From Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire in Pennsylvania, (Photo courtesy Louise Emerick)

Photo courtesy Shakerag Hounds

By Autumn Clarke

Shakerag Hounds lost a great member on January 11, 2012 when Ruth McClure passed away at the age of 92. Ruth McClure was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Duke University with a Masters degree in Chemistry, where she met her husband, John McClure. They made their home in Suwannee, Georgia, and became members of Shakerag Hounds in the 1960s. As an avid equestrian and foxhunter, Ruth quickly became one of the club’s strongest and most important members.

In the 70s, Ruth became the first field master, fearlessly leading the field on her trusty horse Parson into the early 80s. After years of leading first flight, Parson retired, and Ruth went on to lead the hill toppers on various horses, although none would ever replace Parson. In addition to the position as field master, Ruth also served as Shakerag’s honorary secretary for over 20 years.

One day in the field, during a particularly tough run, the field had dwindled down to a small handful of die-hard foxhunters. As Ruth boldly led the field across the countryside, her husband, John, broke away from the field and decided to take his own line, as he was known to do. As he galloped along the trails snaking through the woods, John came around a turn and abruptly pulled to a halt when he saw Ruth and what was left of the field heading straight towards him. When John asked, “Why aren’t you all with the field?” Ruth responded in a very domineering voice, “We ARE the field!”

Ruth and her husband owned a farm in the old Shakerag hunt country, conveniently located within hacking distance of the clubhouse. Their farm had miles of winding trails and was dotted with jumps. The McClures would schedule trail rides twice a week so members could get their horses (and themselves) in shape for the long runs across the trappy North Georgia countryside.

Ruth also took great pride in educating novices on the traditions and etiquette of the hunt. Together, she and her husband were responsible for introducing countless numbers of people to foxhunting, and many of today’s members joined because of the McClures. Her husband would often tell people to just show up at the meet and get on a horse! Ruth, however, would take care to explain exactly what “just showing up” involved, and how to proceed once you arrived at the meet. With a guiding hand and open heart, Ruth helped numerous riders become contributing members of Shakerag.

Eventually, arthritis began to take its toll, and made it too uncomfortable to ride. However, Ruth would not allow this to slow her down; she regularly followed each hunt in her jeep. With her uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time, it was not uncommon for her to view more game than the huntsman! About ten years ago, the trophy for the high point lady hunter at Shakerag’s Hunter Trials was honorably named the Ruth McClure Trophy. It is the only trophy so far to be named after a member who was still living! She also donated her hunting attire to the club; Connie Washburn, wife of MFH Richard Washburn, proudly wears Ruth’s Melton coat each Saturday, and her pink coat now belongs to Shakerag’s first whipper-in, Kelly Eaton.

However, Ruth’s legacy is more than hunt coats and a shimmering trophy. As I am only in my fourth season with Shakerag, I can see Ruth’s impact on the Shakerag community all around me. Every person who has taken me under their wing, answered the seemingly endless questions I have about hunting, or simply greeted me with a smile and a cheery, “Good morning!” carries on Ruth’s spirit. She was the epitome of everything Shakerag stands for, and although she will be greatly missed by everyone in the Shakerag community, every warm welcome and helping hand assures that Ruth McClure will always be a part of Shakerag Hounds.

As my winter vacation comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on how I spent most of my time compared to my peers at school. As friends excitedly talked about the various beaches, cruises, or ski trips they were headed for the moment school let out, I had my hopes on spending as much time as I could at the kennels, and I have to say that was the highlight of my break.

I know, it’s weird because I’m a nineteen-year-old college student. I should be sleeping until at least noon. Ten am should be an early morning. I should be dragging my feet with droopy eyes at any hour before nine. And if I’m up before eight, I should be chugging energy drinks to function. But I’ve found over my break that there’s something about a good hound walk in the morning that just puts me in a good mood. Is that so wrong?

