NEW MARKET-MIDDLETOWN VALLEY HOUNDS NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2006

K E N N E L N O T E S

Master’s Report slow days that the hounds need our help the The hounds are off to a great start and I am most in order to not distract the hounds or looking forward to Opening Hunt and the alert the fox! As Dr. Brown writes: regular season. In her book, “The Hunt Ball”, Dr. “...the animal wants to chase a fox, has been Rita Mae Brown, Master of the Oak Ridge Hunt, bred, trained and loved so that it will do it’s describes opening hunt as one of “The High job. There are more less-than-perfect-weather Holy Days” of hunting. Certainly, it is a day rich days than perfect, which means the hound is in tradition. There is the traditional Stirrup Cup trying very hard to get a line, a thin enticing and the Blessing of the Hounds. It is a day of ribbon of scent. It never fails: the slow days formal attire- manes braided, horses well are the days when sooner or later,the field groomed and riders well turned out. starts talking. If ever the hounds needed quiet, We usually have a large group of riders for it’s on the difficult days. On great scenting Opening, and therefore it becomes all the more days...hounds won’t be distracted.” important to remember our foxchasing etiquette During the Blessing of the Hounds, I often for the safety and enjoyment of our fellow find myself thinking of my first Opening foxchasers. For example, with such a large Hunt, excited and nervous, riding along with group it is easy to get separated from the main my father. I think of how grateful I am to our field of riders. Try to avoid this! If you are lost landowners, who grant us permission to ride and trying to find the field you may across such beautiful countryside. I think of accidentally ride in an area where we are not those who enjoyed these same traditions in allowed or inadvertently get in front of the centuries past and I think of how proud I am hounds, them off when they are on a of our juniors, the foxchasers of the future. chase- a cardinal sin! If you haven’t glanced at May we all have a safe and enjoyable “Riding to Hounds in America” in a while, foxchasing season. maybe now is a good time. It is ironic that those beautiful fall days Dr. Frank Becker, MFH which attract the most riders are often not good scenting days. When the sun is out on a warm, dry day, what scent there is rises. If you are riding along and you can smell the foliage in the air, that’s bad! The scent needs to be on the ground under the hounds’ noses. A cold, wet, cloudy day gets the true foxchaser excited. Having said that, I’ve had plenty of great The Beaglers Wish NM-MVH scenting on days that I expected to be bad and A Safe And Successful Season vice-versa. Every Huntsman and every Master has their own theory about scenting and I For 2006-07 have come to the conclusion there is a lot that we don’t know about what makes for good scent. We do know, however, that it is on those

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NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION but sweet talk on his pack and why it is im- portant to not distract the hounds with loud On September 24th, we held our first annual talking. This was followed by a quick kennel “New Member Orientation” for members who tour, which should be done first in the day- joined within the past two years. Dr. Becker light next year (maybe we can get a horn started the presentation off with a history of demonstration also). both local hunting and Copies of Wad- our hunt specifically. It sworth’s “Riding to was interesting to note Hounds in America” that we are an offshoot were handed out to of the Potomac Hunt, those that did not and that much of the already have them. (now developed) area Lest I forget, there around the hunt club were many wines was hunted regularly and cheeses before (even over to the Sta- and after! Hopefully tion Road fixture)! we will expand this We’ll have more details demonstration to the of NM-MVH history in local pony clubs. later newsletters. MM The next demonstra- tion was of some of the various forms of dress that one may encoun- ter in the hunt field. We had models Jennifer Webster, Joe Michael and Jt. Master John Carriages of the Capital Ward, Jr. demonstrating the “”, Horse-Drawn Carriages “ratcatcher” and “pinks” forms of dress (and undress!). Much lively discussion ensued on Weddings & Special Events various topics such as boots, buttons and Tours in Washington, DC stock ties. Hopefully we will add someone for Ponies for Parties & Special Events “melton” next year. The third topic was the section on field eti- www.CarriagesoftheCapital.com quette which also could have been a whole 301/407-0007 202/841-4135 evening onto itself. That covered everything from the “order of go” through “reverses’ ” and “hark”. It was noted that if the per- mits to keep moving foreward on a reverse and that way you are not standing still while other horses are moving Your horse must be able to handle passing other horses and to turn his hindquarters slightly to the outside. This is actually better for most horses minds because they are moving rather than standing still watching other horses move about. The last in the lecture series was George Harne, our esteemed huntsman, with a short

