I don’t think anyone enjoys filling out forms but it really is useful for the Treasurer and Secretary to have accurate information on membership status. Please do fill out the enclosed membership form and return it promptly. You are not required to send in dues at this time (although it is customary to pay some portion of your dues by the opening of the formal season). Returning the form simply indicates what your intentions are regarding membership for this year. It’s also an important step in keeping our mailing list up to date. Paperwork
If you aren’t sure what your membership status will be this year, or if you’d like some clarification on the various kinds of memberships, please call one of the following and let them know about your situation: Treasurer, Blair Jones (544-7359); President, Carol Atwood (463-1000); or Master, Cindy Morton (463-6025). Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Return this enclosed annual membership form to: Mr. A. B. Jones, III, Rt. 1 Box 272 Newport VA 24128-9612.
Let’s have a review of all the paperwork involved in membership in Rockbridge Hunt. There are a few other items in addition to the annual membership form described above. More paperwork
On the reverse of the annual membership form is a waiver. This is a vital element in the continuing operation of Rockbridge Hunt. It’s important to the insurance company and we want to keep them happy. It’s important to the landowners who generously allow us to use their property. Every hunt member ought to sign a waiver! Members who don’t ride are quite likely to participate in various social functions, which also require insurance. Please read the waiver, sign it, and return it promptly. When you sign it you are stating that you have read the waiver. Please do so!
Riders who participate in any horse-related functions sponsored by Rockbridge Hunt should have a current, negative Coggins test for their horses. This is required by state law. The pertinent passage is as follows: "All horses assembled at a show, fair, race meet, or other such function in Virginia, must be accompanied by a report of an official negative test for equine infectious anemia conducted within 12 months prior to such event. The person in charge will ensure that a copy of the official negative test results accompanies each horse in the event, and shall make such reports available for inspection by a representative of the State Veterinarian upon request. The person in charge shall exclude any horse which is not accompanied by a negative test report.”
So, according to state law Rockbridge Hunt must verify that all horses assembling have a current, negative Coggins test. It will probably be easier for everyone if you submit a copy of the Coggins report for each hunting horse to the Secretary, Judy Mundy or to the Treasurer, Blair Jones. It’s not easy to keep track of these things. Everyone has Coggins tests drawn at different times of year and which horses an individual brings hunting can change. Still, we’ve got to make an effort – it’s the law and it’s important to our landowners. Your cooperation will go a long way toward getting the job done.
Last but not least in the list of required paperwork is a hunting license. Again, this is required by state law. License fees are collected by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) and the money is used for education and for conservation. The fact that wildlife populations are thriving in the state of Virginia is largely due to the conservation efforts of hunters working with the VDGIF. Although Rockbridge Hunt is not required to check whether participants have the appropriate license we would strongly encourage riding members to buy a license. It is possible that a game warden could check for licenses at any meet. Violators may be issued citations (tickets) and fined. Needless to say, this is personally embarrassing and gives the hunt club a black eye – not good landowner relations!
You will need a small game license. You can buy these at most stores that sell ammunition or check in game. You can buy a license at Walmart! You can buy a license online (http://www.dgif.state.va.us/hunting/regulations/getting_a_license.html). It’s cheap (around $12) and it’s easy. There’s no excuse for not having a license.
You should probably get a license for the entire state instead of one for the county. Normally, when anyone wants to buy any Virginia hunting license, he or she is required to take the hunter safety course. This is a short course (three or four evenings) and if you have the time and interest, it’s well worth taking. However, the hunter safety course is not required for foxhunt followers! If the clerk at the store seems unaware of this, it’s in the annual regulation book which each hunter is supposed to be given with his license. This is a useful little book listing the dates for the season for each type of game, among other things.
Your hunting license should be carried with you while hunting. You might get a thin plastic card holder and keep it in your hunting hat or coat pocket. Technically, even nonmounted followers should have a license. Even guests who are capping should have a license. Since the hunt club is not legally responsible for hunting licenses, this is up to each individual. Keep in mind that it’s a very small amount of money, the money is used for a good cause, the license is easily available, and being in violation of the law is never a good policy.
Paperwork is tedious but necessary. Your cooperation is appreciated.
