Fox Hunting News

Horse owners in the west, where many horse shows, rodeos, and other equine activities have been cancelled or postponed because of an outbreak of the potentially deadly equine herpes virus, are breathing easier. According to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, no new cases of the disease have been confirmed there since May 20. In Washington, Dr. Leonard Eldridge, the state veterinarian believes that sufficient time has elapsed for signs of the disease to appear in horses that attended the Cutting Horse event in Ogden, Utah, from where the disease spread. Any positive or exposed animals showing no symptoms after twenty-one days may be released from quarantine with written laboratory confirmation that the horse is no longer contagious. Dr. Eldridge has recommended further that any horse that has not tested positive, exhibited symptoms, or been exposed to a confirmed positive horse be cleared for travel. The virus is most commonly spread via direct horse-to-horse contact, but horse tack, equipment, and people’s clothing may also be a contributor. Symptoms in horses include fever, sneezing, nasal discharge, decrease in coordination, and hind end weakness. Horse owners in the affected states—California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington—are still urged to be vigilant. More details may be had in John Tattum’s Greeley Tribune report and the King 5 report, both of June 3. Posted June 4, 2011

Stan Luckhurst, huntsman for the West Kent Foxhounds from 1967 to 1999,  departed this world on April 26, just a few days before his seventy-seventh birthday. Stan served in the British Army as a mounted Lead Gunner with the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery at St Johns Wood in London, where he performed in all Ceremonial Duties of State, including the world famous Musical Ride. Stan entered hunt service with the Ashford Valley Hunt in Kent, where his family lived. In 1957 he was put on as second whipper-in to the Master, Col. A.S. Gaselee, at the West Kent Hunt, under kennel huntsman Harry Lenthall. When Harry moved to the Axe Vale Harriers in 1962, Stan was promoted to first whipper-in/kennel huntsman in his place. When Richard Thorpe took the Mastership in 1967, Stan was made huntsman, a position he kept until his retirement in 1999, when the West Kent amalgamated with the Old Surrey & Burstow Hunt. The West Kent achieved the greatest accolade in 1973 when they took the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show Bitch Championship with their Payment. Stan gained many friends in Canada and the USA, when his son Paul hunted the Hamilton Hounds in Ontario. Posted May 23, 2011

An outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) has been confirmed in eight western states and Canada. Most of the confirmed positive horses recently attended the national cutting horse championships in Ogden, Utah. Health officials have concluded that the EHV-1 outbreak started there. Owners of horses that attended that event have been urged to notify their veterinarians and isolate and monitor their horses. Seven of the infected horses have died or have been euthanized. Cases have been confirmed across California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Canada. California has the most confirmed cases with thirteen. The outbreak should not be a cause for alarm, but should be taken seriously, experts say. “The first thing to remember,” says Equus Medical Editor Joe Bertone, DMV, “is that these outbreaks have happened for years and years, but didn’t get the press they are getting nowadays. People need to remain calm and follow good hygiene and management practices. The vast majority of horses will not have any issue with this disease.” EHV-1 is highly contagious and is transmitted mainly through nose-to-nose contact between horses. It can also be transmitted by tack, clothing, or through the air for limited distances. Although the disease is not transmitted to people, it is a serious threat to horses and may cause respiratory, neurologic disease, and death. For more details, see Keith Coffman’s article in Reuters. Posted May 20, 2011

Six Republican members of Congress have written to Inspector General Eric Thorson claiming that the level of lobbying activity conducted by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is incompatible with HSUS’s 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Previous letters written to IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman and Director of Exempt Organizations Lois Lerner have been unproductive. Three of the Congressmen—Jo Ann Emerson, Sam Graves, and Billy Long—represent constituents in Missouri where a recent ballot initiative established new regulations for dog breeders there. The initiative was supported by more than two million dollars in HSUS contributions to its front group in Missouri. The Congressmen question whether HSUS attempts to influence legislation constitute a “substantial part” (the IRS test) of HSUS’s activities. Under the IRS code, no group is allowed to maintain tax-exempt status based on its political leanings or power, as taxpayers would be effectively subsidizing a political organization. For more details, read Glen Wunderlich’s article in the Argus-Press. Posted May 16, 2011

The Masters and Hunt Committee of the Tennessee Valley Hunt (TN) have announced the appointment of Samuel “Sandy” Beall as Joint-Master of Foxhounds. Beall is founder and CEO of Ruby Tuesday, and his wife Kreis is founder of Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee. A Relais and Cheateau Resort, Blackberry Farm hosts hunting at the Three Sisters fixture and offers superb hunt breakfasts at the estate. Sandy and Kreis’s son Sam is proprietor of Blackberry Farm. Sandy and Kreis started riding to hounds with the Tennessee Valley Hunt in 1998, and a love affair with foxhunting began. “I am more committed than ever to the sport and being part of something great!” said Sandy upon accepting the Mastership. “I am excited that Kreis is enthused about hunting, and we look forward to great times in the field. I hope my business and hospitality experience will add value to the hunt and the post hunt food and celebration. I believe camaraderie and fun, with happy hunt people, makes the experience whole.” Beall joins four other Joint-Masters of the hunt: Carla Hawkinson, Grosvenor Merle-Smith, Rosemary Merle-Smith, and Gretchen Pelham. Posted May 12, 2011

The Caza Ladron Hunt (NM) has announced the appointment of Richard S. Patton, Ph.D. as Joint-Master of Foxhounds. Dr. Patton is the former president of the hunt. According to hunt president Nancy Ambrosiano, Dr. Patton has been a staunch supporter of the hunt, people, hounds, and territory over the years. Patton is an animal nutritionist. His new book is Ruined by Excess, Perfected by Lack: The Paradox of Pet Nutrition. He joins the two other Masters: Brian Gonzales and Guy McElvain. Posted May 12, 2011

Rosie Napravnik is a goal-oriented girl. After her first pony race at the age of seven, she decided she wanted to be a jockey. Done. Check. At the age of sixteen, she decided she wanted to be the first girl to win the Triple Crown. Pending. Now at the age of twenty-three, her first opportunity on the road to that goal is tomorrow, the first Saturday in May, 2011, at Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby. Napravnik is riding Pants On Fire, the horse she rode to the wire in the Louisiana Derby on March 23. In that race she bested two other well-regarded Derby entrants, Nehro and Mucho Macho Man. Those who profess to know these things tell us that Dialed In is the favorite in this year’s Derby. Uncle Mo, a horse thought by some to have the potential to win the Triple Crown has been scratched from the Derby due to a gastrointestinal problem. For sure, Rosie Napravnik has proven herself. In her career debut at age seventeen, she brought home a winner. By the end of her apprentice jockey year she had three hundred wins, earning nearly $6.5 million. This season, she was the leading jockey at The Fairgrounds in Louisiana. Napravnik will be the sixth female to ride in the Kentucky Derby. Napravnik is a hard worker. She attributes her discipline to growing up on the family farm in New Jersy and doing farm chores from the time she can remember. Her mother was a show rider. “She’s one tough cookie,” said John Parisella, a trainer. “She’s a killer!” “I don’t take any crap from the guys,” she admits. Posted May 7, 2011Updated May 8, 2011