See the Calendar of Events
June Hunter Show
The Rockbridge Hunt Horse Show will be moving back to Hollins College this year! Joan Alberti, show manager, has made arrangements with Nancy Peterson, Director of Riding at Hollins College, for a two-day, Southwestern Virginia Hunter Jumper Association (SWVHJA) sanctioned show on June 2nd and 3rd.
In order to have a well-run show, providing the best facilities and a pleasant experience for the exhibitors, the decision was made to run the show over two days with additional professional help. Volunteers will be needed the day before the show and immediately following the show for setup and cleanup. Most volunteers will be able to get the chores done and leave pretty promptly. Some help will be needed on the days of the show- mostly ring crew (replacing poles and personing gates) - but this should be very light work.
Bastian's barbeque of Salem will be the food concessionaire.
A big financial help is if you can, or know a business or individual that would be willing to sponsor a class or a division. Call Dr. Lauren Keating to find out details on sponsoring. Volunteers should check the Hunt Line (462-1113) or call Cindy Morton (540-463-6025 or 540-463-8109).
Spring Hunter Pace April 29th Montafon
Everyone should have received blue flyers in the mail. Bring a friend! (Information is also available on a web page.)
Volunteer Opportunities
Please mark your calendars. There will be a work session on either April 21st or 22nd, depending on the weather, to get everything ready for the hunter pace. Fred Burks has put in a zillion coops (well, it probably seems that way to him!) and gates and the course will be great. We need to get one or two paths through the woods cleaned up. Also plan on a work session on May 19th or 20th. Hopefully we can work in the Brownsburg territory. As usual, check the Hunt Line (462-1113) for definite times and dates.
The turnout was fantastic for the work session on February 18th and we got a lot of trail clearing done in the new territory and some coops replaced around Hunt, Inc. A big thank-you to the volunteers: David Bolen, Fred Burks, David Conner, Joe and Katharine Conner, Lu Dooley, Pete Holladay, Blair and Erica Jones, Lauren Keating, Nina Marshall, Cindy Morton, Wilson and Lola Shepherd, and Pete Whitlock.
The turnout wasn't quite as good on March 18 but we got several things done. David Bolen, David Conner, Richard Ford, and Cindy Morton installed two coops at Broadview while Gary Ruley cleared a trail near the kennels. The coops that were installed in February and March are the ones that were built at a work session last June! There are still a few of those left. The weather should be good in April and May so let's get some of that essential work done!
Proxy for annual meeting: May 9th 7:30 PM
If you can not attend please sign and return a proxy. You can give this to anyone attending the meeting or mail to:
Erica Jones, Secretary, Rt 1 Box 272, Newport VA 24128Currently the only business I'm aware of is:
1. Voting on MFH, Executive Committee president, secretary, treasurer, and two stewards (Lauren Keating and Kathy Eichelberger)
2. Voting on the annual budget
3. Usually we have a masters report and a huntsman reportIf you have any topics you would like to be included on the agenda, please contact Pete Whitlock.
Please contact a member of the nominating committee immediately if you have any names you want to add to the slate (Blair Jones, Kevin Baird, Fred Burks). If you wish to nominate someone at the annual meeting it is suggested that you contact them before the meeting to make sure they are available and willing. Currently the slate is:
MFH: David Bolen, Cindy Morton
President: Carol Atwood
Secretary: open
Treasurer: Katharine Conner
Steward: Sandra Worthy
Steward: Kathy Eichelberger
Steward (if Carol gets elected president): Paula UrsoyThe annual budget was not available at press time. If you would like to see a copy before the meeting please contact Katharine Conner.