This seems like a good time and place for a brief explanation about initiation fees. Rockbridge Hunt levies a one-time initiation fee at the start of every hunting membership (both single and family). This is justified by the fact that Rockbridge Hunt owns considerable assets. Those members who have a voting interest in the club are acquiring some control of those assets through their vote. Initiation Fee
Single and Family Hunting members have voting privileges and are required to pay a one-time initiation fee. Social and Student and School members do not have voting privileges and are not required to pay an initiation fee. If a nonvoting member requests a change in status to a hunting membership, and if that application is approved, they will then owe an initiation fee. Landowner members have voting privileges but are not required to pay an initiation fee. If you have any questions about this policy, please talk to a member of the Executive Committee.
Hunting members (single) shall have full hunting privileges and voting privileges for the one individual named on the membership. Membership Categories
Hunting members (family) shall have full hunting privileges for two married adults and their immediate family, including children eighteen years of age and younger, and voting privileges for one membership (one vote).
Social members shall have all social privileges. Social members do not have voting privileges or riding privileges or hunting privileges. The number of social members shall not constitute more than twenty percent of the total membership.
Student members shall have hunting privileges and riding privileges but not voting privileges.
Landowner members are any landowners not included in the 709 acres of Hunt, Inc. who grant Rockbridge Hunt's request for permission to conduct organized activities on their land. They are considered full hunting members (family) with hunting and voting privileges (one vote).
PC member:Any child who is a member of the Rockbridge Hunt Pony Club and approved to hunt may cap without fee.
Honorary members "shall be exempt from fees and assessments. They shall have no interest in Rockbridge Hunt's property, but may have the right to vote." Honorary members have hunting privileges.
School membership is available to any college with a recognized riding program, at the discretion of the Executive Committee. This membership will be limited to one supervisor and a maximum of eight students on any designated hunt. School members do not have voting privileges.
Owners in Hunt, Incorporated are entitled to social membership without fee. If they apply and if riding membership is extended to them, they will receive a discount equivalent to the fee for a social membership.
Hunting privileges include: the right to foxhunt with Rockbridge Hunt, all riding privileges, and all social privileges. Privileges of Membership
Riding privileges include: limited use of the riding ring at Rockbridge Hunt's property, the use of the riding trails on Rockbridge Hunt's property, and the use of the trails on the Hunt, Inc. common property.
Voting privileges include: the right to cast one vote at Rockbridge Hunt's meetings of the general membership, either in person or by designated proxy.
Social privileges include: an invitation to all of Rockbridge Hunt's social functions and any events to which the general membership is invited (the annual Hunt Ball, hunt breakfasts, the biennial Derby Day Hound Show, the annual Horse Show, etc.), and the use of the Tex Tilson Lodge and surrounding grounds (by reservation and for a small fee).
Work days are approaching rapidly and maybe already here by the time I get this mailed out. If you can not make it in a physical sense, you are more than welcome to donate $50 or more to Rockbridge Hunt to purchase a gate to install beside one of the panels. Some of the existing gates are quite difficult to work. There really should not be any gates in our territory that require folks to dismount from their ponies. Getting off your mount out hunting when others are moving around can cause major trouble. Work Days
We will also organize some trail trimming sessions throughout the summer. Check your email and the hunt line BEFORE YOU COME (540-462-1113). As usual, if you want to work on a section of trail at your own pace, on your own schedule, notify Cindy Morton. If you know of a particular section that annoys you, tell us and have at it. If you need ideas, we can supply them too.
Saturday, August 7 at 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM at Montafon Farm
Sunday, August 15 at 2:00 PM at Broadview
Sunday, August 22 at 2:00 PM at Hunt Inc.
