In & Around Horse Country Holiday 2023

VOLUME XXXV / NUMBER 5 • THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA STEEPLECHASE ASSOCIATION • HOLIDAY 2023

L ONG SHADOWS

$2,950,000 |

DEVONHURST

MLS 645038

$ 1 ,7 5 0 , 0 0 0 |

This custom high-quality home is ideally situated on 96 elevated acres with breathtaking eastern views, with the South W Weest Mountains at its back, located between Gordonsville and K Keeswick in Keswick Hunt Country. The 5,600 finished square foot home incorporates only the finest materials and crafftsmanship. The 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home also includes an attached two car garage with a one-bedroom apartment above. The land is a mix of open-ffenced pastures and hardwood ffo orest. A custom built stable, equipment barn and chicken house also complement this turn-key property.

MONTFORD ROAD $995,000 |

MLS 6 45 3 0 7

133 acres of gently rolling, rich farmland in historic Som merset. An estate caliber property currently in 4 tax map m parcels. Great views of the Blue Ridge and exceellent soils. Ac Across from the back entrance of Mon ntpelier. Excellent candidate fo for a conservation easeement. Please do not driv vee on fields PETEER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

MLS 643392

A breathtakin ngly beautiful 86-acre Keswick Keswick area farm nestled up u against the Southwest Mountains.

The well-prop portioned residence and accompanying outbuildings are a sited to take in views in every direction. Thee home was thoughtfully renovated in 2001 2001, retain ning its original character including floor-to-ceilin ng wormy chestnut paneling in the study. There is i a guest cottage, small stable, gym on the properrty as well as impeccably maintained fields, and ffeen ncing. 25 minutes from Charlottesville.

J U ST I N H . W I L E Y | 4 3 4 9 8 1 5 5 2 8 PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

J U ST I N H . W I L E Y | 4 3 4 9 8 1 5 5 2 8 PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

C HARL O TTE S VI LLE V A

|

VERULAM FARM

$8,500,000 |

MLS 622844

434 29 3 390 0

W I L E Y P R O P E R T Y. C O M

O R A N G E VA

SPRING HILL

$1,950,000 |

MLS 630710

One of Virginia’s preeminent estates, Ve Verulam is nestled on 503 acres in the breathtaking foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, conveniently located just 4 miles from the University of Virginia and modern amenities of Charlottesville. The Classical Revival manor offers an easy elegance with both fo formal and infformal spaces that flow seamlessly to bucolic grounds, fo formal Charles Gillette designed gardens and handsome pool complex. Additional amenities include a charming guest house and restored dairy barn turned grand event venue. The farm abuts 1,000+ additional acres of protected land including the Ragged Mountain Reservoir Natural Area.

Beautiful utiful 207+ acre farm in a pro protected enclave of Madison dison C County with incredible views of both the Bluee Ridge and Southw Southwest Mountains. The natural beauty uty and privacy are unparalleled. An attractive farmhouse mhouse with a c. 1804 section is perffeect as a week kend getaway or guesthouse leaving numerous incredible edible building sites for a main residence.

Additional itional impro improvements include a large pond with h dock, pool, manager’s cottage, a center aisle ble with 8, 8 12 x 12 stalls and finished office stable space above, garage and good farm buildings and farm infrastructure. An excellent candidate ffo or conservation easement.

J U ST I N H . W I L E Y | 4 3 4 9 8 1 5 5 2 8 PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

PETER A. WILEY

|

434 422 2090

|

540 672 390 3

MIDLOCH FARM

$1,950,000 |

MLS 640108

Midloch Farm m is situated at the center of the Green Springs Historic District, which is one of the most nic areas in all Virginia. The 200 acre, protected scen mostly open property p has not been available in over 50 years. The 1885 late Victorian farm house sits on o looking pastoral, and mountain a high point over views. Improv vements include the 3 bedrooms, and 2 baths manor m house, which retains much of its original details. Two cottages, a 1920 guest house with 2 bedrooms, b bedrooms and a 1790 cottage, cottage ideal as a studio, or office. A rare opportunity to own a significant farm in a protected area, with a view that will never change. Property is protected by a conservation easement.

J U ST I N H . WI L E Y | 4 34 9 81 5 5 2 8

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

OPENING MEETS

Piedmont Fox Hounds Opening Meet, Oakley, November 2, 2023.

“Enough with the announcements. Let’s gooooo!” Joanne Maisano photo

And away they went! Douglas Lees photo

A large and festive crowd turned out for Bull Run Hunt’s Opening Meet and Blessing of the Hounds on a warm day, October 28, 2023. Mark Jump photo

Vestiges of “Old School” turnout still make an appearance at Opening Meets. Alexa Adams strikes a pose at Bull Run Hunt’s Opening Meet and Blessing of the Hounds, October 28, 2023. Mark Jump photo

A large and perfectly turnout field gathered against a scenic background for Piedmont Fox Hounds’ Opening Meet from Oakley, November 2, 2023. Joanne Maisano photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

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SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTS Dominion Hounds.

The judges selected ten riders to move forward to the individual Handy

By Helen Brettell • Joanne Maisano Photos After some incredibly hot days leading up to the Orange County Hounds Team Hunter section from which the champion junior and field hunter champion were chosen. Warrenton Hunt’s Lexi van der Woude and Curious George repeated their Chase on Sunday, October 29, a light drizwin of last year in what is her last as a junior.

Opening and closing the zle fell in the morning, clearing to a pleasgate cleanly and quickly proved to be the key to Cynthia Holz’s win in the adult ant horse-friendly temperature in the division on Want To Be. Representing the MOC Beagles, Cynthia won the title in afternoon. The autumn colors at Mark and 2021 and last year won the Cyndy Hair Trophy so had plenty of useful form. The Karin Ohrstrom’s Old Whitewood Farm in reserve was Lynn Symansky on Landmark’s Miner’s Diamond.

The Plains, Virginia, were stunning and A huge vote of thanks to Mark and Karin Ohrstrom for once again opening ground conditions perfect for this annual up their farm for this most popular autumn event and also to all those OCH subevent. scribers and volunteers who helped make it happen!

Anne McIntosh, Blue Ridge Hunt First place finishers in the different categories were: MFH, invited her team of Karyn Wilson, Rylan Lane and Panda (MOC Beagles) Champion Hunter: Cynthia Holz on Want To Be, MOC Beagles Amy McNeely, and Frank Cubero to sewere awarded the Cyndy Hair Champion Junior: Lexi van der Woude on Curious George, Warrenton Hunt lect the prizewinners and qualifiers for Memorial Trophy for the First Flight Optimum Time Team: Abigail Curran, Jen Taylor, and Most Suitable Hunter. the ultimate award of Field Hunter Carl Rafter, Orange County Hounds Champion.

First Flight Best Turned Out & Best Hunt Team: Lauren Nicholson and The Hilltoppers were first judged for Lynn Symansky, Orange County Hounds turnout, won by “Here for the Boos”— Hilltopper Pairs Best Turned Out: Rita Kaseman and Kathryn Dendinger Rita Kaseman and Kathryn Dendinger— Loudoun Fairfax Hunt from Loudoun Fairfax Hunt. Teams then Best Hilltopper Pair: Heather Heider and Cheryl Grambow, rode in pairs over a suitably designed Blue Ridge Hunt course and the pair adjudged to be the best Cyndy Hair Memorial Trophy for the Most Suitable Hunter: Rylan Lane was Heather Heider and Cheryl Grambow on Panda, MOC Beagles (Blue Ridge Hunt), who showed a steady ••••• rhythm and consistent spacing as they Keswick Hunt Club Scores Second Straight Win at Pennsylvania went around.

Members of Keswick Hunt Club successfully defended their Hunt Night Championship The Hilltoppers division also feaCynthia Holz and Want To Be show off title following last year’s victory at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. In the competured the winner of the Cyndy Hair Most their form against a stunning autumn tition held on October 16 in the Harrisburg Coliseum, the ten-member team faced off Suitable Hunter Trophy, which went to 10- background. The pair went on to take against 19 other hunt team combinations representing 10 hunt clubs from Pennsylvania, the Champion Hunter title. year-old Rylan Lane riding the adorable Maryland, and Virginia. Riders competed in Field Hunter, Hunter Under Saddle, and Hunt Panda. Rylan, who hunts with the MOC Team classes to earn points toward the championship.

In addition to their performance in the Hunt Team classes, Keswick’s victory was Beagles, rides with confidence beyond her aided by individual scores. Catherine Wheeler and Something Special took the Leading years and was the unanimous choice of the Lady Rider award and Joel Merle-Smith, riding Hermione, captured the Gentlemen’s judges.

Hunter Under Saddle trophy.

The First Flight Division was small but mighty and gave an impressive display of team work during the very hilly 10+ minute course. Two Olympic event riders, Lauren Nicholson and Lynn Symansky, have been seen regularly out, when their commitments allow, with Orange County Hounds and the smiles on their faces as they gave a master class of riding upsides in perfect formation was fun to see. They Lynn Symansky, on the bay, and Lauren won both best turned out and best hunt Nicholson, on the dun and white, were team in their division. But as eventers tend selected as both Best Turned Out and Best Hunt Team in the First Flight to go a little faster than field hunters, the opdivision.

Receiving the Hunt Night Championship award for the Keswick Hunt Club are (l-r) Joel timum time was won by the OCH team of Merle-Smith, Nicolette Merle-Smith, Jill Wilson Anderson, Catherine Wheeler, Carly Abigail Curran, Jen Taylor, and Carl Rafter, closely followed by the “Indian Mayer, Allison Smith. (Not shown: Sandy Rives, Darlene Murphy, Shannon McGowan, Ponies” consisting of Matt Hatcher, Debbie Welch, and Carly Plesha from Old Matt Savier.) Andrew Ryback Photo

Orange County Hounds Team Chase

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Liz Callar www.lizcallar.com Matt Calligan Scott Canard Coady Photography www.coadyphotography.com Quenton Eagan Brandy Greenwell Allison Howell www.allisonhowellimages.smugmug.com Hannah Jones www.hannahjones.com Mark Jump markjumpphotography.com Douglas Lees douglaslees@comcast.net Michele Leboldus Joanne Maisano joannemaisano.com Karen Kandra Jordan Koepke jordankoepke.com COVER PHOTO: Epp Wilson, MFH, Middleburg Photo middleburgphoto.com Laura Palazzolo Canter/Clix Photo found a scenic spot to call in Gretchen Pelham hounds as Belle Meade Hunt in Andrew Ryback andrewryback,com Thomson, Georgia, wrapped up Eric Schneider their Opening Meet, November Lera Valeriya Gurova VEA 4, 2023. Allison Howell photo Steve Vorpahl

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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 Winter issue is January 20, 2024. 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; Helen Brettell; Hugh Brown, MFH; Lauren R. Giannini; Marti Manser, Jt. Master; Osmun; Jennifer Stewart, MFH; Virginia Equine Alliance; Jenny Young LAYOUT & DESIGN: Kate Houchin Copyright © 2023 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXXV, No. 5 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 2023

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FOXHUNTING

Searching For the Unicorn

By J. Harris Anderson, Managing Editor

A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!

Richard III, Act 5, Scene 4 William Shakespeare A kingdom? Perhaps not that much. But even if you aren’t Richard the Third fighting for your life on Bosworth Field, some expense might be expected. And not just in the form of cash but the expenditure of time, effort, and perhaps a tad of frustration as well.

Given Richard’s desperation, he had no time to be picky. Any rideable quadruped would have sufficed.

(Spoiler alert: It didn’t end well for the unmounted monarch.) But, you, dear reader, are more likely to have the luxury to consider your options, test ride potential candidates, and negotiate over price and other details. Unless, of course, hunt season is already underway and, like the illfated Crookback, you’re in immediate need of something suitable to throw a leg over.

Searching for a new foxhunting horse can be a daunting experience. Moreover, there’s a wide variety of factors likely to influence the process: jumping or non-jumping, type of terrain, rider’s skill level, budget constraints, willingness to travel to evaluate prospects, urgency of need— just to cite a few. Toss in the prospective purchaser’s personal “wish list”—e.g., color, gender, size, breed, age, etc.—and the quest for that elusive unicorn can take on epic proportions.

To that end, we contacted a variety of sources from across the US and Canada in order to gather some helpful insights on the search for a new hunt horse. A wide range of options and variables emerged. What follows is a breakdown of the many considerations that can arise when embarking on a quest for that elusive unicorn. We begin with…

The Basics Breeds Personal bias may have skewed the researcher’s expectation toward a fairly narrow classification of breed or “type” most suitable for foxhunting. That expectation turned out to be remarkably incorrect. Yes, Thoroughbreds, off-thetrack or otherwise, were frequently mentioned. But the overall range of breeds cited was surprisingly diverse. To some extent, the diversity is influenced by the terrain, hunting style, and rider’s needs.

Rosemarie Merle-Smith operates Merle-Smith Sporthorses in Louisa, Virginia, Keswick Hunt Club territory. “Any breed will work if it has the proper brains and temperament,” she says. “It’s usually a personal choice. Our Thoroughbreds are quieter than many draft crosses.”

Those thoughts are echoed by Susan Gentry, MFH and Huntsman for Cloudline Hounds, based in Celeste, Texas.

“I am a strong believer in the correct temperament leads to an excellent hunt horse. A lot of good Texas ranch horses can be made into really nice hunt horses.”

The Canadians seem to be particularly open to equine diversity, at least at Ottawa Valley Hunt where Jennifer Stewart serves as joint-master. “Horses of various breeds and disciplines are represented in the hunt field. We have all kinds, from Shetland ponies to Thoroughbreds to 18hand drafts. We’re lucky to have some endangered Canadian Horses in our ranks. They are versatile with exceptional feet—no need for shoes.” Jennifer further notes that, “If you have the skills and will to develop a hunt horse

from scratch, there are many possibilities. For example, offthe-track Thoroughbreds looking for a new career make great hunt horses.”

Dr. Steve Thomas knows the merit of Jen’s tip on OTTBs. As Master and Huntsman at Fort Leavenworth Hunt in Kansas, Steve has been breeding and selling horses, on a small scale, for the last two decades. “Thoroughbreds are my horse of choice because they have the heart, speed, and endurance to go wherever hounds go.” In a broader sense, Steve points out that “Some very nice horses have come from the area in all disciplines. There is such a diverse desire when it comes to ‘hunt horses’ that it’s hard to Jen Stewart’s OTTB mare Lola (Let’s Try classify the supply. But good horses are available locally Another) was at the low end of the price with a little effort. There is flat track racing in the Midwest scale. Jen paid one dollar for her, plus vetting but not in Kansas or Missouri, so most Thoroughbreds are and shipping costs from Pennsylvania to bought in surrounding states. There is a big supply of draft Ottawa. Lera Valeriya Gurova photo cross horses in the area because of the Amish population and also a large number of Quarter Horses.”