Proxy from _____________________________________
I wish to assign my vote to _________________________________________ at the general Rockbridge Hunt membership meeting on May 9th, 2001
Date______________________________ Signature______________________________________________
Hunt Ball 2001 Wrap-Up
This year's Rockbridge Hunt Ball was a beautiful occasion and went off without a hitch, as usual. We can thank Buster Lewis for a job well done. Buster has officially resigned as manager of the Rockbridge Hunt Ball. Frank Hartis, who has helped with all kinds of preparations for the ball for many years, has also resigned. We're all going to find out the hard way just how much these two have gotten done every year!
Buster is especially unusual in that he has taken responsibility for the entire production. That doesn't mean he's done it all by himself but he's had a plan and gotten people organized and made sure that everyone who said they'd do something did it and did it right. He's followed up on endless details, from beginning to end, and he hasn't shirked the unpleasant parts of the job. Every Rockbridge Hunt project is a team effort but it's always difficult to find a leader. Buster's hard work and attention to detail have produced a consistently first-class event. He and his team are going to be a hard act to follow. Fortunately for the rest of us, most of the current team has agreed to continue as they have in the past.
The hunt ball "group" (they haven't declared themselves to be a committee - yet!) met on March 20th to get started on next year's ball. Various possible changes were discussed and some suggestions will definitely be adopted. It was generally agreed that the production has been first class and additional promotion of the event is called for. While Buster Lewis will no longer be running the show he has agreed to help us through the process and will generously share his notes and experience.
This is YOUR ball and it needs your support to be successful. The non-committee would love to hear what you think about the ball, what should or shouldn't be changed. Share your ideas with any of the following people, or an Executive Committee member: Carol Atwood, Brenda Baird, Bev Bowring, Barbara Burks, Nancy Conner, Lois Farmer, Laura Jarvis, Cindy Morton, Pam Moskal, Lucy Turner, Terry Whitmore, Sandra Worthy.
And a reminder -- Keep your eyes open for bargains while on vacation! The Silent Auction will be here before you know it . . .
Closing Hunt
A good sized field showed up for our closing hunt in spite of the rumored mud and informal attire. Yes, we did find some mud. Apparently the hounds found some good scents to make happy noise about, too. We ended up doing the same loop (Reulein's to the pipe trail) at least twice, and at varying speeds. The breakfast-cookout afterwards was enjoyed by a good sized crowd of 50 or so. The weather could not have been nicer for grilling and gossiping. Although the timing is off to be lecturing on this topic, it sure is hard to cook for 36 when 50 show up!! Or, Please Make Reservations!
Hound Report
A flyer is enclosed for the sixth annual Rockbridge/Glenmore Derby Day Hound Show (and party!) on Saturday, May 5th at Montafon Farm, Glasgow VA. This year we're going to try a hound race - it should be interesting! Everyone is welcome to attend the hound show and the party. Please make reservations with Carol Atwood on or before May 2. Carol Atwood and Lois Farmer are planning the party and there's been talk of various Kentucky delicacies appearing. If you'd like to assist with food or mint juleps or the betting parlor, they could use some help. If you'd like to help get hounds ready for the show, call Cindy Morton (540-463-6025 or 540-463-8109).
Rockbridge Waffle has 5 black-and-white puppies, one female and four males. The sire of the litter is Rockbridge Cowboy, the last remaining relative of Rockbridge Chester. They seem to have Chester's coloration and we'll hope they've got some of his reliable hunting qualities. David has been talking about breaking with tradition in naming this litter and not using "W" since we already have a good number of W hounds but is considering 5 C's instead.
Waffle's litter from last year has been hunting occasionally this year and doing fine. Woody, Whistle, Wishbone, and Whisper have managed not to get into any dramatic trouble, which is a good way to start. They haven't had much opportunity to really show their stuff but they're doing all the right things. Their best opportunity to get in on a chase was a terribly windy day and the back part of the pack never had a chance to get caught up and in on the action. With as little game as we've seen this year it simply takes awhile for young hounds to learn their jobs.
MFHA Subscribing Membership
In the past, only the Masters from each recognized hunt club were eligible for membership in the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA). The directors of the MFHA have recently decided to add a Subscribing Member category for all foxhunters. Their excellent publication, Covertside, will only be sent to Subscribing Members. That alone makes parting with your money worthwhile.
