New Market-Middletown Valley Unity was Champion American Foxhound / Karen Kandra Wenzel photoFor most of the horse world, the first Saturday in May means the Kentucky Derby, but in Maryland and much of the Mid-Atlantic it has come to mean hunt races at the Howard County-Iron Bridge Hunt on Saturday and the Maryland Foxhound Club puppy show on Sunday. This year the dates fell on May 7 and 8.
The races on Saturday are held at the home of HC-IBH Joint-Master Don Reuwer’s Pleasant Prospect Farm. The rolling hills of Pleasant Prospect provide a somewhat different perspective for hunt races from the more typical race course for hunt meets. As the course winds its way through the hills and wooded strips of the farm, spectators enjoy frequent glimpses of the race participants as they flash into view.
The uphill final run with a sharp left turn to the stretch and finish provides a particular challenge to horse and rider to maintain position as they race to the wire
This year race goers were treated to a special addition with a party at the Pleasant Prospect “party barn” (actually a reproduction of a rather elegant private club) for a viewing of the Kentucky Derby. This bonus was enjoyed by many as we watched Maryland-trained Animal Kingdom roar down the stretch for the win.
As tradition dictates, on the Sunday following the Kentucky Derby, Mid-Atlantic foxhound enthusiasts come together for the annual Maryland Foxhound Club puppy show. Intended to be a warm-up to the big shows to follow in Virginia and Bryn Mawr, this show is relatively low key with the emphasis on getting young hounds ready for the stress of the show world and seeing what the other clubs are doing with their breeding program. Masters and huntsmen often use this as the opportunity to plan future breedings and to see how last year’s decisions turned out. Also, with the hunting season over, it is a great opportunity to visit and chat with old friends.
Embellishments
Green Spring Valley Wiseman was Crossbred Champion. Huntsman Sam Clifton is the handler. / Karen Kandra Wenzel photoIt is customary to rotate the site of the puppy show among the eight MFHA-recognized hunt clubs in Maryland. This year the host club was the Elkridge-Harford Hunt. Traditionally, the host club, in addition to selecting the judges for the show, also has the privilege of embellishing the show to some extent to reflect their personal interests. Several years ago, classes for foot hounds (bassets and beagles) were added, but this year Master Liz McKnight of E-HH came up with the idea to add classes for coursing dogs and working terriers. As most know, you just don’t say “no” to Liz.
With no real background or knowledge of the coursing dog world, the show organizers asked around and found that there was no lack of coursing dogs in the area. Not only that, but some of the most respected in the entire canine world were near at hand
Approximately one hundred young foxhounds, twenty-four basset hounds, and sixteen beagles were presented. Lt. Col. Dennis Foster sorted out the foxhounds, while the team of Robert Studley and ex-MFH Charles Duval Smith worked on the short-legged variety and the coursing dogs and terriers. This esteemed set of grizzled hunt veterans were then asked by the organizers to judge as a team the stallion, dam, and pack classes. True gentlemen and keen followers of the chase all, they really did come to a consensus in these most difficult classes.
Hound and Huntsman: The Right Stuff
Loudoun West Essex was Champion English hound. Huntsman Martyn Blackmore shows the biscuit. / Karen Kandra Wenzel photoPerhaps the outstanding presentation of the show, at least for this correspondent, was the incomparable Potomac Jefferson 2005, the Grand Champion Foxhound of the Virginia Foxhound Show in 2007. Shown by huntsman Larry Pitts, Jefferson was his outstanding self in the stallion class with two of his get and then again in the pack class where Potomac showed an incredibly even pack of two-and-a-half couple of hounds that seemed to be clones of the “daddy” of them all.
During the judging for the best American hound, huntsman Pitts demonstrated his real understanding of the breed and the spirit of the sport. His dog puppy was shown against New Market’s bitch puppy by Potomac Melvyn. The bitch puppy was outstanding, but seemed more intent on its “Grand-daddy Larry” than the very capable New Market handler, Michelle McKenna. Larry simply said, “Let me show her,” and proceeded to get the win for the New Market bitch Folks, that’s a sportsman
Visiting Celebrity
Topping off an outstanding day of foxhunting friendship and friendly rivalry, show attendees received a most unusual treat. For those of you who follow the AKC show dog world, you are probably aware that a Scottish Deerhound won the most prestigious of all American dog shows recently. Not only did owner Cecilia Dove bring two of her outstanding deerhounds to the show, but she brought the Westminster Kennel Club Grand Champion Foxcliffe Hickory as well. This stunningly magnificent animal was presented and shown in the ring for all to enjoy. What a treat [See earlier FHL articles of February 19 and February 22 about Foxcliffe Hickory.]
With representatives from more than twenty hunt clubs showing hounds and hunting dogs; with the outstanding hospitality of the Elkridge-Harford folks; and with a wonderful day of fun, camaraderie, keen competition, and friendly conversation, the day was a huge success. Next year on May 5 we will all meet again at the HC-IBH races as a prelude to the Kentucky Derby, and on the following day, May 6, the foxhunting faithful will gather at the New Market-Middletown Valley facilities when that hunt will host the thirty-seventh renewal of the Maryland Foxhound Club puppy show. Can’t wait.
Posted May 18, 2011
Elkridge-Harford Arjay was Penn-Marydel Champion. Huntsman Geoff Hyde is the handler. / Karen Kandra Wenzel photo