International Gold Cup, Timber Stakes Curve of Stones (Barry Foley, up) – 1st. Douglas Lees photo

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2020

OPENING MEETS

Old Dominion Hounds Opening Meet High Meadow, Flint Hill, Virginia, October 31, 2020 Cindy White Photos

Connor Poe in action as the day’s hunting heated up.

Huntsman Steven Farrin prepares his pack for the Blessing of the Hounds in front of the High Meadow house. Hanging behind him are banners honoring the two long-serving former Masters of Old Dominion, Gus Forbush and Douglas Wise.

Rappahannock Hunt Opening Meet Red Hill, Amissville, Virginia, October 31, 2020 (l-r) Joint-Masters Debbie Welch and Kimberly Poe greet the crowd turned out for Opening Meet and Blessing of the Hounds.

Jordan Koepke Photos

Jeff Woodall gets an encouraging nudge from his hounds as he prepares for the first day of formal season in his new role as Rappahannock Huntsman.

Beverly Allen is all smiles and ready to move off with the other juniors who filled the ranks of the field on Rappahannock’s Opening Day.

(l-r) Wilson Lee, Barney Riley, and Clara Dart were among the eight juniors who rode under the Grovespring Farm banner with the help of their coach Susan Deal.

The start of Rapphannock Hunt’s 2020/2021 season also marked the first foxhunting day for young Charlie Allen.

HORSE RACING

Horses and People to Watch Virginia Equine Alliance

Virginia-Bred/Sired Horses Compete in Five Rescheduled Stakes at Laurel October 9 Jockey Trevor McCarthy reached the winners circle in three of five $75,000 Virginia-bred/sired turf stakes contested at Laurel on October 9. The stakes were originally scheduled to be held at Colonial Downs on September 2 but when the track’s season ended prematurely, the races were moved to Laurel.

McCarthy led heavily favored Embolden to a one-length win in the 5½-furlong Punch Line Stakes.

3-year-old colt The Factor, winner of the 2019 Jamestown, came into his race fresh off a pair of Grade 3 efforts at Kentucky Downs and Saratoga. He crossed one length the best over Lynchburg in a full 14-horse field. The winner was bred by Nancy Terhune and Ernest Frohboese and has purse earnings $246,500.

Best finish of the slate took place in the 1 1/16th miles Bert Allen Stakes where Todd Pletcher’s Largent won by a neck over Arch Kingsley’s Tolaga Bay. Largent, who won the Edward P. Evans Stakes at Colonial this summer, was sent off as the heavy 1-9 betting choice. A model of consistency, Largent now has five wins and three runner-up finishes from eight career starts. He was bred by Lazy Lane Farms.

McCarthy kicked off his trio of wins atop Tasting The Stars in the Brookmeade Stakes. The Largent in the Laurel winners circle Oct. 9 after winning the 4-year-old BodeBert Allen Stakes. Jim McCue photo meister filly went three-wide in the turn and drove past runner-up Pink Pearl mid-stretch to win by 1¼ lengths in 1:43.60. The winner, a 2019 Virginia Oaks participant, was bred

by Audley Farm Equine in Berryville.

Kenny Had a Notion was one of two horses in the six horse Jamestown Stakes field to have won prior to post that day. The experience paid off against the group of 2-year-olds as the Great Notion gelding won convincingly by five lengths at the 5½-furlong distance. The victor, who went on to win the Maryland Million Nursery Stakes at Laurel October 24, was bred by Althea Richards.

Country Life Farm’s Virginia Beach wired the M. Tyson Gilpin Stakes field under the direction of jockey Victor Carrasco. The 3-yearold Twirling Candy filly was best by 1¼ lengths over Tea in China. She was bred by Mr. & Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin III. Eagle Point Farms’ heavily favored What The Beep, who won the Camptown Stakes this summer and the ’19 Gilpin edition, Virginia-bred Kenny Had a Notion wins the finished third, three lengths Maryland Million Nursery Stakes October 24 at behind.

Laurel. Jim McCue photo ••••• Colonial Downs Summer Race Season Cut Short Due to COVID-19 The summer racing season at Colonial Downs came to an earlier than expected conclusion after several jockeys and related personnel tested positive for COVID19 in early August. The New Kent track, which had been scheduled to run until September 2, officially cancelled the meet August 14 though the last card was held on August 10.

