It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of three great foxhunters: Carol Easter, MFH, Farmington Hunt (VA); Tommy Jackson, MFH and former huntsman, Mission Valley Hunt Club (KS); and Fred Cockerill, former longtime huntsman, Red Mountain (NC). All were examples of the best of our sport.
When someone says "Lady Foxhunter", Wendy Hopper comes to mind immediately as the ideal - a beautiful rider, dedicated foxhunter and wonderful friend. With unending sadness, Amwell Valley Hounds of New Jersey passes on the news that our dear friend Wendy lost her battle with cancer on September 27, 2015.
Rachel Lynne Gray died on June 25, 2015. Born September 30, 1983 in Warrenton, VA, Rachel attended Virginia Commonwealth University before embarking on a career hunting and riding flat and steeplechase racehorses.
Rachel was a long standing member of the Piedmont Fox Hounds family, whipping-in to her father, Huntsman Butch Gray. Later she served as barn manager and whipped-in to her husband, Spencer Allen. She served Piedmont with a fierce commitment and passion.
Survived by her parents Barbara and Randy Chappell and Butch and Bugsy Gray, Rachel also leaves behind her three children, Amelia Faith, Charlie Bell, and Beverly Ruth as well as her sisters Anne Dalton, Loretta Jean, Crystal Jane, and Jessica Marie along with many extended family and friends.
A celebration of her life was held Wednesday, July 1, 2015, led by Reverend Robert Bance at Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville, VA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a fund to benefit her children: The Rachel L. Gray Memorial Fund, c/o The Fauquier Bank, 10 Courthouse Square, Warrenton, VA 20186.
Dr. John Glass, second secretary to the MFHA, has passed away. John was the secretary of the MFHA for 20 years and returned to his beloved New England in retirement.
Betsy Burke Parker photoLoved by people far and wide, 94 year old Melvin Poe died at his home in Hume, VA on September 13, 2014. Poe’s official professional career spanned 44 years, but truthfully, he spent his lifetime with the sport. He hunted hounds for Old Dominion from 1947-1962 and for Orange County from 1962 until his “retirement” in 1991. In retirement, Melvin hunted the private Bath County Hounds until 2011. When Bath County disbanded in 2011, Melvin started hunting his own pack of hounds, going out twice a week with friends and family.
Courtesy South Creek FoxhoundsWith the passing of Billy (B.C.) Douglas on July 28, 2014, South Creek Foxhounds of Tampa, Florida lost its original Professional Huntsman. In 1965, Mr. Robert Thomas started Two Rivers Hunt, Florida’s longest running fox hunt with the purchase of several tough, experienced horses from Ben Hardaway of Columbus, Georgia. Mr. Thomas secured several hounds from the Deep Run Hunt in Virginia and in an inspired move, purchased a couple of Irish foxhounds and shipped them air fright to Zephyrhills for their new lives in Southern Florida.
Foxhunting then began at the Thomas’s beautiful Two Rivers Ranch under the watchful eye of Douglas. B.C. Douglas was well known as a top night hunter and field trial judge throughout the State of Florida and Georgia. B.C. was not only a good Huntsman, but a successful breeder of foxhounds and enjoyed every aspect of the outdoors. In 1989, B.C. handed the hunting horn to his son, Robert Douglas, who continues as the Professional Huntsman today. In 1995, the name of the club was changed to South Creek Foxhounds. B.C. was 83 at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Peggy, and his sons Robert and Randy as well as two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
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