by Sue Blackmore, Professional Whipper-in
Fourteen Virginia hunts enthusiastically agreed to host a meet, in their home countries, for this annual event of consecutive days of hunting – and technically it was two weeks - with the final meet being November 7th.
Unfortunately, PAH huntsman, Martyn Blackmore, had incurred a most debilitating torn hamstring injury whilst hunting two weeks prior to our meet. He made a few phone calls and secured Tim Michel, Bull Run Huntsman, as a substitute to hunt the PAH hounds off of staff horse, Windsor.
Tim rose to the challenge and did an outstanding job! It was a testament to Martyn’s dedicated training and care of his hounds which allowed them to easily and seamlessly accept, listen, and adhere to an unknown huntsman’s leadership and guidance.
They found on the first draw, opening on a coyote, which ran out of country, crossing Route 5 after giving the field a good run. The warm, dry day, with heavy leaf fall, led to a challenging scenting day, but 12½ couple of hounds worked extremely well, and hounds (and staff) diligently persevered. After all available country was drawn, and with the temperature fast rising, hounds were soon at a loss and the decision to end the day was nearly called when they found again. Either a fresh coyote or the original one caught on his way home, and the entire pack ran this one all the way back to the mighty James river. A great end to the over 3-hour day. All hounds were on before arriving back at the trailers, for which Tim was most thankful! This allowed every participant to partake of a fabulous breakfast in the cool cellar of Dogham Farm.
Visitors from other hunts greatly enjoyed our scenic territory on the river, and getting to stay close to hounds to see them work. According to a hardcore group of Virginia hunters who attended every meet, Princess Anne had the best hospitality, friendliest people, and best post-hunt socializing!
The Princess Anne Hunt Masters invite you to an exclusive members-only morning to view
Puppy Training with Martyn and Staff
November 16th, 2024
4527 Beechland Road, Elberon VA
9:30 a.m. Stirrup Cup
10:00 a.m. Hound training on Foot
followed by Lunch and Our Annual Flask-Tasting Contest
Please Register by Wednesday, November 13th
Princess Anne Hunt members and their guests can experience the exhilaration of the hound work without horses; enjoy the camaraderie of the day; and learn something new about foxhunting. Chances are very good you'll view a fox!
A Thanksgiving-inspired lunch will be provided in the Clubhouse following hunting by member and chef extraordinaire Kris Goeckeritz with help from our event team of the day. Participate in the flask-tasting contest. All entrants should bring enough for at least 50 people to have a small taste. All guests can vote!
It is a rare opportunity and privilege to be able to witness the pursuit of the hounds on foot and up close --as if YOU are a part of the pack! -- and we hope you will join the fun.
Attire is country casual with good walking shoes.
Cost: Donation of Champagne for the Landowner's Bar
by Alex Cromer
This year's Princess Anne Hunt Hunter Pace was held on Sunday October 27th and featured 100 riders and 34 teams. Teams competed over a 7.8 mile course on the scenic and historical land of Sherwood Forest Plantation, courtesy of the Tyler Family.
We featured the following divisions: Fast Time Over Fences, Fast Time on the Flat, Optimum Time Over Fences, and Optimum Time on the Flat. Teams were composed of 2-5 riders and were tasked with self-navigating the course following the markers designated. Click HERE to see the times and results. Click HERE to view the photos taken by Commonwealth Artists of the day.
Princess Anne Hunt would like to thank the following volunteers for their work on this event:
by Merri Musso, MFH
HUNT SEASON PREPARATION
Now is the time to get both you and your horse prepared for the upcoming hunt season that is right around the corner. Waiting for the leaves to fall is too late!
Rider
Time to cut down on those summer sweats and umbrella drinks and get some cardio-vascular exercise. If we expect our horses to be fit, so should we. Biking, yoga, jogging, walking out hounds at kennels are all a wake-up call to those muscles in summer mode. Check your hunt clothes and make sure they are clean; buttons and stitching are good and appropriate (check PAH website for attire) to fit your fabulous figure.