Sunday, August 29 at 2:00 PM at West Airslie
Rockbridge Hunt is selling beautiful “Virginia” cups engraved with our very own logo (the fox head graphic); the words “Rockbrige Hunt” are engraved beneath the logo. The rims are rounded with some more engraving directly below the rim and there are two descrete ridges above the base. The cost for each 12 oz. pewter cup is $30, with the Hunt making a small profit. These cups make GREAT gifts (Father's Day, birthdays, thank-you gifts, hostess/host gifts, etc.) Each household needs a cup or two! Gift Ideas
So, support the Rockbridge Hunt by purchasing your Virginia cup today! To order, call Pam Moskal at (540) 989-3182 or e-mail her at swert22@cox.net
Rockbridge Hunt really needs your volunteer help. Too few folks are doing too many tasks and those few folks DO tend to get a bit frazzled. You may think that you are already ON some of these committees, but everyone who might be interested needs to know who is doing what. Carol Atwood is planning on doing some phone calling later in August to see who would like to serve on what committee. Committees
Carol Atwood would like to form these committees: Virginia Hunt Week, Fall Hunter Pace, Spring (2005!) Hunter Pace, Hunt Ball, Horse Show, Lodge, Membership Party, Newsletter, Trails & Paneling, and last but not least, the wildly misnamed “Kitchen” committee.
The Rockbridge Hunt meet during Virginia Hunt Week will require organizing a breakfast along with places to sit and something to drink. Any other frills like entertainment, etc etc are nice but not necessary. See below for more details. Fred Burks is heading this committee. Hunter pace committees offer a wilder range of activities. There may be food, but also a brochure, advertising, trail marking, trail DE-marking, and finding volunteers for the day of to do timing, secretarial sign up, parking sometimes, and stocking the required stop along the pace. You can also need gate-sitters depending on where the pace is held. Where it is held is up to the committee planning it.
Hunt ball I know the least about but would assume you’d discuss bands, menues and the silent auction.
The kitchen committee really has several functions which can be divided up into organzing post regular hunt breakfasts, tailgates and coolers. Hunt breakfasts and tailgates can be as simple or glorious as you want to do. I will say from experience though; people that have been outside riding horses are very easy to please when it comes to a menu. Tailgates in the past have mostly consisted of salty junk foods (I’m not complaining, mind you!) and fluids although batches of ham biscuits have show up in the past too. Hunt breakfasts have gotten done by multiple means. Some years the committee simply drafts one person to do all the organizing for that one hunt. Other years the committee members taken on to do way too much of the work themselves; in any case, cooking ability is not necessarily a prerequisite.
Trails and paneling folks can come in a variety of shapes but a willingness to perform potential grubby manual labor is a plus. Obviously this has to be planned with the staff to see where the problems are. Could also require some volunteer “drafting”.
The horse show has been for the past 20 years or so a show sanctioned by the local hunter/ jumper folks, SWVHJA. Years ago it was more of a fun show and has happened at Viola Wise’s farm eons ago, and in our very own ring in the less distant past. The two local venues have been Fancy Hill Farm and Hollins University but this is not cast in stone, either.
The Lodge Committee has been for the past year a committee of one, Leon Jarvis. General duties include keeping track of lodge rentals, arranging for the cleaning, and that pesky but very important job, stocking paper goods. If anyone has a line on commercial volumes of paper wear, please let us know!
The newsletter committee is currently staffed by Blair and Erica Jones and Cindy Morton, but certainly help is always welcome. What is particularly helpful is SUBMISSIONS. This is a hint.
If you don’t want to get put on the spot, call Cindy or Carol and pick your slot now.
Sunday, September 12th 2pm - Foxhunting 201 (unmounted) Some Special Fall Events
Remember to check the Hunt Line
More advanced topics for people who have been hunting. Possible topics include the Huntsman's horn calls, the roles of individual hounds within the pack, how our territory affects our hunting. If you have other suggestions, let Cindy Morton or Carol Atwood know. We'll trek down to the kennels to see and discuss specific hounds, so expect to get hound paw prints on your clothes. Bring comfortable shoes! We'll also have first-aid instruction by Anne Howard. (Thanks, Anne!)Saturday, September 18 th - Introductory Meet – 8 AM!!! (it still can be quite hot this time of year).
Designed to introduce prospective members to foxhunting in general and to Rockbridge Hunt. There is no capping fee for this day. Plan to devote most of your attention to our guests and not so much to the hunting. A good first impression is irreplaceable. If you want to bring a prospective member, great! If you're not sure their riding skills are sufficient, please talk to the MFH or someone on the Executive Committee or the Staff.Sunday, October 3rd - Membership Party (potluck). Start time not yet established.
