in & around horse country

VOLUME XXII / NUMBER 4 • THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA STEEPLECHASE ASSOCIATION • JUNE/JULY 2011

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OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS:John J. Carle II, ex-MFHLauren R. GianniniJanet Hitchen 540-837-9846 janethitchenphotography.comDouglas Lees 540-270-1946 [email protected] Meads, U.K. 011-44-1686-420436Karen L. Myers KLMImages.comBetsy Burke ParkerGlenn PettyLee ReeserDonna Ross

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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 August/September issue is July 15, 2011. Payment in full due with copy.Publisher: Marion Maggiolo Managing Editor: J. Harris AndersonAdvertising: Mary Cox (540) 636-7688 Horse Country (540) 347-3141Contributors: J. Harris Anderson; John J. Carle II, ex-MFH; Lauren R. Giannini; Jim Meads;Will O’Keefe; Betsy Burke Parker; Virginia Thoroughbred Association; Jenny YoungCopyright 2011 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXII, No. 4POSTMASTER: CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTS

Long shadows at Morven Park. SpencerAllen, Huntsman and the Piedmont FoxHounds, VA, win the American PackClass at the 64th Virginia FoxhoundClub Annual Show, May 29, 2011,Leesburg, VA.

Two Well-Known Virginians Honored

June 4, 2011, Bryn Mawr Hound Show, Bryn Mawr, PA:John J. (Jake) Carle, II, ex-MFH, received the presti-gious Julian Marshall Award presented to a living indi-vidual based upon his or her lifetime contribution tohounds and hunting. Awarded annually since 2001, Mrs.Tenny Marshall made the presentation.

June 5, 2011, Virginia Point-to-Point Awards, Great Meadow,The Plains, VA: William F.O’Keefe received the Yves HenryMemorial Perpetual Trophy pre-sented to an individual who per-formed above and beyond the callof duty in equine-related matters in point-to-point races andsteeplechasing. Mrs. Jean F. Henry made the presentation inmemory of her son.

• • • •Adjacent Hunts Puppy Show at Rombout

Virginia Foxhound Club 64th Annual ShowMay 29, 2011, Morven Park, Virginia

Champion Crossbred Bitch Midland “Instant”(l-r) Neil Amatt, Kennel-Huntsman; Mary Lu Lampton; Ben Hardaway, MFH; Mason Lampton,

MFH; Robert Miller, Whipper-in.Jim Meads photo

Grand Champion Foxhound Live Oak “Fable” with (l-r) Charles Montgomery, Huntsman;Mrs. C. M. (Daphne) Wood, MFH; Mr. C. M. Wood, MFH; Mrs. Richard K. Jones, ex-MFH,

President of the Virginia Foxhound Club.Janet Hitchen photo

Will O’KeefeDouglas Lees photo

Grand Champion and Stallion Champion from what formerly was the “Adjacent HuntsPuppy Show” Essex, Millbrook, Old Chatham. It was held on Sunday, May 22 and hostedby Rombout Hunt in Staatsburg, NY. Mason Lampton judged and Genesee ValleyMFH/Huntsman Marion Thorne was in the ring with him. Old Chatham Hunt won both cat-egories. Kneeling in foreground: OCH junior Liam Palacios handling Grand ChampionOCH Irish 2010 by Essex Chancellor 2003 out of Essex Island 2005 and OCH juniorDanielle Harris with Stallion Champion OCH Coffee 2008 by Essex Chadwell 2003 out ofOCH Nexus 2003. Second row: OCH junior Morgan Palacios, Old Chatham HuntsmanPatti Hopkins, and OCH junior Rachel Mydosh. Donna Ross photo

Jake CarleDouglas Lees photo


Live Oak Fable Bests The “Boys” at Virginia Hound ShowBy Lauren R. Giannini

Four foxhound championsgathered on the lawn in frontof the historic Morven Parkmansion at the end of theVirginia Foxhound Club’s64th Annual Show ofFoxhounds: Potomac “Judo”(American), Midland“Rocket” (Crossbred), LiveOak “Fable” (English), andRed Mountain “Mojo” (Penn-Marydel). Elias L. Guy, ex-MFH Princess Anne, and JohnJ. Carle II, ex-MFH/HuntsmanKeswick, served as co-judgesof the Grand Championship.

“We pinned the besthound in the class – the bestmover, the best put-together –it came down to movement, as it usually does,” said Carle.“Fable was much freer and lighter, an exquisite foxhound.She just won it. We thought Fable moved better than theCrossbred dog. She was the best example of a foxhoundout there.”

For the third time in five years, the breeding programat Live Oak produced the grand champion. “Fable,” anentered bitch, boasts impeccable bloodlines: Live Oak“Architect” 2004 – their “Famous” 2006. Live Oak makesgood use of the team concept that depth on the benchmeans a good shot at winning.

“I’m blown away,” said Daphne Wood, Jt-MFH, afterthe presentation. “This was our most exciting win ever.We had two Grand Champion judges who show a hugepreference for American Foxhounds. I thought, ‘We’retoast!’ Oh, that was exciting. I thought we didn’t have asnowball’s chance in hell. These hounds are so full ofquality and they can make a Thoroughbred cry ‘Uncle.’”

Marty Wood, her husband and Jt-MFH Live Oak,expressed delight at once again garnering the top kudos atthe Virginia show.

“Fable is a fabulous bitch and she’s very good in herwork,” said Wood. “You have high hopes on the day butthen again you’re up against serious competition and allthe big-name English packs were here. To have Fablecome up as a winner is very pleasing. To see her up herewith the doghounds, I thought she was in with a chance,because she exudes quality, but you just never know whatthe judge is going to see on the day. To do this two yearsin a row is quite really unbelievable.”

The stage had been set for the four breed championsearlier in the day when about 600 hounds from 37 huntscompeted in the five rings. Action in the American ring,judged by Jim Atkins, ex-Huntsman Warrenton andPiedmont, and Anne McIntosh, MFH Blue Ridge, alter-nated between small and large kennels, but in the longhaul, progeny of Potomac “Jefferson” prevailed.Whipper-in Laura Pitts showed “Judo” who won Single Dog-Entered before claiming the Doghound championship,Brazos Valley “Mystic” earned the Reserve honors.

Potomac “Jefferson” himself, handled by huntsmanLarry Pitts, stepped up to the plate yet again, along withhis son “Jacket.” They pinned first in Couple of Dogs-Entered, “Jacket” won Best Stallion Hound and thenJefferson showed how he stamps his offspring in Stallion

Hound Shown with Three ofHis Get. Potomac lady-houndswon at least three classes:“Willow” took the blue rosetteas Best Unentered, two bitchesby Jefferson won Couple ofUnentered and Potomac“Terrain” earned braggingrights as Best Brood Bitch.

When it came downto theAmerican Bitch champi-onship, Casanova “Veil”earned the judge’s nod overOrange County “Mayfly.”Jefferson offspring also pre-vailed in Best UnenteredHound with Potomac“Windsor” pinning over“Willow” to win Best

Unentered Hound. Potomac “Judo” received the judges’nod as American Foxhound Champion with the reserve

tricolor awarded toCasanova “Veil.”

“Judo is no Jefferson,and as far as I could see thejudges picked the righthound for the GrandChampionship,” said Pittswith his usual candor. “If hehad showed better in theGrand Championship… butit was too shadowy and hecouldn’t see the biscuit.Laura is hard to beat, han-

dling Judo. Now we got to pay for this again – theengraver knows my credit card by heart!”

Two Crossbred rings ran until late in the day toaccommodate all the entries. Irvin “Skip” Crawford, MFHPotomac Hunt, and Leslie Rhett Crosby, MFH MoorelandHunt, presiding over the under 35 couple ring, distributedthe blue rosettes across the board. Warrenton won Couple,Unentered, and Best Unentered Bitch with their“Cardinal.” Iroquois “Paper” won Best Entered in a hugefield of more than 25Crossbreds. Saxonburg“Angler” garnered topStallion honors, andGoshen “Livid” wonBest Entered Bitch.

In the 35 couple andover ring, judged by Dr.Marvin Beeman, MFHArapahoe, and Jeff Blue,MFH Middleburg. GreenSpring Valley “Wiseman” led off by winning theUnentered Doghound class. The rest of the classes resem-bled dueling banjos, hound-style, as Live Oak andMidland, once again, went head-to-head.

Midland “Rocket” bested Live Oak “Hasty” for theDoghound title, while Live Oak “Pistol” prevailed overMidland “Whynot” in Best Stallion Hound and “Hasty”bested “Whynot” for first place in Stallion Hound Shownwith Three of his Get. Continued

HOUND SHOW

Grand Champion Live Oak “Fable,”Charles Montgomery, Huntsman.

Janet Hitchen photo

Potomac “Judo” and Allen Fourney, Hon. Whipper-in.Jim Meads photo

Reserve Grand Champion Midland “Rocket.”Jim Meads photo

Casanova “Veil” and HuntsmanTommy Lee Jones.Jim Meads photo

Red Mountain “Mojo,” Huntsman David Raley.Jim Meads photo

Judges Shannon Roach, Jim Atkins, Anne McIntosh, MFH.Jim Meads photo

Golden’s Bridge “Birdstone,” Huntsman Ciaran Murphy.Jim Meads photo

Iroquois “Paper.”Jim Meads photo


Live Oak took top honors with “Apron” in Single Unentered Bitch and againwith their Couple of Unentered and Entered Bitches. Live Oak “Nightshade” wonthe Brood Bitch class over their “Keepsake.”

In the end, however, Midland prevailed in the Crossbred Bitch Championshipas their “Instant” claimed the title over Live Oak “Nightshade.” Blue Ridge“Langley”, winner of Single Unentered Doghound, held his own and bested LiveOak “Apron” to harvest his due as Best Unentered Crossbred. Midland ended upbeating itself for the overall Crossbred title as their “Rocket” claimed the covetedtricolor and cup over their “Instant.”

“The Crossbred is our world, obviously, and it was fabulous to win theCrossbred ring with the bitch and the dog,” said Mason Lampton, MFH Midland.“I was thrilled to have good dogs and bitches that are at the top of their game –racy, well-balanced hounds are what Midland is all about and what we’re after.”

The Penn-Marydels attracted seven packs with Long Run starting off their daywith “Diehard” winning Single Listed Dog, and later their “Vegas” pinned first inthe Registered Stallion Hound with Get or Brood Bitch with Produce. SingleListed Dog went to Golden’s Bridge “Gulliver” and Andrews Bridge took homethe top rosette for Couple of Listed Dogs. Red Mountain weighed in as “Eeyore”claimed bragging rights in Single Registered Dog, Unentered, then bagged theblue with littermate “Elmer” in Couple Registered Dogs, Unentered.

The face-off continued as Golden’s Bridge “Birdstone” captured the kudos forSingle Registered Entered Dog, Red Mountain “Mojo” harvested first place asStallion Hound, and Golden’s Bridge won Couple of Registered Dogs, Entered.

Long Run took first and second in Single Listed Bitch, Unentered with “Diva”and “Gambit” while “Paisley” aced Single Listed Bitch, Entered. Red Mountainwon Couple of Listed Bitches, Entered and their “Zucchini” whupped the field inSingle Registered Bitch, Unentered: later she would claim Best Penn-MarydelRegistered (Unentered) hound with Red Mountain “Eeyore” in reserve.

Golden’s Bridge picked up more silver in Couple of Registered Bitches,Unentered, but Andrew’s Bridge swept three classes: Registered Couple Entered;their “Jazzy” won Single Bitch, Entered; their “Poe” scored the top prize asRegistered Brood Bitch. “Gulliver” earned Champion Listed Hound for Golden’sBridge with Long Run “Diehard” garnering the reserve tri-color. Red Mountain“Mojo” claimed the breed title as Champion Registered Hound over Golden’sBridge “Birdstone.”

“We had a great show and we were thrilled that Mojo got the championshipand unentered reserve with Zucchini,” said Beth Blackwell, Red Mountain whip-per-in, speaking for Huntsman David Raley who was out of town. “Mojo is a fab-ulous hunting hound. He’s in thetop group every time we’re outand he’s very steady. We gotsome nice puppies by him:they’ll start hunting in earlyAugust.”

In the English ring, Toronto& North York started the actionby winning Single and Couple,Unentered dogs, and their“Gravity” won Best BroodBitch. Blue Ridge “Barnfield”swept the boards to win SingleEntered Dog and later claimedthe Dog Hound Championship,with Live Oak “Farrier” takingthe reserve. Blue Ridge triumphed with “Guiltless” in Unentered Bitch: later, she

earned the Best English UnenteredHound, with Toronto & North York“Granthom” in reserve.Live Oak “Fable” took top honors

among the distaff, including Couple ofEnglish Bitches, Entered with“Fanfare.” “Fable” also won ChampionEnglish Bitch, then bested Blue Ridge“Barnfield” for Best In Show en routeto becoming Grand Champion.“I was very surprised by the high

quality of hounds I saw in the Englishring,” said Otis Ferry, MFH ShropshireHunt. “Almost all the hounds I judgedwere of high quality, but almost everypack that exhibited had a very different

type of hound.Although it wasnot easy to judge them, eachpack and their type showedquality. When you considerhow large America is and howvaried the countries are, thisvariation in hound type canonly be a good thing. I strong-ly believe that just like youhave horses for courses, thereneed to be hounds for a huntcountry.

“In the case of this cham-pionship I had two hounds in front of me: Fable and Barnfield were perfect, a joyto look at,” Ferry added. “Both were totally faultless, and both moved beautifully.They really were king and queen of the English ring. What decided it was whichhound would I rather hunt, or even have an entire pack of? It then became perfectlyclear. I thought Live Oak Fable was one of the best hounds I have ever set eyes on.She had outstanding quality, but power and muscle where necessary, in particularher loin and thigh. Even after four hours of the blistering heat, her stern was stillheld high and she was still showing herself beautifully. She had every quality onecould ever hope to find in a foxhound.”

SpencerAllen, in his second year as Huntsman and a participant in the MFHAHuntsman’s Program, showed the Piedmont Fox Hounds to first place in theCrossbred pack class. Amwell Valley, Steven Farrin carrying the horn, won theEnglish pack class. Golden’s Bridge with huntsman Ciaran Murphy took top packhonors in the Penn-Marydels, and Potomac with Larry Pitts as lead hound earnedthe blue rosette for the American foxhounds.

A special highlight of the hound show were the two Junior Handler classes,judged by KT Atkins and Diane Jones, during the lunch break. A record numberof entries turned out, and since its inception in 2004 under the continuing spon-sorship of Joyce and Bill Fendley, Jt-MFHs Casanova, the Junior Handlers con-tinue to up their game each year, thanks to special practice days with their hunts-men. Aiken Hunt’s Justice Meyers (10) showed “Faust” to win the 10 & underdivision, and Reedy Creek’s Sara Eggleston (16) earned the judge’s nod with“Popeye” in the 11-16 class.

Be sure to visit the Museum of Hounds and Hunting North America now thatit is re-opened after extensive renovations to the mansion. Please join MHHNA tosupport its continued growth, but most of all enjoy this cultural collection of theart and artifacts of a centuries old sport.

The judges of the 2011 Junior Handler classes:K.T. Atkins and Diane Jones.

Lauren R. Giannini photo

Junior Handlers 11 and up (l-r): 1. Sara Eggleston, Reedy Creek; 2. Hayley Alcock, Piedmont; 3.Michael Wagstaff, Piedmont; 4. Emma Walsh, Piedmont; 5. Edie Tepper, Iroquois.


Junior Handlers 10 & Under (l-r): 1. Justice Meyers, Aiken; 2. Aiden McManamy, Piedmont; 3. AllieMcManamy, Piedmont; 5. Grace Gardill, Saxonburg; 4. Trinity Yager, Loudoun West.


Toronto & North York “Gravity.”Jim Meads photo

Blue Ridge “Guiltless.”Jim Meads photo


Winner of the Penn-Marydel Pack Class Golden’s Bridge Hounds,Davar Parvin, Hon. Whipper-in and Ciaran Murhpy, Huntsman.

Janet Hitchen photo

Boo Shepard and Live Oak “Kerchief,”Gage Ogden.

Janet Hitchen photo

American Pack Class winners Potomac Hunt,Larry Pitts, Huntsman..Janet Hitchen photo

John Coles, MFH, presents trophy to Laura Pitts, Whipper-in, with Potomac “Judo.”William Burnette, MFH, with Otis Ferry,

MFH, judge.Janet Hitchen photo

Melvin Poe, 2011 member of theHuntsmen’s Room, with

Mrs. C. M. (Daphne) Wood, MFH.Janet Hitchen photo

Performance Champion Midland “Tactful”(l-r) Robert Miller, Whipper-in; Epp Wilson, MFH; Mrs. James Wilson;

William Burnette, MFH; Rene Latiolais, MFH; Tommy Watley..Janet Hitchen photo

Crossbred Pack Class winners Amwell Valley, NJ,Steve Farrin, Huntsman.

Janet Hitchen photo


He’s ridden more champions than he could name, buthorse show professional Tommy Serio says he learnsfrom each and every one of them. The list of starssparkles – from the lemon yellow pony jumper he rodeto armfuls of blue ribbons as a teen, to the best con-formation hunter of the last decade Popeye K, fromThe Wizard, For Many Reasons and Somerset Bay, toMind Games, Summer Rally and Two For One, Seriois pressed to tag a favorite.

“A good horse is a good horse,” stressed Serio, at62 one of the nation’s leading hunter riders. “I’m notfocused on the breed, or the color, or if it’s a geldingor a mare. Even a stallion. A good horse is the one thatmakes the trend.”

Serio took time recently from his busy springshow schedule to recollect a lifetime with horses. Justback from the Spring Premiere and Spring Encore atthe Virginia Horse Center, Serio was turning aroundthe next day to head east to Fredericksburg for theAA-show at Rosemount. “It never ends,” he said. “There’sjust enough time to repack.”

Serio, who looks 25 years younger than his age, istall and fit-thin, with a full head of dark hair he attrib-utes to his Italian heritage. “Good genes,” he said witha smile, running a hand through his black mane. Crazybusy, like always at his Summerfield stable, with hors-es to ride, tack trunks to pack, entries to make and les-sons to teach, Serio settles down at the table in the tackroom and talks like he has all day, recalling a child-hood spent following the horse circuit, idolizing theriding legends of the 1950s and ‘60s show circuit.From the time he tagged along to ride with his oldersister Carolyn at the local barn to the day soon afterthat the instructor recognized his latent talent, Seriowas singularly focused on improvement. “I knew pret-ty early I wanted [a life] with horses,” he said. “I justhad to figure out how to do it.”

