May 21, 2012
Penn-Marydels Are Getting Respect
Unentered Aiken Trailer was Grand Champion of the Carolinas Hound Show to the delight of (l-r) huntsman Katherine Gunter and Linda McLean, MFH. / Louisa Davidson photoWith stunning examples of the modern English foxhound setting the beauty standard of our time, the Penn-Marydels have long been considered the ugly ducklings of the show ring. So outclassed were they that when shown in the same ring with the modern English or well-bred Crossbred, they never even earned a second glance from the judges.
That view is changing, and we are seeing some spectacular examples of foxhound conformation in the Penn-Marydel ring. So good in fact, that in two cases at least the Penn-Marydel entry has eclipsed all others.
Tally-Ho: I Spot an Old Friend
Author Tom Howland and Candy Linville catch up with friends at the hunt's reunion. / Jim Sykes photoThe South Creek Foxhounds, Florida's oldest hunt, revisited their roots at Robert Thomas's Two Rivers Ranch on May 5, 2012 for a sentimental reunion. Established in 1965 as the Two Rivers Hunt, the hunt's current name was adopted in 1995.
What an outstanding reunion we all had out at Two Rivers Ranch! For some of us, just entering the drive off of 301 was enough to shed a tear or two and initiate many warm memories. I can’t remember them all, but there were flashes of different parts of the ranch, old friends that have since passed (or those that I hadn’t seen in ages), memorable horses, hounds, the old kennels and barn.
Nicolas J. Hartung, Farrier/Huntsman
Nicolas Hartung and wife Ann with two of their lurchersNick Hartung, former huntsman and farrier, passed away on May 17, 2012 at his home near Staunton, Virginia. Nick suffered respiratory disease commonly referred to as “Farmers Lung” in his native England. Nick was a farrier of great repute, commuting to Maryland for most of his business around the Pimlico Racetrack. Previously he had been professional huntsman for the Goshen Hounds (MD) for eleven seasons. Nick started his hunting career with the New Forest Buckhounds in England. An opportunity developed in The States with of an offer of employment from Clayton Emig Doing, MFH of the Antietam Hounds in the panhandle of Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland. The hunt’s name was taken from that defining epic battle during the American Civil War. Nick came to Antietam as kennel huntsman and first whipper-in. After a season there, Nick moved on to be kennel-huntsman for Richard Moran, MFH at the Middletown Valley Hounds in Maryland, where he stayed for six seasons, before taking up the horn at Goshen. He will be greatly missed by his many friends, and especially at the helm of the twice yearly lure coursing events held at his home at Five Thorns. Posted May 21, 2012 Janet Hitchen photo
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