Heather Feconda, Loudoun-Fairfax Hunt (VA), was Champion, 13 & Over, on Yogi. / Richard Clay photo
The Junior North American Field Hunter Championship competition that began modestly twelve years ago between a handful of geographically-close Virginia hunts continues to expand in scope. This year’s competition involved juniors from twenty-seven hunts located across six MFHA Districts.
The program is succeeding because it’s purpose rises above just competition. Founders Douglas Wise, MFH, Old Dominion Hounds and Iona Pillion from the Blue Ridge Hunt had a larger dream: bring children to new hunting countries and open their eyes to the fact that these playgrounds don’t just happen to be there for them by chance, but have been nurtured and conserved for the perpetuation of wildlife, open space, and for those who treasure the natural world.
“We want these kids to know what a conservation easement is,” said Marion Chungo, one of the organizers.
Maggie Buchanan, Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds (PA), was Champion, 12 & Under, on Good Fortune. / Richard Clay photo
For an entry fee of $50.00, proceeds of which are ultimately donated to selected conservation organizations, juniors may ride in as many of the qualifying hunts as they wish. And they ride in front! Qualifying hunts were hosted this year by Moore County Hounds and Red Mountain Foxhounds (Carolinas District); Carrollton Hounds, Elkridge-Harford Hunt, Goshen Hounds, New Market-Middleton Valley Hounds, and Potomac Hunt (Maryland-Delaware District); Iroquois Hunt, Long Run Hounds, and Woodford Hounds (Midsouth District); Andrew’s Bridge Hounds, Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds, and Radnor Hunt (Pennsylvania District); Belle Meade Hunt (Southern District); and Bull Run Hunt, Deep Run Hunt, Loudoun-Fairfax Hunt, Orange County Hunt, and Piedmont Fox Hounds, (Northern Virginia/West Virginia District).
In addition to juniors from those twenty hunts, entries also came from Bear Creek Hounds (GA); Camargo Hunt, (OH); Green Spring Valley Hounds (MD); and Middleburg Hunt, Middleburg-Orange County Beagles, Keswick Hunt, and Old Dominion Hounds (VA).
Brighton Craig, Old Dominion Hounds, was Hilltopper Champion on Riots Maeve. / Richard Clay photo
Of the juniors from around the country that qualified, about eighty—the majority of the qualifiers—made it to the final competition hosted by the Old Dominion Hounds on Sunday, November 8, 2015.
“We threw a party for them on Friday night,” said Chungo. “The kids danced and made friends. You would hear, ‘You have to come hunt with us; call me!’”
On Saturday morning all were invited to hunt with Old Dominion. On Sunday the final competition was held consisting of a flat phase and a mock hunt, after which selected finalists were asked to perform individual tests. Judges this day were: Nina Bonnie; Helen Brettell; Katherine Byron, MFH; Snowden Clark; and Joseph Keusch, ex-MFH.
Lucy Arnold, Old Dominion Hounds, was awarded the Lynda Johnston Perpetual Spirit Award by Bear Johnston, for whose wife the trophy is named. Heather Heider is on the right. / Richard Clay photo
“The judges were wonderful about talking to all the kids,” Chungo said. They stressed the positives—things the kids did well—and made suggestions for improvements—such as keeping a safe distance. When we were at Potomac for one of the qualifying hunts, Vicki Crawford [MFH] talked to them about foxhounds as well as conservation. We want it to be a learning experience for every kid who enters. And we want them to carry on the sport.”
RESULTS:
Hilltopper
Champion – Brighton Craig – ODH – Riots Maeve
Res Champion – Kate Thresher – LFH – Caramel Topping
#3 Trey Batts – Red Mountain Hounds – April
#4 Kylee Keahon- ODH – Halloween Party
#5 Emalaine Cooper – Belle Meade – Chance
#6 Ada Catherine Hayes – Moore County – Charlie Dickens
#7 Kate Sautter – Woodford Hounds – Kiss Me Kate
#8 Liza Sautter – Woodford – Silver Spring
#9 Bethany Visokay – LFH – Holly
#10 Ashby Hatcher – LFH – Lightening Bug
Jumping – 12 & Under
Champion – Maggie Buchanan – Cheshire – Good Fortune
Res Champion – Emma Keahon – ODH – Duck Duck Goose
#3 Phoebe Fisher – Cheshire – Frisky Business
#4 Grace Schriner – Long Run – Julep Cup
#5 Kenley Batts – Red Mountain – Flutter
#6 Drew Schwentker – Blue Ridge – Scout
#7 Lydia Eifler – Long Run – I like Bugs
#8 Colby Poe – ODH – Blueberry
#9 Skylar McKenna – Cheshire – Waterboy
#10 Lilia Sharp – Blue Ridge – Isodorable
Jumping – 13 & Over
Champion – Heather Feconda – LFH – Yogi
Res Champion – Lee Lee McNeil – Radnor – O’Ryan
#3 Hayley Davis – ODH – Arts N Crafts
#4 Lakyn Harlow – ODH – Ice Princess
#5 Kathleen Maloney – Iroquois – Rocky
#6 Brady Hoffman – Elkridge-Harford – Scooter
#7 Ashley Johnson – Iroquois – Cobalt
#8 Maxwell Watters-Round – Camargo – Major
#9 Anna Highsmith – Belle Meade – Logan
#10 Connor Poe – ODH – Liberty Bell
The Lynda Johnston Perpetual Spirit Award
Lucy Arnold, Old Dominion Hounds
Click for more information about the Junior North American Field Hunter Championships and visit them on FaceBook.
Posted November 17, 2015
See more Richard Clay photos of the 2015 JNAFHC on his website.