Way out west, the predominance of ranch horses blends with an egalitarian attitude toward most any breed. Dan Coleman splits his time between Juan Tomás Hounds in New Mexico and Virginia’s Thornton Hill Hounds from his base in Culpeper where he and wife Sarah manage a 60horse facility (with a beef cattle operation on the side).

“Hunt horses in New Mexico are re-purposed ranch horses mostly,” Dan says, a situation similar to how Susan Gentry sees things in her part of Texas. “There is no need for what we would consider a field hunter in the east.” But, in Dan’s part of the Old West, the range of options is much broader.

“You see a lot of quarter horses, appendixes, polo horses, Arabs, etc.” (Note the omission from Dan’s list of one particular breed, mentioned a few times by others.)

Our next stop finds us in Lake County, Illinois, where Mill Creek Hunt Club chases coyotes along the banks of Lake Michigan, just below the Wisconsin state line. MFH and whipper-in Keith Gray has discovered one of Dan Coleman’s sources works well for him. “I’ve been buying older polo horses and using them to hunt,” says Keith.

“They’ve been terrific, and I wish I knew about them back when I was buying horses right off of the track. I’m becom- King George, a Clydesdale/Appendix cross ing more partial to a [roughly] 16 hand horse that can stand Cloudline gelding, is putting smiles on the face of his owner Elizabeth Gray Tatum at still first and jump three feet second. Breed does not matter, Shakerag Hounds (GA). Cloudline Grace is but all things being equal, I prefer something leaning to- doing the same there for Sally Rasmussen, wards a Thoroughbred [rather] than a draft. ex-MFH. Photo courtesy of Cloudline Hounds If you’re still having trouble finding a hunt horse, maybe you need to consider something other than a horse.

How about a mule?

The Barrington Hills Polo Club joined the Mill Creek Hunt for a day of sport on a variety of horse breeds including Argentine Polo horses, Morgan crosses, QH crosses, and breeds of unknown origin. As Keith Gray, MFH, points out, “Pretty is as pretty does!” Photo courtesy of Mill Creek Hunt

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

Garon Stutzman has had decades of experience using mules for a variety of disciplines including driving, endurance, and, yes, foxhunting. He currently has two foxhunting mules, Ellie Mae and Candyman, that reside at Old Denton, Garon’s home in Orange County Hounds territory.

“Ellie jumps anything she comes to,” Garon says, “and she has unbelievable endurance.” Candyman needed some time at the back of the field learning how to tolerate hounds and settle in to the hunting routine. “Last year he developed the desire to run and stay with the field and he learned to forget about the hounds. He did fine in the first field and was always willing and even eager to jump whatever we came to.

He had no problems keeping up the horses. A primary difference that I see between mules and horses is that mules can do many different things—from driving, to Western, English, and then go foxhunting—whereas horses seem to be more specialized in only one or two disciplines. I believe they are safer because they are more surefooted and less likely to shy out from under you. A fit mule can easily go the distance.”

Garon Stutzman’s mule Candyman served as the mount for John Coles, MFH, when Orange County Hounds met at Old Denton, November 13, 2022. John remarked afterward that Candyman “rode like a Cadillac and jumped like a deer.”

Joanne Maisano photo

Availability If, like Rosemarie Merle-Smith, you’re on the selling end of the transaction, she reports that the best time to sell is between August and Thanksgiving. “They get cheaper until July,” she says, “then go back up. The Mid-Atlantic has the most horses for sale, which are usually the most expensive.

Horses here just have to have better training to be safe.”

Susan Gentry in Texas and Jennifer Stewart in Ottawa both used the word “plentiful” but in opposite contexts.

They were, though, in agreement on a critical aspect of the horse search process.

Susan’s assessment is that “Made hunt horses are not plentiful in our area. However, there are many horses here that can easily be turned into field hunters if you know what to look for.” Jennifer finds in her part of Canada, “Good hunt horses are plentiful. If you have a good budget or can develop a hunt horse yourself, there is an adequate local supply of hunt horses.”

Ah, a good budget or DIY skill. Therein lies the balance in the horse search process. (More on that later.)

Territory North American hunt country encompasses a wide variety of terrain types as well as variations in hunting style. Those factors need to be taken into consideration when evaluating a prospect. Will the horse be hunting in, say, the sandy parts of the Carolinas or on steep, rocky trails in Virginia’s Blue Ridge? Will the rider be following a drag line on groomed trails in New England or chasing coyotes across western expanses over ground that can vary from rocky to sandy and flat to steep all in one chase?

Susan Gentry is District Director for the MFHA’s Western District, which include Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

All clubs in that district hunt live quarry. “The terrain is varied,” Susan says. “We have the steep hills of Arkansas to the flatter farm lands of Texas and everything in between. But the right horse should really be able to do all the different textures of the field with proper conditioning.”

Jen Stewart counters any misconception that drag hunting is a gentle ride through the park. A Brit by birth who has hunted in the US as well as in Canada, her experience in the hunt field is both wide and deep. She considers the sport at Nicolette Merle-Smith on Holsteiner mare Ottawa Valley to be fast paced compared to live hunting.

Hermione MS by Concerto Grosso, bred “Our territory varies from wide open fields to twisty, someand trained by the Merle-Smiths, at the 2022 Virginia Field Hunter Championship times overgrown trails when we fall behind on trail clearing. at Foxcroft, Middleburg, Va., where she fin- The terrain is generally flat, but the footing can be tricky ished 7th out of a huge field. She also won and slippery. A hunt horse needs to be fit to keep up with the Gentleman’s Hunter Under Saddle class the pace and sure-footed to deal with the ground conditions.” at the 2023 Pennsylvania National Horse In Kansas, Dr. Thomas (who, as noted, prefers TBs for Show Hunt Night with Joel Merle-Smith himself as huntsman) puts the focus on one element of aboard. Photo courtesy of the Merle-Smiths anatomy for the broader range of field members. “Our coun(l-r) Nicolette Merle-Smith on her 16-year-old OTTB mare Empress Lisa and Rosemarie Merle-Smith on her 16-year-old homebred Holsteiner mare Watermark,

by Ciceras, judging the 2021 Belle Meade Performance Trials. Allison Howell photo

Members of Maryland’s Goshen Hunt traveled to New Mexico to enjoy some Western-style sport with Juan Tomás Hounds from their Pajarito Land Grant Fixture (west of Albuquerque), February 19, 2023. In the foreground on the left is Robert Taylor, Goshen Hunt MFH and Huntsman.

Photo courtesy of Juan Tomás Hounds

try is well-suited to almost any breed of horse. But our country can be rocky or trappy, so good feet are essential. As such, the crossbreds and Quarter Horses do very well.”

Dan Coleman has already given props to a wide variety of breeds but, for the followers at Juan Tomás, he has concerns about those off-the-track types. “Distances travelled in a hunt out west are enormous (20+ miles). There are very few coops. Terrain is very rocky and sandy. An expensive East Coast Thoroughbred would break down quickly in my opinion.”

Rider Abilities A critical goal of the horse search is to strike a suitable partnership between rider and mount. A major influence on this is the dynamic tension cited earlier in Jen Stewart’s sage remark about the balance between budget and DIY skill.

For those unfettered by financial constraints, the perfect mount may be just a high five figures check away. Steady Eddy (or Pricey Pete if you prefer) will prove his worth by accommodating virtually any rider, from rank novice to Olympic medalist, with equal grace. Of course, Steady Eddy did not become so steady by mere happenstance. Parentage plays a part, and then countless hours of expert training are required to mold the unformed clay of foaldom into the embodiment of mature equine perfection. And the resultant price tag will reflect the value of that time and effort.

The range of options for the DIY approach defies brief description. The would-be owner/trainer has to honestly evaluate her or his level of knowledge, physical ability, time, resources available (e.g., round pen, riding ring, indoor arena, ride-out, etc.) and perhaps one’s level of patience.

There’s also the consideration of the ultimate goal of the training program. Is the objective to achieve a reliable top rank first flight hunter? A steady second field mount that can manage modest jumps if necessary? A packer able to safely introduce an inexperienced rider or young child to the joys of mounted hunting? Or maybe a staff horse (for which there would be a substantially different end result).

The reference to “a good eye” popped up more than once from our expert contributors, which suggests the ability to evaluate a prospect plays an important role before any training regimen even starts.

Whichever path is taken, or some blending of the two, the ultimate objective comes down to the rider’s skill in the saddle and the horse’s specific job description. Our commentators were mostly short and to the point on this: “What you need in a horse is really determined by your riding ability, how the hunt goes, and the country covered.”

Rosemarie Merle-Smith “Add in a little insight as of the personality of the rider and you have an excellent recipe for success. If you have the skills and will to develop a hunt horse from scratch, there are many possibilities.” Susan Gentry.

“The trick is to find a horse that suits the rider.”

Jennifer Stewart

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

“It’s more an issue of where the rider wants to be in the field.” Steve Thomas Dan Coleman’s assessment spans the roughly 2000 mile distance between Juan Tomás Hounds’ home base in Alamo, New Mexico, and a typical East Coast hunt. He notes that, “People out west are either city folk or horsemen.” This divide is more muddied in areas where foxhunting, while it may be a significant element of a person’s life, often has to compete with urban and suburban pursuits, career obligations, and other distractions that relegate horse sports to a part-time activity. Moreover, an increasing percentage of those following hounds today were not raised in a horsecentric culture but have come to mounted sport as adults.

Consequently, a New Mexico “horseman” (used here in a gender-neutral context) is much more likely to have a good eye for selection, deeper skills for training, and a more extensive support structure than, say, a person with a full-time job who boards her or his horse and rides mostly on weekends. As such, the DIY option is an unlikely choice and the balance in the budget/DIY dichotomy swings heavily toward allocating for either a higher purchase price or substantial training fees.

Wish List Several years ago, a lady hunter composed a wish list for her ideal horse. It ran to such specificity as to include shoe size. One wag asked the lady’s husband if he’d seen that list.

He said he had. His buddy then said, “I wonder what kind of list she put together before she agreed to marry you.”

That took the husband by surprise and he admitted he’d never thought of that. “Well,” his old friend remarked, “it must have been a much shorter list.”

Going into the search process armed with a list of requirements, or at least preferences, will help serve to as a guide to avoid trotting down too many dead end paths.

Again, though, the key is to find that balance between the must-haves and the flexible options.

For some knowledgeable counsel on this, we couldn’t ask for a better consultant than Susan Gentry. Her father, Col. Rex Denny, an avid foxhunter for most of his life, founded Cloudline Hounds in 1974 shortly after moving to Texas. Susan grew up in the sport and her father ultimately handed the horn over to her when he retired as huntsman.

“People that have a lot of specifics that they are looking for are the ones that miss out on a lot of nice horses. If you have been looking for a hunt horse for several seasons, take a look at your criteria. Does it match with your abilities as you ride right now, not how you want to ride, or how your friends ride? This happens a lot to riders who have been blessed with an exceptional mount for many years, and now must find a replacement that will serve them well. A horse you have had for years can have some faults that you are comfortable with because you have developed a wonderful partnership. A new horse needs to fit the way you ride right now.

“Everyone wants what they perceive is a beautiful horse, and we all have our own idea of that. Buying the horse that meets that criteria might miss the most important thing. Does it match with you so you can have fun in the hunt field? That is the most important gift a horse can give you and it’s worth the time and money in the long run. Be realistic in your search and find one that truly fits you.

“Remember that all horses will come up a level in the hunt field. Most people shop in the off season, with warmer temperatures and try the horse in the arena. So, logically, with lower temperatures and the herd running across the pasture, a horse that is on the hotter side in the arena won’t likely turn in to a gentle, easy horse in the hunt field.

“And last but not least, don’t make excuses for a horse’s temperament when giving it a try. If it isn’t right because it doesn’t match your current riding ability, move on. If it doesn’t match because you had your heart set on 16.3 and the horse is perfect for you except it’s only 16.1, buy the horse and enjoy!”

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Price “Buy the horse and enjoy!” Which brings us to a consideration of how much that enjoyment is likely to cost. As we’ve already discussed, purchase price is heavily influenced by how well the horse is already trained and fits the “made hunter” designation. (Some allowance might be made for conditioning as well. Is the horse hunt fit and ready to follow hounds tomorrow or has it had some time off and will need to be legged up? Which means additional time and/or expense.)

To simplify this assessment, we’ve focused on the upper end of the range, which turns out to be fairly similar in most areas, moderately different in one, and substantially different in another (if you guessed New Mexico, give yourRex Buchman, seen here on one of his self a high-five). string of American Quarter Horses, is a And speaking of “fives”, the mid-fives is where the Kansas-based rancher and agritourism exupper end of the price range for our unicorn landed.

We provided Rosemarie Merle-Smith with what we pert. He provided mounts for several guests during Kansas Hunt Week. considered a reasonable, albeit theoretical, list of preferAllison Howell photo ences (just one absolute requirement: geldings only) including a few notes about the rider’s skill level and horse care situation. “Good luck!” she replied. “If you could find that horse, it would be $30-50,000! There is a lot demand for made horses and not very many people making them up and selling. Ireland and England are the only places where a lot of horses are being made up to hunt. It costs $10-15,000 just to import and vet one out, so a horse of equal quality here starts at $25,000.” (Emphasis on “starts.”)

The starting range for a made hunter is only slightly lower in Texas. Susan Gentry finds that “a good made hunt horse will sell anywhere from $15,000- $25,000. Bargains can certainly be found if the person is willing to negotiate with themselves on the must haves. If you want a horse that can show or do another discipline and hunt, then the price will be higher of course. A safe and fun horse is always worth the investment.”

The estimates don’t change much when we make the 1600 mile (2600 km) trek from Celeste, TX, to Ottawa, CN. Jennifer Stewart estimates that “the upper end would be around $35,000 for a made hunt horse, which would include first flight jumpers and third flight hilltoppers. The lower end would be under $2,000 for a rescue horse, or horse Eleanor Warriner, MFH Hillsboro Hounds, being re-homed. As noted, a rider capable of making their seen here with husband Tom, on Cloudline own hunt horse will pay much less than one who is looking Chanel. Chanel is 1/4 QH, 1/4 Percheron, and Half Drum (Gypsy/ Shire). She was for a hunt horse that is ready to go.” She adds, “TemperaSusan Gentry’s personal horse that she ment is a critical factor. People will pay a premium for a hunted hounds on for two and a half seagood mind and a steady ride.” sons. She admits that she cried when she If you’re looking for a mount to carry you safely across the Kansas landscape, Steve Thomas cites a few factors that sold her but takes comfort that the mare has the best owner possible. Photo courtesy of can influence pricing. “Prices obviously vary significantly Cloudline Hounds based on age, experience, and what imperfections you are willing to live with. Anywhere from $7,500 to the mid five figures is a reasonable range.” And that puts us pretty close to how the market looks in Ottawa and right in line with the upper range for a Merle-Smith horse.