This will be our 2004 substitute for the late, lamented Master's Party. If you know of prospective members who ought to be invited, please notify Carol Atwood. See more information below.Sunday, October 17 th - Virginia Hunt Week at Rockbridge Hunt
to be held at Montafon Farm. Virginia Hunt Week is an invaluable opportunity for Rockbridge Hunt to show foxhunters from around the country what a great organization this is. We need lots of help. There will be setup the day before the meet. If you won't be hunting at the meet, please consider volunteering. Fred Burks is heading the committee to coordinate this event. We definitely need non-riding hosts for check-in, stirrup cup, foxhunters who come in early, and at the breakfast. REMINDER - no capping is allowed at this meet.September 17 th – October 18th Junior North American Field Hunter Championship
This will take place over 6 days of hunting between these two dates. There will be judging of first flight and hilltopping entries each day. At any of the six days, juniors can qualify for the finals. Cost to each entry for six days of hunting is fifty dollars. Adults who wish to hunt at these meets will be capped according to each hunt. For more information, contact Cindy Morton, MFH.Saturday, November 6 th - Opening Meet
This is a joint meet with Glenmore Hunt, followed by a breakfast. I know the Kitchen Committee, when it forms, will be looking for help with the breakfast.
On Sunday, October 3, time to be announced later, we will have a party for our membership and friends. This will be an informal potluck so either plan to show off your culinary skills to take a trip to your favorite grocery, deli, what have you. There are 2 refrigerators in the lodge, 2 large ovens, and a fairly small range top, and a fairly slow microwave. Label any dishes you want returned, please. Eating utensils and plates will be supplied. Membership Party
Tables will be set up around the room for any pictures and/or memorabilia of our hunt you might have in your possession. Please search your scrapbooks and closets for any pictures, mailings, horse show ribbons etc you might want to bring for everyone to enjoy. Of course, all items will be returned. We do have some wonderful old pictures and 8 mm movies but are hoping to expand the display. Contact Carol Atwood.
The Rockbridge Hunt gets its insurance through the MFHA. The cost of insurance is based on our estimate of how many people will participate in the traditional hunting-related activities such as hunting, trail clearing, hunter paces, trail rides, educational programs. This is one reason it is important to sign in at all hunts. The Hunt Ball is covered under this policy without us having to pay insurance on each attendee. The cost to us is approximately $16 per person, whether that person hunts one or every hunt. Hunt Insurance
If you think there is any possibility of needing copies of the waiver (as in bringing a guest) it's available in the Archive section of the website. Or go directly to the waiver at http://home.wlu.edu/~mortonc/archive/archive/waiver.pdf . This is a hint; have all your paperwork done before you show up. Paper Stuff
Before you bring juniors to any Rockbridge Hunt event, their parent(s) or guardian(s) MUST sign a waiver. It would be prudent and courteous to give a copy of the waiver to adult guests so that they have time to actually read it before they sign it.
And please help the field secretary and the treasurer by having cap fees presented in an envelope with the date, name of the host, and names of the guests inscribed. This helps squelch heated discussions 2 weeks later about who was actually hunting on a certain day. Also, our insurance is based on who actually hunts, and for each person who is not a hunt, we owe insurance on them.
There are directions to Rockbridge Hunt fixtures included in this newsletter and they are also “posted” on our web site. The directions to the Rockbridge Hunt fixtures have been field tested for a number of years, and are pretty accurate. Directions to other locations have been accumulated from various mailings and there are no guarantees that they are correct! This page is not linked from anywhere and it will remain that way for the foreseeable future. The URL is: http://home.wlu.edu/~mortonc/archive/archive/directions.html
Hunter Optimum 1st Susan Bailey and Laura Arnold; 2nd Pam Moskal and Shelby Bingham; 3rd Terry Whitmore and Sandra Worthy; 4th Louise Golian and Kim Volpe; 5th Lili Wykle and Kate Fairfield; 6th Abby Gurewitz and John Brister. Spring Hunter Pace Results
Hilltopper 1st John Guthrie, Amy Guthrie, Kathy Eichelberger; 2nd JoAnn Sprinkle, Eve Worthington, Anne Howard; 3 TIE - Barb Debevoise & Debra Maddux tied with Cate Sprinkle & Kathy Munsey; 4th Wesley Shepherd and Kara Aulbach; 5th Alberta Dodson and Eileen Shuman; 6th Ramsay
Trail 1st Fran Rowe and Barbara Rowe; 2nd Jessica Joyce and Sarah McIntosh; 3rd Beth Huntley and Erin Foster; 4th Virginia Paulk and Karen Lanning; 5th Mary Jane Morgan and Kim Lawrence; 6th Jenny Lamb and Kim Ellis
Don’t forget - Glenmore summer hunter pace is Sunday August 22. Rain date August 29th.