That hasn’t proved a problem.

Early YearsSerio and his older sister and brother were raised inbusy suburban Baltimore, attending Catholic schooland, as Serio put it, learning that if they wanted some-thing, they’d have to earn it. His father ran a success-ful fruit and produce business, his mom stayed homewith the kids; neither had any involvement with hors-

es. But, “we saw their hard work,” Serio recalled. “Itstuck.”

When his sister began taking lessons at the localhack stable, Serio was interested. “You could tell,immediately, that he had that special talent,” remem-bers Carolyn, a retired banker who helps out at Serio’sstable in Keswick most days. “He was just an excel-lent rider, from the start.”

By age 11, Serio was leading the guided trailrides, but he was soon tapped to train and ride thetougher ponies and asked to show. A time when hors-es and ponies were versatile, Serio recalls sometimesriding the same pony in jumper classes on a Saturday,a hunter pace on Sunday, and coming back to win thecostume class at a fun show the next weekend.“Everybody did it,” Serio said.

Chief instructor George Dulaney “pushed me tokeep going” any time his interest lagged. Serio readthe horse journals voraciously, poring over photos andstories of the show pros – Johnny Lorenz, Joe Green,Ennis Jenkins – and finding motivation.

After one semester at college, Serio realized thathis dream of becoming a horse professional wasn’tone to disappear. “I knew I wanted to do horses.”

Serio first worked for Jack Stedding, then joinedJohnny Lorenz’s Briarwood Farm in Glyndon, Md. Heschooled horses, getting “a little kickback” for eachsale. It was a time when a $5,000 sale was “a big one,”Serio said. “The main thing was getting on tons ofhorses, learning how to manage them and improvethem.

“That’s the biggest part of my education, ridingthe sale horses,” Serio said.

At age 20, Serio was hired as manager ofHuntover Farm in Sparks, Md., a private boarding andsales barn. There, he started showing jumpers, and metbeautiful, talented Louise Warner on the circuit. Herfamily had renowned Derby Down Farm inPennsylvania, and Louise and sister Mary Wade wereregular winners on the circuit. They soon married andstarted a family, son TR and daughter Christina.

For 10 years, Louise and Tommy Serio ran atraining and sales business out of Blue Hill Farm nearReisterstown, Md.

He began to build a real reputation as a cool handwith tough, yet talented, horses. Point Blank was aThoroughbred horse Serio took from the hunter ring toopen jumpers. “He was allergic to wood,” Seriorecalled, describing an extravagant jumping style thatwon the gelding many prizes in both arenas. AnotherThoroughbred, Mind Games, was Serio’s “first story-book horse,” he said. “He was a plain-brown-wrapper.Good looking, a little plain, but he had the mostincredible jump to him. He was a little delicate – thestory goes that his dam was blind...he wore a bellaround his neck when he was a foal so she could findhim. I think it made him grow up a little insecure, sortof a rough start.”

Difficult to ride, and touchy, Mind Gamesnonetheless became one of Serio’s first “big horses,”earning green and conformation championships

around the east coast, including Madison SquareGarden.

It was a time when show riders really knew howto gallop to a fence, the bolder, the better.

“When I started showing, there was no such thingas a tape measure,” Serio said of the rough-and-readystyle of showing he grew up with. “I mean, the fasteryou went, the further you could stand off, and the bet-ter your ribbon. We galloped. Hunters, jumpers both. Igot really good at seeing a long spot!”

Key Move to VirginiaIn the mid-1980s, Tommy and Louise Serio’s marriagebegan to unravel. He considered a move, and soonreceived an offer that proved portentous. Legendarytrainer and rider Charlie Weaver had been with Kennyand Sallie Wheeler’s Cismont Manor Farm nearCharlottesville, Va. for 10 years but was steppingdown. KennyWheeler approached Serio. “Those werebig footsteps to fill,” Serio said of his initial reluctanceto take the position as trainer and rider at the bighunter breeding and private show stable. He eventual-ly accepted, moving to Virginia in 1986.

While at Cismont, Serio campaigned severalnational Horse of the Year winners, was leading riderat Devon four times and won numerous grand cham-pionships at the Garden.

Six years later he moved a few miles down theroad to develop his own Summerfield training stable atSpringdale Farm in Keswick. Kenny Wheeler Jr.’sfarm, East Belmont, is next door.

SHOWING

Quiet Confidence Gives Tommy Serio the Winning CombinationKeswick-based Show Hunter Legend Shares Secrets of Success

By Betsy Burke Parker

Fifteen-year-old Tommy Serio on Little Spook, a 14.3 handpalomino who ‘jumped anything you pointed him at.’

Tommy Serio rides out on Calvert, an ungelded son of Popeye Kout of a Thoroughbred mare belonging to owner Duck Martin ofGlyndon, Md. Serio believes that ‘letting horses be horses,’ withlots of turnout and trail rides makes for a better individual, one

willing to win in the show ring.Betsy Burke Parker photo


Springdale, several hundred mostly open rollingacres belonging to Robert Harman, was perfect forSerio’s burgeoning business, mostly training but someboarding, teaching and sales. At the foot of SouthwestMountain, “it’s a great location,” Serio said of theproperty which includes several barns, pastures, pad-docks, a big arena with all-weather footing, trails anda 3/8ths of a mile “track” that encircles a 10-acre lake.

It’s a great place to “make” a horse, Serio said,recalling some of the legendary show horses he’s cam-paigned from Summerfield. One, in particular, will beforever associated with Summerfield. Serio foundPopeye K at a clinic he was teaching in 2002 inCanada. “The farm had this young horse they wantedme to try,” Serio recalled. “He just exploded over hisfences.” Sired by the renowned jumper stallionVoltaire, and started by Canadian show jumping leg-end Ian Millar, Popeye was being promoted as a showhunter. Serio knew Popeye would excel in America’shunter divisions, and his bloodlines were a valuableasset to U.S. breeding. Popeye had won the covetedGovernor General’s Cup at Toronto’s Royal WinterFair as a 3-year-old, a prize for the Canadian-bredhorse “best suited to become a sport horse.” Serioclient Rachel Spencer of Keswick bought the horseand together Serio and Popeye quickly became thetalk of the circuit, racking multiple championships inthe green, then regular working, hunter divisions. Thepair was featured on the cover of the Dover Saddlerycatalog.

If Popeye was his favorite, Serio skirted the ques-tion. “He’s definitely on the list. I’ve had hundreds ofhorses who’ve won [U.S. Equestrian Federation]Horse of the Year titles, and he’s on that list. Top five,for sure. I’ve had some nice horses over the years.”

Such is the close bond between horse and riderthat Spencer once famously told a reporter that “I’llhave a chance to drive Tommy’s Corvette before I’llhave a chance to ride Popeye.”

“I liked him at first sight,” recalled Serio. “He hada nice rhythm to the canter. You can’t ‘train that’ intoa horse. Either they have it, or they don’t.”

Same with the head down-withers up show hunterjumping ability the horse demonstrated early. “Theyhave to have that ability when they fall out of theirdams.”

Serio said he “saw the writing on the wall” interms of the subtle shift from Thoroughbred showhunters to warmbloods about 20 years ago, just afterhe started training out of Summerfield. “The European(warmblood) breeding system has perfected how tofollow bloodlines, breed for jumping ability and train-ability,” he said, unlike the U.S. system, which is“really no system at all.” Horses change names, with

no central registry there is no way to follow success inthe show ring. In Europe, on the other hand, “you cantrace a line that will give you a big, athletic horse thatmoves flat and soft, and jumps really well. That’s whypeople flocked to Europe 10, 20 years ago. But thedollar is weak now, so there’s not that many bargainsavailable.”

Through Popeye K and other proven sporthorses,Serio hopes to create the same sort of breeding lines inAmerica, but he maintains that horses must demon-strate soundness and ability and temperament worthreplicating. “You want to start with a good showrecord,” he explained, and though a stallion withproven ability and durability like Popeye is importantto a breeding program, he believes the mare equallyimportant. “You want lineage and talent, but don’t for-get the brains. That’s key.”

Serio said he is an equal-opportunity equestrianwhen it comes to bloodlines and color.“Thoroughbred, warmblood. Doesn’t matter. Peopleargue that ‘the Thoroughbred has fallen out of fash-ion’ in the show world, but I tell you, if I started beat-ing you with a Thoroughbred horse, you’d want one ofthose. Same with a mare, same with a chestnut. Judgethe individual, not the ‘fashion’.”

He loves the new Thoroughbred divisions at horseshows. “The worst part about most Thoroughbredhorses is their lip tattoo,” Serio said with a laugh.“Hell, if I slapped a brand across the hip of most ofthese Thoroughbred show hunters, people wouldn’teven know.”

On Training, Judging, Teaching“I love riding the horses ‘out’,” Serio said as he

saddled a young homebred stallion prospect, Calvert,for a short training session and a hack, quick since hestill has to pack for Rosemount. “Getting out of thering, out in the open where the horses can breathe,where they can move – that’s key to keeping themmentally fresh so they can manage the show season. Ithink that’s important.”

He even keeps a big western saddle in the barn fortrail riding. Horses are expected to open and closegates, cross ditches and streams, hack out alone or incompany. “If a horse can’t handle going on a trail ridealone, how can you ask him to perform well in thehunter ring, alone. Hacking out gives them confi-dence.

“It’s therapy for them. And it’s therapy for me.”Serio spends most winters in Wellington, Fla. For

care of the horses he leaves behind, he entrusts long-time employee – and friend – Joe Quarles. “It’s likewe’ve been married for 20 years,” Serio said of thelevel of wordless communication between them. “Hefixes everything I break. He keeps the farm lookinggreat. I really appreciate him. We bicker like we’remarried, but he’s key to this operation.”

For his part, Quarles knows Serio is an equal part-ner. “One thing about Tommy is that he’ll always stayand help, never ask you to do anything he wouldn’t do.I remember one time, a girl working here left the trac-tor parked on a little hill, and didn’t put it in gear,”Quarles said. “Well, it rolled down the hill and crashedthrough three fences before it stopped. I looked outthere and was like, ‘Oh, my God! Tommy’s gonnakills us!’

“Well, he came out ‘cause he was on his way to ahorse show and saw what’d happened. I knew he hadto get out to that show, but he stayed and helped fix upthe fences before he went. That’s the way he is.Involved, in every part of the farm.”

On the subject of judging horse shows, Serio said

he wishes he had more time because he feels like thatis an important way for professionals to give back tothe industry. “I think we owe it to the sport to judge,”he said. “Really, they got it backwards when you canjust go through training and take a test and ‘become’ ajudge. What we need are the best professionals to bejudging.

“It takes character and self-confidence to put yourname on the line, to do what’s right and choose thekid’s pony that outjumps and outshines the big-namepro’s horse that day. Judges so often just choose by thenames, not by the performance. You gotta choose thewinner that’s in front of you, and remember that notevery opinion is the same. That’s what they’re payingyou for, for your personal opinion.”

Serio loves the new “hunter derby” classes, but hesays that they’re really just hunter classics under a newname. He likes the scoring system, and believes that areturn to the galloping courses of the old days is a pos-itive step for the hunter show industry. The technicalaspect of modern horse showing stifles the natural,flowing gallop and jump of hunters from the old days,Serio said. “People today want to analyze everything,every single stride. I want [students] to ride off of feel.I can teach you the basics, and what you should bedoing, but a rider has to find that feeling on his own.

“When you get to be my age, you’ve made yourown ‘textbook.’ My training may not be from thebooks, but it’s worked well with lots and lots of hors-es that responded to this program.”

“Ever since the get-go he looked good on a horse,he was so effective,” sister Carolyn Serio said. “Thoselong legs, effective seat, soft hands. He was alwaysmeticulous, detail-oriented and a perfectionist. Itmakes some people crazy, but it’s how he’s been sosuccessful.”

“I can’t give a horse the talent to make it, but I cangive him the time, and training,” Tommy Serio added.“The rest of it is patience, learning to wait for a horseto get strong enough through his shoulders to jumpwell, balanced enough to get that good canter. I mean,some horses just don’t have the jump, or the move-ment, to make it in the [rated] show ring, but patienceand training go a long way.”

Getting on five or six horses a day underlinesSerio’s assertion that being a professional means“treating every horse like an individual. Each onedemands a slightly different technique.”

Serio has one regret – that more of the legendaryhorse professionals will die without their knowledgebeing passed on. “You spend a lifetime learning allthis,” he said. “It just seems like a pity what you knewmight be forgotten when you’re gone.

“I tell Kenny [Wheeler] all the time, ‘why don’tyou write this stuff down.’He’s been a friend and men-tor all these years. But he doesn’t believe anyone’sinterested in it. Rodney Jenkins, too. I grew up idoliz-ing him. He was a legend. There are so many greathorsemen who won’t leave any of their knowledgebehind.”

The lesson Serioremembers best is notunique, but it’s one hetries to live by.“Horses teach mepatience. They teachyou something newevery day.”

Tommy Serio jumps with Dutch Warmblood stallion Popeye K towin a hunter classic at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Betsy Burke Parker photo


Effie M. Fox lives with an abiding love of horses, houndsand hunting that merges most harmoniously with her pas-sion for environmental ethics. She has so many treasuredmemories: red letter days as a youngster withMarlborough, the hunt started by her family in 1936, andlater as the first-ever female honorary whipper-in withWarrenton Hunt; homebred field hunters who showed herwhere the fox was breaking from covert; serving asDistrict Commissioner of the Casanova-Warrenton PonyClub from 1966-71 during her son Chandler’s years; spe-cial ‘outdoor lab’ projects that reflected her love of teach-ing and thirst for knowledge, which she shared with schoolchildren in Fauquier County. She’s busy stockpiling more.

Her recent donation to the Museum of Hounds andHunting North America clothed several mannequins inlovely vintage tailor-made hunting kit. Effie’s shadbellyand midnight blue frock coat, both by the original Miller’sof NewYork City, and a tweed jacket made in Dublin sportno size tags. Back in those days Effie wore size 12, con-sidered a 4 by today’s standards. Her hunting vests, slight-ly flared breeches, four-fold stock ties and boots byDehner complete the ensembles.

Her hunt buttons reflect dedicated seasons with Marlborough, Warrenton,Casanova and Norfolk. She has also enjoyed going out with other packs, such asIroquois, Moore County, Old Dominion, Potomac, Piedmont, Bull Run, Essex,Camargo, Millbrook, and Myopia, to name a few.

“A number of years ago I took my coats, breeches, vests, etc. out of the trunkand asked Marion Maggiolo if she could sell them,” recalls Effie. “She advertisedthem in Horse Country and got some bites, but I never heard another word. I raninto her at the vet’s and Marion said these are beautiful clothes, so well made andwell taken care of (although my frock coat had been mended several times fortears that happened while whipping in) and that people today are too big for them,but would I consider donating them to the museum? I didn’t want these clothes todie in a chest somewhere and I said yes.”

That’s only one aspect of this woman whose lifetime spans most of the 20thcentury and who, according to her own expectations and reports, isn’t finishedwith ‘carpe diem’ quite yet.

Effie was named for her mother, christened Effie Gwynn, and for her grand-mother, Effie Gwynn Bowie. The family traces its roots to two early governors ofMaryland, which is how the little village in Prince Georges County came to becalled Bowie, a center of Thoroughbred racing in the northeast until the track ranits last race in 1985. Her family started the Marlborough Hunt in 1936, and heruncle Benjamin Bowie was its first master of foxhounds.

“I grew up in a foxhunting atmosphere and I started hunting on a pony atnine,” recalls Effie. “My mother was the first honorary secretary. Then I was hon-orary secretary until 1956 or so – even after I moved to Warrenton. I grew up inhistory, too. Every year we celebrated Gen. Robert E. Lee’s birthday and mygrandmother Effie Gwynn Bowie researched and published a history of the oldfamilies. Across The Years In Prince Georges County became the bible for histo-rians about families related by blood and by marriage: Halls, Carters, Bowies,Clagetts, et al. It was a history of allied families, including the Calvert family, whofounded Maryland.”

Most of all, Effie rode to hounds and pursued schooling that led her to collegeand a degree from Manhattanville in NewYork City. One day after she was homefrom college, she went foxhunting and met a young captain in the Marines.George Fox pursued her until she accepted his proposal. They married in 1955, butnot without a lot of finagling and nuptial red tape. George was on duty and want-ed her to come to France to get married during the summer while he was on leave.Effie was teaching first grade at the time and it worked well with her teaching andhunting schedule. She went to France, but they couldn’t get around the residencylaws. Effie’s mother and stepfather happened to be in Stockholm, so she flewthere, establishing residency while having the bans read in church three consecu-tive Sundays. By the time they tied the knot George’s leave had just about run out.

“We flew back to Paris and had a few days there, thenwent on to Nice and George sailed with his company,”explains Effie. “I flew to Malta, but he was busy organiz-ing rifle tournaments with the British troops, so he wasn’tvery happy to see me. I had a blast the rest of my time overthere. I contacted a school friend, Pat, who was living inGlasgow. I flew back to London and took the train toScotland to visit her. I said, ‘we’re so close to Ireland andI’ve always wanted to go to the Dublin Horse Show.’ Sowe flew to Dublin.”

That European sojourn remains a cherished memory,because that’s when Effie spotted a pair of silver horns inthe display window of an antique store in Dublin. Shewent in, looked all around and asked about the huntinghorns. They had hallmarks and she knew they were thereal deal, made by Swaine Adney.

After Effie paid what she considered to be a fair price,about $15-20, for the less beat up of the two horns, theproprietor went back to fetch wrapping paper. He had toldher the price was so low because the reed was missing andthey wouldn’t blow. She couldn’t resist the impulse to pickit up and blow it.

“That man said ‘OH!’ – it had beautiful tone,” recalls Effie, who would putthat horn to good use when she hunted hounds. “I still have it, but my history isn’tas a huntsman. Riding horses and foxhunting were my love, my passion and myavocation.”

Even though her husband lived for assignments that took him close to combatduty, Effie stuck to her own guns about living in one place and staying close to therural life she loved. She simply couldn’t countenance moving from base to base.George agreed: he wanted to come home to Virginia hunt country and left thechoice of where to his wife.

“I decidedWarrenton, because it was more like home,” states Effie. “HarcourtLees was in real estate by then and The Dell had just come on the market. He said,‘come out to the Piedmont races and see it.’ It was overgrown, a jungle, but I want-ed it. George bought it unseen. We cleared it, put in fences and built everythingexcept the house and old barn.”

