Rockbridge Hunt NewsHound May 23, 2014 1. Annual Meeting. The 2014 Annual meeting of the Rockbridge Hunt, Inc. was held on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at the Tex Tilson Lodge. Some highlights of the meeting included: President Lauren Keating reported that the Hunt had an exceptionally good year. She recognized Huntsman David Conner and the staff for taking such good care of the hounds and providing great sport. Lauren reported that members have contributed to the Hunt in many ways this year. She thanked the Executive Committee for being a “well oiled machine.” She encouraged members to thank the Executive Committee members for their hard work. Lauren reported that participation has been great this year. We have consistent volunteers working on our fundraising events. She recognized Gary and Kathy Ponder for their continued hard work with the spring hunter pace. Lauren asked members not to assume that the point person for any Hunt event has all the help they need. She asked them to step up and volunteer their time whenever possible. Lauren next recognized Kathy Eichelberger’s many years of excellent hard work with the Rockbridge Hunt Ball. Lauren reported that Kathy has passed the leadership of the Rockbridge Hunt Ball to Rebecca Tilson for 2015. Lauren next reported that our hunt represents itself well when we have guests as in Virginia Hunt Week. She said that “we put on a good show.” She encouraged members to bring their friends out hunting whenever possible. Lauren finished her report by giving everyone a “pat on the back” for a good season. Treasurer Louise Golian reported that the budget is in good shape -we made a little bit more money this year than we spent – which is a great thing. Cindy Morton, MFH reported that we had good year and acknowledge and thanked David Conner and the staff for their hard work. Cindy reported that we had a lot of cancellations due to bad weather but we were able to add some Sunday hunts to make up for some of the lost meets. Cindy reported that we did not have to call the ambulance this year which is always a plus! Huntsman David Conner reported that we currently have 32 hounds in the kennels. There are two or three that need to retire soon. There are nine young hounds that will start hunting this fall. David also reported that Rockbridge 2011 Whisper was bred last week (to Rockbridge Cinder 2007) and that we still have old Clever (Rockbridge Clever 2002) living at the kennels. President Lauren Keating acknowledged and thanked the members of this year’s nominating committee - Lu Dooley (Chair), Terry Whitmore, and David Bolen – for their hard work in putting together the proposed slate of candidates for the four officer positions on the Executive Committee for 2014-15. The following officers were re-elected to their positions for the upcoming year: President – Lauren Keating Treasurer - Louise Golian Hon. Secretary - Hugh Brown Master of Foxhounds - Cindy Morton Treasurer Louise Golian presented the proposed budget for 2014-15. She stated that the new budget does include a slight increase in family hunting dues to $1,240. She stated that when she started as Treasurer five years ago, the difference between the family hunting and single-hunting dues was only $100. She has been working to make the dues amounts more fair. For 2014-15, she proposed keeping the single- hunting dues at $940. The budget was approved by unanimous vote. Louise Golian thanked everyone who answered her recent emails about trail clearing. She presented a survey for members to complete and indicate their willingness and ability to work at keeping the trials cleared. She is hoping to identify specific jobs needing done and assign them to individuals or teams. We have so many trails to clear! She asked that everyone complete a survey following the meeting so she could start this process. Louise also thanked Lynn Williams for being the first member to accept and complete a work project (the area around the riding ring). Hugh Brown reported that over the last several years, Carol Lueder has been tremendously generous to the Rockbridge Hunt. She has donated items to the hunt ball and kick-off party silent auctions that have brought in literally thousands of dollars for the Hunt. She has been extraordinarily gracious in hosting breakfasts and our spaghetti dinner that night. She has volunteered her time at hunter paces and poker rides. In recognition of her dedication, Hugh proposed making Carol an Honorary Member of the hunt for the year. Carol was unanimously elected as an Honorary Member for 2014-15. 