The supply-and-demand dynamics appear to fit a different profile in Mill Creek’s Lake County, Illinois, territory.

Located roughly midway between Milwaukee and Chicago, along the western shores of Lake Michigan, we might assume the supply of local horses is thin but that the demand is even thinner. If so, that would support Keith Gray’s estimate that the lower end in his area falls around $4,000. For the upper range, Keith says, “I see no reason to pay more than $15,000 on the high end for a horse that is very appropriate for our hunt territory and season.”

The dynamics play out differently in New Mexico where, according to Dan Coleman, “Horses are plentiful in the west and comparatively cheap. You could get a suitable (l-r) John Mandich (Metamora Hunt) on a hunt horse in the $3,000 to $5,000 range.” Keep in mind, Quarter Horse and his daughter Lindsey though, that the horse will most likely be ridden by a “horse- Mandich (Mill Creek Hunt) on an Off-Theman,” someone whose life is centered around horse sports Track-Thoroughbred represent two of the breeds commonly seen in the Mill Creek and, as the old saying goes, can ride anything with four legs Hunt field. Photo courtesy of Mill Creek Hunt and hair.

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Dan Coleman (in scarlet) with (front to back) Michaela Killer (Santa Ynez Valley Hounds), Simi Coleman (JTH), and Jay Diamonon (JTH) during a momentary pause in an action-packed day of hunting from Field Ranch, JTH kennel’s fixture. Photo courtesy of Juan Tomás Hounds

Think you can pick up a nice foxhunting mule on the cheap? Think again. Garon Stutzman says the sticker price on a mule like Candyman would be $35,000. Of course, like any breed, the price drops as does the critter’s skill level. But even a relative greenie, if well bred, is still likely to go for more than, say, a Thoroughbred fresh off the track.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

out even being ridden first (not a great idea). Thus was the seed planted and horse sales websites did multiply. And lo! A multitude of new outlets arose, an abundance of Facebook pages. Pages for every breed.

Pages for every type of sport. And the horse buying multitudes did rejoice!

But the Angel of Algorithms descended and proclaimed “Thou shalt not post animals for sale on social media!” Thus were the people required to conceive ways to circumvent this commandment.

And they did conceive such ways. And they saw that it was good.

So how do sellers get around this restriction? Two ways are suggested. One is to post the ad as a discussion, not as an item for sale that will get picked up in Marketplace. The other is to list the price or, more commonly, the price range in some coded fashion rather than in straight dollar terms. For example, “Low 5 figures starting with a 1”; or “$Mid5s”. Some combination of symbols and emojis might also be used.

That restriction does not apply to websites such as Dreamhorse.com, Equine.com, and others that host a broad platform where virtually any type of horse can be listed. So searching for a seasoned foxhunter or suitable prospect can require sorting through a vast array of ads to find a few worth pursuing.

Alternatively, there are Facebook groups and websites that focus on specific breeds, such as retired racehorses in need of a new career, or that cater specifically to a foxhunting audience.

One such website in the latter category is the aptly named Foxhuntinghorse.com, operated by Rosemarie Merle-Smith. With the specific needs of foxhunters in mind, this site serves as a conduit where sellers and buyers can connect with ads posted on the site and related Facebook page as well as through other applicable sites and Facebook groups. Horses are not just lumped together as “foxhunters” but are listed as to suitably for first, second, or third flight as well as separate categories for staff, masters, and children.

“On Foxhuntinghorse,” Rosemarie says, “I require people to list where the horse has hunted, for how long, and in which fields. Then the buyer can contact a master or someone in those hunts for a recommendation. Most of our buyers find us through social media after Nikki [her daughter] has posted a horse. If you don’t use the internet, you will need a trainer that does to find you a horse.”

Susan Gentry notes that “Online sites like Dreamhorse have become a great place to start the search as you can eliminate a lot of horses quickly and come up with a short list.”

“People are going to groups on social media to identify prospects,” Jen Stewart reports. “The Ottawa Valley Hunt will send out a message if someone is looking for a horse or has a horse to sell.”

Facebook also served as a handy means to ask for input from other horse people about interactions they’ve had—good or bad—when searching for a horse through social media and websites. Overall, the majority of responses to this non-scientific survey gave a thumbs up to these channels. Some cautionary tales were also offered.

Need Horse, Will Travel Continuing the supply-and-demand assessment, if the local supply comes up lacking, it might be necessary to tap resources in other areas. That’s easier to do today than in the past thanks to the interconnectivity of the horse world via electronic media. But, while an online search can help narrow the list of prospects down to only the most viable candidates, the physical distance between buyer and seller will still need to be bridged at some point.

One option, of course, is for the buyer to hit the road and go wherever necessary in hopes of returning home with the sought-after prize. And, hopefully, after a less grueling odyssey than Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece. (And to also not realize, once you got home, that you’d been “fleeced” by the seller.)

Not everyone has the luxury of expending the time this can entail, particularly if the object of your quest lies in a distant part of the country. For example, Steve Thomas notes that “distance in the Midwest is measured in hours, so a half day’s drive is just getting the truck warmed up!”

Granted, some people have purchased horses sight-unseen with successful results. (We suspect others have done so with less than favorable outcomes but chose not to comment.) And to some degree a properly done video (preferably unedited) can suffice as an alternative to a hands-on examination. Other options—a generous trial arrangement, recommendation from a trusted friend who knows the horse, going through a reliable broker (more on that option to follow)—can also eliminate the need to expend the time, money, and energy (both physical and mental) required for a lengthy road trip (or possibly multiple trips).

This has to be a personal decision influenced by a range of factors unique to any given case. Ideally, if the choice is made to go wherever the siren song of a horse for sale calls, we hope it proves worth the trouble. Or at least takes you somewhere with enticing options for side trips along the way.

Happy Outcomes: “One of the first hunt horses I had 20 years ago was Sources For Horses a TB I found on Dreamhorse. I’ve since bought many Now, having established your criteria based on all of horses off of Facebook and most recently Craigslist.” the above, it’s time to launch the search for that per- Jean Mutrux fect equine partner. Where to start?

For an increasing number of foxhunters, it’s on a “I found a fabulous Connemara on Dreamhorse. He keyboard. was my daughter’s Pony Club/eventer/hunt horse, In the beginning was Dreamhorse.com. (Maybe only lame once in 20 years (no joke!). He’s my husnot the actual beginning, but pretty early anyway.) band’s trusty hunt horse now.” Cathleen Davis Luce And behold! Horses could be viewed on a computer screen. And they could be purchased from afar, with- “I bought a mare off a FB Appaloosa page and she’s

working out nicely despite only having been a show horse before. I also found a former polo pony on the local Craigslist, turned out he had hunted a few times in Colorado, and he became a total rock star as a hunt horse. I led first field on him for several years.”

Nancy Williams Ambrosiano, MFH “Bought Roy from Craigslist for $650. He is great and loves it.” Kelly Burns “One of my best hunt horses I found on Dreamhorse many years ago.” Kate Sepulveda “I put all my hunt horses for sale on Dreamhorse and Equine.com. I sold a lot of them that way.” Laura Sloan [Laura, a highly regarded professional trainer, has been awarded colors from six different hunts.

Two years ago, she took a fresh prospect off the track (“Forthegreatergood,” aka “Dom”) and with just eight months of training, the pair won the 2021 Thoroughbred Makeover Competition. In October of 2023, the duo took the top prize at the Theodora A. Randolph North American Field Hunter Championship.]

“I recently found my next horse on a draft cross website and realized the owner and I had mutual friends.

My horse seems just as he was represented.”

Martha Brouse “I found Frick, my wonderful hunt partner of 14 years, on Dreamhorse and together we led second and third fields at Woodford Hounds for most of that time.

I also found my current hunt horse on Dreamhorse and she is everything she was advertised to be and she and I have led third field with Woodford Hounds and [now] Long Run Woodford Hounds.”

Louise Kelly “One of my best hunt horses I found on Dreamhorse many years ago. I’ve since become very good friends with the previous owner and have had several of his horses in my barn. Absolutely a win-win for me.”

Kate Sepulveda Cautionary Tales and Other Counsel “I contacted by phone and asked a lot of questions before traveling three states away. Lots of good videos help.” Martha Brouse “I found that on Dreamhorse there were lots of sellers that would click ‘Foxhunting’ on the menu of skills for their horse, but when I inquired, the horse had not actually hunted, the seller just thought the horse could because it could jump.” Kristin Noggle “I have found that very few people with experienced hunters utilize Dreamhorse or similar sales sites nowadays. Mostly it’s on FB (free, bigger reach, more ability to post lots of pics and video), and then some use a certain specific hunting horse sales website.”

Devon Zebrovious [Devon included links to some examples of Facebook pages such as FoxHunt Steed/FOL Interests, Fox-unters on Facebook (yes, unters), and Fox hunting prospects in the USA.] “I primarily use Facebook, word of mouth, selling straight out of the hunt field (I have actually sold my horse at the meet and not gone home with it) or my own website to sell foxhunters. But I also try to put a comprehensive ad out. You want to see pictures, video, location, price, loose idea of level of rider, etc. all on one page. If I’m selling a foxhunter primarily, I list where it has hunted and even a picture of that horse out foxhunting. I think Dreamhorse is a bit of an outdated website now in my opinion. There are lots of good Facebook pages primarily geared toward foxhunters and a lot of the sites will make them put the location of where they have hunted.”

Kristy Willwerth, Picturesque Farm

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

“If it says ‘regularly hunted last five seasons’ then with which hunt? Then call the masters of that hunt and tell them you are looking at a horse that has been hunted with them. Don’t be surprised when they tell you the owner is not a member and has been out about three times in the last five seasons!” Andy Bozdan [A retired huntsman, Andy has hunted hounds in the UK, Australia, and the US.] “Whenever I see anything advertised as a ‘Foxhunting prospect’ on any of those sites, it’s usually by someone who doesn’t hunt and means the horse isn’t brave enough to event, not careful enough for hunter/jumpers, and moves like a sewing machine.” Tanya Nelson “We almost drove to North Carolina to look at a horse we found on Dreamhorse advertised as a foxhunter for my dad when the seller offhandedly said, ‘Oh, by the way, he’s absolutely terrified of trees when the wind blows. Would that be a problem?’” Sallie Hill Outten “I found Nelson on Facebook. I did not know the seller, but we had mutual friends, so that helped.” Mel Mervis “I’ve bought quite a few horses off the internet and all hunted. One off Dreamhorse. The others Equinenow.com. I’m very good at picking a horse off the internet based on temperament. All the rest you can train. I can basically tell temperament from a ten second video. You need to ask the seller for WTC video both directions, not edited. About five minutes worth is ideal. Look for a horse that is relaxed. Obviously, soundness also and quality of movement. Then ask for a couple minutes of barn video. Horse being led, maybe tacking or untacking, in pasture or on crossties. Look at the ears, eyes, expression…it will tell you everything. Don’t get an anxious horse no matter how nice a mover or what it’s won.

It won’t like hunting and will just be a pain.” Eve Kaplan-Walbrecht Websites and social media may have greatly expanded the range of horse search channels. But they haven’t completely replaced the tried-and-true method of personal connections and word-of-mouth. In fact, they can serve as a way to facilitate personal interaction.

If the seller isn’t known to you and the ad says the horse has hunted, follow Andy Bozdan’s advice, find out where, and then contact someone at that hunt— a master, honorary secretary, or a personal acquaintance. (If you’re working with a reputable dealer such as Rosemarie Merle-Smith or Susan Gentry, that may not be necessary.) But if you do need confirmation of the horse’s hunting credentials and you don’t know anyone at the club or clubs cited, you can find contact info in the Masters of Foxhounds Association’s annual roster. (If you’re a subscribing member of the MFHA, you’ll receive the updated roster as part of your membership.) Alternatively, most all hunts (at least recognized ones) have a website where contact info is listed. (It may be a bit more difficult to track down contact info for some farmers/private packs.)

Susan Gentry sums it up this way: “I personally think word of mouth is still the best source. Ask someone that has a horse you fancy where they got it. A reputable seller is hard to find but they are out there. Find one that isn’t afraid to tell you that they don’t have what you are looking for right now. Look on their social media and see if it is full of people still telling them how much they love the horse they bought.”

Jen Stewart says, “Many of our members rely on word of mouth to put them in touch with a suitable prospect. And some report that they would not trust anyone who they didn’t know or was not in our hunt.”

Auctions and Oddities Live auctions are still held, from small town livestock rings to multi-million dollar Thoroughbred operations such as Fasig-Tipton. The pickings at such events might be slim for hunting prospects, but some folks have had success finding a bargain deal.

If the auction option is a possibility, Susan Gentry has some sage counsel. “I advise everyone to go in person, go early, and make sure you have had the opportunity to look at the horse before it enters the sale arena. By the time they get in the ring, a lot of prep work can make a horse look a lot better than it actually is. They are professionals and they know how to make a horse look good. Like a sale video, what you see in the sale ring is the best that horse has to offer.” And that jives with Eve Kaplan-Walbrecht’s advice that when evaluating a prospect online, insist on at least five minutes of unedited video, which reduces the chance of sudden spooks, refusals at a fence, or other mischief being conveniently clipped out.

You’re surely familiar with the story of Snowman, The Eighty Dollar Champion, a plow horse rescued by Harry deLeyer from the knacker’s wagon for eighty bucks who went on to show jumping stardom. And, yes, someone will win the billion dollar Power Ball jackpot. But it probably won’t be you. It might, though, be Jana Sloan. She won a jackpot of sorts. “I found my wonderful American Saddlebred mare out of a kill pen. It took time and lots of patience, but she was my partner for 21 years. You never know where a good horse will come from!”

No, you don’t. One might even come from a prison.

Paula Canova found Caleb at Angola Prison in Louisiana. “He was in a round pen when I found him and I didn’t ride him before I bought him. I have had him

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for 11 years. Best hunt horse ever!”

Becky Thayer says she’s had great success adopting rescued Thoroughbreds from Wateree Prison in South Carolina. “All my juniors got to experience a variety of great horses that all ended up great hunters!”

