Belle Meade Hunt Invades Northern Virginia A large group of Belle Meade Hunt members visited Virginia for 8 days of hunting.
Black Coyote Visits Belle Meade Hunt and Tennessee Valley Hunt A Joint Meet with Tennessee Valley Hunt had a special guest, a black coyote, and showcased two new kennel huntsmen for Belle Meade Hunt.
…News
Fire Destroys Part of the Historic Old Dominion Hounds Kennel Complex A fire burned a historic barn at the Old Dominion kennels that destroyed all the hounds GPS collars, among other equipment. No horses, humans or hounds were injured in the blaze.
Virginia Steeplechase’s Race to the Gold Cup Kicked off Press Release announced Rappahannock Hunt’s Annual Point-to-Point Race that was held in early March.
…Horses
Iroquois Steeplechase Announces Unique International Jump Racing Partnership Iroquois Steeplechase 2025 announced an invitation to compete at The Cheltenham Festival in 2026.
… Photo of the Week
A Vixen’s Leap A lovey shot of a young vixen jumping post and rails during Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds 2025 Vixen Hunt.
Tidy Knees Over Timber Virginia photographer, Liz Callar, got a great shot from the Piedmont Fox Hounds 2025 Point-to-Point.
Piedmont Fox Hounds in a Season Piedmont Fox Hounds favorite photographer Tiffany Dillon Keen submitted her favorite shots of the 2024-2025 season.
…Video
What Does the Fox Say? Get ready for silly and watch this fun video to celebrate Old Dominion Hounds 100th year.
Audrey Bucanan at Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds 2025 Vixen Hunt. Photo by Jim Graham.
At this year’s Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds Vixen Hunt held on March 21, 2025, 24-year-old Audrey Buchanan took one of Cheshire’s famous post-and-rail fences riding aside with a very foxy accessory. The field was lead, for the third year, by Olympian Boyd Martin. Renowned photographer Jim Graham got the shot her jump, while field member Kailie Elisa made a fun video of the day.
From Audrey Buchanan:
“Foxhunting has been a major part of my life and who I am as I’ve been hunting with Cheshire my entire life. Alongside eventing, Fox hunting holds a special place in my heart because I get to ride across beautiful countryside with my family on horses I love. It’s been a dream of mine to be able to hunt sidesaddle, but finding the right horse for the job can be tricky. I never thought Lucas of all horses would be the one but here we are! He is such a special horse to me, and I am so lucky to have had him fall into my life.
Lucas came to us as a bit of a rescue situation back in 2022. He was imported when he was 4 as a carriage horse but was reactive and dangerous to the point where he was supposed to be euthanized. The man who was supposed to put him down realized quickly that this guy could be someone’s dream horse, so he threw him out with his cows instead. About 6 months later, he ended up here at Mercer Hill Farm where I was able to break him to ride with the intention of him maybe being a resale project, but as they say, you don’t choose the horse, the horse chooses you. Not only does he now excel in foxhunting, but Lucas has also competed in eventing at both pony club championships and the AEC’s at novice twice. He is now shifting gears for dressage and sidesaddle both in the show ring and the racecourse!”
Kailie Elisa made a fun video of the day, featuring Audrey. Look for Boyd Martin, in his Olympic livery, give his signature megawatt smile as he passes by her.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2vGyNwF
About Kai: Kailie Nolan entered the horse scene at a young age, looking up to her mother, Ericka Rose, who is a well-known horse trainer in New York. She began to hunt with Goldens Bridge Hounds at the age of 14 and quickly fell in love with the sport. She has brought along countless horses in the field and has enjoyed the sport with her home hunt of Old Chatham Hunt Club and hunts as a guest throughout the year with multiple clubs. She has a passion for the sport and enjoys sharing that passion via social media.
About Jim: Jim is a consummate photographer. He honed his craft as a documentary photographer working at The News Journal Papers and freelancing with USA Today, The Associated Press and Bloomberg News. Today, he has evolved those skills and works as a corporate photojournalist with a designers eye. He shoots corporate profiles, working portraits, customer stories, and special projects worldwide.
Jim works in the client’s environment, fly-on-the-wall, many times without lighting or crew. He is versatile, shoots for the full frame, and travels light. His work has won many awards. Jim was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, won the prestigious Southern Photographer of the Year award.
