Our territory encompasses the rolling hills and fields at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We have followed hounds since 1929 and reach into historic southern Albemarle along the Hardware and James rivers. Our country’s diverse terrain presents constant opportunities for great sport with a wide variety of riding experiences.
Presidents Letter Christmas Eve 2020
As I sit in the window looking out at the pouring rain on a lonely Christmas Eve missing my far-flung family, I am ever so grateful for my FHC family who have brought a smile to my face two to three times a week since Labor Day. We are so lucky that our favorite activity is an outdoor sport in which our horses naturally keep us the required six feet apart. While our Social Activities have been on hold all year, the Board and other volunteers have managed to create fun, COVID safe Hunter Paces and even a couple Horse Shows to supplement our trice weekly foxhunting.
Huntsman, Matthew Cook and his hounds have shown us great sport all Fall with the able assistance of our topnotch kennelman/roadwhip, Moe Morris, and our volunteer whipper-ins. Our Masters have worked tirelessly to maintain relationships with the landowners who graciously allow us to gallop over their hills and dales chasing the wily red fox and the high speed coyotes crisscrossing the territory. Led ably and safely by FieldMasters, Ms. Joy Crompton, MFH (First flight), Ms. Kip Holloway, MFH (Second flight) and Ms. Liz King, MFH (Third Flight), our hunting members have been treated to big gallops, fun jumps and great views of our quarry. Each flight has its own story to tell at the end of the day as they grab an individually wrapped treat from the tailgate table and quickly back away to regal each other from a safe distance.
As fickle winter weather sets in, we will, like today, have to occasionally sit home, but the Masters are always quick to scramble and adjust the schedule to allow us maximum days of hunting. Even going so far as to arrange Foot Hunts on days when the ground is unfit for parking our big rigs and groups of galloping horses may tear up our territory. For you non-rider members, keep your eyes open for those bad weather day Foot Hunts and come join us. The hounds’ music is lovely from afar, and the fit and ambitious amongst you can try to keep up with Joy as she follows Matthew and the hounds while the rest of us meander behind Liz listening to the hounds as well as Liz’s explanations of what is happening out of our sight. Masks are welcome and safe distances maintained at all times.
And, as a little teaser and welcome look into a future after COVID, mark your 2021 calendar for an old fashioned Christmas Season Hunt Ball on Saturday, December 18!
Til then see you out in the hunt field,
Jebb Cuthbert
Upcoming social events temporarily postponed
Welcome New Members!!
Cece Macdonald -Student member
Meghan Murray- Student member
Kendall Hommell and Nathan Haskins, daughters Samatha and Isabel- RHF
Kim Eastep- RHS
Joan Poskey- LA/KHC
Lou Pyzik - RHS
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