HOME LIFE | OVER THE MOON
Hunt Country Feasts Rustic breakfasts and elegant affairs after the hounds, plus new owners at ‘Foxmount Farms’ BY VICKY MOON
above the entry hall. The “breakfast,” catered by Susan Gage, included chicken potpie, spinach salad, egg frittata and lamb chop lollipops. Betsee Parker hosted a formal hunt breakfast at her historic “Huntland” estate for the Piedmont Fox Hounds. With a 6 p.m. start time, the gentlemen wore black tie and “scarlet if convenient,” which translates to those male Robert Mihlbaugh and Rachel Harshman hosted a hunt country breakfast at members of the hunt entitled their ‘Tarleton Farm.’ (Photo by Middleburg Photo) to wear it, please do so. roducing a “hunt breakfast” is an For this soiree, guests gathered in the ballroom entertaining art in Middleburg as well as soprano Lauren Stroman sang three arias. A as certain swish foxhunting pockets classical pianist and a harpist performed and around the country. The name alone is actually foxhunter Bobby Dreyer blew the coaching horn a misleading term because it’s held in the calling all to dinner. Several weeks later Parker afternoon once the horses and riders have again opened her home, this time for a black-tie returned from a lively gallop over jumps across hunt breakfast for the Middleburg Hunt. the countryside. Robert Mihlbaugh and Rachel Harshman “In days gone by, it was a simple affair of wrapped up the season and entertained members eggs, pancakes and waffles,” says Lenny Hale, a of the Middleburg Hunt at their “Tarleton Farm” lifelong foxhunting enthusiast, adding that the for a traditional afternoon hunt breakfast. No highlight back then was a cup of hot bouillon caterer here. Instead Rachel said she “cooked with vodka. “It hit the right spot after a cold all night” preparing chicken and dumplings and morning out riding.” other goodies for the 200-plus guests. The decades-long progression to a more Meanwhile, what better place to spend a sophisticated gourmet delight might have to do quiet and restful Nov. 22 on the 50th anniversary with the guest list. These days it includes not of President John F. Kennedy’s death than in only the serious participants and landowners Middleburg where the family enjoyed many within the hunt territory, but also friends from memorable moments. Fresh off a spectacular far and near. reunion gathering of Kennedy White House Consider a few recent elegant affairs… staffers, campaign members, historians and family Shannon and Jim Davis hosted the Orange at her Spring Valley home in Washington, Nancy County Hunt at their “Hillmount Farm.” As Dutton enjoyed a luncheon in her honor at the guests entered, waiters were circulating with Middleburg Tennis Club. trays of Bloody Marys, white wine or sparkling Dutton and her late husband, Fred Dutton water. A string trio from the Community Music (a special assistant to the president), met while School of the Piedmont (which Shannon helped working in the White House and she has start 19 years ago) played softly from a balcony maintained close contact with many alumni.
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And finally in real estate news, the local buzz has been all about the recent sale of the 133-acre property most recently known as “Foxmount Farm.” It’s been sold to Wyatt Properties LLC for $3.3 million. The transaction went through the offices of Thomas and Talbot with John Coles and Mary Ann McGowan as agents for buyer and seller. This property has a rich and colorful history. It was sold by Patricia and Donald Brennan, who also own “Llangollen,” the one-time Liz Whitney Tippet farm. Llangollen is now home to the Virginia International Polo Club run by their daughter, Maureen Brennan. The Brennans purchased “Foxmount” from the late Washington Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke, who called it “Kent Farm.” The contemporary home was built by Cooke in 1985 and includes a pool. The property also contains a magnificent 12stall horseshoe stable where Sen. John Warner (who sold the farm to Cooke) spent many hours with his beloved hunters.Then known as “Atoka Farm,” it was much larger, but portions have since been sold off. Warner and his then wife, actress Elizabeth Taylor, were married there and together, they hosted the popular Atoka Suppers. There is a manager’s residence and two tenant houses along with two charming stone guesthouses. Plenty of extras for many horse activities include an indoor schooling ring, runin sheds and a new riding ring.
Foxmount Farm recently sold for $3.3 million (Photo courtesy Thomas and Talbot)
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