They hunted with Warrenton, of course. George won the first Seven CornersOwner-Rider timber championship on a horse trained by Effie. She bred horses,which she trained and rode to hounds. She liked Casanova Hunt for bringing alongyoung horses and the Foxes became members when Ken Edwards became joint-master with Charlie Thompkins, who asked Effie to serve as secretary. EdieEdwards was taking her around to look at stallions. It was in the early ’60s, andGeorge got transferred to Boston. It was the only time Effie left The Dell. Ofcourse, hunting factored into her decision.

“We went up with a letter of introduction from Billy Wilbur [MFHWarrenton] to Nathaniel Clark, who was Master and Huntsman of Norfolk,”explains Effie. “We had our horses, our son Chandler came up too, and we hunt-ed. It was mostly a drag hunt and Nat asked us to whip in. I was active with thehounds during the week, but George whipped in on Saturdays. When Nat wasaway, I would hunt the hounds for him.”

Effie used that silver reed-less horn which she purchased in Dublin on herwedding trip in 1955. When asked, she replies that she was “good enough” withthe calls. The only regret she voiced was wishing that she had bought both horns.One can imagine that the proprietor upped the price on the other one once he knewwhat he had.

When they returned to The Dell, Effie resumed her life there. She had beenhunting with Warrenton since 1955. After Boston, Lees asked Effie to whip-in atthe beginning of the 1970 season to Dick Bywaters, who was Huntsman.

“I’ve always been a champion of the fox and whipping-in let me see so much– it was the next best thing to hunting hounds,” admits Effie. “I thought when Ican’t hunt anymore, bury me. Whipping-in, I would wait until the fox was well onits way, then I would give the cry. Harcourt gave me the greatest privilege by ask-ing me to serve as whip and getting me out of the field.”

PERSONALITIES

An Enthusiast’s Converging PassionsBy Lauren R. Giannini

Honorary Whipper-in Effie Fox over a fence in the ’70s.

Douglas Lees photo


George had returned in 1970 from a tour of duty when Vietnam was at itshottest. He’d been promoted to Colonel and wanted Effie to move to Brussels withhim so he could work with NATO. She refused to uproot their son again.

“He said ‘I have to have a wife – if you won’t go, I’ll go back to Vietnam foranother year.’ When I asked why, he said ‘any war will do’ because he neededaction for promotion,” recalls Effie. “But that second year he wasn’t in the fight-ing, he was assistant to a general in Saigon. He got malaria and came home.”

Shortly after his return, Effie became aware that the marriage had to end andthat she would have to sell The Dell. She continued to whip-in a year or two afterBywaters retired and Fred Duncan took up the horn, but she resigned her post ashonorary whip because she was getting The Dell ready to put on the market.

“About that time Sally Tufts, president of the Fauquier SPCA, asked if I wouldconsider doing humane investigation,” explains Effie. “I said yes, but found myselfin an ethical conflict, because I could not justify continuing to hunt while I wasgoing to people to educate them about the humane care of animals. I wasn’t whip-ping-in any longer and I wasn’t very happy in the field. I was in my late 40s and itwas a natural progression. It was a heart-wrenching thing to give up hunting in ’77,but I couldn’t afford the lifestyle on my own after selling The Dell in 1974.”

Effie served as the first official court-appointed humane investigator inFauquier County for 20-some years. During the early years of that volunteer posi-tion, she researched passive solar and designed a house, based on the design of aJapanese teahouse, in which she continues to live today. Effie planted trees that puton her very own annual cherry blossom festival as well as enhancing the sur-rounding wildlife habitat with native wildflowers, grasses and trees. She was activefor four years as state education chair for the Virginia Native Plant Society.

In 1992, Effie developed the Outdoor Lab for the Fauquier County PublicSchools. Effie describes the 17 acres behind Fauquier High School as a “naturalwild place with ponds, meadows, woods, etc.” It was right up her alley, too: shehad the experience and the expertise after clearing and beautifying The Dell.

“I was hired, because they had this place and the pond was about the onlything the teachers could use – the rest of it was a wild jungle,” says Effie. “Theycould dip water to study what lives in ponds.”

Effie took on the lab and threw her back into it. Mary Charles Ashby, chair ofthe Fauquier County School Board, loved the outdoor lab. Effie invited her to classand she saw the possibilities.

“Teachers would ask me to help them teach the life history of butterflies andI created programs according to their requests to supplement what they taught inthe classrooms,” says Effie. “Mary Charles said this position had to be full-timeand she pushed it through, but I had to interview for the job with the director ofpersonnel. I remember getting a grant for 30 adult binoculars – if you could haveseen the kindergarten and first graders learning how to use them! – then we’d goon a walk to see birds.”

Effie got help to clear a few acres above the pond and seeded it to make anative grass meadow. She planted native wild flowers that would feed humming-birds and butterflies. She created studies about butterflies, birds, trees and the pondto bring lessons in the classroom to vivid life in the natural habitat. In June 2010she was informed that the outdoor lab must close.

“It was like home – the children and teachers loved it, and I loved it,” saysEffie, who has kept busy in the interim.

Back when she built her house – “very special, a lot of glass” – a job with theSacred Heart Schools in NewYork City gave her the opportunity to indulge in herlove of learning. She also began tutorial graduate studies at Boston College inEnvironmental Ethics, but was unable to complete the degree requirementsbecause her mentor died of a heart attack. It was doubly sad, because the profes-sor wanted to fashion Effie’s tutorial in Environmental Ethics into a regular courseof study in the graduate program.

“Part of my deal with Sacred Heart was that I would go to wherever they need-ed me, and I was traveling back and forth always by train, because for environ-mental ethics I needed to see the landscape and not just fly over it,” says Effie. “Ilearned so much about the landscape of North America by seeing it with my owneyes. We must learn to work with nature and not force nature to bend to our will.My life has had many different chapters and they all connect into the naturalworld.”

If Effie has a mantra – be it about horses, foxhunting, whipping-in or inter-acting with the environment – it’s a combination that runs along the lines of: do noharm, try always to be true to thine own self, and be sure to enjoy what you’redoing, because life’s too short and age is only a number.

That’s Effie M. Fox: pure and simple: an individual who champions the earthand all its glorious fauna and flora, its rural pursuits and pleasures. She may havehung up her hunting tack, but her heart still quickens at the sight and sound ofhounds in full cry and the thrill of viewing the fox break covert. The world coulduse a zillion more enthusiasts just like her.

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On April 9, 2011, the sport of hunting withhounds, especially with foxhounds, lost a greatsupporter and cherished friend when James J.Culleton, MFH, MB, MBH, died at his ReedyCreek Farm in McKenney, Virgina. He was aunique individual, and it is doubtful that we willsee his like again. Under the Reedy Creek banner,Jim supported packs of foxhounds, beagles andbassets, all of which excelled in the field, at fieldtrials, and in the show ring.

Born July 5, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York,where his father operated a large stable, Jimbegan hunting at age six on Long Island atMeadow Brook during its final years, then withSmithtown, and later with the Suffolk Hunt. Aftertaking over his father’s stable, Jim began to huntin New Jersey with the Hidden Hollow Hunt,whipping-in to the colorful Michael J. Torply,Esq., MFH. Not only did Jim hunt, but everyweekend he brought 30 to 40 people fromBrooklyn who might never otherwise haveenjoyed the thrills of hunting, and whose cappingfees were instrumental in keeping the hunt viable. At the urging of his friend FredGetty, MFH, Jim convinced Mr. Torply to bring his hounds to join Getty’s SuffolkHunt in New York’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. They were likely the only packs offoxhounds ever to participate, and did so for several years. Also from Suffolk Jimprocured a draft of hounds – of which “Sherman” and “Saddler” were the standouts– to bolster the hunting ability of the Hidden Hollow pack. Jim soon became pres-ident of the hunt, and held that position for many years.

By the mid-eighties, Jim wanted to get out of Brooklyn, so he retired from hisjob with the NewYork City school system, sold the barn, and, with his best friendand partner, TomMcElduff, moved to farming country near Scranton, PA, where hebought “Baily Hollow Farm.” Jim’s mother’s family hailed from the area, and herehe had enjoyed many an idyllic childhood summer. Jim and Tommy built a largestable, where they bought, sold, trained, showed and boarded horses. Jim was alovely rider, with the rare gift for getting on with difficult horses, those who wouldtrust no one else. His infinite patience with horses not only resulted in many satis-fied owners, it also helped make him an excellent instructor. He had the PiedPiper’s touch with children, and many a fine rider today has Jim to thank.

In 1986 Jim reactivated theAbingdon Hills Hunt, which had closed down dur-ing WWII. After building a nice kennel, Jim acquired a large draft of mostlyCrossbred hounds. According to Fred Getty, what Jim inherited was an unbeliev-ably unruly mob of hounds. Said Getty, “You wouldn’t believe the amount of workJim did; it was monumental. But he did it; he made that bunch into a real pack, apack to be proud of.” Jim, indeed, had a gift with hounds as well and, as Huntsman,he showed good sport to a large cadre of followers. However, in 1987, Jim had acrashing fall, breaking several ribs. Unable to hunt hounds, he handed the horn toTom McElduff. From age 14 Tommy had hung out at the Brooklyn stable, showingin equitation classes and graduating to jumpers. And, of course, hunting. From thestart, Tommy proved to be a natural and, with Jim’s support and encouragement,has carried the horn ever since.

Severe winters shortened the hunting season around Scranton, and Jim begantalking about Virginia. Michelle Olgers, another Brooklyn “barn rat” who had fol-lowed Jim to Pennsylvania and, after college, lived at “Baily Hollow,” decided to“beat Jim to it,” as she said. She moved to Virginia, where she helped found – andhunted – the Colonial Fox Hounds. During this time she found land in SouthsideVirginia’s McKenney, and Jim moved south.

After building a thirty-stall barn and kennels at Reedy Creek Farm, Jim andTommy began building a Penn-Marydel pack with hounds from Pennsylvania’sJoan Dougherty, Fred Getty – now relocated in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia– and a generous draft of black and tans from Bob Crompton’s Andrews BridgeHounds. In 1999 the Reedy Creek Hounds were founded, and were registered in2000. In 2008 the Reedy Creek Bassets were recognized and the Reedy CreekBeagles registered. Jim served as Joint Master with Rachel Cain and TomMcElduff

respectively, with Tommy hunting both footpacks.Throughout his career, Jim believed that hunt-

ing is not a sport for the elite, but a sport foreveryone; and in that spirit, no child or adult wasturned away for lack of funds. There are myriadchores in the barn, kennel and on the farm wherepeople worked off lessons, board bills and eventhe price of a horse. Many people who began inBrooklyn followed Jim to Scranton, and later toMcKenney. The man inspired fierce loyalty.Although he loved to play the curmudgeon,

Jim was a kind and forgiving man, who loved hishounds, horses and friends, and who had a softspot for children and young animals. MichelleOlgers noted that on many an unguarded momentshe had seen her gruff mentor cuddling his pup-pies.In 2010 everyone noted that Jim was “off his

feed,” and shortly he was diagnosed with pancre-atic cancer. Undaunted by even so formidable afoe, Jim strode into battle with a gunfighter’s

swagger, with never a thought of concession, and even near the end, never conced-ing defeat. He continued to hunt as much as possible between biweekly chemother-apy sessions. On Opening Meet he led First Flight with all of his old dash andaplomb, his face wreathed in his mischievous grin. Jim’s last hunt, on February26th from home, was his young pack’s best hunt ever, and he led the hilltoppers,keeping them in the epicenter of the action all day. Hounds ran hard for over threehours. Their first pilot was a huge, handsome red fox, and hounds sorely tested hisendurance for the majority of the day. When “Charlie” finally sought sanctuary, theReedy Creek lovelies quickly put a grey gentleman on his feet and gave him all thefun he wanted, to finish the day with a flourish. When asked to describe the day,First Whipper-In Jan Buckley gushed, “It was so exciting, fantastic! Forty houndsflying! And the cry…the music…it was better than sex!” The pack that Jim hadworked with so long and hard had truly come together. Led by an extraordinaryYoung Entry, the product of this dedicated hound man’s meticulous breeding pro-gram, the future looks bright indeed. All day Jim’s signature aura of exuberanceand a beatific smile gave ample proof of his joy and pride. He never hunted again.

Jim went into the hospital shortly after, and soon came home, insisting thateverything at Reedy Creek carry on as always (“…even if…” he said). Toward thatend he made Tommy McElduff his Joint Master. Although he couldn’t attend, Jimheard the clarion cry of his beloved black and tans as they pushed a fox at ClosingMeet, when a memberbrought home a taperecording.

In the end, atpeace with his life andhis Lord, and assuredby the knowledge thatthe future of his lovelyhounds was secure, Jimpassed gently. GoodHunting, my friend.

• • • •Note: In theOc tober /Novemberissue of In and AroundHorse Country I inadvertently referred to Hidden Hollow asWindy Hollow. My sin-cere apologies to anyone whom my carelessness may have offended. JJC

SPORTSMAN

James J. Culleton, MFH, MB, MBH: A RemembranceJohn J. Carle II, ex-MFH

James J. Culleton, MFH, cubhunting with Reedy Creek Hounds, 2009.

James J. Culleton, MFH, opening meet 2010.


Jenny’s PicksI hope you’ve had time to go online to ourwebstore, horsecountrycarrot.com, and seethe new items we’re listing—I’ve beenadding about 20 books a week. Almost allour youth books are now online, as are manyof our larger, coffee-table books. I have arequest for my readers: I’d like to know whatsort of books you are interested in purchas-ing. If you have suggestions or requests, e-mail me at [email protected]. Pleasecode the subject line with “IAHC sugges-tions.” I’m looking forward to hearing fromyou!

I’m going to delve into new books,again offering some health advisories. First,Rita Mae Brown has a new Sneaky Pie mys-tery out.Brown, Rita Mae. Hiss of Death. This timeHarry has more to worry about than suspiciousdeaths: following a routine mammogram, she isdiagnosed with breast cancer. When she finds ayoung nurse dead, apparently from a bee sting,the autopsy’s determination is simply anaphy-lactic shock. Next comes a fire in a records stor-age facility. Then a semen shipment cylinder isfound in the deceased nurse’s pottingshed…and she didn’t have horses. Harrybecomes more convinced something is amiss.As usual, she manages to get in the thick ofthings with her curiosity, two cats and Corgiright along with her. Hardcover, 217pp. $26.00NEWS FLASHNancy Mohr’s Lady Blows a Horn is beingreprinted one more time! This is a commemo-rative edition of the book on the late NancyHannum, MFH of Mr. Stewart’s CheshireFoxhounds. We received many requests for thisafter we had sold out our copies. Order yoursnow – very limited supplies are being printed!Your order will help the Cheshire HuntConservancy, which will receive a $2 contribu-tion for every book sold. $30.00Next on deck is a book just out that is gearedtoward serious riders, those wanting to go pro-fessional or be on a par with professionals.

Emerson, Denny. How Good Riders Get Good.If you’re seriously looking toward a future inthe horse world, read this book! It’s not a ridingmanual. There are hundreds of those out there.It’s more of an attitude manual, a guide to mak-ing the choices that will keep you on tracktoward your professional goal, regardless ofwhether your chosen field is Western, dressage,eventing, driving, or whatever. Emersonincludes interviews with 23 of the best riders inthe world on what they feel got them to the top.Some were born into a family with horses, oth-ers were not, but they had what it took to suc-ceed, and all had “horse fever” early in child-hood. He’s straightforward with his advice: youcan’t get far if you’re lazy; you won’t get to thetop with a mediocre horse; you’ve got to bedetermined and not let anything stand in yourway. He points out that women in particularhave a difficult choice, since their best ridingyears are also their best childbearing years.Emerson has considerable experience in sever-al disciplines of riding, having completed thegrueling Tevis Cup endurance ride (100 milesin 24 hours) and won a gold medal in interna-tional eventing. Hardcover, 204pp. $29.95Next up is a series devoted to specific healthissues, produced by the Horse Health CareLibrary. They’re all of the same handy dimen-sions, so they make a nice grouping on yourbookshelf. They each have a section of colorphotos in the middle and a smattering of b&wphotos throughout the text, plus a glossary atthe end. Technical, yes; but medicine is some-thing you have to expect will be a bit technical.

