in & around horse country

VOLUME XXIII / NUMBER 6 • THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA STEEPLECHASE ASSOCIATION • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY, 60 ALEXANDRIA PIKE, WARRENTON, VA 20186

October - November 2012:June_July '08 10/12/12 12:29 PM


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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012 1

CUBBING

Orange County HoundsHuntsman Reg Spreadborough and hounds. Janet Hitchen photo

Visitors to Orange County Hounds from abroad: (left to right) David Wilkinson, MFH and head ofthe Ireland Hunting Association; David Lalor, MFH, Vice Chairman, Irish Masters of Foxhounds;and Graninne Kavanagh, DVM, also from Ireland. Local foxhunter Richard Thompson is on the

bay. Janet Hitchen photo

Piedmont Fox Hounds, Old Welbourne,September 6, 2012

Tad Zimmerman, jt-MFH. Middleburg Photo.

Middleburg Hunt at Creek Hill,September 29, 2012

Ava Ellis and Andrew Looney. Middleburg Photo.

Orange County HoundsNelson Gunnell (front), Thomas Gunnell (on the paint), Carley Leins. Janet Hitchen photo

Blue Ridge HuntHuntsman Guy Allman; Anne McIntosh, MFH; and whipper-in Neil Amatt. Janet Hitchen photos

Fairfax Hunt, The Kennels at Red Hill, Sept. 8, 2012Huntsman Kevin Palmer.

Middleburg Photo.

Piedmont Fox Hounds, Old Welbourne,September 6, 2012

Rachael Allen.Middleburg Photo.

Orange County HoundsVictoria Monroe (left) and Carol Meade. Janet Hitchen photo


IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 20122

Regular subscription 6 issues $25.00, U.S.A. First Class subscription $35.00, Europe, Canada, etc. $45.00PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Liz Callar lizcallar.comRichard Clay richardclayphotography.comLauren R. GianniniGulfstream ParkJanet Hitchen 540-837-9846 janethitchenphotography.comTeal HoinsKeenelandDouglas Lees 540-270-1946 [email protected] Meads, U.K. 011-44-1686-420436Middleburg Photo middleburgphoto.comNYRABetsy Burke ParkerEric Schneider [email protected] Fargo Bank, NA. 2012

LAYOUT & DESIGN: Kate Houchin

is a bimonthly publication.Editorial and Advertising Address: 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186For information and advertising rates, please call (540) 347-3141, fax (540) 347-7141Space Deadline for the December/January issue is Nov. 15. Payment in full due with copy.Publisher: Marion Maggiolo Managing Editor: J. Harris AndersonAdvertising: Mary Cox (540) 636-7688 Horse Country (540) 347-3141Contributors: Aga; J. Harris Anderson, Lauren R. Giannini, Jim Meads, Will O’Keefe, Betsy BurkeParker, Barclay Rives, Virginia Thoroughbred Association, Jenny YoungCopyright 2012 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXIII, No.6POSTMASTER: CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTSWashington International Horse Show

Verizon Center, October 23 – 28An equestrian tradition since 1958, the Washington International Horse Show isthe country’s leading metropolitan indoor horse show. Each October more than500 of the top national and international horses and riders, including Olympic vet-erans, come together in Washington, DC, to compete in six days of thrilling com-petition.

Highlights include the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, the Puissancehigh-jump competition and the WIHS Equitation Finals featuring the country’stop junior riders. Kids’ Day, Barn Night, special exhibitions and boutique shop-ping round out this family-friendly event.

Since its debut, the Washington International has been a Washington institu-tion attended by presidents, first ladies, celebrities, business and military leaders,as well as countless horse enthusiasts of all ages.

For more information and to order tickets, go to www.wihs.org.• • • •

Orange County Hounds Hunt Team Event Planned for Oct. 28The Orange County Hounds Cross Country Team Event will be held Sunday,October 28th, at Old Whitewood Farm near The Plains, Virginia, with the popularJunior Hunter Championship. In 1987, the OCH Team Event, modeled after theEnglish Team Chase, was created to offer an event with something for every levelof foxhunter.

The event features teams of three to four horses or ponies galloping over arolling course of walls, coops, rails, and hay bales in two main divisions: LimitHunters and Genuine Hunters. Team prizes are awarded for ideal time, best turnedout, and best hunt team. A Genuine Hunter championship also is awarded.

Call 540-687-5552 for prize lists. Entries close Monday, Oct. 22, at 6:00 p.m.• • • •

Equine Emergency Preparedness Clinic to be Held atMorningside Training Farm, Nov. 3-4

To provide those responsible for the welfare of horses with the skills and knowl-edge necessary to act quickly and effectively in emergency situations, a two-dayclinic will be held at Morningside Training Farm, The Plains, Virginia, onNovember 3rd and 4th.

A sobering list of possible situations is given in the event’s info sheet: “Barnfire, cast horse, stuck in mud, trailer overturned, trapped in a barn collapse, horsedown on the trailer, evacuating because of a natural disaster, etc.”

Three highly qualified specialists in the field of horse behavior and emer-gency rescue will conduct the clinic. The instruction will focus on prevention tac-tics to minimize the risk of an emergency situation, developing a response plan forthe wide range of possible events that could occur, and assembling resource infor-mation that can be quickly accessed when an emergency strikes.

Horse Country Saddlery will host the participants at a wine and cheese gath-ering, Friday evening, November 2, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at the store inWarrenton.

For more information and to register for this informative and instructive pro-gram, contact:

Kelly Sigler 803-522-4395 • [email protected] • www.kellysigler.comTori Miller 910-494-8210 •

[email protected] • www.4HoovesSMART.com

Fairfax to Host 2012 Virginia Field Hunter ChampionshipThe 2012 Virginia Field Hunter Championship will take place at Winter Farm inMiddleburg, Va., on Sunday, Nov. 11. This year’s hosting club is the Fairfax Huntas the 2011 Field Hunter Champion was Chase, owned and ridden by Fairfaxmember Karyn Wilson.

The Virginia Field Hunter Championship is an invitational competition whereMFHs are invited to nominate two members to compete in the event. Riders willcompete in a flat class and an optional appointments class, followed by a shortmock hunt. Finalists will then negotiate a handy hunter course.

For more information, contact Honorary Secretary Gin Richardson at 703-957-4633 or Paul Wilson, MFH, at 703-431-8861.

• • • •Warrenton, Upperville, and Keswick Horse Shows Receive

USEF Heritage Competition HonorThe United States Equestrian Federation Board of Directors, at its recent Mid-Year Meeting, considered nine applications for USEF Heritage Competition sta-tus. The Warrenton Horse Show was among those granted this notable distinction.Also included among the honorees were the Upperville Colt & Horse Show andthe Keswick Horse Show. Completing the 2012 list were the Fairfield CountyHunt Club June Benefit, Waterloo Hunt, Menlo Charity, Portuguese BendNational, Buffalo International, and St. Louis National Charity Horse Shows.

The designation of a USEF Heritage Competition is reserved for competitionsthat have been in existence for a quarter-century or more, promoted and grownequestrian sport, and made contributions to the community outside the gates of thehorse show by achieving, maintaining, and promoting the equestrian ideals ofsportsmanship and competition.

“These shows have become a part of the fabric of the American showingscene,” said USEF Chief Executive Officer John Long. “With their endurance,dedication to philanthropic efforts, and impact on their communities, they are per-fect examples of what we look for when designating Heritage Competitions.”

The nine shows selected this year join five existing Heritage Competitions:the Pin Oak I, Pin Oak Charity, Hampton Classic, Deep Run, and Devon HorseShows. Impressive company, indeed. And well-deserved.

• • • •Rita Mae Brown Will Be Signing

Latest Sister Jane Bookat Horse Country

Author Rita Mae Brown, MFH, will be signingcopies of her new Sister Jane book Fox Tracks atHorse Country on Saturday evening, November17, 2012, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. It will be a greatevening with the author. Refreshments will beserved.

The intrigue in Fox Tracks begins when apack of cigarettes on a murdered man’s chestprovokes Sister Jane to find an answer to thisstrange murder. She almost gets it right until she,too, is caught in a rifle’s crosshairs.

ON THE COVER:Blue Ridge Hunt’s new Britishhuntsman Guy Allman with hounds.

Janet Hitchen photo




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In Part One three very different hunts discussedhow they turn cute, adorable, clumsy, playfulpuppies into card-carrying members of the pack.In Part Two, three more unique hunts provideinsight into how they accomplish the ultimategoal of developing a cohesive, biddable workinggroup of hounds. One major key is to establishpack discipline without inhibiting drive andenthusiasm. Bloodlines contribute greatly to theimportant genetic stamps of conformation andinborn hunting instinct, but nose, drive and per-sonality are also influenced by handling andenvironment. To borrow several golden rules:breed the best to the best and hope for the best,and also teach your hounds well – be firm butfair.

Once again, country and quarry contributed significantly to the replies given byeach hunt. The huntsman is also a key ingredient to the pack dynamics. Part Twooffers the techniques and approaches for training puppies as practiced by Juan TomásHounds, Golden’s Bridge Hounds, and Potomac Hunt.

Hunting in New Mexico with Juan TomásJuan Tomás Hounds, several couple American and 10 couple Crossbred, are kenneledat Field Ranch, owned by MFH Jim Nance’s family, about 70 miles southwest ofAlbuquerque in the portal to the most remote part of New Mexico’s high country, theLand of Enchantment. The country is a vast expanse of desert and mesas, punctuat-ed by arroyos (ditches carved during the rainy season), lots of cholla and other cacti.

The terrain is deceptively trappy. What appears to be relatively flat is full of sur-prises, especially steep descents that often become almost frightening verticalascents, which can trip the unwary rider and less than sure-footed horse. While localranchers, including Nance, have a history of hunting lion and bear with hounds, JuanTomás hunts only coyote.

Hooked on hunting in the early ’90s, Nance picked the best brains he could findabout hounds and started carrying the horn as huntsman about 16 years ago. Whenqueried how he gets puppies ready to hunt, the rancher punctuated his reply withhumility.

“It’s so easy: I let the old hounds train the youngsters,” said Nance. “When wego out walking and a pup goes off on a rabbit, he looks back and all the rest are justsitting there. He realizes he is an idiot and comes back. Quite often when they comeback, an older hound or two will jump on them and chastise them. By the way, I’malways happy when you ask my opinion, but Larry [Pitts, huntsman Potomac] andAntony [Gaylard, huntsman Toronto & North York] taught me all I know.”

Nance keeps puppies in a pen close to the ranch house. Hunting, a family affair,involves his wife Beth and their sons Adren Nance, jt-MFH, and James L. Nance,who share huntsman duties.

“We interact with them all the time,” explained Nance. “We use treats and makeeye contact with them and say their name and toss a treat to them. When we feed, wemake every hound wait at the gate to the feeding pens until they are called by name.If one runs in when not called, they are put at the end of the line and have to wait alittle extra time before eating.”

Back in the early 1970s, Helen M. Kruger, senior MFH, started Juan Tomás withhounds from Potomac. The effectiveness of Potomac bloodlines within the pack getssupport from the fact that Nance continues to favor stallion hounds from Potomac.He has also bred his bitches to a Walker acquired from Gaylard and to lion houndsfrom Orvel Fletcher.

“We’re a small pack and breed one of our bitches only once a year,” admittedNance. “We do take puppies from Larry and Antony, and we have taken some fromGrand Canyon. I have given hounds to Grand Canyon and High Country, both inArizona, but we’re far from most hunts and transporting hounds safely is difficult. Iam very proud that lion hunters want hounds from Juan Tomás. Our hunting condi-tions are so different from back east. Our hounds have to be able to cold trail. I fig-ure if our hounds can follow lions, they can follow coyote.”

Field Ranch has plenty of rabbits, deer,antelope and even elk to make life more interest-ing on home turf for the hounds. Hunting riot isnot allowed.

“We call them back. If we let hounds chasetrash (local term) – even lion hounds have to bebroken off deer – we would never get anythingdone,” said Nance in his trademark no-nonsenseway. “The older hounds have a way of helpingtrain the new entries. If a young one takes off, hewill eventually turn around and, out there allalone, soon realizes his error. We take the houndsout at least once a day on foot.”

Riot-proofing hounds is their biggest les-son. Nance can tell what they’re hunting by howthey sniff and act: if they chase riot, they’restopped immediately. He gives offenders several

chances to mend their ways before he finds them new jobs.His elderly hounds get pensioned out at the kennels. When they get too slow to

keep up with the pack, they hunt only on home fixtures where they can find their ownway to the kennels. “I don’t give them out to members,” said Nance. “Our hounds arelike Spartans – they’re happiest living with their pack.”

Hunting in New York with Golden’s BridgeIrish-born Ciaran Murphy, 29, grew up riding to hounds and hunting with lurchers,terriers, and gun dogs, to name a few. Ten years ago he arrived in the US and spentone season with Why Worry (Aiken) before moving to Golden’s Bridge Hounds(NY) where he has served nine seasons as huntsman. He tries to learn somethingfrom everyone he meets, and cited as major influences on his hunting career GeorgeChapman, MFH, and huntsman Billy Connors, both of Island Hunt (IRE), and Dr.Marvin Beeman, jt-MFH/huntsman Arapahoe (Colorado).

“The Penn-Marydel is my preference in a hound and also without question thebest hound for Golden’s Bridge’s country, but a good hound is a good hound no mat-ter what the breed, size, or color,” stated Murphy. “Our country is very tight, so I likehounds to cast within my eyesight. Also, the roads are a big issue here, and we needhounds that will stop when we need them to, although at times it can be like tryingto stop the ocean tide from coming in! I try to stay away from independent, hard-headed hounds, but I like a hound with a good nose, voice and lots of drive.”

Golden’s Bridge hunts diverse terrain and four distinct seasons ranging from100% humidity and heat in August to wintry 20-degrees and wind chills in the singledigits. A hound that can do well whatever the weather is important, but attitude andpersonality are key factors for Murphy, who said: “I have more time for a backwardhound that goes about its job than overly confident hounds. They tend to get intotrouble or hunt for themselves, rather than for you.”

Golden’s Bridge has bred to stallion hounds at Millbrook and Mt. Carmel, butprefers to draft in a brood bitch with the desired bloodlines, especially if she has beenaround for five or six seasons. Murphy breeds at least two bitches a year, havinglearned early not to wait to breed a good hunting bitch whose lines he wanted to keepgoing.

“Sometimes things happen that are out of your control, and I have lost one ortwo bitches whilst waiting to breed them,” said Murphy. “I really like my doghounds, hence the reason for drafting in brood bitches. Mostly I look for a bitch thatis consistent, steady, and reliable in the hunt field. Also I look for longevity.”

Golden’s Bridge hounds have been drafted to Millbrook, Marlborough,Tennessee Valley, Moore County, Red Mountain, Rose Tree, Aiken, Why Worry, DeLa Brooke, and Tryon. “I tend not to give pups away, I wait until they’re a year old,”said Murphy. “I consider myself very lucky that Golden’s Bridge hounds are in greatdemand and that I have spots for older hounds that are still good hunting dogs but tooslow to keep up with our pack and for younger hounds that don’t work out for us. ”

When Golden’s Bridge puppies are eight weeks old, Murphy takes them on lit-tle walks, because they still have a strong desire to follow. By the time pups are fivemonths old, the walks stop, because they’re old enough to assert their independenceand pick up undesirable habits. Continued

FOXHUNTING

Prepping Puppies To Tally Ho!Part Two

By Lauren R. Giannini

Coupled but contrary: Young hound says, “I don’t want to go there.” Olderhound says, “Belt up, lad, and pack up!” Teal Hoins photo.



About two months before the hound shows,Golden’s Bridge encourages the pony club children tohelp walk the puppies on leashes. They start learningtheir names, get used to the chaos of having kids aroundand interact with different people. Murphy noted:“Harry Stark, who helps at the kennels, is a frequentvisitor with his daughter Jillian, who loves to walkpups.”

When Murphy started with GBH, hounds hunted70% fox and 30% coyote. Now it’s more like 90% coy-ote, 10% fox, a dramatic change.

“In our country coyotes run like a good red fox –most of the time! – but it’s difficult to enter younghounds on coyote in this country: pups get left behindvery easily with all the hills and swamps,” said Murphy.“All that the pups learn during cubbing when the packgets up a coyote is to run as fast as they can to keep up:hunting does not always come into it. I would muchrather hunt only red fox in August and September. Thatis a much more solid foundation for any young hound.”

Hunting in Maryland with Potomac HuntLarry Pitts has walked the walk as huntsman for 32 sea-sons at Potomac Hunt. He is an old-fashioned hound-man, dedicated to breeding and training foxhounds thatexcel in the field and at shows. He has shared thishound-centered existence with his wife/whipper-in,Peggy, and daughter Laura. Son Justin preferred four-wheelers to horses, but was never pressured. Thatreflects how keen Pitts is to figure out hounds and peo-ple and what they do best.

“Peggy’s very astute at seeing what’s going on –she tells you what’s happening and it makes sense,whether it’s good or bad,” said Pitts. “She has a real eyefor hound conformation, too. Laura’s low key, reallygood with all animals, and she shows a hound betterthan I do.”

