MFHA CENTENNIAL FIELD HUNTER DISTRICT QUALIFIER
The Carolina District Field Hunter Qualifier for the Centennial Celebration took place on December 2nd at Sporting Days Farm near Aiken, South Carolina. Seven juniors and 14 adult entrants and a large crowd of enthusiastic spectators enjoyed a perfect winter day of blue skies and cool temperatures. The participants included members of all 5 of Aiken's area hunt, Aiken Hounds , Edisto-Mount Vintage, Flat Branch, Whiskey Road, and Why Worry. Out of town hunts were represented by 6 riders from the Moore County (including 4 Juniors) and 1 rider from the Middleton Place Hounds.
The judges for the event were Noel Twyman from Montpelier Station, VA, Noel served as head judge; Jake Carle, ex MFH, from Amissville VA and Julie McKee of Newnan GA. All the judges brought a wealth of knowlege and expertise to the table. Kathleen O'Keefe was the Centennial Committee delegate to oversee the activities. Will O'Keefe, who manages Morven Park in real life, was a huge help all day. David Dillard, the Carolina District Director of the MFHA, was in attendance for the weekend and was wonderful help as usual.
The Appointments/Turnout class started the activities at 9:00 with a very nice group of entries. Top honors went to Cameron Slade MFH of the Moore County on her thoroughbred mare Fool on the Loose (Lucy). Jean Derrick on Belle Star (Shire/TB X mare) and Kathy Noffsinger on Invocator (TB gelding) , both from the Why Worry gave her some good competition and were runners up. Neil Henderson,a late resident of Wellington and now an full time Aikenite served as a judge along with Noel Twyman. The standard was superb and the entire class pleasure to look at.
The Hack Class was next after riders had time to get themselves and their tack adjusted for hunting. A Stirrup Cup was served to the riders and was part of the judged event. Then the riders spread out and gave their horses and ponies the best ride they could on the flat. The results of the Hack class were not announced as they were factored into the overall results. Although the temperatures were still chilly all the entrants showed good manners throughout.
The Mock Hunt followed directly afterwards and the spectators spread out to get the best vantage points they could. A word about the course: the object was to represent all the different types of obstacles found thru out the Carolina District, from the Low Country of SC to the mountain areas of NC. Sporting Days Farm, owned and managed by Johanna Glass was a perfect setting for this event, with plenty of room for the mock hunt and an array of jumps and obstacle that made the course design a breeze. As Johanna uses Sporting Days as an eventing venue so all manner of ditches, banks, log jumps, snake fences, rollbacks, water and ramps were there for the taking. Chicken coops were built for the event and placed around the course. An in and out strategically place near the barn where the Why Worry goats were housed for the event proved to be a thought provoking obstacle but was well handled by the field. A few minutes were spent in that area to let the field get extra time up-close and personal with Buster and Sally. As the field was going thru the woods on the edge of the property a coyote was viewed that added to the flavor of the day! The judges mounted on horses and ATV's were scattered on the course and were able to observe every jump and test. George Thomas, MFH and Huntsman for the Why Worry, brought hounds thru the field to test the horses/ponies on their manners with hounds. Checks and forward reverses were used to further test the horses and riders on their knowledge of hunting etiquette. Jeanie Thomas, MFH, Why Worry Hounds and District Chairman for the Qualifier, lead the field, while Jackie Roberts and Heidi Beaumont, whipper-ins for the WWH rode as outriders, assisted George with the hounds and provided more tests for the entrants with staff coming thru etc. Radios for staff and judges made it easy to communicate to the announcer, Billy Benton, MFH Edisto-Mt. Vintage, who in turn could keep the large crowd of spectators abreast of the progress of the field when they were out of sight. Things went very smoothly considering and all the participants had big grins on their faces at the finish--including the fieldmaster, whose horse was brilliant--much to her relief! Small tape recorders for the judges, loaned for the day by Epp Wilson, made it easy for judges to record their observations. The judges gathered at the finish to observe the field and checked the condition and fitness of the horses at the end of the course. Then a wonderful announcement was made to all. The quality on the entries was to such a standard that all the participants were asked to come back for the individual test! This was the first time this has been done at any of the Qualifiers and speaks volumes about the standard of those that chose to participate!