Bentz, Bradford G., VMD, MS. UnderstandingEquine Colic. Colic may be the number onecause of equine mortality besides the slaughter-house. I’ve personally lost three animals to ail-ments manifesting themselves in colickybehavior (two gut torsions and a stomach can-cer), and it isn’t a nice way to go. This is one Irecommend for everyone to understand whathappens, the many reasons colic occurs, how toreduce the chances you will encounter a colic,what you can do in a colic attack, and what thevet can or cannot do. Softcover, 192pp. $16.95Bentz, Bradford G., VMD, MS. UnderstandingEquine Neurological Disorders. In the last fewdecades, neurological disorders have receivedincreasing attention as we come to know moreabout them. “Horse doctors” of yesteryearknew about rabies, knew stringhalt, shivers, andwobbler foals, but not really what caused them,and it wasn’t hard to guess that a horse thatflipped over and hit his head might have frac-tured something. But lately we’ve seen geneticdisorders (the notorious Quarter Horse HYPPproblem, for instance, stemming from one veryinfluential stallion, Impressive), EPM, Lymedisease, several forms of encephalitis (EEE,WEE, VEE), and more. Some of these resultfrom the high mobility of today’s equines,enabling infectious diseases to travel with easeacross the country. Some may have manifestedthemselves long ago and been unrecognized orunreported. Dr. Bentz attempts to clarify differ-ent neurological disorders, their causes, andtheir treatment and potential for recovery.Softcover, 127pp. $14.95Bentz, Bradford G., VMD, MS. UnderstandingEquine Preventive Medicine. The first thingthat comes to mind is, naturally, vaccinesagainst certain devastating diseases, but there ismuch more we can do for our horses. Worming,for instance; good farriery, for another. A badfarrier can ruin an otherwise healthy, soundhorse. Effective screening for disease (thatCoggins test!) and quarantining of new horsesuntil they’re clearly disease-free are other meth-ods. Some of what Dr. Bentz discusses is morein the manner of holistic medicine designed toimprove a horse’s well-being and ease discom-fort he already has. Feeding supplements alsocome into play. An ounce of prevention…Softcover, 136pp. $16.95Briggs, Karen. Understanding EquineNutrition (Rev. Ed.). In order to get the best outof your horse, he needs to be adequately fed butnot overstuffed. The author is an equine nutri-tionist and horse feed specialist for a large feedcompany in Canada, so she has excellent cre-dentials. Hydration, fiber, vitamins and miner-als, carbs, hay and forage, grains – all areaddressed, plus a discussion of condition withrespect to weight, whether too-thin or too-fat.We all know a skeletal horse is malnourished,but what about that racehorse whose ribs areshowing? Softcover, 176pp. $16.95Forney, Barbara D., VMD, MS. UnderstandingEquine Medications (Rev. Ed.). The field ofmedicine is ever-changing as new discoveriesare made; even this revised edition will proba-bly be lacking something that was just discov-ered last week, or last month. However, manymedications are pretty basic unchanging formu-las, and it’s really a good idea to know just whatthe vet is prescribing, what it’s meant to do,

what side effects you might run into, and how touse it – even though the vet has in all likelihooddiscussed it with you at the time of examina-tion. If you’re like me, a lot goes right over yourhead and you can’t remember it; thank heavenfor printed instructions! This really belongs onyour shelf, unless you’re a veterinarian withhuge medical tomes available. The author dis-cusses categories of drugs, gives a briefoverview of drug rules for competition horses,and gives generic and common brand names,drug type, and indications for its use. Sideeffects, drug interaction concerns, and otherspecial considerations are listed after the basicinformation. Softcover, 238pp. $16.95Gramstrom, David F., DVM, PhD.Understanding EPM. EPM, or equine proto-zoal myeloencephalitis, is one of those fairlyrecent diseases that cropped up in the 1960s.Progress has been slow in determining exactlywhat caused it and how best to treat it. Dr.Gramstrom has endeavored to explain as bestthey know what the life cycle of the parasitethat causes it is, what symptoms – and they aremany and confusable with other ailments –indicate its presence, what can be done to pre-vent EPM, and what, if anything, can be donefor the infected horse. In the back are a numberof answers to frequently asked questions aboutthe disease. Softcover, 103pp. $16.95.Jurga, Fran. Understanding the Equine Foot. Iopened this to the color insert section and wentWOW! There’s an excellent series of colorillustrations of hoof interiors, some fascinatingand unusual (to me) variations on correctiveshoeing, and some hoof sole problems. In addi-tion to the expected recommendations on hoofcare and shoeing, there is a raft of questions youshould ask any farrier you might be thinking ofusing. Not only diseases and other hoof trou-bles are covered; Jurga also discusses relateditems such as hoof picks and bell boots.Softcover, 147pp. $16.95Redden, Ric, DVM. Understanding Laminitis.Along with colic, the diagnosis of laminitis, orfounder, is probably more feared than othercommon problems. Laminitis can arise from avast number of causes; mild laminitis, like mildcolic, might be fairly easily treated, but severelaminitis is often cause for euthanasia. Fromponies and other easy keepers to racehorses inpeak condition (think Barbaro), the diagnosiscan be devastating. Degrees of laminitis andtreatment are discussed. Everyone should bewell informed on laminitis to avoid risking theirhorses. Softcover, 141pp. $14.95Thomas, Heather Smith. UnderstandingEquine Hoof Care. A great deal of Thomas’swork deals with shoeing, including a nice colorseries showing how to nail on a shoe, but I surewouldn’t want to undertake farriery withoutproper training by a professional. Still, it willgive you some idea of what to watch for whileyour farrier is doing his job. Different types ofshoes, including glue-ons, are discussed, alongwith laminitis, navicular, gravel, and manyother hoof problems. Softcover, 160pp. $16.95In addition to problem-specific manuals, wealso carry some all-around books:

Gore, Thomas (DVM) and Paula; and James M.Giffin, MD. Horse Owner’s VeterinaryHandbook (third ed.). This 2008 edition adver-

tises “all new coverage of infectious diseases,alternative therapies, breeding and foaling,behavioral findings, and toxins, cancer and par-asites.” Right off the bat they introduce a chap-ter on emergencies, to lessen the need for fran-tic flipping through the whole book. This maynot be the sort of book you’ll read cover tocover – though it won’t hurt! – but it’s certain-ly a good reference to keep on hand and browsethrough. An index of signs and symptoms, withreference to page location, enables you to refer-ence possible problems easily, and there is anextensive glossary. Hardcover, 692pp. $39.99Kelley, Brent, DVM. The Horse Doctor Is In.While not exactly a veterinary manual like mostother books we carry, Dr. Kelley’s book is cer-tainly more interesting to read and offers a lotof sage advice on horse health care, spatteredwith case histories from his experiences as aveterinarian in Kentucky. That state being amajor producer of horses, he experienced andexpounds upon a great number of breeding andmanagement issues. It’s rather appalling tolearn about the chicanery that goes on in theThoroughbred industry, but it does serve toopen your eyes about prospective purchases.For instance, he cites a former client that wouldalways bring out the same clean-legged horsefor leg x-rays and give it a different name eachtime. The buyer was then given the horse’s x-rays – and sold a different horse! Dr. Kelleycaught on after the fourth time he x-rayed thehorse, and of course refused to do further workfor the man. Softcover, 406pp. $19.95Kellon, Eleanor M., VMD. Horse JournalGuide to Equine Supplements andNutraceuticals. If you aren’t familiar with themagazine Horse Journal, try to get a copy andread it. If I didn’t subscribe to any other horsemagazine, I’d subscribe to this one as a horseowner; it’s chock-full of good advice abouthorse care and evaluates market products forusefulness and practicality. This book is a com-pilation of material from articles publishedtherein; Dr. Kellon is the veterinary editor. Wealso carry several other books of hers: Dr.Kellon’s Guide to First Aid for Horses andKeeping the Older Horse Young. Evaluated area number of supplements and additives for awide range of uses, from anti-inflammatories toweight-gain strategies. Senior horses, pregnanthorses, obese horses, sufferers from Cushing’sand many others are all covered, with compara-tive charts and b&w photographs enhancing thetext. Hardcover, 292pp. $29.95Porter, Mimi.The New Equine Sports Therapy.Just as sports therapy is advancing in the humanworld, so it is in the equestrian world. Therapydiscussed ranges from simple hot and coldapplications through stretching and manipula-tion, and on to electric stimulation, ultrasound,photon therapy, and magnetic field therapy. Beinformed! Know what you can do to help yourhorse. Hardcover, 205pp. $29.95Siegal, Mordecai, ed. UCDavis Book ofHorses/A Complete Medical Reference Guidefor Horses and Foals. “UCDavis” refers to theUniversity of California (at) Davis School ofVeterinary Medicine, and members of the staffand faculty produced this reference. Four full-color pages in the middle depict equine anato-my: points of the horse, musculature, skeletalstructure, and internal organs. Line drawingsand b&w photos are throughout. Major sec-tions, further subdivided, are separated intoGetting a Horse; Living with Your Horse;Nutrition; Reproduction; Equine Body Systemsand Various Disorders; Infectious Diseases,Cancer, and Geriatrics; and Home Care, fol-lowed by several appendices on zoonotic dis-eases, vaccinations and infectious disease con-trol, diagnostic tests, transporting horses, and aglossary. Hardcover, 498pp. $32.00

HORSE COUNTRYBOOKSELLERS

Specialists in New, Old & Rare Books on Horses, Foxhunting,Eventing, Polo, Racing, Steeplechasing & Sporting Art

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Leesburg, VA, May 28, 2011: On a sunny springafternoon, with the historic Morven Park Mansionas a fitting backdrop, three well-deserving individ-uals were inducted into the Huntsmen’s Room ofthe Museum of Hounds & Hunting NorthAmerica.The inductees were Nancy Penn Smith Hannum(1919-2010), Albert Poe, and Melvin Poe.

With every chair placed before the Mansion’scolumned portico filled, scores of additional spec-tators stood to hear how each person earned theprivilege to be included among those recognized inthe Huntsmen’s Room. After opening remarks byLt. Col. Robert N. Ferrer, Jr., USMC-Ret., MFH(Caroline Hunt, Virginia), each inductee was pre-sented by a specially selected speaker knowledge-able of that person’s life and achievements.

Mrs. Hannum’s daughter, Carol Davidson,recounted her mother’s long and impressive careeras master and huntsman of Mr. Stewart’s CheshireHounds, Unionville, Pennsylvania. Nancy PennSmith Hannum’s life was infused with foxhunting blood from the moment of her birth.Her familial relations included connections to Orange County Hunt, NewYork, found-ed by her maternal grandfather E.H. Harriman; Chester Valley hunt where her paternalgrandfather served as master; Orange County’s territory in Virginia with her parents asjoint-masters; a move to Unionville, Pennsylvania, in 1930 following the death of herfather and her mother’s marriage to William Plunket Stewart, founder and MFH of Mr.Stewart’s Cheshire Hounds. In 1940, she married John B. Hannum, III, whose fatherwas Master of Mr. Hannum’s Hounds in Delaware County, Pa.

She inherited the Cheshire hounds in 1948 upon the death of Carol and PlunketStewart, and, as her daughter remarked, all the early influences on her life werecemented into her destiny.

Nancy Penn Smith Hannum went on to become one of the nation’s longest-serv-ing masters, hunting her own hounds with skill and determination that have becomelegendary, and developing an outstanding breeding and training program. Moreover,she was passionate about land preservation and established an impressive conservationprogram that brought many landowners into the fold, assuring that open space wouldcontinue for generations to come.

The next honoree to be recognized wasAlbert Poe, whose induction remarks weredelivered by John J. “Jake” Carle, II, ex-MFH (Keswick Hunt, Virginia). Also born intoa foxhunting family, in 1931, Albert Poe is widely considered the best breeder ofAmerican Foxhounds of the 20th century. He showed a natural gift with horses andfrom an early age was breaking and training ponies for neighbors. His skill in the sad-dle served him well over his many years in professional hunt service.

In 1946, at the age of 15, Albert took on the role of whipper-in when his brotherMelvin accepted the job of huntsman to the Old Dominion Hounds. When AlbertHinckley assumed the mastership, he hired young Albert to break and make hunters,many of which were leased to wealthy Washingtonians on weekends.

Eight years later, Joint Masters Mrs. A. C. Randolph and Paul Mellon of PiedmontFox Hounds were looking for someone to hunt their pack and in 1954 Albert Poebecame the youngest professional huntsman in the country at the age of 23. Over thenext 21 years, relying on a Bywaters-strain of American hound, Albert bred what isconsidered to be one of the finest packs of hunting hounds in the world; biddable,cheerful, and eager to please. The level of sport rose to new heights of excellence, somuch so that Piedmont went from hunting two days a week to four days a week.

Albert moved on from Piedmont Fox Hounds in 1975 to concentrate on trainingraces horses at Charles Town. His success at this endeavor led to all of his horses beingclaimed and Albert filling his time as an outrider.

Not surprisingly, he could not stay away from foxhunting for long and whenRandy Rouse, MFH of Fairfax Hunt, came calling, Albert jumped at the chance to huntthe Fairfax pack.

In 1980 Albert moved to Middleburg Hunt, a bastion of Bywaters blood. Almostevery hound in the kennel traced its lineage back to Piedmont and the famous houndsAlbert had bred there. For 15 years he showed superior sport at Middleburg, restoringthis pack’s historic reputation.

Upon retiring from Middleburg, Albert continued to hunt, often with brotherMelvin. When Melvin retired from Orange County, he continued to hunt GeorgeOhrstrom’s Bath County Hounds, and Albert’s hounds were eventually absorbed intothe pack.

The man that author Raymond G. Woolfe, Jr. calls “the quintessential huntsman,

a veritable wizard with horses, hounds and peo-ple,” has left an indelible mark on the foxhuntingworld. So many hunts are indebted to Albert Poefor the excellence of their packs. It is an incompa-rable legacy.“And,” says Albert, “nobody enjoyed it more

than I did!”Huntsman Tommy Lee Jones (Casanova Hunt,

Virginia) stepped forward next to recognize thethird inductee, Melvin Poe. At 90 years of age,Melvin is still carrying the horn, hunting the thirdpack of hounds in his 60-plus year career. All 10Poe siblings, including Melvin andAlbert, grew upriding and hunting in one form or another.Melvin’s path to professional hunt service took aslight detour duringWorldWar II. He served in theEuropean Theater and his official duty was that ofjeep mechanic. However, his natural athleticismled to a spot on an Army baseball team made up ofall professional ball players, plus one young jeep

mechanic from Hume, Virginia.It didn’t take Melvin long to embark on his lifelong career once he returned home.

While his teammates all returned to their professional baseball contracts, Melvin tookthe job of huntsman to the Old Dominion Hounds in 1946. The war had devastatingeffects on the hound population. His first year he had 13 hounds, 10 of which he saidhe could outrun. With the help of his old friends and old ways, he gathered enoughhounds to hunt the season. Over the next 16 years he built the Old Dominion into ahard running pack.

His career at Orange County spanned nearly 30 years. His first two seasons heserved as whipper-in to long time huntsman Sterling “Duke” Leach. The next 27 years,Melvin’s “rebel yell” could be heard cheering hounds on across the grasslands ofnorthern Fauquier County.

Melvin relied on lessons learned throughout his life roaming the woods, and hisfox sense – knowing where to look after a loss – was legendary. His hounds absolute-ly loved him and would follow him anywhere.

His hounds won numerous championships over the years and a multitude ofimportant five couple pack classes. At Bryn Mawr he won the class 18 out of 24 yearsand at the Virginia Hound Show he won 19 out of 24.

He retired as huntsman at 70 years of age from Orange County, and after he serveda few years as kennel huntsman, a former president of Orange County, GeorgeOhrstrom, formed a private pack in the abandoned Bath County country. Melvin washired as huntsman and 2010 marked his 20th season there.

At 90 Melvin still has a spring in his step and a love of the chase. He has alwaysenjoyed sharing his sport with others, the more the merrier. “Bob Hope didn’t likeplaying to an empty auditorium and neither do I,” Melvin once said.

With the presentation ceremonies complete, the attendees were invited to tour thenewly re-opened rooms of the Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America in theMorven Park Mansion. After a long and extensive renovation project on the historicbuilding, the Mansion is once again open to the public, with rooms in the North Wingnow restored for use by the Museum.

In addition to the Huntsmen’s Room artifacts, the Museum’s current displaysinclude “Aside or Astride – Ladies of the Chase;” “Emblems of the Chase – HuntingHorns, Hunt Buttons, Hunting Silver, and Stirrup Cups;” and “Entrusted Treasures,”featuring selected art and other items that embody the spirit of mounted hunting.

The day’s events included a reception hosted by the Caroline Hunt. Museummembers and guests enjoyed the hospitality and the good spirits continued on asAlbertand Melvin Poe, stationed before the new displays in their honor, accepted the warmand much-deserved congratulations from their many admirers. The only thing thatwould have made the day more perfect would have been Mrs. Hannum’s presence therewith them. But her enduring spirit lives on through her many good works on behalf ofmounted hunting and now through her inclusion as the first lady to be inducted into theHuntsmen’s Room.

The Museum of Hounds and Hunting is open to the public seven days a week withyear-round admission, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 1 through October 31 and from 12noon to 5 p.m. November 1 through March 31. Tours begin on the hour with the lasttour at 4 p.m. Special tours may be arranged by appointment.

For more information about the Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America orto become a member and help the Museum’s efforts to preserve the art and artifacts ofmounted hunting, visit the website at www.mhhna.org.

Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America Honors Three Legendary HuntsmenBy J. Harris Anderson, Managing Editor

MUSEUM NEWS

Melvin Morrison Poe, Carol Hannum Davidson on behalf ofNancy Penn Smith Hannum, Albert Ollie Poe.

Karen L. Myers photo


His words are tough. His hands are rough. The exterior – from thetop of his well-worn hat down to the toes of his scuffed boots – ishard and dusty. But the interior is soft and yielding, much like thehorses he’s helped train for decades.

“Your horse is a mirror to your soul, and sometimes you maynot like what you see. Sometimes, you will.” So says BuckBrannaman, a real-life American cowboy who travels the nationyear-round, as he puts it, “helping horses with people problems.”

An award-winning new documentary film, Buck will bereleased nationwide in June. A real-life “horse-whisperer” – in fact,the inspiration for Nicholas Evans’ best-seller, and 1998 movie, ofthat name – Brannaman eschews the violence of his Idaho ranchupbringing and teaches people to communicate with their horsesthrough leadership and sensitivity, not punishment.

Filmmaker Cindy Meehl followed Brannaman for nearly ayear, attending clinics and traveling to his farm inWyoming, documenting the nearmagical abilities Brannaman demonstrates as he dramatically transforms horses –and people – with understanding, compassion and respect. In the 90-minute film,the horse-human relationship becomes metaphor for facing the challenges of life.

The movie won the Documentary Audience Award at Sundance earlier thisyear, picking up “buzz” since a trailer was released in April – Google searches onthe horse trainer have jumped 700 percent.

Brannaman and his brother were removed from an abusive childhood homeand placed in foster care. The young Brannaman found solace in horses.

The horse trainer practices so-called “natural horsemanship,” a type of train-ing that uses body language to connect horse and handler, as his background ofabuse led him to reject the violence sometimes used by old-fashioned “horsebreakers” of legend. In one scene, Brannaman stands near a clearly nervous horse,and looks over at the owner as he bluntly tells her, “This horse tells me a lot aboutyou.” The woman nods, in tears, and confesses she feels like a “failure” as he hugsher and tells her, “it’s all right.”

Brannaman, a married father of three daughters, explains on his ownWeb sitethat he “started to realize that things would come much easier for me once Ilearned why a horse does what he does. A lot of times, rather than helping peoplewith horse problems, I’m helping horses with people problems.”

Cindy Meehl founded her Cedar Creek Productions in 2008 after attending aBrannaman clinic and becoming inspired to capture the legend on film. Meehl fol-lowed Brannaman from North Carolina to Washington state, France, California,Montana and Texas to film clinics and at his home ranch in Wyoming. Meehl saidshe thinks it is a story that has to be told, an inspirational message that benefitspeople whether they have a horse or not.

Meehl was a fashion designer who studied art at Marymount Manhattan

College and the National Academy of Art in NewYork. She lives inConnecticut with her husband, writer Brian Meehl, two daughters,four dogs and two horses.

“I met Buck at one of his clinics eight years ago,” Meehl said.“In four days, he taught me more about horses than anyone everhad in all the decades I’d been dealing with them. Even more com-pelling was watching how he could instill the feeling of power insomeone when they were afraid and had given up hope, whether itwas about their horse or their life.

