The 2nd Annual Maury River Hunter Trials was held April 2, 2011, at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. Despite threatening weather, this lovely event attracted over 70 competitors, numerous tailgaters, sponsors, spectators, volunteers and judges to the rolling cross country fields of the Horse Center.

The event is run by the Virginia Horse Trials, headed by Brian and Penny Ross, in conjunction with the organizing committee of Donald Clark, Brooks Cushman, Henley Gabeau, Dr. M. Brent Hall, and Liz Kiss. Foxhunters themselves, the committee developed the hunter trials as a way to celebrate the end of the fox chasing season, to bring positive publicity to the sport, and to benefit the local hunt clubs.  The committee plans for the hunter trials to be an annual event, with the 3rd running scheduled for April 7, 2012.

This year’s event was judged by Joy Crompton, Farmington Hunt’s MFH. The show offered something for everyone: over-fences classes for future hunters (“puddle jumpers”), second flight (2’6”) and first flight (3’); hunter on the flat classes, and a hilltoppers class. There were open and qualified foxhunter divisions, for those who hunted at least six times in the past season. Area hunt clubs represented included Glenmore, Rockbridge, Farmington, Middlebrook, Bedford and Stonewall, all of which vied for the Clifford J. Hunt Memorial prize: the most points accumulated by a hunt club.

The 2011 Virginia Trail Riders Association Competition will be held this year at The Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, Virginia, April 11- 14th. Put it on your calendar! Take the time off from work to be a part of the tradition! Riders from all over the east coast have enjoyed this ride for more than 50 years. Your fit hunting horse will be ready for a change of venue. If you have never been you have to the area, it’s full of mountain trout streams, old growth forests, and farmland as far as the eye can see. While the 100 mile ride offers the best scenery, there is something for everyone. This year there are some new incentives. There are some new trails and minimal pavement. You have a choice of 4 categories in which to register to ride. There is a 3-day 100 mile and a 3-day 50 mile competition. Another option is a 2-day 30 mile competition and finally, a 2-day pleasure ride. The Homestead  Resort has graciously offered 3 different rates for lodging, all of which comes with a free donut and coffee. To learn more or receive an application, contact Agnes Clark at 434-296-9053.

The Second Annual Maryland Foxhunters Dinner Club was held on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at the Howard County-Iron Bridge Hounds clubhouse near Damacus, Maryland. Some 80 foxhunters representing eleven Maryland foxhunting organizations met for food, drink, camaraderie, and a discussion on fox hunting in the lovely room with two roaring fire places on a cold evening. Members from Carrollton Hounds, Elkridge-Harford Hunt, Warrington Beagles, Flint Hill Hounds, Goshen Hunt, Green Spring Valley Hounds, Howard County-Iron Bridge Hounds, Marlborough Hunt, Mt. Carmel Hounds, New Market-Middletown Valley Hounds, and Potomac Hunt were all represented at the event.

Carrollton Hounds President Jason Dudderar, who organized this event and the first dinner last year, welcomed the guests and introduced the evening by stating that the purpose of this annual event would be to provide a social and educational opportunity that fosters relationships within the Maryland foxhunting community as well as to raise money for worthy causes such as the Master of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) and Maryland Association of Wildlife Conservation (MAWC).