Lunch followed at the Sporting Days Clubhouse and was well attended with over 100 lunches served! A start up time of 2:00 gave everyone time to put their horses away for a rest and sit down to eat an delicious meal. The spectators gathered on the hillside to watch the individual test and cheer for their favorites. Competition was fierce for the Aiken area hunts, as you can well imagine. The course further tested horses and riders in their riding skills, with obstacles including opening and closing a gate, a lead-over fence ( with only one fall), and a hunt coat on the simulated wire fence. The poor coat took a beating as the afternoon progressed. The in and out at the goat barn finally took its toll during the individual test with a few hesitations, but for the most part the course was successfully finished. Each rider had its cheering section from the spectators. Kathleen O'Keefe noted that the Carolina Qualifier had the largest number of juniors and the biggest spectator crowd seen at any of the previously held events. Well done to everyone that made that happen.
All the contestants were invited back in to the judges stand for a final observation and the judges finalized their decisions. The riders then returned to the stadium course in front of the Clubhouse for the announcements and awards. Only one of the finalist was on foot as his horse had been taken home by his loving owner! The Juniors were judged along with the Seniors with only the highest scoring Junior given a separate award. The results are as follows:
Highest scoring Junior Kailyn Mangrum on Triscuit, a pony owned by Foxtrac Farm of Southern Pines, Kailyn is a Junior member of the Moore County Hounds, Southern pines, NC
Most Suitable Horse or Pony was Emily Bridges wonderful horse Crescendo, an 18 year old draft cross that earned the admiration of all the judges. Emily is a Senior Member of the Middleton Place Hounds of Charleston. The Most Suitable Trophy and Polar Fleece Cooler was donated by Arnold Bloom in Memory of his wonderful horse Vail.
The winner was Juli Hearn's Thoroughbred mare Kirriemuir. Kirriemuir attracted the judges attention from the hack class and was their unanimous choice throughout the entire day. Quite a feat for a mare that is usually out whipping-in! Juli is a staff member of the Why Worry Hounds.
2nd Place: Shellie Sommerson's Thoroughbred gelding Steel Smile, Shellie is a member of Moore County Hounds
3rd Place: Gina Salatino's Thoroughbred gelding Tango, Gina is a staff member for both the Flat Branch Foxhounds and the Aiken Hounds and a member of Belle Meade of GA.
4th Place: Cameron Slade's Thoroughbred mare Fool on the Loose. Cameron is a Joint MFH of the Moore County Hounds
The above riders and horses will be our representatives to the finals to be held at the Centennial Celebration at Morven Park, Leesburg VA. during Memorial Day Weekend.
5th Place Jane McDonald riding Warren and Karen Dempsey's thoroughbred gelding SoaringoverSeattle, Jane is a member of the Aiken Hounds.
6th Place: Emily Bridges' draft cross gelding Crescendo, Emily is a member of the Middleton Place Hounds
7th Place: Susie McHugh's Thoroughbred-draft cross gelding, Dennis the Menace. Susie is a member of the Aiken Hounds
8th Place: Ted Gregory riding Arnie Blooms Irish Sporthorse gelding Clover Hill's Silver Lining. Ted is a staff member of the Edisto-Mt Vintage Hounds
A Victory gallop followed the awards presentation, lead of by Juli and Kirriemuir with all the finalist and participants. It was a wonderful ending to a safe and nearly perfect day. Thanks to all those that participated, from the ones that entered to the volunteers that made it all happen. It certainly could have not been done without you. Please make your plans to travel to Virginia in May to take part in the Centennial Celebration and cheer on our very talented group of finalist.