Doing the Deal You’ve whittled the choices down to the most likely prospects. You’ve put in a sufficient amount of research. You’ve been fully honest in your expectations and hope the other person has too. You’re a little nervous as the online exchanges and phone chats now transition to a face-to-face encounter. Will this prove to be the one? Will the two of you have many years of a joy-filled partnership? As you sip your wine and look across the table at…Oh, wait! This isn’t a Match.com date!

It’s a horse deal.

Maybe not all that different after all. (And maybe many personal relationships would have gone better, or not gone at all, if a similar amount of clear-headed evaluation had been done in advance.)

The point here is put your emotions aside. Sure, you want a nice looking horse.

But, in reality, you’re going to be trusting your life to this animal. And in a dangerous situation, beauty will not save your ass.

As a professional huntsman (now retired), Andy Bozdan had to bring a cleareyed attitude toward his relationship with the horses that were his working partners. From his vantage point, he had the opportunity to see both good and not-so-good outcomes among those who followed him and the hounds. His counsel may sound blunt, but it’s worth considering.

“If it’s for first flight,” Andy says, “then see it jumped over a coop, or three, and several other obstacles before you get on it. Ask to ride down the road if not too busy and see how it goes in traffic. Pick its feet up, pick them out. Ask to see it go into a trailer. If you’re not a trained horseperson, take someone with you who is.

“If you like the horse, ride it yourself. No point letting a trained rider get onboard unless you’re a real novice, in which case I hope you can trust your trainer or friend to be straight with you. Always consider your abilities as a rider. Not much point in buying your ‘dream’ horse only to come to realize a month later that you can’t ride one side of it.

“Ask to take the horse out hunting for a day. If the seller agrees, make sure you’re covered in case of any serious accident.

“Genuine sellers will want to assess your riding skills and how you are with their horse. If they don’t care and just want your money, there’s probably a reason behind that.

“If you really like the horse, then get it vetted. And not the seller’s vet.

“If all that checks out, then kick on and have fun!”

Another pro, this one a professional horse dealer, also provided his thoughts.

Richard Trayford who has sold around 500 horses into hunting. He is now based in Ireland and has sold many horses to field masters and MFHs in the UK and US representing over 50 hunts thus far. “You should never buy a horse online without someone (preferably yourself) trying it first,” Richard advises. “You should also be able to do a half day’s hunting when you find a good horse/seller before you commit. There is an old saying that ‘Horses make liars of you.’ It’s much easier to lie online. Try before you buy. PS: Always get the horse vetted.”

For the policy at Merle-Smith Sport Horses, Rosemarie says, “I always recommend a buyer hunts a horse first before purchasing. We usually let our horses go on a 10 day trial with the full price paid, money returned (minus $500) for any reason.”

At Cloudline Hounds, Susan Gentry can arrange for multiple horses to be ridden during just one visit. “I often have people come in and we go out with several horses and we trade around so they can try different ones. Then we go hunting the next day on the one they match up to best. If they don’t match up on the horse [in the hunt field], at least they got a fun day of sport!”

“Ace” is an OTTB sourced by Brit Vegas Gengenbach for Dr. Steven Thomas, MFH. He began his hunting career as the huntsman’s horse on his fourth post-track ride and is now in his eighth season as Steve’s number one horse. Allison Howell photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

8 Greg Hoit Needed A Horse To put all this together, we asked Greg Hoit to share his recent experience searching for a new horse. Greg hunts with Red Mountain Hounds in Rougemont, North Carolina. He’s been a regular first field leader there for several seasons but now, having crossed a certain milestone in life, will likely transition to second field.

“The latest OTTB I had tried to make work for three and half years, lots of effort and training. But he just wouldn’t work out. So I decided to re-home him and, once I had a confirmed taker, I began looking in earnest. I alerted my network and asked them to let me know of any suitable prospects. I asked my hunt secretary to send an email out to all the members and friends to seek suggestions. And I began searching all the websites I had heard of that had hunt horse prospects; and Facebook groups. I got tons of suggestions from my hunt friend.

“I ‘looked’ at a lot horses that way, online and with some phone calls to ask questions. I had a ‘wish list’ or ‘ideal candidate list’.”

Greg’s list was quite detailed in many respects (e.g., age, color, gender, size, soundness, hunt experience, able to do all flights and lead or go in the field, jumping experience and smoothness, able to trail ride alone or in groups)—essentially the definition of the perfect hunt horse. The only non-negotiable was breed: No pure TB or any horse that had raced or been race trained. “I didn’t expect to find a perfect match,” he admits, “but it gave those friends who got the email an idea of what I was looking for.”

“One of my friends, a master in our hunt, gave me the names of several trainers or places that she had either bought horses from in the past or knew of others who had and suggested I check with them. Eddie [the ultimate outcome of Greg’s search] was at one near Richmond, Virginia, about two and half hours north of us, in Deep Run territory, and the info was on their Facebook page. There were two prospects available. Both fit my bill and we decided to go try them both.” Eddie got the nod, a Canadian crossbred, Thoroughbred and Clydesdale.

When asked how the market looks for hunt horses in his part of North Carolina, he said, “It depends on what you’re looking for. With my ideal list, there are very few. If you’re willing to take an OTTB just coming off the track, there are plenty. The numbers shrink as you add the requirements to the wish list.”

As for price, “The inexperienced ones just off the track or very young with no hunt experience were going in the $4,000 to $7,000 range. As you got a little older and more experienced, they rose to around $10,000 to $15,000. And the really good ones, with hunt experience and good temperaments, went up beyond $20,000 into the $30,000’s and beyond.

He’d rather the final sales price for Eddie not be published, but he will say the horse was “very expensive.”

“This will probably/hopefully be my last horse, to take me to the finish line of my foxhunting career.”

We hope that works out well for both Greg and Eddie, new partners in the Red Mountain Hounds

hunt field where you just might see the duo leading second field.

The Broker Option And now…forget much of the previous counsel. Regardless of how deep your pockets are, time is no respecter of persons. Some folks have plenty of it, others not so much. And those that do have it might prefer to spend it in ways other than searching for a new hunt horse from scratch. Enter The Broker.

It’s an option that works well for Steve Thomas.

“I’m fortunate to have a great friend who has a fantastic eye for matching horses with people and I have never had a problem finding a horse. Having a broker is well worth the commission. My source, Brit Vegas Gengenbach, is located near Lincoln, NE. She, however, drives all across the country to pick up and deliver horses because she has developed incredibly good contacts at many tracks and has a very loyal following. All of the many horses I have bought through her have been sight-unseen as I have that much confidence in her ability to match me with the right horse. And after I have put time on them in the hunt field, she is able to move them to the right person for a long-term home.”

Of course, if you don’t already have a broker or know of one, the process of finding someone to fill that role for you might entail as much time and effort as conducting the horse search yourself. But if you think that might be worth considering, putting some feelers out to your fellow hunting friends and through social media to the broader hunting community could prove helpful.

The Merle-Smiths serve both sides of the transaction. “Many people don’t have the time or inclination to sell their horse,” Rosemarie says, “so sending it to someone who does it all the time and has the connections [i.e., Merle-Smith Sport Horses] is the way to go.” For those looking to buy, Rosemarie’s daughter Nikki offers her lifelong expertise as a consultant.

She typically gets hired by out-of-state buyer friends who want her advice. They pay for her time (usually about $250) and a capping fee.

Taking the (Very) Long View: Grow Your Own And then, if you really have a lot of time—as in years—there’s one more option. Breeding your own future hunters used to be fairly common, especially when horses played a larger role in people’s lives.

While some folks still take that route, it’s a path much less traveled today.

There is, though, a variation on the breeding process that is just starting to emerge. Again, we turn to Rosemarie Merle-Smith. “In utero sales are sort of a new thing, at least for us. Most of our sale youngsters are sold like that or shortly after birth. People give us a deposit and the balance is due 24 hours after birth if there are no complications. We raise to weaning when they either take the foal home or start paying us board. If you can afford to wait, you will get a better horse for a better price. But you will need to know how to train it or have access to a good trainer.”

Which brings us back to the budget-versus-DIY

Saddle Fitting

balance, only with a greatly extended time horizon.

A Duo of Sidebars: Vetting and Insurance Two other considerations required separate attention in more detail: Pre-Purchase Exams (aka “Vetting”) and Equine Insurance. For those topics we turned to two professionals: Dr. Amy Hostedler, DVM; and Sue Bopp of EMO Insurance. See their respective sidebars for information on those topics.

Need Accessories?

Once you’ve found your ideal foxhunting partner, you might also find that Pegasus requires a new saddle (what width tree do you need to fit those wings anyway?). Maybe a new bridle or other traditional hunt tack. Perhaps a new halter, sheet or blanket, bell boots or wraps. No sidebar needed here. Just drop in to Horse Country Saddlery in Warrenton, Virginia, or go to www.HorseCountryCarrot.com, where you’ll find everything your new partner needs for comfort and maximum performance.

In Conclusion…

We’d like to thank everyone who contributed their valuable time and expertise to make this article possible—the professional horse dealers, masters, trainers, hunt staff, and the many fellow foxhunters who provided comments on their personal experiences.

We hope you’ve found some helpful insights in this article, whether you’re about to embark on the search for a new hunt horse, are already somewhere in the process, or might benefit from this information at some future point. Whatever your situation, we hope you’ve either already found your unicorn or, if you’re in the search process now, you and your ideal equine partner find each other. Then kick on and have fun!

Cedric (Belle Isle Black Knight), an imported Irish Hunter, represents the high end of the scale among hunt horses at Ottawa Valley. Lera Valeriya Gurova photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

Buying a New Hunt Horse: Insurance All equestrian sports involve some element of danger for both horse and rider.

Foxhunting falls a good bit higher on the Risk-O-Meter than many other disciplines. But galloping across open country and leaping fences in pursuit of hounds isn’t the only scenario that can result in an injury (or worse). Horses tend to be a mysterious blend of strength and frailty. They can perform impressive feats of athleticism with no ill effects. And then, when turned out in a safe and secure pasture, they can colic for no apparent reason or turn up injured from a multitude of mysterious mishaps.

Given the known variables and the ever-present unknown possibilities, the justification for some form of insurance is hard to deny. The questions, then, when acquiring a new horse, are which kind and how much?

For some insights into this, we asked Sue Bopp for her counsel. Sue embodies the perfect combination of credentials. As a member of the EMO Agency, she has nearly four decades of experience in the field of equine insurance. She’s also been actively foxhunting for roughly 50 years (allowing for some brief gaps along the way) and was recently appointed joint-master of Virginia’s Warrenton Hunt.

EMO’s website provides a succinct description for each of the three types of coverage: mortality, medical, and loss of use. Sue says 99% of foxhunters don’t get loss of use. “It’s expensive, requires a minimum value of $25,000, only covers 50-60% of the value, and the horse has to be considered unusable forever.”

For the other two, the FAQ page says: “An Equine Mortality and Theft Insurance Policy is an all perils life insurance policy for your horse. You are covered against theft of your horse or loss from a covered accident, illness, disease, injury or humane destruction. The Mortality Premium for an equine insurance policy is based on the horse’s age, breed, sex, use/level and value.

“An Equine Medical Insurance or Vet Services Insurance plan for horses is a sort of equine health insurance plan. It provides benefits when your horse becomes ill, injured or diseased. It covers a portion of diagnostic testing, medical treatment and surgical services, as well as aftercare treatment. Deductibles are reasonable and benefits are generous. Surgical coverage is also available.”

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According to Sue, most people purchasing a hunt horse get mortality coverage and some form of medical. The minimum value for mortality, based on the purchase price, is $5000. There are two levels of medical coverage; surgical only and major medical. Surgical covers emergency surgery only (e.g., colic, fractured splint bone, etc.) Major medical covers illness, injury, and surgery. A minimum value of $20,000 is required for major medical.

Having the horse vetted before closing the deal is, of course, highly recommended. Ask the seller about any preexisting conditions. If the horse is currently insured, it wouldn’t hurt to find out what kind of coverage the current owner had chosen. But the coverage can’t be transferred with the horse so the new owner will need to start from scratch on deciding if the horse should be insured and, if so, for which type of coverage.

There are multiple agencies handling equine insurance. Sue suggests going with someone you know and trust. If you don’t currently have a relationship with an agency, ask your fellow hunt members for their recommendations.

The EMO application form, typical of such agencies, includes a laundry list of disciplines to choose from, including Field Hunter (1st Flight) and Field Hunter (2nd Flight). We posed a what-if scenario for Sue’s counsel. Let’s say someone is a second flight hunter, but might take an occasional jump, whether in the hunt field or elsewhere. If something goes amiss and the horse gets hurt, would the coverage be voided if non-jumping had been checked off on the application? The answer is yes, it could.

“But,” Sue says, “in my 37 years in this business we’ve never turned anyone away over something like that.” However, there’s no guarantee everyone will be so accommodating. So the advice is to check off the highest category you think the horse will be used for, even if something like jumping will be a relative rarity.

Ultimately, like any form of insurance, the decision comes down to risk aversion versus tolerance. Part of that is driven by the value of the object to be insured. But when it comes to our equine partners, “value” can mean more than mere dollars, especially when it comes to medical coverage.

One additional note: If you opt for leasing rather than buying, you can still take out insurance on the horse. Or if the leased horse is already insured, be sure to get the details of coverage from the owner and confirm that the horse is still covered under your care.

10

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

To Vet or Not to Vet? (Is That Even a Question?)

For some insights into the pre-purchase exam (aka “vetting”) process, we posed a list of questions to Dr. Amy Hostedler of White Oak Veterinary Service in Flint Hill, VA. Herewith is the learned doctor’s input on this topic.

Q. Is there a “typical” or “basic” vetting process (specific to a foxhunting horse) that most prospective buyers opt for?

A. I would not say that there is a pre-purchase keyed specifically towards foxhunting. We do generally ask what the purpose of the horse will be. It gives us perspective on the level of work intended.

Q. Pre-existing conditions to be wary of (specific to foxhunting)?

A. Pre-existing conditions that would interfere with foxhunting would be those aggravated by jumping. (I tend to assume there will be some jumping even if the client says the horse won’t be required to jump. The client often wants to do more than they state initially.) Bad ankles with sesamoid issues. Sore backs, especially if the horse has not been in much work. Old tendon bows could be an issue but I have seen several tough old hunters with thickened tendons that perform well enough for their rider. Arthritic knees are also a concern.

Q. What findings might typically suggest a more detailed exam such as x-rays or ultrasound? (And should the selling price have any influence on that?)

A. Selling price does often influence the numbers of “extras.” Some buyers request a very minimal exam for an inexpensive horse that isn’t going to be pushed.

