Huntsman John Gray and professional whipper-in Leilani Hrisko show Virginia Grand Champion Hillsboro Siskin ’14. Looking on (l-r) are Judge J.W.Y. “Duck” Martin, Virginia Foxhound Club Co-Chairman Mrs. Richard Jones, and huntsman John Holliday, Belvoir Foxhounds (UK). / Lauren Giannini photo
Virginia Foxhound Show, Morven Park, May 24, 2015: Okay, says Hillsboro huntsman John Gray, if you don’t like Graphic, I’ll show you Siskin!
On May 9, 2015 at the Carolinas Hound Show, Hillsboro Graphic ’14 was judge Tony Leahy’s pick for Grand Champion of Show. Two weeks later, at the Virginia Foxhound Show, Leahy, judging in the Crossbred ring, chose un-entered Midland Striker over Graphic for the Crossbred Championship.
It proved but a minor setback for Hillsboro. In the final class of the day in the English ring, Judge Charles Frampton chose Hillsboro Siskin ‘14 as the Champion English Foxhound. So when the very last class of the day rolled around—Grand Champion of Show—English Champion Siskin faced off against Crossbred Champion Midland Striker, who had just beaten Siskin’s kennel mate, Carolinas Grand Champion Graphic, for the breed championship.
The other formidable opponents in the ring were un-entered American Champion, Orange County Kermit and Penn-Marydel Champion, De La Brooke Tullamoore ’11. But Hillsboro was not to be denied. Judge J.W.Y. “Duck” Martin crowned Hillsboro Siskin ’14 Grand Champion of Show. Crossbred Champion Midland Striker was Reserve, and Hillsboro leaves town with two Grand Champion foxhounds in the last two hound shows!.
Lauren Giannini photo
“[Siskin] is a lovely hound,” said Martin, “and a good mover. It was a hard decision, but the entered hound always has an advantage [being more mature and physically developed].”
Siskin came to Hillsboro from the South Shropshire (UK) as an un-entered puppy. “Tony Leahy spoke to Otis Ferry [MFH of the South Shropshire],” explained huntsman Gray. “We wanted a light hound for our hilly country, and that’s just what we got. She’s a perfect type for our country.”
Forty-two hunts or more exhibited more than seven hundred foxhounds at the 2015 Virginia Foxhound Show. Judges were MFHs C. Martin Wood III, Live Oak Hounds (FL) and Dr. John R. Moody, Mooreland Hunt (AL) in the American ring; Irvin L. Crawford, MFH, Potomac Hunt (MD) in the Crossbred ring (under 35 couple); Patrick Anthony Leahy, MFH, Fox River Valley Hunt (IL) in the Crossbred ring (over 35 couple); Charles Frampton, MFH, Heythrop Foxhounds (UK) in the English ring; and Dr. Roger Scullin, MFH, Howard County-Iron Bridge Hounds (MD) in the Penn-Marydel ring.
Iona Pillion and Celeste Vella, MFH judged the Junior Handlers class, 10 and under; Jean Roberts, ex-MFH, New Market-Middletown Valley Hounds (MD) and Kim Nash, MFH, Warrenton Hunt (VA) judged the Junior Handlers class, 11–16.
Dr. Jack Van Nagell, MFH, Iroquois Hunt, judged the Performance Trial hounds and J.W.Y. Martin, MFH, Green Spring Valley Hounds (MD), judged the Grand Champion class.
Posted May 28, 2015
Proud Masters, staff and supporters of the Hillsboro Hounds with their Grand Champion / Lauren Giannini photo