“Buck’s personal story deeply resonated with me,” she added.“How he rose above the violence of his childhood, and applied thehard-learned lessons to training horses respectfully. Buck has aunique ability to help people reconfigure the way they perceiveboth horses and humans, and the principles he teaches can becomelife altering.”

Brannaman has co-authored two books, Faraway Horses and Believe, bothwhich explain the inspiration he took from horse trainers Tom Dorrance and RayHunt.

The movie opens nationwide June 17. Watch the trailer of the film atwww.slashfilm.com/buck-trailer-life-reallife-horse-human-whisperer or log ontothe movie’s Web site: www.buckthefilm.com.

MOVIE REVIEW

Buck Captures Real-Life Story of Legendary “Horse Whisperer”Trainer Inspires Generations of Horses, Riders

By Betsy Burke Parker

(540) 347-3141 • 800-882-HUNT (4868)

People always ask and I sometimes reply “Why not?” In the beginning, the early

70s, retailers would have printing done at the local newspaper office. Horse

Country visited the Fauquier Democrat and had to choose a horse icon from

a small number of ready-made printing blocks found in any shop around the

country. Our company checks and stationery had the same predictable little

horse icon. One day, reordering business cards at the print shop, I began looking

for icon options. Looking over the small selection, lo and behold, I spotted a

badass looking zebra. It appeared he would kick you rather than look at you

(pepper you, as my friend Madelyn observed). Well, it was one of those days…

I thought, baby, you’re for me. We used the tough little guy for many years.

Barbara Herman, a local artist, asked if she could spruce him up. She thought

our store image was a bit classier than the little zebra conveyed. I guess we had

become real retailers by that time. Later, 15 years or so, we must have gotten

even classier. Artist Sally Cunningham wanted to change the image of our

zebra. She created the zebra we have today. He’s quite recognizable,

suitably tidy with a good mane and a tail. We made him legit, complete

with a registered trademark and all. We can take him

anywhere. His name is BADBOY.

Thank you for asking.

Why the

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SPRING TRIALS

The National Beagle Club Spring Trials“Institute Farm,” Aldie, Virginia

By John J. Carle, II, ex-MFH

Beagle Trials March 30 - April 3, 2011Perhaps it was not so prudent an idea to hold the fiftiethrenewal of the NBC Spring Beagle Trials on the week-end of April Fools’ Day, but 16 packs arrived at“Institute Farm” in Aldie, Virginia, to participate, andsuffered undaunted through Mother Nature’s prankswith the weather. No one present could remember everseeing such changeable conditions before, and the rally-ing cry quickly became the old Irish adage, “If you don’tlike the weather, wait five minutes!”

The three-couple competition began festivities inthe Oliver Iselin Enclosure under low, gunmetal skies,intermittent drizzle, and a chilling wind. The first twopacks down had little luck, and the day’s prospectsappeared dismal; but then in strolled Jack Kingsley andhis Old Chatham Foot Beagles to remind us all why wewere here. Whipper-In Cody Anderson holloaed a rabbitaway within five minutes, and this super-keen pack puton a clinic as they stuck like glue to their elusive, twist-ing, reversing quarry, a sage old gentleman well versedin the art of eluding pursuit. They solved myriad puzzleswith a minimum of assistance, bolting their bunny sev-eral times and “keeping the tambourine a-rollin’”throughout their 50 minutes. When “Time, OldChatham” was called, they’d set the bar too high for thecompetition to clear. The rest of the class evolved into acase of feast or famine, as scenting conditions fluctuat-ed more wildly than the stock market. Cold rain andwhat the weatherman so gleefully calls “a wintry mix”ended Wednesday’s competition; and Thursday’s weath-er was no more pleasant. Yet some packs had decentruns. In their final tally, behind Old Chatham judgesJohn Tabachka, newly appointed Huntsman atSewickley, and John Gilbert, MB, Huntsman to theTewksbury Bassets and Essex Fox Hounds, preferredHills Bridge’s somewhat helter-skelter drive and enthu-siasm over Wolver’s more meticulous accuracy. TheOrlean Foot Beagles’ wildly exciting, somewhat undis-ciplined run grabbed fourth ahead of the MiddletownValley, a pack whose harsh, cacophonous, agonized cryraised goosebumps and made the enclosure shiver.

The Octorara, from themountains of Floyd County,Virginia, with the inimitableLarry Bright, MB at the helm,kicked off the five-couple set-towith a performance that manyclose observers viewed asunbeatable. This pack knows itsjob, and they get about it withunstoppable determination.Finding uphill of the main creekthat bisects the property, theydrove their twisting, turning speedster back and forthacross the creek, through densely-briared tangles, overstone walls and through the legs of blundering membersof the gallery. And they worked untouched by theirHuntsman, casting themselves with precision andunswerving accuracy, ever harking forward, their melo-dious cry resounding through the bottomland. Sadly, theclassic houndwork of this pack went unrewarded by thejudges, who never could get into position to truly appre-ciate a classic performance. But fortune smiled on theWolver, and their hunt has to take its place among thebest seen on these hallowed grounds. Drawing the most-ly open hillside on the north side of the property just asscenting conditions changed for the better, they immedi-ately found a rabbit left by the Hills Bridge, and this all-

bitch pack was off and screaming in a huge, inverted fig-ure “S” that covered the middle third of the long hillside.Tightly packed and flying, their fiercely feminine crywas tumultuous: shrieks and squeals, squalls and chops,their voices tumbled over each other in exultation, muchas the throwers of these voices tumbled over each otherin their eagerness to honor a packmate at every check.And checks were few in number and brief in duration asthese tiny Amazons swiftly and unaided solved everypuzzle on their own. Running to kill, they forced theirquarry to quit the more open field in favor of the dense-ly-thicketed hillside bordering the creek, where shemade use of the densest tangles and every brush pileavailable. No matter the ruse, and despite an icy gale,these lovely ladies persevered, pushing their rabbit to thelimit until time – thankfully – was called. This spectac-ular run was well-rewarded at day’s end and, in the finaltally, garnered the Highest Scored Run award of the tri-als.

Old Chatham followed immediately and, undauntedby Wolver’s success and aided by improved conditions,turned in the second best five-couple run. Finding down-stream, they pushed a stout rabbit into the open briefly,but their rocket-like drive and thunderous cry soon droveher back to the dense woods and briars. Running repeat-edly from the creek to the Merry Meadow and back, theykept their chorus ringing, quickly working out botherscaused by either their quarry’s elusiveness or their ownexuberance, mostly on their own. It was an excellentperformance, accented by musical cry and enacted atspeed that left the hunt staff exhausted. The judges choseHills Bridge’s frenetic run, accompanied by a sound-track of frantically exuberant cry, but punctuated bynumerous checks caused by less cohesive packwork, forthird place. A relentless performance by MiddletownValley during wildly fluctuating weather and scentingconditions took fourth place. Time and again duringtheir run, the old bitch “Jaia” put them right, her ago-nized voice resembling a woman crying in bitteranguish.

Jack Kingsley, MB, and Whipper-in Cody Anderson with theOld Chatham Foot Beagles 3 Couple winners.

Old Chatham 5 Couple following their exhausting run to 2nd place.

The Glenbarr 8 Couple with Billy Bobbitt, MB.

Miki Crane, MB and Jr. Whipper-in Annacrista Cook with theHills Bridge 8 Couple.

Octorara Master andHuntsman Larry Bright.

The Waldingfield 3 Couple with Whipper-in Jen Buckley,Jeff Walker, Huntsman Amy Burke.

Whippers-in Lydia Donaldson and Emily Southgate flank SusanMills Stone, MB, and the winning Wolver 5 Couple pack.


All of Saturday’s hunting – the eight-couple packs –beginning with Waldingfield and ending with Octorara,was run under the weirdest weather changes imaginable.Someone mentioned a forecast of five passing fronts, butthat estimate seemed short by three. Clouds and sun, sunand rain, brief spots of snow and sleet, all exacerbated bya chilling north wind.

“The Curse of the First Pack Down” was alive andwell, as Waldingfield found out early on Saturday morn-ing on Squaw Hill, when their efforts were plagued bynight-lines and uncooperative scenting conditions. Thesun broke out as Old Chatham took to the field, drawingdownhill through the woods below the Merry Meadow.Here they had a rabbit afoot and, responding to the soft-ly musical encouragement of their Huntsman, JessicaAnderson, MB, these happy hounds produced anabsolutely amazing performance, the personification ofpersistence, accuracy and teamwork, toward which everypack should strive and hope to emulate. Unfazed by theconstantly changing conditions, from bright sunlight todusk-like cloud cover, calm to gale, they kept their quar-ry moving in big loops and figure-eights through openwoods and nearly impenetrable tangles, from hilltop tocreek bottom, ever moving forward, solving every intri-cate puzzle served them by their long-eared trickster.Furthermore, they worked unaided and as a pack, all con-tributing and honoring each other instantly, their cry joy-ous, their drive unstoppable. The late hunting man, NedCarle, used to say what he liked in a good beagle packwas “sticktoitiveness.” Dad would have loved OldChatham! And the judges loved them as well, awardingeight-couple honors unanimously.

Sandanona had a busy and interesting, though oftenconfusing, day, blessed with an overabundance of rabbits,yet cursed by the weather. Drawing long stump-piles onthe far western hillside, they worked downhill under acanopy of tiny, emerging leaves, where they ran severalviewed rabbits in frenzied bursts. The bitch “Gospel,”who one wag noted “don’t always speak the Gospel,”indeed spoke The Word, bolting a big rabbit from densebriars into the open in front of the Field. Here only 2010Bryn Mawr bitch champion “Promise” could carry theline; but once in covert, all chimed in and rattled theirpilot ’round right smartly. Too many rabbits up at oncesplit the pack several times, and they often relied on thevoice and dulcet tones of Betsy Park’s horn. But ’twas agood show.

Conditions deteriorated from here on: one minutewe’d swelter in hot sunshine, the next shiver in icy guststhat drove squalls of stinging sleet and soaking rain. Notuntil Octorara took center stage could a pack cope withthe conditions. But this pack is used to eccentric weatherin their Blue Ridge Mountain home, and they rose readi-ly to the occasion. Larry Bright took his pack to the verytop of the open hillside at the northern end of the proper-ty, and here, surrounded by dense briar covert as he pre-sented his hounds to the judges, a rabbit bolted mostobligingly! Screaming like Banshees, the pack was away,driving this foolish fellow all through the briary hell andinto the now-sundrenched open field. Puzzling here, theycast themselves back, then flew to Whipper-In BethOpitz’s view-holloa. Settling firmly on the line, theypushed this rabbit through the woods in twisting, over-lapping loops as driving rain squalls alternated with bril-liant sunshine every five minutes. Hounds were in agroove and ignored the weather; and while not alwaysrunning at warp speed, their progress was continuous.Deer briefly distracted two youngsters, but they fell backin almost immediately. This pack is all business, and narya head was lifted until time was called. The judges award-ed them the red rosette for their efforts. Third place wentto Sandanona ahead of Farmington, who had enjoyed anexciting but somewhat frantic and, at times, disjointedhunt.

And so ended what had to be one of the mostdemanding of the fifty Spring Trials held in Aldie.Perseverance by hounds, staff and followers carried the

week…and damn the weather! Beaglers take such condi-tions in stride and keep smiling – which is one reasonthey are such a fun group to be part of. And speaking offun, Edith and Dunham Hollister hosted a magnificentbanquet on Friday night, with a meal so delicious thatevery belt in the building was let out several notches.“Cookie” Hollister has attended every Spring Trial since1961 – quite an achievement, although she must surelyhave been in diapers for the first one! On Saturdayevening, the Andersons and Reesers presented a wonder-ful slide show, a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane. Howdifferent the grounds looked! How young we all were!And what vast improvements have been wrought this pasthalf-century! May the next fifty years be as joyous, filledwith superlative sport, myriad rabbits, unique cama-raderie, and high jinks galore: it’s a tradition!

The blackest cloud that descended on the BeagleTrials came not from the weather but from tragedy. OnFriday afternoon, Bob Lindsley was felled by a massiveheart attack, dying instantly. A tall, reserved man, hand-some and with a brilliant smile, Bob was a friend to alland an ardent beagler. His lovely wife Leslie, vivacious,charismatic and enthusiastic, whips in with aplomb to theArdrossan Beagles. I had the great good fortune to roomwith Bob, a beagle trial regular, for the past three years.He was the perfect roommate: he didn’t snore, and nevercomplained when I did. I last saw Bob after lunch onFriday, standing on the back porch of the main building,book in hand. When I asked if he was off to take a nap,his reply now seems so sadly ironic. Smiling broadly, hesaid, “No, I think I’ll do something else.”

It has been a great honor to know Bob, and a greaterone to call him my friend. I join with their legion offriends in sending condolences, love and support toLeslie and the family.

Basset Trials April 14-17, 2011“April showers” came in monsoon form during the sec-ond week of April, when the National Beagle Club heldthe Spring Basset Trials at Institute Farm in Aldie,Virginia. Over eight inches of rain fell in two violentstorms that left the grounds flooded, roads closed, andpostponed Saturday afternoon’s hunting to Sunday morn-ing. Like the earlier, weather-plagued beagle trials, it wasa week to remember.

However, the trials’ opening day, featuring theseven-couple competition, basked in lovely springtimeweather: bright sunshine, high sky and temperaturesclambering into the mid-seventies. Pleasant, but not thebest hunting conditions. Sandanona got things started at7 a.m. Thursday, opting for higher, drier ground, anddrawing up Squaw Hill, where there were rabbits aplen-ty. As is so often the case in the early hours, sorting night-lines from live quarry posed a real problem for hounds,but this enthusiastic pack managed to do so for the mostpart. At one point they had two long-ears going at once,which didn’t do much for continuity, but boosted theexcitement factor greatly; and their nonstop try impressedthe judges – Margaret “Miki” Crane, MB, Hills BridgeBeagles, and Patti Hopkins, Huntsman to the OldChatham foxhounds – enough to snatch top honors.

Following Ashland’s sodden sortie, that was moreswim-meet than hunt, with their Bleu de Gascogne beau-ties paddling through enormous puddles, Ripshin took tothe field. Drawing westward, from hilltop to creek bot-tom and back, they got somewhat scattered, but once arabbit got up, they packed up and ran it with tremendousdrive and thrilling cry. Unfortunately, scenting conditionswere such that they couldn’t sustain any long runs, butone of their electrifying bursts ended with their quarryaccounted for. A smiling Edgar Hughston, MBH, pocket-ed the red rosette.

Tewksbury garnered third with a busy hunt on thenorth end of the property, with good cry and drive inbursts, but plagued by poor scent. “We only had two shorthunts,” saidWhipper-In Libby Gilbert, downplaying theirsuccess; but the judges were impressed.

Continued

Edgar Hughston, MBH, Ripshin Bassets, after a successful hunt.

Jeff Eichler, MBH with the Foxboro 7 Couple.

The Tewksbury Foot BassetsSarah Gilbert, Katie Gilbert, John Gilbert, MBH

The Ashland Bassets present to the judges.


Foxboro had a very exciting but maddeningly disjoint-ed hunt, with a plethora of rabbits that had hounds switch-ing constantly – which was understandable, because, withno scent at all in the open, hounds had to keep returning todense covert, where a fresh rabbit lurked under every bush.Although hounds got scattered, they rattled ’round thedense tangles with great enthusiasm. Even as Jeff Eichler,MBH, was lifting hounds at the end of his allotted time, afresh rabbit bolted from under the pack’s noses! AndMonkton Hall, drawing the topmost thickets to the north,also had ample game but failing scent. This relatively newpack has shown great improvement in a short time, andthey hunted with determination, drive, and wild cry. Yetthey fell victim to the conditions, and their cohesivenesssuffered in the judges’ opinion.

Jeep Cochran, MBH, brought her Calf Pasture packout after lunch, and these ultra-busy hounds gave an excel-lent account of them-selves. Althoughtheir runs were short,their cry was thestrongest of the dayand their work ethicunmatched, tryingfrom the woods nearthe Merry Meadowup through Cody“Grizzly” Anderson’s“bear thicket” (only aturkey was in resi-dence this day!), tothe logpiles andnewly seeded areas tothe west. Theirs wasa well-deservedfourth ribbon; in fact,they were unlucky not to place higher.

For the remaining packs – Hill and Hollow, Upper

Bay, and Three Creek – it was a dismal afternoon in theheat, with scent nearly nonexistent and rabbits sitting closeand feeling secure. Any runs were frustratingly brief andinconclusive, as is so often typical of spring hunting, and itwas rather a relief for all when the seven-couple competi-tion ended.

The bench show was originally scheduled for 9:30a.m. on Sunday, but Saturday’s relentless tempest washedout the afternoon’s five-couple competition and moved it toSunday morning, dropping the beauty pageant into theafter-lunch slot. Despite the fact that the change madedeparture time for packs with long drives quite late, theyworried not, and entries were very good.

The doghounds served up an extremely competitiveclass, with nice hounds in the majority. In the end, lastyear’s winner and overall champion, Sandanona “Roister,”bowed to the excellent Monkton Hall dog, “Able.” As italways should, it came down to movement, and “Able”moved a trifle straighter behind. Such a fine line makes fora good class.

The bitches outnumbered their opposite sex, but therewas also a greater disparity in quality. Last year’s reservechampion, Sandanona “Roulette,” rose like cream to claimthe blue. She is very alert, well-balanced, quick and showsherself well off-lead. The ease with which she moves mademany of the hounds present seem cumbersome in compar-ison. And her fluidity enabled her to glide onto the cham-pion’s throne, leaving “Able” to gaze longingly.

This was my first foray into basset-conformation judg-ing, and I must admit that it was with no little trepidationthat I awaited the first competitor. But good hounds have away of sorting themselves out, no matter the shortcomingsof the judge; and so it was on this day. What might havebeen a painfully embarrassing fiasco became a thoroughlydelightful experience. Thank you, Jeep Cochran, for theinvitation to judge!

Champion Doghound Monkton Hall “Able,” Libby Gilbert.Lee Reeser photo

Champion Bitch and Champion Basset, Sandanona“Roulette” with judge Jake Carle and Betsy Park, MBH.

Lee Reeser photo

Jeep Cochran, MBH, Calf Pastures.


Virginia-Bred Dance City Fifth In PreaknessThe Estate of Edward P. Evans’ Dance City loomed prominent at the 5/16th polein the $1 million Preakness Stakes but didn’thave quite enough to sustain a winning drivein the second leg of the Triple Crown. Parkedfour wide for most of the race, the bay colt byCity Zip out of Ballet Colony by Preaknesswinner Pleasant Colony, was fractious in thegate prior to the start.