Horse
Time to get those marvelous steeds out of the field and back to work. Think of what problems you may have had last season and address them. Call the vet and get a checkup (teeth, shots, coggins, worming) and a lameness evaluation. Often, those attitude problems can be attributed to pain. Clean them up by pulling mane, trim, and get shoes. You should be riding AT LEAST 2x a week. Best fitness for horse and rider is trotting. Incorporate hills, ditches, water crossings, and jumping gymnastics. Break up your riding routine (whether on trails or ring) into 3 equal portions of warm-up, training and cool down. Doing these suggestions will make for a more enjoyable hunt season for both horse and rider. Remember. The outside of the horse is good for the inside of the person!
Tack
Time to get that green mold off the tack and check for weak points and stitching. Make sure your saddle and girth fit your horse correctly making adjustments due to weigh changes. Correctly adjust your bridle and bit to your horses needs. Thoroughly give your tack a good cleaning and oiling before the season starts. Cleaning your tack well now, makes for easier regular cleaning after each hunt.
Remember, being properly appointed shows respect for yourself and the traditions of foxhunting
CHECK LIST
Rider:
-exercise-bike, yoga, jog, walk out hounds
-hunt clothes-clean, buttons, stitching and fit
Horse:
-vet checkup-teeth, shots, coggins, worming, lameness
-clean up-mane, trim, shoes
-exercise-AT LEAST 2x a week trotting hills, water, ditches, jumps
Tack:
check weak points, stitching
adjust bridle, bit and saddle
thoroughly clean and oil
by Sue Blackmore, Professional Whipper-In
Back in the fall of ’22, a couple of friends from NC came to visit and hunt with us. They brought another couple along and we were introduced to Ian and his fiancée, Shannon. Our new friends, who hunt with Red Mountain Hounds, had such an enjoyable time hunting as guests with PAH and, after hearing from Martyn of his desire to have grass (exercise) yards for the hounds, Ian generously offered his professional services, for no payment, to erect the fencing using the materials saved from a previous grass yard, that was taken down to get the huntsman’s house in situ. My, was the huntsman happy!
It was mid-July of ’23 when Ian, Shannon and a stock trailer full of necessary tools arrived. It turned out to be the hottest week of the summer but they, along with Martyn and a committed team of PAH members and staff, toiled for three days of blood (sometimes) sweat (constantly) and tears (some) in 90 degree plus weather until, due to not quite enough materials, the foreman ordered “down tools” Not one store in the area had what was needed to complete Ian’s project so, consequently, he and Shannon headed back to NC.
Due to Life getting in the way, for all parties involved, it was not until the first day of March, this year, that the now married couple, Ian and Shannon, returned with the materials to finish the fencing and with a gang, again of PAH people, got the job done in one day.
These grass yards, one for the bitches and one for the dogs, will be for hounds to be turned out in whilst their lodges and yards are being cleaned up, so will never be left unattended. This playtime will not replace their daily exercise, and they will still be walked out, once they are fed back in their kennels, every morning.
2024 AWARDS PRESENTATIONS
Please join us in congratulating the following PAH Members who were recognized with awards and commendations by the Masters at our Closing Meet Breakfast:
The William A. Whitehurst Memorial Trophy
Robin Somers-Strom
The Mausteller Perpetual Award
Teresa Gregory
Colors
Tim Watson
Carolyn Fitzgerald
Tim Porter
Buttons
Alex Cromer
Claudia Sands
Patrick McCarthy
WILLIAM A. WHITEHURST
MEMORIAL TROPHY
The William A. Whitehurst Memorial Trophy was established in 1998 in memory of long-time supporter and former Master of Foxhounds, Billy Whitehurst, in recognition of his outstanding service and dedication to Princess Anne Hunt. His love of the sport of foxhunting continues to be an inspiration to us all. This trophy is given annually at Closing Meet to a member who has demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to Princess Anne Hunt.