Jim’s editorial work has appeared in Town & Country Magazine, Vanity Fair, Wine Spectator, Sports Illustrated, Time and Newsweek Magazines as well as being featured in Communication Arts, PDN, Shutterbug, Rangefinder and Aftercapture Magazines. He is a contributing photographer to Redux Pictures.
Jim is also a sought-after wedding photojournalist and has worked internationally documenting a couples wedding days. His true passion for photographing weddings sets him apart from other photographers. For the past 20 years Jim has combined his incredible eye for composition with his experiences as a photojournalist to capture the true emotions and incredible moments. His pictures are works of art that tell a story. And his rich and varied photographic talent are not the only thing Jim brings with him when he comes to photograph a wedding. With the experience of literally hundreds of weddings, Jim has seen it all. He isn’t shy about sharing when help is needed. Brides and grooms have leaned on Jim for planning suggestions. He’s sown wedding gowns, found lost veils, arranged replacement bouquets and even loaned a groom his cuff links and studs to make the day go smoothly.
Jim’s fine art photography is shown in many galleries throughout the United States, including Hardcastle Gallery, Graficas Gallery, Seven Seas Gallery and the Redux Gallery as well as the Delaware Museum of Art.
For the first time in more than two decades, an army of Belle Meade Hunt members invaded Northern Virginia. The invaders flocked to the peaceful hamlet of Hume equipped with trucks and trailers, horses and hounds, whips, flasks, and stylish hats. Not since the sweet-16 birthday celebration of then junior member, Erin Samuels, in 1994, have so many Belle Meade members been on Virginia soil.
Perhaps in pursuit of repeat glory, this invasion was commanded by the now mature and fearsome, Erin Samuels Dozier, accompanied by her husband, Dick Dozier, and two of their four children, Neilly and Sam. The company totaled 25, including the Aiken brigade of Wendell and Allison Williams; the Valley Hill battalion of Barbara Lee, Claudia Latch, Catherine Arensman, Taylor Franke, Cheryl Tyson, and Allison Kennedy; the Thomson regiment of Judith and Epp Wilson, MFH, Stephanie Presley and the Doziers; the Outskirts brigade of Nathaniel St. John and Megan Gillenwater; the North battalion of Ericka Rose and Karen Sargent; the Don’t-Leave-Without-Us regiment of Win and Martha Scott, Charla Liford and Louisa Fisher; and the company’s own photojournalists, Brad and Allison Howell. A dozen hounds and about 30 horses also made the trip north with the Belle Meade army.
As the result of a key, strategic alliance formed in recent years, Virginia’s Old Dominion Hunt aided the Belle Meade invasion by coordinating a schedule of 8 hunts in 8 days from March 1st to March 8th. Four of the hunts were joint meets, providing opportunities for Belle Meade hounds to showcase their skills in the region.
On Saturday, March 1, Old Dominion Joint Masters Kim Poe and Les Moeller hosted the meet at their Running Fields farm in nearby Orlean. ODH huntsman, Josh Bentley, and BMH huntsman, Epp Wilson, MFH, hunted the combined pack of more than 20 couple. After only 10 minutes, the pack found a beautiful red fox that led everyone on a scorching run that lasted almost an hour. After the hunt, participants enjoyed a lovely breakfast in the host’s home. There, Belle Meade MFH, Epp Wilson, and Belle Meade Foundation Chair, Cheryl Tyson, presented the Old Dominion Masters with a $3,000 check from the Foundation for the replacement of GPS collars lost in the fire of Old Dominion’s historic barn in February. Saturday night, ODH Masters Kim and Les joined the Belle Meade army for a celebratory meal at O’Brien’s Irish Pub in Warrenton.
On Sunday, March 2, members of the Thomson regiment and the Outskirts brigade drove 90 minutes south to Sunny View Plantation in Louisa, where they met up with photojournalists Brad and Allison Howell. Sunny View Plantation is owned by Grosvenor and Rosemarie Merle-Smith, beloved members of the extended Belle Meade family. Sunny View is also home to Merle-Smith Sporthorses and Joel and Nicolette Merle-Smith who, along with Rosie, breed and train horses for eventing and foxhunting. While Sunny View is a Keswick Hunt fixture, Master Beth Opitz and her Thornton Hill Hounds provided the sport this day. After an exhilarating 4 ½ hours across the gorgeous country, everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch in Rosie and Grosvenor’s historic home.
Photo by Allison Howell.
