Do you have a favorite photograph you'd like us to consider for next year's calendar? Submit high resolution horizontal images of hunting, hounds, horses and landscapes to production@covertside.net. You may also email us a link for your FTP or Dropbox type of photosharing system. Images must be high resolution and at least 300 dpi jpeg files. NO CELL PHONE PHOTOS, PLEASE.
We are pleased to announce that our new website, mfha.com, and member database system is up and running. This has been months in the making and will provide a much better experience for our members. We invite you to check out the site and the "Member Login" section, where you can enter your email as your username and manage your profile, choose to opt into paperless billing, and arrange for automatic renewal of your membership. As always, we welcome your input and feedback - what do you like? What else would you like to see? Contact office@mfha.com or 540-955-5680 if you have any questions or need assistance.
The MFHA Foundation is pleased to announce that six individuals have been selected to participate in this year's Professional Development Program. They are Ashley Souchek, kennelman and whipper-in at Miami Valley Hunt (OH); Brian Groves, whipper-in at Deep Run Hunt (VA); Clare Marie Pinney, kennel huntsman, Cedar Knob Hounds (TN); Maraina Robrahn, whipper-in, Red Rock Hounds (NV); Mary Taylor Miller, whipper-in, Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds (PA); Rachel Duffy, huntsman, Wentworth Hunt (NH). The goal of this program is to enhance the experience of professional hunt staff by encouraging professionalism, improving competence in the hunt field and the kennels and allowing hunt staff the opportunity to network - exposure to other hunts, other staff and their styles of hunting and kennel management. The participants will receive instruction online, in person, in attendance at hound shows and while visiting other hunts, through kennel tours, and other activities in different parts of the country. Congratulations!
Two significant awards related to land conservation were given at our annual meeting in New York City last month - one presented by the MFHA, and one presented to us. The 2018 Hunting Habitat Conservation Award was given to Santa Ynez Valley Hounds (CA). Decades of strategic purchase and use of easements have allowed Santa Ynez Valley to protect several thousand contiguous acres outside Santa Barbara. Joint Masters Steve Lyons, Paul McEnroe, and Bonnie Hayden gave a presentation accompanied by spectacular images of hounds out in their country. They also explained how they communicate the value of this ongoing project to the community. For example, by inviting local children to experience a day in an historic, restored one-room schoolhouse on Lyons' ranch. The hunt received a trophy and $5,000 for earning this special recognition. Watch for a feature article about their success in the next issue of Covertside.
After giving the Hunting Habitat Conservation Award, the MFHA received the prestigious Anson W. Taylor, Jr. Award for Leadership in Land Conservation from the Equine Land Conservation Resource. The ELCR is a prominent national advocacy group for protection of open space for equestrian activities. ELCR President Ken Haddad, a foxhunter, presented the engraved silver plate and outlined how, through various initiatives, the MFHA has helped conserve over 1.5 million private acres and another 1.2 million public acres. “The Hunting Habitat Conservation Award epitomizes why ELCR is giving the Anson Taylor Award to the MFHA, a recognition that is long overdue,” he said.
Our popular Biennial Seminar will take place June 22-24 in Old Town Alexandria, VA, and nearby Mount Vernon. In addition to seminar topics of general interest to all foxhunters, attendees will be invited to a live foxhound conformation clinic with Daphne and Marty Wood of Live Oak Hounds (FL). This special event will be held on the lawn at Mount Vernon, the spectacular restored home of President George Washington, a passionate foxhunter. A private tour of the house and cocktails on the veranda, with stunning views of the Potomac River, are also included. Check our website for details on registration coming soon.
We want to thank all the organizers and participants at last weekend's successful Hark Forward Performance Trial at Hillsboro Hounds (TN). In addition to some great hunting and socializing, the weekend raised more than $60,000 towards renovation of our new headquarters in Middleburg, VA! Well done to all. Following the success of this fall's previous performance trials, joint meets, and hunter trials, our Hark Forward initiative continues to build friendships in support of a new home for the MFHA. If you haven't already, be sure to put an event near you on the calendar and enjoy meeting fellow sporting people. Again, thank you to the Hillsboro organizers and supporters. To see full results, click here.
Subscribing Membership to the MFHA is open to anyone who cares about the future of country lifestyles and wants their voice and vote to make a difference. You will also receive Covertside magazine 4x a year!