The expensive horse often gets multiple joints radiographed regardless of physical exam findings. Most of the foxhunters I’ve dealt with take a practical approach. No radiographs unless a problem is suspected or a basic standard of front feet and possibly hocks.

It isn’t always related to the price. Some buyers get quite interested in multiple X-rays even in a low priced horse. I make it a general rule to not ask the price. Some people do volunteer the price or make hints.

Q. To what extent does price matter, if at all? (A cheap horse that turns out to be high maintenance is no bargain.)

A. Sometimes a client will accept a little maintenance on a horse with a good price. A horse with good manners or proven experience may be accepted along with some maintenance.

Q. Are there obvious deal-killers (specific to the horse’s intended use for foxhunting, and possibly differentiated between jumping/non-jumping)?

A. The most obvious deal killer for me is a heart issue. A tiny murmur that goes away with exercise is not always a big concern. Arrhythmias and murmurs are bad for performance and potentially unsafe. Significantly sore backs and strongly positive flexions. A bit of arthritis may be acceptable in the non-jumping horse.

Those riders are often looking more at safety and reliability of a horse’s personality.

Q. Conversely, what conditions might be overlooked for a foxhunter that might have more influence for a different discipline?

A. Though everyone likes an attractive horse, foxhunters are often less caught up in blemishes. A good hunt horse is forgiven “battle” scars. Some good stories sometimes go along with those scars.

Q. If, say, the buyer is a local client but the prospective horse is located a few hundred miles away (or more), how is that handled? (E.g., will you travel and charge accordingly, refer the client to a local vet, arrange for the seller to let the buyer take the horse for a trial and vetting and then return it if it doesn’t pass, etc.?)

A. We do sometimes travel out of area for a prepurchase exam. We do charge a higher trip fee. This is easier to do when it isn’t extra busy. Some clients have the horse hauled to our office for examination. Horses on trial are sometimes moved to a local farm/facility. It’s up to the client and seller to come to an agreement and plan.

I have received requests for help finding a vet long distances away. One foxhunting client was interested in a horse in California. I have a classmate that lives near the area the horse was located. I contacted her for names of vets she would recommend.

Q. What tricks might a disreputable seller try to pull to mask conditions that might otherwise kill the deal? Is a knowledgeable and experienced vet likely to detect any, or at least most, such tricks (i.e., specific hints to watch for)? Does the buyer have any recourse if something like that is discovered after the sale?

A. There are definitely tricks. Soaking feet in mothballs can make them less sore.

I had a horse years ago that had a strong odor to his feet that did not belong. I

don’t recall what it smelled like, but it wasn’t mothballs. I mentioned it to the potential buyer. Shockwave and joint injections could give some better results in a pre-purchase. As a rule, we don’t examine horses that are our patients. A seller could have a horse “worked on” to prep them for the exam.

We do check for sensation in the heels and for scars indicating “nerving.”

Medications like Bute or behavioral modifiers can also be used. Recent joint injections or medications can show up on a drug screen. We do offer to pull and hold blood in case of sudden lameness or behavioral changes soon after purchase.

A positive drug test would be grounds for them to successfully pursue returning the horse and getting their money back.

Q. Is it possible to cite a “sweet spot” between being too picky and too eager?

A. Buyers definitely run towards both ends of the spectrum. People who are super picky about their cheap horse. Even easily managed issues are unacceptable.

Buyers who want to lower their expectations because they want to buy the horse anyway. Some are quite tired of looking. Some buyers have had particular problems in the past and are sensitive to those possibilities. Navicular or back problems. One lady was sensitive to potential eyesight issues. ( The horse could see fine but there was a faint blur to the lenses that suggested he might not be able to see the bugs walking on the ground. ) Q. Any amusing or instructional stories from your many pre-sales vetting experiences?

A. I once did a vetting for a lady that lived in Maryland. Someone had recommended me for the pre-purchase here in Virginia. This was the fifth horse she had paid for a pre-purchase. This horse had a horrible personality. Jumped right on my foot spooking at something nonexistent. He had the worst heart murmur/multiple defects that I have ever heard (excluding geriatric horses). He was so exercise-intolerant that less than five minutes of trotting had him breathing like a freight train. The poor lady was so tired of having horses examined, she tried to bargain with me. “I don’t have to jump. I could just do trail rides.” This horse had such a horrible personality that he would not have even made a good trail horse. He was a hot horse with poor manners.

Another lady wanted a sound horse with a good mind. She had a beautiful idiot at home that had tried to kill her several times. The horse I examined was exactly what she was looking for but was rather ugly. I kept reminding her that she wasn’t looking for “pretty” each time she mentioned this horse’s appearance.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

OSMUN’S OBSERVATIONS

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Claudia Coleman illustration

Feeling the Autumn Breeze Out to the road, out ‘neath the stars, Feelin’ the breeze, passin’ the cars.

Bob Seger Travellin’ Man I may have mentioned I used to be a show dog back in my previous life in the rugged plains of Montana, where cold weather was a hot-blooded, thick-coated Scottie’s salvation. But when my new best friend and business partner, Marion, brought me to Virginia, I had to adapt to humid summers, a far cry from what I was used to. However, the weather has changed, and my heart brims with excitement as autumn’s chill descends upon Virginia.

For the past few years, I had been living a life very different from my show dog days. I watched country dogs in Montana enjoying the view out of pickup truck windows and was surprised to see dogs in Virginia have the same habit.

I can’t help feeling envious. In Montana, my life was all about poise, elegance, and strict grooming standards. Putting my head out of the car window was absolutely forbidden. I might get a bit of sand in my eye and be unable to show.

Today, as the car rolls down the winding roads of Virginia, a voice barking inside me said, “It’s your turn, Osmun.” I decided to take the plunge. Carefully, from the passenger seat, I climbed across the console, my large paws finding their way onto Marion’s lap. She chuckled at my determination, realizing my intentions. “Where are you going, big boy?”

With a knowing look, Marion lowered the car window ever so slightly. I leaned forward, stretching my snout upwards towards the slim opening. The brisk autumn breeze hit me. I took a deep breath. I savored the fresh, crisp air. For a moment, I felt pure bliss as the wind lapped at my beard, and I embraced a freedom that had eluded me for so long.

Then, unexpectedly, she lowered the window all the way open. I settled into a comfortable position, my head resting on the windowsill. Marion had a death grip on my collar. The passing landscapes painted a vivid picture in front of me— rolling hills, vibrant foliage, dried up corn stalks; it was a hot—really hot- summer here. Ah! The sights and sounds of the Virginia countryside.

“Osmun, your eyes are sparkling.” In Montana, in my show dog persona, I was always striving for perfection. But here, in Virginia, I have discovered a different kind of perfection—the joy of being my own dog, the simple pleasures of a country dog’s life, a reminder that life has so much more to offer beyond the show ring. I am Osmun, the Montana dog, experiencing the beauty of a Virginia autumn and the thrill of freedom, with my head out the window. Sparkling eyes?

Or tears of joy.

Marion had been disheartened the last few years as COVID-19 and the aftereffects had cast a shadow over our holiday celebrations. She hadn’t found anything truly exciting for us to get excited about offering our discerning clients.

The anticipation that typically accompanied her through the holiday season was a bit dim.

But this year, there is a palpable change in the store. I notice Marion’s face lights up each morning when she takes her first step inside Horse Country.

Shelves are brimming with treasures, and the racks are laden with cozy, festive attire.

I watched as Marion perused the displays by Ally and Jolie; “OMG! Alpaca!” she shouts out loud in surprise. “Cashmere and silk, wool and fleece,” she lowers her voice to a whisper as she touches the luxurious fabrics. I can’t shout like she can, but I woof, understanding her excitement. Everything from waxed cotton Barbour standbys to felt bushman hats, leather jackets and vests, warm gloves and socks, tweed jackets and frock coats, had found their place in the store. It is a winter wonderland of equestrian stuff.

As I watched Marion pet a beautifully knitted sweater that would keep someone snug during the Virginia winter, I couldn’t help but share in her enthusiasm. This year, we are back on track. COVID-19 might have still been on people’s minds a year ago, but the spirit of the holidays is alive and well in Horse

Country this year. The store’s festive makeover has rekindled our Christmas cheer, and I can’t wait to parade around in my new winter collar ready to embrace everyone who visits.

We had been eagerly anticipating a book signing event for the renowned and ever popular author and foxhunting MFH, Rita Mae Brown.

The dates, the advertising and eblasts had been sent out. To our dismay, the books didn’t arrive as expected. They had been oversold, and, it was rumored, the publisher had sent the entire stock to the behemoth Amazon. Marion gagged when she heard the news. A disappointing turn of events, to say the least. However, Marion is not one to be deterred.

Given the social fatigue finding an open date in the crowded months of November and December, Marion came up with a brilliant idea. Instead of waiting for the books to arrive late, she decided to host the book launch party anyway. It would be an event to remember, and Marion was determined to make it a memorable one.

The evening was set in motion. Marion orchestrated a gathering at the store, complete with fiendishly good food and cocktails that would knock the socks off anyone attending. The drinks flowed generously, and the atmosphere was electric with anticipation of the evening’s star attraction. (Sadly, not me.)

Rita Mae Brown, despite her own disappointment at not having her books, graciously took the stage. She delivered one of her magnificent talks, touching on a wide range of topics that spanned the entire universe—from the sun to the moon and stars, even the demotion of Pluto. Her mother’s wise homilies, which she so often incorporates into her writings, resonated with everyone in the audience.

To ensure that no one left empty-handed, 4x4-inch cards were prepared for Rita Mae Brown to sign and give to the attendees. These cards bore a saying that seemed to capture the essence of the evening and the spirit of those who had gathered: “We’re not here for a long time, but we’re here for a good time. RMB” The night had indeed unfolded joyfully. Everyone at the event had a fantastic time, savoring the delectable cuisine from Cafe Torino and enjoying expertly crafted drinks by April, the talented bartender. Laughter filled the air, and the camaraderie was palpable, making the evening one to remember.

As the festivities came to a close, Marion and I were in high spirits. She turned on her BMW. This one has a vanity license plate “HC Osmun” in honor of me, an homage that filled my heart with pride.

With the night sky twinkling through the moonroof overhead, we embarked on the journey home. Marion lowered the window for me, offering a sensory delight. I could sniff the world outside in all its dark glory.

Our one stop on the way home was a 7-11. I thought she might be getting us Häagen-Dazs. As she climbed back in the car, she tucked a lottery ticket on the sun visor. Marion whispered with a hopeful smile, “A girl can always hope.”

And so, we embarked on the drive back home, with the promise of more adventures and a memorable holiday to come.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

BREEDING

Field Hunters: Buy or Grow Your Own

By Lauren R. Giannini Field hunters are special, no doubt about it, and shopping for a good prospect can turn into quite an adventure and investment. Mare owners, however, have the option to breed their next hunt horse. This involves finding the right sire and allowing plenty of time for gestation, growing up, starting under saddle, etc. On the plus side, owners get back their tried and true mares to tally ho again after the foal is weaned.

Virginia gold-plated its reputation for homebreds in 1853 when the Upperville Colt & Horse Show became the sporting stage for local stallions and their get. In the 1950s, a map of Virginia showed more than 100 farms Oliver strikes a pose for Brandy Greenwell. Matt Calligan photo with stallions standing at stud, proof that folks still liked to “grow their own” for hunt, show, racing, and steeplechasing.

Fast forward to now when people shop online for horses and shipped semen as well as traveling across the big puddle in search of their dream horse. It adds up financially whether you decide to buy or breed, and often the decision comes down to preference and the time factor.

New DNA in Virginia One recently imported stallion is making a strong case for mare owners interested in growing their own: Goldsmith Country Oliver is a Class 1 Registered Irish Draught sire known for stamping his progeny with brilliant genes and all the best attributes and traits you want for your field hunter.

Oliver’s owner, Mary Ewing, is a lawyer by profession and lifetime equestrian with 10 years as jt-MFH at Arapahoe Hunt in Colorado, where she led the field close behind MFH/Huntsman Marvin Beeman, DVM. Ewing knows what she wants in a horse. Her legal background is evident as she states her case with an impressive litany of facts about why she has put heart, soul, and solvency into buying and importing this 2012 rare offspring of Holycross out of the award-winning mare Goldsmith Country Mollie, by Grange Bouncer— two of the great traditional Irish Draught stallions, noted for their show careers, great temperament, and successful progeny.

Oliver’s qualities include: athletic and impressive bascule; unflappable and business-like conduct no matter where he is, even when mares are in season; stellar record of rosettes and championships up and down Ireland; gorgeous get on the ground, including Class 1 RID stallions.

“My short term goal is for everyone to fall in love with Oliver, especially if they see him out hunting,” Ewing stated. “With all humility I think Oliver is the finest Irish Draught stallion standing in America. My long term goal is to have Oliver reproduce himself with offspring succeeding in field hunting, eventing, show jumping, perhaps even dressage.”

Ewing relocated from Colorado to Warrenton, Virginia, three years ago. In July, Oliver arrived at Bridon Irish Draughts LLC in Middleburg where he is tended by Brandy Greenwell and Brianne Sells.

On October 25, Oliver made his American debut hunting in first flight with rider Robin Peterson, accompanied by Greenwell on Class 1 mare, Bridon Summer Breeze. Oliver was a perfect gentleman, according to Greenwell’s post on Facebook, and both horses jumped everything effortlessly: “THIS is what the breed is about. Temperament.”

“He is truly the kindest, best-tempered stallion I’ve ever been around,” Greenwell said. “Any sport horse breeders that seek getting substance and brain to their mares need look no further. Oliver is the poster child for what people seek in an Irish Draught stallion.”

Pedigree is extremely important to Ewing because it determines temperament, brain, and all the genetically programmed traits (or lack thereof) that make or break an equine’s chances of success. Ewing looks for performance genes to appear throughout both top and bottom lineages, tracking soundness by how long Robin Peterson and Oliver at work in the ring. the horses performed and how they fared. Soundness of mind and body is everything, beauty secondary, but Brandy Greenwell photo with horses it’s part of the package. Ewing‘s background in breeding show jumpers taught her that talented horses often require professional riders, but experience informed her that great sport horses can and should be appropriate for professionals and amateurs alike.

“I’m a believer that temperament must be bred,” Ewing stated. “Temperament cannot be trained.”

Oliver had won championships all over Ireland in show jumping and cross-country. Judged a Class 1 stallion, Oliver received gold merits in show jumping, dressage, and movement. His successful competitive career began when he was a foal, then as a yearling, and continued through to his adulthood.