Belle Meade Hounds were back on the scene on Monday, March 3, when they joined up with Bull Run Hounds to hunt their Quiet Shade fixture in Rapidan. A red fox led the combined pack on a fabulous run through the hilly country that presented riders with lots of fun coops and rock walls to jump. Photojournalist Allison Howell snapped a picture of the fox giving chase before it was ultimately marked to ground by Huntsman Tim Michel on a rocky cliff overlooking the Robinson River. During the tailgate lunch that followed the hunt, MFH Epp Wilson presented Belle Meade’s Friendship Award to ODH Masters Kim Poe and Les Moeller.
Old Dominion and Belle Meade joined forces again on Tuesday, March 4 to hunt Betsy Parker’s Hunters’ Rest Farm in Flint Hill. It was another fun day with good sport that ultimately took the hounds out of the country. Afterward, Betsy graciously opened her home to all of the riders for more food, drink, and fellowship.
Wednesday’s planned hunt was rained out, as were any other hunts that may have been going on in the region that day. Horses and hounds enjoyed well-deserved rest, but the company did not. There were retail establishments to invade! The Belle Meade army executed “divide and conquer” tactics to raid Middleburg Tack Exchange, Horse Country Saddlery, Another Turn Tack, and Tri-County Feeds.
Blue Ridge Hunt hosted Belle Meade at their Woodley fixture in Berryville on Thursday, March 6. It was a cold and windy day – conditions not generally conducive to good sport – but that didn’t deter Huntsman Graham Buston or his crack hounds! They found a coyote in the first covert and ran like hell for 7 miles without a check. Stiff coops and stone walls barely slowed the chase as Blue Ridge Master Jeff LeHew expertly led the field of riders who quickly forgot about the cold. When hounds lost the coyote, Graham cast them towards home and they soon found a fox and were off again! Afterward, happy hunters crowded into Jeff’s trailer for a celebratory tailgate and respite from the wind.
Belle Meade Hounds, originally scheduled to return home on Friday, March 7, extended their stay to hunt with Thornton Hill Hounds at the Marriott Ranch in Hume, an Old Dominion fixture. It was another cold and windy day that really challenged the Belle Meade hounds and Beth Optiz’s talented Penn-Marydel hounds. Despite their best efforts, hounds were unable to find in the blustery openness of the 4,200-acre Marriott Ranch. A wonderful breakfast took place after the hunt in the historic James Marshall Manor House (circa 1814) at the ranch.
By Saturday, the hounds and most of the Belle Meade army had returned home. Some of the remaining soldiers hunted with Loudon and Old Dominion at ODH’s Houyhnmn (pronounced “wynhan”) fixture. Another small contingent invaded Orange County Hounds, hunting from Master John Coles’ farm in The Plains. There, Huntsman Reg Spreadborough and his impressive pack of red American hounds with white ring necks provided exceptional sport through gorgeous country. They found quickly but, as they were sorting out the line, the pack split with some running heel. Without missing a beat, Reg gently called for the main pack to wait while the heel-runners were brought forward. With very little time lost, the entire pack was running together in full cry! Epp Wilson described it as “a sight to behold.” He and Nathaniel St. John had an especially good time riding right up behind Masters John Coles and Neil Morris. Nathaniel’s new-to-him and often excitable mount, Big Kahlua, surprisingly had a calming effect on Epp’s mount, Sam, who is unaccustomed to riding in the field. The spectacular day was a fit ending to a very successful campaign.
One of the many great things about hunting in Virginia in March is that there is never the need for goodbyes. Rather, parting ways with friends can be expressed as, “See you in May!” Taking place every Memorial Day weekend at Morven Park, the atmosphere at the annual Virginia Hound Show is always abuzz with many cheerful reunions of faithful foxhunting friends. Until then, the Belle Meade army will be busy preparing for their next invasion!
Piedmont Fox Hounds 2025 Point-to-Point. Photo by Liz Callar.
Virginia photographer, Liz Callar, got a great shot from the Piedmont Fox Hounds Point-to-Point held in Salem, Virginia on March 22, 2025. It is from the third race, the Thomas M. Beach and Virginia A. Beach Memorial. Lady jockey Chelsea Secor won on “Pocket Talk”, owned and trained by Joseph Davies. What knees!
In early February, the members of Belle Meade Hunt in Thompson, Georgia hosted their annual joint meet with Tennessee Valley Hunt (Knoxville, Tennessee). Shortly after a winter storm that dumped snow all over the Deep South, this weekend had warmed up enough to waive coats. Here is the hunt report from Nicole Smith who was carrying the horn for Belle Meade that day.