They are a familiar sight, especially at the VirginiaHound Show on Memorial Day weekend. In kennelcoats with velvet hunt caps, Peggy and Laura could besisters. Pitts is quintessentially Larry, happiest whensurrounded by hunting dogs. At hound shows, if he’ssitting down, the hound he is showing just about climbsinto his lap. It’s obvious that Pitts loves his hounds, andthe following offers sound advice on how he strength-ens the invisible thread connecting pack and huntsman.

“You have to spend time with each one every dayeven if it’s for a couple minutes, and you have to givethem confidence – they have to trust you and you haveto trust them,” said Pitts. “Never lie to hounds. Keep itsimple so they understand what you want. Don’t getafter them for nothing. Use the same words or phrasesso they learn what you mean. Hounds want to pleaseyou, and you want to keep them willing to please you.”

If a hound doesn’t meet his ideal standard for thePotomac pack, it doesn’t mean that hound isn’t good forhunting, just that this particular individual isn’t meantto stay with Potomac. Pitts does his best to ensure thathounds given away or drafted end up with the rightpack. He usually gives two or three and often the onesthat didn’t meet his ideal fit right in with their new huntand do a brilliant job.

In fact, many packs across the country cherish theirdistinctive red and white American hounds whosebloodlines guarantee great cry and drive. Ask anyone:Pitts is extremely generous about giving away goodhounds. He breeds up to four bitches a year. After littersare weaned, pups of the same age live together in a sep-arate pen. When they’re about 10 months old, they gointo their own run in the kennels to learn the routine,where the food is, and what they need to know beforethey move in with the older hounds. It’s all done instages.

“Whatever you do, don’t get after a hound if itdoesn’t understand what you’re asking it to do,” saidPitts. “I don’t think screaming at hounds does any good.You gotta make it understandable. Handle them enoughso you can handle them, but not so much that they hangaround you out hunting – and don’t ever try to helpthem if they’re at a loss unless you can actually helpthem. Teaching hounds to hunt red fox is mostly aboutyour attitude.”

Pitts won’t hunt coyote; red fox is the only quarryPotomac chases. He feels that you have to set standardsfor the hounds. “There’s only one thing you’re lookingfor and interested in – that’s fox,” he emphasized. “Ifyou know you have a hound that forgets to focus on fox,you have to tell your whips – watch that dog and givehim one if he keeps doing this. You can’t let them getaway with it. Your attitude is about what you’re doingmore than anything else.”

What Pitts has been doing is living what he learnedas a child and also from three huntsmen who mentoredhim. When he was eight, Pitts had redbone hounds; as ateen he started crossing his beagle pack with black andtan ’coon hounds. “I was driving around North Carolinato see what hounds I wanted,” recalled Pitts. “I wantedmy beagles a little bigger, a little faster and with morevoice.”

Even though Pitts was hunting hounds as much aspossible, he had no experience with foxhounds prior tomeeting his first mentor, Ian Milne, the professionalhuntsman then at Sedgefield Hunt (NC). Pitts’s passionfor hounds quickly embraced foxhunting. Milne neededhelp at the kennels, Pitts took the job, and the two menforged a lifelong friendship as hounds sang hallelujah.After a year of working in the kennels and learningabout following hounds on horseback, Pitts whipped-inprofessionally to Milne for two seasons.

“Ian told me a lot of things that no one else evertold me,” said Pitts. “He could teach me something newevery day. He was the best. He told me to take the jobwhipping-in to Mr. Bill Brainard at Old Dominion –that I would learn a lot from Mr. Brainard, and Ian wasright. When I had been there one season, Mr. Brainardcame to the kennels one day and told me that he wasretiring. He told me that there was a job open withMajor Kindersley at Eglinton & Caledon in Canada andthat he thought I should do it. Ian said it was a greatopportunity, and so I went, because Mr. Brainard wasretiring and he had been the best. The Major was also agood, hands-on master, who had hunted hounds for 20years. He put in the effort and had high standards. Theyall taught me that you gotta do it like you mean it.”

That intention also signifies drive, exactly what hascharacterized the Potomac hounds for decades. Whenasked about how the breeding and training of youngentry has been affected by changes in their country, par-ticularly more traffic on the roads from development,the huntsman replied with his customary candor.

“Changes in our country ain’t the reason for thechanges in our hounds,” said Pitts. “The way I hunthounds, I give them drive. I got a lot of drive and ourhounds like me. But I’m slowing them down a little.I’m breeding hounds that are not so forward. I’mpreparing for my retirement. I don’t want somebody tocome in and not be able to handle my hounds with alltheir drive. These hounds two years ago would havescared anybody who came in here. It’s easier for some-one to take over a pack that’s a little slower and calmerthan my hounds have been.”

Make no mistake: the pack that greets the nexthuntsman will still have drive and plenty of speed. Afterall, Pitts will be the first to tell you he doesn’t like ahound that dwells.

Walking Golden’s Bridge Hounds, huntsman Ciaran Murphy,with Niamh, his four-year-old daughter, riding on his shoulders,

assisted by Rowan Bennett.Teal Hoins photo.

Golden’s Bridge Hounds won the pack class in 2012 (l-r): DavarParvin, Ellena Parvin (kneeling down), Rowan Bennett, Teal

Hoins, Ciaran Murphy with the trophy and hounds, Sam Forte,Jillian Stark and Harry Stark.

Lauren R. Giannini photo.

Golden’s Bridge Hounds and huntsman Ciaran Murphy cubhunting.Teal Hoins photo.

Great day at 2012 Virginia Hound Show: (l-r) Jillian Stark, LuluMoore, Harry Stark with Champion Penn-Marydel puppy Phoenix

(black & tan), Ciaran Murphy with Champion Penn-MarydelLumber, Ellena Parvin, Teal Hoins, and Willow Bennett.

Lauren R. Giannini photo.



“Most of our Penn-Marydels come from Donald Philhower now that he’s atMillbrook – he’s a fabulous huntsman,” said Pitts. “He loaned us Millbrook Kingstonabout two or three years ago and I bred three bitches and got about seven big dogsand bitches we kept. I think they’re going to really contribute to the way I want toleave these hounds for the next person. They’re only in their second season, fabuloushounds. They’re not interested in deer, they’re all about fox. They’re personable.They like you and try to please you. In another season, they’re going to be a greatpart of the pack.”

The Penn-Marydel influence is small but comes from superior hunting dogs withgreat heart, like Kestrel, who was out of a bitch Pitts had given to Philhower calledPotomac Wander. “She was a little slow, couldn’t stay with them, she never did any-thing wrong,” recalled Pitts. “Donald wanted to know why I sent that hound to him,because he told me for years that Wander was his best hound, straight AmericanFoxhound, and had as good a nose as any of his.”

The infusion of Penn-Marydel isn’t going to change the fact that for many otherpeople, the Potomac hounds will always provide fast-paced chases. All that Pitts isdoing is safeguarding the essential red and white American Foxhound that hasevolved during his tenure.

Pitts also discussed what it takes to be a huntsman, especially with a pack likePotomac’s. Many might feel the call to carry the horn, but not all huntsmen are equal.It’s like everything else in life: some are better than others. According to Pitts, beinga huntsman takes single-minded dedication to a job that is, when performed proper-ly, not glamorous. Hounds are animals, no matter how glorious they look and soundin full cry out hunting. The biggest requirement to be a huntsman is someone wholoves hounds so much that they’re willing to live with being slobbered on and deal-ing with the dirty aspects of the lifestyle, including kennel cleaning and feed-roomscrubbing, coping with whelping bitches and the incredible messes produced byhound pups.

“Being a huntsman takes somebody who really likes hounds and hunting – ifthey do it as a job, that’s not what they should be doing,” explained Pitts. “Whensomeone takes over a pack, you leave hounds at home if they’re a problem. You workwith the good ones, and add the others in a little at a time. You have to get the staffon the right program and working with you. You have to get the new huntsman work-ing with the hounds. They have to learn to trust each other, have confidence in eachother. That takes time and patience. Spend time with them, get to know them andthem to know you. You gotta like your hounds.”

When Pitts retires in another season or two, it will be the end of an era, for sure.Meanwhile, Pitts and his hounds are still going strong. If you haven’t yet capped withPotomac and want to experience Pitts and his thrilling hunting calls (for years he fig-ured in the top results in Horn Blowing contests against the likes of Milne and AllenForney who now helps Pitts with the hounds and whips-in at Potomac, to name justtwo), carpe diem and do it soon. As for dealing with changes in the country, Potomacuses radios to safeguard hounds.

“People think you use walkie-talkies to hunt better, but it’s about staying up withhounds to keep them safe,” said Pitts. “You try to get onto the road where hounds willcross. Before it was always guessing where hounds were going. Now you can findout if you have a whip out there. It gives you confidence that you know where houndsare. It’s communication between the whips and the huntsman. You can also tell themif it’s safe to leave the road. It’s not for people telling you there’s a fox here or there.I always tell them, don’t tell me that! We just go hunting the way we always did.Walkie-talkies are not for hunting. They’re for the care of the hounds.”

To date, Potomac hounds have seen a few coyote, but show no interest in them,and this will continue as long as there are red fox to run. “But you can tell where thecoyotes are – we go places and there are no foxes,” admitted Pitts. “When I leave, Idon’t know what will happen, but I know that Millbrook hunts a lot of foxes – the redfox came back after the initial shock of the coyotes. Genesee Valley has a lot of foxesnow. Seems like it’s a 12-15 year cycle. But I won’t hunt coyote here, not in my life-time.”

When Pitts is no longer huntsman of the Potomac pack, he plans to travel aroundduring the fall season. He hasn’t exactly declared that he’s going to serve as the ChefRamsey of the hunting world, but he sure could show the new generations a thing ortwo.

Special thanks to the hounds and the huntsmen for their contributions to this storyand for taking Part Two to a new level. Preparing puppies to hunt requires someoneto hone the inherent genetics of the hounds and to keep them inspired and enthusias-tic about the chase. Many years ago, J. Arthur Reynolds said, “The hounds do all thework.” To a certain extent that’s true, but it takes two to tally ho: every pack needs ahuntsman. Hounds are hounds, but the huntsman must wear many hats: nanny, head-master, parent, kindred spirit, hound-man, and choral director. That’s not a job per se,that’s a vocation.

To find out more about hounds and hunting, please visit: www.mfha.org


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http://www.grandestatesauction.com/


Middleburg Hunt has a long tradition of sport, histo-ry, and social relevance in its gorgeous country innorthern Virginia. Yet, for all of Middleburg’slongevity, the Masters of Foxhounds, Penny Denegreand Jeff Blue, have been planning for the future oftheir organization.

“We think it’s very important to consider thefuture of Middleburg Hunt now,” said Blue. “Wehave been facing the need to adapt, to make somechanges from the last 25 years. We want to perpetu-ate the sport and that means that we must do thingsthat we feel will guarantee the sport will continue. Wehad to ask ourselves some questions and probably themost important one concerned what we do different-ly now than 25 years ago.”

Showing The Best Sport PossibleFor both Denegre and Blue, the huntsman is the keyfactor for showing their subscribers the best possiblesport. Hounds go out three times a week, and thehuman “alpha dog” can make or break a pack in termsof biddability and enthusiasm for its job.

“When we hire a huntsman, the first question weask ourselves is: does this person have the fire in hisbelly? This is one thing we won’t compromise on,”said Blue. “Another thing we won’t compromise on isthe tradition of the sport.”

Both masters agree that they do everything theycan to maintain the traditions of foxhunting, becausethat’s what it’s all about. Showing good sport doesn’t stop with the jumping field;it includes the hilltoppers, another big difference from 25 years ago when therewere very few organized hilltopping groups to accommodate those not ready tojump or those who have retired from jumping.

“We feel very strongly about our hilltoppers,” stated Denegre. “When westarted our hilltopping group, we didn’t want them to feel like second class citi-zens. At the beginning there was a master leading the hilltoppers. Jeff was also astickler about calling them hilltoppers as opposed to second field, second flight –second anything. Our hilltoppers are knowledgeable, well-mounted, and well

turned-out.”Middleburg hilltoppers include enthusiasts

retired from the jumping field who still want to hunt,lots of kids, and riders bringing along green fieldhunters.

“In many cases our hilltoppers see more foxand more hound work than the jumping field,” saidBlue. “Our first true hilltopping leader was thenjoint-master Melissa Cantacuzene, who led that fieldfor many seasons. I learned a lot about hilltoppingfrom Melissa and I think that hilltoppers are animportant asset for the future.”

Hilltopping helps to keep people safe whetherthey’re on green horses or hunters a little past theirprime. Hilltopping also accommodates people whocouldn’t, wouldn’t, and/or shouldn’t jump. Thisgroup requires a good field master, adept at organi-zation and knowledgeable about navigating thecountry, in order to control where hilltoppers go inthe course of the day’s sport. At Middleburg Hunt,subscribers can remain hilltoppers indefinitely andare not pressured to move into the jumping field.

All On, All InIn the good old days, 25-30 years ago, before trafficcreated gridlock throughout the major roads con-necting Middleburg and its rural environs with theD.C. Beltway, hounds that got left out at the end ofa day were relatively safe. A neighbor might help to

round them up and keep them in a barn or bring them back to the kennels. Timeshave changed.

“Today we get all our hounds in at the end of the meet,” said Blue. “We sim-ply can’t leave our hounds out overnight. They can hunt all night and when they’rein full cry, their voices are loud and carry. Then you have angry and upset neigh-bors. We also can’t take a chance with a hound being injured because of theincreased traffic”

Middleburg’s pack is still composed of American Foxhounds. While drive isan essential trait of all hounds, too much independence can result in hounds thatrefuse to come in with the rest of the pack. Great effort is made to foster bidda-bility within the pack. Hunt staff members don’t carry guns or radios, and houndsdo not wear tracking collars. Also, Middleburg chases red fox only, in keepingwith their respect for the traditions of hunting. They are justifiably proud of their“well-foxed” country.

“We have a remarkable huntsman, Barry Magner, now in his fourth seasonwith us,” said Blue. “He’s the right huntsman to take the Middleburg pack into thefuture. He’s 100% keen to hunt and has shaped our hounds into the most biddablepack we have ever seen. Barry has done a great job. When hunting’s finished forthe season, he walks hounds sometimes twice a day. He hangs out with them. Thehounds love him.”

Hound RetirementAmerican hounds make great house pets. Anyone who has taken a retired houndinto their home will regale dinner guests with hilarious tales about life with aretired hunting dog. Hounds are big (no teacups here!) and their need for room torun can be a deciding factor in how they take to retirement. They are pack animals:when it comes to meals, grass does not grow under their feet.

Hounds will inhale any food that is handy – bowl of cold steamed shrimp inthe shell, huge wedge of Brie, baked ham just out of the oven with guests in thenext room. They eat anything, especially carrion, which often results in tummyupsets (oriental rugs are great for camouflaging the aftermath of a whoopsie).

American hounds are funny and affectionate, making wonderful companionsonce they get used to their new “lodge” and its rules. Little compares with beinggreeted by a hound’s joyous yodeling.

Middleburg Hunt occasionally allows qualified subscribers with the right cir-cumstances to take home hounds after they retire from hunting.

FOXHUNTING

Middleburg Hunt: The Future of Our SportBy Lauren R. Giannini

Middleburg Huntsman Magner.Janet Hitchen photo

Middleburg Hunt Joint Masters Jeff Blue and Penny Denegre.Janet Hitchen photo



“A hound could use another house-dog or two to show them the domesticropes,” stated Denegre. “As puppies, they look to the older ones as mentors. So,it follows that when a hound retires from kennels, it needs time and patience dur-ing that period of adjustment and good examples to follow.”

Juniors Are The FutureMiddleburg Hunt makes every effort to get juniors involved. The cap for 14 andunder is free. The junior subscription up to 21 years old costs only $100 for theentire season, and the subscription is greatly reduced for enthusiasts from 21-25.

“We want young people to come out and hunt with us and experience thesport,” said Blue. “We think it’s very important to get kids involved and interest-ed and having fun. We want everyone to enjoy hunting with Middleburg. We havesocial subscriptions, too, and those subscribers are some of our greatest support-ers.”

Middleburg Hunt holds an annual hunt ball, an October Night Hunt on foot,and an autumn “Puppy Auction” open to all to bid for the privilege of naming apuppy. As an added attraction children show the puppies being auctioned. Thereis nothing more fun than the combination of youngsters and puppies. At the tradi-tional Memorial Day Weekend Virginia Hound Show Middleburg’s young enthu-siasts show in the Junior Handlers classes which were started by Joyce Fendley,MFH Casanova, and Blue about nine years ago and continue to grow in popular-ity.

Middleburg maintains a close connection with Foxcroft School, founded in1914 by Miss Charlotte Noland, who began her 20-year hunt mastership duringWWII. Their November Fox/Hound Day is an intramural celebration that kicksoff with the hunt meeting at the school.

“The riding director chooses junior hunt staff. Students accompany Barry,Jeff and me; others go with our whippers-in,” explained Denegre. “They get upclose for a personal view and experience of hunting. One three-day event riderfrom Foxcroft told us that hunting that day was the most fun she’d ever had on theback of a horse.”

Bringing in new subscribers, whether they are junior riders or senior socialsubscribers, provides the best source of enthusiasm to fuel the future of the hunt.There is nothing like word of mouth, and the best part about hunting is that a greatday of riding to hounds gets written on every face with big smiles.

