In & Around Horse Country Online Holiday Supplement 2014

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

OPENING MEETS Deep Run Hunt Full Stream Farm, Manakin-Sabot, Virginia October 25, 2014 Bill Sigafoos Photos

Professional Whipper-In Ashley Mozingo enjoys a love fest.

(l-r) Catherine Meyers and Chris Dillon, DRHC members nicely turned out for Opening Meet.

The Reverend John Adams performs the Blessing of the hounds flanked by the owners of Full Stream Farm, Kitty and Andy Shield.

Deep Run’s hounds take a well-deserved break.

Huntsman Richard Roberts shows hounds to an admiring crowd.

Professional Whipper-In Ashley Mozingo.

Opening Meet draws a smile from member Diane Luczkovich.

A striking example of Deep Run’s lovely Central Virginia country.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

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OPENING MEETS

Orange County Hounds Opening Meet, Meredyth Farm, The Plains, Virginia, Nov. 1, 2014. (l-r) John Coles, MFH; Neil Morris, MFH; Malcolm Matheson, MFH; Maryalice Larkin Matheson Thomas and Peter Walsh, Field Masters. Carina Elgin photo

Myopia Hunt hosted the All New England Joint Meet in Hamilton, Massachusetts, on November 8, 2014. Shown here is Myopia Huntsman Brian Kiely.

Eric Schneider photo

Bijou Springs Huntsman Nancy Mitchell and Nancy King, MFH, (right) bring in hounds following the club’s Junior Day, October 26, 2014, from Lazy K 11 Ranch, Kiowa, Colorado.

Judi Tobias photo

Deacon Tom Liotta performs the Blessing of the Hounds at the opening meet of Bijou Springs Hunt at Lazy K 11 Ranch, Kiowa, Colorado, October 19, 2014. Huntsman Nancy Mitchell is with hounds in the background.

Jessie Woodard photo

Elkridge-Harford Hunt (Maryland) Huntsman Geoffrey Hyde at Opening Meet, Atlanta Hall, November 1, 2014. Tony Shore photo

Since 1974 Cloudline Hounds, Celeste, Texas, has blended the traditions of foxhunting into exhilarating sport in pursuit of coyotes while honoring the local culture. Cowboys are welcome in the Cloudline hunt field. Ginger Robinson photo

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTS

A Holiday “Thank You!” to the In & Around Horse Country Team For over 24 years In & Around Horse Country has been honored to feature the work of some of the best sporting photographers and writers in the business.

At this special time of year, when we think about friends and what they mean to us, we’d like to offer a heartfelt word of appreciation to these dedicated folks who, issue after issue, are the reason why In & Around Horse Country is one of the best-read publications in the horse sports category.

Anyone who has ever tried to photograph equestrian movement or write about horse sports in a way that puts the reader right into the action knows that this can be a very challenging task. Yet our contributors, major award winners among them, continue to capture an array of striking images and craft pages of entertaining and informative prose that always make our pages come alive.

Whether foxhunting, racing, showing, polo, social gatherings, or other horserelated events, these people are on the scene and working hard.

We’d also like to remind our readers that you can help support these folks by purchasing prints or digital images from several of the photographers as well as books by some of our writers. Wouldn’t a lovely equestrian sporting photo make a thoughtful gift? Or a nice addition to your own décor?

And books—whether novels, photo essays, hunting journals, or history—are a perfect stocking-stuffer.

A big Horse Country holiday shout-out to these talented shutter-snappers and word-crafters! And look for more compelling visual images and entertaining reads in the year ahead.

Middleburg Hunt A chilly December rain did not deter the hounds, huntsman, staff, masters, and a huge field of Virginia’s Middleburg Hunt followers from participating in the annual Middleburg Christmas Parade, December 6, 2014. Middleburg Photo •••••

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

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

Information: Jackie Cronenberg at cronenberg88@q.com Feb. 26-28 Belle Meade (GA) Performance Trials.

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

ON THE COVER: Deep Run Huntsman Richard Roberts congratulates his hounds on a job well done, Full Stream Farm, Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, October 25, 2014.

Bill Sigafoos photo

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Joann Burrowswood Liz Callar www.lizcallar.com John J. Carle II, ex-MFH Jody Ciliberto Leslie Deering Carina Elgin Janet Hitchen 540-837-9846 www.janethitchenphotography.com Adrian Jennings Austin Kaseman www.austinkaseman.com Douglas Lees Jim Meads Middleburg Photo www.middleburgphoto.com Ginger Robinson Eric Schneider Bill Sigafoos www.wlsphoto.com Tony Shore Judi Tobias Pat Wilkoski Jessie Woodard

Photographers Liz Callar: www.lizcallar.com Richard Clay: www.richardclayphotography.com Janet Hitchen: 540-837-9846 www.janethitchenphotography.com Adrian Jennings: www.adrianjennings.zenfolio.com Austin Kaseman: www.austinkaseman.com Nancy Kleck: www.equinesportingart.com Douglas Lees: douglaslees@comcast.com Robert McClanahan: www.maccamera.com Jim Meads (photographer/writer): U.K. 011-44-1686-420436 Middleburg Photo: www.middleburgphoto.com Teresa Ramsay Eric Schneider Writers J. Harris Anderson: www.bluecardinalpress.com John J. Carle, II, ex-MFH (writer/photographer) Lauren R. Giannini (writer/photographer): laurenrgiannini@gmail.com Elizabeth Manierre Will O’Keefe Betsy Burke Parker Barclay Rives Virginia Thoroughbred Association Jenny Young Regular subscription 5 issues $25.00, U.S.A. First Class subscription $35.00, Europe, Canada, etc. $45.00

is published 5 times a year.

