Rockbridge Hunt Newsletter, November 2006

The MB (Master of Beagles) at Octorara is Larry Bright. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Beagle Club of America. His picture is in the current Hunt Roster issue of The Chronicle of the Horse. In that issue, there's an entry for each recognized pack of hounds, whether foxhounds, bassets or beagles. And each pack's territory is described briefly. Here's the entry for Octorara Beagles -- "The country is in Floyd, Va., an area of steep hills, deep hollows and thick cover hunted with the kind permission of the local moonshiners." I think we're going to have a fun day!

We're trying to set up a meet in Rockbridge Hunt territory on a Sunday afternoon between Thanksgiving and Christmas. (Their fall calendar is about as full as ours.) And we'll probably plan a tailgate afterward. Keep an eye on the email list and keep checking the hunt line (462-1113).

For more information, ask the MFH, Cindy Morton

See you in the hunt field,

Sandra Worthy

They're planning to come on December 16. However, they regularly hunt on Sunday mornings. If we hunt at 2:30, by the time we finish the breakfast it makes for a very long day for visitors. Keeping in mind the traveling, we'll probably change that meet to 10 or 11 o'clock.

Please check the Hunt Line, 462-1113.

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, Secretary

Rockbridge Hunt has a long, long history of hosting a horse show. It's been held at a variety of locations over the years. When Viola Wise was Master, she hosted the horse show at her farm, Gray Fox. In the 1980s the horse show was held at the Hunt's property in the riding ring.

There have been several times when a hiatus was called and we didn't host an annual horse show. This appears to be another of those times. I'm confident that the horse show will return, in one form or another. In the mean time, we owe Joan our sincere gratitude for her hard work. She has been the Rockbridge Hunt's representative in the horseshow world, virtually single-handed, and she's done it with efficiency, grace, and style.

Needless to say, we also owe a huge debt to Hollins University. They have done more than merely allow the use of their facility; they've provided invaluable help for the enterprise. The staff at Hollins is a class act, through and through.

We challenge you to bring at least one person that has not attended the ball in the past with you this year. Start thinking about items you would like to donate for the silent auction. Remember how much the hunt club and the hounds benefit from the proceeds of this everning!