Amwell Valley Heythrop is shown by huntsman Steve Farrin and whipper-in Lauren Podraza. / Karen Myers photo
Amwell Valley Heythrop 2008, an outstanding example of the modern English foxhound, was judged Grand Champion at the Bryn Mawr Hound Show on Saturday, June 2. Heythrop arrived at the Amwell Valley Hounds kennels as a puppy, along with his entire litte, from huntsman Martyn Blackmore at the Loudoun West Hunt.
Blackmore had brought Heythrop’s sire—Santa Ynez Auger 2005—and Heythrop’s dam—Toronto and North York Helpful 2003—to Loudoun West when he moved there from the Santa Ynez Valley Hounds. Huntsman Steve Farrin had taken up the horn at Amwell Valley at about that time and he wanted some nice English pups. Blackmore bred the pair and sent the entire litter to Farrin.
Heythrop is all Toronto and North York breeding on the dam’s side for three generations with roots to Exmoor and Berkeley in England. His sire Auger is out of a Toronto and North York dam.
“Heythrop is very good in his work,” said Farrin. “I never see him, which to me is a good thing. And he’s always there at the end of a hunt.”
Farrin liked Heythrop from the start.
“The whole litter entered easily. He’s always in the front ten when we go out. One brother and one sister are equally good, and the rest will catch up, I’m sure. They’re only entering their third season now.”
Horn Blowing Championship
The Horn Blowing Contest is divided into two divisions—amateur and professional. Rick Davis, MB and huntsman of the West Dublin Foot Beagles was the winner in the amateur division and huntsman Sam Clifton was the judges’ choice among the professional contestants. Clifton was chosen Overall Horn Blowing Champion by judges Jake Carle, ex-MFH and huntsman Joe Cassidy. Horn Blowing winners at MFHA-sanctioned hound shows qualify to compete in the national finals held each year at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg.
Click for complete results of all the classes and champions.
Posted June 8, 2011
With Heythrop and his Grand Championship trophy are (l-r) Judge Stanley D. Petter, Jr., Show Chairman George S. Hundt, Jr., Amwell Valley huntsman Steve Farrin, Loudoun West huntsman Martyn Blackmore (breeder), and whipper-in Lauren Podraza. / Karen Myers photo
2011 Bryn Mawr Hound Show judges (front row, l-r) Mrs. Michael Ledyard (Junior Handler Class); Clayton Bright, MB (Beagles); Lisa Warren (Penn-Marydels); Linda Armbrust, MFH (English foxhounds); (back row) John B. Hannum, III (English foxhounds); Coleman Perrin (American foxhounds); Mitch Jacobs, MFH (Crossbred foxhounds); George Hundt, Jr. Show Manager; ex-huntsman Andrew Barclay (Bassets); Stanley D. Petter Jr. (Grand Champion class) / Karen Myers photo