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

Publisher: Marion Maggiolo Managing Editor: J. Harris Anderson Advertising: Mary Cox (540) 636-7688 Email: hcmaryads@embarqmail.com Contributors: Aga; J. Harris Anderson; John J. Carle II, ex-MFH; Jim Meads; Will O’Keefe LAYOUT & DESIGN: Kate Houchin Copyright © 2014 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXVI, No.6 POSTMASTER: CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

Piedmont Fox Hounds Opening Meet Oakley, Upperville, Virginia, November 6, 2014

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OPENING MEETS Warrenton Hunt Opening Meet Elway near Warrenton, Virginia, November 1, 2014 Douglas Lees Photos

Piedmont Fox Hounds’ Huntsman Spencer Allen at Oakley, November 6, 2014.

Janet Hitchen photo

Matt Vanderwoude, Huntsman.

(l-r) Clydetta Poe Talbot, Whipper-In; Matt Vanderwoude, Huntsman.

Hillsboro Hounds Opening Meet Happy Hill Farm, November 1, 2014 Adrian Jennings Photos Piedmont Fox Hounds’ Joint Masters (l-r) Shelby Bonnie, Tad Zimmerman, and Gregg Ryan at Oakley, November 6, 2014. Douglas Lees photo

Huntsman John Gray, Hillsboro Hounds.

Hillsboro Hounds and staff move off to the first draw.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

OPENING MEETS Mooreland Hunt Opening Meet Belle Mina, Alabama, November 15, 2014 Adrian Jennings Photos

Hillsboro Junior Jordan Tarpy.

The Chestnut Club.

Professional Whipper-In Leilani Hrisko (left) and Hillsboro Hounds Huntsman John Gray.

Hounds of New York’s Windy Hollow Hunt running as a tight pack.

Joann Burrowswood photo

Mooreland Hunt Junior Members, winners of the MFHA Fairly Hunted Award, with staff.

A Windy Hollow hound: “My tub!” Joann Burrowswood photo

Chris Burrowswood has begun his first season as Huntsman for Windy Hollow Hunt, Port Jervis, New York. Chris retired as Master of the Clifton-on-Teme Foxhounds in Herefordshire, UK, in 2004.

He had been enjoying retirement in the Cayman Islands with his wife Joann, a native of Hamilton, New York, before being convinced to leave the Caribbean and take up the horn at Windy Hollow.

Joann Burrowswood photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

OPENING MEETS

5

Loudoun Fairfax Hunt Opening Meet Overbrook, Hamilton, Virginia November 2, 2014 Austin Kaseman Photos

(l-r) Petra Dollwet; Ray Moffett, ex-MFH; Michael Harper, MFH.

Loudoun Fairfax Hunt (l-r) Andy Bozdan, Huntsman; Heather Heider, Whipper-In; Michael Harper, MFH; Joan Strahler, Whipper-In.

Two handsome heads lovingly groomed for Opening Meet.

Lynn Pirozzoli-Mauro.

At 6’8”, Jake Hambrick needs a sturdy mount. His aptly-named horse Thor fits the bill.

Joseph Keusch, ex-MFH.

Petra Dollwet.

Greg Chesterton.

Dr. Tania Woerner, DVM.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

OPENING MEETS

Red Oak Foxhounds Blessing of the Hounds Oakwood Farm, Virginia, October 26, 2014 Jody Ciliberto Photos

Stonewall Hounds (Joint Meet with Red Oak Foxhounds) Blessing of the Hounds Runaway Horse Farm, Pamplin, Virginia, October 18, 2014 Jody Ciliberto Photos

Red Oak Foxhounds Joint Master and Huntsman Theresa Miller and Reverend Benjamin Taylor.

Linda and Barry van Fleet, members of Red Oak Foxhounds, at Stonewall Hounds Blessing.

(l-r) Kate Fairfield, Whipper-In; Kim Jeffreys, Minister; Lili Wykle, MFH and Huntsman.

Joint Master and Huntsman Theresa Miller moves hounds to the first covert aided by Whipper-in Kim Harrison.

Lanny Hinson at a check.

Lili Wykle, MFH and Huntsman (center), flanked by Whippers-In, Kate Fairfield (left) and Emily Schilling (right).

In the background from left is Cheryl Microutsicos, Whipper-In, and Vicky Dean, Second Flight Fieldmaster.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

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AGA’S SAGAS

Saint Nick’s Tricks T’was a cold, clear night in December. The moonlight was casting beautiful blue shadows all over the snowcovered town. The store was closed with the lights turned down low. Marion bent down to pat our heads as she bid us adieu.

She’s always leaving us behind to guard the store when she goes to dinner. I dinnae know why we canna go along with her. We’re verra well behaved.

Bunsen, if it was up to our dear Marion, we would go everywhere with her. But there are rules about dogs in restaurants.

Well, if we lived in a sensible place, we could at least dine on the terrace.

In December? It’s freezing out!

So there we were in the kitchen, Bunsen licking his bowl somewhat forlornly hoping it would magically refill. Eventually he hopped up on his chair and I slipped into my cushy bed and we settled down to wait for Marion’s return.

Some time later a noise registered and I sat bolt up in my bed.

“Psst, Bunsen! Wake up! Do you hear that?