Belle Meade Hunt and Tennessee Valley Hunt’s annual joint meet was February 8-9th. This year, Belle Meade’s newly appointed Honorary Huntsmen Natalie Ware and I (Nicole Smith) were to carry the horn alongside TVH Huntsman Ryan Johnsey. Natalie would hunt with Ryan on Saturday, and my turn was on Sunday.
Saturday Natalie and Ryan started out the front gate, across the road from the BMH stables, with the intention of flushing a coyote North across the pipeline and then on towards Stagecoach Road. They were trying their very best to avoid going East to the nearby airport and Country Club.
Within five minutes of casting, hounds gave voice and flushed a coyote West across Wrightsboro Road. Road whips got an exciting scene as the pursued coyote nearly missed being hit by a civilian passing through, causing him to pull a Hail Mary jump and clear a massive coop from a stride out! Casey Johnsey was road whipping and luckily got the whole thing on video. Scenting was tough but with some help, hounds were brought forward and gave us a thrilling run. Natalie and Ryan had a successful day one.
Sunday’s forecast called for warmer temps, causing us to move the hunt time half an hour earlier. The mission was to get the hounds in good, fresh cover quickly and hopefully have a run while the scent was decent.
That morning I was tacking my horse at my trailer when whipper-in Elise Lee called, giving me the best news I could have heard… “Hey friend, I have a Tally Ho on a black coyote going North in the field right across from the hunt!” (Elise lives up the hill from the hunt stables and hacks over to the meets. She was on her way over when she spotted the coyote.)
Wow! The Good Lord heard my prayers and couldn’t have answered more perfectly!
I said I’ll be there ASAP, stay on the line! I finished tacking my horse as quickly as I could and when I was almost ready to mount up I called Master Epp to let him know of the Tally Ho. Right after hanging up, I heard him blow his horn and announce to the members, “Mount up, we have had a Tally Ho and we are leaving out EARLY! Mount up!!”
Ryan and I met up with Elise across the road and put the hounds on the line. It didn’t take long for the Tennessee Valley Penn-Marydel noses to sniff out the line and start trailing slowly northeast. The hounds worked beautifully together, picking diligently at the line to find fresh pockets of scent, trailing getting more and more consistent until finally whipper-in John Lemmon radioed, “Tally Ho black coyote crossing the pipeline to the North, hounds are coming on the line!” Ryan and I shared a big smile, and a sigh of relief for me, before galloping on after hounds. The coyote took us North towards Gentleman’s Hill, then East towards Tally Ho Lake, then north again towards McCorkle Alley. A second coyote was spotted heading East, and it was hard to tell if the hounds had swapped to this coyote or had stayed on the original black one. We held up just West of McCorkle Alley in hopes the black coyote was still in the woods and would choose to run on North across Stagecoach Road. We were in luck again as hounds ran into good country still on the original coyote! He followed the creek north and circled on the east side of the Rock Dam and water treatment plant before heading back South. Master Epp radioed to road whips to blow their horns in an attempt to keep him in good country, away from the airport and Country Club. We had already gotten lucky, we didn’t need to test it anymore. Road whips were brilliant and turned the coyote West up to McCorkle’s Hay Field, where 3rd Flight Field Master Mike Coke had his field in the perfect spot to watch the black coyote run across the open field!
At this point, the temperature was climbing and scent was declining. But hounds still worked hard and pushed the coyote West, then North towards the Old Red Barn, then West again where Elise Lee once again viewed her coyote. Hounds were very hot and scattered, and only 2 hounds were semi-close to the coyote with their tongues hanging low. We decided to call it a day, gather hounds at a nearby stream, and head home. No fire in the pit was needed after this day of hunting, just maybe a cold beer. It was another fine weekend of hunting with our great friends from Tennessee Valley, we look forward to next year!
Alexis Grisham, Belle Meade Hunt member, got a great video of the black coyote below.
