It is next weekend! October 10th FHC Dinner and Benefit Auction and Art Sale
Sale of Paintings by local Equine Artists to benefit FHC Hounds
Heads Up Friends and members, if you have not yet made your reservation there are still a few special seats left. Come out to the hunt club,join our guests visiting from the Rolling Rock Hunt and take advantage of this special opportunity to see fine artwork by local artisits. Two paintings, one by noted artist Sally Moren and a hound portrait by our own Evie Cowles will be sold at live auction.There will be additional paintings by Sally Moren, Dorothy Chuuy, Helen Hilliard and Kelly Coffin on display for purchase. A generous percentage of the sale proceeds will support the Farmington Hunt Club Hounds.
Here are a few of the pieces you will see next weekend:

Matthew Cook "Tacking Up", by Sally Moren was shown in 2014 at the exhibit in the AAEA (American Academy of Equine Artists) Fall Showcase in Lexington, Kentucky and won both the People's Choice Award and also second place for Sporting Art .

"Keswick Guests" by Sally Moren(painted after joint meet with FHC)was selected by jury for exhibit in the AAEA (American Academy of Equine Artists) Fall Showcase in Lexington, Kentucky, and then at the Fall Keeneland Auction 2015, will be offered for sale at our dinner with 25% of the proceeds to benefit the hounds.

"Fox", by Sally Moren, created for the event, will be sold at live auction

 This small 6x8" painting by Kelly Coffin was done for this event, 50% of the proceeds to benefit FHC.
Look for other larger paintings by Kelly on Satuday night.

Contact Event Chair Carol Hamor Evie Cowles 434-531-1487 for full details.

FHC Annual Meeting April 19, 2017

 by Beth Sutton, Photos by Martha Drum

The Hunt Club membership gathered for their annual meeting last night at the Club House in Free Union with a full representation of both members and staff to review committee reports and to elect new Board members and officers for the upcoming year. The meeting was called to order by President Mark Thompson at 7 pm, and following the presentation of committee reports and discussion of new and old business, the meeting was adjourned. After the meeting we had  a convivial social gathering over a delicious pot luck feast and open bar. It has been a wonderful year for the club, with excellent hunting, a full social calendar and a host of horse activities. Most of all we celebrated another year of strong leadership, camaraderie and friendship that come from many hours put in both in sport and volunteer activities. The club is in great shape financially, and our staff-both professional and honorary- continue to improve our pack and provide excellent sport. Here are a few highlights from the evening (Minutes from the meeting will be posted in the Members Section when they are available):

Mark Thompson reported that the past year has been very successful and that we are on good footing financially. He extended sincere thanks and praise to the many volunteers who provide the energy behind all of our horse activities and social events throughout the year. He praised our professional staff: huntsman Matthew Cook, Tom McCauley our kennel man, and Grady Collier, his assistant,for the excellent work they do maintaining our superb pack of hounds and providing such great sport. We are lucky to have great volunteer support staff from our honorary whippers in Deborah Wray, Carolyn Chapman and Tom Bishop, and look forward to bringing on Tiffany Snell to add to the team. Our road whips Brian Barquin, B.J.Korol, and the Cuthberts work hard keeping our hounds safe, as well as giving opportunity for foot followers to share some of the action.

While challenges continue as the membership numbers fluctuate, he encouraged members to encourage new members and to cultivate potential new members. Our dues are the essential source of annual income, supplemented by income from special events like the Hunt Ball and the horse activities. Additional support comes from the sale of our tax credits. Treasurer Tom Bishop presented the budget for 2017-2018, Ken Chapman reported on the current state of repairs to the clubhouse and the kennels. Beth Sutton reported on a productive year for FHC communications, with many new articles published in magazines, increased traffic on our website, a growing subscription to our FHC Facebook group, and growing numbers of sponsors that add to our annual income, with thanks to Stephanie Guerlain for her invaluable input on maintaining data for activities, and contacts for participants both in and beyond our club.Kip Holloway reported on a very successful year for the Horse activities committee, looking forward to the upcoming season with 13 events planned, including three Hunter Pace events, two major hunter shows, multiple jumper derbies, events and horse trials as well as the annual Foxhunting Clinic held each year at Millington.Kay Butterfield reported that plans are under way for Walk and Talks for this summer,and looks forward to additional help in leadership thanks to Carter McNeely,Martha Drum and Liz King.(See events calendar for upcoming events). Martha Drum reported on membership and increasing opportunities for our juniors, Dale Dealtrey reported on Social events on behalf of Chairman Stacey Stinchfield, who was unable to attend the meeting. Ann Horner reported on Special Events, especially a very successfull Hunt ball this year, held at the Boar's head in march. She gave special thanks to Carolyn Chapman for chairing the event, and to Evelyn Cowles who headed up a fantastic auction. Pat Butterfield reported that hunting was great this year with hounds going out 70 times, and with a number of new entry in our pack this year. He announced plan to enter a large number of hounds in this years Virginia Hound Show at Morven on May 27th, and he invited everyone to come out for that fun event, as well as the Puppy Show, Sunday May 21st at the club. There will be a junior handler division this year, as well as participation from the Farmington Beagles, and a fun social event and pot luck following the show, at the clubhouse.

