Summer Trail Rides
Fred Burks has invited us to trail ride at Montafon Farm on Saturday, July 15. The ride will be followed by a potluck supper. Drinks and "set-ups" will be provided. Bring a dish to share! Plan to be on your horse and ready to ride at 5:00 PM. As usual, check the hunt line: 540-462-1113.
End of Summer Trail Ride & Potluck
This is a new event for Rockbridge Hunt and it should be a lot of fun. Gerri Wenz and Robert Wicklund have generously offered to host this ride at Windward Farm. All the local hunt clubs have been invited: Bedford County Hunt, Glenmore Hunt, Middlebrook Hounds, Oak Ridge Fox Hunt, Smith Mountain Hounds, and Stonewall Hounds.
The ride will be a led trail ride with several groups going out at different speeds. Different trails may be used to allow for different fitness levels. One group will start a bit later than the rest for those who want a short, easy ride.
The ride will be followed by a potluck meal. Please bring a dish to share and bring a chair! Rockbridge Hunt will provide cold drinks and the "set-ups" (buffet tables, plates, napkins, etc).
If possible, please RSVP, as below. Since it's potluck, accuracy isn't crucial but it would be nice to have a rough idea how many people to expect. We will probably be able to accommodate additional guests. If you wish to bring nonmembers, and especially anyone who has not hunted, please let me know. This would be a good opportunity to introduce prospective members.
For more information and to RSVP, contact Cindy Morton. Home, 540-463-6025. Office, 540-458-8109. Email, mortonc@wlu.edu
As usual, check the hunt line: 540-462-1113.
What: HUNT SEASON KICK-OFF PIG ROAST
When: Sunday, September 17, 5 pm
Where: Hunt Lodge
Questions: Sandra Worthy 540-254-3372 or sworthy@millerlong.com
Invitations will be forthcoming.
Results of the Spring Hunter Pace
Hunter Optimum
1 Cheryl Haas and David Rhodenizer
2 Lynne Gilbert and Kirsten Waters Wise
3 Joanne Norman and Steve Sandberg
4 Kathy Eichelberger and Amy Guthrie
5 Logan Hedrick, Nickee Randolph, & Sara Wood
6 Mitzi Cabeen and Katy SimpsonHilltopper
1 Julie Georges
2 Deborah Caldwell-Bono and Christy Sullenberger
3 Richard Maryman and Jim Burton
4 Janet McElligott and Richard Ford
5 Barbara Debevoise and Sherri Spain
6 Karen Lanning and Kim SobeckTrail
1 Nellie Bierly and John Houser
2 Laura Thurman and Shaun Thurman
3 Jacque Battle
4 Kay Frye and Susan Pettijohn
5 Mary Ward
6 Elizabeth Gathright and Gretchen RobbFrank passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 13, 2006 after a lengthy illness. He was born in Roanoke on September 11, 1932. He attended Virginia Episcopal School and was a 1955 graduate of Virginia Military Institute. Frank was a successful business man, and in 1997 he retired as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Roanoke Gas Company. He was an active board member of many organizations in the Roanoke Valley including Downtown Roanoke, the Roanoke Symphony, the Salvation Army, Junior Achievement, and the Roanoke Area Chamber of Commerce.
For many years Mr. Farmer took great pleasure in raising and riding fine sport horses and many riders in the hunting, showing and endurance riding worlds learned their sport and obtained their horses from Frank Farmer. He was viewed as a role model, teacher, and icon in these communities for his willingness to introduce and share his knowledge and experience with new people to these sports. Mr. Farmer rode saddle horses as a child and young man and then transitioned to fox hunting and endurance riding. He actively hunted with the Rockbridge Hunt for over 30 years, was a Past President and Officer of the Hunt, and was always a standard in the hunt field until he became ill last year.
Mr. Farmer was also a long-time member and past board member of the American Endurance Ride Conference, the Virginia Trail Riders Association, the Eastern Competitive Trail Riding Association, and the North American Trail Riders Conference. He rode thousands of miles of endurance and competitive trail riding, coast-to-coast, border-to-border, accompanied by a great number of local and regional area trail riders, who sorely miss his perseverance, vast knowledge of trail systems in the Commonwealth, and his uncanny sense of direction. His accomplishments in endurance are many, including multiple completions of such one-day-100-mile rides as the Western States Trail 100 (Tevis) in California, the Old Dominion 100 in Virginia, and the Race of Champions 100 in Colorado and South Dakota. He won the Florida Cup, the highest honor in eastern competitive trail riding, several times and typically won his division in any three-day-100-mile ride he entered. He especially enjoyed the Virginia 3-Day 100 at the Homestead in Hot Springs and the Biltmore 3-Day 100 in Asheville, North Carolina. He took exceptional pride in having bred horses that competed and medaled in the 1999 and 2001 Pan American Endurance Championships; horses that competed in international 3-day eventing competitions, national equitation finals and were long-listed for the 2000 Olympic team; as well as ponies that competed in National Pony Finals and were champions in Pennsylvania and other eastern horse show associations.