A few times over my break, our family friends offered to let me stay at their farmhouse across the street from the kennels so I wouldn’t have to make the trek to the kennels from our home in the suburbs. On these days I would usually get up around 6:30, but if I were home, I would get up at 5:30 in order to beat the highway traffic.

Walking into the kennels at 7:30, the sound of impatient, excited, and hungry hounds filled my ears as well as the clank of the cold metal troughs we placed on the floors and the clatter of dog food being poured into the troughs. Shakerag’s huntsman, John Eaton, let out Galaxy, a pregnant hound, to eat her fill first, and then went into each lodge to let out individuals who may be skinnier than others. Despite all of the hounds leaping and running in excitement, he was able to only pick and let out each individual hound. While the hounds needing a little extra nourishment chowed down, the remainder of the pack continued to cry to be let out. Finally, he let the rest of the hounds out, and once that happened, the entire kennel fell silent of crying hounds, and the only noise left was the sound of all the hounds desperately lapping up the remainder of their breakfast. There would be the scrape of the metal troughs on the concrete floors as some hounds pushed the troughs to get food that may have spilled out, and then the ringing of water hitting the troughs as John washed them out. Soon after, John would spread the Clorox mixture he makes for the floors of the kennels, and would leave me with the hose so I could wash down the kennels while he and his wife, Kelly, collected hounds from the hound yard for hound exercises. Right at 8:00, somebody would tell me it was time to go, so I would hang up the hose and run out of the kennels as my boots slapped the puddles left on the concrete floors.

At this point, the sun had come up, but was still fairly low in the sky. The air was cold, and the excited hounds had small clouds of fog from their breath. As we headed out towards the big field, the huntsman and the whips had the hounds packed in, but not too tightly, until they left the kennel/barn area. Once they reached the big field, John would quietly say, “Go on then,” and the hounds burst forward like racehorses let out of the starting gate.

My boots were crunching on the frosty grass as we continued our walk across the big field. The bright December sunrise made it difficult to see anything but silhouettes of huntsman, whips, and hounds. The air was cold and still, and each breath rose in a thick fog. As I looked out over the field, I would watch the puppies race after Blue Dog, a stray who’s decided staying around Shakerag is pretty nice. John would pick up a branch or two and throw it into the field, and hounds would chase after it, only to end up with two or three all carrying it at once. Saber would come trotting up to me, wagging his tail so hard, his whole body shook, then jump up to see me before running off with his friends again. Some hounds would roll in the cool grass before jumping up and scooting off to catch up with the rest of the pack.

As I sit here typing this, I’m back at home in the suburbs, with only one week left before I head back to school. A dull exhaustion is starting to set in from spending the past few days at the kennels and hunting, and as I’m getting ready for bed, I realize it’s 8:30 pm; most of my peers are probably at their peak right about now. Maybe I didn’t spend my holidays the way a typical nineteen year old would. My own mother has quite blankly told me that I have lost my mind for willingly getting up at odd hours in the morning, whether it is for hound walking or hunting. My twenty two year old brother told me at dinner that he went to bed at 7 am…nearly an hour after I had woken up. But as I looked across that frost-coated field in the sharp, cold air, and the blinding sun warming my face as hounds romped about, I couldn’t help but think that I could not be happier spending my vacation anywhere else. I was home.

2011 proved to be very dry, creating drought situations in large portions of the United States.  The outlook for 2012 looks to be just as dry.  While having a large stock tank may seem to be enough to keep your animal hydrated during this time, having an insulated automatic waterer has many benefits.

Reducing Evaporation

Automatic waterers are available in a variety of shapes and sizes.  However, covered units such as the Ritchie Thrifty King and EcoFount series, help reduce evaporation by providing insulated closures or floating discs.  The waterer is not exposed to the sun, maintaining a colder water temperature and reducing the amount of water that is evaporated.  The closures also act as a deterrent for algae growth.