“Hear what?”

“That! Up on the roof!” He just looked at me through sleepy eyes.

“I’m sure it’s just the architect. Again.”

Boy, some dogs never forget. “No it’s not. It sounds like… like REINDEER!” With that we both heard the click of a lock and the shove that could only be the entry leading to next door. We leapt from our bed and chair and flew through the store, skidding through country clothing, bouncing off boots, which, to our great surprise, had legs in them. We looked up the red-clad legs to a rotund belly (which I’m sure shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly). Our eyes finally stopped at a face of twinkling eyes, a cherry red nose, and a full set of white whiskers a bearded collie would envy.

at Hound Show or at the Warrenton Horse Show.” I glared at Bunsen, who stuck out his tongue, but I don’t think Sandy Paws saw him. “I saved the store from disaster when a tree came through the roof....

Well, I had some help with that.”

“I should say so, lassie!” Bunsen grumbled.

Then Sandy Paws said, “That’s all for the store.”

“I work here! Of course, it’s all for the store!’’

“So Miss Aga, what would you like for Christmas?” he asked.

“Lamb chops! A new collar with a blinged-out name tag. A new coat, and fewer baths!” You can see I’d thought about this for a while.

Sandy Paws looked thoughtful, “I think the first three might be doable, but,” he sniffed, “I’m afraid you need those baths.” As I started to whine, the jolly old elf said firmly: “Tsk, tsk now. Better not pout!”

I contented myself with thoughts of lamb chops and tried not to laugh as Bunsen made several attempts to jump, climb, and wiggle up into Sandy Paw’s minus“Oh, you again!” the strange visitor exclaimed. cule lap. Finally they agreed on letting him sit “Doesn’t your mother ever take you home? I was on Santa’s large black boot. hoping to get in and out without anyone seeing me.” “So, Bunsen, have you been a good boy this year?”

“SANDY PAWS!” we yapped excitedly. “It’s really “Ach, Santa, I’ve been such a verra good boy! I greet you!” every customer as they come in the door...”

“You came back,” said Bunsen happily.

“If they have biscuits,” I felt compelled to add.

“Of course I did. I told you last month I was going to “Whether or not they have biscuits. I let everyone pet have to make two trips. So many good foxhunters this me. Even children with sticky hands. I guard the store year!” for my Marion. I posed handsomely for pictures. I got “We’ve been good, too, this year,” I told Sandy Paws my weight down so I could model more effectively. proudly.

When customers come in asking for the dog who “Have you? Well, then, let’s do this right.” His eyes writes, I hop down from my chair...” narrowed and he looked around, pulled up a three step “Wait a dog-gone minute there, Bunsen! It’s called mounting block, and sat down. There wasn’t much AGA’s Sagas. I’m the one who writes, you only conlap, but at his invitation I leapt up into what was there. tribute a remark here and there.”

“So what good things did you do this year, Miss “Well, then, perhaps you should come out from beAga?” hind the counter when they ask for the writing dog.”

“You know my name?”

I glared at him.

“I know everyone’s name. Please go on.”

Sandy Paws stood up and said, “Now, children, don’t “Well, I modeled dog coats. I sold a lot of riding pants squabble. You’ve both been good and Bunsen, I aswhen it looked like we were going to be swamped sume steak is still the only thing on your list.” Bunwith them. Marion over-ordered again. I helped host sen spun circles in agreement. five book signings. I posed for an awful lot of pic“All right then, could I possibly ask your help so I tures. I wrote my column faithfully. I didn’t run away

can get on with my work?”

Janet Hitchen photo

Of course he could! Help Santa? You betcha!

He read off the list and we ran to the locations. Bridles, halters, brushes, blankets (horse), blankets (people), pillows and every kind of Barbour coat, vest and shirt. Books disappeared into his sack in great number. Jewelry and silver from locked cases (how does he do that?) went in as well.

Finally we were done and the sack was quite full.

Santa seemed pleased as he checked off the final name.

“I couldn’t have asked for better help, you make excellent elves. Why don’t you go up front now and get back into bed. I think you’ll not have long to wait until Marion comes back. I’ll lock the door behind me. Goodnight and, again, thank you.” With that he turned and picked up his sack as though it weighed no more than a feather. How does he do that?

We made our way back to the front, equal parts tired and exhilarated, certain we wouldn’t be able to close our eyes. But the next thing we knew our Marion came through the door, apologizing for being so late. We told her all about Santa’s visit, and how we’d helped, though I don’t think she understood what we were saying. She just laughed and said we must have been having some wonderful dreams.

“No, no,” I told her. “It’s true! Sandy Paws was here shopping and we helped!”

The three of us walked out of the kitchen together so that Marion could take a final look around. She stopped short as she looked at the front counter.

“HEY, what are all these take-out boxes doing here?”

Marion lifted the lids. “Lamb chops? T-bone steak?

Who left these here?”

“Sandy Paws! Sandy Paws!” we chorused loudly.

“I’ll take them home for your midnight snack. It would be a crime to let these go to waste. Merry Christmas to you!”

Our Christmas wishes have come true and so all that’s left to do is hope we packed Santa’s present for you!

Happy Howlingday to all and to all a good night!

Horse Country’s best elves, Aga and Bunsen

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

RACING Montpelier Hunt Races November 1, 2014

By Will O’Keefe • Photos by Douglas Lees

The Montpelier Cup Optional Allowance Claiming/Hurdle (l-r) En Fuego (Paddy Young, up) – 1st; Witor (Ross Geraghty, up) – 3rd; Foolish Surprise (James Slater, up); Saint Jerome (Kieran Norris, up) – 2nd.

