Emily Digney and Mr. Goodbar, Farmington Hunt, were Champion, 13 and Over.With more than two hundred entries, organizers Douglas Wise, MFH Old Dominion Hounds (VA), and Iona Pillion, Blue Ridge Hunt (VA), were thrilled to observe that the 2011 Junior North American Field Hunter Championship drew the biggest fields to date in the nine years of this unique trial. The program listed twenty-one finalists in Hilltoppers, twenty-two in First Field 12 & Under, and twenty-one in First Field 13 & Over. On November 6, 2011, trailers from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia gathered in the heart of the Warrenton Hunt country for what is turning into a huge event that bodes well for the future of foxhunting.
This year’s gracious hosts were Mr. and Mrs. Maximilian Tufts, Jr who offered their picturesque Clovercroft/Millpoint Farm as the venue for the championship finals. Tim Colgan served as announcer
The three fields went off on the first phase of the finals, and the host hunt provided the Field Masters for the mock hunt. Huntsman Matt Van der Woude assisted by Rick Laimbeer, ex-MFH, took the 13 & over First Field; Clydetta Poe, whipper-in, took the 12 & under First Field; Jocelyn Alexander led the hilltoppers.
Champion 12 and Under was Ada Plumb and Willie, Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds. Following the mock hunt, the fields returned for the final two phases. Each field hacked on the flat, after which judges compared notes and scorecards to choose the top ten for the final individual test. The very qualities that make a good field hunter do not always pre-dispose pony or horse to leave the comfort and safety of the herd. The hilltoppers had to trot down the hill, walk across the ditch’s crossing, trot around a log and jump it or not, cross the ditch again and canter up the hill to halt, dismount, and lead their ponies over a small rail.
Judges awarded the Hilltopper championship to Lauren Gibson, Blue Ridge Hunt, aboard Landmark Cracker Jack. Last year, Gibson earned the reserve title with Farnley Lucina. LeeLee McNeil and Violet, Radnor Hunt, earned the reserve championship. Third place went to Nicholas Irwin, Blue Ridge, riding Benlea Bonnie.
The First Fields had a figure-eight jumping test: canter over a coop, turn hard left and trot a small timber panel, turn again and canter a coop, canter to another coop and turn hard left in front of a row of pumpkins and squash to simulate a narrow lane and tight landing space, then gallop up and halt in front of the judges.
Ada Plumb and Willie, Cheshire, earned the 12 & Under championship, having taken the reserve tri-color last year. Eliza Van der Woude and Huntin’ Around , Warrenton, harvested this year’s reserve championship. Annie Dunlap and Francesca, Loudoun, were pinned third. The 13 & Over champion was Emily Digney, Farmington Hunt, aboard Mr. Goodbar. Camry Clore and Isadora Duncan, Bull Run Hunt, claimed the reserve rosette. Pamela White aboard Beholden, MOC Pony Club, took home third place.
Hilltop Champion, Lauren Gibson and Landmark Crackerjack, Blue Ridge Hunt, with organizers (l-r) Iona Pillion and Douglas Wise“It was great watching these kids running and jumping,” said judge Cathy Malone. “The ponies were all good, and it was very hard to judge. What separates them is the control on their own, and a lot of kids didn’t practice that. The ones who were good out hunting were still the best in the individual test. They were all well turned-out. At one point we had to ask them to hold hard so the judges could get to the next point! Really good fields and really good kids.”
Judges included Cathy Malone, Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds (PA) and last year’s host of the finals; Kathleen O’Keefe, Casanova Hunt (VA), current winner with Dudley—her third horse to harvest the Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship of North America; Michelle Rouse, Fairfax Hunt (VA); Pann Drunagel, reserve champion in the 2008 T.A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship of North America; Sally Cunningham, Thornton Hill Hounds (VA); K.T. Atkins, Old Dominion (VA); and Jim Atkins, retired huntsman from Old Dominion and Warrenton.
The superb weather can be attributed to Wise’s late daughter, whose cheerful demeanor and enthusiasm for all aspects of her rural childhood included riding to hounds when she was just a tiny tot.
“Once again Eleanor Rose Hytla provided us with stellar weather for the ninth annual,” said Wise. “She rode in the very first Junior North American Field Hunter Championship and she loved it. She loved everything about hunting. When I am finished being a Master, I’m going to take my horses and my trailer and I think I will probably start in Texas and work my way up and around the country, getting everyone to put on Junior Field Hunter Championships. They have really grown, and I want to get more kids all across the country involved.”
Special thanks to the hunts who hosted qualifiers: in the northern region, Andrews Bridge Foxhounds, Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds, Amwell Valley Hounds and Elkridge-Harford Hunt; in the southern region, Blue Ridge Hunt, New Market-Middletown Valley Hounds, Old Dominion Hounds, Middleburg Hunt and Farmington Hunt.
Mark your calendars for next season when the finals will take place in the northern region. Click for information and to view more photos.
Posted November 9, 2011
Click any photo below to start a slideshow. All photos by Lauren R. Giannini
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