From Alexis Grisham – “I’ve been foxhunting for 5 years with Shakerag Hounds and Green Creek Hounds. I was a member of Belle Meade and have hunted with them also frequently over the last 5 years. Too much to juggle, lol. I moved my way up from Fourth Field to First Flight within two seasons, but then I got the eventing bug. So now I’m an eventer, fox hunter, and also a USDF competitor working towards my bronze. I own two horses, Nose a 16 yr old draft paint rescue, and Kash an 8yr old New Vocations adopted TB. They have both been personally made hunt horses and are what I am a jack of all trades both competing in eventing and dressage and both made first flight horses. Fox hunting has always been my happy place. I have a love for watching the game and the hounds work. I currently own two adopted Green Creek foxhounds.”
Nicole Smith tells us a bit about herself – “At 6 years old I began taking lessons at Foxboro Farm. From taking lessons, to exercise riding, to training young horses, to eventually teaching lessons, this is the place where my horse and foxhunting addiction grew. I spent a lot of time in the kennels, helping show hounds and with hound walkouts. In 2009, Natalie Ware and I competed in the Pack Class at the Virginia Hound Show and won, making the cover of In & Around Horse Country. That year I was also promoted to honorary whipper-in. Natalie and I take the hounds on walkouts most weekends during the summer, giving the puppies extra attention in a quieter environment. At the beginning of this hunt season, whipper-in Natalie and I were promoted to Honorary Huntsman. We get to fill in for Master Epp when he is sick (which is never) or if he would just like to step back and have a more relaxing day whipping in while one of us is in the hot seat. I have gotten to carry the horn about four times this season. It has been a dream come true to be able to hunt the hounds, I look forward to learning and growing in this new role.”
Susan McElheney got the great photo of the black coyote crossing in front of the Fields – “I started foxhunting at Belle Meade in 1990 when I was 10 years old with my father Buddy Dallas who was one of the very early original BMH members hunting alongside Master James Wilson back in the early 1970s. I feel so fortunate to pass the tradition of Foxhunting on to my daughter Mary Brooks McElheney (14) and son Carson McElheney (11) Mary Brooks won the Jr National Field Hunter Championship (Hilltopper 11-18 division) this past September in Ohio. The photo was taken in McCorkle Hayfield just above the historic Rock Dam.”
There is a history of black coyotes in the Belle Meade country. Here is an old hunt report of a memorable black coyote at the first Tennessee Valley Hunt joint meet with Belle Meade: Grosvenor’s Hill – Foxhunting Life.
Piedmont Fox Hounds favorite photographer Tiffany Dillon Keen submitted some of her favorite shots of the 2024-2025 season in Northern Virginia.
Photo by Dillon Keen Photography LLC.
This is my favorite action shot from the 2025 season. The fox ran across the top of the field roughly 2 minutes beforehand. The hounds were perfectly on the line with encouragement from huntsman Jordan Hicks.
Photo by Dillon Keen Photography LLC.
The field met from Master Gregg Ryan’s Milan Incinerator field. Jordan guided the field up the steep hill toward the first draw.
Photo by Dillon Keen Photography LLC.
This was taken at Master Shelby Bonnie’s Clifton Backgate. The hunting day was over and the hounds were walking back to the trailers.
Photo by Dillon Keen Photography LLC.
Huntsman Jordan Hicks on a foggy cubbing morning from Master Tad Zimmerman’s Buttonwood Farm.
Photo by Dillon Keen Photography LLC.
This shot was taken at the PFH opening meet for the 2024/2025 season at Master Shelby Bonnies farm Oakley. It is a timeless example of the beauty of foxhunting. It shows the tradition our sport emulates even after all these years.
Photo by Dillon Keen Photography LLC.
This was taken at the first cubbing hunt of the season at Master Shelby Bonnie’s Clifton Backgate.
Photo by Dillon Keen Photography LLC.
This is a timeless shot of PFH whipper in Johnny Dean assisting huntsman Jordan Hicks as the fox is put to ground at Oak Spring Farm.
Photo by Dillon Keen Photography LLC.
Hounds heading down to the main house at Oak Spring on a foggy Thanksgiving morning.
About Tiffany: Tiffany was born and raised in Loudoun County, Virginia. She began competitively riding horses at the age of two with her grandmother, Nancy Dillon. She enjoyed hunting with Piedmont Fox Hounds, competing in local horse shows, trail riding and team chases. She graduated from Loudoun Valley High School in 2005, and afterward went on to double major at Virginia Intermont College. While there, she met the love of her life Richard Keen. They were married in 2011, and welcomed their first child, River Dillon Keen in 2016 and their second Blake Ryan Keen in 2018. Each day is a new adventure!
