The Festival of Foxhunting was a terrific success with almost 100 members and guests in attendance.
The morning began cool and bright then warmed up for all to enjoy the beginnings of autumn and a lively hound walk with Huntsman Martyn Blackmore and Sue Blackmore sharing with many of us who joined for their morning constitutional! Entertaining and educating us with facts about the history of foxhounds, training and introducing us to many of the super friendly hounds all wagging their sterns eagerly to engage with their supporters! Members were invited to join them for a hound walk (with or without their horse) on most days at 8 am. They just need 24 hour notice that you are coming.
Not only was this a fun and festive day, but an educational one as well! Merri Musso of Cedarview Farms and Allison Harcourt shared tips and help on getting both your horse and the rider ready for the season. She’s published a recent article outlining much of what was covered, you can read the full article on the PAH website.
Several vendors participated this year. Special thanks to Dreamshine, Greyhorse Tack, Fox Chasers and Ascent Equine Therapies for bringing their best deals to the Festival and helping get us all fitted and ready for the season! And a shout out to new PAH primary vendor Company Casuals who debuted their PAH logo apparel –all of which can be found on our website.
The highlight of the afternoon was our guest Huntsmen and Hounds! Martyn Blackmore shared insights and history, answered questions with humor and wisdom! Special guests and fellow breeders highlighted other hound breeds. We all enjoyed meeting Kami Bitting of De La Brooke Foxhounds with her Penn-Marydel Foxhounds; Charlotte Buttrick of Farminton Beagles and Jeff Eickler with his wonderful Bassett Hounds.
Many thanks to the Festival of Foxhunting Team--Sue and Martyn Blackmore, Courtenay Cohen, Mary Finney, Theresa Gregory, Allison Harcourt, Merri Musso, Angie Pfeiffer, Claudia Sands, Cynthia Long-Porter, Christine Sweet, Mark Wenger--and for Master Travis Gibson who served as coordinator.
Everyone received a Hunt Season booklet which was put together by Merri Musso and Marcy Molinaro and beautifully designed by Amy Zydel of eXpoBranders. This booklet we hope will serve as a reference for you all year so you can easily access updated contact information for leadership and as well as information about attire, etiquette in the field, membership and more.
A special shout out to the many advertisers! Be sure to thank them and patronize their businesses when you can. Additionally, members received their printed membership directory. If you were not able to join us, Honorary Secretary Cynthia Long-Porter will be mailing out these items to members and landowners soon.
Here are just a few reminders to help get both you and your horse prepared for the upcoming Hunt Season which begins Saturday, October 1 with Member Cubbing. When you and horse are properly appointed, it makes for a safer, more enjoyable Hunt and shows respect for yourself, the landowner, the Masters, and the traditions of foxhunting. Waiting for the leaves to fall is too late!
Rider
Time to cut down on those summer sweets and umbrella drinks and get some core and cardio-vascular exercise. If we expect our horses to be fit, so should we. Biking, jogging, and walking out hounds at kennels (8 am most mornings!) are all a wake-up call to those muscles in summer mode. Yoga and pilates help strengthen the core and improve balance and flexibility. Check your hunt clothes and make sure they are clean, buttons and stitching are good and appropriate to fit your fabulous figure. Check out the attire section of the website HERE for reminders of what attire is appropriate for Cubbing Season beginning October 1, and the Formal Season beginning November 12.
Horse
Time to get those marvelous steeds out of the field and back to work. Think of what problems you may have had last season and address them. Call the vet and get a checkup (teeth, shots, coggins, worming) and a lameness evaluation. Often, those attitude problems can be attributed to pain. Clean them up by pulling mane, trim, and get shoes. You should be riding AT LEAST 2x a week. Best fitness for horse and rider is trotting. Incorporate hills, ditches, water crossings, and jumping gymnastics. Break up your riding routine (whether on trails or ring) into 3 equal portions of warm-up, training and cool down.
Doing these suggestions will make for a more enjoyable hunt season for both horse and rider. Remember: the outside of the horse is good for the inside of the person!