The meet was affected by a combination of extreme heat, a storm-related power outage, and COVID-related issues. Six full programs were contested, and a seventh was cancelled midway through. The Virginia Derby card and a closing day slate that included the five Virginia-Bred/Sired stakes had been scheduled for the final week.

Trevor McCarthy ended up as leading jockey with 14 wins while Forest Boyce was second with 11. Michael Stidham was top trainer with six wins and four others tied for second with three wins apiece—Ferris Allen, Todd Pletcher,

Thomas Vance, and Jonathan Sheppard. David Ross was leading owner with four wins.

••••• 2019 Causin Commotion Colt Takes Grand Champion Honors at Virginia Yearling Futurity Knockgriffin Farm’s Virginia-Certified 2019 Causin Commotion colt took Grand Champion honors at the annual Virginia Breeders Fund 2020 Yearling Futurity, which was held SeptemJockey Trevor McCarthy was ber 9 at the Warrenton Horse Show Grounds.

The champion was bred by Jim & Katie leading rider at the abbreviated Colonial Downs summer meet.

Fitzgerald at their Marshall, Virginia, farm.

Jim McCue photo Their dark bay/brown colt is by Unified (Mineshaft). Morgan Ford Farm’s 2019 Smart Believer bay, who took top honors in the Virginia-Bred/Sired Fillies division, was named 2020 Reserve Champion.

She is a daughter of Animal Kingdom (Smart Strike).

A total of $22,500 in prize money was distributed between the three divisions. The top two winners from each advanced to the Grand Championship final round.

In the VirginiaBred/Sired Colt & Gelding class, Althea Richards’ 2019 Darting Virginia Equine Alliance President Debbie Easter presents colt won top honors. the blue ribbon for the Causin Commotion Virginia Certified The dark bay is by Di2019 colt, who took Grand Champion honors at the Yearling vining Rod (During).

Futurity. Anna Purdy photo Susan Cooney’s Celtic Sea, a chestnut colt by English Channel out of Embarr by Royal Academy, took second.

In the Virginia-Bred/Sired Fillies category, Daybreak Stables’ 2019 Callipepla bay was runner-up behind the Smart Believer filly.

In a large Certified class that saw colts and filles combined, Lorraine & Dennis Johnson’s colt Bigshot On Nothing by Mineshaft (Snow Ridge) finished second behind the Causin Commotion colt.

••••• Shenandoah Downs Wraps Up 2020 Harness Racing Season in Woodstock The ten-day annual harness racing season at Shenandoah Downs came to an end October 17 and for the first time ever was held without wagering and spectators due to COVID-19.

The 23rd annual Virginia Breeders Championships were held on October 3, and $363,575 in purse monies were awarded between eight stakes races. Headlining horse was Nvrfearlloydishere, who dominated the $46,800 3-Year-Old Colt Pace.

The 3-year-old Rusty’s All In gelding won his eighth in a row and competed in the final much like he did in the prep a week earlier when he wired the field. The Arlene Cameron trainee crossed twelve lengths ahead of runner-up K J Michael in 1:52 4/5. The finishing time established a new life mark for the winner. Nvrfearlloydishere is owned by Pam Wagner of Fairfax and has won 14 of his 18 lifetime starts. During his current winning streak, the dynamic pacer has led at every quarter fraction.

Former Horse of the Meet and current track record holder John’s Dream started out the meet slow but finished with a flourish. The 7-year-old Dream Away gelding, who paced a 1:52 1/5 mile during the track’s first season in 2016, was winless early on but in the final three weeks captured a lower level conditioned race, a $10,000 Virginia Breeders Aged race, and the Open Handicap on closing day. A “Horse for the Course,” John’s Dream has won 23 of 31 races over the past five years in Woodstock and has John’s Dream wins his third straight race on $305,719 in overall career Shenandoah Downs’ final day of the earnings. ’20 season. Seth Dowling photo

HUNTING

Blue Ridge Hunt October 27, 2020 Farnley Liz Callar photos

Ted Guarriello.

Teri Lyn Houliston.

Whipper-In, Aran Mcmanus.

Karyn Wilson

Astrid Harper.

Blue Ridge Hunt Opening Meet Long Branch, Boyce, Virginia October 31, 2020 Joanne Maisano Photos

Karel Winnick, the image of proper turnout for Opening Day.

Huntsman Graham Buston leads the field off from the meet at Long Branch.

Blue Ridge hounds eagerly await their Huntsman’s call to move off for the start of the new formal season.