Less Water Waste

Fast refill valves provide an adequate amount of water for large herds in small capacity water troughs.  For instance, a Ritchie WaterMatic 100 has a water capacity of 2.8 gallons yet is rated to water 20 head of cattle or horses.  The low capacity trough with rapid refill valves means less water waste when cleaning and refilling the trough.

How many times have you become side tracked while waiting for your stock tank to fill, only to return to find that the water has run over and created a mess?  Automatic waterers turn on and off by themselves.  No need to drag a hose and wait for the large tank to fill.

Prevent Dehydration

With a constant supply of fresh, clean and cooler water, your animals will be encouraged to drink more, reducing the chances of dehydration.  The low capacity waterers are also easy to clean, reducing stale, stagnant and dirty water.

Other Benefits

Automatic waterers offer many other benefits to both the end user and the animal.  Fully insulated low capacity waterers have become extremely energy efficient.  A waterer that can manage up to 40 head will cost an average of $30 a year to heat.  Due to their energy efficiency, electric companies and government programs encourage automatic waterers by offering rebate and discount programs for installation.

The low capacity waterers can be cleaned in minutes as opposed to dumping and filling large stock tanks.  Your animals will prefer the cleaner water over the standing water in the stock tank.

Automatic waterers are designed with your animals’ safety in mind.  Ritchie waterers feature smooth rounded corners and have met CSA and CE requirements.

For more information on energy efficient, easy to clean waterers, please visit www.RitchieFount.com.

The week begins on Sunday, March 25, with the BRH  Point-to-Point Races followed by 6 consecutive days of hunting and ending with The Annual BRH Hunt Ball.  Hunting will be from a different Bull Run fixture everyday.

There will be a Breakfast in the field following each hunt or a Cocktail Party in the evening.  Come for a day or the entire week!

*March Madness Package! – $550 for the whole week – this includes:

*BRH Race ticket

*All caps for the entire week

*2 cocktail parties

*Ticket to the Hunt Ball (a $90 value!)

*$125 per individual hunt if not a member and not doing the March Madness Package.

*BRH Associate Members are allowed one hunt for free that week and may hunt any of the other days for $75

*Hunt Ball – $90 a person

www.bullrunhunt.com

Judge: Sandy Rives, MFH Keswick Hunt Club

THE THIRD MAURY RIVER HUNTER TRIALS

APRIL 7, 2012

Photo by Pam Tilley-Stoneburner www.pamtilleysoneburner.com

To be held at the beautiful Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA on its world class cross-country course coordinated by Penny & Brian Ross, organizers of the Virginia Horse Trials in association with and for the benefit of local hunt clubs.

A Hunter Trial is a great way to introduce your horse to foxhunting conditions, school for hunter derbies, or show off your seasoned field hunter! Foxhunters and non-Foxhunters welcome! Hunt membership not required!

Flat and jumping classes

School similar course at  the Starter Horse Trials XC schooling March 24!

Tailgate competition!

For more information:

www.vahorsetrials.com or email vht@cfw.com

Middleburg, Virginia (January 20, 2012) – - Condé Nast Johansens Luxury Travel Guides this week named Goodstone Inn and Restaurant in Middleburg, Virginia a finalist in the “Most Excellent Inn-2012” and “Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway-2012” for the USA and Canada — after last year winning the “Most Excellent Inn-2011” for the USA and Canada.

Lesley O’Malley-Keyes, Vice President and Publishing Director of The Americas, noted, “The Awards for Excellence winners represent the very best of the best. Our readers are discerning and experienced travelers who know what they want when they travel — exceptional accommodations, outstanding service and good value for money. Condé Nast Johansens only recommends properties that meet these very specific standards.”

The Goodstone Restaurant also won the prestigious 2011 OpenTable Diner’s Choice Award for Top 100 Restaurants in the United States.