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What Constitutes a Good Hunt? I know when you read the above title that you thought for a brief moment, what is a good hunt for me, or what hunt did you remember as a fun or successful hunt. My idea of a successful hunt is when my hounds run a line for at least 30-45 min- utes , check a few times and either put it to ground or run out of territory. Then I blow the hounds in and I hear my whipper-in’s say “all on”. Since this is not a perfect world this doesn’t al- ways happen. So, I look for other things that are positive in my hunting day. If it is slow going, I watch to see if my hounds are working well and with enthusiasm. On these days, I also look to see Leo, George, Amy and the hounds at the PA Na- how they react when deer pop up. It is extremely tional Foxhound demonstration in satisfying to see them not even pay any attention Harrisburg to them. I also watch to see how they respond to me when they draw a covert. Am I one of them? Do they trust me? zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Last but not least, a good day is if I bring all my hounds home, myself, my staff, and the field Champions and Reserves from the September 15th have not gotten hurt and all horses come in sound. horse show at Plantation Valley Stables in Mid- All of these things make for a successful hunt for dletown as follows: me. The other day, while I was out looking for one Tailgate: C-Larry Isaacson, R-Byron Ayala/ Carolyn of my hounds, I got a call from Mike Bailey. He Nordberg was calling to thank me for the days hunting. I Leadline: C-Zachary Austensen R- Paxton Kerstetter responded that I didn’t think it had been that good Short Stirrup: C- Heather Johnson, R- Kaytlin Corsiatto of a day. He replied that the day was great because Hopeful Hunter: C-That Girl (Shelley's horse) ridden the weather and scenery was beautiful, the by Kristin Nesbitt, R- Domino ridden by Nancy Isaac- hounds had worked all morning, and he and his son horse had ridden in the first flight and had done Green Hunter: C- Boston (Heather McCarthy), R- very well over several fences. I was quiet for a Seven Up (Laura Martin) Dollar Bareback: C- Dickcy Gibson R- Mary Jane short moment and then I said,” Yes Mike, it was a McGinnis good day.” Junior Hunter: C- Sierra Mist (Shelby Kepner), R- Luck Thank you Mike Bailey, and all of you who of the Irish(Mackenzie Taylor) enjoy our hunting days for different reasons. Low Hunter: C- Boston (Heather McCarthy) R- Orion Sometimes we all need to look at things from a (M.J. McGinnis) different perspective. Schooling Hunter: C- Luck of the Irish (Mackenzie Tay- lor), R- Madison's Flash (Katie Wherley) Happy Hunting, Field Hunter: C- Heather McCarthy , R- Mackenzie Taylor George Harne zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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Our Presence in the Maryland Horse Council terly and the meetings are open to individual As some of you know, one of my responsibilities members of the member-organizations. One of the as a member of the club is to represent NM-MVH meetings always coincides with Horse World Expo at the Maryland Horse Council (MHC). Estab- in Timonium, another one is usually at a govern- lished in 1983, the MHC seeks to unify, inform, ment building in Annapolis and the others could and represent Maryland's diverse horse commu- be at a local College or one of the race tracks. My nity. The MHC protects and promotes the horse role is not to represent my personal views or inter- industry by providing a united voice in Maryland ests but to represent those of NM-MVH as a club, State Government and with state agencies, by in- and also the general interests of foxhunters in the teracting with the media and the general public, State of Maryland. Typical "hot" items are those and by keeping its members informed on issues related to land conservation issues, preservation that affect them and their horses. The MHC main- and maintenance of trails, the establishment of a tains positive relations with elected officials and Maryland Horse Park, humane transportation and state agencies such as the Department of Natural disposal of horses, slot machines and their impact Resources (DNR) and the Department of Agricul- on the horse industry, licensing and fees for vari- ture. The MHC monitors legislative and adminis- ous horse activities, sharing of trails with bikers, trative decisions, and promotes horses as viable joggers and ATV's, etc. tourist activities and spectator sports by working I encourage all of you to visit the MHC website with the above named agencies and the Maryland and read the legislative summary published fre- Office of Tourism. quently in the Equiery. It is not easy to coordinate The MHC is an association of Maryland horse a single voice for so many diverse groups, and the associations. Membership in MHC is open to all MHC is one of the best avenues we have to do so horse related organizations, as well as individuals, and be heard in Annapolis and Washington. On businesses, farms and youth clubs. Representa- issues of your particular concern don't hesitate to tives from horse organizations like NM-MVH get contact your representatives and urge them to take to sit in the board of directors and have a vote for the action you believe is necessary. If there are cer- the organization that they represent. Most, if not tain areas that you feel our club should take a po- all, of the other recognized hunts in the State have sition on, please contact me and I will make sure it a member in the board of directors as do many is brought to the Hunt Committee's attention for other horse groups; such as breeders associations, discussion and, if appropriate, voice the club's po- horse rescue organizations, pony clubs, sition in front of the MHC. groups, , and hunter jumper From time to time I will update you in this news- associations. Despite the fact that many of these letter, or by email, on specific issues that come up groups have different specific interests and par- at the MHC meetings. But for this first article I just ticipate in diverse equestrian activities, they all wanted to introduce the organization to all of you have a common interest in the equine welfare and and give you a brief summary of the club's par- the prosperity of the horse industry in the state. ticipation on it. The MHC provides communication and coordina- Guillermo Warley tion of activities among these various organiza- tions and information to horse people through regular newsletters in the local media, The Eq- u i e r y a n d t h r o u g h i t s w e b s i t e www.mdhorsecouncil.org. In addition, the MHC promotes research and development efforts in the horse industry such as the comprehensive Equine Study conducted regularly by the University of Maryland and the University Seminars at Horse World Expo. The board of directors of the MHC meets quar-

