MFHA President Tony Leahy has prudently announced the cancellation of several popular spring events due to the world-wide Covid-19 pandemic.

Canceled are the Virginia Foxhound Show; the National Horn Blowing Championships; the Ian Milne Huntsman’s Award presentation; the Professional Development Program graduation ceremony for the class of 2019/2020; and the ceremony for those huntsmen selected to be inducted into the Huntsmen’s Room at the Museum of Hounds and Hunting this year—all previously scheduled over the Memorial Day weekend. 

It is planned to hold graduation ceremonies for the 2019/2020 Professional Development class at a later date at MFHA headquarters in Middleburg, Virginia. Graduating this year are Bennett Barclay, whipper-in, Elkridge-Harford Hunt (MD); Jacob Cotton, whipper-in, Rose Tree-Blue Mountain Hunt (PA); James Dean, whipper-in, Radnor Hunt (PA); Brianna Graf, whipper-in, Essex Foxhounds (NJ); Kim Levy, MFH who is forming her own hunt in Nova Scotia; Alyse Phipps, huntsman, Norfolk Hunt (MA); and Katie Wallace, huntsman, Shawnee Hounds (IL).

Aspiring hunt staff members who have been admitted to the Professional Development Program for 2020/2021 will begin the course work as scheduled, but the required kennel visits have been postponed until November.

President Leahy has offered to make the MFHA headquarters facility in Middleburg available to the directors of the Museum of Hounds and Hunting for the Huntsmen’s Room ceremonies when health conditions allow.

Posted April 10, 2020