The Goodstone Inn & Restaurant is a luxurious country inn and French restaurant in the heart of Virginia’s wine and hunt country. Drawing inspiration and purpose from its location on 265 acres of rolling hills and farmland, the Goodstone Restaurant provides its guests with an unparalleled dining experience.

For further information, contact Goodstone Inn & Restaurant at (540) 687-3333.

According to the 2012 Colorado College State of the Rockies Conservation in the West poll, voters view parks and public lands as essential to their state’s economy, and support upholding and safeguarding clean air, clean water, natural areas and wildlife. The poll surveyed 2,400 registered voters in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming and found that swing voters in these key states nearly unanimously agree that public lands such as national parks, forests, monuments, and wildlife areas are “an essential part” of their state’s economies and four in five voters believed that having a strong economy and protecting land and water as compatible.

The survey results showed strong approval ratings for most governors and that the electorate is indeed divided in fiercely-contested US Senate races in Montana and New Mexico, where swing voters are often pro-conservation.

Western voters voiced strong support for continued funding of conservation, indicating that even with tight state budgets, they want to

Photo by Dave Amos

maintain investments in parks, water, and wildlife protection.

In conjunction with 100 economists, including three Nobel Laureates, Colorado College economist and State of the Rockies project director Walt Hecox, PhD recently wrote to President Obama urging him to create and invest in new federal protected lands such as national parks, wilderness and monuments. Studies have shown that together with investment in education and access to markets, protected public lands are significant contributors to economic growth, reaffirming the attitudes of the surveyed voters.

The 2012 Colorado College Conservation in the West survey is a bipartisan poll conducted by Republican pollster Lori Weigel of Public Opinion Strategies and Democratic pollster Dave Metz of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates.

For more information and to read the complete results of the poll, visit the Colorado College State of the Rockies website:

http://www2.coloradocollege.edu/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewestsurvey_e.html

e- Covertside: How did you get involved with hunting?

Chris: I got involved with hunting through Kathy Poppi-Pullen who is one of our field masters.

e-Covertside: Name three things you never hunt without

Chris: I never hunt without a compass, wire cutters and a braided 550 cord.

E-Covertside: What is unique about your territory?

Chris: We have an assortment of terrain ranging from swamps to heavily wooded areas and areas which only fox and hounds can go into thick covert.

e-Covertside: What professional goals do you have?

Chris: I’d like to ride with as many huntsmen and whips so that I may learn to have the ability to whip and ride in any hunt country.

e-Covertside: What non-hunting items do you always have on hand?

Chris: I’m never without my knife and my belt. Outside of hunting I enjoy biking, kayaking and outfitting with my father.

e-Covertside: What is your most memorable hunt so far?

Chris: My most memorable hunt was at our Princeton Nurseries fixture. We had an awesome run and my huntsman was calling up hounds, I was with her when we heard panicking squeaks coming from the stream crossing. We went and looked and two and a half couple were stuck on the other side. I dismounted and gave her my horse and proceeded to forge the river to retrieve our hounds. I successfully got our hounds to my huntsman making her all on. That was my most memorable, coldest moment of hunting!

Champion of Champions! English Foxhound Colonel

By Clare Poole

For the Baron von Pfetten’s Hunt, or Equipage de Selore in Burgundy, France, 2011 has been an incredibly exciting year of firsts, not only for English Foxhound ”Colonel’s” home pack, but for the Foxhunting fraternity overall, as it has placed the actual breed of Foxhound unequivocally on the international map.

The year 2011 represents the Centenary of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale* (FCI). Since 1971, the FCI has run annually the prestigious World Dog Show (WDS) which is held in a different location each year. This year the show was in Paris in July, and was the culmination of competition of every breed imaginable from all over the world. At this enormous event, over 200,000 dogs progressed through a myriad of qualifying rounds which led ultimately to the Championship at the World Dog Show in Paris.

* The FCI is the World Canine Organisation. It includes 86 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI makes sure that the Pedigrees and Judges are mutually recognised by all the FCI members.

