In & Around Horse Country Fall 2019

VOLUME XXXI / NUMBER 4 • THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA STEEPLECHASE ASSOCIATION • FALL 2019

Justin H. Wile

434.981.5528 • justin@wileyproperty.com

434.422.2090 • peter@wileyproperty.com

ll'lA East Main Strut, Orange, VA llll960

503 Faulconer Dr, Ste 6, CharlottHvllle, VA llll90S

RIVER FRONTAGE AND BLUE RIDGE VIEWS

WALNUT GROVE 1850 Greek Revival home located close lo Orange.

VA w,lh 6 ocres ond v,ews of the Blue Ridge Properly offers o vmeyord, small orchard many gardens ond small green house Meticulously restored histor,c home features 1'2' ce,1,ng, and ho, been featured by Gorden Club of VA Aword w,nn,ng restorot,on of o 1740 guest house hos been offered p,.,v,ously as a B&B $849.000 Justin H. Wiley - 434.981.55'28 Vanessa Massaro • 703.307.9917

RIVER ROCK FARM Pr,vocy, woter and views A beautiful form w,th long frontage on the lynch Rover and great views of the Blue Ridge Th.­ mo,n residence wos custom built w,lh ,.,clo,med materials The pot,no-ed wood deto,1 comb,ned w,th oil the modern omen1t1es makes ,t the perfect m .. of old & new $975,000 Peter A. Wiley - 43'4•-•'2'2.'2090

RARE OFFERING IN WESTERN ALBEMARLE

-�.:::.- =- :;;;-;._--=- ------- -:- MAJOR REDUCTION AIRSLIE Londmork country estate located ,n the beouhful Keswd hunt oreo of Albemarle Co House wos completely renovated ,n the early 1990's using only the finest materials & craftsmen The surrounding 3'24�/. acres further compl,ment the house ond allows the property complete privacy The estate has mony improvement, ,nclud,ng 4 tenant/guest cottages, stable complex & cattle born $5,950,000 Justin H. Wiley - 43◄.981.55'28

WILDAIR FARM A 1'26 ocre form nestled in th..- heart of one of Western Albemarle s most beout,ful pastoral enclaves The roll,ng ml• of product,ve fenced posture, towering mature hardwoods, o bold stream ond two lorge ponds offers o d,vers,ty rarely found on a form of this size Horse foc,1,toes ,ndude stoble. equ,pmenl buildings. managers apartment, run-ms end o 100 • '200 ring 11 mile, from Chorlotte,v1lle A rare offerong $1,900,000 Peter A. Wiley - 43-4.4'2'2.'2090

SOMERSET HORSE PROPERTY

PUMPHOUSE ROAD Small horse property located In the heorJ of Somerset & the Keswick Hunt Th,. mostly open & fenced 14.5 oc offering hos o 3 bedrm & 3 bothrm house built ,n the l940's. Recent Improvements ,ndude o fin. basement, '2 renovated bothrms & remodeled k,tchen 4-stoll ,tobh, w/tockrm, wash stall & '2 Mw run-in sheds mo�e this o greot horse properly $5'25,000 Justin H. Wiley - 43.f.981.55!.18

SCOTTSVILLE FARM A beautiful med,um-S1zed horse form or re1reo1 14 miles from town. The turn-of-the-century farmhouse ,. well-sited m the center of TT ocres of fenced posture ond fields. with a beautiful stable. large pond ond tra,ls The form offers pr.vocy end views and is adjacent to over 1500 ocre• of protected farmland A 6-stoll center ai,I barn w,th power, hot ond cold woter, bathroom, tock room, wosh stall ond shov,ngs storage Is pos,t1oned neor the large outdoor r,ng $895,000 Peter A. Wiley • 43'4.◄ll!.1.ll090

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

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SPORTING LIFE HIGHLIGHTS Hunt Staff Changes Old Dominion Hounds (VA): Stephen Farrin moves from Amwell Valley Hounds (NJ) where he carried the horn for the past 12 seasons. A UK native, Stephen’s father Michael served as huntsman for the Quorn from 1968 to 1998.