“I learned Oliver was also a hunting stallion, and I was told a child could hunt him,” Ewing recalled. “I saw photographs of Oliver hunting, ridden by a young woman, next to mares, and behaving impeccably. Thus, his progeny would be suitable for amateur riders as well as professionals. And that’s when I finally decided to purchase him.”

Buying and importing Oliver is a big deal, great business opportunity, and labor of love to promote and campaign this worthy sire. Ewing, who was ready for a slower pace to her life, didn’t really want another horse, let alone a stallion still in his prime, but years of importing jumper semen from Germany and shopping for hunt horses— Thoroughbreds and three-quarter-breds for Arapahoe’s country, then imported Irish Draughts when she moved to Warrenton—proved a solid base for recognizing how Oliver’s presence here in the USA and in the hunt field could benefit the population of quality hunt horses.

Growing Your Own Begins With A Quality Mare Remember: temperament plus pedigree plus performance comprise the bottom line for breeding good hunt horses. You can’t expect the stallion to overcome distaff deficits just as you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. As for risks, they exist for pregnancy in every species, but often the horse gods smile upon the prayers and petitions of us mere mortals.

Ewing has done her homework, and Oliver plus a good mare should result in pleasing progeny. Handling from birth and sensible training is key to the outcome, but it all starts with dam and sire. Beauty is as beauty does.

Also, if you’re new to breeding, consider boarding your mare at a reputable farm to ensure experienced care before, during, and after your mare is due. Take the time to learn the basics of foal care, handling, and turnout etcetera from experts. Don’t feed for two throughout gestation because an obese mare is more liability than asset.

Oliver’s debut in the American hunt field, first flight with The bottom line: Breed the best to the best and hope for the best.

Snickersville Hounds, drew praise from rider Robin Peterson For more information, contact Mary Ewing at 303-886-5400 or goldsmithcountryoliver@gmail.com. and many compliments. Brandy Greenwell photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

13

RACING

Fall Races

By J. Harris Anderson • Douglas Lees Photos

Foxfield Fall Races, Maiden Claiming Hurdle Eye Of Gunfighter (Virginia Korrell, up) – 1st.

International Gold Cup, Steeplethon Stakes (l-r) Mercoeur (Harry Beswick, up) – 1st; Salamanca School (Freddie Procter, up) – 3rd; Storm Team (Graham Watters, up) – 2nd; Fashion Line (Gerrard Galligan, up).

Foxfield Fall Races, Filly and Mare Maiden Hurdle Afraid Not (Gerard Galligan, up) – 1st.

Foxfield Fall Races, Mariann De Tejeda Memorial Foundation Ratings Handicap Hurdle (l-r) Go Poke The Bear (Freddie Procter, up) – 5th; Who’s Counting (rider-trainer Sean McDermott, up) – 1st; Animal Kingston (Graham Watters, up) – 3rd; Zabeel Champion (Nick Scholfield, up).

Virginia Fall Races, Theodora A. Randolph Virginia Equine Alliance Maiden Hurdle Press Pause (Harry Beswick, up) – 1st.

Foxfield Fall Races, Sunday, October 1, 2023 The Foxfield Fall Races kicked off the jump season on October 1. Trainer Leslie Young scored a hat trick during the six-race card with Michael Smith’s The Hero Next Door, Leipers Fork Steeplechasers’ Garrison Forest, and Charles Fenwick Jr.’s Arrowheart.

Starting slowly and waiting patiently to strike in the $25,000 Ratings Handicap Hurdle, Arrowheart— Young’s third winner—took charge after the first mile and didn’t look back, drawing off by nearly 10 lengths. A veteran of a dozen starts on the NYRA circuit, Arrowheart entered the race after a layoff of nearly 11 months. In his previous start, he captured a maiden claiming hurdle at the Montpelier Hunt Races.

Garrison Forest had two starts at Colonial Downs this past summer and was out of the money both times.

Ten entries vied for the $30,000 Virginia Equine Alliance Maiden Hurdle. The Irish -bred Garrison Forest (Freddie Procter) advanced steadily from the middle of the pack and passed the leaders after the ninth fence to win by 1½ lengths over Gill Johnston’s Active Duty (Tom Garner).

In the 1¼ mile Training Flat Race, Shannon Hill Farm’s Sliabh Aughty (Tom Garner) dashed to the front and held it until the final turn when The Hero Next Door (Mickey Hamill) took the lead and prevailed by 2½ lengths over Sonny Via’s Welshman (Graham Watters).

After 53 starts on the flat and over fences, Hickory Made Stables and Celtic Venture Stables’ Eye of Gunfighter scored his first win over hurdles. Trained by Larry Smith and ridden by Virginia Korell, the six-year-old Pennsylvania-bred proved best in the $15,000 Maiden Claiming Hurdle. Vivian Rall’s Icandothat (Sean McDemrmott) was second.

Heading toward the final fence in the $30,000 Filly and Mare Maiden Hurdle, there was no clear leader.

But Bonnie Rye Stable’s Afraid Not, trained by Julie Gomena and ridden by Gerard Galligan, found enough reserve to dominate in the last stretch to win by 3¼ lengths over Atlantic Friends Racing’s Lacey Underall (Mell Boucher).

In the day’s finale, Sean McDermott trained and rode South Branch Equine’s Who’s Counting to a 6¾ length victory in the $35,000 Mariann de Tejeda Memorial Foundation Ratings Hurdle Handicap. Genet Racing’s Wicked West (Tom Garner) was second.

Virginia Fall Races October 14, 2023 The $50,000 National Sporting Library and Museum Cup Timber Stakes—the featured race at Middleburg— was won by 13-year-old Tiznow gelding Schoodic, who pushed his career bankroll over the $500,000 mark with the victory. Taking charge on the last loop and leading over the last fence, the Jack Fisher trainee held off a gallant Cracker Factory to take the timber stakes by 1¾ lengths. Rider Graham Watters led the effort for Mrs. John R.S. “Dolly” Fisher, whose horse continues a remarkable 51-race career that began in 2012.

Schoodic had been on the sidelines for 17 months but returned to the races two weeks prior at Shawan Downs to run a hard-charging second in a timber allowance. The gelding has been a model of consistency, not only winning multiple stakes over hurdles and timber, but finishing in the top three 31 times, including in Grade 1 competition. Schoodic had his picture taken in the winner’s circle at the 2021 Virginia Gold Cup, 2019 International Gold Cup, and 2017 David Semmes (Gr. 2) Stakes—all at Great Meadow—and even captured an allowance at Colonial Downs in the 2014 Dogwood Classic.

Another highlight from the Middleburg card was a landmark win for trainer Larry Smith, who earned his 300th career victory when Hickory Made Stables and Celtic Venture Stable’s Eye of Gunfighter captured the $30,000 Magalen O. Bryant Ratings Handicap. With Gerard Galligan aboard, the six-year-old Pennsylvaniabred tracked leader Vincent Van Gogo in second the first time around the course, took charge on the final loop, and held off Bruton Street-US’ South Mountain (Jamie Bargary) by 1¾ lengths.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

Other winners on the card were: $30,000 Theodora A. Randolph Cup, Virginia Equine Alliance Maiden Hurdle Rolling Tide’s Press Pause, trained by Doug Fout, Harry Beswick up $30,000 Virginia Equine Alliance Maiden Hurdle Gregory D. Hawkins Kiyomori, trained by Todd Wyatt, Harry Beswick up $20,000 Daniel C. Sands Cup Maiden Starter Hurdle Sycamore Run Farm’s Union General George, trained by Katherine Neilson, Parker Hendricks up $20,000 James P. McCormick Memorial Maiden Timber Stewart Strawbridge’s Lap of the Gods, trained and ridden by Parker Hendricks $25,000 Kinross Steeplethon Armata Stables’ Fashion Line, trained by Katherine Neilson, Gerrard Galligan up Oak Hill Wealth Management Training Flat S. Rebecca Shepherd’s Scanno, trained by Liam Burke, Taylor Kingsley up

International Gold Cup, October 28, 2023 An unseasonably warm autumn day did not dampen the spirit of the crowd gathered at Great Meadow in The Plains for the 40th running of the International Gold Cup. The day turned especially bright for Hall of Fame trainer Jack Fisher and jockey Graham Watters, who scored big in both feature races— the G2 $75,000 David L. “Zeke” Ferguson Hurdle Stakes and the $75,000 International Gold Cup Timber Stakes. The former was won by Bruton Street-US’ Snap Decision and the latter by Dolly Fisher’s seemingly ageless Schoodic, fresh off his victory two weeks earlier at the Virginia Fall Races in the $50,000 National Sporting Library and Museum Cup Timber Stakes. This marked Schoodic’s fourth win at Great Meadow in the past five years.

In addition to these two wins for Fisher and Watters, the duo also scored the win in another race: a $35,000 Allowance Hurdle with Bruton Street-US’ Neotropic. Watters had a fourth win on Maranto Manor LLC’s Auction Kingdom for trainer Neil Morris in the Maiden Claiming Hurdle. Fisher put Jamie Bargary in the irons on Northwood Stables’ Look North for the win in the $30,000 Virginia Equine Alliance Maiden Hurdle.

With three second place finishes and one third, the day’s results put Watters in a tie with Harry Beswick for the standings for the NSA leading rider.

In the first of the other three races on the card, Armata Stables’ Imperial Assassin scored the win in the $30,000 Virginia Equine Alliance Maiden Hurdle for trainer Katherine Neilson with her nephew Parker Hendricks in the irons.

In the Steeplethon, Ballybristol Farm’s Mercoeur enjoyed a déjà vu moment by repeating the win he scored in this challenging event back in 2016. Neil Morris trained the winner and Harry Beswick was in the irons.

Trainer/rider Parker Hendricks found some prosperity when he piloted Sanna P. Neilson’s He’ll Do to take the $30,000 American’s for Prosper- Presentation of 86th International Gold Cup: (l-r) Dr. William H. Allison, Chairman and co-race Director; Mrs. Margy Eastham Thomas (Awards ity Ratings Handicap Hurdle.

Committee); Mrs. John R. S. (Dolly) Fisher; Dr. John R.S Fisher; Graham Watters; Jack and Sheila Fisher.

International Gold Cup, Virginia Equine Alliance Maiden Hurdle Harry Beswick and Ireland’s Call parted company over the water jump. Beswick was fine and went to ride in four more races on the card, including a win in the next race, the Steeplethon Stakes. In this one, Look North (#10, Jamie Bargary, up) finished first, Hold Hard (#2, Parker Hendricks, up) was fourth.

Virginia Fall Races, Magalen O. Bryant Memorial Ratings Handicap Hurdle Trainer Larry Smith with winner Eye Of Gunfighter (Gerard Galligan, up). The win marked Smith’s 300th career victory.

Trainer Kathy Neilson celebrates with Gerard Galligan who rode Armata Stables’ Fashion Line to victory in the Kinross Steeplethon at the Virginia Fall Races.

International Gold Cup (l-r) Schoodic (Graham Watters, up) – 1st; Elusive Exclusive (Freddie Procter, up) – 3rd.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

Montpelier Races, November 4, 2023 It was another warm autumn day on November 4 for the 88th annual running of the Montpelier Hunt Races in Orange, Virginia. Anchoring the card was the $75,000 grade 2 Noel Laing Sport of Kings Hurdle Handicap. A new race was added to the card, the $50,000 Marion duPont Scott Memorial Sport of Kings Filly and Mare Hurdle Stakes.

Montpelier was home to U.S. President James Madison and later owned by racing Hall of Fame owner-breeder Marion duPont Scott. She launched the Montpelier Hunt Races in 1934. Another race on the day’s card was The Battleship Maiden Claiming Hurdle, named in honor of the steeplechaser owned by duPont, a Hall of Famer who was the first AmericanBarclay Rives, Keswick Hunt Club owned and American-bred horse to win the Whipper-In, aided Huntsman Paul WilEnglish Grand National (1938). son with the Parade of Hounds prior to The winners on the day were:

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Montpelier Races, $25,000 Madison Plate Ratings Handicap Hurdle Potus (Jamie Bargary, up) – 1st.

the day’s first race.

The Montpelier Foundation Cup Training Flat Karl W. McMillan’s Lord Donegal, trained by Neil Morris, Harry Beswick up $25,000 Madison Plate Ratings Handicap Hurdle Riverdee Stables’ Potus, trained by Jack Fisher, Jamie Bargary up $20,000 Battleship Maiden Claiming Hurdle Vivian E. Rall’s Icandothat, trained and ridden by Sean McDermott $20,000 Constitution Maiden Claiming Hurdle Celtic Venture Stable’s Factotum, trained by Joseph Davies, Teddy Davies up $30,000 Montpelier Cup Maiden Hurdle South Branch Equine LLC’s Casamo, trained and ridden by Sean McDermott $50,000 Marion duPont Scott Memorial Filly & Mare Hurdle Stakes Potter Group USA LLC’s Right Tempo, trained by Leslie Young, Jamie Bargary up $75,000 Noel Laing Sport of Kings Hurdle Handicap Wasdell Properties Ltd’s Zabeel Champion, trained by Jack Fisher, Bernie Dalton up

Montpelier Races, Battleship Maiden Claiming Hurdle Icandothat (Sean McDermott, rider and trainer) – 1st.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

FOXHUNTING Virginia Hunt Week Makes a Spirited Comeback

By Hugh Brown, MFH • Mark Jump Photos

Autumn colors blended with a sea of ratcatcher attire when Keswick Hunt Club led the Hunt Week participants from Sunny View on October 16.

A major draw of Virginia Hunt Week is the opportunity to relax and visit with fellow hunting enthusiasts from different parts of Virginia as well as from several other states. That spirit was in full force at The Preserve, one of Bull Run Hunt’s prime partying fixtures.

A half dozen smiling ladies were among the happy throng who enjoyed a day of sport when Bull Run Hunt hosted a day of Virginia Hunt Week from The Preserve, October 17, 2023. (l-r) Ina Kamenz, Moore County Hounds (NC); Stephanie Edwards, Lina Warden, and Deb Barnes, Mells Fox Hounds (TN); Angela Murray, MFH & Huntsman, Big Sky Hounds (MT); Marcella Thacker-Norman, MFH & Huntsman, Briar Creek Hounds (TX).

ALLISON HOWELL IMAGES

Equestrian & Sporting Photographer

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After a several year hiatus due to COVID and its aftermath, Virginia Hunt Week made a terrific comeback in October, 2023. Thirteen Virginia hunts each hosted a meet over a two-week period and participants could choose to visit any or all of them for one registration fee. Quite a bargain!

