Large Animal Rescue Fundraising Trail Ride

Sporting Life Highlights

Charlie Seilheimer Retires as Montpelier Hunt Races Chairman

Charlie Seilheimer, who has served as chairman of the Montpelier Hunt Races since 1997, will step down from that position at the end of this year. During his 25 years as chairman, Seilheimer achieved significant improvements in the fortunes of this event, held on the first Saturday in November on the grounds of the historic home of James and Dolley Madison. Attendance now averages 18,000 spectators and the money generated by the event helps support the upkeep of the fourth US president’s home. Part of Seilheimer’s success was achieved by getting the local community more involved in the races. Although stepping down as Montpelier’s chairman, he will continue to serve as a member of the board.

In October, 2016, the Large Animal Rescue team was dispatched to Boutetort County, VA, where a horse was stranded in a hayloft. The crew had the expertise and equipment to get the horse safely back onto terra firma. Photo Courtesy of Carol Witt Pugh

Currently serving as Co-Director of Racing, David Perdue will move up to the chairmanship when Seilheimer’s retirement becomes effective. Perdue is a member of Keswick Hunt Club and serves on the Board of Governors. A steeplechase horse owner, with a win at last fall’s Foxfield Races, Perdue has an impressive record of historic preservation and land conservation efforts.

In appreciation of his many years of service, the Board of Directors commissioned a portrait by English artist Jim Power, SEA, of Mr. Seilheimer at his job in the Winner’s Circle as a retirement gift. Photo courtesy of the Montpelier Hunt Races

A Celebration of Western Hunting May 12 – 21, 2023

Hosted by Big Sky Hounds, Miles City, Montana. Four days of foxhunting, ranch rides and rodeo, stirrup cups and socials, dinners and dancing, plus the World-Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale - Cowboy Mardi Gras, and live horse racing. For details and to register: www.BigSkyHounds.com.

Museum of Hounds & Hunting Plans for Memorial Weekend Events

The Museum of Hounds and Hunting NA will open the 2023 exhibit Saturday, May 26, Memorial Day weekend, to foxhunters. The exhibition opens Sunday, May 27, to the public. Featured exhibits include Sewickly Hunt’s 100th anniversary, new sculptures, and art. The MHHNA reception for members and their guests will be Saturday, May 27, at 6pm, Morven Park Mansion, Leesburg, Virginia. For information contact Nancy Bedford, Chairman, 540-454-1257.

COVER PHOTO: Mark Jump

PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Denny Bowmar

Zara Brooks

Liz Callar

Coady Photography

Elliot Conway

Quenton Eagan

Werner Ernst

Janet Hitchen

On the cover: Huntsman Tony Gammell was kept busy providing multiple days of sport when South Carolina’s Lowcountry Hunt hosted Plantation Hunt Weekend, January 13-15, 2023.

Allison Howell

Mark Jump

Karen Kandra

The Little Fork VFRC, based in Rixeyville, VA, is home to a specialized unit trained in technical rescues of horses and cows. Typical situations involve such things as a horse or cow becoming stuck in deep mud or water, trapped in ice, down in a stall or paddock and unable to get up, etc. In one notable case, a horse had managed to climb stairs into a hayloft and then couldn’t get back down.

To help support this all-volunteer unit, a benefit trail ride will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2023 at Three Oaks Farm in Rixeyville. An extensive system of marked trails allows riders to go at their own pace through the woods and open country. For full details and to download the registration form, visit www.littleforkvfrc.org/2023-benefit-trail-ride.com.

Rita Mae Brown Calls on Foxhunters to Support Juniors

Dr. Rita Mae Brown, MFH, Oak Ridge Fox Hunt, was the featured speaker at the annual Virginia Foxhound Club meeting, February 12, 2023. In her inspiring talk, Dr. Brown called on foxhunters to be more proactive in providing opportunities for youngsters to learn about hunting with hounds. She cited the developments in technology now available and encouraged the senior hunting community to employ new channels to reach the tech-savvy generation.

Many hunts are actively supporting juniors, including local Pony Clubs, as the photos on page 3 show. But there’s no denying we could all be doing more to reach a broader audience of young people. Today’s juniors will one day be the stewards of the countryside and the keepers of our hounds’ descendents. Let’s all work harder to provide them with ample opportunities to grow in the awareness of and appreciation for the sport.

Greg Knight

Doug Lees

Camden Littleton

Joanne Maisano

Tim McKee

Carol Witt Pugh

Teresa Ramsay

Leslie Threlkeld

VEA

ILLUSTRATION

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Contributors: J. Harris Anderson, Lauren Giannini, Will O’Keefe, Osmun, Virginia Equine Alliance, Jenny Young

LAYOUT & DESIGN: Kate Houchin

Copyright © 2023 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXXV, No. 1

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KIDS, HOUNDS & PONIES

Beverly Chappell, in proper junior turnout and perfectly composed, enjoyed a day of sport when Thornton Hill Hounds hosted the Rappahannock Hunt for a joint meet from Mountain View in Woodville, VA, November 13, 2022.

Colleen Roberts, wife of Middleburg Hunt’s Huntsman Richard Roberts, conferred with Ashley (left) and Leslie Greenwell after they helped release hounds from the trailer when the hunt met at Foxcroft on January 21, 2023. Ashley and Leslie are the children of Brandy and Nick Greenwell. Brandy says, “They are car followers extraordinaire with Middleburg and love when Ms. Colleen lets them release the hounds. Future foxhunters for sure.” Liz

One of Blue

Hunt’s hounds got some special love from a young spectator when the local community was invited to gather at Longbranch on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2022.