by Katherine Mitchell
As we officially close out the year and begin to get ready for our 99th season, I’d like to say a few last words, some of which were shared at our annual meeting in May. See photos HERE. First, thank you to Master Merri Musso and her team of volunteers for coordinating a beautiful and fun meeting and Kentucky Derby party at Dogham Farm. Gil Calkins won Most Dapperly Dressed; Kim Burnett won Best Hat; and Mark Wenger did a great job keeping our Jefferson cups filled with the Mint Juleps we love.
During the business meeting, Natasha Gealey was voted in as a new Director and has volunteered to be our 2026 Hunt Ball Chair! Lisa Langenhennig is our new Vice President, and Rachel Toquothty was elected for another term as Secretary. Many thanks to outgoing Board Member Jerel Johnson for his years of service and leadership with our trail clearing efforts.
I’d like to personally welcome these new Board members along with Jim Daniels, who was elected as our new Board President. I know they will all do a great job working with Alex Cromer, Joe Svetina, Tim Watson, our Masters and leadership. A member of PAH since 2005, Jim Daniels has served many years on the Board of Directors, most recently as Vice President; and he has served in the field as the Second Flight Field Master. Jim is a graduate of William and Mary and owner of Longest and Daniels Realtors in Chester. In the community, Jim has decades of experience as a community leader. Highlights include serving on the Vestry at Westover Church; as past president of the Chesterfield Historical Society, the Central Chesterfield Kiwanis Club, and the Chester Business Association; and he is a charter member of both the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce and the Jeff Davis Association.
I am deeply grateful for your support while I’ve been President of the Board. The Board of Directors is charged with making sure that Princess Anne Hunt is financially sound, and many things contribute to that end. We face challenges every year, but in the last four years, we’ve been able to work together to strengthen Princess Anne Hunt in some significant ways.
We started by honing our focus with our first Mission Statement and Core Values. We lightened the load on volunteers by implementing event teams; hiring an outside bookkeeper; and setting up online payments for dues and events. We strengthened our financial position with record Hunt Ball fundraising, replenishment of the Hunt Preservation Fund, and continued growth in our membership. We have stayed connected with equestrians and friends in the community with a robust Spring Trail riding series; hunts that feature scheduled tailgates, stirrup cups and breakfasts; numerous foxhunting clinics; and a Junior Day whose attendance rivals Opening Meet! Communications are steady and reliable with weekly eNews, increased FaceBook friends and posts, website updates, and the addition of our Hunt Season Booklet, now spearheaded by Master Merri Musso, the newest addition to a dedicated team of Masters. Your investments have helped to improve the hounds’ daily lives with safer, more comfortable beds, exercise yards and a puppy whelping lodge that is being built now. And very importantly, we reach out to landowners throughout the year in numerous ways to show appreciation for allowing us to continue this special tradition of fox chasing in the historic territory where our forefathers have hunted since Colonial times.
It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with a Board of Directors, Huntsman, Staff, Masters, and a membership that are collectively known for their warmth, kindness, hospitality, and good sport. I look forward to closing out the centennial with a bang with a hunt club that is in great shape and has a very bright future.
All my very best regards,
Katherine Mitchell
Past President and Event Chair
Princess Anne Hunt, LTD