The Madison Plate Conditioned Claiming Hurdle (l-r) Hishi Soar (Jacob Roberts, up) – 1st; Casual Creeper (Paddy Young, up) – 2nd; Annual Update (Kieran Norris, up) – 3rd.

The Battleship Maiden Claiming Hurdle East Bound Train (Darren Nagle, up) – 1st.

Montpelier Foundation Cup Virginia Bred or Sired Training Flat Pride of the Fleet, on the rail around the final turn (Gerard Galligan, up) – 1st.

A hearty crowd was on hand for the Montpelier Hunt Races on Saturday, November 1, at Montpelier Station near Orange, Virginia, in spite of windy conditions and rain in the forecast. They were there hoping to see history in the making as Irvin S. Naylor’s Irishbred Decoy Daddy was seeking an historic fourth win in the feature race run in memory of Noel Laing, longtime rider and trainer for Marion duPont Scott’s Montpelier.

From 2005 thru 2007 Calvin Houghland’s French-bred Mon Villez had won this race each year, establishing a difficult mark to equal or better. Last year under Carol-Ann Sloan, Decoy Daddy equaled that three win total, and a win this year would give him a win total that would be hard to equal. Decoy Daddy’s task was made that much tougher when under handicap conditions he was being asked to give his four rivals a minimum of 14 lbs. In addition his last race had been in May, when he won the National Hunt Cup at Radnor. Trainer Cyril Murphy has picked his races well, and he had only started twice over fences this year, winning both times.

In the race Decoy Daddy was on or near the pace for most of the 2½ miles over the unique Montpelier brush course. Colvin G. Ryan’s Spy in the Sky (Tom Foley) made his move with a half mile to run and opened a lead that seemed sufficient to win, but Decoy Daddy had other thoughts. Spy in the Sky led over the last fence but Decoy Daddy was in his shadow. Decoy Daddy was not to be denied, took the lead in the stretch and won going away by 2 lengths. Spy in the Sky has chased Decoy Daddy home in this race now for the second year in a row. This race assured Decoy Daddy of his third title as Virginia Steeplechase Association’s Steeplechase Horse of the Year. Irvin S. Naylor is the National Steeplechase Association’s leading owner, and Carol-Ann Sloan took top honors in the amateur and apprentice rider divisions.

In the optional allowance/claiming hurdle race Mrs. S. K. Johnston’s En Fuego (Paddy Young) found the winners’ circle for the first time in more than two years. The five horse field ran as a group close behind Ben Swope’s Foolish Surprise, who set the pace. With two fences to go, En Fuego was on the move, took the lead before the last fence and won by 2¾ lengths. Irvin S. Naylor’s Saint Jerome (Kieran Norris) and Merriefield Farm’s Witor (Ross Geraghty) finished second and third with only a fraction of an inch separating them at the finish. NSA’s leading trainer Jack Fisher saddled the winner.

The two maiden hurdle races on the card were both won by rider Darren Nagle. In the maiden claiming race Nagle was up on Wendy W. Hendriks’ East Bound Train, who ran on or close to the lead all the way and won by 2 lengths. Black and Blue Stables’ Tiz Relevant (Jeff Murphy) rallied to take second place over S. Bruce Smart, Jr.’s In Todd We Trust (Paddy Young), but could not threaten the winner. Ricky Hendriks was the winning trainer.

In the maiden hurdle race Nagle guided Mrs. George L. Ohrstrom, Jr.’s Class Cherokee to a 1 length triumph over Sharon E. Sheppard’s Ajzaa (Paddy Young) for trainer Richard Valentine. Class Cherokee stalked the early pace, joined the leader at the last fence and won easily.

The conditioned claiming hurdle race went to nonagenarian owner and trainer Randolph D. Rouse’s Hishi Soar. Jacob Roberts rallied Hishi Soar down the backside and took the lead with three furlongs to run. He led over the last fence and won going away by 2¾ lengths. Magalen O. Bryant’s Irish-bred Casual Creeper (Paddy Young) finished second and her Annual Meeting (Kieran Norris) finished third. Randolph D. Rouse was one of the first inductees into the Virginia Steeplechase Hall of Fame and, with his 98th birthday coming in late December, is the most senior trainer to saddle a winner in my memory.

A five horse field went to the post in the one mile training flat race for Virginia bred or sired horses. Rebecca Sheppard’s Pride of the Fleet was sent to the front by Gerard Galligan, and that’s where he stayed. Pinewood Stables’ Honourable (Tom Foley) stalked the leader throughout the race but was second best losing by 2¾ lengths. Trainer David Bourke saddled Pride of the Fleet in back-to-back winning efforts, having won the previous week at Great Meadow.

The 1½ mile training flat race on the turf was a complete contrast to the training flat race on the dirt as Lia McGuirk rallied K.E.S. Farms LLC and Kevin Boniface’s E M Z Firecracker from far back in the final half mile, split horses entering the stretch, and outfinished Beverly Steinman’s Papriformer (Gerard Galligan), who just missed by ¾ length. Nicki Valvo’s Yeoho (Zoe Valvo) tired from his early efforts and finished third.