2. Benefit Poker Ride at Broadview Ranch. Rebecca Tilson announced at the Annual Meeting that she is coordinating a fundraising Poker Ride to help send sends student members of the Rockbridge County FFA to Virginia Tech for state finals in areas in which they have been competing. The poker ride will be at Broadview Ranch on Saturday, May 31. 3. NEWS FLASH! Summer Poker Ride at Broadview Ranch – Saturday, July 12. We have added a shady-trail fundraising ride to the Rockbridge Hunt schedule. More details coming soon! 4. Derby Day Hunter Pace. Saturday, May 3, 2014. We had a gorgeous spring day for our annual spring hunter pace at The Hunt, Inc. We had guests from Bedford County Hunt, Deep Run Hunt, Glenmore Hunt, and Stonewall Hounds among the competitors. Special thanks to the Hunter Pace organizing team: Organizers, Trail Design & Marking: Gary & Kathy Ponder Parking: Dick Ford & Gary Ponder Registration: Carol Atwood & Cindy Morton Start/Finish/Timing: Lu Dooley & Kathy Ponder Check-point: Robbie Faulkner Lunch: Hugh Brown, Sandwiches by Salerno’s Family Restaurant in Lexington Food donations: Laura Arnold, Hugh Brown, Alice Bruno, Sue Carlton, Liz Hall, and Caryn Switzer. Extra special thanks to our landowners for hosting the pace: The Hunt Inc., the Copelands, Bests, Brownings, Peebles and Browns. Rockbridge Hunt Derby Day Hunter Pace Results Saturday, May 3, 2014 Optimum Time for all divisions – 92 minutes Open Division Place Number Names Time 1 362 Kathy Eichelberger 86 min Liz Hall 2 368 Lora DeAngelo 100 min Carol Ann O’Connor 3 366 Anna Alford 103 min 4 364 Kathy Munsey 112 min Annie Lichtenstein 5 367 Charlotte Lavender 71 min Lili Wykle 6 365 Robin Moore 155 min Grace Tilson Junior Division Place Number Names Time 1 38 Britney Linick 91 min Tanner Price 2 48 Sue Charlton 94 min Anna Murdock 3 46 Bekah Honaker 108 min Cindy Mitchell Caryn Switzer 4 45 Laura Arnold 112 min Lucas Arnold 5 47 Anna Vest 124 min Eileen Whitten Mandolin Whitten Vintage Division Place Number Names Time 1 275 Gretel Mangigian 103 min Elizabeth Wood 2 274 Sandy Cryder 105 min Stacy Thompson 3 276 Brenda Ratcliff 114 min Diane Ribble 4 268 Anne Howard 127 min Lynne Pollock 5 270 Barbara Allan 128 min Gay Dailey Mixed Doubles Division Place Number Names Time 1 64 Bob Richardson 133 min Lora Richardson 5. Important Reminders! •Summer Trail Riding at The Hunt, Inc. Rockbridge Hunt members have permission from many generous landowners to hunt on their property. This does not entitle any individuals to trail ride on private property. Rockbridge Hunt members can ride on much of the property at The Hunt, Inc. but you must know where the boundaries are and respect them. Many of our landowners do allow trail riding but not all of them do. When individuals ride on private property without permission, landowners are (justifiably) displeased. These situations are one of the main causes of permission to hunt being withdrawn. If you don't absolutely know for certain where you can ride and where you can't, please make arrangements to ride with someone who knows the territory. Most of the Executive Committee and the Hunt Staff know the property and will be happy to meet you and ride with you. Also, when trail riding at The Hunt, Inc., please be very certain that any dogs you have with you are under your control at all times. •Insurance, waivers, and helmets! The new year has started for us – so that means new waivers are needed for everyone. For insurance purposes, it is critical that any member or guest riding at The Hunt, Inc. have a signed waiver on file with the Secretary. There is a box with waivers on the mounting block in The Hunt, Inc. parking lot. We will also have new waiver forms available at summer events and work days. If you are not sure if your guest has a current waiver, you may check with the Secretary, Hugh Brown, or just sign a new one. Protective head gear is required for trail riding and all Rockbridge Hunt riding events. Thank you! 6. Fees for 2014-15. The Executive Committee set the following fees for the upcoming hunting season: • Capping Fees. $50 adult, $25 junior (unchanged) • Seasonal Capping Fees. We set the seasonal capping fee at $300 for the year ($200 for juniors). This will allow foxhunters who are full hunting members of other recognized hunt clubs unlimited hunting with us at home meets (joint meets away from home are excluded). The seasonal capping fee does not include any other membership privileges like trail riding at The Hunt, Inc. or voting. • Young Adult Seasonal Capping Fee. We decided to continue our Young Adult Seasonal Capping Fee for this year. The cost is the same as the Student Membership fee ($470). This is open to persons 18- 23 years of age and offers unlimited capping for the current hunting season.