A level pack from the Piedmont Fox Hounds (VA) show in the pack class at Morven Park / Lauren Giannini photo
The Virginia Foxhound Show will remain at Morven Park, and, with that question resolved, the Virginia Foxhound Club has gone forward with repairs and improvements to the kennels and rings. Bob Ferrer, MFH and Show Chairman of the Virginia Foxhound Club (VFC) brings us up to date:
“After some years of uncertainty about the future site of the Virginia Foxhound Show we are pleased to report we have reached an agreement with the new executive director of the Westmoreland Davis Foundation to keep the show at Morven Park.”
“The Virginia Foxhound Club has undertaken much needed repairs and painting of the kennels, including repair of the doors at the shed rows, roof, fascia boards, and cupolas. The end result is a professional appearance and security in knowing that the facility will last for many years to come.
“Part of our improvements includes all new flags for the rings, as well.”
Referring to this year’s show, Ferrer writes, “We are pleased that her Grace, the Duchess of Rutland will attend the show dinner and the show this year.
“In a time of rising costs, the Club is absorbing some of the expenses to keep the costs the same. Our open bar and dinner remains at $45 per person. [Click for reservations, which must be received by May 14, prior to the show.]
“We have an exciting group of vendors, and we invite you to visit our new website where spectators and participants can learn all about the show events.”
This is good news for exhibitors and spectators alike. Morven Park is a magnificent venue, a tourist destination in its own right. A day catching up with foxhunting friends from all across North America in such a beautiful setting is something we all look forward to and long remember.
American, Crossbred, English, and Penn-Marydel foxhounds show against others of their type in four separate rings and are judged by expert breeders from the best kennels in the world. Whether a Master or huntsman is seeking certain bloodlines, or an outcross to introduce hybrid vigor to the gene pool in his own kennels, he or she sees the best of any type at Virginia, along with the opportunity to socialize and chat about the merits and traits of the canine objects of his desire.
The VFC officers and directors urge you to be a member of the club. Membership Form and instructions are available on the club’s new website. Please visit and browse the site for more information and photo galleries of past hound shows.
You may also become a member or renew by making your check in the amount of $35.00 ($350.00 for Life Membership) payable to the Virginia Foxhound Club and mailing to: Virginia Foxhound Club, c/o Ms. Elizabeth Smith, 7237 Leeds Manor Road, Marshall, VA 20115.
Membership in the Virginia Foxhound Club, no matter where in North America you hunt, is an investment that benefits you directly. You need only to look at the pedigrees of hounds in your own kennels to appreciate the contribution to our sport made by the principal breeding kennels across North America. These are the kennels that maintain the standards of breeding, that preserve through tail-male and tail-female bloodlines the genes of proven and prepotent foxhounds of the past, and whose bloodlines course through hounds in all hunts across North America. The success of all sanctioned hound shows is a vital ingredient to the quality of sport for every hunt. The Virginia Foxhound Club, which organizes the largest of all the sanctioned shows, asks for your support to help it continue to fulfill its mission.
Posted March 28, 2016
Hillsboro huntsman John Gray stands up a winning foxhound for the camera. / Richard Clay photo