Conservation“We’ve been very fortunate – many of our new landowners are our greatest sup-porters,” stated Blue. “We don’t have a lot of huge farms in our country and as aresult we have a lot of landowners. We are grateful for their generosity. Our open-ing meet breakfast is held in honor of our landowners.”

Middleburg Hunt is very fortunate that the economy has not had a huge neg-ative impact on land over which they hunt. Most are there because they can’timagine living anywhere else.

“We’re also lucky that we have subscribers who make hunting their priority,”said Denegre. “They have so much enthusiasm and they try hard and they’re verywelcoming.” Blue added, “They’re happy and having a good time.”

Conservation is a huge endeavor. Unfortunately, the more east and north onetravels from Middleburg itself, the harder it is to find land that can be conserved.

Middleburg Hunt still feels justifiably proud about Marcia and George deGarmo, landowners and hunt supporters, who won an MFHA Conservation Awardin 2011, but as the masters point out, “No matter how much you do for land con-servation, it’s a project that never ends. We have conserved a lot of country, thanksto our subscribers who include a Piedmont Environmental Council board memberand a former co-chair of the Goose Creek Association. We have a lot of landown-ers who own small farms, but even the ones with just a few acres are extremelysupportive of conservation.”

Please note: anyone who has land in easement in Middleburg’s country isinvited to hunt as a guest of the masters.

The bottom line is that Middleburg Hunt acknowledges that they are not alone inwanting to preserve and perpetuate the sport of foxhunting and its traditions. Whatworks for them might not work for others, but they’re happy to share their ideas.

Denegre and Blue voiced the same thought: “This isn’t about any one person.It’s about the organization. We keep asking ourselves, ‘What will be for the great-est good of Middleburg Hunt, its subscribers and its future?’ Because that’s whatthis is all about - the future of the sport. The Middleburg Hunt has been around formore than 100 years. We’d like to see the organization and the timeless beauty ofriding to hounds continue for at least another century.”

Kiss Me Kate: (shown above) 9 year old 13.2 Bay Welsh Cross Mare—ahunting machine, careful jumper, fancy mover, honest - 12.5K

Echo: 10 year old 16.3 Bay Irish Gelding—handsome, excellent jumper,fun and easy. Has also evented and schooled lower level dressage - 25K

Rochambeau: 7 year old 16.2 Bay Warmblood Cross Gelding—green tohunting but very willing. 1st level dressage training, straight forward jump,bold cross-country - 30K

Key Race: 10 year old Bay TB Gelding—lovely canter, ground coveringgallop, willing jumper, snaffle mouth - 15K

Brook: 9 year old 17.1 Chestnut Crossbred Mare—in her 5th season inVirginia, kind and sensible, tactful jumper, ratable, well-schooled on the flatand over fences - 25K

HUNTERS CHASERS, LLCWhere we have horses of all sizes for riders of all sizes!

GEORGE P KINGSLEY / KAREN E NUTTBOX 135, LINCOLN VA

[email protected]

Photo by Liz Caller



http://www.flinthillva.com/



Blue Ridge Fall Races 9-22-2012When Thornton Hill decided not to have a fall meet, theBlue Ridge Fall Races became the lone opportunity forhorsemen to prep for the Virginia Sanctioned circuit. Theresult was the most entries in the short history of the meetfor this year’s races at Woodley Farm near Berryville onSaturday, September 22. In spite of the firm ground, theentries in most races held up very well.

The first two races were splits of the maiden hurdlerace. The first went to B-More Hopeful Stables’ Majaly, andthe second was won by Bettina L. Gregory’s Go For Green.In the opener Mark Watts sent Majaly to the front at the start,and they stayed in that position with Silverton Hill LLC’sBluegrass Chat (Paddy Young) posing a threat at the lastfence that fell ½ length short. In the second division CarlRafter rated Go For Green slightly off the pace. With a quar-ter mile to run, Rafter asked for more and he got it when GoFor Green pulled away and won easily by 8 lengths.Rangaley Rapids (David Benson) had set the pace but had tosettle for second. Jazz Napravnik and Carl Rafter trained thewinners.

The open hurdle race followed with a very popularlocal winner. Final Straw is owned and trained byMillwood’s Teddy Mulligan, and he got the job done win-ning by 8 lengths under Willie McCarthy. Final Straw wasreserved off the pace, rallied down the backside the last timearound and won easily. Randy Rouse’s Hishi Soar (RoddyMacKenzie) rallied belatedly but was never a threat to thewinner.

Silverton Hill LLC’s Darkwatch broke his maiden onthe flat for the husband and wife team of rider Paddy andtrainer Leslie Young. Gordonsdale Farm’s Canyon Road(Carl Rafter) set the pace with Darkwatch racing well with-in striking distance. Darkwatch accelerated on the turn, tookthe lead at the head of the stretch and won handily by 1¾lengths. Canyon Road held on for second.

The open flat race was won by Celtic Venture Stable’sZulla Road (Roddy MacKenzie) in a game effort. ZullaRoad stalked Questioning (Zoe Valvo), who led down thebackside of the course. He put Questioning away on the turnand held off Bruce Smart’s Orchestra Leader (PaddyYoung), who closed with a rush that fell short by a neck.Winning trainer Charles McCann will now point Zulla Roadfor a fall campaign over timber.

The timber races scratched down leaving three horsesto contest the maiden race and two to run in the open race.In both races it was proven that it doesn’t take a lot of entriesto make an exciting race. In the maiden race TeddyMulligan’s Liverpool Gloves (Willie McCarthy) set the pacewith Irvin S. Naylor’s Almarmooq (Roddy MacKenzie) andLilli Kurtinecz’ Derwin’s Prospector (Jacob Roberts) closebehind. Almarmooq moved to the lead over the last fenceand held off Derwin’s Prospector, who came again in thestretch and just missed by a nose. Liverpool Gloves fell atthe last fence after surrendering the lead to Almarmooq andDerwin’s Prospector. Kathy Neilson was the winning train-er.

Only two horses faced starter Graham Alcock in theopen timber race, but they put on quite a show. For most ofthe race, Annie Yeager set the pace on Don Yovanovich’sCat Walkin, but Jacob Roberts had Mary Fleming Finlay’sHey Doctor in Cat Walkins’ shadow. Roberts made his moveto engage Cat Walkin on the final turn, and they raced to thelast fence as a team. Hey Doctor made a mistake there near-ly losing his rider. This could have easily taken both horsesdown, but Roberts miraculously recovered. Hey Doctorrighted himself and was pulling away as they crossed thefinish to win by 1¼ lengths. Shortly after the race, AnnieYeager claimed foul against the winner. After reviewing thefilms of the race, the Stewards disqualified Hey Doctor forinterference around the last turn and to the last fence.

Angie (Elizabeth Wallace - small pony), Jordan (Erin

Swope - large pony), and Airolo (Brett Owings - horse) wonthe field masters chases that closed the day’s races.

Foxfield Fall Races 9-30-2012Trainer Lilith Boucher has had great success at the FoxfieldFall Races near Charlottesville the past two years. A yearago she saddled two winners of races over fences, and thisyear on Sunday, September 30 she matched that number ofvictories by winning one race over hurdles and another onthe flat.

The Virginia bred flat race attracted eleven startersand after a thrilling stretch duel, Boucher greeted MedeCahaba Stable LLC’s Complete Dyno and husband and riderRichard Boucher in the winners’ circle. This was a hardearned win as Magalen O. Bryant’s Southwest (JacobRoberts) nearly matched strides with Complete Dyno for thelength of the stretch. At the finish Complete Dyno won by aneck. For Complete Dyno this was a homecoming becausehe was one of the many Mede Cahaba Stable horses born atPhyllis Jones’ Smallwood Farm in nearby Crozet. MedeCahaba Stable belonged to the late Mignon Smith, who wasa great supporter of the Virginia horse industry.

Lilith Boucher’s second win was in the filly and maremaiden hurdle race. Boucher sent out a two horse entry,Teddy Alexander’s Kisser N Run (Paddy Young) and MedeCahaba Stable LLC’s Class Launch (Richard Boucher).Kisser N Run was reserved off the pace that was set byJoseph Davies’ Eat Cake (Jacob Roberts) and Class Launch.When Eat Cake tired on the turn, Class Launch took com-mand, but Paddy Young had Kisser N Run on the move andwon in the stretch by 2¼ lengths.

Kisser N Run was the second horse that Paddy Youngrode for Lilith Boucher. In the first race, a maiden event overhurdles, he was up on Westerley Farm’s Windsor Court, whoran well but was second best to Over Creek Stables LLC’sArrakis. Actually Windsor Court rallied to catch pacesetterArrakis at the final fence, but Arrakis came again in thestretch to win by 2¼ lengths. Carl Rafter rode Arrakis fortrainer Julie Gomena.

RACING

Fall RacesBy Will O’Keefe

Blue Ridge Fall Races Maiden HurdleMajaly (right) – 1st, Mark Watts up, Bluegrass Chat – 2nd.

Liz Callar photo.

Blue Ridge Fall Races Open HurdleFinal Straw – 1st, Willie McCarthy up.

Liz Callar photo.

Blue Ridge Fall Races Maiden TimberAlmarmooq (left) – 1st, Roddy Mackenzie up, Derwin’s

Prospector – 2nd.Betsy Burke Parker photo.

Blue Ridge Fall Races Open FlatZulla Road – 1st, Roddy Mackenzie up, Orchestra Leader – 2nd.

Betsy Burke Parker photo.

Foxfield Fall Races Maiden HurdleHishi Soar (left) – 1st, Roddy Mackenzie up, Manacor – 2nd.


Foxfield Fall Races Virginia Bred or Sired Training FlatComplete Dyno - 1st, Richard Boucher up, Southwest - 2nd.




Randy Rouse is a steeplechase legend and at ninety-five continues to train and saddle winners on the flat andover fences. He added another win at Foxfield when his reg-ular rider, Roddy MacKenzie, rode Hishi Soar in a thrillingmaiden hurdle race. Mrs. S. K. Johnston’s Three Piece Band(Barry Walsh) had a comfortable lead at the third fence outbut fell leaving Hishi Soar to inherit the lead. DaybreakStables’ Manacor (Danielle Hodsdon) closed with a rush andjust missed by a head in a photo finish.

In the training flat race Jubilee Stables’ Wantan(Bernard Dalton) was rated off Karen Gray’s Cuse (GusDahl), who set the pace. Wantan went to the lead with aquarter mile to run and won in hand by 3 lengths. Cuse fadedto third and William Pape’s Slice of Gold (Darren Nagle)rallied for second. Ted Thompson was the winning trainer.

Virginia Fall Races 10-6-2012Robert A. Kinsley’s Incomplete hasn’t lost a timber race inVirginia since last year’s National Sporting LibraryChronicle Cup at the Virginia Fall Races. He finished sixththat day but came back two weeks later to win theInternational Gold Cup and repeated this spring at GreatMeadow in the Virginia Gold Cup. He easily avenged lastyear’s loss by winning the Chronicle Cup at Glenwood Parknear Middleburg on Saturday, October 6. Paddy Young gotthe mount this year and his patient style suited Incompleteto a “t.” He was reserved off the pace, launched a rally withthree furlongs to run, took the lead entering the turn forhome and won going away by 1¾ lengths over MichaelWharton’s Grinding Speed (Mark Beecher). Michael A.Smith’s Triple Dip (Carl Rafter) finished third after makingmuch of the running. Last year’s winner, Al Griffin, Jr.’sAero, made a bid at the final fence but faded to fourth in thelast furlong. Ann Stewart has done a masterful job trainingIncomplete, who is now the leading money winner this yearover timber.

There are two words to describe Paddy Young’s status.“He’s back!” Paddy has been the leading rider for the pastthree years, but this year an injury in March and a subse-quent stay on the sidelines threatened to derail his 2012campaign. Prior to Saturday’s races he had won only fourraces over fences this year, but you can double that totalnow. Not only did Paddy win the feature, he added wins onFarndale for Tom Voss, Bluegrass Chat for Leslie Young,and Wolverton for Jimmy Day.

Mrs. Thomas Voss’s Farndale was kept off the pace inthe maiden timber race, but was moving best of all aroundthe turn and got up in the final stride to nose out Irvin S.Naylor’s Almarmooq (Roddy MacKenzie), who had led thefinal three furlongs but lost by the thinnest of margins.

Silverton Hill LLC’s Bluegrass Chat raced in the mid-dle of the eleven horse field of maiden claiming hurdle hors-es. Young rallied him to assume command on the turn forhome and won easily by 3¼ lengths over Arcadia Stable’sThree Hundred (Xavier Aizpuru). It was a Young familyaffair in the winners’ circle as Leslie is Paddy’s wife.

In the Virginia owned and trained maiden hurdle raceYoung again used come-from-off-the-pace tactics. His win-ning rally received a huge boost when Bettina L. Gregory’sGo For Green went to the outside rail on the turn for homeand went from first to fourth in an instant. DaybreakStables’ Wolverton took the lead entering the stretch andwon easily by 3 lengths over Mrs. George L. Ohrstrom, Jr.’sGawaarib (Ross Geraghty), who rallied but was never athreat to the winner.

Trainer Jimmy Day had also saddled S. Bruce Smart,Jr’s Orchestra Leader, who won the three-year-old maidenhurdle race with Danielle Hodsdon up. Kinross Farm’s MoreTea Vicar (Bernie Dalton) led on the turn for home but couldnot hold off Orchestra Leader, who won by a neck after adriving finish through the stretch.

Normally Paddy Young would have had the mount onSilverton Hill LLC’s Darkwatch for his wife, but Tom Vosshas first call for his services, and Young had to ride FoxRidge Farm’s Ahgogo. Ahgogo finished fourth, but Younghad a good view of Darkwatch, who won with BernieDalton up. Charles C. Fenwick, Jr.’s Puller (Ross Geraghty)ran evenly for second but could get no closer than 3½lengths at the finish.

Karen Gray’s hard knocking Cuse won the optional

allowance/claiming hurdle race. Apprentice Gus Dahl sentCuse to the lead entering the backside the first time aroundand led the rest of the way. Steve Yeager’s Mischief (AnnieYeager) rallied from far back but could not threaten the win-ner, who won by 5¾ lengths. This was Cuse’s fifth win inthe past two years.

Virginia Fall Races 10-7-2012The second day of the Virginia Fall Races on Sunday,October 7 was sanctioned by the Virginia SteeplechaseAssociation and featured an amateur rider timber race andan open hurdle race with four additional races on the flat.

The amateur highweight timber race was interestingfrom the start. When Graham Alcock dropped the flag,Black and Blue Stable’s Monstaleur (Forest Kelly) dwelt atthe start and gave the rest of the five horse field a significanthead start. Assisted by a rather slow pace, Monstaleurcaught up with the field and went to the front at the head ofthe stretch. Morning Star Stables’ Thermostat (McLaneHenriks) had been reserved well off the pace but was mov-ing best of all in the final quarter mile. Thermostat keptcoming in the stretch but missed by a length. The Stewardsquickly declared an inquiry after the race. It was confirmedthat Forest Kelly had received assistance following the start,and Monstaleur was disqualified. This was McLaneHendriks’ first win over fences, and was a proud moment forhis father Ricky, who was the National SteeplechaseAssociation champion rider in 1986 and 1987.

In the open hurdle race Michael Moran’s Irish-bredStaying On (Bernie Dalton) led for most of the race fendingoff several challenges along the way. The most serious threatwas posed by Hickory Tree Stables’ fellow Irish-bred SlaneyRock (Paddy Young), who rallied from third on the backsideto jump the last fence alongside Staying On. These two bat-tled through the stretch, and the final winning margin of ahead by Staying On denied Paddy Young his fifth win of theweekend. Michael A. Smith’s veteran campaignerHumdinger (Jacob Roberts) closed well for third andreceived a good prep for his next sanctioned start at GreatMeadow in the steeplethon, which he won a year ago.

Indian Run Farm’s steeplethon specialist SwimmingRiver also got a good tightener in the amateur/apprenticerider flat race. Mary Motion went to the front withSwimming River with Randy Rouse’s Sir Gus (BruceDaley) assuming a stalking position. Sir Gus took the leadwith less than a quarter mile to run and proved best overCharles McCann’s Evening Taps, who rallied under KeriBrion, to win by 1¾ lengths. Swimming River faded tofourth but gained condition in defeat. He won thesteeplethon at Great Meadow this spring beatingHumdinger, who finished second.

Keri Brion had her own trip to the winners’ circle fol-lowing the maiden flat race. She put William L. Pape’sPowerofone on the front end shortly after the start, relin-quished the lead down the backside but regained the advan-tage on the turn and won easily giving Hall of Fame trainerJonathan Sheppard one more win. Willie McCarthy’s rallyon Alix White’s Profeta fell 3 lengths short.

Lilith Boucher has a stable full of Virginia-breds andhad two in action in the Old Dominion Turf Championshipqualifier on the flat. She won the opener in this series atFoxfield with Mede Cahaba Stable LLC’s Complete Dynoand won at Virginia Fall with Rebecca Shepherd’s Pride ofthe Fleet, who was impressive under Mark Watts. Pride ofthe Fleet was far off the early pace, rallied to take the lead atthe head of the stretch and won handily by 4½ lengths. Mrs.Magalen O. Bryant’s Southwest had finished second atFoxfield, and this time her Well Fashioned (Jeff Murphy)was the runner up.