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From the Editor  The upcoming season will provide our young pack WANTED: with the opportunity to continue to get better. There Comfy couch and lots of attention...!!!!!! is nothing more satisfying as a Whipper-in than to If it weren't for our hounds, there would be no watch a young hound run at the front of the pack or foxchasing. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, place well at a bench / performance show. Our pack young hounds do not work out in the kennels or (and hunt) is on the rise and other hunts have no- out hunting and we seek to place them into loving ticed. homes. Other times we have older hounds who It is the start of the formal season and there are have served us well, near the end of their hunting many joint meets planned, both home and away. careers and deserve a comfortable retirement. Joint meets are a great time to meet other people NM-MVH has several of these hounds available with like interests and to see other territory. It is also for adoption. These hounds make excellent pets. a good time to pay close attention to other packs of They have great temperaments with children, and hounds and note the similarities and differences in most are very well-socialized and outgoing. Ad- their styles of hunting. Remember that joint meets justment to the indoor life and housebreaking may are for those with full memberships and not a time to take a little bit of time and may require the use of a bring guests. Those with Limited Memberships may crate, but is not an insurmountable challenge. A want to consider upgrading to a single or family fenced yard or farm environment is highly rec- membership to take advantage of this benefit. ommended. We also have some Junior days planned around the Many of our hounds are enjoying great lives with holidays. This is when the junior members ride up at families thanks to many of our members and the front with the Masters as well as any junior friends. Kennedy is Lord of the Manor at Rock- guests so that they can see and understand what is lands; Abbey has her own swimming pool; and happening on a hunt. Also, some juniors ride with PH who was always more interested in socializing the Whipper-in’s to get their point of view as well. than hunting, has legions of juvenile admirers in There is no cap fee on these days for either the junior her Rockville neighborhood. or their chaperone. We currently have several hounds, young and Advertising rates are $25-per insertion for business older, whom we would like to place. If you or card size ad, and anyone that wishes to receive the someone you know is interested, please contact newsletter via e-mail or mail only please let me Marcia Brody or Amy Saydoff and we will be glad know. The newsletter is also available on our web- to make the introductions! site, www.nm-mvh.com.

MVB 35th anniversary hunt with several NM- Dancer and some of her puppies MVH members in attendance

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Fall Schedule of Events December 10th MONITOR November 12th Joint Meet with the Fairfax Hunt, 301-371-4081 Joint Meet with the Goshen Hounds Breakfast to the field at Fox Gap Jt. Masters November 18th Farm to follow. Leo Rocca Joint Meet at the Fairfax Hunt December 16th Dr. Frank Becker November 19th Joint Meet at the Goshen Hounds John Ward, Jr. The Marlboro Bowl December 17th Terrapin Neck Hon. Secretary Maryland area invitational hunt club competition at the Marlboro hunt Breakfast to the field at the home of Bonnie Kepner club which features a bench class, go the landowners John and Renee [email protected] to cover, hunter pace and a drag Lowe. hunt. Come cheer our team on ! 301-582-2686 December 27th November 19th Junior day, all junior riders welcome. Editor Unrecognized Horse Trials Mike Myers Loch Moy Farm [email protected] Beginner Novice, Novice and train- *Please note there is no hunting on 301-371-9141 ing levels of competition. See 11-29 and 12-2 so as not to inter- www.themarylandhorsetrials.com fere with the deer rifle season. Assistant Editor for details. Jim Farber, Jr. November 26th Junior day, all junior riders welcome.

Mike Myers 8536 Reno Monument Road Middletown, MD 21769

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