The election of new Board members  and officers was put forward with unanimous support: Robin Ellis, Helen Hilliard and Jeb Cuthbert are our new board members replacing out going members Ebeth Brann, Robin Lundgren and Carolyn Chapman. We reelected officers Mark Thompson, President, Nancy Howell Honorary Secretary, and Kip Holloway Vice President, Tom Bishop, Treasurer.. Special awards were presented: Julian Beckwith Award for outstanding volunteer service from a member who has contibuted greatly to the club: Stephen Bickers, for his wonderful work for so many years on the successfully organized and well attended horse shows. B.J. Korol awarded the Jill Summers "Best Turned out" award for the year to Junior Emma Bittle, and the newly established Kim Morton "Foxhunting Spirit" award went to Jennifer Campbell. A special surprise was presented by Mary Buford and Fred Hitz, a stunning silver tray, from the family collection, to be used and enjoyed at FHC. Thanks everyone for another great year!

Mark Thompson presented the Julian Beckwith award to Stephen Bickers

Joy Crompton and Shawnee Baker present the Kim Morton Foxhunting Spirit award to Jennifer Campbell

Mary Buford Hitz presented a silver tray from her family collection to President Mark Thompson, for FHC

Matthew Cook shows Diglet in the Stallion Hound class, J.Chris Middleton Photo

Virginia Hound Show Results

May 27, 2018, Morven Park, Leesburg, Va

courtesy Julie Cook

See Catherine Summers Photos

Matthew Cook with "Fiona", photo courtesy of C. Summers

Farmington Hunt Club exhibited hounds this spring at the annual Virginia Hound Show. Here are the results:

Unentered American Doghound.
4th Bread and 5 Chapman

Couple of unentered doghounds
4th Bread and Bullseye

Crossbred Bitch entered couples
1st Wiggle and Wicked

PMD couple of entered doghounds
4th Dipper and Diglet

PMD Stallion Hound
4th Diglet

September 3, 2017 FHC  Teams Compete at Warrenton Horse and Pony Show- Hunt Night

Hunt team winners from left:Karen Bull, Liz King, Stephanie Guerlain, Katie Define, Taryn Cowles, and Isabella Karr , Tripp Cowles photo

report by Jane Fogleman,Stephanie Guerlain

Warrenton Hunt Night Festivities

Sunday at Warrenton was well attended by supporters and participants from Farmington. The ring was a sloppy mess when the “Hunt Night Classes” began but did dry out as the day progressed. The supporters included: Ellie Wood Baxter, Jane Fogleman, BJ Korol, Grenelle Delany, Jane DeButts, The Karrs , Lynn Define, Tripp Cowles, Mary Kalergis, Carolyn Brandt, Jennifer Sulzberger, Tricia Neumann, Linda Haschart, Bob Haschart, Jebb Cuthbert, Paula McConnell, Mary Buford Hitz, Max Olivas, Robin Huntington, Nancy Howell, Elizabeth Uffelman, BJ Korol, and Cece Williamson (her horse went lame so unfortunately our 4th hunt team wasn't able to compete but her teammates Joy Crompton and Robin Ellis were able to ride in a few other classes)l. There may have been others that I missed but the overall support was much appreciated by the riders. And we greatly thank Baily Dent who coached many of the Farmington riders.

The show was very big, there were 41 in the Ladies Hunter Hack, 31 pairs, and I think 17 teams.

Sally Lamb organized a wonderful food tent for Keswick, Bull Run and Farmington. It was great to get together with all of the neighboring hunts and start the season with such positive experiences.

The best of the day !!! In the over 45 class Liz went around the end of the ring in front of the grandstands and she was really moving on at a good lick. She yelled at Elliewood sitting in the stands—“This is for you Ellie Wood”. We all know how Ellie Wood likes horses to go at a Hunting Pace!!!

Our participants were all beautifully turned out for the occasion and represented Farmington admirably!! They included: Joy Crompton, Liz King, Stephanie Guerlain, Karen Bull, Jenny Daly, Charlotte Delany, Robin Ellis, Katie Define, Isabelle Karr, Taryn Cowles, James McKinley

Results were also admirable from our distinguished group of riders.