Steve arrived in the US in 2006 and whipped-in to the Myopia Hunt (MA), Rombout Hunt (NY), and Green Spring Valley Hounds (MD) prior to becoming the huntsman for Amwell Valley.

Camargo Hunt (OH): Andy Bozdan moves from his position as whipper-in at Blue Ridge Hunt (VA) to fill the vacancy left by Danny Kerr’s retirement after serving as Camargo’s huntsman for the past 29 seasons. Another UK transplant, Andy has hunted hounds in England, Australia, and North America. Here in the States he carried the horn at Tennessee Valley Hunt (TN) and Loudoun Fairfax Hunt (VA), then spent a season as whipper-in to Graham Buston at Blue Ridge before accepting the job at Camargo.

Amwell Valley Hounds (NJ): Kathryn Butler has moved from Limestone Creek Hunt (NY) to take up the huntsman’s role left open by Farrin’s move to Old Dominion.

New Market-Middletown Valley Hounds (MD): Emily Melton, after nine seasons whipping-in for Howard County-Iron Bridge Hounds (MD), assumes the role of huntsman for New Market-Middletown Valley. The position became open when Alasdair Storer opted to curtail his double duty and focus on his role as huntsman and jointmaster for the Middletown Valley Emily Melton moves from her whipper-in poBeagles. sition at Howard County-Iron Bridge Hounds Bull Run Hunt (VA): Timothy (MD) to take up the horn as huntsman for New Michel brings his experience with Market-Middletown Valley Hounds (MD).

Karen Kandra photo Midland Fox Hounds (GA) and Green Spring Valley Hounds (MD), where he served as whipper-in and kennel huntsman, to his first role as huntsman at Bull Run Hunt.

Junior Field Hunter Championship Gets Underway

Some of the 71 juniors who participated in the 2018 North American Junior Field Hunter Championship finals hosted by Old Dominion Hounds, Orlean, Virginia.

Joanne Maisano photo

Qualifying meets for this year’s Junior Field Hunter Championship are starting up in September. The crew of eager volunteers is already hard at work preparing for the finals, to be held at Old Whitewood Farm, The Plains, Virginia, over the weekend of November 9-10.

On Friday evening The Masters of Foxhounds Association will host an informal gathering for competitors and their families at the new headquarters buildPHOTOGRAPHERS: Liz Callar www.lizcallar.smugmug.com Coady Photography Claudia Coleman Pat Ike Karen Kandra Douglas Lees douglaslees@comcast.net Joanne Maisano www.joannemaisano.com Mike Stevens Susan Whitfield Louisa Woodville

ON THE COVER: Huntsman Matt van der Woude sends the Warrenton Hunt hounds into action on the opening day of autumn hunting as joint-masters Celeste Vella and John Wyatt prepare to lead the field, September 7, 2019. Michael Stevens photo

Huntsman Graham Buston has the Blue Ridge Hunt’s pack in good order for the start of autumn hunting, August 31, 2019. Joanne Maisano photo ing in Middleburg, Virginia. Following the mounted competition on Saturday, there will be a dinner that evening featuring the always lively horn blowing and whip cracking contests Most of the qualifying meets are scheduled from September through early November, but dates may vary depending on the hunting season in a given area.

We suggest you check with your local hunt. As of press time, the schedule lists hunts in 16 US states—along the East Coast from Massachusetts to Florida; across the Midwest through Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan; and as far west as Washington—and one Canadian province (Ontario) that are on board to host qualifiers.

This program is designed to achieve several important goals. Number one is for juniors to come together, get to know each other, form friendships that may last a lifetime, and enjoy foxhunting. Seeing juniors embrace the sport is a vivid way to remind hunt members how important juniors are to preserving both foxhunting and the countryside. The JNAFHC has proven to be a valuable tool in encouraging more cooperation among hunt clubs, thus strengthening the bonds of foxhunting throughout the country. Juniors travel around to the different participating hunts, enjoy hunting in new territory, and learn about the different hound packs.