Rockbridge Hunt members are asked to keep in mind the fact that all of the land we hunt on is privately owned. Rockbridge Hunt has an unusual arrangement with Hunt Inc. – Rockbridge Hunt owns land in Hunt, Inc. and is entitled to use the commonly-held property within Hunt, Inc. Rockbridge Hunt has limited rights to HUNT on the on other property within Hunt, Inc. but that does not entitle members to ride on the private property within Hunt, Inc. If you are like me and a good number of other members, you might not have a clue what part is the Hunt Inc. “commons” and what parts are not (and there are lots within Hunt Inc. without any dwellings on them). Then there is the issue of adjoining privately owned property. The upshot of all this, is that you absolutely need to get permission to ride on private property which happens to be in hunt territory. If you don’t know where the boundary lines are, you need to either ride with someone who does, or find somewhere else to go. Please! Riding on private property
Every year Rockbridge Hunt offers a Working Hunter Championship at the June hunter show. This class is in honor of the Hollins University Riding Department and sponsored by Kathleen Nowacki-Correia, Class of 1975. The trophy is the George P.Moore, Jr. Perpetual Trophy donated by Kathleen Nowacki-Correia and Ray-Eric Correia. For 2004, the champion was Avalon, owned and ridden by Alison Noe. The reserve horse was Boom Boom La Tush owned by Oak Manor Farm June Hunter Show Results
Friday, October 15 - Kickoff Party Virginia Hunt Week
Saturday, October 16 - Glenmore Hunt
Sunday, October 17 - Rockbridge Hunt
Monday, October 18 - Bedford County Hunt
Tuesday, October 19 - Casanova Hunt
Wednesday, October 20 - Rappahannock Hunt
Thursday, October 21 - Bull Run Hunt
Friday, October 22 - Old Dominion Hounds
Saturday, October 23 - Commonwealth Fox Hounds
Sunday, October 24 - Oak Ridge Fox Hunt
Monday, October 25 - Middlebrook Hounds
Tuesday, October 26 - Farmington Hunt
Wednesday, October 27 - Keswick Hunt
Thursday, October 28 - Deep Run Hunt
Friday, October 29 - Colonial Fox Hounds
Saturday, October 30 - Princess Anne Hunt
Sunday, October 31 - Reedy Creek Hounds
President Carol Atwood called the meeting to order. Minutes of the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Rockbridge Hunt
The secretary, Blair Jones, read 19 proxy declarations and the president declared a quorum.
A motion was made to accept the minutes of the May 2003 meeting as printed in the April 2004 newsletter. Seconded and passed.
The budget and finances of the preceding 12 months was discussed.
The master's report was read by Carol as Ms Morton was unable to attend. Cindy reported a normal year with about 50 times out hunting, about 10 canceled, and about 20 members on average per meet.
The huntsman, upon request for a hound report, declared that we have a kennel with hounds.
There was a brief discussion of the MFHA seminar attended by Gene Clapsaddle, Nancy and David Conner, and Cindy Morton.
Carol requested any old business be brought before the members. There was no old business discussed.
New business began with the report from the nominating committee:
President - Carol Atwood, Treasurer - Blair Jones, Secretary - Judy Mundy, MFH - Cindy Morton
Nominations were opened from the floor. Frank Farmer motioned to close nominations. Seconded and passed. Motion was made to elect the proposed slate listed above. Seconded and passed.