Co-owner Kevin Boniface was also the winning trainer.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

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2014 Virginia Steeplechase Association Final Standings VIRGINIA OWNED STEEPLECHASE HORSE OF THE YEAR Demonstrative (Mrs. George Ohrstrom, Jr.) VSA STEEPLECHASE HORSE OF THE YEAR Decoy Daddy (Ire) (Irvin Naylor) OPEN LEADING OWNER Magalen Bryant Irvin Naylor Armata Stables

53 48 21

OPEN LEADING TRAINER Jack Fisher Doug Fout Neil Morris Richard Valentine

57 52 33 33

1.

2.

3.

OPEN LEADING RIDER Willie McCarthy Paddy Young Jacob Roberts

51 49 45

1.

2.

3.

OPEN LEADING HURDLE HORSE Decoy Daddy (Ire) (Irvin Naylor) Casual Creeper (Ire) (Magalen Bryant) All Together (Sheila Williams and Andre W. Brewster)

14 13.50 12.50

OPEN LEADING TIMBER HORSE Dakota Slew (Magalen Bryant) Grinding Speed (Michael Wharton) Saluda Sam (Irvin Naylor) Schoolhouse Woods (Kinross Farm) Straight To It (Sheila Williams and Andre W. Brewster)

12 10 8 8 8

VSA LEADING OWNER Magalen Bryant Kinross Farm Margaret White

53 16 13

1.

2.

VSA LEADING TRAINER Doug Fout Neil Morris Richard Valentine

52 33 33

1.

2.

3.

Kieran Norris Jeff Murphy Gerard Galligan

1.

2.

3.

VSA LEADING HURDLE HORSE Casual Creeper (Ire) (Magalen Bryant) Spy In The Sky (Colvin Ryan) Manacor (Ire) (Daybreak Stables) Mystery Maeve (Margaret White)

13.50 8 5.50 5.50

VSA LEADING TIMBER HORSE Dakota Slew (Magalen Bryant) Adios Diablo (Magalen Bryant) Schoolhouse Woods (Kinross Farm)

12 6.50 5

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

3.

The Noel Laing Stakes Hurdle Handicap Decoy Daddy(#4, Carol Ann-Sloan, up) – 1st; Saluda Sam (Jeff Murphy, up) – 5th.

VSA LEADING RIDER

1.

2.

3.

1.

VSA LEADING HORSE ON THE FLAT Pride of the Fleet (S. Rebecca Shepherd) Coturnix (Eva Smithwick) Dr. Skip (Clorevia Farm) Grand Old Game (R. Johnson)

38 22 20

5 5 5 5

The Constitution Maiden Hurdle (l-r) Vladykov (Jacob Roberts, up) – 4th; Class Cherokee (Darren Nagle, up) – 1st.

The Liberty Training Flat EMZ Firecracker – 1st, (Amelia McGuirk, up).

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

JUNIORS 12th Annual Junior North American Field Hunter Championship Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds Unionville, Pennsylvania, November 9, 2014

First Place, 13 & Over: Connor Poe, Old Dominion Hounds, Liberty Bell. Leslie Deering photo

JANET HITCHEN PHOTOGRAPHY 540-837-9846 www.janethitchenphotography.com janethitchenphotography@gmail.com

First Place, 12 & Under: Casey Poe, Old Dominion Hounds, Mickey Mouse. Leslie Deering photo

First Place, Hilltoppers: Lilia Sharp, Blue Ridge Hunt, Conway Cymbel.

Pat Wilkoski photo

Reserve Champion, 13 & Over, Rachel Wilkoski, Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds, Bear Necessities/Badger Knox. Rachel has competed in this event every year for the past eight years. She has now “aged out” from junior competition. Pat Wilkoski photo

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29

17

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

11

HOUNDS Goshen Hounds Wins the 2014 Marlborough Bowl Liz Callar photos

On Sunday, November 16, the Marlborough Hunt held their annual competition at their Clubhouse and Kennels in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, along the banks of the Patuxent River. This event, which conveys the coveted Marlborough Bowl to the winning hunt, features four phases of competition. The day begins with a hunter pace round, followed by a bench class for hounds. Then comes roading hounds to a line and the concluding challenge is the running of the drag.

Maryland’s Goshen Hounds began the day with a win by their hunter pace team of Mary Kruger, Linda Cosgrove, Emily Plitt, and Regan Denchfield. Potomac Hunt dominated the bench classes but Goshen came back strong to win the “Roading Hounds to a Line” class with a superb performance by their hounds under the direction of Jt-MFH/Huntsman Robert Taylor and whipper-in Dr. Mark Challberg. In the running of the drag, a difficult event that carries the most points, Goshen Lifter and Goshen Midway struck the line first, spoke to the line, and were flying and hard on at the end.

When the points were tallied, Goshen eked out a narrow victory over a great Potomac Hunt team.

[Our thanks to Goshen Jt-MFH Tom Pardoe for providing the details for this report.]

Robert Taylor, Jt-MFH and Huntsman for Goshen Hounds, works one of his charges through the bench class.

Goshen Hounds’ Jt-MFH and Huntsman Robert Taylor casts hounds on the drag line.

www.richardclayphotography.com

Marlborough Hunt’s Jt-MFH Christine Clagett led the field during the drag hunt portion of the competition.

12

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

BEAGLING

2014 NBC Fall Beagle Trials

By John J. Carle II, ex-MFH

Octorara Three-Couple’s rabbit.

Old Chatham Hunt Three-Couple: (l-r) Taylor Palacios, whipper-in and winner of best Whipper-In Award; Pam Cohen, ex-MFH, Old Chatham Foxhounds; Jack Kingsley, MB & Huntsman; Jessica Anderson, MB, OCHFB; Cheryl Gilbert, whipper-in.