We encourage everyone who cares about the future of foxhunting to help support the JNAFHC. For more information, go to www.jnafhc.com or contact Marion Chungo at 540-220-7292 or Mchungo@aol.com.

is published 5 times a year.

Editorial and Advertising Address: 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186 For information and advertising rates, please call (540) 347-3141, fax (540) 347-7141 Space Deadline for the Holiday issue is October 15, 2019 Payment in full due with copy.

Publisher: Marion Maggiolo Managing Editor: J. Harris Anderson Advertising: Debbie Cutler (540) 347-3141, (800) 882-4868, Email: hcdebbiebtc@aol.com Contributors: Aga, J. Harris Anderson, Will O’Keefe, Barclay Rives, Virginia Equine Alliance, Louisa Woodville, Jenny Young LAYOUT & DESIGN: Kate Houchin Copyright © 2019 In & Around Horse Country®. All Rights Reserved. Volume XXXI, No. 4 POSTMASTER: CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Regular subscription 5 issues $25.00, U.S.A. First Class subscription $35.00, Europe, Canada, etc. $45.00

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

THE VIRGINIA FALL RACES CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF RACING

October 12, 2019 Gates Open 8:00 a.m.

Post Time 1:00 p.m.

The Theodora A. Randolph FIELD HUNTER CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS 9:00 AM BEST TURNED OUT 8:00 AM

Saturday, October 12, 2019 Thank You to Our Host Hunts: Middleburg Hunt (Oct. 7) Bull Run Hunt (Oct. 8) Loudoun Fairfax Hunt (Oct. 9) Piedmont Fox Hounds (Oct. 10) Entries Close September 20

glenwood park middleburg, va Reserved Parking & Boxes Available General Admission $50/car

(540) 687-9797 For the Benefit of Inova Loudoun Hospital Foundation and Glenwood Park Trust

www.vafallraces.com virginiafallraces@gmail.com

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

HUNTING

Autumn hunting begins at Millbrook Hunt (NY): Donald Philhower, Huntsman; Erin McKenney, first whipper-in; Lelee Brandt, MFH. Hunt attire

by Horse Country. Pat Ike photo

Father and Son: Tad Zimmerman, MFH, and son Ted Zimmerman confer before moving off for Piedmont Fox Hound’s opening day of autumn hunting from Old Welbourne, September 2, 2019.

Joanne Maisano photo

Huntsman Jordan Hicks prepares to move off with hounds from Old Welbourne as a new season of autumn hunting begins for Piedmont Fox Hounds, September 2, 2019. Joanne Maisano photo.

REMEMBRANCE The Hunting World Mourns the Loss of “Doc” Addis Huntsman Ashley Hubbard moves off with hounds from the Green Spring Valley kennels for the start of autumn hunting. Karen Kandra photo

The foxhunting world lost the leading advocate of the Penn-Marydel hound when “Doc” Addis passed away, at the age of eighty-five, on July 24, 2019.

From his home in Elverson, Pennsylvania, Doc maintained his private pack, Warwick Village Hounds, for which he served as master and huntsman. When not hunting his beloved Penn-Marydels, he was ardently converting others to equally enthusiastic devotees of the breed. Known for nose, voice, drive and the ability to provide good sport in territory of any proportions or conditions, PMDs have gained in popularity far beyond their origins in the Pennsylvania/Maryland/Delaware area.

Much of that increased recognition can be traced to the work of Doc Addis.

Dr. H.L. Todd Addis, DVM, MFH He was always willing to provide counJanuary 3, 1934 - July 24, 2019 sel and support to anyone interested in Addis Family photo hunting with Penn-Marydels and multiple packs in operation today began with generous drafts from his kennels.

In addition to his personal assistance, he also wrote two books—his memoir A Backward Glance and Our Penn-Marydel Hound, A Historical Anthology—as well as many articles and letters.