Mr. Farmer is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved sister, Betty Farmer Baird, who was his riding partner for many years. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lois Nazzaro Farmer; daughter, Dr. Susan Farmer of Topeka, Kansas; daughter Linda Furches of Oley, Pennsylvania and their families. A memorial service was held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Fincastle on Tuesday, May 16, 2006. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that memorials be made to Fincastle Rescue Squad, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America, or The Rockbridge Hunt. [Many donations have been received by the Rockbridge Hunt. These have been deposited into the Memorial Fund.]
(The above was taken from the obituary in The Roanoke Times, May 14, 2006. )
Memorial Service at Old Dominion Endurance Rides
Frank Farmer was remembered by members and participants of the Old Dominion Endurance Rides on Sunday, June 11, 2006. A dear family friend, Martha Ann Romoser, spoke about Frank's accomplishments and contributions to endurance riding. Martha Ann talked about Frank's endurance riding career, including completions of many 1 day 100 mile rides. She spoke of his generosity in contributing to the sport, including his stint as a member of the board of directors of the American Endurance Ride Conference. In response to her query regarding who had been influenced by Frank, many folks raised their hands. She reminded everyone of Frank's sense of humor, and his delight in good horses.
A VMI cadet was on hand to play several selections on bagpipes, including one of Frank's favorite hymns, "Amazing Grace." Kevin and Brenda Baird released several dozen white doves, which were provided by an OD member, Lisa Greene. As the doves circled to gather and get their bearings, the bagpipes played, and there was silence in the crowd. We thought of Frank's love of life, love of horses and imagined his spirit rising with the beautiful doves. It was a most fitting farewell to a true horseman, who will be missed by many.
(Submitted by Kathy Eichelberger.)
Gymnastics Clinic a Rousing Success!
Diane Long generously hosted a gymnastics clinic at the Rockbridge Hunt property. The entire proceeds were donated to the club. Rave reviews have been heard from virtually all of the participants.
Money was raised, riders had fun with their horses, and everyone learned something in the process. Sounds like a great day.
Rockbridge Hunt
Spring Hunter Trials
Sunday, April 2, 2006Rockbridge Hunt
Ball and Silent Auction
Saturday, March 18, 2006Rockbridge Hunt
Spring Hunter Pace
Saturday, May 13, 2006Expenses Expenses Expenses Awards 100 Decorations 675 Awards 87 Facilities 68 Entertainment 1,125 Food 121 Food 0 Food & Facilities 6,657 Supplies 50 Postage 117 Postage 271 Income Staff 125 Printing 433 Entries 1,660 Supplies/Copies 74 Income Profit 1,402 Income Receipts 5,850 Entries 975 Silent Auction 4,253 Profit 491 Profit 942 Rockbridge Clever has 10 puppies, born on May 31. I probably don't need to mention that they're adorable. Clever is by Rockbridge Cowboy 1993, out of Rockbridge Waffle 1997. Like most of our pack, Clever is a crossbred hound, with bloodlines from Ben Hardaway's Midland Foxhounds predominating. (The term “crossbred hounds” means that they're a cross of American hounds and English hounds.)
The sire of this litter is Rappahannock Kagney, another crossbred hound. His sire was Midland Able 1997, who is half English. Kagney's dam was Piedmont Kelsey 1996, who is also half English. In most of our hounds, the American proportion far outweighs the English so it will be interesting to see how these pups progress.
The pups all doing fine and are eating real food very well. They've just been weaned and will soon move into their own run in the kennels. Did I mention that they're adorable?
We have one litter of unentered hounds and they'll start hunting this fall. Several in this litter are quite attractive. They're by Rockbridge Tot 2001, out of Rockbridge Turkish 2002. Turkish is a pretty hound with a slightly more American look. She was the only Rockbridge hound to place in the show portion of the Hound Performance Trials that we attended in March 2005. More important, she's a good hunting hound – honest and hard-working. We hope for the same from her pups.
David Conner and his staff (primarily Katharine Conner) have put in a lot of extra time this summer getting these hounds trained and walking out with the pack. In reality, they'll be in training throughout the hunting season.
Please don't speak to hounds in the hunt field. Try to give hounds the right of way – if your horse will stand still that's usually all it takes -- but if hounds hang back, just ignore them and move on. It's most likely that they'll follow along.
(Submitted by Cindy Morton.)
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Rockbridge Hunt
May 10, 2006Cindy Morton, MFH, called the meeting to order. Proxies were read and Cindy declared a quorum.
Old Business
Minutes – Judy Mundy, secretary, read the minutes of the May 2005 annual meeting. A motion was made to accept the minutes. Seconded and passed.Treasurer's Report – Blair Jones, treasurer, explained the budget and finances of the past year. We did not make as much but we did not spend as much.
Master's Report – We had an uneven hunting season with not enough game. Hunting went smoothly, though. Cindy thanked the staff and huntsman for their hard work. According to the MFHA, David Conner started as huntsman at Rockbridge Hunt in the middle of 1977.