The filly and mare seven furlong sprint on the flat wentto Colleen Mahoney’s Colleen’s Charm. Rider WillieMcCarthy had the winner within striking distance with ahalf mile to run while racing in third place. In the last quar-ter mile Colleen’s Charm moved towards the front with Mrs.Bryant’s Quiet Flaine (Jeff Murphy) matching strides. Thesetwo battled into the stretch where Colleen’s Charm pulledaway to turn Quiet Flaine away by 2½ lengths. Middleburg’sTim White trains the winner, who was bred in Middleburgby the Virginia Tech Foundation.

Virginia Fall Races 10/7 Flat Race(#10) Quiet Flaine - 2nd, (#8) Colleen’s Charm - 1st,

Willie McCarthy up. Douglas Lees photo.

Virginia Fall Races 10/6 Maiden HurdlePuller - 2nd, Darkwatch - 1st, Bernie Dalton up. Douglas Lees photo.

Virginia Fall Races 10/6The Bon Nouvel Optional Allowance/Claiming Hurdle Race

Final Straw - 3rd, Cuse - 1st, Gustav Dahl up. Douglas Lees photo.

Virginia Fall Races 10/6 National Sporting Library/Chronicle CupIncomplete - 1st, Paddy Young up. Douglas Lees photo.

Virginia Fall Races 10/7 Open HurdleTriton Light, Dr. Bloomer, (#7) Staying On - 1st, Bernie Dalton up,

Fogcutter. Douglas Lees photo.



Six chestnut horses pull a red Wells Fargo Concord stagecoach with yellow wheels quietly outof the mist. Coach and horses ascend a small rise then careen down a steep grassy track besidea gray stone wall. Driver and passengers wear 19th century attire and hats. Though it is 2012,the Virginia hunt country setting is timeless. A leather suspension system causes the body ofthe coach to sway as it passes over uneven terrain. Mark Twain called the Concord-coach a“cradle on wheels.” While proceeding downhill at a fast trot, the driver uses the coach’s brakesfor control and safety. At the bottom of the slope, the coach slows and turns behind the threepairs of horses sweeping in a wide arc.

The Wells Fargo team has been planning to film the signature company stagecoach cross-ing an eastern landscape since 2008 when Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia. They chose theMiddleburg area countryside after scouting locations throughout the east coast. Five days offilming were scheduled far in advance, with no guarantee about Virginia May weather. Now,rain is coming down harder, prompting crew and cameras to move atop the hill to film thecoach passing over more level ground below. The film crew perseveres with the photo shootthrough both sun and rain. The coach driver, Australian horseman extraordinaire RobinWiltshire, guides the horses, stagecoach, and passengers safely and securely, as in years past.

Almost every American who owns a television has seen the work of Robin Wiltshire. Hetrained Budweiser Clydesdales to play football for a 1996 Super Bowl advertisement. BesidesWells Fargo and Budweiser, his clients include Philip Morris, Chevrolet and Coors. The foot-ball game, which took months of training, was entirely real footage, except that the ball’s flightover the telephone pole goal posts was sped up by computer. The commercial ends with onecowboy saying to another, “They always do that?” “Nah, they usually go for two.” Robin usedClydesdales from the Anheuser-Busch Colorado breeding farm. He trained the horses to lineup along boards he would lay on the ground. A Clydesdale named Roy was the kicker and onenamed Lenny was the holder. Frank Escalona, executive producer of production companyWessel Duval who frequently collaborates with Wiltshire, says the more controlled momentswere filmed first. When first shown the script, Escalona asked Wiltshire if they could possiblydo it. Wiltshire replied, “We have to.” The advertisement won awards.

Robin Wiltshire and his wife Kate started collecting and training horses at their Wyomingranch for the Middleburg Wells Fargo filming in January, five months in advance. They lookedfor chestnuts or bays that were built to run. They did not care if the horses had ever been inharness, and their choices included Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, warmbloods, and variouscrosses. From an initial training of 50, they selected 32 who would make the trip east. Alongwith a couple of mares, they selected mostly geldings who tend to be less temperamental.

The “base” the stagecoach returns to while the camera location changes is a group ofthree gooseneck trailers parked together at the opposite end of the field. One of the trailers isfilled with brown harness and collars. Another trailer carried seven chestnut horses to the eventwhile the third held seven bays. The seventh horse in each group is a spare in case one of thesix horse team goes lame. When the vehicles first arrived, horses were brought out, tied to thetrailers and each was given a feed bag. The seven bays are heavier built warmblood typeswhile the chestnuts look more like Thoroughbreds. The chestnuts do more stomping and paw-ing than the bays as they wait for their feed bags.

TRAINING

Stagecoach Heading EastBy Barclay Rives

Even though the stagecoach horses don’t play football, Robin Wiltshiremakes them line up to be haltered and led out of the pasture…because he

can.

The horses get some well-deserved TLC from one of their trainers.© 2012 Wells Fargo Bank, NA. All rights reserved.

It’s an early wake-up call for the team as they work together to prepare the stagecoachand horses for the first shots at dawn.

© 2012 Wells Fargo Bank, NA. All rights reserved.

Two happy, playful horses take a break.© 2012 Wells Fargo Bank, NA. All rights reserved.

An amazing team of chestnut horses, all lined up and ready to go!© 2012 Wells Fargo Bank, NA. All rights reserved.



The horses’ coats appear well groomed and shiny, though their manes arelonger and less even than hunting or show horses. Kate Wiltshire explains that thesix man crew has been “clipping and cleaning like mad” as the horses traveled eastand down from the 7,000 foot altitude of their ranch. At a few stops along the way,some of the horses got their first taste of lush spring grass, a commodity unknownin their Wyoming neighborhood that receives a ten inch average annual rainfall.

Tall and friendly, Robin Wiltshire loves animals, which is a basis for hisgenius in training them. Robin was a rodeo cowboy in his native Australia beforecoming to America when he was 19, lured by the legend of the American WildWest. He competed in all events in American rodeos, but also enjoyed teachinghorses tricks to perform during rodeo intermissions. He ran the Jackson Hole,Wyoming, rodeo in the 1980s, giving him the chance to train and stage more crowdpleasing horse performances. His Turtle Ranch near Dubois, Wyoming, hasbecome a destination for commercials that include animals. He says every horsecan do at least one trick.

Blonde and blue-eyed Kate Wiltshire grew up in Australia, “on a 60,000 acresheep station in the middle of nowhere.” As a child Kate had a white pony shetaught to rear, and on whom she could stand and “Roman Ride.” Her home was nottoo distant from Robin’s, but the two did not meet until Kate was traveling aroundthe world for her Australian walkabout. Someone had suggested she look up anAustralian cowboy living in Wyoming. The walkabout ended there. Kate andRobin have a son Patrick who has starred in Dorito commercials. Patrick rides ablack horse who lies down, enabling Patrick to recline against the saddle in a lone-ly western landscape. The crunch of the Dorito chips draws a hungry crowd oflonghorns.

In an interview on the Turtle Ranch website, Robin explains that his per-forming horses or other animals need to focus on him, his voice, and nobody else.He uses a whistle, buggy whips, and some pocket treats that must be magic. Howelse could twenty Clydesdales be persuaded to act like football players? Robin saysone of the most difficult animals to train was the sheep who was the “streaker” ina later Clydesdale football sequence. The menagerie of spectators includes buffaloand caribou. A sheared sheep bursts from a herd of wooly companions and runs

between the opposing Clydesdale teams. One cowboy remarks to the other,“Streaker. We didn’t need to see that.” “Nope.” Robin says the sheep had to be con-ditioned to be comfortable around the horses and vice versa.

The cameras are ready back in the rainy field. Robin drives the stagecoachinto view, then watches a truck drive the course intended for him. The cameras fol-low the truck’s trial run. A member of the crew says the area was meticulouslycombed for rocks and holes earlier in the day. The Wells Fargo team observing thefilming proudly declare the stagecoach is one of the world’s most recognized andinspiring corporate symbols.

Wells Fargo was founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo whohad both also helped found American Express in 1850. The two men wantedAmerican Express to open western offices to serve gold rush customers, but werevehemently opposed by members of the board of directors. Wells and Fargo start-ed their own company in New York City and soon established branch offices inevery California mining town. Wells Fargo established its stagecoach lines to trans-port passengers, mail and treasure across the country. The distinctive red coacheswith gold lettering and yellow wheels were built by the Abbot-Downing Companyof Concord, New Hampshire. Once the ultimate in modern innovation, customcraftsmanship, and durable design, they could carry eighteen passengers includingdriver and “shotgun” who guarded the treasure box under the driver’s seat. The2,160 mile passage from Atchison, Kansas, to San Francisco took 22 days, withstops at relay stations every 12-18 miles for change of horses.

Still photographers and film crew record the coach making several passesback and forth across the wet field. Optimists in the crowd say the rain gives sheento the horses’ coats. Others like the look of the coach’s lighted lanterns and the tanraincoats. The rain intensifies, and filming is halted for the day. Sunny weather isforecast for the following two days. Robin Wiltshire is disappointed that the wetconditions and short distances curtailed the horses’ speed. They will go faster dur-ing tomorrow’s filming from a helicopter. Despite the rain, I am delighted to wit-ness an amazing horseman at work. Says Kate Wiltshire about her husband, “I’mamazed what he can do with horses and I see it every day.”


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After Gold For Glory’s victory in the 2012 NorthAmerican Field Hunter Championship, it seemsalmost like he was born to it.

In many ways, he was.Homebred by Nina Bonnie, daughter of compe-

tition honoree Theodora A. Randolph, the near-blackThoroughbred won the October event finals held atMiddleburg, Virginia’s Glenwood Park. It was theculmination of a week of judged foxhunting withVirginia clubs, in which some 50 competitors weremarked on manners and movement by mounted offi-cials who hunted alongside them in the field. A fewhorses were selected at each of the four qualifiers toreturn for the championships’ final test October 7 atGlenwood to choose the best in the popular event.

Gold For Glory, ridden by Lissa Green, wasnoticed on day one, selected as a finalist out of thefield at a meet hosted by the Warrenton Hunt. “Hecaught our eye immediately,” said judge ChrisAmbrose. “He had all the qualities we’re lookingfor.”

Ambrose, who joined Peter Walsh, Barbara Batterton, Katherine Berger, andGeorge Hundt to judge the competition, explained that in addition to conformationand gaits, the panel is most interested to find “a horse that can get out of a trickyspot. I remember watching Gold For Glory at this trappy fence, come into it off ablind turn, one stride and ‘boom,’ just fly over this big coop. Didn’t bat an eye.We’re looking for flawless performance.”

Ambrose said the level of competition at the championship demands it. “Thiswas an excellent group,” he said.

Warrenton Hunt master Rick Laimbeer was Reserve Champion on wifeAlice’s gray hunter Nikiya.

Gold For Glory is owned by Randolph’s grandson Shelby Bonnie, joint mas-ter of Virginia’s Piedmont Fox Hounds. Theo Randolph was Piedmont MFH 1956to her death in 1996.

Green trains Bonnie’s horses in his Salem and Oakwood farms, working outof the historic bank barn where Randolph herself kept up to 19 field hunters for herseven-day-a-week hunting obsession at the height of her nearly 40-year tenure atPiedmont. Green said she occasionally opens a dusty tack trunk in one of theestate’s many outbuildings or a forgotten hayloft and finds beautifully crafted andmeticulously maintained pieces of harness and other fine bridle leather left behindafter Randolph’s death.

“It’s almost like a time capsule,” Green said of her training quarters atBonnie’s Upperville farm. “I feel like I’m working in her shadow. You can still feelher presence here.”

The championship was established in 1984. The first winner was Randolph’sArmanative.

How They Did ItIn the finals, held before a big crowd on the Glenwood Park infield prior to the Oct.7 Virginia Fall Races, Green was first on course to perform a short handy huntertest to determine the winners. Even though she is relatively young – 31 – comparedto many of the 25 finalists, and though at age six Gold For Glory was among theyoungest to compete, she actually liked her send-off position. “It was tough goingfirst over [the complicated course], not getting to watch anybody do it.” But Greensaid she “hates to sit around watching everybody go, and getting more and moretense. It was fun to go on and go, then to get to watch everybody else.”

“What we were looking for was a smooth, easy performance,” said judgeAmbrose. “It was top competition, but, in the end, it was an easy, unanimous deci-sion. The winner was incredible.”

Ambrose said that though Gold For Glory’s final test was very accurate andwell-done, he reminds spectators that judges had watched the horse under actualfoxhunting conditions, even more important to the final result, he explained.

“He handled everything perfectly today, but also during the week,” Ambrosesaid. “It was an easy choice.”

It wasn’t the first championship finals for Gold For Glory; Green said the

small gelding competed last year, even qualifyingfor the handy test on the last day. “His test was goodlast year,” she said. “But this year, he was great.He’s just that much more mature, and that much bet-ter. It’s a lot of work to get him here. It’s nice to getrewarded for it.”

The DetailsRiding alongside mounted judges, contestants hunt-ed with Warrenton, Bull Run, Fairfax, and OldDominion all week, in an ongoing event marked byunseasonably warm temperatures and rainstormsthat vexed hunt hosts and required last minuteschedule changes. Only the Monday meet atWarrenton went off as originally scheduled. TheFairfax meet was switched from Tuesday to Friday;Orange County, originally scheduled to host onWednesday, had to scratch; Bull Run stepped up onshort notice to fill in on Thursday; and by Saturdayground conditions in Old Dominion’s territory hadimproved enough for the fourth trial hunt to go for-

ward. Ordinarily, competitors have Friday and Saturday off to rest up and preparefor the Big Day. But the weather this year put an extra level of pressure on the con-testants.

Because of the wet footing, and because of forecast rain for the Sunday finals,event officials shortened the format, canceling a scheduled “mock” hunt and goingonly with the handy-hunter test. After a short hack class, riders took turns over thecomplicated course: canter stacked rails away from the crowd, then roll-back to abig coop. Another 180˚-turn up over an airy fence, then a hand-gallop up and overa big log. Riders pulled up and lowered a light rail on a small show jump, backedup and jogged over for the final element.

In addition to Gold For Glory and Nikiya catching the judges’ eyes, “BestTurned Out” went to last year’s champion Dudley with Kathleen O’Keefe, withJulie Matheson and Ambrose (no relation to the same-named judge) second bestturned out.

“Most Suitable” went to paint draft-cross PoPo and Makayla Boggs, with thesportsmanship award to Warrenton’s Amy Robinson.

The championship began in 1984, brainchild of Virginia Fall Races boardmember Dot Smithwick, who died before last year’s competition, and Kitty Smith.They created the championship as a way to showcase the nation’s top foxhunters –typically left out of show competition – as well as another way to support the racemeet’s beneficiary, the Loudoun Hospital.

The champion earned a $2,500 prize for her home hunt. Green whips in to thePiedmont pack three days a week.

A Maryland native, Green grew up hunting with Green Spring Valley. Shegraduated from Bryn Mawr and the University of Virginia. A lifelong rider –hunters, jumpers, eventers (she was 2004 national training level champion) – Greenwas a varsity letterman and polo All-American in college. Green coached polo atMaryland’s Garrison Forest from 2003 to ’08, then moved to Bonnie’s Salem Farmin 2010.

Gold For Glory – a 2006 son of Devil His Due out of the Forty Niner mareGold N’Glory – was bred by the Bonnie family’s Kingfish Stable. “Kingfish” wasTheo Randolph’s nickname.

The Kentucky-bred won on the racetrack once in seven starts – he broke hismaiden at Arlington Park – but was retired after he failed to hit the board twiceafter that. He was sent to Green in 2010 to make as a field hunter for Bonnie’s mas-ters’ string. “He’s just the best hunter,” said Green. “I have eight horses to choosefrom [to hunt with the field, or whip off of] and he’s my first pick, every time.”Green said Gold For Glory is just as sensible and steady hunting at the back of thefield on days she takes him with the group as he is off on his own when she whips.

“He’s such a pleasure,” Green added. “He just loves it.“Every horse they chose in the finals deserves to be there,” Green said of the

stiff competition. “I appreciate the judges, who recognize a horse that enjoys hisjob.”

Log onto www.VaFallRaces.com for more details about the championship.

FIELD HUNTERS

Championship Win for Gold For GloryBy Betsy Burke Parker

Champion Field Hunter, Gold For Glory ridden by Elizabeth (Lissa)Green and owned by Shelby Bonnie, Piedmont Fox Hounds.

Janet Hitchen photo


http://www.VaFallRaces.com


FIELD HUNTERS

Field Hunter Championship of AmericaOctober 7, 2012, Glenwood Park, Middleburg, Virginia • Photos by Janet Hitchen

Most Suitable PairPoPo, owned by Mary Ann Gahadban, ridden by Makayla Boggs, Warrenton Hunt.

Reserve Champion Field HunterRick Laimbeer and Nikiya owned by Alice Laimbeer, Warrenton Hunt.

Champion Field Hunter, Gold For Glory ridden by Elizabeth (Lissa) Green, Piedmont Fox Hounds.