1999 Lee and Tec Sease
2000 W. Michael Adams, MFH
2001 Cherylle Wornom (Lang)
2002 Miriam and James A. Daniels, Jr., MFH
2003 Linda and Peter Ault
2004 Bonnie Mershon
2005 George A. Smith
2006 Cindy and David Chewning
2007 Jack Ferguson, MFH
2008 Paynie Tyler
2009 Linda and Joe DeFazio
2010 Mike and Dee Dee Mausteller, MFH
2011 Nancy and Dick Nance
2012 Christine Sweet
2013 Edward D. Mitchell, MFH
2014 Hester and Tim Coyne
2015 Thomas G. Vance
2016 Harrison R. Tyler
2017 James Raine, Huntsman
2018 Judee and Gil Calkins
2019 Jim Daniels
2020 Cynthia Long-Porter
2021 Mike Maddocks (in Memoriam)
2022 Travis D. Gibson, MFH
2023 Katherine Mitchell
2024 Robin Somers-Strom
THE MAUSTELLER PERPETUAL AWARD
The Mausteller Perpetual Award is in honor of Ex-MFH Dee Dee Mausteller, who served as Master of Foxhounds with PAH from 2012-2023. Her ceaseless dedication to hounds, hunting and staff was remarkable. Dee Dee was the hero behind the scenes many times and enforcer of proper etiquette and codes of hunting. This trophy is given annually at Closing Meet to an Honorary Staff member who has demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to the hounds and hunting.
2023 Allison Harcourt
2024 Teresa Gregory
HUNT BUTTONS & COLORS
The privilege of wearing a hunt’s buttons and/or distinctive collar is awarded at the discretion of the Masters. It’s an honor, and also brings with it responsibility for the wearer. It means the Masters consider you a valued member of the hunt, based on your participation year 'round in supporting the hunt, and your abilities in the hunt field. Other riders should be able to look to you for assistance in the field during a hunting day. You know the country, and the landowners, and help to keep them happy. Prerequisites may include hunting regularly to gain knowledge of the hunt country, participating in Hunt events, and assisting with the affairs of the Hunt. Any member awarded colors should, in the opinion of the Masters, be a person knowledgeable of Foxhunting etiquette, and a proficient rider, who when hunting with any Hunt, would be a good representative for PAH. Buttons and Colors may be awarded by the Masters at any time during the year.
Members who have been awarded BUTTONS are entitled to wear black “P.A.H.” buttons on their hunt coat.
Members who have been awarded their COLORS are entitled to wear the PAH colors (Apple Green) on their collar and “P.A.H.” buttons on their hunt coat. Gentlemen and Staff can wear a pink coat, as well as different boot tops (brown for anyone wearing a pink coat and black patent leather for ladies).
MFHA FAIRLY HUNTED AWARD
The MFHA Fairly Hunted Award acknowledges juniors 18 and under who participate in mounted hunting with hounds.
Each year, the award is presented by the PAH Masters on behalf of the Masters of Foxhounds Association to any junior who has hunted with PAH 5+ times during that season. Recipients receive an MFHA pin, a Certificate of Achievement, and a 1-year subscription to the MFHA magazine: Covertside.
97th Annual Hunt Ball
by Carolyn Fitzgerald, Hunt Ball Chair
Many thanks to all volunteers, auction donors, auction bidders, and guests who made the 97th Annual Princess Anne Hunt Ball our highest netting Hunt Ball EVER!! Together, we entertained 132 landowners, members and guests and ....
You heard it here first: raised at least $59,000 for the hounds!!
How wonderful to be able to secure the funds needed to supplement our membership dues while having so much fun! During our highest grossing Raise-the-paddle ever, we came $4,000 shy of raising the $19,000 needed to reach our $50,000 goal for the Hunt Preservation Fund this year.
