Cloudy skies and cool temperatures made for a lovely competition day at the third annual Piedmont Fox Hounds Hunter Trials on October 2, 2016. Held at Salem Farm, home of the famed Upperville Colt and Horse Show, the Hunter Trials welcomed dozens of competitors from various Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania hunt clubs and even the Arapahoe Hunt (Colorado).
The glamour of indoors and the grit of qualified foxhunters combine every autumn for the celebrated Hunt Night competition at Pennsylvania National Horse Show. This year's iteration, set for Monday, October 17th, at the Farm Show Complex, promises a terrific evening for spectators and competitors alike. With a reception including buffet and desserts and a variety of contests in the ring, it's worth the trip to watch our good field hunters take center stage under the lights.
"Great Expectations at Great Meadow," the sixth annual Polo Classic to benefit the National Sporting Library and Museum (NSLM), took place September 11, 2016 under scattered clouds and comfortable temperatures at Great Meadow in the Plains, Virginia. With elaborate tailgates ringing the field across from the elegant Pavilion - and a smattering of Ferraris on display a reasonably safe distance from the sidelines - there was plenty to entertain the Sport of Kings enthusiasts and the general public alike.
From first flight thrusters to dependable hilltoppers, the Piedmont Fox Hounds Hunter Trials offer everyone an exciting and fun-filled day of competition on October 2, 2016. The third annual edition of this beautifully staged and smoothly run event returns to the historic Salem Farm Show Grounds in Upperville, Virginia, courtesy of Shelby Bonnie, MFH. Open to all riders, foxhunters and non-foxhunters alike, each division's classes include the opportunity to exhibit both in the Grand Prix field on established, undulating turf, and over impeccable all-weather footing in the Grand Prix ring.
Drawing on its multitalented membership, Keswick Hunt Club hosted a fun Hunt Night Show on Saturday, August 20, at its historic showgrounds adjacent to the kennels in Keswick, Virginia. Judged by Alisa Berry, the friendly atmosphere offered morning warmups over the inviting course, followed by classes ranging from Future Foxhunter for the ten-and-under set, to the traditional Family Class, to a Sidesaddle Division, and finally Hunt Pairs and Hunt Teams.
The National Beagle Club held its annual Triple Challenge Event at Aldie, Virginia last May. Combining Bench (conformation) and Stake (performance trials) competition, the five-day gathering included great camaraderie among the beagle enthusiasts, including many foxhunters in their ranks. The Stake judges, who followed on horseback to make their selections, were Hazel Hannon and Loudoun Fairfax Huntsman Andy Bozdan. A fundraising auction also took place.
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