Nikiya ridden by Rick Laimbeer and owned by Alice Laimbeer, Warrenton Hunt.

Best Turned OutKathleen O'Keefe and Dudley, Casanova Hunt.

Sportsmanship AwardAmy Robinson and Limerick, Warrenton Hunt.



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ACROSS THE POND

What with the “hunting with dogs” ban in the UKand the recession, the last thing I expected to beattending was the opening of brand new kennels fora pack of foxhounds. Yet this is exactly what hap-pened when the North Shropshire held their puppyshow (on another wet day) at new, purpose-built ken-nels, complete with huntsman’s house and outbuild-ings, a few miles north of the ancient market town ofShrewsbury. This major venture is a shot in the armfor foxhunters and a kick in the butt for the “doomand gloom” brigade who say that “there is no futurefor hunting with dogs.” Amazingly, I was part of thecelebrations and was honored by being asked to cutthe ceremonial ribbon and declare the kennels offi-cially open. For the record, I first photographed theNorth Shropshire Foxhounds as long ago as March22, 1951, when hounds caught a well-hunted fox onthe 1335-foot summit of the “Wreckin,” which Iunderstand hasn’t happened since. As well as newkennels, there is a new mastership, RichardCambray, who will carry the horn, and JamesHaselwood, while Martin Jarrett, huntsman since1985, stays on as kennel huntsman to their OldEnglish pack.

The puppy show judges were Fred Eames,MFH, and Simon Hall, and they had 3 couple of dogsand 6½ couple of bitches to sort from three litters bydifferent stallions. The young dogs were headed by“Lancelot” (Holderness “Lancer” x “Parsley”), withthe top bitch being “Satchel” (Sir W. W. Wynn’s“Sampson” x “Buckle”), with “Lancelot” beingChampion. Then the young puppy walkers came intothe very wet ring with couples of hounds which theyhad walked, and the winners were India and OliverMatson, with “Sampson” and “Satin,” and we thenrushed into the tea tent to dry out.

The 2012 Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show wasthe 124th renewal, and the 66th which I’ve attended,taking pictures of the champions for posterity, which,as years go by, show how hound fashions change.

This year was evenmore interestingthan usual, not onlybecause 27 modernEnglish and 6 OldEnglish packs sententries, but because9 modern packs and3 Old English packswon classes. TheR e s t r i c t e dU n e n t e r e d

Doghounds was won by the local pack, theFitzwilliam, with “Benwick,” while the Open Classfor UnenteredCouples was headedby North Cotswold“Carbine” and“Capetown” (byHeythrop “Stormer”),the latter being namedas Unentered DogChampion. The bestCouple of RestrictedEntered Dogs was theBicester with

Whaddon Chase, showing a pair of broken-coatedhounds, “Farmer” and “Porridge.” Then, in the TwoCouple of Entered Dogs, the Vale of White Horsebegan a great run by winning with four unrelatedhounds, then scoring in the Stallions with “Rancher”’09 and taking the Championship with the home-bred “Ptarmigan” ’10. The bitches were judged afterlunch, with theC h i d d i n g f o l d ,Leconfield &Cowdray winningthe RestrictedUnentered Classwith “Habit,” whojoined with her sister“Hassle” to take theOpen UnenteredCouples, whileGrove & Rufford“Duchess” (byHeythrop’s “Stormer”) was named as UnenteredBitch Champion. The Cotswold then scored in theRestricted Class for Entered Couples with “Siphon”and “Stanza.” It was at this time that we were hit bya thunderstorm and monsoon rain, which flooded the

collecting ring, as ithad in 2001 whenMarty Wood, MFHLive Oak, Florida,was judging.However, we car-ried on with theclass for TwoCouple of EnteredBitches, it being

won by the Duke of Beaufort’s, and then to muchcheering, Crawley & Horsham “Aspic” (by VWH“Aztec” ’06) headed the Brood Bitches. Then came anail-biting Bitch Championship, which went to thehomebred VWH “Summer,” thus completing a greatday for this Gloucestershire-based hunt. In the OldEnglish section,despite their outdoorring becoming flood-ed, the ChampionDog was Hurworth“Monarch” ’09 andChampion Bitch wasSir W. W. Wynn’s“Budget” ’09.

UK Hound Shows, Puppy Shows, And Mink HuntingBy Jim Meads

North Shropshire Hunt Puppy ShowIt rains heavily! Here are 5 young puppy walkers and 2 couple of

hounds under one umbrella!

Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show, July 18, 2012Packed ring for the class for 2 couple of entered dogs.

Peterborough Royal Foxhound ShowBest 2 Couple of Entered Bitches

Duke of Beaufort’s “Bobtail,” “Bottle,” “Startle,” and “Stylish.”

PeterboroughBest Couple of Unentered DogsNorth Cotswold “Carbine” and

“Capetown” (nearest) was ChampionUnentered Doghound.

PeterboroughBest Unentered Doghound from

restricted packs Fitzwilliam“Benwick.”

PeterboroughChampion Old English Bitch Sir

W.W. Wynn’s “Budget.”

North Shropshire Hunt Puppy Show, July 2012The two Joint Masters James Haselwood and Richard Cambray,

Huntsman.

PeterboroughBest Couple of Entered Dogs from

restricted packs Bicester withWhaddon Chase “Farmer” and

“Porridge.”

PeterboroughChampion Old English Doghound

Hurworth “Monarch.”

North Shropshire Hunt Puppy ShowMartin Jarrett, who has been in charge of the kennels since 1985,showing the Young Bitches to the Judges Fred Eames, MFH and

Simon Hall.



The Brecon & Talybont Foxhound packs combined in1996 and have since operated as one unit, huntingcountry which has a vale, woodland, and open hills ris-ing to 2964 feet at the summit of the Brecon Beacons.Their kennels are alongside the Brecon Canal, busywith cabin cruisers in the summer, and since 2011 for-mer Toronto & North York Huntsman Mark Powell andhis Whipper-in wife Emma, who are both Welsh, havebeen in charge of the pack of mostly Welsh Foxhounds.Since 1962, Sir Martyn Evans-Bevan has been Master(latterly as the longest serving MFH in the country)with Geraint Phillips and Roger Price as Joint Mastersfor the past six seasons. This year’s puppy show, heldat the freshly painted kennels and judged by GaryBarber and Charles Owen, Joint Masters of thePembrokeshire Foxhounds, had greater than usual sig-nificance, as it was the last for Sir Martyn Evans-Bevan, who has retired after 50 years in office.

There was an assortment of puppies with smoothand broken coated hounds among the 1½ couple ofdogs and 4 couple of bitches. Interestingly, the topyoung doghound, also Champion, was “Kickback,”while his sister “Kindly” was best bitch. Their breedingis unusual, as they are by Fife (Scotland) “Billinge” outof Windy Hollow (USA) “Kitkat,” so are full of BenHardaway’s famous Midland “K” line! Top puppywalker was Whipper-in Ann Bowen. After she hadreceived her prize, attention turned to Sir Martyn, as hisretirement brings to an end an iconic era in this historyof the Brecon Hunt. Speeches were made, tearful eyeswere wiped, and after his presentations, a huge iced anddecorated cake made by Emma Powell was ceremoni-ally cut and carved, so that everyone was able to enjoythe cake and wish Sir Martyn “Good Luck” in hisretirement, with many thanks for his 50 years asMaster.

In 1903, the Border Counties (North Wales)Otterhounds were formed, with a wonderful countrycontaining superb rivers such as the Conway, Dee,Dovey, Severn & Weaver. During the 1960s and 1970s,tremendous sport was enjoyed under the mastership ofRay and Jackie Williams, until in January, 1978, theotter achieved “protected” status. So packs turned tohunting mink, resulting in several changes in master-ship, including three members of the Newton family.When Mark Newton resigned at the end of the 2011-12season, the hunt was in difficulties, but a completelynew setup was arranged, with David Lowe asChairman. A young couple, Stuart Roscoe andStephanie Dawson, who both held office with theTanatside Foxhounds, were appointed Joint Masters,and amazingly, they organized new kennels and a fix-ture card to enable hunting to begin at the end of May,2012!

My visit – the first day’s hunting of my 63rd sea-son – found me at Llangedwyn Bridge to hunt the RiverTanat, where I was joined by about 40 keen followers,including David Lowe and daughter Amy; formerMaster and Huntsman John Newton; and Peter Cooper,a former Master of the Three Counties Mink Hounds.Then the hounds arrived with Huntsman Stuart Roscoe,MH, and his Joint Master Stephanie Dawson, with abrace of Terriers. Hounds are a mix of Welsh, English,and Old English Foxhounds. After a stirrup cup or two,they were taken to draw; luckily the river had returnedto a normal level after all the heavy rain. Soon theybegan to speak, and we made our way along the river-banks, pushing through really thick and lush under-growth with difficulty. An enjoyable day followed,with much exercise and banter and wet feet, before“Home” was blown and the Joint Masters were con-gratulated on the success of their new venture.

All too soon, the finalmajor hound show of mysummer schedule arrived.This is Rydal, the mostimportant Fell Foxhoundshow of the year, and ittakes place on the mostbeautiful showground ofall, sited as it is in theLake District of northwestEngland. As well as class-es for Fell Foxhounds, there are rings for Harriers,Beagles, and Terriers. Of course the day began wet, buta large crowd of knowledgeable hunting folk turned up,and by the time proceedings began with the local hunt,the Coniston’s, puppy show, it was still pouring.Blencathra Huntsman Barry Todhunter, enveloped inrain gear, judged and awarded the Champion Trophy to“Sonnet,” walked by Alan Cummings. At midday therain stopped, and the Fell Hound Judges, Otis Ferry,MFH, and Heythrop Huntsman Julian Barnfield, tookcenter stage, with the Best Group of Five Hounds beingwon by the Ullswater, shown by former Toronto andNorth York (Canada) Huntsman John Harrison. TheEskdale & Ennerdale had the Best Couple ofDoghounds, while Coniston Huntsman MichaelNicholson showed the Best Couple of Bitches, whichalso took the Couples Championship.

Then came the class for Unentered Doghounds,won by Melbreak “Poacher,” with the 2011 ChampionUllswater “Stormer” heading the older dogs. TheYoung Bitches Class was won by the impressiveMelbeak “Duchess,” while the Senior Bitches, in thebiggest class of the day with 63 entries, went toBlencathra “Melody.” The Fell Championship was wonby the unentered bitch, Melbreak “Duchess,” to thedelight of young Huntsman Edward Liddle, withUllswater “Stormer” Best of Opposite Sex.

In the Harrier ring, the Holcombe, Pendle Forest &High Peak won classes, with the Championship goingto the entered dog, Pendle Forest & Craven “Forger,”with Reserve being Holcombe “Barrister.” There werelarge entries in the Beagles, where the Old Berkeley,Hunsley Beacon, Newcastle & District, and theWarwickshire won classes. The Champion was theentered bitch Newcastle “Wisdom,” and the Best ofOpposite Sex was Old Berkeley “Murcott.” Afterlengthy discussions between the combined judges, theSupreme Championship went to the Beagle, Newcastle“Wisdom,” with Master since 1983 Rupert Gibsonaccepting the Bruce Logan Memorial Trophy from hisdaughter, Claire Logan-Stephens.

Brecon & Talybont Hunt Puppy ShowHuntsman Mark Powell showing the young hounds to the

judges Gary Barber, MFH and Charles Owen, MFH.

Brecon & Talybont Hunt Puppy ShowHuntsman Mark Powell with the champion young hound

“Kickback.”

Border Counties Mink Hounds, July 21, 2012The new Joint Masters Stuart Roscoe (Huntsman) and

Stephanie Dawson, bringing hounds to the meet atLlangedwyn Bridge.

Rydal Hound ShowGrand Champion Foxhound Melbreak “Duchess” with

Huntsman Edward Liddle.

Peterborough Royal Foxhound ShowSuffolk Huntsman Sean Hutchison and whipper-in Will Parker tak-ing hounds to their lorry at the end of the day through floodwater

on the show ground!

Rydal Hound ShowChampion Beagle Doghound

Old Berkeley “Murcott.”



The first human to climb onto the back of a horsecreated a revolution in transportation. The secondperson to do so created competition.

Whose horse runs faster? Jumps higher? Looksnicer? Behaves better? Which rider is more skillful?The most elegant? The bravest?

The drive to show off the talents of horse andrider has spawned a plethora of competitive eventsthroughout the world of equestrian sports, severaljust within the hunt community alone. We thought itmight be helpful for our readers if we provided abrief description of a few of the more common con-tests. The criteria for inclusion in our list are that atleast a significant portion of the action occurs outsidea ring and the horses and riders have a hunt affilia-tion.

Hunter Pairs (or Pace)These events are most commonly held in the spring,as hunt season is winding down or has ended, butpreferably before horses have been let down too long after the final “Going Home”has been blown. Sponsored by the various hunts in a given area, one objective,besides good sport and camaraderie, is to raise money for the club. Entry fees arecharged and unless the organizers spend too much on prizes and stocking the bar,a few shekels may end up in the club’s coffers.

A course is laid out across the country, typically a jumping line over hunt-style obstacles and an optional flat course. A map is prepared and made availablea few days before the event. Riders are encouraged to visit the site, pick up a map,and walk the course (at times a challenging undertaking if there are stream cross-ings involved; tall waterproof boots are advised).

A pair of riders, preferably masters or staff, take a timed spin around thecourse, attempting to maintain a reasonable “hunter pace.” The result is the opti-mum time, which the competitors try to match but which is kept as a closelyguarded secret until after all the riders have finished. The pair that comes closestto the optimum time wins, and the placings then proceed down the line based oneach team’s relative proximity to the mystery time. Ribbons are often given outdown to fifth or sixth place.

To vary the options, there are categories for fast time adult; adult optimumover fences; adult/junior optimum over fences; and adults, juniors, or adult/junioroptimum on the flat.

Preregistration may be required to be eligible for prizes, ribbons, and seriespoints, although post entries may be allowed at the club’s discretion. If so, postentries will likely be considered hors concours, out of the competition. Horses areto have been “fairly hunted” to be eligible, meaning they have gone out with anorganized hunt for a minimum number of outings during the previous season ascertified by a master. Riders represent their hunt clubs, although mixed pairs areallowed and not uncommon.

Where there are enough hunt clubs in close proximity, such as in NorthernVirginia, these events are combined into a series in which riders earn points forawards at the end of the season.

Now, is it “Hunter Pace” or “Hunter Pairs”? This seems to be a suit-yourselfmatter. Both versions are correct to a degree, but under closer scrutiny each has itsdeficiency. True, the object is, for the most part, to come closest to the predeter-mined, unrevealed “hunt pace.” Unless you’re competing in the “fast time” cate-gory where the “pace” be damned, dig in your heels, and let ’er rip. (Of course, forsome clubs that is the typical pace.) As for “Pairs,” yes, it’s mostly teams of tworiders competing as a unit. But a third rider may sometimes be allowed to tagalong. Or maybe a fourth. And a trainer may shepherd an entire troupe of juniorsfor schooling purposes, although such a group would likely not be consideredamong the competitors.

Regardless of what you call them, these events are a fun option for low-pres-sure competition. It’s a chance to ride across lovely hunt country at a steady pace,opting for either the jumping or flat course to suit your preference, or going at aGrand National gallop if there’s a “fast time” option and that’s your style. Thereare no big money prizes nor major prestigious awards, but there’s sure to be a tail-gate afterward where everyone can swap lies and have a good time.

North American Field Hunter ChampionshipA “field hunter” is a horse. While the skills of theperson riding that horse certainly play a significantrole in how well the animal does, the “champi-onship” goes to the horse, not the rider. That pedan-tic distinction notwithstanding, in common parlancethe rider is cited as the “winner” more often than not.

One benefit of notching a win in this event isthat such an accolade on the horse’s resume canboost the animal’s price tag should the owner wish tosell. The rider’s market value, however, is not soinfluenced.

The North American Field HunterChampionship is, as the name implies, open to allacross the US and Canada. (Yes, we know “NorthAmerica” includes Mexico, but our good neighbor tothe south is sadly bereft of recognized hunt clubs.)In reality, the fixed location for the championshipfinals in Virginia at Middleburg’s Glenwood Park

results in a heavy concentration of participants from the Mid-Atlantic region,although some enthusiasts are likely to haul in from more distant locales.

This event is much more structured than the local Hunter Paces (or Pairs).Entrants pay to ride with four Virginia hunts during the week before the champi-onship finals. (This year’s entry fee was $250; not a bad deal compared to whatfour individual caps would cost.) Mounted judges ride along and select thosedeemed worthy of competing in the championship finals on Sunday. Riders select-ed early in the week have the option to continue hunting for the remainder of theweek but are not required to do so. The fourth and final hunt is scheduled forThursday so all contestants, both riders and horses, have two days off to rest upand prepare for the Big Day. (This assumes the weather and ground conditionscooperate, which is not always the case, as was seen this year when it was neces-sary to schedule trial hunts on both Friday and Saturday.)