Old Chatham’s hounds winning the Five-Couple.

Hazel Hannon, Huntsman, with M.O.C. Three-Couple.

In his excellent book, Foxhunting Recollections, J. Stanley Reeve mentions, in a chapter entitled “The Merry Beaglers,” a visit to the November, 1922, Fall Trials at Aldie, Virginia. The account is peopled with many of the sporting luminaries of this past era and sprinkled with historic facts and amusing incidents.

Mr. Reeve showcases his wicked sense of humor in an anecdotal style that is so refreshingly politically IN-correct. One point he makes is that “scent was very spotty”; some things never change!

This year’s trials opened on the second Wednesday of November under dismal conditions. Vicious weekend winds had stripped the trees bare, laying a crackling carpet of pungent leaves and sucking the moisture from the ground. None of the three-couple packs could do anything of merit until nearly lunchtime. At around eleven o’clock there was an apparent but very slight atmospheric change, imperceptible to humans, of which Larry Bright’s Octorara Beagles took full advantage. They had Molly Cottontail afoot within two minutes and, although trying to get a firm grasp of their rabbit’s scent (trail was, as Peter Bowen put it, “like trying to nail smoke to the wall”), they worked with unrelenting persistence, which kept their quarry on the move. Hunting on their own, with barely a murmur from their Huntsman, they unraveled numerous bothers, then drove on with high, frantic cry in a series of concentric circles that serpentined about much of the lower half of the enclosure. With two minutes left, Molly, like Theseus, departed without a word of farewell: vanished like a cutpurse on a Singapore street. Although Larry wisely asked to be excused early, it was an astonishing performance nonetheless. However, Hills Bridge’s performance right after lunch obviously impressed judges Lincoln Sadler and George Harne even more. Hounds jumped a rabbit at the twenty-minute mark and, with Huntsman Miki Crane unusually patient and quiet, kept their longears moving in large circles throughout the center of the Iselin Enclosure, their high-pitched, melodious voices ringing happily. Toward the end of their time-slot they changed rabbits, and increasingly they needed Miki’s help at checks. It was certainly a very good go, and edged Octorara for the blue bangle.

Wolver’s Thursday morning hunt featured three rabbits up simultaneously, with hounds switching from one to the other and back with enough enthusiasm to edge for third place an equally enthusiastic but wildly discombobulated scramble by Ardrossan.

The three-couple packs were done at lunch, and immediately after an hour’s break, Old Chatham opened the five-couple bidding. And what a hand they held! With the rain that had threatened since dawn pelting down vigorously—and breaking the scent-barrier at last—Jessica Anderson put her eager pack into those nearly impenetrable tangles, the dump-thicket below the old stable, a citadel that has repulsed almost every pack that has tried to storm its battlements. Her hounds opened almost immediately with a grand hurrah and drove old Benjamin uphill through the upper briars and back. Squatting smugly next to the big burnpile that’s just awaiting a match, he was rudely routed as hounds worked out his ruse on their lonesome, their blonde Huntsman content to be a mute observer. This pattern continued: hounds working checks on their own, mostly, and quickly putting their pilot on his feet after brief respite. When necessary, Jess offered softly musical encouragement, and the

chorus quickly continued. Such pressure did this sterling pack put on Benjamin’s scut that he fled his stronghold, aimed for the New Stable Woods. The only other pack in recent memory to make him abandon his thorny fortress was last year’s five-couple winner, the Orlean Foot Beagles. Harder pressed now in the open woods, their quarry took to his heels uphill toward the old stone wall, then veered left and down to his home patch, just as time was called. Indeed, this had been a classic run, one that showcased to perfection ideal teamwork between Huntsman and Hounds. Old Chatham were unthreatened five-couple winners despite other sharp performances.

The Hills Bridge love a challenge, and Miki Crane, MB, snatched up the gauntlet. Quickly finding a rabbit beyond the stone wall, just as the sky cleared, they raced downhill to the huge brush-pile for a quick check. Then, either fresh-jumping their original pilot or—likely—ousting a fresh fellow, they raced uphill.

Because of their rocket-like drive, they overran occasionally, which gave their run a hit-and-miss feeling.

And in the dense cover, it seemed likely they had switched rabbits a couple of times. Oh, but how they kept the adrenalin flowing as they danced in rhythm with their own wild music! They seemed a shoo-in for second.

But the Wolver ladies had other ideas. On a very windy, cold Friday morning, this all-bitch pack snatched the red ribbon with a determined performance, marked by gritty persistence and rock-solid steadiness. Drawing the upper western coverts, all around Cody Anderson’s “bear thicket,” they had a reluctant rabbit afoot which they refused to lose. Despite struggling mightily and fighting a relentless wind, they slowly unraveled a faint and twisting line, enjoying brief bursts as they went. Fortunately they soon jumped a more sporting and better-perfumed pilot and, singing a song as gay as Gershwin, raced downhill in a couple of big circles. On one, they passed within twenty feet of a huge mahogany-hued fox—perhaps even crossing his line—who disdainfully and with great dignity never broke out of a fast walk as he eased out of their way. Up the long hill they flew, then avalanched down nearly to the main creek before veering northward, ignoring deer en route.

Time ran out at this point, but the thoroughly energized pack would have none of it, and boy, were they hard to stop!