This is pure silliness. Need a pick-me-up? Watch this video to celebrate Old Dominion Hounds 100th year.
From Betsy Parker: “The location of the video was Hunter’s Rest, which occupies the back acreage of the original ODH kennels near Flint Hill. The ODH fox population are, no doubt, derived from native red foxes and imported red foxes brought by early English settlers in the region. These settlers include George Washington, who hunted in what is, in theory, part of our ‘old’ territory near Markham!”
Fox photos by Betsy Burke Parker / Fox video clips by Betsy Burke Parker and Anusha Gregory / Rock video by Anusha Gregory
Iroquois Steeplechase Announces Unique International Jump Racing Partnership
Iroquois Steeplechase Race / Historical Photos. Courtesy of Iroquois Steeplechase.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – March 11th, 2025 – TheIroquois Steeplechase sponsored by Bank of America, announces a special partnership with The Jockey Club U.K., aligning two of the most prestigious racing organizations in the world of jump racing. The winner of the featured grade one stakes race, Calvin Houghland Iroquois Steeplechase, slated for May 10, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee, will have an invitation to compete in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at the 2026Cheltenham Festival in Gloucestershire, England. The purse of the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle is approximately €350,000 / $381,000.
The winner will not only receive an invitation, but also a travel incentive courtesy of The Jockey Club U.K. in partnership with TVV Capital. No horse has ever won at the top level at both the Festival and Iroquois. Despite a few near misses, this dual title remains an unfulfilled accomplishment, and this partnership sets a high bar for the staying hurdle division — giving the right horse a chance for a historic dual victory.
The tradition of pursuing an Iroquois/Cheltenham double began in 1987 when Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Shepard sent the Eclipse Champion, Flatterer, to Cheltenham for a try at the Champion Hurdle, another prestigious featured race in the sport. Flatterer narrowly missed the honor of being the first horse to accomplish an Iroquois/Cheltenham Festival “double,” finishing second in the Grade One Champion Hurdle before winning the Iroquois Steeplechase that same year. Nearly 40 years later, the dream of an Iroquois/Cheltenham double continues to drive both trainers and owners to pursue this extraordinary milestone.
As part of this exciting milestone, the Iroquois featured grade one race purse is increasing to $250,000, making it the richest spring steeplechase race in the U.S.
“We’re delighted to partner with the Iroquois Steeplechase, giving owners and trainers in the U.S. a chance to have a runner at Cheltenham Festival, the pinnacle of Jumps racing in the U.K.,” said Matthew Woolston, Assistant Racing and International Director at The Jockey Club. “The link between Cheltenham and U.S. Steeplechase Racing is strong and stretches way back to the likes of Flatterer, runner-up in the 1987 Champion Hurdle, and Lonesome Glory, who created history by becoming the first U.S.-trained winner of a jump race in the U.K. when successful at Cheltenham in 1992. We hope that through this partnership, which gives free entry and a travel incentive for the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham to the winner of the Iroquois Steeplechase, we can create more stories.”
The Cheltenham Festival, held annually in March with attendance of over 200,000 devoted fans, is the beating heart of the British National Hunt season offering four days of top-level racing that attracts the best horses, jockeys, and trainers. Each day possesses its own signature race, such as the Champion Hurdle, the Stayers’ Hurdle or the Gold Cup, with the start of every race punctuated by a legendary roar from the crowd that makes Cheltenham one of the most unique and compelling experiences in the sport. This combination of elite racing, rich heritage and vibrant energy makes the four-day festival the most anticipated venue on the jump racing calendar.
This collaboration is made possible with the steadfast support of The Jockey Club U.K. as well as local Nashvillian, Andrew Byrd, Founder and CEO of TVV Capital. Andrew has been instrumental in support of the Iroquois Steeplechase for over 30 years and is now driving this collaboration forward to garner global attention for the charitable beneficiaries in our community.
“We continue to work alongside our partners at The Jockey Club U.K. to enhance a collaboration that reflects a shared commitment to growing the sport and fostering international connections between American and U.K. jump racing,” said Iroquois Steeplechase Chairman, Dwight Hall. “Those in the industry know that the Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of jump racing, and to have our 2025 winner invited to this storied event highlights the caliber of the horses competing in Nashville this Spring.”
For more details on the Iroquois Steeplechase and our mission to support the sport and our beneficiaries, visit our website at www.iroquoissteeplechase.org.
Iroquois Steeplechase Race / Historical Photos. Courtesy of Iroquois Steeplechase.