Colonel’09 is a perfect example of an old English Foxhound who’s pedigree has been meticulously recorded over 223 years – back to Brocklesby Ringwood in 1788, immortalised by Stubbs. He was a gift (draft) from Lord Yarborough of Brocklesby Hall in Lincolnshire to the Master of the Equipage de Selore, Baron Jean Christophe von Pfetten, as a puppy in early 2009. He comes from strong Brocklesby stock; his sire is Brocklesby Teaser’06 and his dam Brocklesby Countess’05. The previous generation is respectively grand-sire Limerick Tenor’98; grand-dam Brocklesby Garlic’03, and on his dam’s side, grand-sire Limerick Censor’95, and grand-dam Brocklesby Leaming’02.

2011 was the first year that Colonel was introduced to the show ring. After winning the title of “Meilleur de Race” (Best of Breed) at the French National Hound Show (Fontainebleau June 2011), and Champion at the WDS (Paris July 2011), Colonel came through and stood to attention again in the show ring in Brussels on 12^th November, having been selected to compete this time in the ultimate FCI’s World Champion of Champions (WCOC).

Colonel and the Baron at the FCI World Dog Show

What is perhaps even more profound is that another of Baron von Pfetten’s, Gallant, was placed second to Colonel at the World Dog Show in Paris. Gallant’07 is a Modern English Foxhound, drafted from Barlow Hunt to this same pack in 2008 and his parentage, while equally strong is, however, of somewhat different bloodlines to his competitor – which speaks volumes for the quality of hound in Baron von Pfetten’s Pack. Gallant’s  sire is Morpeth Gateshead’03 and his dam Barlow Watchful’04. The previous generation is respectively grand-sire Morpeth Gambler’98; grand-dam Morpeth Gracious’99, and on his dam’s side, grand-sire Barlow Parker’02, and grand-dam Barlow Walnut’00.

To the Firsts:

• The World Dog Show Championship Award is the result of Colonel’s first time of being shown;
• Colonel was not bred for the show ring, but for hunting, true to his purpose;
• Colonel is the first English Foxhound belonging to a French hunt to qualify for the World Dog Show;
• Colonel is the first ever Foxhound to win Champion Dog at the World Dog Show;
• Colonel is the first ever Foxhound to be represented at the World Champion of Champions;
• This is the first time that the Equipage de Selore has won such an award, a double award in fact, given that another Selore contestant, Gallant, came second – which is a great accolade not only for the hunt, but for the breed of Foxhound in general;
• This is the first time that any Foxhound has been selected to present at an FCI Championship competition.

This event in Brussels was also a first; celebrating the Centenary of the FCI. Champion dogs of all breeds, from all over the globe, had been selected to attend. Overall, there were 893 dogs, with 230 breeds represented from 33 countries. There was one, and one only, Foxhound present. This very proudly, was Baron von Pfetten’s ”Colonel”.

To have attended this prestigious event in Brussels was prize in itself as every dog there was a Champion. The highly experienced all-breed judges would have had a challenging task on their hands with such amazing specimens from which to select their final winners; FCI Golden Winner, Silver, two Bronze, the four Quarter-Finalists, and a special trophy went to the Oldest Champion dog present.

THE FOXHOUND

Colonel’s Award at the World Dog Show is a first for the Foxhound. The Foxhound has never been recognised in such a competition before and while the Master of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) Stud Book dates back to 1841, there has formerly been no correlation whatsoever between this and the Kennel Club’s records. In order to enter under FCI regulations, it proved an administrative nightmare to provide four generations worth of registrations for the Kennel Club, obviously retrospectively. Easily done in theory due to the thoroughness of recording in the MFHA Stud Book, but in practice, time-consuming in the extreme. All of this makes it also a great success for the MFHA in the UK, as it is now recognised as a proper kennel club and not only as a hunting office.

