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SPORTSMAN
IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • JUNE/JULY 2011
James J. Culleton, MFH, MB, MBH: A Remembrance John J. Carle II, ex-MFH
On April 9, 2011, the sport of hunting with respectively, with Tommy hunting both foot hounds, especially with foxhounds, lost a great packs. supporter and cherished friend when James J. Throughout his career, Jim believed that huntCulleton, MFH, MB, MBH, died at his Reedy ing is not a sport for the elite, but a sport for Creek Farm in McKenney, Virgina. He was a everyone; and in that spirit, no child or adult was unique individual, and it is doubtful that we will turned away for lack of funds. There are myriad see his like again. Under the Reedy Creek banner, chores in the barn, kennel and on the farm where Jim supported packs of foxhounds, beagles and people worked off lessons, board bills and even bassets, all of which excelled in the field, at field the price of a horse. Many people who began in trials, and in the show ring. Brooklyn followed Jim to Scranton, and later to Born July 5, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York, McKenney. The man inspired fierce loyalty. where his father operated a large stable, Jim Although he loved to play the curmudgeon, began hunting at age six on Long Island at Jim was a kind and forgiving man, who loved his Meadow Brook during its final years, then with hounds, horses and friends, and who had a soft Smithtown, and later with the Suffolk Hunt. After spot for children and young animals. Michelle taking over his father’s stable, Jim began to hunt Olgers noted that on many an unguarded moment in New Jersey with the Hidden Hollow Hunt, she had seen her gruff mentor cuddling his pupwhipping-in to the colorful Michael J. Torply, pies. Esq., MFH. Not only did Jim hunt, but every In 2010 everyone noted that Jim was “off his weekend he brought 30 to 40 people from feed,” and shortly he was diagnosed with pancreBrooklyn who might never otherwise have atic cancer. Undaunted by even so formidable a James J. Culleton, MFH, opening meet 2010. enjoyed the thrills of hunting, and whose capping foe, Jim strode into battle with a gunfighter’s fees were instrumental in keeping the hunt viable. At the urging of his friend Fred swagger, with never a thought of concession, and even near the end, never concedGetty, MFH, Jim convinced Mr. Torply to bring his hounds to join Getty’s Suffolk ing defeat. He continued to hunt as much as possible between biweekly chemotherHunt in New York’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. They were likely the only packs of apy sessions. On Opening Meet he led First Flight with all of his old dash and foxhounds ever to participate, and did so for several years. Also from Suffolk Jim aplomb, his face wreathed in his mischievous grin. Jim’s last hunt, on February procured a draft of hounds – of which “Sherman” and “Saddler” were the standouts 26th from home, was his young pack’s best hunt ever, and he led the hilltoppers, – to bolster the hunting ability of the Hidden Hollow pack. Jim soon became pres- keeping them in the epicenter of the action all day. Hounds ran hard for over three ident of the hunt, and held that position for many years. hours. Their first pilot was a huge, handsome red fox, and hounds sorely tested his By the mid-eighties, Jim wanted to get out of Brooklyn, so he retired from his endurance for the majority of the day. When “Charlie” finally sought sanctuary, the job with the New York City school system, sold the barn, and, with his best friend Reedy Creek lovelies quickly put a grey gentleman on his feet and gave him all the and partner, Tom McElduff, moved to farming country near Scranton, PA, where he fun he wanted, to finish the day with a flourish. When asked to describe the day, bought “Baily Hollow Farm.” Jim’s mother’s family hailed from the area, and here First Whipper-In Jan Buckley gushed, “It was so exciting, fantastic! Forty hounds he had enjoyed many an idyllic childhood summer. Jim and Tommy built a large flying! And the cry…the music…it was better than sex!” The pack that Jim had stable, where they bought, sold, trained, showed and boarded horses. Jim was a worked with so long and hard had truly come together. Led by an extraordinary lovely rider, with the rare gift for getting on with difficult horses, those who would Young Entry, the product of this dedicated hound man’s meticulous breeding protrust no one else. His infinite patience with horses not only resulted in many satis- gram, the future looks bright indeed. All day Jim’s signature aura of exuberance fied owners, it also helped make him an excellent instructor. He had the Pied and a beatific smile gave ample proof of his joy and pride. He never hunted again. Piper’s touch with children, and many a fine rider today has Jim to thank. Jim went into the hospital shortly after, and soon came home, insisting that In 1986 Jim reactivated the Abingdon Hills Hunt, which had closed down dur- everything at Reedy Creek carry on as always (“…even if…” he said). Toward that ing WWII. After building a nice kennel, Jim acquired a large draft of mostly end he made Tommy McElduff his Joint Master. Although he couldn’t attend, Jim Crossbred hounds. According to Fred Getty, what Jim inherited was an unbeliev- heard the clarion cry of his beloved black and tans as they pushed a fox at Closing ably unruly mob of hounds. Said Getty, “You wouldn’t believe the amount of work Meet, when a member Jim did; it was monumental. But he did it; he made that bunch into a real pack, a brought home a tape pack to be proud of.” Jim, indeed, had a gift with hounds as well and, as Huntsman, recording. he showed good sport to a large cadre of followers. However, in 1987, Jim had a In the end, at crashing fall, breaking several ribs. Unable to hunt hounds, he handed the horn to peace with his life and Tom McElduff. From age 14 Tommy had hung out at the Brooklyn stable, showing his Lord, and assured in equitation classes and graduating to jumpers. And, of course, hunting. From the by the knowledge that start, Tommy proved to be a natural and, with Jim’s support and encouragement, the future of his lovely has carried the horn ever since. hounds was secure, Jim Severe winters shortened the hunting season around Scranton, and Jim began passed gently. Good talking about Virginia. Michelle Olgers, another Brooklyn “barn rat” who had fol- Hunting, my friend. lowed Jim to Pennsylvania and, after college, lived at “Baily Hollow,” decided to “beat Jim to it,” as she said. She moved to Virginia, where she helped found – and hunted – the Colonial Fox Hounds. During this time she found land in Southside •••• Virginia’s McKenney, and Jim moved south. Note: In the After building a thirty-stall barn and kennels at Reedy Creek Farm, Jim and O c t o b e r / N o v e m b e r James J. Culleton, MFH, cubhunting with Reedy Creek Hounds, 2009. Tommy began building a Penn-Marydel pack with hounds from Pennsylvania’s issue of In and Around Joan Dougherty, Fred Getty – now relocated in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia Horse Country I inadvertently referred to Hidden Hollow as Windy Hollow. My sin– and a generous draft of black and tans from Bob Crompton’s Andrews Bridge cere apologies to anyone whom my carelessness may have offended. JJC Hounds. In 1999 the Reedy Creek Hounds were founded, and were registered in 2000. In 2008 the Reedy Creek Bassets were recognized and the Reedy Creek Beagles registered. Jim served as Joint Master with Rachel Cain and Tom McElduff