Huntsman Andy Bozdan and wife Erin are moving from Tennessee to Virginia.In a fast game of musical chairs, huntsmen around the country are moving at a rapid pace. Andy Bozdan, Ryan Johnsey, Daron Beeney, Matthew Cook, Gerald Keal, and Ross Salter are all in the game.
Two years ago London-born Andy Bozdan arrived here from Australia to hunt hounds for the Tennessee Valley Hunt (TN). Bozdan is now moving to the Loudoun West Hunt (VA) to take over their pack of Old English and Crossbred hounds for the 2013/2014 season.
“I have loved every minute of hunting the Tennessee Valley Penn-Marydels,” Bozdan said, “and moving to Tennessee from the UK allowed me the opportunity to meet Erin, whom I married in May last year.
“Hounds have really come together this season, making a real pack. All the new entry have entered well and hunted well all season with no exceptions. The pack is in good shape both physically and mentally, very happy with life, and I know they will miss their dad as I will miss them very much too. We are sad to be leaving Tennessee, but realize what a wonderful opportunity awaits us in Virginia this coming May.”
Bozdan’s opening at Tennessee Valley will be filled by Ryan Johnsey, current huntsman for the Loudoun Hunt (VA)—not to be confused with Bozdan’s Loudoun West! The Loudoun Hunt is currently seeking a huntsman.
Farmington huntsman Daron Beeney is moving back to England. / Evelyn C. Cowles photo“The Tennessee Valley country is beautiful,” said Johnsey. “I’m looking forward to working with the Masters to get more of their country opened up and suitable for hunting. They’ve got a fierce pack of Penn-Marydels, and there is plenty of sport to be had. Needless to say I’m excited!”
In another major move Daron Beeney and wife Alison—huntsman and whipper-in respectively for the Farmington Hunt (VA) for thirteen years—have decided to move back to their native England. Los Altos Hounds (CA) huntsman Matthew Cook, a friend of Beeney’s from their hunting days in England, will move to Farmington as Beeney’s replacement.
With the opening at Los Altos in California, long-time Old Dominion Hounds (VA) huntsman Gerald Keal reversed his retirement plans and decided to embark on a fresh adventure! He’ll fill Matthew Cook’s position in sunny Los Altos.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Keal told me. “The country is wide open, and it will be a different experience. They hunt coyote, bobcat, and boar. They killed a wild pig the day I interviewed there.”
Old Dominion huntsman Gerald Keal moves to the Los Altos Hounds. / Karen L. Myers photo
Wild pigs are a seriously destructive nuisance to farmers there, I’m told. Did hounds kill the pig? I asked.
“No, Matthew stuck him with a knife,” Keale said.
First whipper-in Ross Salter will carry the horn at Old Dominion. / Karen L. Myers photoHave you ever done that? I asked.
“No, but I’ve stuck plenty of stag in my day!” He replied with confidence.
Ross Salter, who has been whipping-in to Keal at Old Dominion for the past few seasons, will move up to the huntsman’s post come the first of May.
Foxhunting Life wishes all the huntsmen on the move the best of luck in their new responsibilities and fulfillment of all their expectations!
Posted March 13, 2013