Diane and Bob Dougherty’s Hidden Meadows Beagles snared fourth place with a wild, crowd-pleasing but disorganized run on several rabbits. Their trip made everyone momentarily forget the frigid wind.

By Saturday morning, when Sandanona opened the eight-couple competition, the wind had died, clouds cleared and the mercury had plummeted. Dawn saw 26 degrees, and it was only 28 when Betsy Park threw-in atop Squaw Hill. A red vixen has dislodged some rocks from the foundation of the apparentlyabandoned Reedy Creek cabin, dug an entrance (marking it proprietarily with scat), and made the crawlspace a prospective nursery. It is probably this lady that hounds encountered early on for a short spot of riot, before settling—somewhat, but not completely—to badger a stout rabbit in bursts along a figure-eight route. Their success suggested that scenting conditions were somewhat improved; and then Old Chatham proved it so in dramatically emphatic fashion.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

Jessica Anderson, so hoarse from a cold that she could only whistle and whisper encouragement to her hounds, swept swiftly across the western edge of Squaw Hill, crossed the driveway and creek, only slowing to hunt carefully near the edge of the Merry Meadow at the septic field. At 8:20 they dislodged a real runner, and were away with a torrent of the best cry of the week, both in musical quality and volume. Their pilot proved to be not only a marathoner but a wily strategist as well, twisting and doubling early in the run through the thickest briars he could find. But these hounds were only slowed a little by his tactics before their superior noses and fantastic drive had Uncle Longears fleeing northward. Racing through open woods, the pack increased pressure, and their cottontailed adversary hastened in a huge figure eight past the Ripshin “Rattler” stump-pile, through the edge of the big switchgrass plot back to the septic field. Here he veered right-handed, racing down to the dry pond near Oatlands Road, where he made another large circle left-handed that took him up along the small stream and briefly into the open. Then he turned right again, dashing into the rocky hillside woods below the switchgrass. He must have clapped immediately, causing an overrun (so uncharacteristic of this pack), then crawled away uphill undetected, save for one hound.

“Yuengling” first winded him and, flying along the line, viewed him racing parallel to the switchgrass. As Longears, tiring now, skittered up the grassy trail past some of the gallery, “Yuengling” was a scant eight feet from his heels! But a sudden jink into the switchgrass saved his cotton tail and eventually ended the hunt. Her ears plugged, Jessica couldn’t hear “Yuengling’s” desperate voice, nor could hounds casting noisily among the dry leaves and brush. Alerted, she quickly rallied her pack by horn, but just as they were recovering the line, the judges reluctantly called time. This was another classic performance, with hounds going about their work with undaunted determination, neither asking for nor needing aid, showcasing noses, drive, and cry, while running together blanket-tight. Rightfully, theirs was the highest scored run of the trials.

Both Wolver (Saturday) and Hills Bridge (Sunday) had good but not spectacular runs, both in the “bear thicket” area. Said Judge Harne of the Hills Bridge hunt, “They’s a little flashy early in the morning, but other than that it was pretty darn good.” So the nod went to the more sedate bitch pack from Middleburg. Farmington, with a somewhat desperate performance under deteriorating conditions at noon Saturday, secured fourth.

For the Three Hour Stake on Saturday afternoon, Judge Lincoln Sadler abandoned his horse to carry the horn on foot. He was on familiar ground here, for at home he hunts his Entwhistle Village Beagles with great style in the Sand Hills of Moore County, North Carolina (see “Bluebellies and Pitch Kilns” in the March/April 2013 issue of In and Around Horse Country). Lincoln had a battle-plan, mapped out with such attention to detail as “Marse Robert” would have given a military engagement, and he followed it meticulously, covering almost every inch of the enclosure and ending up where he’d begun.

Getting 12½ couple of strange hounds to hunt together, and for an unfamiliar huntsman, is a

tough proposition and doesn’t always work. But usually all it takes is a good run to mold a mob into the semblance of a pack; and so it was on this day. At the twenty minute mark, a rabbit was viewed away by Whipper-In Elizabeth Kelly, and hounds rallied to Lincoln’s horn and primal screams (he has, arguably, the best “view holloa” in all of beagledom!), for a short, frantic run that got hounds beginning to hunt together. And they got increasingly better with each fresh rabbit. But it was Lincoln who kept them together, for with his long legs churning, he has the speed to give Usain Bolt second thoughts coupled with the stamina of a Kenyan marathon runner. He was immediately there at every find to rally the outliers, and soon every hound trusted his ringing summons, flying to horn and voice. This pattern continued for the entire three hours, with some really outstanding runs, a lot of views and sight-races (#20 seemed in on every one!), and some good teamwork from hounds used to being part of packs with very different styles of hunting. It was a pretty amazing afternoon and, by dusk, exhausting.

There were enough good performances that the judges had to be especially meticulous in their appraisals, and they were, picking exactly the right hounds. Diminutive Old Chatham “Velvet” won 13-inch honors, edging Sandanona “Teal,” Glenbarr “Hocus Pocus,” and Waldingfield “Voicemail.” In the 15-inch section, Glenbarr “Hornblower” (#20) was judged victor over Hills Bridge “Little Eddie,” Fairview “Turbo,” and Ardrossan’s Octorara “Opal.” And, on Saturday night, Lincoln Sadler slept like a hibernating bear!