•••••

Estler Kevin Palmer July 17, 1956 - August 14, 2019 Huntsman, Fairfax Hunt, 2000-2012 Susan Whitfield photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

HORSE SHOW

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Warrenton Horse Show Hunt Night

Sterling Colgan, Old Dominion Hounds, delivers an enthusiastic View Halloa during the staff class competition. Michael Stevens photo

Billy Fredericks, Bull Run Hunt, demonstrates multi-tasking huntsman’s style. Michael Stevens photo

Huntsman Matt van der Woude shows the form that placed him first in the staff class and helped Warrenton Hunt score the Reserve Champion spot. Liz Callar photo

Sarah and Billy Fredericks represented Bull Run Hunt in the pairs class. Bull Run went on to win the Hunt Night Championship. Liz Callar photo

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

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REMINISCENCE

Fusswaschung

By Barclay Rives

Exhausted and sore from trimming 25 horses, I was not eager to be touching human feet. I was scheduled to participate in my church’s Maundy Thursday foot washing after a day of farrier work. I blamed myself for poor judgment and timing.

This happened in the late 1990s, when I was a part time blacksmith. My biggest paydays occurred on twice-yearly visits to a farm full of retired horses south of Charlottesville. The hosts, who soon became my friends after a mutual acquaintance recommended my services, kept up lively and interesting conversation as I worked, and always fed me a good lunch. I was fitter and hungrier in those days.

Their boarders were mostly retired show horses, whose owners lived in the New York City area, Connecticut, and Long Island. The farm provided horses a comfortable retirement home at a fraction of the cost of boarding near the big city. My friends told me that northern suburban zoning laws banned muck piles, so that stall muck had to go directly into dumpsters and then to the landfill. No wonder board was so expensive up there. We considered this a lamentable waste of mulch and fertilizer.

Roaming with the herd on lush spacious Virginia pasture was a better life than being confined in the suburbs.

Most of the horses behaved well for me. Some hooves needed little work, a few licks of the rasp.

Front feet usually needed more attention than hind feet. Some needed inches of growth removed, requiring multiple passes with my nippers. Black scum from Thrush, a fungal infection often infesting overgrown hooves, perfumed my hands, along with traces of the piles and puddles in the run-in sheds where horses had been standing. I once saw a farrier working while wearing baseball batter’s gloves, which may have spared his hands from soap-resistant hoof smells. Polar Bear, a massive ancient mostlyPercheron, shaggy from Cushing’s Disease, required all the strength in my legs to hold up his immense pie-plate hooves. My friends always saved the greatest challenge for last: a big grey draft cross, named Max, who had a neurological problem that would collapse his hind end. The trick was to not lift his foot too high, but it usually took several attempts: lift the foot, oops too high, get out of the way as all his weight crashes down on that foot. Repeat several times until Max achieves precarious balance, then trim quickly until the next collapse.

Paycheck in hand, I drove home dirty, weary, and dreading my foot washing duty.

The story of Jesus washing the apostles’ feet only appears in the Saint John Gospel. After Jesus and the apostles eat a Passover Seder meal, his last, he gets down on the floor and washes their feet.

Peter, whose blunderings make him a stand-in for the rest of humankind, first refuses to let his feet be washed, then declares he wants a full body-wash.

Jesus dispenses equal treatment to all present.

My grandfather witnessed an imperial foot washing. In 1904, he served as Secretary of the U.S. Embassy in Vienna. Every Maundy Thursday, the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Josef, who reigned 1848-1916, would wash the feet of a dozen men in their eighties, humble loyal subjects, in an elaborate Fusswaschung (foot washing) ceremony. My grandfather observed the event along with other invited

Claudia Coleman illustration

foreign diplomats, archdukes, archduchesses, and scores of gaudily clad military officers. The Hungarian Guard’s uniform was scarlet, with high yellow boots and leopard skin over the shoulder, an outfit that would sparkle in the hunting field.