Tack
Time to get that green mold off the tack and check for weak points and stitching. Make sure your saddle and girth fit your horse correctly and make adjustments due to weight changes. Correctly adjust your bridle and bit to your horse's needs. Thoroughly give your tack a good cleaning and oiling before the season starts. Cleaning your tack well now, makes for easier regular cleaning after each hunt. And don’t forget to get a thorough inspection of your horse trailer—where you store your tack to and from each meet!--so that you and your horse are sure to arrive safely.
HUNT SEASON PREP CHECKLIST
Rider:
-Exercise-bike, yoga, jog, walk out hounds
-Hunt clothes-clean, buttons, stitching and fit
-Make sure that your membership dues payment is current. Contact Treasurer Tim Watson with questions at tdwatson2@gmail.com
-Fill out waiver which you can find HERE on the website
-Send waiver to Hunt Secretary Cynthia Long-Porter at cpirate04@yahoo.com or give to her at the Festival of Foxhunting on 9/25.
Horse:
-Vet checkup-teeth, shots, coggins, worming, lameness
-Clean up-mane, trim, shoes
-Exercise-AT LEAST 2x a week trotting hills, water, ditches, jumps
Tack:
-Check weak points, stitching
-Adjust bridle, bit and saddle
-Thoroughly clean and oil
-Inspect horse trailer, check tires, etc.
-Purchase a shiny red ribbon for your horse’s tail, if he/she kicks
Merri Musso is a professional horsewoman, riding instructor and foxhunter of more than 50 years. Based in Mathews, Virginia, she has been a member of PAH since 2018 and currently serves as Vice President on the PAH Board of Directors.
Please find below the Princess Anne Hunt (PAH) calendar highlights for the Season. Foxhunting is on most Wednesdays and weekends from November 12-March 11, weather permitting. Riders are encouraged to call the Hunt Recording at 804-277-4567 for up-to-the minute information about weekly fixtures. Fixture cards will be sent out in October and December.
Details for the following events are available throughout the year through enews, Facebook and on the website. If you are not a riding member and would like permission to Hunt or have questions, contact masters@princessannehunt.com.
*Once per month during the Season PAH sponsors a Stirrup Cup for Riders, Tailgate for car followers and guests, and a catered or potluck “Breakfast” following hunting. These are great times for non-riders to enjoy the full Hunt experience and learn about the unique tradition of Foxhunting.
Sunday, September 25—Festival of Foxhunting 8-1 pm at The Kennels
Saturday, October 1—Member Cubbing begins
Saturday, October 8—Newcomers Day (Free for Festival of Foxhunting attendees
Sunday, October 9--Blessing of the Animals, Westover Church, 10 am
Saturday, October 22—Member Cubbing at Fort Pocahontas
Wednesday, October 26 —Member Cubbing at North Bend Plantation
Sunday, October 30—PAH Virginia Hunter Pace Series
Sunday, November 6 —Joint meet with Red Oak Foxhounds
Wednesday, November 9 —Annual Veterans Day Huint at Evelynton
*Saturday, November 12--Opening Meet at Sherwood Forest
Saturday, November 19--Fox Pen Day for Members
December 10—Tally Ho Ho Ho Caroling on Horseback
*December 26--Boxing Day at Historic Westover
Sunday, January 8 - Member Tour of Sherwood Forest with Frances Tyler
Monday, January 16-- “Ask the Master” Night
*January 28—Hunting with Stirrup Cup, Tailgate and potluck Breakfast (location TBA)
*February 18—Hunting at North Bend Plantation
*Saturday, March 11--Closing Meet
Saturday, March 18—Princess Anne Hunt Ball
Spring 2023—PAH Trail Riding Series
Sunday, May 7--PAH Board Annual Meeting and Puppy Show -Upper Shirley Plantation
May 13 and 14--Carolina Hound Show
May 27 & 28--Virginia Hound Show
June 10—Triple Crown Belmont Race party event and Puppy Races
We're preparing to print an updated member list that will be distributed at the Festival of Foxhunting on Sunday, September 25th!
Below, I have included a quick video explaining how to log in and update your profile. Many of our members don't know this, but you can also ADD A GALLERY of personal pictures that we encourage you to do - preferably of candid shots at events and scenery that you are willing to share with PAH - we may even have a competition and prize for best pics of the season!!! Make sure your images are in focus and preferably in a landscape/horizontal orientation.
How to update Member Profile
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