Dance City was well positioned, albeitwide, most of the race running fifth off thepace set by Flashpoint and eventual winner

Shackleford.He loomedlarge at the head of the stretch, but when jockeyRamon Dominguez went to the whip before theystraightened for home late in the final turn itseemed likely that the colt making just his fifthcareer start might not be able to close strongenough to capture the race.

Prior to his start in Baltimore, Dance City wasthird to Archarcharch and Nehro in the $1 millionArkansas Derby. Prior to that he had won anallowance and a maiden special race both atGulfstream Park in Florida.

From five starts, Dance City has won tworaces, with one second and one third for total earn-ings of $190,000.

• • • •100% Virginia-Bred Program Back For 2011

The popular 100% bonus program for Virginia-bred and Virginia-sired horsesreturns to Colonial Downs in 2011. The bonus, which was first put into place in2008, was a huge success – such a big success that it depleted the VirginiaBreeders Fund.

Now with Advance Deposit Wagering (computer and telephone wagering)making a contribution to the Fund, the popular bonus program is being broughtback.

The bonus paid Virginia-bred and/or Virginia-sired horses in open companywill be 100% of the purse won for first through fifth.

Like 2010, races restricted to Virginia-bred/sired horses will carry a 25%bonus and a breeders bonus of 10% will also be paid on Virginia-bred winners atthe meet.

Colonial Downs live Thoroughbred racing season gets underway June 8,2011.

• • • •Commonwealth Turf Festival July 30 At Colonial Downs

The final Saturday of the 2011 Colonial Downs Thoroughbred meet will be thenew Commonwealth Turf Festival In Memory of Edward P. Evans. The day willfeature five stakes races for Virginia-bred and Virginia-sired horses and will alsoinclude the 2010 Virginia-bred champion awards ceremonies.

Previously contested on separate days, the Oakley, Daniel Van Clief,Brookmeade, Jamestown and newly named Bert Allen stakes will share co-billing.Each of the five races carries a purse of $50,000.

The 2010 Virginia-bred awards will be presented between races including thecoveted M. Tyson Gilpin Horse of the Year Award.

The late Edward P. Evans will be honored that day as he is enshrined into theVirginia Equine Hall of Fame. Evans was the leading breeder in theCommonwealth last year and his horses won five 2010 championships.

• • • •Virginia-Bred Triplekin Wins Queen’s Cup

At the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase in Charlotte, North Carolina, Magalen O.Bryant’s Virginia-bred Triplekin took over the lead with three-quarters of a mileremaining in the Queen’s Cup MPC ’Chase, opened a 10-length advantage beforethe final fence, and came home under light urging to a 5¾-length victory underjockey Brian Crowley.

Triplekin, by Makin, out of Triple Kiss (GB) by Shareef Dancer, was bred byDr. Carlos S.E. and Gillian Gordon Moore of Corner Farm in Berryville.

Mede Cahaba Stable’s Virginia-bred Complete Zen, who set the pace underRichard Boucher, finished second, two lengths clear of Stephen Price’s FealingReal and Augustin Stables’ Port Morsbey, who dead-heated for third in the novicestakes for horses in their first seasons of competition over fences.

Trained by Racing Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard, Triplekin wasmaking his first start in nearly a year.

For his career, Triplekin now has five wins from 17 starts with earnings of$118,370.

• • • •Calvin Edward Rofe 1938 - 2011

Renowned equine veterinarian Calvin Edward Rofe, age72, died May 11, 2011 at his home in Middleburg, Va.

Born on May 30, 1938 in New York, he graduatedfrom The Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine in 1961.He then served his country in the United States Army.

Upon completion of his military service he joined theMeadowville Animal Hospital in Warrenton, Va. In part-nership with Dr. John Mayo, he later established therenowned Mayo & Rofe Equine Clinic in Middleburg, Va.

Rofe was the consummate veterinarian and wasalways ready and willing to help any animal and owner inneed of his expertise and services.

Among the many Virginia Thoroughbred farms Dr. Rofe worked for, some ofthe most prominent were Meadowville, Spring Hill, Newstead/Catoctin, andRokeby. As a result, Rofe is responsible for bringing more stakes winners into thisworld than anyone in the Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Rofe also excelled in lameness diagnosis and in the management of perform-ance animals. His knowledge allowed him to maintain soundness and extend theircareers. He possessed a gift for knowing just how to assist owners and horses toachieve their goals.

As part of Dr. Rofe’s storied career he traveled all over this country andabroad with many champion racehorses such as Genuine Risk, General Assembly,and Cure The Blues, throughout their campaigns.

• • • •Virginia H.B.P.A. Flat Series For Virginia-Breds

Fairfax – complete order of finish: 1) Love Colony (Paddy Young rider, Debra E.Kachel owner, Ricky Hendriks trainer) $1,200; 2) Green Velvet (Willie McCarthy,Jennifer H. Pitts, Jazz Napravnik) $400; 3) Tu Baku (GeorgeWood, Alix L.White,A. Timothy White) $220; 4) Red Dirt Girl, (John Delaney, Lucy Horner, FrankZureick) $100; 5) Wahoo (Matthew McCarron, Sara E. Collette, Neil R. Morris)$80; 6) Daytime (Jeff Murphy, James H.Falk, Sr., Simon Hobson); 7) Hay Prince(Kevin Tobin, Brenda Godfrey, TomFoley); 8) Snowbuster (John Delaney,John McCormack, John McCormack); 9)Mrs. Erdleigh (Eilidh Grant, Justine M.Hughes, Simon Hobson); 10) Rockmani(Robert Walsh, Celtic Venture Stable,Charles J. McCann); 11) Wild Ball(Roddy Mackenzie, Randolph D. Rouse,Randolph D. Rouse).

Loudoun – complete order of finish:1) Rockmani (Paddy Young rider, CelticVenture Stable owner, Charles J.McCann trainer) $1,200; 2) Hey Doctor (Bruce Daley, Mary Fleming Finlay, Mrs.D. M. Smithwick) $400 and 3) Ditch (Jeff Murphy, Mary Fleming Finlay, Mrs. D.M. Smithwick) $220.

Old Dominion – complete order of finish: 1) Daytime (Jeff Murphy rider,James H. Falk, Sr. owner, Simon Hobson trainer) $1,200; 2) Snowbuster (JohnDelaney, John McCormack, John McCormack) $400; 3) Rockmani (JacobRoberts, Celtic Venture Stable, Charles J. McCann) $220; 4) Colonial Kid (KeriBrion, Irvin S. Naylor, Brianne Slater) $100; 5) Tipastaire (Eilidh Grant, RosneyStable LLC, Catherine Stimpson) $80 and 6) Wild Ball (Roddy Mackenzie,Randolph D. Rouse, Randolph D. Rouse).

Horses and People to WatchVirginia Thoroughbred Association

HORSE RACING

Dance City.Glenn Petty photo

Animal Kingdom prior to Preakness.Glenn Petty photo

Daytime.Douglas Lees photo

Calvin Edward Rofe.Photo courtesy of Rofe Family


ACROSS THE POND

After much horrid weather inthe UK, April 2 dawneddamp, but soon cleared togive a super spring day,which was lucky for theUnited Foxhounds, who wereholding their point-to-pointat Brampton Bryan, inHerefordshire. The coursewas in top condition, whichattracted lots of entries, andcrowds of spectators werepouring into the car parks asthe sun appeared, highlight-ing the colors of an unspoiledcountryside, while the bookmakers were busytaking bets on the races. The Confined Huntsrace was won by the favorite, “Ruairi,” ridden by

Tom Weston, who beat “Miss Lighting,” animproving 8-year-old mare. In the Restricted, thewinner “Arbour Hill” came from the Heythrop,and was ridden by Mark Wall, who is riding atthe top of his form. In second was “Prof deLisle,” just run out of it in a driving finish, while“Carbon Emission” and Barry Denvir survivedunhurt after a spectacular fall. The 11-runner

Men’s Open was led all the way by “FourtyAcers” under a brilliant ride by Josh Hamer, whohad kept enough “gas in the tank” to repel“Mister Kay Bee” by 10 lengths. A top classLadies Open provided a nail-biting finish, with“Whistling Straits” and Imogen Robinson jump-ing the last fence alongside “Bosham Mill” andJane Williams, before holding on to win by 2½lengths. In the intervals, Joint Master RobertGeorge and his team of outriders were kept busytalking to race-goers, praising point-to-point rac-ing and its links with foxhunting, in an excellentPR operation!

Southern Hound ShowChampion Two Couple: Live Oak “Ransack,” “Fanfare,” “Steamy,” “Stately.”

Southern Hound Show, Florida, April 9, 2011Judging in progress on Live Oak Plantation, Monticello.

An English Point-to-Point; The Southern HoundsShow, Florida; and a Welsh Hound Show

By Jim Meads

Southern Hound ShowKennel-huntsman Neil Amatt and whipper-in Robert Miller showing senior

hound class winner Midland “Whiskey.”

Southern Hound ShowBest Brood Bitch Fox River Valley “Patience,” Reserve Champion Bitch.

Southern Hound ShowChampion Bitch and Reserve Grand Champion: Fox River Valley “Samantha.”

United Pack Point-to-Point April 2, 2011At the last fence in the Restricted Race, the winner “Arbour

Hill” Mark Wall up, “Prof de L’Isle” 2nd.

United Pack Point-to-Point April 2, 2011Spectacular action in the Restricted Race with “Carbon

Emissioin” and jockey Barry Denvir parting company. Bothwere unhurt!

United Pack Point-to-Point April 2, 2011Winner of the Confined Hunt’s Race “Ruairi, ” Tom Weston up.

Southern Hound ShowChampion Dog and Grand Champion Fox River Valley “Nightcap.”


In April 2010, I drove to Manchester Airport to flyto the Southern Hound Show at Live Oak, Florida.But that morning an Icelandic volcano went “Pop!”and all flights were cancelled. However, on April 7,2011, everything went to plan, and I arrived safelyin Tallahassee, where I was met by Patti Schuh, whodrove me to the home of my generous hosts, Steveand Piper Parrish, where I was soon downing a coolbottle of beer.

The weather on show day was perfect;although the temperature was in the high 80˚s, therewas a breeze and no humidity. Eight packs of fox-hounds sententries, andthe judgeswere MartinScott, ex-MFHVale of WhiteHorse, UK,and “Duck”Martin, MFHGreen SpringValley, MD,with JeannieThomas, MFHWhyWorry, SC, the apprentice judge, and promptlyat 9 a.m. they were in action. Regulations state that“all classes are open to English, American, Cross-bred, and Penn-Marydel Hounds,” and this is thefirst time that I’ve come across this ruling. Manyhigh class dogs and bitches were shown throughoutthe day, with a welcome lunch break at halftime,when the Ladies Hat Contest was judged by BenHardaway, MFH Midland Hunt since 1950, andJohn Houser, former Live Oak Hon. Sec. The win-ner, with a colorful peacock on her hat, was AnnScott, a previous winner.

In the doghound classes, the Unentered winnerwas Live Oak “Angler.” The top unentered couple

were the broken-coated Fox RiverValley “Keswick”and “Keg.” BestEntered was FoxRiver Valley“Nightcap,” withthe Couple ofEntered beingheaded by LiveOak “Farrier” and“Searcher.” TheTwo-couple classwas won by Live

Oak “Hatten,” “Handsome,” “Halifax,” and“Hannibal.” Top stallion was Live Oak “Rancher,”and top stallion with three of his get was Live Oak“Dasher,” “Searcher,” “Pilgrim,” and “Pistol.” In thedoghound Championship, Fox River Valley“Nightcap,” who was bred in the Midland kennelsby Fox River Valley “Keg” out of Midland“Nimble,” and was given to Tony Leahy, MFH,before being entered, was awarded the tricolor, withLive Oak “Rancher” reserve.

Refreshed by a super sit-down lunch, judgingof the bitches began on time, with a high-classUnentered entry being topped by Live Oak “Apron,”later judged Unentered Champion, with her brother“Angler” Reserve. In the Unentered Couples, LiveOak “Apron” joined with her sister “Angel” to top aring full of beauties, while the Entered ladies wereheaded by Fox RiverValley “Samantha” (by the pro-lific Duke of Beaufort’s “Bailey” x “Sadie”). The

Entered Couples were won by Live Oak “Haven”and “Raindrop,” with the Two-couples being led byLive Oak “Ransack,” “Fanfare,” “Steamy,” and“Stately” (later named as Champion Two-couple).Top Brood Bitch was Fox River Valley “Patience,”while the best brood bitch with three of her producewas Live Oak “Amber,” “Apron,” “Angler,” and“Angel.” In the senior hound class, the Midlandfinally had their first winner with “Whiskey ’04,”obviously maturing with age! In the bitch champi-onship, Fox River Valley “Samantha” reignedsupreme, with kennel-mate “Patience” in reserve.

This brought us to a spectacular finale, withthe excitement as hot as the temperature, reportedly88˚F! With due ceremony, the Grand Champion wasnamed as Fox River Valley “Nightcap” ’09, a bigdog, full of quality, with Fox River Valley“Samantha” a worthy Reserve Grand Champion.This was a splendid show, in lovely surroundings,with great organization, and for your diary, nextyear’s show date is April 28, 2012 – so be there!

May 1 is the date on which hunt staff who aremoving take over their new posts, and this year itwas also the day on which the David Davies Huntorganized their Mid-Wales Foxhound Show, close tothe kennels in Llandinam. There were classes forEnglish, Welsh, Hill and Fell hounds, to be judgedby a father and son combination of Tom and DylanDavies, both retired foxhound huntsmen. In theEnglish ring, the Southwold, whose MasterHuntsman Nick Ashcroft had driven the 200 milesfrom their Lincolnshire kennels that morning, wonevery class, with their entered bitch “Glimmer”named as Champion. It was a different story in theWelsh ring, with three packs winning. In the youngbitches, the winner was Llanwrthwl “Trusty,” whileGelligaer Farmers “Topper” beat a strong group ofyoung dogs, with Llanwrthwl “Brenin” heading theentered dogs. Then it was the turn of PlasMachynlleth to score in the entered bitches withtheir “Tivy.” Gelligaer “Topper” is an outstandingyoung dog and he duly took the WelshChampionship, to the delight of huntsman MartynArnold. Entries were down in the Hill ring, with theChampionship going to a nice hound, Southwold“Chanter,” which helped to make Nick Ashcroft’slong drive home bearable! The Fell classes weredominated by the Teme Valley, with their attractiveentered bitch “Nugget” taking the Championship.

Then the four breed champs came into the ring,and after due consideration, the Grand Championwas named as Teme Valley “Nugget.” This made aninteresting story, as Teme Valley huntsman since1977 Roy Savage has had to retire through a seriousillness, and his 22-year-old son David has beenappointed in his place, making him the youngestprofessional huntsman of foxhounds in the UK, andnow winning a Grand Championship on his veryfirst day in charge!

Mid-Wales Hound Show Best Entered Welsh Bitch: Plas Machynnleth“Tivy,” Huntsman Aled Jones.

Mid-Wales Hound ShowTom Davies judging the class for Unentered Welsh Bitches.

Mid-Wales Hound ShowChampion English Hound: Southwold “Glimmer.”

Mid-Wales Hound Show Champion Welsh Hound: Gelligaer Farmers“Topper,” Huntsman Martyn Arnold.

Mid-Wales Hound Show Champion Hill Hound: Southwold “Chanter,”Nick Ashcroft, MFH, (9-year-old daughter Holly holding trophy).

Mid-Wales Hound ShowChampion Fell Hound and Supreme Champion: Teme Valley “Nugget,”

with handler Tania Roberts and new Huntsman David Savage.

Southern Hound ShowShow Chairman Daphne Wood,

MFH, Live Oak, presenting trophy toTony Leahy, MFH Fox River Valley.

Southern Hound ShowThe judges: “Duck” Martin, MFH, GreenSpring Valley, MD; Jeannie Thomas, MFH,Why Worry, SC, apprentice judge; MartinScott, ex-MFH, Vale of White Horse, UK.


Piedmont Fox Hounds Point-to-Point 3-26-2011The field for the Rokeby Challenge Bowl at thePiedmont Fox Hounds Point-to-Point near Uppervilleon March 26, featured the two horses, who betweenthem had won this 3½ mile timber classic the pastthree years: Augustin Stables’ Radio Flyer (2010) andRobert Kinsley’s Incomplete (2008-2009).

The race lived up to the hype as Chris Read set thepace with Kinross Farm’s Sand Box Rules with theremainder of the field close behind. With about a halfmile to run Charlie Fenwick sent Incomplete to thefront, but Sand Box Rules came again with RadioFlyer (Gus Brown), and these three were tightlybunched approaching the last. They jumped as a team,and upon landing Incomplete found another gear thatseparated him from the others. The final margin was4½ lengths with Radio Flyer second and Sand BoxRules third. For the third time in four years trainer AnnStewart took the Rokeby Bowl back to Maryland. Thiswas a truly historic occasion as no horse had ever wonthree times in the history of this race that dates back to1939.

Gus Brown had better luck in the maiden timberrace that attracted 12 runners. He reserved Beech Cayoff the pace, moved to third at the final fence and wonby 1¾ lengths over Joseph Henderson, III’s Triple Dip(Paddy Young) and Northfield Farm LLC’s Expel(Liam McVicar).

The following race was for owner/riders over thetimber course and was a thrilling duel betweenWestbound Road (George Hundt, Jr.) and Cool Fellow(Ken Shreve). They raced as a team the final six fur-longs, and after a driving finish only a neck separatedthem at the finish where Westbound Road got the nar-row decision. Westbound Road and Beech Cay aretrained by Richard Valentine.

In the foxhunters race after Rusty Cline’s SirBernardo lost rider Eilidh Grant in the early going,Orlik (Alex Bazdar) and Ice Is Nice (Tate Shaw) set thepace. With four fences to go Orlik and Ice Is Nice tookthe wrong course, and Orpington (Mary Motion) gal-loped across the finish line at least a quarter mile aheadof Jeb’s Crowner.

In the lady rider timber race Blair Wyatt assumeda stalking role with Merriefield Farm’s Bon Caddobehind Sara Collette’s Genghis, who set the pace underDiana Gillam. Bon Caddo pulled alongside Genghis atthe last fence and drew away in the stretch to win by

five lengths.Three races on the flat closed out the card. Irvin S.