The 74-year-old emperor served a four-course meal to the twelve old men, then washed their feet in a golden basin and dried them with white linen. He then gave each man a bag of money, and returned them to their homes in royal carriages. The ceremony demonstrated the emperor’s humility and dedication to service for all of his diverse subjects.

That Fusswaschung was a Catholic event in a Catholic country. My neighborhood church is Episcopal. This kind of intimacy is unusual for Episcopalians, sometimes called the “frozen chosen.” An interim minister, Reverend David Wayland, instituted the ritual at my church as part of his conflict resolution effort. Just like hunt clubs, churches can incite turf wars, everlasting grudges, and door-slamming departures. Members of my church were feuding over the departure of the previous minister. When Wayland heard members complain about each other, he insisted on having them meet and resolve their dispute under his supervision. He intended the Maundy Thursday foot washing to soften hearts as well as calluses.

Touching someone else’s foot is an intimate act.

During the ten centuries foot binding persisted in China, touching a woman’s foot was erotic.

The Reverend Julie Norton had replaced David Wayland when I was drafted for foot washing duty.

Rev. Norton was minister of my church 1995-2012.

She served brilliantly, consistently delivering concise insightful articulate sermons; however, she was not as keen about foot washing as Rev. Wayland. When the service progressed to the foot washing, she instructed me, “I’ll wash yours and you wash mine.” I was surprised to find that she was wearing nylon stockings, which she did not remove. No matter how much I tried to dry her feet, the stockings must have felt clammy when she slipped her shoes back on. Despite the covering, I felt privileged to touch and wash my wonderful minister’s feet.

Rev. Norton and I each washed the feet of five or six others, who lined up to sit in two chairs on either side of the church aisle, below the altar. I was grateful for those who came my way. I would have understood if all had preferred to be washed by the minister instead of the un-credentialed and unholy. I did not know my customers well, but I felt closer to

them after the interaction. While my aches from my day’s work did not miraculously vanish, I paid them less attention. Distraction is more effective than aspirin. Professional athletes who play with multiple injuries say that the most severe injury draws all attention away from the lesser ones. Though I had thoroughly scrubbed them at home, using my hands for swishing the water was therapeutic. Washing human feet is easier than trimming horse hooves.

I was pleasantly surprised how much the ceremony revived and energized me. Religious and humanist teachers proclaim that giving is more fulfilling than receiving. Soothing touch is mutually beneficial. Medical researchers claim that petting a dog lowers a human’s blood pressure and releases relaxation hormones. Washing feet accomplished the same purpose for me. Giving a horse a good rub down can be similarly satisfying.

The foot washing ceremony withered and died at my church. People, including myself, do not readily engage in that level of intimacy. It makes many uncomfortable, which may have been Rev. Wayland’s point and challenge to overcome the awkwardness. Horses and hounds readily groom each other, unfettered by human inhibitions.

My professional blacksmithing days are over.

In the epilogue of Shakespeare’s Tempest, the wizard Prospero says, “Now my charms are all o’erthrown, And what strength I have’s mine own, Which is most faint.”

I never possessed wizard power, but my energy of 25 years ago seems like magic to me now. I stopped shoeing and trimming for others 15 years ago. Immobilizing pain seized me one day when I was hunting after a day of blacksmithing. Unless the animal was jigging or fretful, sitting on a horse usually soothed my tired back and legs. That day, sudden stabbing pain made me fear serious orthopedic structural damage. It was only pulled muscles and inflamed nerves. I visited a chiropractor, who supplied slight relief, promising to fully cure me only if I visited him three times a week for a year. This would have inflicted serious damage to my wallet. Though the pain retreated without medical intervention after a week, I notified my few clients of my retirement.