The finalists then compete over a hunter course designed to test the horses’manners and hunting abilities. (Note: It does not say anything about testing the rid-ers’ skills.) This consists of a mock hunt, led by a field master, who takes the fieldinto the hunt country surrounding Glenwood Park and then back to the racecoursewhere the finalists are narrowed down once again and required to negotiate ahandy hunter course for the championship title. They might be asked to dismountand re-mount from a log, unlatch a gate and close it from horseback, or trot overa fallen tree. The judges ask the riders to show each horse’s different huntingskills, and after these individual tasks are completed, a champion is chosen.Trophies are awarded for Field Hunter Champion, Reserve Champion, BestTurned Out, Most Suitable, and Sportsmanship. A $2,500 cash prize is awarded tothe Field Hunter Champion’s Hunt by The Bonnie Family

This competition was created in 1989 to honor the memory of Mrs. TheodoraA. Randolph, Master of the Piedmont Fox Hounds for over 40 years and grand-mother of Shelby Bonnie, current joint-MFH of Piedmont. (See pages 12-13 forBetsy Burke Parker’s report and Janet Hitchen’s photos of this year’s winners.)

COMPETITIONS

Courses for Horses (and Riders too)By J. Harris Anderson

Pairs participating in a Hunter Pace can compete for either fast time overfences or optimum time over fences or on the flat. Richard Clay photo.

Many hunt-related competitions require the finalists to negotiate a Handy Hunter course. Thisincludes a variety of natural-style jumps (coops, stone walls, hay bales, log piles, etc.) as well asother challenges such as opening/closing a gate, ponying a horse, or, as seen here, dropping a rail

and then taking the jump.Richard Clay photo.



Junior North American Field Hunter ChampionshipQuoting from www.juniorfieldhunter.com: “This event is designed for junior rid-ers, 18 and under, on foxhunting ponies or appropriate hunting horses.” The stat-ed goal is to focus on “the juniorrider and their pony or horse; thefoxhunting mount and its properturnout is important, but their suit-ability for the young rider is fore-most. We hope the children, thefuture of our hunts, will come outfor…a great day of hunting, meetnew friends, see new country, andrealize how important our country-side is and do their best to protectit for their future generations…There will be four to five hunts ineach region [a Northern Regionwith meets in Maryland andPennsylvania and a SouthernRegion in Virginia] where you canqualify. We try different huntsevery year. Judges will be presentat each of these meets and thosechildren qualifying will be invitedto the finals.”

There are both hilltopper andfirst flight divisions, with the firstfight group divided between 12and under and 13 and over. As thejuniors would be unable to skip aweek of school for several straight days of hunting – although many would doubt-less be happy to do so given the option – the qualifying meets are mostly held onSaturdays and spread out over several weeks. A convenient holiday, such asColumbus Day, also allows for a Monday meet when possible. This year’s sched-ule began on September 17th and concludes with the finals on Sunday, November4th, at the Radnor Hunt, PA.

Virginia Field Hunter ChampionshipThe Virginia version of a field hunter championship, usually held in early to midNovember, differs from its North American cousin in three ways.

First, it’s an invitational event. The masters of Virginia hunts are invited tonominate two members to compete. No trials to qualify, but no open registrationeither. With 27 recognized hunts in the Old Dominion (plus a farmers pack or twowhose members may participate), a good sized field can be raised even with thelimit of two riders per club.

Second, the day may include a live hunt. Rather than a mock hunt or attemptsto match an imagined hunt pace, the hosting hunt has the option to cast houndsand, hopefully, provide a brief bit of sport for the judges to make their marks underactual hunting conditions.

Third, the hosting duties rotate yearly based on the results. The hunt whoserider won is accorded the privilege of hosting the following year.

Other elements of the competition are similar to the broader field hunterchampionships. The day begins with the judging of Best Turned Out and a hackon the flat. Following the hunt, whether mock or live, finalists are announced whothen must negotiate a handy hunter course.

Spectators gather to watch and cheer on their favorites. Some masters havebeen known to do so in a state of double-mindedness. Surely, they wish to see theirclub honored by a member’s horse earning first place. But along with the thrill ofvictory comes the burden of planning and hosting the next year’s event. Maybesecond place would be okay.

Orange County Hounds Team ChaseThe Orange County Hounds variation on our theme is an adaptation of the Englishteam chase. It’s akin to a Hunter Pace/Pair, with some elements of Handy Hunter,and a few original twists. Competitors must belong to an organized hunt (recog-nized, registered, farmers pack, etc.) and while a team can be made up of ridersfrom different clubs, they must ride under a single team name. (Some catchymonikers have been created to meet that requirement.)

The day begins with Hilltopper Pairs, suitable for children or hilltopperadults, who compete over an infield course of 13 fences, 2’4” to 2’6”. Next comesLimited Hunters, teams of three to four riders who ride out over a 1½-mile coursefeaturing 15 fences at 3’. The program describes this class as suitable “For juniorriders (age 16 or younger), first year hunters, young horses, and/or riders of any

age who desire a shorter course.” The day concludes with Genuine Hunters, alsoteams of three or four, riding horses that have been fairly hunted, over a 2½-milecourse with 22 fences from 3’ to 3’6”.

The advantage of moving off with four rather than three riders is that if onemember of the team falls or must withdraw from the course, the other three maycontinue on. As long as at least three riders cross the finish line, the team won’t bedisqualified.

Each class begins with a Best Turned Out Parade. The Hilltopper Pairs arejudged on their performance over the infield course. Limited and Genuine Huntersshoot to come closest to an ideal time. But there’s a separate award in each of thesetwo categories for Best Hunt Team.

After all Limited Hunter teams are in, six to eight junior riders are called backto hack and perform a handy hunter test individually. Similarly, six to eightGenuine Hunters are invited back for a similar individual test.

Prizes include ribbons; a trophy crafted by the late Eve Fout, who withMargaret White, created the competition in 1987; a quarter sheet from HorseCountry Saddlery; checks for $100 to winning hunts; and, perhaps most covetedof all, a glass jar filled with M&Ms (did we mention the connection betweenOrange County Hounds and the Mars family?)

Always held the last Sunday in October, and historically at Mark and KarinOhrstrom’s Old Whitewood Farm, this year’s event is dedicated to the memory ofJimmy Young, long-serving MFH of Orange County Hounds.

The Junior North American Field Hunter Championshipis designed for junior riders, 18 and under, on foxhunt-

ing ponies or appropriate hunting horses.Richard Clay photo.

In the Orange County Team Chase “Genuine Hunters” category, teams of three or four riders mustcomplete a 2½-mile course with 22 fences from 3’ to 3’6”. Richard Clay photo.


http://www.juniorfieldhunter.com:

http://www.farmcreditofvirginias.com/


CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

Our June/July issue contained an article focus-ing on the importance of maintaining streamcrossings on riding trails (“Stream Crossings:A Sensitive Topic”). Several highly creden-tialed and knowledgeable experts were quoted,universally giving voice to the need for betterawareness of this topic and citing the unpleas-ant consequences that can ensue if propermaintenance of such areas is not practiced.

Following the publication of that article,another experienced and respected voice pro-vided some additional thoughts, particularlyregarding the application of this topic to landthat has been placed in conservation easement.

Daphne Wood, Jt. MFH of Florida’s LiveOak Hounds, has been a volunteer at the TallTimbers Research Station and LandConservancy for 32 years and currently servesas chairman of the easement committee whichoversees conservation easements on more than120,000 acres of land. A foxhunter for 46 seasons, and past president of the Masters ofFoxhounds Association, Daphne and her husband/joint master C. Martin Wood, IIIhave donated five easements on property they own.

Obviously, this is a subject of great importance to Mrs. Wood and one aboutwhich she can speak with authority. Her input inspired us to not only pass along herthoughts but to look further into conservation easements and provide some additionalinformation on this important topic.

Consider the “What-ifs”“In crafting an easement,” Wood says, “it is vital to document in great detail tradition-al uses and reserved permitted future uses. Water crossings, roads, and trails should beshown on maps attached as exhibits to the easement and the right to use and repairthem as needed should include the right to add permeable materials (clay, sand, orstones) as well as the right to trim or remove any tree or plant, regardless of species,that blocks trails used for horseback riding.”

Wood further advises, “You should carefully scrutinize the organization that willhold your easement (the Grantee). Some are pro-hunting and totally support sustain-able use of renewable resources and some do not. Talk to others (Grantors) who havedonated easements to the organization you are considering to be certain their monitor-ing of the easement property has been a fair and pleasant experience.”

To expand on the subject of conservation easements, we spoke to two otherknowledgeable experts: Steffanie Burgevin, President of the Land Trust of Virginia(LTV), and Donald Owen, LTV Executive Director. Owen provided clarification aboutthe purpose of conservation easements, particularly as defined in the tax code, as wellas what cannot be included in an easement’s purpose. “A conservation easement pro-tects ‘conservation values,’ including natural resources, historic resources, open space,and agriculture. Seeking to protect the land for the use of a private hunt club does notqualify as a separate conservation value under the federal tax code.”

That’s not to say the one doesn’t mesh well with the other. In fact, the objectivesare highly similar. Foxhunting requires open land. The essential purpose of a conser-vation easement is to achieve exactly that, to assure that development does not whittleaway at open, natural, rural spaces.

Selecting a Land TrustBurgevin and Owen concur with Daphne Wood’s counsel that property owners inter-ested in placing their land in conservation easement should investigate the organiza-tion they are considering dealing with. Depending on where the property is located,there could be several choices to select from, ranging anywhere from those with anationwide scope (e.g., The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited) to small opera-tions with a local or special purpose focus.

Don Owen puts the number of land trusts in the US at approximately 1,700. Ofthese, only 181 are listed as accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.Although as Executive Director of an accredited land trust Owen naturally speaks insupport of this credential, he is quick to point out that the absence of accreditationalone is not necessarily a red flag. For example, some land trusts are governmental orquasi-governmental agencies and hence accreditation by an outside entity is not appli-cable.

As for Wood’s point to seek input fromothers who have granted easements, the ques-tion arises as to how to make these contacts.A given land trust may not be either willing orlegally permitted to divulge the names of itsgrantors. Neighboring property owners mayhave posted signs announcing that their landis in conservation easement, but that mightprove a spotty approach at best. A search ofcounty land records will likely provide themost thorough results. Easements must beentered into a registry of deeds and a searchthere should turn up both grantor and granteeinformation. If the county records are com-puterized, as most are these days, the searchcan be conducted from the comfort of yourkeyboard.

In addition to polling those who havehad experience with a given land trust, otherfactors can bear on the selection process. Cost

may be a consideration. State or county agencies generally do not charge fees for pro-cessing the easement whereas private organizations typically do. The desired time-frame may also influence the choice. If the potential grantee prefers a slow and delib-erate path, a government agency may be the way to go. Private land trusts tend to movemore quickly. Some land trusts have a specific mission, such as historic preservationor protecting an endangered species population.

Benefits: Economics and EmotionsThe overall benefits to the grantor of placing land in conservation easement are thesame regardless of the size or scope of the selected grantee. These benefits fall into twocategories: economics and emotions.

As mentioned, the federal tax code encourages the protection of “conservationvalues” offered by easements on properties that meet the legal requirements: the donorof a qualified conservation easement is eligible for a federal tax deduction.Furthermore, placing development restrictions on the property typically lowers itsassessed value, which serves to lower both local property taxes and future estate taxes.A handful of states go even further, allowing as much as a 40% state tax credit.(According to Don Owen, this list currently includes Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, andVirginia.) In some states, Virginia being one such, the tax credits allowed by the con-servation easement are transferrable to another taxpayer, thus delivering an immediatemonetary benefit to the grantee.

The emotional aspect speaks of the peace of mind that comes from knowing theproperty will remain forever open, that it is protected for all time through a conserva-tion easement that is a legal, enforceable attachment to the land. No future owner ofthe property, whether through purchase or inheritance, can circumvent that restriction.The very presence of the easement will likely dissuade any prospective purchaser fromeven considering the property if the objective is to acquire land for development, andpotentially encourage prospective purchasers who are seeking rural farm or forestlands with lots of open space.

Managing the LandReturning to Daphne Wood’s words of caution, she offers a further piece of advice.“The easement document should be as brief as possible because changing it in thefuture will all but require an Act of Congress! You should have a separate ManagementPlan outlining such things as details of your timber harvesting, agricultural, road build-ing rights, etc. Any future development rights will have to be enumerated in the ease-ment.”

“Any future development rights”? Isn’t the point of an easement to protect theland against development? Specific kinds of development, yes. But a conservationeasement does not mean the land can never be touched in any way. Land still needs tobe managed and depending on the type of use there may be allowances for certaintypes of construction. For example, an easement on a working farm might allow theaddition of necessary agricultural structures, preferably with specifically enumerateddetails as to number, size, and location. An easement might even permit some degreeof subdivision for additional residential structures, but with minimum acreage set toassure the overall property retains its “conservation value.”

Protecting the Future of Open LandBy J. Harris Anderson, Managing Editor

It’s the beauty of open spaces such as this conservation easements seek to protect for theenjoyment of future generations. Janet Hitchen photo



Managing the land also needs to be defined. Don Owen described one situationthat ties in with our previous article about stream crossings. The management planincluded wording that called for the placement of culverts at identified stream cross-ings, with the option for an additional culvert depending on the location of livestock.This clause of the easement document stated that the culverts should be placed “inaccordance with ‘best management practices’ for stream crossings for agricultural use,as determined by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.”

Landowner & Land Trust: Communication is KeyOnce all relevant details have been covered in the management plan and the easementis finalized, it then becomes a matter of the landowner and the land trust workingtogether to assure the easement is honored. This brings us back to the merits of a thor-ough evaluation process before selecting the grantee

Along with the variations in size and scope, land trusts also differ in their follow-up procedures. Ideally, a representative of the trust should visit each property on whichit holds an easement at least once a year to assure all conditions are being faithfullyobserved. LTV’s Don Owen recounted an instance where an easement allowed a prop-erty owner to build a barn but with specific stipulations as to the allowable size of thestructure. Years later, the owner built a large barn without first alerting the LTV to theplanned construction. When a representative of the trust visited the property, it initial-ly appeared that the size of the barn was in excess of the allowable limit. Fortunately,after a careful examination of the terms and conditions of the easement, it was deter-mined that no action was necessary. However, the situation illustrates the importanceof regular communication between the property owner and land trust that holds theeasement. Had the owner submitted the plans for the new barn to the LTV first, thisproblem would have been avoided.

An attentive land trust, and one supportive of horse sports, can help assure aproperty retains both its conservation values and its functional integrity. For example,a property on which the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (a state agency) holds an ease-ment was set aside expressly for the use of the local hunt but is also open to others forcasual trail riding. To minimize the horse traffic on a low-lying boggy area, thelandowner and VOF posted signs asking the local trail riders to stay clear of that por-tion of the property. The hunt, however, is permitted to follow hounds there if neces-sary. This, then, reduces pressure on a sensitive area while not compromising a centralportion of the property for use on hunting days.

Reasonable certainty that the land trust will continue to function far into thefuture is another consideration. Should the selected land trust cease to operate, theeasement could fall into legal limbo with no one to exercise the rights enumerated inthe document. This further supports the selection of an accredited organization such asLTV or Florida’s Tall Timbers of which Daphne Wood has been a supporter for morethan three decades. (For a listing of accredited land trusts, go towww.landtrustaccreditation.com.)

None of this is intended to dissuade a property owner who is considering placingland in easement from taking action to do so. Indeed, it is hard to imagine any readerof this publication being anything less than fully supportive of conservation easementsas a way to help keep land open for horse sports. It is, however, a process that requiresforethought and a close working relationship between the grantor and grantee at everystep to assure all objectives are met and the property’s future is maintained for all timeas the grantor desires.

Special thanks to Daphne Wood, Steffanie Burgevin, and Don Owen for their valuableinput that made this article possible. IAHC managing editor J. Harris Anderson liveson a Virginia horse farm protected by a long-standing conservation easement.

Flying Change: A Year of Racing and Family andGreat Steeplechasing

By Lauren R. GianniniA number of American families boast sporting traditions root-ed in the horse world, but the Smithwick clan remains uniquein providing fascinating fodder for writers. In Flying Change,Patrick Smithwick does not disappoint. He continues to pen hisadventures as the only son of the legendary A.P. (Paddy)Smithwick, Hall of Fame steeplechase jockey.

This oeuvre chronicles what happens when the nearlymiddle-aged “chip off the old block” can’t resist steeplechas-ing’s siren song and climbs back into the irons for a chance atthe Maryland Hunt Cup. That’s right: after 25 years of retire-ment from racing, Smithwick Junior finds himself reaching forthat elusive brass ring of youth and decides he wants a whackat the most testing and prestigious jump race for amateur jock-eys. You don’t need a skullcap or flak jacket to read this book,but be prepared for a wild ride.

Flying Change showcases the evolution of a writer whose scholarly pursuits, graduatestudies, schoolteaching and family-man experiences add poetic and existential touches ofclass to his adept turns of phrase. This is not your average memoir. Not one split infinitiveor misused apostrophe will grate on the nerves of grammatical purists. This is, simply andelegantly, the song of Smithwick’s life: a baring of his soul as he reaches for lost youth andpursues the Holy Grail of fulfilling his legacy from a wildly romantic, totally steeplechase-and racing-obsessed father.