Huntsman's Report – Huntsman, David Conner, said we have dogs. The barn roof leaks in the same places. We have one litter of 5 month olds and one bred to a Rappahannock dog. Rappahannock Lisa is still here and may possibly be bred. We are down to 27 adult hounds.
Review of Last Year's Events – Cindy reported on the horse show, trail rides, work sessions, the education program, the hunter trials, the hunt ball and the landowners luncheon. Everything went well last year. Cindy thanked Blair and Erica for doing the newsletter.
New Business
Elections – The slate from the nominating committee was: MFH – Cindy Morton, President – Carol Atwood, Secretary – Laura Jarvis, Treasurer – Blair Jones. There were no nominations from the floor. Nominations were closed. Seconded and passed. A motion was made to elect the proposed slate. Seconded and passed.New Proposed Budget - Blair read the proposed budget. We are still expecting money from Hunt Week. There was a motion to accept the proposed budget. Seconded and passed.
Fundraiser – Barbara Rowe suggested selling embroidered saddle pads with the hunt logo.
Upcoming Events
Kick Off Party , Sun. Sept. 17. Sandra Worthy will organize this. The main dish will be catered. Members need to bring side dishes.
Hunter Pace, Sat. May 13.
Gymnastics Clinic, Sun. May 28. Diane Long will teach the lessons.
Horse Show, Sat. June 3. We still need help with the concessions. ( Note – The cheerleaders from James River High School will do the concessions.)A motion to adjourn was seconded and passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Mundy, SecretaryAs set forth in the club's Bylaws, the next annual meeting will take place on the second Wednesday in May. That's Wednesday, May 9, 2007.
Website Update
The Rockbridge Hunt website has moved and is in the process of being overhauled. Thanks to Blair Jones, you'll now find us at rockbridgehunt.org
Do check it out. We've been running a fun “Where is it?” feature. A new picture is added about once a week with a form for viewers to provide the pertinent details – location, occasion, name the people, etc. This is occasionally the opportunity for broad comedy.
We're also updating the online archives. If you'd like to submit photos or if you have old documents relating to the hunt, we'd be glad to have them. Contact Blair Jones, Cindy Morton, or Carol Atwood.
Upcoming Events
August
The End-of-Summer Trail Ride is scheduled for Saturday, August 26.. This is a new event for us and it should be fun. Members of neighboring hunt clubs have been invited to join us for a led trail ride to be followed by a pot-luck supper. We'll split up into several groups covering different trails at different speeds. Rockbridge Hunt will provide the drinks and “set-ups.” For more information, talk to Cindy MortonAlso in August, we have several work sessions scheduled. If everyone can come to at least one session, it's a big help. We need people to cut brush and people to drag the cut brush out of the trail.
Bring any equipment you're willing to run: chain saws, hand saws and loppers are all useful. Occasionally a weed eater or brush mower are handy. A rough truck or ATVs are helpful.
If the schedule for work sessions doesn't suit you, let me know. We can find someone to meet you at a more convenient time or just assign you a piece of trail to work on whenever it's convenient.
Remember -- We can't hunt if we can't get through the trails! Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, and gloves! And check the hunt line!
September
September features an Introduction to Foxhunting program on Sunday, Sept 3. We've invited several Pony Clubs to join us. The current plan is to start at 10:00 AM with the unmounted portion of the program. A brown-bag or potluck lunch is being planned. And we'll have a mounted session in the afternoon. We'll need a few volunteers with quiet horses for a trail ride.Needless to say, cubhunting season starts in September. That's what we're all working toward.
Fixture cards should arrive with the August mailing. In any case, please check the hunt line – 540-462-1113.
A Kick-Off Party will get the hunting season started off right on Sunday, September 17. Sandra Worthy is the main organizer. Feel free to offer assistance.
Mark your calendar for Hunter Trials on Sunday, September 24 at Broadview. The courses continue to change and evolve but these are safe, inviting jumps. It's really a fun day.
If you can make the time, help will be needed to set the courses prior to the Trials. Talk to Carol Atwood or Terry Whitmore.
October
Exact dates for Virginia Hunt Week have not been set yet. It will certainly be during the last two weeks of October. It's likely that Rockbridge Hunt will host our meet on the last weekend in October. Location has not been decided yet. It's likely that the meal will be catered and donations will be most welcome.November
Immediately after Virginia Hunt Week, we've got our Opening Meet on the first weekend in November. “Showtime” will be here before you know it. Glenmore Hunt has been invited for a joint meet and we'll follow tradition with the Blessing of the Hounds.A Fall Hunter Pace is scheduled for Sunday, November 12, probably at Hunt, Inc. This makes three major functions on consecutive weekends (VHW, Opening Meet, and the Hunter Pace). Lots of advance planning and help will be needed.
Volunteers
It takes all the volunteer effort we can muster to put these events together. This schedule is full! The success of these functions is critical to the financial condition of the club. Please try to help out.Contact information for the individuals mentioned is on the front page of this newsletter. Any member of the Executive Committee should be able to provide additional information on most events
Newsletter Committee:
Blair Jones, Abjones@vt.edu
Erica Jones, Emjones@vt.edu
Cindy Morton, mortonc@wlu.edu