I continue to shoe my own hunting horses. I recently watched an expert blacksmith at work. Rasp, hammer and nail on hooves sound different when heard at a distance, the way a musical instrument sounds different to the player than to the audience. A good blacksmith is marvelously efficient with tools, minimizing time spent under the horse. When I told him about my occasional shoeing, he was well aware of the pain that causes. He had stopped shoeing for a few months on doctor’s orders. When he resumed, he did not regain his fitness for a week or so. He told me until he got back in shape, “I wasn’t sure I wanted to keep doing it.” All pain is difficult to describe.

Shoeing makes me feel my lower back is being sledgehammered. Convenience and savings help me endure. If my church’s ceremony were reinstated, washing human feet after shoeing would help me even more.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

EQUINE ART Equine Art Exhibition at the New MFHA Headquarters The American Academy of Equine Art (AAEA) will hold its annual Juried Exhibition, Sept. 20 – Oct. 26, in Middleburg, VA, at the newly-opened headquarters of the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America. There will be a preview opening on Thursday, September 19, from 6:00 – 8:30 pm.

The show displays more than 50 works by 40 artists and sculptors (Academy members as well as non-members) from across North America, among the finest equine artists at work today.

The AAEA was founded in 1980 at Morven Park by professional artists Jean Bowman, Else Tuckerman, Sam Savitt, Richard Stone Reeves, Henry Koehler, et al, and for many years was based in Middleburg.

The mission of the Academy has always been educational: to “Advise, Nurture, and Promote” the traditional equine genre. It is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with more than 170 members in the United States and Robinson, Sam; Big Red, 20x16, Oil, $2,500.

Canada, offering numerous workshops throughout the year with topnotch instructors. In October artist Jill Soukup and sculptor Alexa King will conduct a workshop at their facilities in Lexington, KY. Ms. Soukup, of Colorado, is also the Entry Judge for the present show, the first Academy exhibit to be held in Middleburg

Master of the Hounds, 9x16, oil, by Meryl Learnihan.

Sand, Mary; Lets Dance, 16x23x6, bronze, $4,500.

since the 1990s.

The annual exhibit offers a line-up of established stars and talented newcomers. We look forward to seeing the works of Leslie Humphrey (TX), Meryl Learnihan (NY), and Rachel Saunders (CO) alongside artists from closer in. Sam Robinson (MD) was last year’s recipient of the Founder’s Award; his entry this year will be joined by Virginia artists Linda Volrath, Sally Moren, and Jennifer Sims, as well as Award-winning sculptors Mary Sand and Sally Jackson.

The Academy will offer several new awards this year. The name Alexander MacKay-Smith should be a familiar one to horse people: Editor, Author, Master of the Blue Ridge Hunt, co-founder of the National Sporting Library. The MacKay-Smith Award will be presented for “Best Depiction of the Sport of Fox Hunting.” Additionally, first-year members (exhibiting) are eligible for a $500 scholarship to a scheduled AAEA workshop.

The show is held under the auspices of The Mas-

ters of Foxhounds Association of America, at their beautiful new headquarters on E. Washington St., Middleburg. Hope to see you there!

The following Academy show will open in April, 2020, at the Aiken Center for the Arts, Aiken, SC.

Frossard, Diane; Afternoon Solace, 9x12, oil , $1,700.

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

STEEPLECHASING

Summer Action and Fall Preview

By Will O’Keefe

Steeplechasing Returns to Colonial Downs In April of 2014 Colonial Downs hosted the Dogwood Classic steeplechase races, but it would be more than five years before steeplechase racing would be run again at the New Kent County venue. With the rebirth of flat racing at Colonial Downs this year at least two races over hurdles were held each week of the five-week race meet— a maiden hurdle race each week and a ratings handicap hurdle four of the five weeks.

The Randolph D. Rouse hurdle stakes headlined the final day of racing.

Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard saddled his Hepcat to win the inaugural race on August 10. Gerard Galligan kept Hepcat within striking distance, rallied around the last turn and held off Riverdee Stables’ Gostisbehere (Michael Mitchell), whose rally fell short by ¾ of a length. Why Not Racings’ Jump Ship (Richard Boucher) ran evenly to finish third.