About Iroquois Steeplechase
The Iroquois Steeplechase is a full day of racing at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, TN. The mission of the Iroquois Steeplechase is to manage and produce an annual world-class horse race that benefitsMonroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and other local community non-profits, as well as promote the sport of steeplechasing. To learn more about Steeplechase, visit www.iroquoissteeplechase.org.
About Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals, treating and helping to prevent a full range of pediatric health issues from colds and broken bones to complex heart diseases and cancer. In 2024, Monroe Carell was again named among the nation’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” for the 18th consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, the hospital earned the distinction as the No. 1 pediatric hospital in Tennessee and shares first place in the Southeast region for the fourth consecutive year.
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, a nonprofit organization, opened in 2004, expanded its physical space in 2012, and in 2016 began construction to add four new floors encompassing 160,000 total sq. ft. The new expansion helps to advance the size and scope of the hospital’s mission. For more about Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt: www.childrenshospitalvanderbilt.org.
Fire Destroys Part Of The Historic Old Dominion Hounds Kennel Complex
“A savage blaze,” says witness. Photo by Kim Poe, MFH.
Two buildings at the Old Dominion Hounds’ kennel complex at historic Henchman’s Lea just north of Orlean, Virginia were destroyed by fire in the early morning hours of Friday, February 7. No horses, humans or hounds were injured in the blaze, but two of the 125-year-old barns are a complete loss, according to hunt officials, along with stored equipment. An adjacent horse stable was saved when first responders soaked the structure, along with hundreds of bales of hay – fully stocked for winter, to stop the flames already scorching its wooden siding. The historic complex has been home to Old Dominion since 1941.
First to respond to the emergency were ODH Professional Huntsman Josh Bentley and whipper-in Casey Poe, asleep in the huntsman’s house just 20 yards from where fire broke out around 5:30 a.m.
“The house dogs were barking,” Bentley said. “I’d told them to shut up, but then Casey noticed the glow of the fire.”
They raced into the yard, Poe dialing 9-1-1 and her mother, ODH joint-master Kim Poe, while Bentley alerted Forrest Ashcraft and his family in the tenant house next to the large burning barn. Bentley said it was “already an inferno. It went up so fast.”
The hunt’s seven horses had been turned out the evening before so they safe in the pasture, but Bentley rightly feared the 60-plus hounds were in danger if sparks jumped to the wooden kennel lodge buildings across the courtyard.
“To be fair, the hounds were pretty chill about it,” Bentley said about how they handled it. “They’d started making noise, but they settled down when I got down there.” He was poised to spring open the kennel doors, he said, to turn them all together into the fenced exercise yard if the lodges began to burn.
“It was a savage blaze,” Bentley said.
Poe and Janine Ashcraft were hurriedly removing saddles and gear from the adjacent horse stable where reflected heat was beginning to singe the side closest to a small tack house burning between the two larger structures. “That was our fear,” Forrest Ashcraft said later, “that the horse barn would go up and there was tons of tack, so many horse blankets, everything in there.”
Orlean fire department was first on site; Warrenton, Amissville, Upperville, The Plains, Marshall and Little Fork also sent tankers and personnel.
Fauquier County Fire Rescue System battalion chief Rob Smith explained the timeline: the dispatch came at 5:31 a.m., crews were reported on scene at 5:36 a.m.
“The large barn was deemed to be a total loss at the outset with a constant wind” that had driven flames south into a smaller one at the center of the kennel driveway circle, Smith said. “That smaller barn, too, was consumed, (so) the concentration of personnel focused on preserving the (horse) barn, filled with hay and already beginning to suffer heat damage.” Flames were contained by 6:42 a.m., Smith said, though firefighters returned to the location throughout the day and the next day to extinguish hot spots.
“Fire is everyone’s worst nightmare,” said Old Dominion joint-master Les Moeller. “But as awful as it is to lose those two beautiful barns, and a lot of gear, we’re so thankful that no people, horses or hounds were hurt.
“We’re thankful for the rapid response of the Orlean fire department, and the others, and for Josh, Casey and Forrest and Janine Ashcraft for jumping to action. Neighbors, friends, hunt subscribers – everybody has been so supportive.”
Fire officials have not yet determined the cause of the blaze.
Old Dominion Hounds formed in 1924, first kenneled near Flint Hill but since 1941 based out of the Hinckley family’s Henchman’s Lea.