It is important to recognise the Foxhound as a breed of dog in its own right. Colonel is the perfect example of this breed. He stands proud in his near-symmetrical black and tan uniform and displays all the attributes required such as grand conformation, agility, and obedience. What is not possible to judge at events such as the World Dog Show due to the environment and time constraints, is an animal’s nature, intellect, and ability to perform the job for which it is bred. Colonel ranks supreme in all these areas – indeed, he is no pampered pooch being preened and prepared for show; prior to Brussels, he has been out every morning with the rest of the pack in training for the hunting season ahead, and an excellent worker he is indeed.

In addition to the somewhat different “French Hounds” of which there are about fifteen couple, a similar number comprise the “British Foxhound” pack at the Chateau de Selore just outside the country town of St Yan in the heart of the most beautiful Burgundy countryside. The pack was re-established by the Baron von Pfetten’s father in 1981, after ceasing just before World War II. The French ancestors of the Baron have been hunting hounds since the eighteenth century. Baron Jean Christophe von Pfetten has been Master of Foxhounds in France since 1990, having previously been Joint-Master of the New Forest Hunt in England. He refined his stock through experienced selection and the introduction of top bloodlines of English Foxhounds from the United Kingdom. The Baron does not just hunt for the sake of appearances or traditional expectations, but with a passion that is as strong in his blood as that of hunting is in his hounds.

Preparation for the season generally starts in August with hound training, and horses likewise. Early morning rides over dew drenched grass, soft autumnal mists, and the onset of exquisite russet gold and red colours of deciduous trees taking on their seasonal hue and typical of the area and form a beautiful backdrop for this exercise – when experienced hounds are reminded of their job and young hounds are entered into the pack for the first time. Couples (for the non-hunting reader, this is where a young hound is attached to an older and more experienced hound by way of a short chain joining their collars, and not to be confused with the term “couple”, the means by which English Foxhounds are counted, and always stated in the singular) are not used in training here because most of the hunting takes place in the Baron’s 10,000 hectare privately owned and heavily forested hunting territory nearby.

In 2007, the Baron introduced a biennial Puppy Show at his Estate in Selore. This follows the British tradition, otherwise unknown in France, and a great occasion not only for the identification of excellence in Foxhounds, but also for the gathering of local gentry, hunt members and followers to review and learn about the characteristics of young hounds, and enjoy the shared pleasures and social aspects of their sport of Venerie (for which there is no direct English translation in common usage). Mr Pierre Astié, who is the National President of the French Hound Society, and who is an FCI judge, was co-judge at the most recent Puppy Show with His Royal Highness Georg de Saxe. He said, “This is something very special which is done rarely, but we are very proud that Colonel and Faisant* have been involved to receive this level of recognition”. The International judge went on to say “The French Venerie is going very well, and the cultural importance of the Venerie in Burgundy is a contribution to this wellbeing. The Puppy Show of the Baron von Pfetten is an example of such a contribution”.

*Faisant’11  is another outstanding puppy of Baron von Pfetten’s Hunt, and nephew of Colonel. winning the “Best Young Dog” at the WDS. He is an Old English Foxhound of Yarborough and Jardine origin, however, was too young to be selected for the WCOC.

Another initiative of Baron Jean Christophe von Pfetten together with Baroness Monique de Rothschild is to raise a groundswell to create an international association to promote the Foxhound, and to publish a yearly Stud Book of new entries outside the United Kingdom and the USA. There are a growing number of Foxhound packs not only in France where there are 12, but also in Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, India, Kenya and South Africa. Having gone through the process of registration of Colonel in order that he could compete at the WDS under the FCI banner, a precedent and format has been established which can now be used by others to follow not only within Baron von Pfetten’s pack, but hunts elsewhere also. This is currently a work in progress, and in order to make this truly international, may involve participation from another continent such as Australia. This concept has already received the blessing of the FCI.