Field Master Joan Batterton, Opening Meet, 1986, on her homebred North American Field Champion Beacon RockJoan Batterton, one of the finest Field Masters I have ever followed across a hunting country, died on Monday, August 31, 2015 at the age of ninety-eight. She was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1917 and died at her home in Berryville, Virginia.
A diminutive but magnificent horsewoman, she led the field for the Blue Ridge Hunt (VA) for fifteen years, while in her sixties and seventies, on a succession of bold, grand jumping horses, some off the timber racecourses. She knew her country, knew how the foxes ran, and what I remember best is how she led her field at a steady hand-gallop, at an even pace, whether over fences or in the open, keeping us in touch with hounds in a lovely and seductive rhythm.
She never raised her voice, but spoke in her soft New Zealand accent, always with a touch of a smile, an inquiring arch of her eyebrows, maintaining an eye contact as expressive as her words. She didn’t suffer fools, however, and could flay them with a quiet single-sentence opinion.
Joan met her husband, the late Roy Batterton, in New Zealand during World War II. Roy was a highly decorated U.S. Marine officer who fought through some of the bloodiest campaigns in the Pacific theater. He was wounded twice and evacuated each time to New Zealand for medical treatment. And each time there was a girl named Joan Houghton there ready to revive his spirits. Joan married Roy and returned to the States with him.
Joan’s other passion was traveling. She gave up riding at the age of eighty and continued traveling with Roy until his death in 2012. Well into her nineties, Joan continued her worldly expeditions, exploring Machu Picchu, Peru and Taj Mahal in India as well as other exotic countries with her son Barry. She is survived by Barry, a former whipper-in to the Blue Ridge hounds, and daughter Barbara, a well-known horsewoman, trainer, and foxhunter in her own right.
A service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 19 at the Duncan Memorial Methodist Church in Berryville, Virginia.
Posted September 6, 2015