Bryn Mawr Hound Show: For Some, it was Perfect!
Blue Ridge Mortimer with Huntsman Dennis Downing, and Green Spring Valley Perfect with Huntsman Samuel J. Clifton
By Lauren A. Giannini
Photos courtesy of Karen Myers
As the oldest “complete” outdoor hound show in America, the Bryn Mawr Hound Show has historically offered the widest classification of all hounds: English, American, Cross Bred and Penn-Marydel Foxhounds, plus Beagles, Bassets, and, at various times, Harriers and Working Terriers. With so many hounds to see, we spent most of this year’s show running (literally, at times, with camera in hand) from the English, Crossbred and American rings to about 50 yards away to photograph the Penn-Marydels and Bassets. Truth to tell, we didn’t get to spectate, but one special memory lingers: the Handler of the Day, Sam Clifton, huntsman for Green Spring Valley.
The way Clifton soothed that unentered Crossbred bitch paid tribute to the affectionate bond that develops between huntsman and hounds. “Perfect” lived up to her name even though it was a long tiring day for any hound, let alone a young one. The previous weekend at Virginia she was champion bitch. Yet, not one toe moved as she stood there classically posed near Crossbred dog champion Howard County-Iron Bridge “Patuxent” while Bobby Ashcom, ex-MFH, studied both hounds.
Clifton stroked his young hound, no doubt murmuring all sorts of familiar gibberish. At the end of a hot and humid day of strutting her stuff loose and on the boards, she was “Perfect” and won the Crossbred title.
Another thing they do differently is the ring just for Junior Handler classes. This eliminates the added anxiety of hounds known for good nose dragging youngsters to an overlooked bit of kibble. Byron Good, Golden’s Bridge, won 10 & Under Foxhounds, with Katie McCoy, Hill and Hollow, first again in 10 & Under Foothounds. Skycastle French Hounds’ Nick won the 11-16 Foothounds. Reedy Creek’s Sarah Eggleston reprised last year’s triumph in 11-16 Foxhounds, then took the grand championship.
Nigel Peel, MFH, was honored for his lifetime contribution to hunting and hounds at Saturday’s luncheon. As judge of the Grand Championship, Peel chose Blue Ridge Mortimer, the English champion, over Essex Joyful (American), Andrews Bridge Jazzy (Penn-Marydel), and GSV Perfect. He also said that Perfect would be a star with a year or two’s hunting.
Results:
Grand Champion Foxhound: Blue Ridge Mortimer (English Champion)
Reserve: Green Spring Valley Perfect (Crossbred Champion) (UE)
English Champion: Blue Ridge Mortimer
American Champion: Potomoc Jeopardy
Penn-Marydel Champion: Andrews Bridge Jazzy
Crossbred Champion: Green Spring Valley Perfect
Champion Beagle: Sandanona Pronto
Champion Basset: Calf Pasture Sandanona Stylist
Julian Marshall Award Winner: Nigel Peel, MFH North Cotswold Hunt, Great Britain
Champion Junior Handler 10 and Under, Showing a Foothound: Katie McCoy Hill and Hollow Bassets
Champion Junior Handler 10 and Under, Showing a Foxhound: Byron Good Golden’s Bridge Hounds
Champion Junior Handler 11 to 16, Showing a Foxhound: Sarah Eggleston Reedy Creek Hounds
For the full results, visit the MFHA’s Hound Show Results Page
Crossbred Champion - Green Spring Valley Perfect, Dennis Downing, the huntsman of Blue Ridge Hunt, looking on. (George Hundt on the right)
Hill and Hollow Bassets’ Katie McCoy with Dalesman
Blue Ridge Mortimer with Ross Salter (Whipper-In, Blue Ridge Hunt), Dennis Downing (Huntsman, Blue Ridge Hunt), George S Hundt, Jr, Chairman of the Bryn Mawr Hound Show, and judge Nigel Peel, MFH, North Cotswold Hunt
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