Naylor’s Za Za Zu raced close to the pace under JamesSlater to draw away to a five-length win in the maidenflat race, Randleston Farm’s Spy in the Sky came fromoff the pace to win the open flat race under MarkMadden by a length, and Will Russell’s Forest Bell(Liam McVicar) was a front running 1¾-length winnerof the Virginia-bred flat race.

Bull Run Hunt Point-to-Point 3-27-2011Two inches of very wet snow greeted NorthernVirginians when they got up Sunday, March 27, andthe first issue for horsemen and officials to face wasthe fate of the races at Brandywine Park near Culpeper.The Bull Run Race Committee decided to run, and bypost time that decision was justified as the snow hadmelted leaving soft but safe going

The first race on the card was a novice rider flatrace that attracted three runners. Eilidh Grant ratedKaren Eyles’ Canardly off the pace. He took the leadin the stretch and pulled away to win by two lengths.This was the first of three wins on the card for trainerTeddy Mulligan.

He completed the daily double when his Osagewas ridden to victory by Liam McVicar in the restrict-ed maiden hurdle race. Osage led most of the race,turned back Mary Fleming Finlay’s Ditch (JeffMurphy), who led briefly with a little more than aquarter mile to run, and held off Randleston Farm’sTemple Fair (Mark Madden).

The other maiden hurdle race went to Jodi Rausoand Lili Kurtinecz’ Deputy Empress. Under JacobRoberts the winner closed with a rush and pulled awayto an easy eight-length score over Teddy Mulligan’sArdagh (Liam McVicar).

Mulligan’s third win was a walkover in the openflat race for Cynthia Polk’s Roguish, who went beyondthe required prerequisites for a walkover by going onetime around the 1¼ mile flat course under LiamMcVicar.

Jockey Jeff Murphy also scored a hat trick. Hisbig day started with a win for trainer Jimmy Day onBruce Smart’s Irish-bred Bonded in the maiden flatrace. The field was tightly bunched; but with a furlongto run, Bonded started to draw away and won by twolengths.

Spring RacesBy Will O’Keefe • Douglas Lees photos

POINT-TO-POINTS

Piedmont Fox Hounds Point-to-PointField for the Maiden Timber Race won by Beech Cay, Gus Brown up.

Piedmont Ladies Timber RaceBon Caddo - 1st, Blair Waterman Wyatt up.

Piedmont Rokeby Bowl finishIncomplete - 1st, Charles Fenwick up, Radio Flyer (Ire) - 2nd.

Piedmont Huntland Cup Maiden FlatZa Za Zu - 1st, James Slater up.

Piedmont VHBPA Flat VA-bred/SiredForest Bell - 1st, Liam McVicar up. Piedmont Fox Hounds Point-to-Point, March 26, 2011, Rokeby Bowl Open Timber

Radio Flyer - 2nd, Sand Box Rules - 3rd, Pan Adam - 4th, Incomplete - 1st, Charlie Fenwick up.

Piedmont Owner/Rider TimberWestbound Road - 1st,George Hundt Jr. up.

Piedmont Fox Hunters TimberOrpington - 1st, Mary Motion up.


Orange County Amateur/Novice Rider HurdleWicklow Bound - 1st, Billy Santoro up, Marino Feliz (Chi) - 2nd.

Orange County Junior Field Masters ChaseJordan - 1st, Large Pony winner, Erin Swope up;

City Diplomat - 2nd, Junior Horses Division, Natalie Harpole up;Lone Arrow - 1st, Junior Horse Division, Isabella Eyles up.

Orange County Novice TimberAero - 1st, Jeff Murphy up.

Orange County Maiden HurdleJacob’s Little Bro - 3rd, Forest Bell - 1st, Jeff Murphy up.

Jeff Murphy’s second win was aboard Indian RunFarm’s Swimming River in the novice timber race fortrainer Dot Smithwick. This race was a match race withDMC Stable’s Crimson Lode (Michael Cooney).Swimming River made all the running and won easilyby what could have been many more than the official 12lengths.

In the draft horse races, Lani Newcomb’s LBBrimsone carried Lacy Heider to a front running scorein the light race and Newcomb’s Scar (Jeff Murphy)won the heavy division.

In the Junior Field Masters Chase Erin Swope rodeher large pony Jordan to an easy win and Isabella Eyles’Lone Arrow was a walkover winner in the horse divi-sion.

The finale was a two horse Senior Field Masters’Chase for Bull Run Hunt members. When released bythe Master, Robert Mihlbaugh’s Following Lead pulledaway to an easy 10-length triumph over Kristi Clore onCharmer.

Orange County Hunt Point-to-Point 4-3-2011The Locust Hill open hurdle race at the Orange CountyHunt Point-to-Point onApril 3 near Middleburg, attract-ed a good six-horse field. Two 2010 sanctioned winners,Michael A. Smith’s Humdinger and Karen B. Eyles’Canardly, were facing Kinross Farm’s 2004 NSA lead-ing hurdle horse Sur La Tete, who had been retired threeyears ago. In the race Sur La Tete (Chris Read) racedslightly off the lead and ran evenly while his stablemate,Humdinger (Matt McCarron) was rated off the pace.When the racing got serious approaching the last fence,Sur La Tete had a narrow lead over It’s A GMan (JameyPrice) and Humdinger. Shortly after they landed it wasclear that Neil Morris was going to win the race, butwhich of his horses was going to be first was in ques-tion until the final strides. Humdinger got to the finishfirst by a neck over Sur La Tete.

Rosbrian Farm’s More Fascination (Paddy Young)led in the early stages of the open timber race andstayed within striking distance when Sara Collette’sGenghis (Nick Carter) took over pace setting duties.With a half mile to run More Fascination went to thefront with Magalen O. Bryant’s G’Day G’Day (JeffMurphy) close behind. In the last quarter mile PaddyYoung let out a notch and any doubt of the result wasquickly put to rest. More Fascination was an easy nine-length winner over G’Day G’Day. Tara Elmore trainedthe winner.

Trainer Doug Fout saddled Al Griffin, Jr.’s Aero inthe novice timber race, and he became the circuit’s firsttwo-time winner over timber. Aero stalked SaraCollette’s Thynnus in the early going, galloped to thelead with five fences remaining, and was not hurriedwhen I’m a Hokie went to the front. With two fencesremaining Aero took over and steadily improved hisadvantage to seven lengths at the finish over NorthfieldFarm, LLC’s Expel (Liam McVicar).

Will Russell’s Forest Bell, with regular rider JeffMurphy up, had the lead most of the first time aroundthe course in the maiden hurdle race. When Jacob’sLittle Bro (James Slater) took the lead, Forest Bellassumed a stalking role. He regained the lead with threefurlongs to run and won easily.

The amateur/novice rider hurdle race was a matchrace between Alicia Murphy’s Wicklow Bound (BillySantoro) and Gary Baker’s Marino Feliz (SamCockburn). Wicklow Bound went to the front withMarino Feliz in his shadow. The order never changed,and Wicklow Bound won by one length.

In the novice flat race Randleston Farm’s WhiteHoliday (Sam Frederickson) ran forwardly in the earlygoing, took the lead with a quarter mile to run and heldoff F. Bruce Miller’s Lonesome Nun (Keri Brion) byone length.

In the Junior Field Masters Chase, Isabella Eylestimed the release from the field master perfectly andopened an advantage that City Diplomat and NatalieHarpole weren’t able to overcome. Erin Swope had agood showing against the horses with her large ponyJordan, who won their division.

Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point 4-9-2011The feature race at the Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point near Ben Venue, is the open timber race namedafter Leeds Don, who won the Virginia Gold Cup threetimes in the 1960s for ODH MFH David “Zeke”Ferguson. This year’s field on Saturday, April 8, maynot have included a Gold Cup winner, but there weretwo horses, Professor Maxwell and Across The Sky,who were prepping for the Maryland Hunt Cup.

Holbrook Hollow Farm’s Across The Sky assumedcommand in the Leeds Don and made all of the runninguntil he lost his rider with about six furlongs to run.Mrs. George L. Ohrstrom, Jr.’s Professor Maxwell hadrun second all the way and inherited the lead withKinross Farm’s Sand Box Rules close behind. Uponlanding after the last fence, these two drove to the finishwhere Sand Box Rules got up to win by ½ length. Thiswas leading trainer Neil Morris’ third win on the card.

Horses that he saddled accounted for the co-fea-tured open hurdle race and the maiden hurdle race. Inthe open hurdle race Matt McCarron sent BertramFirestone’s Lake Placid to the front shortly after the flagdropped, and he was never headed. Lake Placid pulledaway to an easy 4½-length win over last year’s winner,Fantastic Foe. In the maiden hurdle race Noble StablesLast Noble (Jacob Roberts) led throughout the race,outjumping the field at each fence and was an easy 10-length winner.

In the owner/rider timber race Sam Cockburn sentScott’s Gold to a commanding early lead. In the finalquarter mile George Hundt, Jr. rallied Westbound Roadto contend. Less than a length separated them at the lastfence where Scott’s Gold lost his rider. WestboundRoad galloped home alone at least a furlong ahead ofKen Shreve and Cool Fellow.

In the lady rider timber race Gypsy Beads (DianaGillam) led until the final five furlongs where LucyHorner took control with Katie’s Prince. GeorgeSlater’s Freddie’s Fortune (Molly White) took over sec-ond; but was no match for Katie’s Prince. Freddie’sFortune subsequently fell at the last fence while trailingby more than a furlong.

In the first division of the novice rider flat raceBeverly Steinmann’s CallYou In Ten (Vicky Lawrence)went to the front effortlessly with five furlongs to runand easily held Randy Rouse’s One Sea (Eilidh Grant)and Magalen Bryant’s Manhattan Boy (Sarah Green)safe in the stretch. In the second division Better BeReady raced far back in the field, took the lead with aquarter mile to run and won easily. Doug Fout andEdward Graham were the winning trainers.

James Falk, Sr.’s Daytime (Jeff Murphy) was thefront running two-length winner of the Virginia-bredflat race for trainer Simon Hobson.

The Junior Field Masters Chase was a duel fromthe release to the wire between Zoe Valvo onQuestioning and Isabella Eyles on Lone Arrow.Questioning proved best by 1½ lengths.

Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point 4-17-2011Entries at the Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point at OatlandsPlantation near Leesburg have always included a goodcontingent from Maryland and Pennsylvania. This yearon Sunday, April 17, the trend continued and a high per-centage of trophies went back north of the Potomac.

Continued


In the featured William Corcoran Eustis Cup asmall three horse field went under starter GrahamAlcock’s orders, and Sea Fever Farm’s A Fine Story(Molly White) went to the front when the flagdropped. The other two starters belong toNorthwoods Stable and are trained by Regina Welsh,both from Maryland. Battle Op (Chris Read) andBold Quest (Connor Hankin) were close behind AFine Story in the early stages. As the field raced to thein and out the first time around, Chris Read sentBattle Op to the front and from that point to the fin-ish the result was never in question. At the finishBattle Op was not ridden out, and the final five-lengthmargin did not indicate his superiority.

Maryland connections also claimed the novicetimber race as Merriefield Farm’s Foyle won underCharles Fenwick, III. Foyle assumed command at thestart but was taken back slightly off the pace asJoseph Henderson, III’s Triple Dip (Paddy Young)made much of the running. Foyle jumped the lastwith Triple Dip and pulled away to win by sixlengths.

The winners of the open hurdle race and the fox-hunter timber race were also from Maryland. AliciaMurphy trained Michael Wharton’s Grinding Speedto win over hurdles, and Tate Shaw rode Ice Is Niceto his first victory. Jacob Roberts rated GrindingSpeed well off the pace, made a move with a halfmile to run that put him on top at the three furlongmarker and won handily by 10 lengths. In the fox-hunters race when Tate Shaw took the lead from BartPoole and Jeb’s Crowner at the second fence, it wasthe only change in the running order. Ice Is Nicesteadily pulled away to win by at least one furlong.

In the two horse owner rider timber race, CoolFellow (Ken Shreve) set a leisurely pace withJeffersonton (Matt Hatcher) on his heels. After thelast fence, the pace quickened and Cool Fellow couldnot hold off Jeffersonton, who broke his maiden byfour lengths.

Pennsylvania’s F. Bruce Miller and his daughterBlythe Miller Davies are best known for their tremen-dous success with multiple Eclipse Award winnerLonesome Glory, and they were back in action withDynaskill in the open flat race. When the fieldentered the stretch, Dynaskill split horses and drewaway to win by one length.

Randleston Farm’s White Holiday was ridden tovictory in the maiden hurdle race by Paddy Young,who also won the Virginia-bred flat race with CelticVenture Stable’s Rockmani. Young reserved WhiteHoliday off the pace, took command with a quartermile to run, and romped home alone by nine lengths.In the flat race Rockmani went to the front with lessthan a mile to run and held Mary Fleming Finlay’sHey Doctor safe in the stretch to win by 2½ lengths.

Natalie Harpole’s City Diplomat held off ZoeValvo’s Questioning to win the Junior Field MastersChase.

Middleburg Spring Races 4-23-2011The $50,000 Temple Gwathmey Hurdle Stakesattracted a strong field to Glenwood Park, nearMiddleburg, on Saturday, April 23, but at the finishone horse stood out above the others. Irvin S. Naylorpurchased and imported Decoy Daddy last year, andthe Temple Gwathmey was only his fourth Americanstart. He romped home alone in the Noel Laing atMontpelier last November, and while the final marginwas not as great at Middleburg his superiority wasnever in question. Darren Nagle sent him to the frontat the start but allowed him to settle behind formerEclipse Award winner, William Pape’s Mixed Up(Danielle Hodsdon) the first time under the wire.

Decoy Daddy regained the lead down the backsideand was never seriously challenged. He coasted homeby 3½ lengths over Riverdee Stable’s Dictina’s Boy(Paddy Young).

The Middleburg Hunt Cup open timber race isVirginia’s most important prep for the Virginia GoldCup, and at least two of the starters were lookingahead to the first Saturday in May. EMO Stable’sHe’s A Conniver won last fall’s International GoldCup, and Arcadia Stable’s Delta Park (XavierAizpuru) won the timber stakes at Shawan Downs.

In the race Alicia Murphy’s Major Price (JacobRoberts) set the pace with He’s A Conniver in hisshadow.With two fences to go He’sA Conniver (JodyPetty) assumed control and opened a commandingadvantage entering the stretch. Delta Park (XavierAizpuru) launched a rally in the final quarter thatplaced him second but with what seemed an insur-mountable amount of ground to make up in thestretch. He came flying and not only caught He’s AConniver but was drawing away when he crossed thefinish in front by 2½ lengths. This was XavierAizpuru’s 100th win in the United States.

Indian Run Farm’s Swimming River (JeffMurphy) found the unique fences and circuitouscourse of the Alfred M. Hunt Steeplechase to his lik-ing. He stalked Perry Bolton’s Scuba Steve (RossGeraghty) until the final three furlongs where heraced to the front and won going away by 9½ lengths.

The Sport of Kings maiden hurdle race went toMichael Wharton’s Grinding Speed, and the maidenclaiming hurdle race was won by Bertram Firestone’sLake Placid. Jacob Roberts took the inside routewhile saving ground and reserved Grinding Speed offthe pace. He rallied in the final quarter of a mile anddrew away by 2¼ lengths. Matt McCarron sent LakePlacid to an immediate lead and romped home aloneby more than 16 lengths. Neil Morris trained the win-ner and the runner up, Noble Stable’s Last Noble(Jacob Roberts).

NSA leading rider Paddy Young had two win-ners on the card with horses trained by TomVoss. Hisfirst win was a hard earned score that included astretch-long duel between Trillium Stable’s Mischief(Paddy Young) and Irvin S. Naylor’s Chess Board(Darren Nagle). Mischief won by a head. In the train-ing flat race The Fields Stable’s Left Unsaid camefrom off the pace in the final quarter mile to winhandily by 1½ lengths.

Fairfax Hunt Point-to-Point 4-24-2011The Fairfax Hunt Point-to-Point was run over theMorven Park race course near Leesburg on Sunday,April 24. The $3,500 purses in the open hurdle andtimber races make these races unique on the VirginiaPoint-to-Point Circuit. The competition for horses atthis time of the year is fierce, and these purses helpedattract competitive fields for the two featured races.Entries were overflowing for the $2,000 maiden hur-dle race and the three flat races.

The 15-horse fields in the flat races that made upthe daily double resembled cavalry charges. In theopen race Bruce Smart’s Irish-bred Bonded (RobbieWalsh) rallied on the outside as the big field turnedfor home, and he beat Irvin Naylor’s hurdle stakeswinner, Tax Ruling (Darren Nagle) to the wire by 2½lengths. In the maiden race Matt McCarron moved tothe inside and rallied to the lead at the head of thestretch on Magalen O. Bryant’s British-bredEnchanted Circle. Jessica Gillam rallied her father’shorse, Jeremy Gillam’s Spinnaker, in the deep stretchbut just missed as Enchanted Circle won by a head.Jimmy Day and Neil Morris saddled the respectivewinners.

Orange County Open Hurdle RaceHumdinger - 1st, Matt McCarron up, Sur La Tete - 2nd,

It’s A G Man - 3rd.

Old Dominion Open HurdleLake Placid - 1st, Matt McCarron up, Fantastic Foe - 2nd.

Old Dominion Owner/Rider TimberScott’s Gold (fell), Westbound Road - 1st, George Hundt up.

Orange County Open TimberMore Fascination - 1st, Paddy Young up.


When Fairfax MFH, Randy Rouse’s Hishi Soarcarried Roddy Mackenzie to a handy win in the maid-en hurdle race, it was a very popular win for the hometeam. Hishi Soar started to rally with a half mile to run,took the lead in the final quarter mile and won handilyby 2¼ miles over Augustin Stables’ Auction Watch(Robbie Walsh).

The following open hurdle race was run for theWells Fargo Advisors Guest Cup that was won in 2010by Mr. Rouse’s One Sea. When One Sea outjumpedCeltic Venture Stable’s Zulla Road (Paddy Young) atthe second last fence, everyone was thinking that theGuest Cup was not going to change hands. But ZullaRoad was looming boldly at the last fence. In the run-in from the last fence, he came and got One Sea andwon going away by 1¼ lengths. Charlie McCann wasthe winning trainer. This was, in a sense, both a firstand second place win for Fairfax Hunt as recentlyappointed joint-master Paul Wilson is a member of theCeltic Venture syndicate.