The live auction, offered guests vacations in the US and abroad as well as some pretty special experiences at home. Winners will enjoy vacations at Massanutten, the Outer Banks, Portugal, Idaho, and Montana. Twenty guests will be going with Martyn to Exmoor, England September 1; 10 will dine with the Masters; 10 will get a VIP tent and lunch with Polo; 16 will be playing Croquet on the lawn at Westover.
There are a few spots left for a book discussion with Rita Mae Brown at Evelynton on May 11; as well as a professional portrait session with you and your horse on June 1. Contact kmitchellrva@gmail.com if you are interested. Many thanks to auction donors: William and Kay Tyler, the Granville/1850 Investment Team, Christel and Doug Stanley, the Calkins, Jeanine Hinson, the Erda family, Robin Somers-Strom and Martha Culpepper and the Masters for your contributions.
The "Western Elegant" theme was enjoyed by all, and our guests turned out respectably in an array of Cowboy Hats, Bolo Ties, Fringe, Furs, Ruffles, and Boots. Don't believe me? Check out our Photo Booth Pictures, props by Gina Sybert! The Commonwealth Club provided a beautiful backdrop and meal; with signature drinks "The Blazing Saddle" and the "Desert Rose" created by Troy Arnold. It's always a favorite venue of ours.
Elegant thematic centerpieces combined member talents, with floral design by Robin Somers-Strom and Robin Daniels, with horseshoe centerpiece sculptures welded by Miles Godin. Natasha and Brian Gealey did an excellent job putting together a slideshow of photos from our season of hunting. We appreciate Joe and Julia Svetina for providing their wonderful photos! We also can't forget Martha Culpepper, Master Merrie Musso, Hillary Robertson, and Tim Watson for their help throughout; Katherine Mitchell for curating the Auction; Robin Daniels for donating all the raffle items; Lisa Lannenhennig for help with auction posters; and Ryan Fitzgerald for securing discounted accommodations for guests.
Master Ed Mitchell directed his second annual PAH Video, edited by Carolyn Fitzgerald. View "A Year in the Life of Hunting" HERE. Feel free to watch and share with anyone that is wondering what the heck you do with Princess Anne Hunt all year!
Many came prepared to dance, from attending a Country Dance Class the week before the ball coordinated by Christel Stanley. The band, En’novation, secured by Debbie and Doug Hackman, was a blast and the dance floor was full until the band finished at 11 pm.
It was a joyful conclusion to our 97th Hunt Season, and we look forward to more fun with Princess Anne Hunt in the coming months (Trail Ride, anyone?). We’ll stay in touch through e-mail, our website and Facebook.
Tally Ho!
The Masters and Board of Directors would like to extend a warm and sincere thanks to Hunt Ball Chair Carolyn Fitzgerald and the Hunt Ball committee for doing such an excellent job organizing such a fun and successful fundraiser for Princess Anne Hunt. Kudos!
Thanks to Master Travis Gibson for organizing a successful Junior day; and Master Merri Musso and her event team* for putting together a wonderful Stirrup Cup, Tailgate and Breakfast; and Debbie and Doug Hackman for hosting at River Ridge. Princess Anne Hunt welcomed 19 juniors that day along with their chaperones. We had a dedicated junior flight led by Master Travis Gibson and juniors were also invited to join 1st, 2nd and 3rd flights. One junior even had the experience of riding with honorary whipper in Jerel Johnson to see what that job was all about. This will become an annual event so please look for future Junior Hunt invitations.
*Thanks to the Junior day Event Team: Merri Musso, Natasha Gealey, Janice Perkins, Kim Burnett, Jan Milner, Vanessa Roselli, Hannah VanHuss. Theresa Ponziani, Jim Daniels, Robin Somers-Strom, Kelly Jordan,
Join the Masters at Dogham Farm on Thursday, February 22nd from 6 to 8pm for cocktail refreshment and a fireside chat about the foxhunting murder mystery novel you can read during the cold Winter nights ahead! Read a good book by a popular Virginia Author and Master of Foxhounds; and learn a little bit about foxhunting on and off the field, in a fun, casual setting.