This sequel or extended postscript to Racing My Father begins in the 48th year ofSmithwick’s life. While on vacation at a cabin rented in the middle of a teen summer camp,at the picturesque lake fed by a waterfall, he ends up feeling like “an old fart” partially dueto aches and pains, but also because of the contrast of the daring of his offspring and theirfriends jumping and diving off the rocks into Saranac Lake. While trying to take a photo ofhis daughter, he leans back against a rock, but keeps going until he comes to a crumpledhalt against a boulder:

“I wanted to leave. If I were to put myself on the line, let it be on a horse, live flesh.Let my legs be wrapped around a fellow being with a soft, smooth, bay or gray or chestnutcoat, a moving jigging, snorting body, a galloping, racing, flying animal. Let me sailthrough the air on an animal that can respond to my directions and let his or her legs bemoving, be galloping, be suspended in flight over the turf, and leave thesestones–unforgiving, uncaring, unchanging– to others.”

That night, Smithwick has a horse dream in which he rode Ben Nevis, winner withCharlie Fenwick in the irons of the Maryland Hunt Cup and the Grand National at Aintree,England. His next dream conjures up foxhunting at the Voss Farm, Atlanta, where he’s gal-loping Florida Law across the Elkridge-Harford racecourse and Mimi, Tom Voss’s wife,shouts encouragement, to let the horse go on and hit a good lick, to help prep him for theracing season. Then the dream takes Smithwick back to the cosseted safety of being a stu-dent at Gilman School.

But the dreams generated by the author’s subconscious mind plant seeds in his wak-ing mind and you’re simply going to have to read Flying Change to experienceSmithwick’s incredible journey. Racing fit is a far cry from hunting fit, and there were allthose years of academia to soften up his resolve, let alone his nerve, let alone his physique.

Out in the hunting field, there are options: riders so inclined can find an easier wayaround a five-bar gate or trappy hunting panel. In racing there is only you and your horse,alone among the other contenders, and the course. The Maryland Hunt Cup double-daresyou to face its challenges, 22 jumps in all, the most daunting amateur timber race in NorthAmerica. Keep in mind that winning the Maryland Hunt Cup two years running (1977 &’78) convinced owner-rider Fenwick that Ben Nevis might conquer Aintree, which they didin 1980.

One very special feature is that Smithwick begins each of the first 22 chapters withrecollections of an actual course walk conducted by his uncle, D.M. (Mikey) Smithwick.These italicized passages underscore the drama of the Maryland Hunt Cup, which runs thelast weekend in April. Some readers might wonder why anyone would want to risk life andlimb, and in the course of his sporting tale Smithwick tries to explain why he got back intothe jump game.

You will experience the entire gamut of the author’s emotional roller coaster, and attimes you might want to shed some surreptitious tears, but you’ll end up feeling as if youwere there. In fact, you may identify so much with elements of Smithwick’s life, whetherhe’s being pulled in several directions by what he knows is right and by what he wants todo more than anything (gallop, school over timber and race) that your shoulders and legsmight ache in sympathy, but it’s a glorious ride of a read.

Flying Change offers its readers the rare gift of a very personalized glimpse into fam-ily life wherein the paternal head of a household realizes he is flawed and lacking for hisheartfelt desire to risk life and limb to experience once again the excitement and challengeof racing over timber. It is the next best thing to the real deal. If you have unrequiteddreams, beware: Flying Change might inspire you to take that leap.

Hard cover, dust jacket, 351 pages. $30.00. Available from Horse Country,(800) 882-4868.

BOOK REVIEW

Janet Hitchen photo


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Gandalf and Jesse Fortier, pictured above and below, finished second in the $2500 Myopia HunterDerby. Eric Schneider photo

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Myopia Hunter Derby, Myopia Horse Show, September 2, 2012[Myopia Hunt Secretary Pam deVries Mehlman provided the following information aboutthe $2,500 Hunter Derby held recently in Hamilton, Massachusetts.]

The Hunter Derby is becoming increasingly popular in recent years, as horseshows try to create a more traditional test of a quality hunter. They incorporatemore natural looking obstacles, with optional approaches and tests of handiness.They look for a horse that can jump well on a true outside course, that can turnquickly as he may have to in the hunt field, and be clever. Trot jumps and gallop-

ing unrelated distancesare the usual tests in theHunter Derby.

The Myopia HorseShow offers what isincreasingly rare [inrated shows] – a trueoutside course over per-manent jumps. For over100 years, the field hasshowcased hunters overnatural stone walls,hedges, coops, andother fences found inhunt country. A muchlarger-sized field thanthe usual horse showring, it is highly popularwith riders from allover New England.

Adelante with Anna Pavlov up, winners of the $2500 Myopia HuntDerby. Eric Schneider photo


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Well, here it is, October already. There’s a nip in the airand mornings smell crisp. When Marion takes us on ourwalks, the deer scent is just heady. Leaves are changingand it’s getting dark earlier. The Warrenton Horse Showhas come and gone, so clearly it is autumn.

Speaking of the WHS, it was another fabulous show.The horses and riders rode to perfection and everyone hada great time. Some of us more than others, but more aboutthat later.

First I have to tell you the redecorating at the store isalmost complete. The store looks completely different.Wait till you see what Marion and her design team havedone. It’s amazing what you can do with the right paintcolors, a little carpet, and some architectural details.Everything has been moved around, giving more space tohunt clothing, gifts, and tack. The lower level, where youwere never allowed to go, has been opened up and is thenew home of all the finest saddles, bridles, bits, and accessories you’ll find any-where. The bridles are displayed so that it is easy to find the style and size youneed. The saddles have room to breathe now, making it simple to take one downand sit in it.

I can tell you that you’ve never seen a saddle shop like this. Well, maybe ifyou’ve been to France and visited that famous shop I can never remember thename of. Or maybe Rodeo Drive or Worth Avenue if you’ve been clothes shop-ping. Please come in and take a look, but do plan for extra time because no mat-ter what you’ve come in for, you’re going to want to take the whole tour with me.I’d say Bunsen would take you on the tour, but at last he’s finally found the per-fect job!

Just the other day Bunsen was in his chair just inside the front door. As usual,he was sitting stock still, unmoving, with his eyes fixed in infinite space, when acustomer walked in. She was perusing the front counter when Bunsen adjusted hishandsome self. Well the woman JUMPED and exclaimed, “He’s real! I thought hewas a statue!” Arf! Arf! Arf! A living model – Bunsen’s dream job!

I, on the other hand, am hard at work checking in the new stock. Fine leathergloves that a lesser dog would covet as a chew toy. New scarves to freshen yourlook have arrived. Personally, I want a new Thermatex dog blanket (and I’m bet-ting your dog does too). You could launder your horses’ sheets (again) and havethem repaired (again) or you could just get a nice new one. We’ve gotten in all ofyour favorites in a whole range of prices. Since it’s October, Halloween is on ourradar and we’ve got beautiful Italian fox and horse masks for your fancy dressneeds. For our foxhunting friends, new tweeds are here and now we have evenmore room for you to try them on and see just how gorgeous you look. Fabrics youwill not find anywhere else, yet so completely traditional. Hunt vests in severalpatterns as well as canary. Stock ties that complement your tweeds, whether an oldfriend or a new purchase. New men’s ties have arrived so men can select the per-fect one to match both their suits and their cubbing jackets.

Although the focus now is on hunting, a fresh array of gift items is arrivingfor those of you who believe in early shopping. New books have arrived, both fic-tion and elaborate coffee table books on a variety of subjects with amazing pho-tographs.

I would be remiss not to give you a heads up that Rita Mae Brown will becoming to Horse Country on November 17 to sign her newest Sister Jane hunt clubmystery, Fox Tracks. Please plan on joining us. More details will be forthcomingcloser to the date. Rita Mae is always a popular guest, so we know you’ll want toput the evening on your calendar. Bunsen’s favorite caterer will be providing thefood, so you know he’ll be there!

Now back to the Warrenton Horse Show. This year’s show will forever godown in history as the year Bunsen got lost.

“I was nae lost, lassie. I knew exactly where I was.”“Well, Marion didn’t know where you were, and before you say it, she knew

exactly where she was, so she wasn’t lost. It was you.”“Tatoe, tattie. Is nae different.”Bunsen and I attended the show the Saturday night of the Hunter Classic.

Marion’s friend Joan came along with us and we were all having a great timeunder the Exhibitors Tent.

“Speak for yourself. I was not getting nearly enough treats. You’d have

thought, with the tent being so crowded, more peoplewould’ve dropped delicious morsels on the ground for meto nibble on.”

“Well, maybe that was the problem. The food the showprovided was so tasty that everyone licked their plates.”

“Whatever the reason, I was disappointed.”While Joan was holding our leashes and Marion

schmoozed, Bunsen spotted a fallen canapé through thecrowd. Rather like a bull moose, Bunsen bolted nearlypulling Joan off her feet. Rude, I tell you, the boy is justrude.

“Did you even see what I was after? T’was a piggy ina blanket! One of my favorites!”

“Doesn’t matter. Still rude. You know Joan has a badback.”

After being chastened, we retired to our usual spotunder a table. Later, as the party was breaking up, Marion

called for us, but only I emerged from under the table. Bunsen was missing.Concern quickly turned to near panic when all the guests were asked to look undertheir tables and there was no sign of him. As Marion headed to the Secretary’sOffice to have a lost dog announcement made, a woman came up to the tent lead-ing Bunsen on his leash. She explained he’d wandered into her vendor booth sometime earlier, lay down and went to sleep. She knew he was one of the Scotties fromHorse Country but couldn’t remember his name. She asked a friend who replied,“I can’t remember his name, either, but he’s the fat one.” Oh boy, I laughed at that.I’ve written this column for years, and he’s the fat one. I’m still laughing.

“That’s nae nice, lassie. My feelings were verra hurt by her choice of words,and by your laughter.”

“Well… I am sorry about that, but you have to admit it was pretty funny.”“I don’t admit anything of the sort. I walked away to a quiet place for a nap,

and the next thing I know everyone is laughing at me.”We went back to the show for Hunt Night where Marion was one of the spon-

sors for the evening. All night long people came up to say hello to Marion andthank her for being a sponsor. As people walked past me, without a word, theygreeted Bunsen, “Hey there, big boy,” “Hi there, you handsome devil,” “Goodevening, buster.” Did anyone say hello to me? Not once! What am I, choppedliver? It went on forever. Bunsen was the “Scottish laddie,” the “one with thebrogue,” the “fine looking lad.” I was ready to start gnashing my teeth when some-one came over to us, pointed at Bunsen and said, “Oh look, it’s the fat one!”

I may have injured myself because I was laughing so hard I fell over squirm-ing. Most people just thought I was scratching my back, however.

“I’m telling you, lassie, that was nae kind. Nae kind at all.”“Well, Bunsen, you could just as well be laughing at me, because at least peo-

ple said hello to you; I was being totally ignored.”“But my girl, you’re such a wee slip of a thing, you can barely be noticed!”So there you have it. The latest column from “The Wee One” and “The Wide

One”

AGA’S SAGAS

Bunsen and Aga

I’m With Chubby


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JENNY’S PICKSI hoped to have a new batch of used books tooffer this time, but there hasn’t been theopportunity to get them priced yet, thanks tothe store renovations that have kept Marionbusy overseeing the progress. (You shouldcome see the new tack and supplies room. It’sgorgeous!) Here are some more new books.

Most of our calendars are now in and can beviewed at www.horsecountrycarrot.com, our on-line ordering website, where you can viewboth front and back. Please note that we haveonly two or three copies available for most ofour wall calendars, the exceptions beingFoxes and Foxhunting Life, so if you wantone, order right away. We just received ourshipment of Norman Fine’s lovely foxhuntingcalendars. (This is not the same calendar asthat put out by the MFHA.) Whether you pre-fer fast-paced action or long-range scenicshots, this one is sure to please.Foxhunting Life Calendar. Beautiful photo-graphs of foxhunting include the Piedmont,Toronto & North York, Mr. Stewart’sCheshire Foxhounds, Myopia Hunt, OrangeCounty Hounds (VA), Blue Ridge Hunt, andFour Winds Foxhounds from North America,the Wicklow Foxhounds from Ireland, andthe Border Foxhounds from the UK, plus ared fox in full and wet flight, junior handlersat the Virginia Foxhound Show, and houndsin full cry. Many of the photographers, suchas Janet Hitchen, Douglas Lees, and LizCallar, are regularly featured in In andAround Horse Country. $19.00Horse Lovers Pocket Calendar. Just theright size to fit in your purse or suit coatpocket, this handy two-year calendar is therewhen you need it to keep track of yourappointments. Plastic laminated soft-cover.$5.99Horse Lovers Weekly EngagementCalendar.With a beautiful horse photographopposite every week, you’ll enjoy writing inthis, whether you use it as an engagementcalendar or, as I do, a mini-diary to review inyears to come. It also would make an excel-lent training book to record your schoolingsessions and/or lessons. Hardcover and spi-ral-bound. $15.99A couple of new books for the kids (remem-ber, Christmas is right around the corner!):

Burns, Deborah. Dream Horses/A PosterBook. Photographs by Bob Langrish can beremoved from this book and framed ifdesired; 9½” x 12” in size, they feature hors-es in dream-like settings running free, somephotoshopped into unicorns or flying horses.Two pages of text tell of mythical equineslike Pegasus from around the world. Greatfor a youngster’s bedroom or tack roomwalls. Paperback, unpaginated. $10.95

Littlefield, Cindy. Horse Games & Puzzles.102 brainteasers, word games, picture puz-zles, and more to entertain horse-loving kids.Great for those “Mommy, I’m bored!”moments, rainy days at horse camp, or thoseinterminable snow days when the householdis snowbound. Paperback, 138pp. $9.95

For adults we have a hodgepodge of usefulor enjoyable new books. The first is bound toappeal to all our foxhunters, especially thosenew to the sport. Written in the spirit ofBeckford’s Thoughts on Hunting, it offerspractical, modern advice to nouveau hunts-men. As is common with such books, theadvice is certainly useful to the rest of the

field as well.Barclay, Andrew. Letters to a YoungHuntsman. The author has plenty of experi-ence to call upon in this handy guide tonovice huntsmen; he spent seven years whip-ping-in at Green Spring Valley Houndsbefore taking over as huntsman for twentyyears. As he mentions in his introduction, hefigures by the time you become a huntsman,you probably know most of this, but he wroteas much for the field’s instruction as forhuntsmen. The more you know about hunt-ing, the more you can enjoy it – assumingyou’re seriously interested in hound workand aren’t out just to run and jump acrosscountry. I think you’ll enjoy this new addi-tion to the foxhunting library. Hardcover,116pp. $27.95

Brenner, Kate; and Genie Ford. Middleburg.Another in the “Images of America” series,this brand-new issue deals with the town ofMiddleburg, Virginia, heart of hunt countryin Virginia. The equine set is prominentlyfeatured, as are celebrities from JackieKennedy to Sheila Johnson, in sepia-tonedphotographs from the past. There are photosof old buildings, some still extant, othersdemolished; shots of the famed American-English foxhound competition; and a fewreproductions of artwork depicting the area.As with others in the series, text is minimal,focusing on the pictures. Softcover, $21.99Imus, Brenda. The Gaited Horse Bible.Many pleasure riders are turning to gaitedhorses as a more comfortable alternative, andthey’re not looking for a “big lick” Walker ora fancy five-gaited show Saddlebred.Instead, they just want a nice, uncomplicatedride that won’t jar their teeth out. Here theauthor has brought together a host of infor-mation on buying, training, and riding vari-ous naturally gaited breeds, with an emphasison humane techniques. Here you will findsuggestions for training the young horsewithout ridiculously large shoes, soring, ortail-setting. The focus is on preparing a com-panion animal for the trail. A particularlyuseful chapter includes cutaway drawings ofdifferent bits in the horse’s mouth and howthey work. Highly recommended for anyoneinterested in gaited horses! Softcover, 244pp.$29.95Letts, Elizabeth. The Eighty-DollarChampion. This bestseller is now back inprint as a paperback. It’s the story ofSnowman, the plow horse that Harry deLeyer rescued from the back of a truck ofhorses destined for the slaughterhouse.Snowman made a nice lesson horse, but wassold – and kept jumping fences to get back tode Leyer’s stable. Finally de Leyer gave in tothe inevitable and repurchased the horse.From there he went on to show jumper com-petitions and just kept getting better, until hereached the pinnacle: Madison SquareGarden. Paperback, 339pp. $16.00Lodge, Ray; and Susan Shanks. All-WeatherSurfaces for Horses. Third enlarged edition.