Stephanie and Brooklyn, R.Haschart photo

Warmup
1st Brooklyn, Stephanie Guerlain

Junior Foxhunter Over Fences
1st, Prize, Katie Define for Jennifer Daly
4th, Syrah, Isabella Karr for Mason Fogg

Fox hunter Over Fences 30-45
2nd Batman, Jennifer Daly

Karen and Zeus, R.Haschart photo

Liz and Melissa Slutzky's 'Cinni, R. Haschart Photo

Fox hunter Over Fences 45+
2nd Stephanie Guerlain on Brooklyn
5th Barcinni, Liz King for Melissa Slutzky
7th Zeus, Karen Bull

Liz King and 'Cinni, R. Haschart Photo

Staff Class
4th Liz King on Barcinni

Ladies Hunter Hack
5th Stephanie Guerlain on Brooklyn

Junior Hunter Hack
7th Katie Define on Prize
8th Isabella Karr on Syrah

Gentleman's Hack
4th Zeus, James McKinley for Karen Bull

Charlotte Delany and Liz King, R. Haschart photo

Hunt Teams
2nd Stephanie Guerlain, Liz King, and Karen Bull
5th Taryn Cowles, Isabella Karr and Katie Define

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL PARTICIPANTS!!!

For more photos and videos, visit FHC on facebook!

Matthew Cook Visits 4H Club Group
Report and Photos by Martha Drum, FHC membership chairman

Pictured here: EMT specialist and FHC member Trip Cowles(black shirt) and FHC Huntsman Matthew Cook (with hounds Briar and OJ) greet "Hoof and Woof"4 H kids at the Earlysville Fire Department. The 4H group includes FHC juniors Taryn Cowles, Taylor Overman, and Bella Karr.  All three of those girls have earned their Fairly Hunted Award from the MFHA for hunting regularly this year.
Hounds are the best ambassadors for our sport!

March 10,2016 Farmington Hunt (VA) huntsman, Matthew Cook, and Martha Drum visited the Hoof-n-Woof 4-H Club in Albemarle County to introduce the young riders to foxhunting and encourage them to join us in the field. 4-H is an active youth organization in Virginia, and since Farmington seeks to increase junior participation, it made sense to reach out - and bring a few extra hunt horns, whips, and one couple of friendly hounds along to help.

Matthew gave an animated talk which held the attention of nearly twenty 4-Hers, despite the 7:30pm start time on a weeknight. He began by describing his daily routine in kennels and explaining how much behind-the-scenes, year-round work goes into the pageantry and action of hunt morning. To engage the nine- to sixteen-year-old audience, he demonstrated cracking the whip and invited the children to take their best shots. This is a skill that comes more naturally to some arms than others, but everyone who tried was loudly cheered on by her friends. A few 4-H moms greatly enjoyed taking a turn as well!

Cracking a whip takes skill! and what fun to learn.  M. Drum photos

Explaining control and communication with hounds, Matthew blew several different calls on the horn, which again captured the crowd's attention. The youngsters took a try here as well - a couple of ringers, or trumpet and other horn players, made decent novice attempts.

While he was speaking, the 4-Hers passed around the Masters of Foxhounds Association's "A Centennial View" coffee table book, admiring the paintings and photographs. We also distributed several copies of Wadsworth's booklet, "Riding to Hounds in America," to be read and shared among the Hoof-n-Woof members. Complete kits reflecting various attire, including the huntsman's pink coat, ratcatcher, and formal attire with colors, were on display as well. I reminded the riders that many details of hunt seat tack and turnout - the tall boots, extra billet strap, muted colors - have their practical origin in the field.

The highlight of the evening was the entrance of hounds Briar and OJ, who charmed the group and received plenty of affection while the kids crowded around to ask informal questions of their huntsman. As always, foxhounds and children were a terrific mixture. Four members of the Hoof-n-Woof Club will receive their MFHA Fairly Hunted Awards this season, and we hope they will encourage their peers to come out and follow hounds as well (Matthew's daughter, Pippa, who hunts alongside her mom, Julie, also earned the Fairly Hunted Award).

Parents were interested to hear that there is organization and leadership in the field, and that Farmington offers three flights at nearly every meet. We also have a full schedule of twice-weekly casual summer trail rides from Memorial Day to Labor Day, as well as hunter paces, so there are many opportunities for these riders to prepare ahead of time to join the field come autumn. As an extra invitation, each attendee received a certificate for a free cap. Many thanks to Matthew for doing such a great job interacting with these enthusiastic kids.

To learn more about 4-H clubs, visit their official website here.

To learn more about Farmington Hunt Club activities, please click here.

To learn more about the MFHA's Fairly Hunted Award for juniors, please click here.

The Hoof-n-Woof 4-H Club includes FHC student members, Taryn Cowles, Taylor Overman, Bella Karr (and I believe Emma Bittle, but she wasn't able to attend that evening).  Following up the 4-H presentation, we discussed scheduling a couple of introductory group trail rides to get the kids out in the country, and hopefully the next step will be our Walk and Talks, and then hunting in the fall.  We welcome kids, and their parents, to join the fun!  And we WANT them to come out! and that we can pair the newbies up with experienced riders to guide them.

Thomas "Tommy" McCauley, Kennelman, Retires from FHC

Save the Date!

The Hunt Club will celebrate Tommy McCauley's retirement with a
Party, Sunday October 22, 2017

Supper, Wine, Beer and Fun at the Clubhouse 4pm
Members and Friends invited
for details contact B.J. Korol 434-978-4516