Inaugurated in 2000, Virginia Hunt Week is the brainchild of Dr. Rita Mae Brown, MFH who wanted foxhunters from across the world to experience the tremendous beauty and variety of the storied Virginia countryside as well as its many diverse hunt clubs and packs of foxhounds. Virginia currently boasts 22 hunts recognized by the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) – more than any other state. There are packs of every conceivable combination of American, English, PennMarydel, and Crossbred foxhounds. Virginians have so much to be proud of and so much to share. So, Virginia Hunt Week was born. Over the years, participants have come from all over the United States, as well as the United Kingdom and Ireland, to experience foxhunting in our state. This year, participants and visitors came from Tennessee, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Michigan, and Washington, DC. This year’s roster of participating hunts included old stalwarts – Bedford County Hunt, Bull Run Hunt, Caroline Hunt, Deep Run Hunt, Farmington Hunt, Keswick Hunt, Middlebrook Hounds, Oak Ridge Fox Hunt, Old Dominion Hounds, Rappahannock Hunt, and Rockbridge Hunt as well as two hunts new to the schedule – Thornton Hill Hounds and Warrenton Hunt.

To fit all those hunts onto the October schedule, Virginia Hunt Week is actually two weeks! This year, the first week featured the cold mornings and cool afternoons traditional to mid-October in Virginia – perfect for tweed jackets and even a waistcoat. It’s also traditional for temperatures to rebound at the end of the month and this year was no exception. On one unusually hot day, the Middlebrook Hounds hosted their Opening Meet & Blessing of the Hounds. Member Laura Wix Toman commented, “Thank you to those that showed up and properly dressed even though it felt like summer!”

Although temperatures stayed fairly comfortable throughout Hunt Week, jackets were excused at more than one meet for riders’ comfort. There were several days with heavy, threatening clouds and other days with abundant sunshine. There were a few days with stiff autumn winds that blew colorful leaves from the trees but also threatened to blow away the fox scent! Luckily, no meet experienced uncomfortable amounts of rain although most of the Virginia countryside could use some now that Hunt Week is over!

Thankfully, the weather didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of the Old Dominion’s fox population. Nearly every hunt reported rousing chases through their country. Red foxes and coyotes gave thrilling views to participants at many of the meets.

Hunt Week participant Ina Kamenz, member of the Moore County Hounds (NC) and Sedgefield Hunt (NC), posted her excitement for one chase on Facebook, “Full cry chase for an hour and the fox went to ground! Woohoo!” Mary Lee McDavid of the Glenmore Hunt (VA) reported, “Fabulous hound music and spectacular views all around!”

Southern hospitality was on offer at every meet during Virginia Hunt Week.

Most hunts offered a Stirrup Cup with some liquid courage (for those so inclined) and a light snack before the meet and a bountiful, autumn-themed tailgate after the hunt. The Rockbridge Hunt even had live music at their tailgate!

After the first week of hunting, Deb Barnes, member of the Mells Foxhounds (TN), who travelled from middle Tennessee to Virginia with several other members of her hunt, reported that “I have had so many adventures this week with my great friends. Full cry, hard gallops, beautiful vistas, great hound work, and yummy food.

What a week!”

Riders and foot followers were treated to a wide variety of foxhound packs and their unique music. Each pack had a different look and sound. Whether hunting through dense covert or running full cry across open fields, chasing fox or coyote, the hound music of Hunt Week was spine tingling!

Deb Barnes summed up the feelings of most of the participants when she said “Nothing better than riding with best friends! Loving Virginia Hunt week! Beautiful, beautiful scenery, great sport and wonderful new friends!”

Rumor has it that Virginia Hunt Week will return next year. Mark your calendar now for mid-October 2024 for a week—or two—of fabulous foxhunting and fellowship in the beautiful state of Virginia.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

Inaugural Kansas Hunt Week: A Resounding Success

By Dr. Steven Thomas, MFH/Huntsman

The Ottawa Valley Hunt celebrates its 150th Anniversary

By Jennifer Stewart, MFH

Day Two of Kansas Hunt Week, September 26, 2023, in the Flint Hills at the Division Ranch with Midland Fox Hounds, the guest pack. (l-r) Tiffany Evitts, Midland WhipperIn; Ken George, Midland Huntsman; Jim Beisel, Flint Hills Hunt Master and Huntsman; Dr. Steven Thomas, Fort Leavenworth Hunt Master and Huntsman. Mark Jump photo

The inaugural Kansas Hunt Week was everything the organizers had hoped it would be! Members and guests, representing 16 different hunts across the country came to Kansas to enjoy riding behind three packs of hounds that worked hard in hot and dry conditions. Nevertheless, good sport was enjoyed across the vast plains of the Flint Hills and the wooded, hilly Missouri River valley of the Leavenworth area. The guest pack, the Midland Fox Hounds, came in full force with master Mason Hardaway Lampton, huntsman Ken George, whipper-in Tiffany Evitts, and a host of supporters making the trip half way across the US to show off their phenomenal hounds.

Local co-hosting hunt, the Flint Hills Hunt, started the week with a fabulous ride across thousands of beautiful acres of prairie near historic Mattfield Green, Kansas. One of the goals of the event was to support local businesses and expose our guests to the vast expanse of Kansas. So, after a great day of riding, everyone flocked to a small restaurant in the town of Strong City to enjoy local cuisine.

Tuesday showcased the Midland Fox Hounds on the beautiful Division and Mulvane ranches where a coyote was found early and 17 couple of hounds came together beautifully for a 57-minute chase that resulted in the quarry leaving the country and hounds settling into a cool creek for a much-needed drink.

Wednesday was technically a bye day, but FHH huntsman Jim Beisel never misses an opportunity to take his farmer’s pack out to show sport to anyone who will go! Those that went had several views as the wily coyotes hugged the borders and left country when pressed.

Thursday the group moved to eastern Kansas to the Fort Leavenworth Hunt fixture hosted by our members, Ted and Dawn Staver. It was another hot and dry day but hounds put together some short runs and frequent water breaks were necessary. Everyone enjoyed jumping through the paneled country that is a stark contrast to the prairie just a few hours away.

Friday was back to the Division/Mulvane ranches with the Midland Fox Hounds who, once again, quickly found a coyote in warm, dry, and very windy conditions. After a monumental run where the entire pack followed a line that was 300 yards down-wind of the coyote, because of the “breeze”, the quarry once again left the country. Afterward, another local restaurant was invaded by foxhunters!

The week concluded on Saturday at FLH’s primary fixture, the McGuire hunt country. This beautiful area was put together by former master and huntsman Lee McGuire, who continues to bless us with his support. It was another hot and humid day where hounds found and lost lines, with much jumping and many water breaks.

The day concluded with a slow-pushed coyote leaving country, under the view of staff, to be hunted another day. Hounds were easily stopped and hacked back to the clubhouse for closing celebrations and thanks to the organizers, hosting hunts, staff, supporters and, mostly, the guests who traveled from far and wide to follow wonderful hounds across beautiful country.

Kansas Hunt Week will be back next year, so don’t miss out on your chance to see what so many just fly over!

Mark your calendars for October 7-12, 2024.

On the final day of Kansas Hunt Week, at the McGuire’s fixture in Easton, KS, Fort Leavenworth Hunt Senior Whipper-In Lucy Hirsch, DVM, and Dennis Goodwin, Whipper-In Trainee, caught a close-up view of an obliging coyote.

Allison Howell photo

Jamie Hughes, Ottawa Valley’s Huntsman and joint-master, led the way on October 20, 2023 to kick off the first of two hunting days for the club’s 150 th Festival Celebration. Following him are Hilary Popiel, Ottawa Valley joint-MFH; three ladies from Wellington-Waterloo Hunt (in scarlet, yellow collars): Pat von Esch MFH and Kris Baker, who share huntsmen duties; and whipper-in Paula Dupuy, DVM. Michele Leboldus photo In 1873, the Ottawa Valley Hunt (OVH) was recognized as a hunt by the Marquis of Dufferin, Canada’s Governor General at the time. In its beginning the hunt was only open to gentlemen riders. It was an aristocratic sport with an array of titles in the hunt field, supported by the “citizenry” who would show up in carriages and on foot to follow the hunt.

The 150th celebrations highlighted the differences that time has brought to bear, including drag hunting, lady masters, juniors who are front and centre, including one riding first field in side-saddle, and collegiality, mutual support, and a well-defined emergency protocol taking over from aristocratic privilege.

The celebrations started with the raising of the OVH and Canada flags (the Canada flag was one that had flown over the Parliament Buildings) and featured a Hunt Festival from October 19 to 22. 170 members from 5 hunts participated in the Festival, which included two hunts with fields of up to 90 riders, and a gala in memory of Tommy Cavanagh, who passed in 2019. Tommy was a prominent construction mogul in Ottawa. He was an anchor landowner in terms of providing territory for the OVH to hunt and his family is continuing that tradition.

Although the beautiful hunt weather on the Friday Hunt deteriorated to cold and rain on the Sunday hunt, it did not deter the OVH guests and members, who enjoyed spectacular riding and jumping over 25 square kilometres of territory, with no accidents or injuries. The OVH pack of hounds, a mix of crossbreds and Penn-Marydels, worked with hounds from Wellington Waterloo Hunt, to put on two exciting drag hunts, which took full advantage of the trails, obstacles and wide open cropped fields. Tired but happy riders enjoyed delicious hunt breakfasts and the gala dinner, catered by Chef Ric of the Ottawa Mission. Local celebrity Wayne Rostad composed a special song in honour of Tommy Cavanagh, which had everyone clapping and joining in.

All in all, the celebrations were a great success and a testament to how a hunt continues to flourish by evolving with the times.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

A Fox Hunt Event for Everyone

By Marti Manser, Joint Master Santa Fe Hunt

OPENING MEETS

Following the success of this year’s Hunt Week in Bryce Canyon, Utah, hosted September 26-30 by California’s Santa Fe Hunt, plans are now underway to host the event twice in 2024. A spring hunt will be held April 29-May 5, and a fall hunt September 1720. These events are open to everyone, regardless of riding ability, and horses can be rented locally. Bring friends and family. There’s a lot to do at Bryce Canyon even for those who don’t ride.

The dramatic landscape of Bryce Canyon Josh Warren, accompanied by his wife Kate and their daughter Lily, at his first Bryce Canyon is stunning National Park provides a striking backdrop to the huntwith dramatic pinyon pine ing action when Santa Fe Hunt hosts their Hunt Week Opening Meet as Huntsman for Loudoun Fairfax Hunt at the Overbrook Clubhouse, November 5, 2023. Middleburg Photo forests, red canyons, open galevents there. Gretchen Pelham photo loping country, and abundant wildlife. Over past years, riders have viewed coyotes, had an 800 pound bull elk run with the whips, and a herd of bucking horses come to check out first field. We even had a few curious rodeo bulls stop by for a visit.

Next year there will be two full hunt days over rugged terrain of local ranches and lush forests. On non-hunt days, we offer epic trail rides through the iconic slot canyons with breathtaking views.

If you have never hunted and are curious, or you simply want to ride a horse in Bryce Canyon, this event is for you. Experienced foxhunters will be on hand to offer guidance and advice to those who are new to the sport, making this the perfect opportunity for anyone interested to learn more.

For those who don’t ride or want additional adventure, there are ATVs, hiking trails, and mountain biking. As the sun sets, the entire group will gather for live music or a chuck wagon ride, and of course, a delicious meal.

On November 5, 2023, five ladies recalled the days of yore at Overbrook, Loudoun Don’t miss your chance to join the Santa Fe Hounds for this incredible oppor- Fairfax Hunt’s clubhouse, where the history of Opening Meets runs deep. (l-r) Hantunity to ride in Bryce Canyon. For more information, contact www.santafehunt.com nah Rogers, Heather Heider, Rita Kaseman, Michele Johns, Amy McNeely. or MarianCerilly@gmail.com.

Middleburg Photo

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11_IAHC-Will.indd 1

11/3/23 4:10 PM

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

19

FIELD HUNTERS Laura Sloan Takes “Forthegreatergood” From TB Makeover Win to North American Field Hunter Championship

Laura Sloan of Moore County Hounds and “Forthegreatergood” (aka “Dom”), Grand Champion, 2023 Theodora A. Randolph North American Field Hunter Championship, posed with Amy McNeely who chaired the event to great success. This was Amy’s first year in the leadership position following Karyn Wilson’s retirement from that post.

Joanne Maisano photo

Sandra Ranke and La Dauphin, representing Goshen Hunt, were selected as the Reserve Champion pair. Joanne Maisano photo

Laura and Dom on their way to winning the 2021 Thoroughbred Makeover Grand Champion title at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Laura Palazzolo/CanterClix photo

In December of 2020, “Forthegreatergood” (aka “Dom”) had only recently concluded his racing career when he came into Laura Sloan’s life. Laura was looking for a suitable candidate to take into the 2021 Thoroughbred Makeover Competition, scheduled for mid-October at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Many readers of this publication are familiar with Laura. A highly skilled professional, she’s trained countless horses for the foxhunting field and other disciplines. Her CV includes the award of colors from six different hunts. She hunted and trained in Virginia for 17 years at Blue Ridge, Piedmont Fox Hounds, and Loudoun West.

In 2017 she accepted a position with Richard Verrilli, ex-MFH of Millbrook. His wife, Donna, was familiar with the Thoroughbred Makeover Competition and, when he passed away at the end of 2020, she felt one way to honor her late husband would be to produce a horse that could compete in the Field Hunter category of the 2021 competition.

By that time, Donna had sold the farm in New York and moved the entire operation, including Laura and the horses, to the family’s winter quarters in Southern Pines, where Moore County Hounds are based.

Laura started making inquiries among her extensive list of contacts. Catherine Stimpson said she had a horse just off the track that might be worth considering. Laura thought he’d make a good prospect so Donna Verrilli bought the 2015 gray/roan gelding, bred and raced in Maryland by Donna Lockard.

“Dom came like most horses just off the track—head up and ready to run,” Laura said.

“I didn’t have the time to turn him out first to unwind. He came with his racing plates, so if he was turned out, it couldn’t have been for long.”

For the next eight months, Laura and Dom worked steadily to prepare for the Makeover.

And then October came and it was off to Kentucky.

The TB Makeover Competition consists of ten disciplines. Laura and Dom were in the Field Hunter Class which they won handily. And when the judges had conferred on the overall Grand Champion, the nod went to “Forthegreatergood.”

Now, two years later, Dom can add another award to his CV with his win as the Grand Champion of the 2023 Theodora A. Randolph North American Field Hunter Championship.

Actually, two awards as he was also selected for the Matthew Mackay-Smith Award for the highest placing Thoroughbred at the finals.