In addition, the MFHA has been working to protect our sport from attacks by animal rights organizations. Legislation that has been introduced in various states is specifically designed to outlaw all hunting and fishing and trapping. Foxhunting is quite different from most other kinds of hunting but it's important to remember that the goal of all animal rights organizations is a petless, meatless society. Animal rights groups are not animal welfare organizations, they are political groups advocating an end to all human-animal interaction. They oppose the use of animals in medical research and they equate pet ownership with slavery.
Simply monitoring legislation and government organizations for signs of animal rights propaganda is a costly undertaking. The MFHA is the only national organization representing our sport and the Subscribing Membership is one way to raise funds. It makes sense for everyone in the foxhunting community to support the MFHA's efforts.
More information is available on the MFHA website. The membership form is also available for printing or you can signup online.
Virginia Hunt Week 2001
Mark your calendars - VHW will take place during the week of October 13-21. The 'week' may get stretched a little with kickoff activities on Friday. If you can participate it's definitely worthwhile. You're guaranteed to get a lot of riding in for the bucks! You can add Casanova Hunt and Deep Run Hunt to the list and most of the hunt clubs that participated last year will return. The schedule is being designed with travel in mind, moving from north to south through the state. That should make things a little easier for everyone. Motel and stabling reservations should be made as soon as possible and that information will be available soon. Look at your calendar now and figure out when to start getting your horse(s) fit and when to schedule shoeing and clipping and mane pulling and all that other fun stuff.
Misc
One of our guests sent this to me paraphrased poem via e-mail after she got permission for another cap after this particular ride. You might recognize the original poem.
'Twas the night before Hunt Day, when all through the stable
Not a creature was stirring - they said they weren't able.
The tack was all packed in the trailer with care
In hopes that Hunt Day soon would be there.
The barn cat was nestled all snug in her bed
While visions of fat mice danced in her head.
My friend in her 'kerchief had asked me to cap!
I just couldn't sleep - could not even nap!
She loaned me a hunter, a fine fiery steed
With twelve forward gears and plenty of speed.
When down in my gut there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my truck to see what was the matter.
Away to the bushes I flew like a flash,
Tore open my vest and threw up my hash!
The hounds on the crest of the mountain ahead
Soon gave me to know I had something to dread.
The horses began to bellow and neigh,
The Huntsman bellowed "Get out the way!"
More rapid than eagles the coursers they came,
Riders whistled and shouted and called them by name:
On Hannah! On Gleason! On Christian and Brewtus!
We can't let that crafty old fox elude us!
To the top of the coop! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
With the help of my horse by gosh, so did I!
My saddle was new and slick as a whistle
And out I flew like the down of a thistle.
I tucked and rolled, drawn up like a bow
With the skin on my face as white as the snow.
I was SO glad the irons had just missed my teeth
While stars encircled my head like a wreath.
I spoke not a word, but went right back to work
And the horse began thinking "I'll fix this jerk!"
Then with a buck he had raised to an art
I dismounted again like a dorky yard dart.
I couldn't stay mounted, and oh, what a pity!
I was the whole Entertainment Committee.
I heard them exclaim as they rode out of sight,
"Thanks for the view! And to all a good night!"
JTThank you again! Jean Taylor
Executive Committee:
Jt-MFH: David Bolen
Jt-MFH: Cindy Morton, 463-6025
President: W. A. Whitlock
Treasurer: Katharine Conner
Honorary Secretary: Erica Jones
Steward: Carol Atwood
Steward: Fred Burks
Steward: Kathy Eichelberger
Steward: Lauren Keating
Newsletter Committee:
Blair Jones, Abjones@vt.edu
Erica Jones, Emjones@vt.edu
Cindy Morton, mortonc@wlu.edu
Rockbridge Hunt
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