IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • JUNE/JULY 2011
In April 2010, I drove to Manchester Airport to fly to the Southern Hound Show at Live Oak, Florida. But that morning an Icelandic volcano went “Pop!” and all flights were cancelled. However, on April 7, 2011, everything went to plan, and I arrived safely in Tallahassee, where I was met by Patti Schuh, who drove me to the home of my generous hosts, Steve and Piper Parrish, where I was soon downing a cool bottle of beer. The weather on show day was perfect; although the temperature was in the high 80˚s, there was a breeze and no humidity. Eight packs of foxhounds sent entries, and the judges were Martin Scott, ex-MFH Vale of White UK, Horse, and “Duck” Martin, MFH Southern Hound Show Green Spring The judges: “Duck” Martin, MFH, Green Valley, MD, Spring Valley, MD; Jeannie Thomas, MFH, with Jeannie Why Worry, SC, apprentice judge; Martin Thomas, MFH Scott, ex-MFH, Vale of White Horse, UK. Why Worry, SC, the apprentice judge, and promptly at 9 a.m. they were in action. Regulations state that “all classes are open to English, American, Crossbred, and Penn-Marydel Hounds,” and this is the first time that I’ve come across this ruling. Many high class dogs and bitches were shown throughout the day, with a welcome lunch break at halftime, when the Ladies Hat Contest was judged by Ben Hardaway, MFH Midland Hunt since 1950, and John Houser, former Live Oak Hon. Sec. The winner, with a colorful peacock on her hat, was Ann Scott, a previous winner. In the doghound classes, the Unentered winner was Live Oak “Angler.” The top unentered couple were the brokencoated Fox River Valley “Keswick” and “Keg.” Best Entered was Fox River Valley “Nightcap,” with the Couple of Entered being headed by Live Oak “Farrier” and Southern Hound Show “Searcher.” The Show Chairman Daphne Wood, MFH, Live Oak, presenting trophy to Two-couple class Tony Leahy, MFH Fox River Valley. was won by Live Oak “Hatten,” “Handsome,” “Halifax,” and “Hannibal.” Top stallion was Live Oak “Rancher,” and top stallion with three of his get was Live Oak “Dasher,” “Searcher,” “Pilgrim,” and “Pistol.” In the doghound Championship, Fox River Valley “Nightcap,” who was bred in the Midland kennels by Fox River Valley “Keg” out of Midland “Nimble,” and was given to Tony Leahy, MFH, before being entered, was awarded the tricolor, with Live Oak “Rancher” reserve. Refreshed by a super sit-down lunch, judging of the bitches began on time, with a high-class Unentered entry being topped by Live Oak “Apron,” later judged Unentered Champion, with her brother “Angler” Reserve. In the Unentered Couples, Live Oak “Apron” joined with her sister “Angel” to top a ring full of beauties, while the Entered ladies were headed by Fox River Valley “Samantha” (by the prolific Duke of Beaufort’s “Bailey” x “Sadie”). The
Entered Couples were won by Live Oak “Haven” and “Raindrop,” with the Two-couples being led by Live Oak “Ransack,” “Fanfare,” “Steamy,” and “Stately” (later named as Champion Two-couple). Top Brood Bitch was Fox River Valley “Patience,” while the best brood bitch with three of her produce was Live Oak “Amber,” “Apron,” “Angler,” and “Angel.” In the senior hound class, the Midland finally had their first winner with “Whiskey ’04,” obviously maturing with age! In the bitch championship, Fox River Valley “Samantha” reigned supreme, with kennel-mate “Patience” in reserve. This brought us to a spectacular finale, with the excitement as hot as the temperature, reportedly 88˚F! With due ceremony, the Grand Champion was named as Fox River Valley “Nightcap” ’09, a big dog, full of quality, with Fox River Valley “Samantha” a worthy Reserve Grand Champion. This was a splendid show, in lovely surroundings, with great organization, and for your diary, next year’s show date is April 28, 2012 – so be there! May 1 is the date on which hunt staff who are moving take over their new posts, and this year it was also the day on which the David Davies Hunt organized their Mid-Wales Foxhound Show, close to the kennels in Llandinam. There were classes for English, Welsh, Hill and Fell hounds, to be judged by a father and son combination of Tom and Dylan Davies, both retired foxhound huntsmen. In the English ring, the Southwold, whose Master Huntsman Nick Ashcroft had driven the 200 miles from their Lincolnshire kennels that morning, won every class, with their entered bitch “Glimmer” named as Champion. It was a different story in the Welsh ring, with three packs winning. In the young bitches, the winner was Llanwrthwl “Trusty,” while Gelligaer Farmers “Topper” beat a strong group of young dogs, with Llanwrthwl “Brenin” heading the entered dogs. Then it was the turn of Plas Machynlleth to score in the entered bitches with their “Tivy.” Gelligaer “Topper” is an outstanding young dog and he duly took the Welsh Championship, to the delight of huntsman Martyn Arnold. Entries were down in the Hill ring, with the Championship going to a nice hound, Southwold “Chanter,” which helped to make Nick Ashcroft’s long drive home bearable! The Fell classes were dominated by the Teme Valley, with their attractive entered bitch “Nugget” taking the Championship. Then the four breed champs came into the ring, and after due consideration, the Grand Champion was named as Teme Valley “Nugget.” This made an interesting story, as Teme Valley huntsman since 1977 Roy Savage has had to retire through a serious illness, and his 22-year-old son David has been appointed in his place, making him the youngest professional huntsman of foxhounds in the UK, and now winning a Grand Championship on his very first day in charge!
Mid-Wales Hound Show Tom Davies judging the class for Unentered Welsh Bitches.
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Mid-Wales Hound Show Champion English Hound: Southwold “Glimmer.”
Mid-Wales Hound Show Best Entered Welsh Bitch: Plas Machynnleth “Tivy,” Huntsman Aled Jones.
Mid-Wales Hound Show Champion Welsh Hound: Gelligaer Farmers “Topper,” Huntsman Martyn Arnold.
Mid-Wales Hound Show Champion Hill Hound: Southwold “Chanter,” Nick Ashcroft, MFH, (9-year-old daughter Holly holding trophy).
Mid-Wales Hound Show Champion Fell Hound and Supreme Champion: Teme Valley “Nugget,” with handler Tania Roberts and new Huntsman David Savage.