The budget proposed for June 1, 2004 to May 31, 2005 was discussed. The "huntsman's house" is rented for $775 per month. The dues for single hunting member will be increased 6% to $520. Family dues are $620. All other dues are based on the single hunting member as laid out in the by-laws. Motion to adopt the proposed budget was seconded and passed.
Richard Ford made a motion that future proposed budgets be published in the newsletter prior to the May membership meeting. The motion was seconded and passed. Brenda Simmons made a motion that the budget not be posted on the internet. The motion was seconded and passed.
Carol announced that Rockbridge Hunt would probably host Virginia Hunt Week on a weekend and hold the meet as the formal Opening Hunt. {Editors note: Opening meet will not be during VHW.] As part of VHW no capping would be permitted.
Carol announced a pot-luck "member's party" is being planned for probably September. [Editors note: is currently scheduled for October 3rd (Sunday)].
Carol called for any other new business to be announced. There was none. A motion to adjourn was seconded and passed.
For sale: 1988 Chevy “Chenanne” 2500 4x4 v8. Two hitches. Newish (blue) paint; new tires (ie 4 of them). Bed liner. 114,000 careful miles. $3,000 Diane Long 540-473-3151 Classified Ads
Live where you foxhunt: For Sale by Owner: "Fox Hill" - Lot #2, consisting of 20.36 acres at The Hunt, Inc. and offering riding access to +450 acres of Common Land in 709-acre equestrian conservancy that includes the Rockbridge Hunt. Qualified riders hunt for half the membership fee. Ag-Forestal district, abundant wildlife, beautiful views, low taxes, convenient seclusion. Minutes to Fancy Hill Farm, local hunt meets, Va. Horse Center, Lexington. Fifty minutes to Roanoke. $220,000. Shown by appointment. Call Kathleen 463-5510.
No time to hunt? If you’ve been a member of Rockbridge Hunt in the past but you’re not sure you’ll have time to hunt this year, consider starting the year by capping. You may come and cap three times during the year. Pay the capping fee each time you come. If you decide to renew your membership, your capping fees will be counted toward your dues. Bits & Pieces
The Hunt does need the income of a regular dues-paying membership but it’s obvious that individual situations change. Capping allows for some flexibility and can simplify the record-keeping. Once you commit to hunting, there is no policy for refunding dues.
Ready to hunt? Make sure your dues for last year (2003-2004) have been paid in full! Returning members may not hunt this year (2004-2005) until last year’s dues have been paid. Get your hunting license, sign and return a waiver for the current year (coming soon), and send a copy of the relevant Coggins tests with the waiver.
Membership roster is available. Blair Jones (current treasurer, former secretary) has a few print copies of last year’s membership roster available. He can also easily email it to anyone who needs a copy. Blair’s home phone is 540-544-7359 and his email is abjones@vt.edu.
Trail clearing has definitely begun. Every summer Gary Ruley does considerable work around Hunt, Inc. and Broadview, as do Joe and Katharine Conner. Dick Ford and Pete Holladay use their tractors to mow in places around the Hunt, Inc. property. Fred Burks does a tremendous amount of work in the territory around Montafon Farm. Please remember that when you hunt on a trail that’s in good condition, it’s likely that your fellow Hunt members did the work for you.
Feed bag labels. We are still collecting the proofs of purchase from bags of Southern States feeds. Cindy Morton is collecting these and mailing them in. We get cash in return which we have generally used for paneling
Executive Committee
MFH: Cindy Morton, 463-6025 (mortonc@wlu.edu)
President: Carol Atwood (cftatwood@yahoo.com)
Treasurer: Blair Jones (abjones@vt.edu)
Secretary: Judy Mundy (jmundy@bcps.k12.va.us)
Steward: Fred Burks (montafon@cfw.com)
Steward: Kathy Eichelberger (bergrbnch@aol.com)
Steward: Paula Ursoy (millcreekfarm@rbnet.com)
Steward: Sandra Worthy (sworthy@millerlong.com)
Newsletter Committee:
Blair Jones, Abjones@vt.edu
Erica Jones, Emjones@vt.edu
Cindy Morton, mortonc@wlu.edu
Rockbridge Hunt
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