The science of horse arena footing has pro-gressed a long way from the sand-and-blue-stone of the last century. A wide variety ofmaterials is being used to either supplementor replace that combination, in hopes ofimproving footing and reducing dust. Theauthor’s mechanical engineering experienceled him to experiment with different surfacesand new filtration systems when his daughterneeded a new all-weather arena; his resultsled him to install many systems in GreatBritain and abroad. He discusses site work,selection, surface choices, base or foundationwork, the issue of material migration, main-tenance, construction alternatives, and muchmore. Line drawings and color photographsillustrate. Hardcover, 112pp. $41.95Lush, Debby. The Successful DressageCompetitor. If you compete or are consider-ing competing in dressage, this will help pre-pare you and your horse to perform yourbest. From proper attire and attitude to eval-uating the judge’s comments after your ride,Lush gives helpful suggestions, supplement-ed with color photos. She explains what thejudge wants to see for each movement, howto ensure that you get it, and how to fix itwhen it’s wrong. This is one of the most use-ful books on dressage competition that I’veseen. Softcover, $45.00McDonald, Leslie. Musings of a HorseFarm Corgi. Beamer is a charming Corgipuppy with a potentially fatal flaw – he iswhat’s termed a “fluffy,” a long, fine-hairedCorgi that many breeders would have culled,because his coat makes him unfit for herdingand therefore unfit for showing or breeding.But he’s fortunate; his breeder finds a lovinghome for the cute puppy who just wants peo-ple to love him. Written as if by the Corgihimself, his adventures learning about horsesand farm life are lighthearted and endearing.Beamer is a real Corgi, and his pictures willmake you want to own one just like him.Paperback, $12.95Mullins, Peggy. Everybody Loves Ika. Ika isa pit bull. Pit bulls are mean, unpredictablekillers, right? But nobody told Ika, and Ika isa sweet, happy dog that loves everybody.(I’ve met and petted Ika, and he is adorable,with a broad canine grin.) Ika came from aterrible background, a dog-fighting breederwhose blood-lust and callous disregard of thesanctity of other people’s pets was fortunate-ly interrupted by authorities in time to rescueIka’s mother who was near labor but in poorhealth due to neglect. Ika was one of a fewsurviving puppies who was lucky enough tobe adopted by a caring woman who also hap-pens to be a horsewoman. This is the truestory of Ika’s development into a wonderful,friendly pet that draws strangers everywhereto come admire him. Along the way you willbe introduced to Peggy’s other animals andher husband, who helped make her lifewhole. Paperback, $14.95.Petersen, Olaf. Design, Building & Ridingthe Showjumping Course. Books on course

design have come and gone; this is the firstDVD I’ve seen on the topic. Petersen showsthe various types of course design and dis-cusses the effects of different colors, wings,and decorations. Distances, design of combi-nations, water jumps, design of lines, andsafety are all considered. DVD, $45.00

Troup, Melissa. An Instructor’s Guide toTeaching Children to Ride. In addition tobasic instruction advice, the author givesinnumerable exercise diagrams and listsgames to make lessons more interesting. Inthe back is an appendix containing samplewritten tests of your youngsters’ knowledge,ranging from True-False to “What’s wrongwith this picture?” Many color photos illus-trate topics covered. Troup has written sever-al other riding books and co-authored twoBritish Horse Society workbooks. This is avery good addition to your instructionlibrary! Paperback, 144pp. $39.95Van Nassau, Rob. Hoof Problems. “No foot,no horse” is an old and true adage oft quotedby horsemen, and many are the ailments thattrouble the hoof. They are extensively cov-ered in this terrific book, with a multitude ofcolor photographs and illustrations that showproblems both external and internal andmany before-and-after photographs of treat-ments of the ailments, be they farrier-reme-died or veterinarily corrected. If you’re a far-rier or veterinarian, you need this if only tocarry around and show your clients what’sgoing on. If you’re a horse owner or stablemanager, it will give you a wealth of infor-mation. Well worth the cost! The author hasover 30 years’ experience as a qualified farri-er working in a specialist equine veterinaryclinic. Hardcover, 224pp. $45.00The following two books I don’t have in handto review at this time but should be out inOctober or November; once I have a copy inhand I can write a proper review. Let meknow if you’d like me to set one aside foryou! And don’t forget to put your name on thelist to buy Rita Mae Brown’s Fox Tracks, thenext in the Sister Jane series We can have itautographed for you when she comes to thestore, if you can’t make the booksigning inNovember yourself.Tweedy, Kate Chenery; and Leeann Ladin.Riva Ridge/Penny’s First Champion. RivaRidge, winner of the Kentucky Derby andthe Belmont in 1972, has been eclipsed byhis fabulous stablemate, Secretariat. Feelingthat Riva, too, deserves a book, the authorsof Secretariat’s Meadow have produced this,with a foreword by Penny Chenery. Due outOctober 1. Softcover, 84pp. $20.00

Rawnsley, Douglas. Fraud Catcher. Thisnovel, written by a former Warrentonian,centers around a fraud investigator and con-tains a chapter that takes place here inWarrenton. It should be out by November.You may remember a previous book of his,Account Overdue. I have no further details asto price at this time, but a typical hardbackusually runs around $25.00.Francis, Felix. Dick Francis’s Bloodline.Due out Oct. 2, Felix Francis’s latest bookcenters around race caller Mark Shillingford.When his twin sister, a successful jockey,places second in a race she should have won,Mark accuses her of fixing the race. Shestorms off after an argument, and is laterfound dead below her hotel balcony. Has shecommitted suicide – or is something moresinister afoot? Hardcover, 368pp. $26.95

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EMPLOYMENTRED MOUNTAIN HOUNDS is seeking aHuntsman for the 2013-2014 season.Candidates currently under contract with anotherhunt may be considered for this position onlywith the approval of their Masters. The Hunt islocated in North Central North Carolina approxi-mately 30 miles from the Durham/Chapel Hillarea. Housing is provided. A valid Driver’sLicense is required. The Huntsman will beresponsible for the care of the hounds and ken-nels. The hounds are a well-established pack ofPenn-Marydels. Inquiries will be accepted andconsidered from whips, staffs, and other profes-sional personnel interested in a Huntsman posi-tion. Inquiries and resumes should be directed toLewis A. Thompson, III, P. O. Box 535,Warrenton, NC 27589, (252) 257-2201 or (252)432-4783.

HORSE AND DOG SITTINGProfessional qualified caring for your horses anddogs while you are on holiday or otherwise out oftown. One day to one month. References avail-able. Contact Mairead Carr at 540-687-3814 (h)or 540-687-0155 (c).

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VA-Breds at Keeneland September Yearling Sale007 C, Bernardini - Our Legacy, Eaton Sales, Agent - $130,000, Charles and MaribethSandford, LLC, ($250,000 Keeneland November Sale(Kee Nov)), Bred by Estate of Edward P. Evans.025 C, Malibu Moon - So Probable, Taylor MadeSales Agency, Agent LXXIV - $300,000, MaverickRacing, ($230,000 Kee Nov), Bred by Estate ofEdward P. Evans.045 F, Smart Strike - Untouched Talent, BrookdaleSales, Agent for Audley Farm Equine LLC -$1,300,000, Donato Lanni, Agt. for Sikura andLunsford, Bred by Audley Farm Equine LLC.135, F, by Tiznow - Never a No Hitter, ThreeChimneys Sales, Agent - $130,000, Jerry Hollendorfer($115,000 Kee Nov weanling), Bred by Morgan’sFord Farm.174 C, Broken Vow - Pink Champagne, BrookdaleSales, Agent for Audley Farm Equine LLC - $160,000,David Redvers Bloodstock, Bred by Audley FarmEquine LLC.252 F, More Than Ready - Rough Water, Lane’s End,Agent - $360,000, Stephen Carr ($170,000 Kee Novweanling), Bred by Edward P. Evans. 306 C, Rock Hard Ten - Shy Lil, St. George Sales,Agent XIX - $85,000, Kenneth McPeek, Agt. Bred byHart Farm.367 C, Malibu Moon - Summer Delight, Mill Ridge Sales, Agent for Lazy Lane Farms LLC -$200,000, Friarstown Stud, Bred by Lazy Lane Farms LLC.389 F, Malibu Moon - Tap Dance, Paramount Sales, Agent LXXV - $180,000, HoffmanThoroughbred, LLC ($120,000 Kee Nov weanling), Bred by Estate of Edward P. Evans.390 F, Stormy Atlantic - Tap Gold, St. George Sales, Agent XXIV - $40,000, Christina R.Jelm, Agt. for Green B. Smith ($6,500 Kee Nov weanling), Bred by the Estate of Edward P.Evans.612 C, Tapit - Cee’s Irish, Brookdale Sales, Agent for Audley Farm Equine LLC - $150,000,Shortleaf Stable. Bred by S. Barton Inc. 616 F, Elusive Quality – Charitabledonation, St. George Sales, Agent XXII - $50,000, PTKLLC/Paula Haughey ($30,000, Kee Nov weanling). Bred by the Estate of Edward P. Evans.704 C, Hard Spun - Divorce Settlement, Lane’s End, Agent - $210,000, David RedversBloodstock ($85,000 Kee Nov weanling). Bred by Estate of Edward P. Evans.720 C, Empire Maker - Dundrummin’, Brookdale Sales, Agent for Audley Farm Equine LLC- $32,000, Brown Island Stables. Bred by Audley Farm Equine LLC.796 F, Arch - Go Baby Go (IRE), Morgan’s Ford Farm - $340,000, Justice Racing. Bred byMorgan’s Ford Farm.936 C, Mr. Greeley - Life in Seattle, Dapple Stud, Agent for Lazy Lane Farms LLC -$410,000, Shortleaf Stable. Bred by Lazy Lane Farm.969 C, Malibu Moon - Mambo Bell, Lane’s End, Agent - $200,000, Jeff Treadway. ($200,000Kee Nov weanling). Bred by the Estate of Edward P. Evans.992 C, Street Sense - Minishaft, Royal Pegasus LLC - $110,000, Red Castle Farms ($120,000Kee Nov weanling). Bred by the Estate of Edward P. Evans.1014 F, Malibu Moon - Miz United States, St. George Sales, Agent XIX - $160,000, Nick deMeric, Agt. (Not registered.) 1197 F, Tale of the Cat - Uncanny Ability, Taylor Made Sales Agency, Agent CXXXIII -$35,000, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Bred by Lady Olivia at North Cliff, LLC.1363 C, Rock Hard Ten - Gone Surfin’, Lane’s End, Agent for Smitten Farm - $32,000, IVA.Bred by William Backer.1454 F, Not For Love - More Hennessy, Lane’s End, Agent - $80,000, Chester Stables, LLC.($80,000 Kee Nov weanling). Bred by the Estate of Edward P. Evans.1641 C, by Malibu Moon - Beautiful Stranger, Blackburn Farm (Michael T. Barnett), Agent -$60,000, Grove Stud. Bred by Hart Farm.1675 C, Mineshaft - Cielo Girl, Warrendale Sales, Agent for Lazy Lane Farms LLC - $90,000,Crupi’s New Castle Farm. Bred by Lazy Lane Farms LLC.1729 C, Arch – Exceptionally, Brookdale Sales, Agent for Audley Farm Equine LLC -$160,000, McMahon & Hill Bldstk., Agt. for Lake Lonely. Bred by Audley Farm Equine LLC.1764 C, Tale of the Cat - Ghost Dancing, Knockgriffin Farm, Agent - $25,000 WoodfordThoroughbreds Sales. ($80,000 Kee Nov weanling). Bred by the Estate of Edward P. Evans.1771 C, Hard Spun - Gone for Christmas, Warrendale Sales, Agent XIII - $43,000, Santa RosaRacing Stables, LLC. ($80,000 Kee Nov weanling). Bred by Edward P. Evans.2199 C, Quiet American - Hawaiian Love, Eaton Sales, Agent - $80,000, Fox Hill Farm/TomMcGreevy, Agt. Bred by Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin, III.2210 F, City Zip – Humorlee, Eaton Sales, Agent - $26,000, Barbara Houck. Bred by Mrs. C.Oliver Iselin, III.2284 C, Colonel John - Night Breeze, Warrendale Sales, Agent for Lazy Lane Farms LLC -$105,000, Acker, Allen or Lindo. Bred by Lazy Lane Farms LLC.2362 C, Tale of the Cat - Steady Play, Knockgriffin Farm, Agent - $80,000, Barry and JoniButzow. Bred by the Estate of Edward P. Evans.2385 C, Tiz Wonderful - Tico Breeze, St. George Sales, Agent XIX - $65,000, Michael Sucher.Bred by Hart Farm.2486 F, Elusive Quality - Cat Minstrel, St. George Sales, Agent XVI - L.S. Racing,$38,000. Bred by the Estate of Edward P. Evans.2541 C, Ready’s Image – Evangel, Ashview Farm LLC (Bryan Lyster & Gray Lyster), Agent- $20,000, Ed Moger. Bred by James S. Carter & Walmac Farm.2560 F, Roman Ruler - Gal’s Victory, St. George Sales, Agent XIX - $30,000, Dale Romans,Agent. Bred by Hart Farm.2594 C, Cowboy Cal – Honorett, Indian Creek, Agent - $67,000, James McIngvale. Bred byMorgan’s Ford Farm.

2595 F, Exchange Rate - Honour Old Glory, St. George Sales, Agent XIX - $60,000, MichaelPino. Bred by Hart Farm.3205 C, Mineshaft - Amy’s Gold, Burleson Farms, Agent - $10,000, Gary Tussey. Bred byChance Farm. 3299, C, Jump Start - Flying Ten, Burleson Farms, Agent - $7,500, Black Burn Farm. Bred byChance Farm.3317 C, Ready’s Image - Gucci Gulch, Four Star Sales, Agent - $10,000, MonarchThoroughbreds, LLC. Breeder not in VTA database.3362 F, Jump Start - Lone Flight, Burleson Farms, Agent - $17,000, Randy Littlepage. Bredby Chance Farm.3435 F, Aragorn (IRE) - Smash Review, Eaton Sales, Agent - $4,000, R. B. McCutchen. Bredby Wolver Hill Farm.

Audley Filly Sells For $1.3 Million

No doubt everyone at Audley Farm in Berryville, VA was disappointed when Virginia-bred

Bodemeister, the runner up in this year’s Kentucky Derby and Preaknsess, was suddenly

retired from racing in August due to a shoulder injury.

That disappointment was surely assuaged when Bodemeister’s Virginia-bred half-sis-

ter recently sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $1.3 million to a partnership

of John Sikura and Bruce Lunsford. The pair outlasted a group of Japanese buyers to land

the filly from the Liebrecht family’s well known Virginia nursery.

The filly will be trained by Bob Baffert who conditioned her half-brother Bodemeister.

Bodemeister raced for Zayat Stables and won the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby before finishing

second in the first two legs of the Triple Crown. He retired from racing with $1,304,800 in

earnings.

Sikura, whose Hill ’n’ Dale farm is well known in the industry, was already quite

familiar with the filly’s dam, Untouched Talent. He had bought her in partnership for

$500,000 as a 2-year-old in 2006, and campaigned her to a victory in the Grade 3 Sorrento

Stakes and a second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante Stakes.

Hill ’n’ Dale subsequently sold Untouched Talent to Audley Farm for $1.2 million at

the 2007 Keeneland November sale in foal to Unbridled Song, and Audley later sold

Bodemeister to Zayat at the 2010 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $260,000.

Audley’s Equine Consultant Dr. Jens von Lepel DVM was all smiles after the filly

sold, saying, “We are more than pleased. It’s amazing. It’s the best reward for my owners

and my crew – they did so well. And we really have to thank Joe Seitz from [Brookdale,

who consigned the filly]. They did a great job. It’s a dream come true. Bodemeister made

us so happy through the spring, and we knew we might have a chance with her if we put

her on the market.”

Virginia-Bred Stakes Winners

Virginia-bred Dominus and former Virginia-bred Champion In The Rough both won stakes

races in September.

Dominus, by Smart Strike, out of Cuando by Lord At War (ARG) had never raced on

turf, but his pedigree strongly suggested that he’d love the surface. Trainer Todd Pletcher

took the hint, tried the lightly-raced four-year-old in the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch

Handicap at Saratoga, and Dominus dominated wire to wire.

Owned by George Bolton, Stonestreet Stables and Spendthrift Farm, Dominus was

sent off as the 9-5 second choice in his turf debut, and his second start off a nearly year-

long layoff.

Dominus had the advantage of being the controlling speed, as well as an eight-pound

concession from 122-pound highweight Data Link.

Cruising to the front with Julien Leparoux, Dominus got

away with comfortable fractions of :24, :48 and 1:12.

Dominus completed 1 miles on the firm Mellon

Turf in 1:40 to earn his second career stakes victory, fol-

lowing last year’s Grade 2 Dwyer Stakes at Belmont

Park. The dark bay ridgling returned $5.70, $2.90 and

$2.50.

Dominus was bred by the late Edward P. Evans and

now sports a record of 8-4-2-1, $439,329.

Former Va-bred champ In the Rough, narrowly beaten in a pair of turf stakes earlier

this season, didn’t have to settle for second best in September’s $62,300 Forever Together

Stakes at Delaware Park.

Under Alex Cintron, the five-year-old mare rallied along the rail in the stretch to score

by 1¼ lengths in the one-mile turf race for fillies and mares. She completed the distance

over firm turf in 1:37.58 for her first win since last October. Although 0 for 6 this season

prior her win, In the Rough had missed by a head in the Dahlia at Pimlico in April and sur-

rendered the lead in deep stretch to lose by 1¼ lengths

in the restricted Brookmeade at Colonial Downs in

July.

A daughter of Stormy Atlantic trained by

Monmouth Park-based Kelly Breen and owned by

George and Lori Hall, In the Rough is now 5 for 29

lifetime with earnings of $313, 445.

In the Rough was bred by Lazy Lane Farms.

Horses and People to WatchVirginia Thoroughbred Association

HORSE RACING

In The Rough. Gulfstream Park photo

Hip #45. Keeneland photo

Dominus. NYRA photo



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