“He’s been hunting, eventing, and showing in the hunters and the jumpers since the makeover,” Laura says. “He really loves to be busy so it is definitely fun! One thing that is kind of interesting is that mostly when I hunt him, we go second field. Hunting with Moore County is amazing and the hounds are so awesome and the territory is really fun. However, all the jumps have go arounds. So I kind of have a hard time jumping when I really don’t have to. So coming up to Virginia is always such a great thrill and he was really wonderful all week!”

Qualifying meets were hosted during the week prior to the finals by Middleburg Hunt, Bull Run Hunt, Orange County Hounds, and Old Dominion Hounds. The resultant field of qualifiers then gathered at Glenwood Park in Middleburg on Saturday morning prior to the Virginia Fall Races. The number of qualifiers this year was smaller than usual with 15 horseand-rider pairs. Usually, a larger field is whittled down to ten for the final test. But this year it was decided to allow all 15 participate in the test.

When the judging was over, the Grand Championship went to “Forthegreatergood,” along with the Matthew Mackay-Smith Award.

Sandra Ranke’s La Dauphin, representing Goshen Hunt, was chosen as Reserve Champion.

Laura gives high praise to Amy McNeely, who chaired this year’s event, and the many other volunteers who helped make it happen. “Amy and each hunt did such an awesome job of showing great sport,” Laura says, “and were so welcoming! I have always loved this competition and it was just so much fun to participate in it.”

And it will be fun to see what future awards are added to Dom’s growing collection.

We have a feeling this pair isn’t done yet.

20

RACING

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • HOLIDAY 2023

Horses and People to Watch Virginia Equine Alliance

Virginia-Bred Gigante Pulls Big Upset In G2 Secretariat Stakes at Colonial Downs Iapetus Racing and Diamond T Racing’s Virginia-bred Gigante made his triumphant return to the winner’s circle by pulling a massive 22-1 upset victory August 12 in the G2 $500,000 Secretariat Stakes at Colonial Downs. The race was being held in Virginia for the first time, making the victory for the Commonwealth that much sweeter.

Gigante, the 2022 Virginia-bred Champion 2-year-old, was ridden by Javier Castellano for trainer Steve Asmussen and covered the one-mile over firm turf in 1:35.10.

He is a 3-yearold son of Not This Time and was bred in Virginia by Ann Mudge Backer and Smitten Farm. Colonial Downs was the starting point for Gigante. He broke his maiden in New Kent one year ago on the dirt and subsequently Gigante edges Nagirroc in the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes demolished a field of (Grade 2) at Colonial Downs. Coady Photography seven rivals in the Kitten’s Joy Stakes on turf.

••••• Set Piece Sets Stakes and Course Record in Grade 1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs Juddmonte’s Set Piece powered his way to a course and stakes record of 1:58.19 in the Grade 1 Arlington Million August 12 at Colonial Downs, a 1¼ mile stakes that was held in Virginia for the first time after having all but two of its previous editions at Arlington Park, where the prior stakes record had been 1:58.69, set by Awad in 1995.

This year’s Million represented the first Grade 1 win for the Brad Cox-trained victor, who ran fourth in this race last year at Churchill Downs; he earned $582,800 to boost his bankroll to $1,686,904.

••••• Fev Rover Wins Grade 1 Beverly D at Colonial Downs; Punches Ticket to Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf Tracy Farmer’s Irish-bred Fev Rover earned an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf courtesy of a gate-to-wire effort in the $500,000 Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Win & You’re In race, one of two graded under card stakes on Colonial’s “Million Day” card.

Fev Rover took a solid third previously in the G1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga, finishing just one-half Fev Rover captures the $500,000 length off the pace, which followed a solid 4½ length score in the G2 Beverly D Stakes (Grade 1) at Colonial Downs August 12. Coady Photography Nassau Stakes at Woodbine. Javier Castellano rode the Beverly D winner for trainer Mark Casse who had a stable based in New Kent for the first time.

“In the Diana, she showed that she belonged,” said Casse. “She came back in two weeks after beating a pretty good group in the Nassau. Allen Jerkens always told me, ‘I don’t understand trainers. They want to give horses a rest when they’re running good. Give them a rest instead when they are running bad,’ so I run them. The Diana performance told me she was a Breeders’ Cup horse.”

••••• Integration, Thirty Thou Kelvin Capture Virginia Derby, Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs The September 9 Virginia Derby Day program at Colonial Downs showcased stars from across the country competing in six turf stakes races for a combined $1.3 million in stakes purse money.

West Point Thoroughbred and Woodford Racing LLC’s Integration came flying down the center of the track to get the best of Program Trading in the $500,000 G3

Derby. Covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.41 over a firm outer turf course, the 3-yearold trained by Shug McGaughey set a course record, .06 seconds faster than Flippant’s effort set Aug 31, 2021.

SJB Stable’s Thirty Thou Kelvin was headed in the stretch but dug deep to come back to win the $250,000 Virginia Oaks by a neck. She covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.04.

Three other stakes winners on the Derby Day card all advanced to the Breeders’ Cup Championships at Santa Anita November 3-4. Patricia’s Hope LLC’s Nobals got up in the last jump over Alogon to win the $150,000 Da Hoss Stakes by a head and will now compete in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Wertheimer and Frere’s Tok Tok held on late to win the $125,000 Kitten’s Joy Stakes for 2-year-olds. The son of Quality Road advances to the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. And Bregman Family Racing and WWBD LLC’s Irish-bred No Nay Mets tallied his third stakes victory in the $125,000 Rosie’s Stakes. Next up is the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Interestingly, Four Wheel Drive—the 2019 Rosies Stakes winner—went on to win the same stakes that year which was also held at Santa Anita.

••••• Timbercreek Farm Virginia-Certified Fillies Earn Grand Champion & Reserve Champion Honors at the VA Breeders Fund Yearling Futurity The 22nd annual Virginia Breeders Fund Yearling Futurity was held September 5 at the Warrenton Horse Show Grounds, which again saw solid participation from over twenty different breeders who were competing for $40,000 in awards.

The event was judged by Maryland trainer Brittany Russell, who compared each entrant’s, conformation, quality, substance, and suitability to become racehorses. The top Yearling Futurity Grand Champion was a 2022 two finishers in each un-named bay by Vino Rosso owned by Sara Miller. VEA photo of the four classes returned to compete for Futurity Grand Champion and Champion Reserve honors.

The Grand Champion, winner of the Virginia Certified Fillies class, was a 2022 Un-named bay by Vino Rosso out of Astral Favor by Astrology. She is owned by Timbercreek Farm’s Sara Miller. Reserve Champion honors went to the second-place finisher in the same category—an Un-named bay by Practical Joke out of Empire Lady

by Empire Maker—also owned by Sara Miller and Timbercreek Farm.

••••• Petes For Real Finishes 3-for-3 In Virginia Harness Breeder’s Championships at Shenandoah Downs; Scores In $85,250 Final Pam Wagner’s (Fairfax, VA) Petes For Real completed a sweep of his Virginia Breeder’s divisional championship series with a big win in the $85,025 2-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace, one of eight title races for freshman and sophomore pacers and trotters of both sexes that were contested on the October 29 card. A total of $802,200 was distributed—the richest card in Virginia harness racing history.

Champions Day marked the end of Shenandoah Downs’ fall season. Combined with its first ever spring meet earlier this year, the Woodstock oval offered 28 days of pari-mutuel racing over a 14-week period evenly split between spring and fall. A 7week spring campaign is planned for April 6 - May 19, 2024 pending Virginia Racing Commission approval.

Petes For Real swept his three-leg Breeder’s Series at Shenandoah Downs.

Quenton Egan photo

knowledge for us all.” Illustrated by beautiful artwork

JENNY’S PICKS By now some of you already know that Penguin Random House misjudged the number of Rita Mae Brown’s books that should be published, and that they ran out. I’ll shoulder the blame for Horse Country’s not having the first run; by the time this newspaper gets to you, we should have our order in. To all who were disappointed at our booksigning—which was a great success if only for the good food and the presence of the author to give a good talk— I apologize.

Carreon, Blue. Equestrian Life in the Hamptons. Now this is a coffee table book! Roughly 12x10” in size, you’ll want a table to browse the photos of the equine life in the hallowed grounds of the Hamptons. Spend awhile to savor the photographs, black and white and color, decades old to the vibrant present—it’s a lovely book. A great gift, it’s also one you’ll proudly display on your coffee table, even if you’ve never been to Long Island. (I didn’t even know the Hamptons were on Long Island!) Hardcover, 275pp. $65.00

HORSE COUNTRY rather than photographs, each variety is described “at a as to geographic location, growing location, charB O O K S E L L E R S glance” acteristics, and primary use in a sidebar adjoining more Specialists in New, Old & Rare Books on Horses, Foxhunting, Eventing, Polo, Racing, Steeplechasing & Sporting Art 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186

800-882-HUNT • 540-347-3141 his army northward. Gettysburg was not the intended target; Stuart’s target was farther north, where he expected to meet Lee. But foraging troops on both sides encountered each other in the small town that proved to be the downfall of the Confederate thrust, often called “the highwater mark of the Confederacy.” The author includes the horse artillery of both sides in his appraisal of the cavalry action, with good reason: the use of mounted artillery lent great impact to the effectiveness of a cavalry attack. While Stuart had lost his famed and favorite artillerist, John Pelham, in March when the Federals crossed at Kelly’s Ford, Pelham had able successors in such officers as Beckham, Breathed and Chew. The Federals had good artillerists as well. This book looks as if it will find an honored place beside the great account of the Brandy Station affair: Clash of Cavalry by Fairfax Downey. A review of the Notes at the back of the book reveals the extent of research the author made to produce this excellent book. Hardcover, 435pp. $32.95

Haskin, Steve. Tales from the Triple Crown. This selection of stories involving the three races of the Triple Crown was written by a man who was a correspondent for the Daily Racing Form and The Blood-Horse. Most of the chosen pieces were events that Haskin himself observed or was present for. He presents readers with emotions ranging from tear-filled elation for winners to the horrified shock of Barbaro’s breakdown in the Preakness. The book is an easy read that, for those of us with many decades behind us, will bring back memories of the greats of yore.

Since most of us never get beyond the spectators’ stands, Dorr, Alex. The Little Book of Mushrooms. When I was this also provides a peek into the actions in the stable area growing up, the only mushrooms I knew were the little button mushrooms in cans or the white caps in the produce of a racetrack. Paperback, 260pp. $21.95 section. But as American taste grew to experiment with Murphy, Daniel. Horse Soldiers at Gettysburg. By the more unusual fungi, different shapes began showing up in time the battle of Gettysburg was fought, Union cavalry- the stores. Venturous souls began searching the fields and men had learned enough horsemanship to pose a severe forests for other edible varieties. Numerous books have obstacle to the Confederate cavalry, whose supply of good been published regarding varieties both deadly poisonous horses was rapidly diminishing. Murphy follows both and edible. This is a little different—it is “dedicated to the sides beginning with the battle of Brandy Station, Virginia, fungi,” and under the acknowledgements, “I want to thank where J.E.B. Stuart had a hard time just before Lee started the mushrooms for being a source of inspiration and

information. Perhaps most intriguing are the names of the different varieties, some not exactly enticing as edible items: would you try basket stinkhorn, caterpillar fungus, dead man’s fingers, zombie-ant fungus? Actually, it would be better to steer clear of that lot; only caterpillar fungus is safely used—and it’s a Chinese medicinal fungus that’s highly fought over in that country. This is an interesting book that one might enjoy (1) if you’re thinking about hunting your own; or (2) if you are, like me, fascinated by the many things on this earth that exist. It is small enough to use as a field guide, though I think I’d rather have a guide with photographs to make sure of what I was looking at. Hardcover, 255pp. $17.99 Small, Mark; and Jack Shoulder. Museum Bums. Every once in a while Marion latches onto a very different sort of book to pique the interests of our readers. In this case it’s artistic backsides, from paintings to sculpture with a little photography thrown in. If you’re prudish, you probably won’t enjoy this one, but hey, it’s art, and I wouldn’t consider much of it as lewd. I mean, Michelangelo’s David? It’s mostly pictures, a little text to identify its location. And it’s mostly backsides – the subtitle is “A Cheeky Look at Butts in Art.” Hardcover, 160pp. $19.95 We have restocked the revised Judging Hunters & Equitation by Julie Winkel and Tricia Booker. If you haven’t bought a copy yet, I can still recommend it as “the definitive book on judging for riders, trainers, parents, and licensed officials” as the subtitle advertises. Hardcover, 214pp. $45.00 We also have restocked the occasionally racy romance novels of Laurie Berglie (you might not want your preteen reading these) that deal with women and horses and lovers in the horse country from Lexington to Maryland: Taking Off, Kicking On, Where the Bluegrass Grows, and All On, the last involving foxhunting. Prices range from $9.99 to $11.99.

OPENING MEETS

Huntsman Graham Buston and Professional Whipper-In Jack Plaskitt bring hounds up for Blue Ridge Hunt’s Opening Meet at Carter Hall, October 28, 2023. Liz Callar photo

Huntsman Matt van der Woude leads hounds of the Warrenton Hunt down the lane at Elway for Opening Meet, November 4, 2023. Jordan Koepke photo

Cynthia Daily escorted Carter Sikorski on his pony Minnie at Old Dominion Hounds Opening Meet at High Meadows, October 28, 2023.

Scott Canard photo

Janet Boots reflects the time-honored Opening Day traditions that have continued at Warrenton Hunt since the club was established in 1887.

Jordan Koepke photo

It’s serendipitous when your horse and hounds are color-coordinated. Orange County Hounds Opening Meet, November 4, 2023. Liz Callar photo

OPENING MEETS

Joint-MFH Martina Lussi, Green Mountain Hounds, Quiet Valley Farm, Shoreham, VT, September 24, 2023.

Eric Schneider photo

Live Oak Hounds Opening Meet, October 28. 2023. Mark Jump photo

Huntsman Samantha Stevens, Myopia Hunt, Myopia Hunt Clubhouse, Hamilton, MA, September 23, 2023. Eric Schneider photo

Huntsman Rachel Duffy, Wentworth Hunt, Prodigue Farm, Kensington, NH, September 30, 2023. Eric Schneider photo

Rose Tree – Blue Mountain Hounds Huntsman Sean Cully, MFH, moves along with hounds followed by Brian Kiely, former Huntsman and MFH at Potomac Hunt, and Brad Cully, Professional Whipper-in at Middleburg Hunt. Opening Meet, November 5, 2023.

Old Dominion Hounds joint-masters strike off at their Opening Meet, High Meadows, October 28, 2023. (l-r) Les Moeller, Kim Poe, Dawn Colgan, Debbie Welch.

Karen Kandra photo

Steve Vorpahl photo