Scenting conditions at these trials ensured a greater disparity than usual between the winners and the also-rans. There were a few exceptionally thrilling performances, but far more total blanks and subpar hunts from very good packs. But the rabbits were here—in profusion, thanks to David Vore’s careful planning and detailed management, which is guided by long experience and acquired expertise. The coverts and foodplots are arrayed in an almost perfect pattern to nurture and shelter rabbits. May they remain ever so!

A sign on the driveway appropriately reads, “Welcome Home.” Visits to The Institute for all the trials are, indeed, for everyone present, a homecoming, because, united by the love of hounds and hunting, we are rather like an extended family. Familial bonhomie rules, smoothing over the occasional but inevitable contretemps, so that we are happier than many gatherings of blood-kin. One spot where the welcome was especially warm was, for the small coterie lucky enough to be invited to lunch, the Octorara cabin. The Brights, Hollisters, Grahams, and Barretts provided the most extraordinary meals imaginable. This tightly knit group personifies what the special aura of “being at Aldie” is all about. This being said, we’re all looking forward to another “Welcome Home” come April.

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Betsy Park, MB and the Sandanona Five-Couple, with whippers-in Fran Jacobs, CeCe Ivy, and Lee Reeser.

Beth Opitz, MB, presents the Ben Venue Three-Couple; Elida Opitz, whipper-in.

Judge Lincoln Sadler.

Highest Scored Run: Old Chatham’s Eight-Couple Highest Scored Pack Overall: Old Chatham Foot Beagles Whippers-In Award: Taylor Palacios, Old Chatham Judge George Harne.

Field Marshall Larry Bright.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

ACROSS THE POND

A New Hunt Riding Club and an Opening Meet

By Jim Meads

Tanatside Hunt Opening Meet, Oct. 25, 2014. Hacking to the meet are (l-r) Laura Smith, Sue Jones, and Elspeth Carr.

The David Davies Hunt was founded in 1905 by the first Lord Davies to hunt a big country in Mid-Wales, with many hills and some low-lying grass valleys. Over the years, the Hunt has supported a most successful Pony Club, but now this has been joined by a Hunt Riding Club, which allows members of any age to partake. This has worked well, and now they have a smart red “wind cheater” uniform, with the D.D.H. logo on their backs. Outings have been arranged, including one to the coast, where 25 members rode on the beach. Mums and dads and children of all ages now take part, and in October a special “mock meet” was held at the kennels. Here, food and drink were served before all mounted their horses or ponies and followed Huntsman Steve Bradley and 11 couple of hounds for a spectacular ride in the hill country, full of colors of the fall.

The Tanatside is a very old hunt, being known as the Confederate Hunt in 1754. This year sees a new mastership, with Stephen Morrison being joined by Alison Harper and Andy Higgins, and all three were present at the opening meet, held for the first time in four years at Bodynfoel Hall, family home of the late Major Edward Bonnor-Maurice, MFH 1971-2001. Huntsman Richard Evans arrived with 18½ couple of Welsh and English cross hounds, and he was joined by a mounted field of 29. A super spread of food and drink was provided before hounds moved off to draw for the first trail on the low, grassy meadows, with many timber fences to jump. Later the trails led to the hill country, with its stone walls, amidst lovely views and not one field of plough to be seen. An excellent opening meet day ended in late afternoon, with happy riders and tired horses.

Tanatside Hunt Opening Meet. Joint Master Alison Harper, on the low ground.

Tanatside Hunt Opening Meet. Over timber goes Laura Smith.

Tanatside Hunt Opening Meet. Huntsman Richard Evans, with hounds amidst autumn colors.

Tanatside Hunt Opening Meet. Joint Master Andy Higgins, in “wall country.”

David Davies Hunt Riding Club, November 1, 2014. Hunt Officials: (l-r) Lord Davies, MFH since 1963; Clem Richards, past president; Scott Lewis, hunt chairman.

Tanatside Hunt Opening Meet. The field pauses in the hills as a rain squall passes.

Tanatside Hunt Opening Meet. The three Joint Masters at the meet; (l-r) Alison Harper, Andy Higgins, Stephen Morrison (on foot).

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

David Davies Hunt Riding Club. Mums and dads and even a dog came along!

David Davies Hunt Riding Club. Hounds watch as riders return to the kennels.

David Davies Hunt Riding Club. Huntsman Steve Bradley and hounds leading the way.

David Davies Hunt Riding Club. Riders high in the hills, most wearing the red wind-cheater uniform.

David Davies Hunt Riding Club. Riders of all ages attended and enjoyed the outing.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • DECEMBER 2014

County Limerick Foxhounds and Stone Hall Harriers Side Saddle Meet Weekend County Limerick, Ireland

Theresa Shehy, Stone Hall Harriers.

Jodie Moran, Co. Limerick Foxhounds.

County Limerick Foxhounds met at Ballysteed, November 28, 2014 Stone Hall Harriers met at Askeaton, at the Stone Abbey, November 29, 2014 Karen Monroe and Doug Gehlsen of Middleburg Photo were there to capture the action.

Aoife Byrne, Stone Hall Harriers.

Aidan O’Connell, Stone Hall Harriers.

(l-r) Sarah Moran, Helena Hennessy, Joanne Quirke, Amory McMahon, Dani Murphy; Stone Hall Harriers.

A huge crowd of riders and spectators turned out for the Stone Hall Harriers meet at the historic Stone Abbey at Askeaton.

(l-r) Aine O’Brien, Suzanne O’Brien, Lyndsey O’Brien at Stone Hall Harriers.

Gillian Byrnes, Co. Limerick Foxhounds.

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