Albert Pope Hinckley served as Old Dominion joint-master 1947 to 1968. Hinckley’s granddaughter Douglas Wise was joint-master 1995 to 2015. ODH has leased the property – two houses, the two barns, the smaller tackhouse, kennel lodges and runs, plus several paddocks and pastures, since then.
“I pretty much grew up in those barns,” said Wise, who’s long served as ODH board chair. “Their loss is palpable. The barns date to 1900, built back when a 2 by 4 was actually 2 by 4. The cupola on top of that beautiful big barn was for so many decades a landmark for everybody riding or driving into Orlean.
“Those barns were so historic, so full of stories, especially the small (building) where so many local huntsmen and (staff) would warm up by the pot-bellied stove to discuss a great day’s hunting,” Wise said. “Old Dominion has been a community fixture for a century. We’re drawing together after this tragedy to move forward for another 100 years.”
The main loss occurred in the smaller structure, where Bentley had created an elaborate storage and organization system for dozens of tracking collars and Garmin displays. According to Kim Poe, it will cost ODH approximately $10,000 to replace the collars and tracking system.
The non-profit Old Dominion Conservation and Education Foundation supports local first responders, local charities and open space preservation efforts. The foundation is accepting donations to support a previously established kennel improvement plan. More details, including the hunt’s full history, photos and contact information, are at www.theolddominionhounds.com.
Here is information on how people can help: Donations are tax-deductible via the 501(c)3 Old Dominion Conservation and Education Foundation. Make checks out and mail them to Old Dominion Conservation and Education Foundation / PO Box 222 / Orlean, VA 20128. Or donate via Venmo – @ODCEF, or click this Jotform link — https://submit.jotform.com/250383079474160.
Prof. Huntsman Josh Bentley and Spencer Allen with the Old Dominion Hounds at Hunters Rest. Photo by Betsy Burke Parker.
Virginia Steeplechase’s Race to the Gold Cup Kicked Off Saturday, March 1st
2024 Rappahannock Hunt Races. Photo by Douglas Lees.
Here is the press release from the Rappahannock Hunt that announced their race held on March 1, 2025:
Riders up! Join us on Saturday, March 1st, 2025, for Rappahannock Hunt’s Annual Point-to-Point Race in Boston, VA! The action-packed event will take place at The Hill, located at 13257 Durantes Curve, Boston, VA 22713, just off Rt. 522.
Bring your family, friends, and colleagues for a day of exciting races, stunning views, and timeless tradition!
This year’s event features a variety of races again, including hurdle races, timber races, flat races, and pony races. Watch as skilled jockeys guide their horses full speed over solid jumps, competing in multiple thrilling laps around the course. With up to eight additional races, including three pony races, there’s plenty of action for all. The brave pony jockeys and their ponies are sure to captivate the crowd and bring smiles all around.
Thoroughbreds from Virginia and neighboring states will compete for the coveted blue ribbon and bragging rights in this premier sporting event. This Point-to-Point Race is also the first opportunity to see the thoroughbreds that may qualify for the Virginia Gold Cup later in the season.
The races are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, with the first race starting at 12 p.m., and gates opening at 10 a.m. to allow plenty of time for parking, tailgating, and socializing. Food Trucks will be onsite. To make your experience even better, we encourage you to reserve a parking spot for your group—it’s the best way to enjoy the day in comfort! The Hill offers the best views of the course, no matter which row you’re in.
Make plans now to attend! Online ticketing for reserved parking spots are available through Point to Point Races | Rappahannock Hunt now until February 24th, 2025. General admission tickets are available on race day at the gate for $10/person. Contact Katrine Pendleton at [email protected] or [email protected] for more information. In case of inclement weather, the rain date is Saturday, March 8th. Follow Rappahannock Hunt on Facebook for the latest news and updates.
The most intense race on the card – the 2024 Pony Race. Photo by Douglas Lees.
Pets are not allowed, with the exception of service animals.
Don’t miss out on this exciting day of sport and camaraderie—mark your calendar now, and we’ll see you there!
The Rappahannock Hunt is a 501c7 organization established in 1926 focused on mounted fox chasing with hounds in and around the Rappahannock region. Today, The Rappahannock Hunt territory is about 20-by-30 miles, comprised of approximately 384,000 acres in Rappahannock, Culpeper, Madison and Orange counties, making it the one of the larger hunting territories in Virginia.
