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!