Selected read - “Outfoxed” by Rita Mae Brown
Mature content. Juniors under the age of 18 should have parental consent.
As Master of the prestigious Jefferson Hunt Club, Jane Arnold, known as Sister, is the most revered citizen in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountain town where a rigid code of social conduct and deep-seated tradition carry more weight than money. Nearing seventy, Sister now must select a joint master to ensure a smooth transition of leadership after her death. It is an honor of the highest order---and one that any serious social climber would covet like the Holy Grail.
Virginian to the bone, with a solid foxhunting history, Fontaine Buruss is an obvious candidate, but his penchant for philandering and squandering money has earned him a less than sparkling reputation. And not even Sister knows about his latest tawdry scandal. Then there is Crawford Howard, a Yankee in a small town where Rebel bloodlines are sacred. Still, Crawford has money---lots of it---and as Sister is well aware, maintaining a first-class hunt club is far from cheap.
With the competition flaring up, Southern gentility flies out the window. Fontaine and Crawford will stop at nothing to discredit each other. Soon the entire town is pulled into a rivalry that is spiraling dangerously out of control. Even the animals have strong opinions, and only Sister is able to maintain objectivity. But when Opening Hunt Day ends in murder, she, too, is stunned.
Who was bold and skilled enough to commit murder on the field? It could only be someone who knew both the territory and the complex nature of the hunt inside out. Sister knows of three people who qualify ---and only she, with the help of a few clever foxes and hounds, can lay the trap to catch the killer.
Order the book here.
GIVE TO THE HUNT PRESERVATION FUND
As we enjoy our 97th season of foxhunting the historic properties and farmlands of Charles City and beyond, the Princess Anne Hunt Board of Directors hopes that you will consider supporting Princess Anne Hunt's Hunt Preservation Fund.
In 2018, Master Ed Mitchell, with the support of the Board and generous members, raised $130,000 to establish this fund for capital needs and emergencies. Since then, the Hunt Preservation Fund has paid for the down payment on the Huntsman’s house, installation of a new septic field, new pick-up truck and horse trailer, kennel improvements for hound safety and comfort, the acquisition of a new horse; and tracking collars for the hounds.
Thanks to membership dues and successful Hunt Balls over the last few years, our operating budget is in great shape, so the day-to-day needs of the Huntsman, hounds and horses are being met. The Hunt Preservation Fund must be replenished to be able to continue to meet necessary capital expenses that are outside of the operating budget. The PAH Board is seeking to raise $50,000 over the next two fiscal years--which run May 1-April 30-- for the Hunt Preservation Fund. This will position Princess Anne Hunt for financial strength as we approach our 100th anniversary.
These funds will be used to complete the much-needed exercise yards for the hounds; roof repairs for the horse stable, additional kennel improvements, maintenance and eventual replacement of the truck and trailer; emergency needs, and more.
All of the PAH Board of Directors have made pledges to this important campaign. We hope that you will join us and make a gift to the Hunt Preservation Fund. You can either send a check to: Princess Anne Hunt at 12200 Tylers Mill Road, Charles City, VA 23030; or pay with a credit card by contacting Treasurer Tim Watson at tdwatson2@gmail.com. Contact masters@princessannehunt.com with any questions.
All gifts are appreciated and will be recognized at the annual meeting. If you make a donation at these levels, you will receive a small PAH gift and your name will be included on a plaque at the kennels: Donor - $500; Contributor - $1000; Sustainer - $2500; Legacy $5000 and above.
Thank you for your consideration of this important effort that supports our Huntsman, horses and hounds.
All of our very best regards,
Travis Gibson, MFH
Edward Mitchell, MFH
Merri Musso, MFH
Copyright © 2021 Princess Anne Hunt