by Sue Blackmore
As the Carolinas’ Hound Show was canceled this year – due to kennel cough – the PAH show hounds had just two East Coast events to participate in. The Virginia Foxhound Club show in Morven Park, Leesburg, is always held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend and the Bryn Mawr Hound show, at the Radnor Hunt Club, Malvern, Pennsylvania, the following weekend, which this time was June 3rd
Whilst huntsmen generally breed for performance in the hunt field, just occasionally there are some conformationally superior puppies, unentered and entered hounds that are show-worthy. Huntsman and staff enjoy attending the shows for many reasons; meeting up with colleagues, comparing hounds and blood lines, catching up on gossip….
PAH show hounds settled into their temporary kennels in Morven Park well, as always. Saturday evening, the night before the show, there is a cocktail party under canvas in the vicinity of the beautiful mansion house. At that time, there is an annual horn blowing competition – a lively, friendly affair – and this year Martyn got to a winner-deciding “blow off” which ultimately placed him 2nd.
The following show day, our huntsman was ably assisted by PAH’s Dream Show team; Jerel Johnson, Courtenay Cohen, Allison Harcourt, Rachel Toquothty, Liz Stack, Alex Cromer, and Teresa Gregory, most of whom joined him at the Bryn Mawr Hound show the next weekend as well. Robin and Eric Strom along with Liz and Dennis Elwell oversaw a beautiful spread at the VA Hound Show hospitality tent that, with the help of many volunteers, welcomed staff, members and guests all day.
By the end of the day, Darwin was 5th and Wallace 6th in English Stallion Hound and Midnight was 5th in English Brood Bitch and our 5 couple won the English Pack Class.
The following Friday evening, once hounds were bedded down for their short stay, Martyn won the Horn Blowing competition at the pre-show social. Jerel placed 2nd in the Whip Cracking!
Sussex received Reserve Champion Old English Foxhound; Henry and Hercules won Couple of Entered Old English Dogs; Secret 2nd in Best Old English Bitch and Dyana and Dynasty 3rd in Couple of Entered Old English Bitches.
Again, our 5 couple won the Old English Pack Class so the infamous “tea urn” trophy is back in the Clubroom! Many thanks to Joe Svetina for taking photos of the Virginia Hound show. Print options are available to order and free web-digital picture downloads are available at: http://www.commonwealthartists.net.
