Hillsboro Godfrey '16 Repeats at Southern Hound Show

It could not have been a more perfect day for the 11th Southern Hound Show on April 8th at Live Oak Plantation, Monticello, Florida. With 52 degrees rising into the low 70s, the hounds and staff were showing at their best. English judge Mr. Charles Frampton, Master and huntsman of the Heythrop (UK) was joined by Lt. Col. Bob Ferrer, Master and huntsman of the Caroline Hunt in Virginia. Mrs. Michael Moran, MFH Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds, was the Apprentice Judge.

There were three packs missing that showed last year. Green Creek (NC) had to cancel the day before the show. Mooreland’s (AL) huntsman suffered a broken heel saving his Jack Russell from two coyotes that were trying to kill it on his front porch, and Palm Beach Hounds (FL) did not attend. The usual high standard, however, was upheld by the Bear Creek (GA), Fox River Valley (IL), Hillsboro (TN), Live Oak (FL), Low Country (SC) and Midland Fox Hounds (GA).

As in years past, the Two Couples classes were deemed by the judges to be unusually strong. Fox River Valley won first and second in the Two Couple of Dogs, but were bested in the Two Couple Championship by Hillsboro’s Unentered Bitches, two of whom were first and second in the Unentered Bitch class.

Champion Two Couple Hillsboro Jacket, Wafer, Waggle, Walnut. Photo courtesy of Mrs. Leslie Shepherd.

The Grand Champion of Show, Hillsboro Godfrey ’16, was Unentered Champion here last year, bred and shown by Tony Leahy, Master and huntsman of Fox River Valley. He graciously gave Godfrey to Hillsboro at the conclusion of the 2016 Southern Hound Show.

Hillsboro Godfrey ’16, Grand Champion of Show, Champion Dog Hound, Winner of Entered Dog. Photo courtesy of Mrs. Leslie Shepherd

Reserve Grand Champion of the Show, Live Oak Eager ’13, is interesting in that she is four generations back to a two-time National Champion Treeing Walker Coonhound, Parrish’s Adios Eagle.

Live Oak Eager ’13, Reserve Grand Champion of Show, Champion Bitch Hound, Winner of Entered Bitch. Photo courtesy of Mrs. Leslie Shepherd.

The 2018 show will be held on April 7th . We hope to see you there!

Champions and Reserve Champions are listed below. For complete results, click here.

GRAND CHAMPION OF SHOW Hillsboro Godfrey ’16 Crossbred (CB) RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION OF SHOW Live Oak Eager ’13 CB

CHAMPION DOG HOUND Hillsboro Godfrey '16 CB RESERVE CHAMPION DOG HOUND Live Oak Assault ’13 CB

CHAMPION BITCH Live Oak Eager ’13 CB RESERVE CHAMPION BITCH Hillsboro Walnut English (E)

CHAMPION UNENTERED HOUND Midland Steamboat CB RESERVE CHAMPION UNENTERED HOUND Hillsboro Walnut E

CHAMPION TWO COUPLE Hillsboro Bitches

Order "Pageant's Miraculous Journey" to Support the MFHA Foundation

Based on the true story of one Live Oak hound's 30-mile trek home after slipping out of his leash at a veterinary hospital, "Pageant's Miraculous Journey" is a fun tale featuring Pageant's imagined sojourn back to kennels. Along the way, author Catherine Ledyard and illustrator Beth Secor follow the hound as he interacts with many native Florida wild animals, some helpful and some less helpful. All proceeds from the sale of the book benefit the MFHA Foundation. Visit the MFHA website to purchase your copy. The author will be signing copies on Saturday, May 27 at the National Horn Blowing Championship at Morven Park, VA; also available for purchase at the Virginia Hound Show, May 28.

Make Plans to Attend the Great Plains Summer Hunt Seminar

The Great Plains District Masters invite you to join them for the Great Plains Summer Hunt Seminar on August 5, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. Enjoy world renowned speakers, including MFHA President, Tony Leahy, MFH, famed huntsman, Andrew Barclay, equine veterinarian and huntsman, Dr. Marvin Beeman, MFH and University of Iowa professor, Dr. Christine Petersen. A roundtable discussion will follow with a question and answer session. Registration includes a cocktail party August 4, continental breakfast, lunch and dinner with the speakers. For more information, please click here.

Support Plans for Our Future Headquarters

Your Board continues to work on plans to create an efficient, accessible, and welcoming headquarters at our Middleburg, VA property. It will provide offices for the MFHA executive director, as well as the staff of the association and foundations; space for a large board room which can also be used for educational seminars; and display selected items reflecting the history and art of American foxhunting, which will be informative both for our members and the general public. If you have not given already, please consider making a contribution to these carefully planned renovations. Donations are tax-deductible. For more information on supporting this special project, visit our website here.

MFHA Seeks Hunts to Host Performance Trials, Joint Meets, Field Hunter Trials

We are pulling together a schedule for friendly competitions and collegial events to connect foxhunters across the continent. The goal is to celebrate all aspects of our sport - hounds, horses, friendships, the countryside - and strengthen bonds between different hunts and geographical regions. If your hunt could host a performance trials, joint meet, field hunter trials or similar activity in the 2017-2018 season, let us know. Kindly contact office@mfha.com.