Augustin Stables’ Irish-bred Radio Flyer was thepre-race favorite in the Woodlawn CommunicationsBowl open timber race, and he didn’t disappoint hissupporters. Robbie Walsh went to the front at the dropof the flag, and he never relinquished the lead. Mrs.Henry Stern’s Freeboard (Willie Dowling) stalkedRadio Flyer for much of the race but with three fur-longs to run Radio Flyer started to widen his lead thatexpanded to 15 lengths at the finish. This was RobbieWalsh’s second win on the card and the first for trainerRichard Valentine.

In the finale Debra Kachel’s Love Colony contin-ued his love affair with the Virginia-bred flat races.Paddy Young placed him within striking distance, andhe got up in the stretch to catch Jennifer Pitts’ GreenVelvet and Willie McCarthy, who led until the finalstrides. The final margin was a neck. For Paddy Youngthis race completed a double, and for trainer RickyHendriks this was a second straight win at Morven Parkwith Love Colony.

Foxfield Spring Races 4-30-2011The first “V” that comes to mind when you think aboutthe Foxfield Spring Races is for the thousands ofUniversity of Virginia students that swell the crowd,but on Saturday, April 30, that “V” stood for victoryand also for the two trainers whose horses dominatedthe races. Trainers Richard L. Valentine and Thomas H.Voss won four of the five races on the card, and theseincluded the Daniel Van Clief Memorial allowance hur-dle race and the Grover Vandevender Memorial maidentimber races.

TomVoss, owner Perry J. Bolton and leading rider

Paddy Young swept the daily double winning the firstrace, the maiden hurdle race, and the second, the maid-en timber race. In the first race Cornhusker (GB) wasnever far off the pace, took sole possession of the leadapproaching the last fence and won in hand by 3½lengths over Harold A. Via’s Worried Man (WillieDowling).

In the maiden timber race Paddy Young took thelead on Arch Hero with the remainder of the field closebehind. With a half mile to run Kinross Farm’s Sur LaTete (Jacob Roberts) moved to Arch Hero. These tworaced much of the rest of the race as a team with ArchHero holding a slight advantage. Both horses mademistakes at the last fence, but Sur La Tete had the worstof it. His blunder robbed him of any chance to win, buthe did recover sufficiently to finish second over AlGriffin’s Aero (Jeff Murphy). The final margin was 1½lengths for the win with Aero another length fartherback in third place.

Richard Valentine struck first with Mrs. George L.Ohrstrom’s Demonstrative in the featured Daniel VanClief Memorial. Last year’s champion three-year-oldhurdler had a ground saving trip; and when asked byRobbie Walsh, he responded. He made his move fromslightly off the pace, joined Cashel Stables’ Ballet Boy(PaddyYoung) at the last hurdle and pulled away in thestretch to a handy 1¾ length score.

Valentine and Walsh teamed again to win themaiden claiming hurdle race with Augustin Stables’Five Pines. Five Pines jumped to the lead at the secondfence, separated from the field and held off Debra E.Kachel’s fast closing Dance Faster (Paddy Young)whose belated rally fell short by a half length.

The filly and mare maiden hurdle race went toJodi Rauso’s and Lilli Kurtinecz’s Deputy Empress.Under Jacob Roberts Deputy Empress came frombehind to duel Kingfisher Farm’s Maya Charli (XavierAizpuru) from the last fence to within the shadow ofthe wire. Deputy Empress pulled away in the finalyards to win by 1 length. The co-owner Lilli Kurtineczwas the winning trainer.

Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point May 1, 2011Former steeplechase rider, Jimmy Day trained the win-ners of four races at the Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point at Glenwood Park, near Middleburg, on Sunday,May 1. He started his big day in the first race whenRandleston Farm’s Irish-bred So Amazing won thenovice rider flat race under Sam Frederickson.Frederickson reserved So Amazing off the pace, butwhen the field raced down the backside he took com-mand and romped home alone by seven lengths.

Continued

Old Dominion The Leeds Manor VHBPA Flat Race VA-Bred or siredDaytime - 1st, Jeff Murphy up, Snowbuster - 2nd, Wild Ball, Colonial Kid, Tipastaire, Rockmani - 3rd

Old Dominion Lady Rider Timber RaceKatie’s Prince (Ire) - 1st, Lucy Horner up.

Old Dominion Leeds Don Open TimberSandbox Rules - 1st, Chris Read up, Freeboard - 3rd.

Old Dominion Maiden Hurdle RaceLast Noble - 1st, Jacob Roberts up.


Sam Frederickson entered the day with the lead in thenovice rider flat division, and this win earned him thechampionship. His closest competitor, Eilidh Grant, fin-ished third in the race on Ellen Clark’s Final Straw and fin-ished second in the novice rider standings.

Day greeted Michael A. Smith’s Bundestag and win-ning rider PaddyYoung in the winner’s circle after the firstdivision of the maiden flat race. Bundestag rallied from offthe pace and led through the stretch to win by 1¼ lengths.The other division of the maiden flat race went to MagalenO. Bryant’s Quiet Flaine, who also rallied in the final quar-ter mile to win by 1¼ lengths for rider Jeff Murphy andtrainer Doug Fout.

In the following race for maidens over hurdles, Daysaddled his third winner. With Paddy Young up Joseph W.Henderson, III’s Pitched Perfectly romped home by ninelengths after making all the running.

The Day,Young and Henderson team also won the fea-tured novice timber race with Triple Dip.Young sent TripleDip to the front at the first fence, repulsed several chal-lenges by Upland Stable’s Relear (Ross Geraghty) the firsttime around and won by 4½ lengths while finishing inhand. Relear was second.

Doug Fout and Jeff Murphy added another win in therestricted maiden hurdle race with Beverly Steinman’sArmstrong Mill, who came from off the pace and got up inthe stretch to win by ¾ length over Randleston Farm’sAutumn Riches (Paddy Young/Jimmy Day).

The most exciting race on the card was the three horseamateur/novice rider hurdle race. No more than a fewlengths separated the field most of the race. When MarinoFeliz faded, Indian Run Farm’s Fogcutter (Woods Winants)and Rusty Cline’s Sonic Charm (Kevin Tobin) dueled overthe last fence and through the stretch. Fogcutter was nar-rowly best by ¾ length.

At the head of the stretch in the open flat race at leasthalf the field was still in contention with Tee Time Stable’sBrother Sy showing the way. He turned back all challengersand held the lead through the stretch to win by ½ length.This was rider Macaulay Kinnamon’s first win.

Virginia Gold Cup Races 5-7-2011A highly competitive field of six horses started in theLivingSocial Virginia Gold Cup on Saturday, May 7, at theGreat Meadow Race Course near The Plains. At the drop ofBarry Watson’s flag, Darren Nagle went to the front onGum Tree Stables’ Uppercut with EMO Stable’s He’s AConniver (Jody Petty) the first to follow. At the secondfence all went well for Uppercut, but the race deterioratedbehind him. He’s A Conniver fell, and this triggered a chainreaction. The other runners all reacted to the fallen horseand rider, and Paddy Young on Rosbrian Farm’s MoreFascination and Xavier Aizpuru on Arcadia Stable’s Delta

Park could not recover and came off. Blair Wyatt onMerriefield Farm’s Bon Caddo and Robbie Walsh onAugustin Stables’ Radio Flyer survived the mayhem andstayed in pursuit of Uppercut. With one more time to goaround the course, Bon Caddo moved closer to the leaderand was clearly within striking distance along with RadioFlyer. Wyatt let out a notch on Bon Caddo with three fur-longs to run and had Uppercut measured when Uppercutsuddenly pulled up approaching the second last fence. BonCaddo inherited a comfortable lead and easily held offRadio Flyer, who rallied to threaten but could not sustainhis bid. Bon Caddo won in hand by 13 lengths and createdanother interesting chapter in the history of the VirginiaGold Cup.

Blair Wyatt is only the fourth lady rider to win theGold Cup. Michele Hunter (Joe At Six - 2004), BlytheMiller (Make Me A Champ - 2002) and Sanna Neilson(Joe’s O. K. - 1991) were the others. She is also part of thesecond father and daughter team to win. Her father RandyWaterman won in 1983 on Private Gary. The first wereLouis “Paddy” Neilson (Chapel Street - 1975) and SannaNeilson. Dawn Williams became only the third woman totrain a Virginia Gold Cup winner. The others were DonnaTruslow Rogers (Private Gary - 1983 and Constantine -1984) and Alicia Murphy (Joe’s O. K. - 1991).

In the first race, a Sport of Kings maiden hurdle,Roddy Mackenzie placed Raven’s Choice in a good spotwhile letting Mrs. Henry Stern’s Peace Fire set the paceunder Xavier Aizpuru. When Peace Fire faded, Raven’sChoice took over and won easily by 4½ lengths. Raven’sChoice belongs to the Estate of Cary W. Jackson and istrained by Todd Wyatt, Blair Wyatt’s husband.

Last fall at the International Gold Cup Races, IndianRun Farm’s Swimming River finished first in thesteeplethon but was disqualified for going off course. Thisyear he fared much better with Jeff Murphy up. He racedslightly off Northwood Stable’s Battle Op (Chris Read) formost of the race. When these two turned for home,Swimming River went to the front, put Battle Op away andeasily held off Karen Gray’s Mecklenburg (Gus Dahl) towin by 2½ lengths.

The third and fourth races were for allowance levelhurdlers. The optional allowance/claiming race was won infront running fashion by Debra E. Kachel’s recentlyclaimed Lake Placid, who won easily by 13 lengths withleading rider Paddy Young up for trainer Ricky Hendriks.The following starter allowance race went to Karen Gray’sCuse (Gus Dahl), who went to the lead after the first fenceand won handily. This was Gus Dahl’s first sanctioned win.

The maiden claiming hurdle race went to local con-nections as Noble Stable’s Last Noble ridden by MattMcCarron and trained by Neil Morris pulled away in thestretch to win in hand by 2½ lengths.

Virginia Gold Cup RaceBon Caddo - 1st, Blair Waterman Wyatt up.

Virginia Gold Cup Junior Field Masters ChaseQuestioning - 1st, Zoe Valvo up.

Virginia Gold Cup SteeplethonBattle Op - 3rd, Swimming River - 1st, Jeff Murphy up, Mecklenburg - 2nd, Wazee Moto - 4th.

Virginia Gold Cup $10,000 Maiden HurdleLast Noble - 1st, Matt McCarron up.

Virginia Gold Cup $25,000 Hurdle RaceHumdinger - 3rd, Cuse - 1st, Gustav Dahl up.

Virginia Gold Cup $30,000 Hurdle RaceBaron Von Ruckus, Lake Placid - 1st, Paddy Young up.


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FERNANDO VILLAVICENCIOGeneral Manager

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HORSEFARMSANDCOUNTRYHOMES.COMCindy Polk, 703.966.9480 Realtor specializing incountry properties from cottages, land and hobbyfarms to fine estates and professional equestrianfacilities. AMRFP LLC 204 E. Washington St.,Middleburg, VA.

WARRENTON/CULPEPER AREA - Large 3bedroom barn apartment with 8 stall horse barn.Granite counters, stainless appliances, greatroom, den, 2 marble baths, hardwood floors,washer/dryer, 1 car garage, 25 acres pasture,outdoor riding ring $1,850 [email protected], 703-447-0813.

MISCELLANEOUSFOURENGLISHHUNT PRINTS - Cherrywoodframes. Six porcelain Bavarian hunt scene plates.Vintage English pewter hip flask, never used. (540)219-1259.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Virginia Horse PropertiesMiddleburg/Upperville area

THOMAS & TALBOT REAL ESTATELAND AND ESTATE AGENTS SINCE 1967

(540) 687-6500Please see listings: www.thomas-talbot.com

E-mail: [email protected]

Treasure State HuntDillon, Montana

TSH is offering a fine selection ofTB and warmblood foxhunters

reasonably priced!The horses have been trained and

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TO GET YOUR AD IN THE NEXT ISSUECALL MARY COX(540) 636-7688 OR HORSE COUNTRY(540) 347-3141

www.lizcallarphotography.comPlease check my web-site for VirginiaHunt, Show, and Race Photos.

CLASSIFIEDS

Portraits a specialty

Janet HitchenPhotography(540) 837-9846

Email: [email protected]

Mimi and Judsen

Horse BlanketCleaning & Repair

Brenda Milne(540) 937-2099

Cel. (703) 609-720018691 Springs Road

Jeffersonton, VA 22724Border Terriers

A Message From AgaDear Loyal Readers of Aga’s Sagas,

I’m sorry to report that my regular column doesnot appear in this issue. For weeks my duties atthe Museum of Hounds & Hunting NorthAmerica had me working almost ’round theclock, running my little legs off, barking ateveryone to hurry, hurry, hurry! There was somuch to get done for the Huntsmen’s RoomInduction and Members Reception.

It was all totally worth it, I’m happy to say.The Mansion at Morven Park was aglow, fox-hunting luminaries everywhere, a wonderfultime was had by all. But now, to use a MorvenParkism, I’m prostrate with fatigue! Not a speckof energy left to write up my column. (I consid-ered turning it over to Bunsen, but quickly real-ized that wasn’t a good idea. No telling what hemight come up with absent my steady hand toguide him.)

But fear not. Aga’s Sagas will appear in itsregular spot in the August/September issue.Until then, have a great summer. I’m going togo lie down for a much needed rest!

PatrickswellMiddleburg, Virginia

Estate consisting of 264 acres in OrangeCounty Hunt with mountain views in everydirection. Manicured farm with mostly openand gently rolling acreage. Main house wasbuilt in 1984 of stone construction with fourbedrooms, four full baths, two half baths, anin-law suite and four fireplaces.Improvements include pool, tennis court, 20stall center aisle stable, office, tack, 2 washstalls with 1/16 mile indoor track, and 2 bed-room guest house. $10,500,000.Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

MistralUpperville, Virginia

Attractive French country home on 28 acresalong Rokeby Road. Well-designed home forgracious entertaining and first floor living.The large formal living room opens to a cov-ered porch, terrace and gardens overlookingthe spring fed pond. The kitchen includes acharming wood burning fireplace and denleading to the indoor heated pool. First floormaster suite includes in-home office while 3additional bedrooms are offered on the sec-ond floor allowing great privacy for guests.The tree lined driveway, mature gardens andstunning views to the southwest create alovely setting. $2,390,000.Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

110 East Washington Street • P.O. Box 1380Middleburg, Virginia 20118

(540) 687-5588

[email protected]

The Old Yowell FarmBoyce, Virginia

c1900 classic Virginia farmhouse on 18acres. Recent addition includes bright openkitchen w family room, master suite & mudroom. Great old house charm & originalpine floors, front porch, big windows & lotsof light. Recorded in 2 parcels w 1 addition-al DUR. Land is open & fenced for horses,2 stall barn w/feed/tack room, run-in shed,storage building & workout room. $800,000Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

White Horse FarmNear Charlottesville, Virginia

Prime Albemarle County location, mainhouse circa 1780 in excellent condition,completely updated. 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2baths, 10 fireplaces with hardwood floorsthroughout and high ceilings.Improvements include 6 car garage, 8 stallstable, tenant house and sports barn withbasketball court, hitting and pitching areasfor baseball, bedroom area, full bath & lock-er room. 278.80 acres fenced & crossfenced, ample water and numerous ponds.$3,800,000.Ann MacMahon (540) 687-5588Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

Marley GrangeMillwood, Virginia

Understated elegance. Finely appointed5600+sq.ft. home built in 1997 on 75 acresin a private and secluded setting. Four bed-rooms, three baths, two half baths. Ten stallbarn built in 2006 by Jim Fletcher; 224 ft. x128 ft. blue stone ring; excellent horse facil-ity in choice location with excellent ride-out. Available by appointment. $2,900,000.Tom Cammack (540) 247-5408

Waterford LandWaterford, Virginia

74+/- acres on top of the village, mostly openand rolling with 3 houses and a stone bankbarn. The land is in conservation easementand 3 divisions are permitted. This land isadjacent to the Waterford FoundationParklands, Historic Village of Waterford andCatoctin Creek, and was originally known asthe Phillips Family Farm, a founder ofWaterford. Waterford is one of three placesin the U.S. in which the entire village is des-ignated a National Historic Landmark.$2,500,000.

Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

Little River LaneThe Plains, Virginia

10 acres in excellent Fauquier County loca-tion. Property improved by brick garage withapartment (needs to be finished), septic &well installed, all utilities to building.Winding driveway by two ponds leads tohouse site. Private yet easy access toMiddleburg & The Plains. $599,000.Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

Moreland RoadDelaplane, Virginia

Custom built log home, built in 2005, 3BR,3 1/2BA, 1FP, vaulted ceilings, hardwoodfloors, exposed logs & beam interior,attached 2 car garage with office above.Elevated lot with mountain views. 8.24acres, room for horses, private but easyaccess to Rt.66. $663,000.Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

RectortownRectortown, Virginia

1942 home located in a quaint village set-ting. Main house has a first floor master suite& 2 additional bedrooms. Large wood pan-eled living room with a wood burning fire-place and French doors leading to the stoneterrace and garden area. Additionally thereis a charming guest home & 3 stall barn onapprox 3 acres in 2 tax parcels. Lovely set-ting. $885,000.Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905Margaret Carroll (540) 454-0650

The MooringsMillwood, Virginia

A beautiful country setting on 78+/- acres.Very private. Graceful Arts and Crafts home(ca.1915) at the end of a long drive, high ona gentle hill with wonderful views east tothe Blue Ridge. Four bedrooms, four baths,sleeping porches. Har-Tru tennis court,pool, cottage and small barn with threestalls. Strong creek on property. $2,150,000.Tom Cammack (540) 247-5408

Sycamore SpringUpperville, Virginia

35 acres of open pasture in Piedmont Huntwith 3 small ponds and incomparable viewsof the Blue Ridge and Cobbler Mountains.The entire perimeter is surrounded by orig-inal dry stacked stone walls. The immacu-late cottage has been expanded, renovatedand shows very well. Stunning site permitsadditional dwelling and farm buildings.Unlimited options. $1,775,000.Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

Pagebrook EastBoyce, Virginia

Gorgeous tract of land, 97.88 acres, in themiddle of Blue Ridge Hunt territory. Smallcottage converted from an original summerkitchen. Additional building site withapproved 4 bedroom perc. Open pastureland, pond, small barn and run-in sheds.Fenced for horses and cattle. Land is in con-servation easement. $1,100,000.Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

in & around horse country

Documents

horse country junejuly

mfh mason lampton

exmfh lauren

mfh robert miller

virginia pointtopoint

virginia foxhoundclub

romboutvirginia foxhound

morven park