The ratings handicap was restricted to horses rated 115 or less. Sharon E. Sheppard’s Moorland (Thomas Garner) was far off the early pace, but launched a rally on the backside the final time around. He took command around the final turn and won going away by 7¼ lengths. Beverly Steinman’s First Friday (Barry Foley) could not match the winner while rallying around the final turn and was second best. Woodslane Farm’s Pik Em (Willie McCarthy) could not match strides with the top two and finished third. Leslie Young was the winning trainer.

On August 17 rider Jack Doyle scored a winning double. He won the maiden hurdle race on Riverdee Stable’s Snowie Hill and the ratings handicap with Silverton Hill LLC’s Irish bred Bodes Well. F. Hill Parker trained Snowie Hill and Leslie Young did the honors with Bodes Well.

In the maiden hurdle race Snowie Hill won a thriller by a nose over KMSN’s Inverness (Michael Mitchell). Snowie Hill was not hurried in the early going, but loomed around the final turn. He continued to make up ground in the stretch and got up in the final strides. Inverness also rallied and took the lead midstretch but just missed. Beverly R. Steinman’s Paris Lady (Barry Foley) was never far off the pace, took the lead around the final turn but finished third two noses behind the winner.

The ratings hurdle handicap for this particular week was restricted to horses rated 110 or lower. This was a good spot for Bodes Well, who was getting weight from six of the starters. Bodes Well raced near the lead for most of the race. He launched his rally as the field turned for home, took the lead over the final hurdle, and won handily by 1¼ lengths. Taking The Lead Stable’s Lead Investor (Gerard Galligan) threatened at the head of the stretch but could not reach the winner. Irvin S. Naylor’s Av A Word (Graham Watters) was among the leaders at the last fence but could not sustain his bid and settled for third.

In the third week of the meet on August 24 Why Not Racing’s Jump Ship broke his maiden. Richard Boucher was the winning rider and his wife Lilith Boucher was the winning trainer. Jump Ship was an early trailer, but he rallied down the backside the final time around, joined the leaders in the stretch, and pulled away from the last to win by 2¼ lengths. Sherry L. Fenwick’s Anticipating (Darren Nagle) was far back early, rallied to take the lead on the turn, but was no match for the winner and placed second. Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr.’s Lost Story (Jack Doyle) contended in the stretch but lost valuable ground when steadied in the final sixteenth and had to settle for third.

Oakwood Stable’s Kensington Court (Kieran Norris) was the narrow winner of the ratings race for horses rated 115 or lower. Julie Gomena saddled the winner, who went to the front at the drop of the flag and opened a commanding lead. He held the lead all the way but lasted and won by a nose. Leipers Fork Steeplechasers LLC’s French-bred Querry House (Gavin Sheehan) closed with a rush and just missed.

Robert Kinsley’s Al (GB) (Jack Doyle) also rallied in the stretch but was third best.

On August 30 America’s leading steeplechase trainer Jack Fisher added one more win to his total when Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr’s Knockholt (Willie McCarthy) won the maiden hurdle race. Knockholt raced off the Oakwood Stable’s Kensington Court pace in the early going but made a move (Kieran Norris, up) on the way to a win around the final turn. He was second to the in one of two hurdle races held at the newly reopened Colonial Downs, Auearly pacesetter, Bon Nouvel Chasers gust 24, 2019. Coady Photography photo LLC’s Sudden Victory at that point and inherited the lead when Sudden Victory went off course. Ballybristol Farm LLC’s Silver Crescent (Jack Doyle) came flying and just missed by a nose. Wimborne Farm’s Drilliant (Barry Foley) raced evenly to finish third but was no threat to the top two.

In the ratings handicap for horses rated at 110 or lower, Taking the Lead Stable’s Lead Investor (Gerard Galligan) raced near the pace set by Irvin S. Naylor’s Av A Word (Graham Watters) and Leipers Fork Steeplechasers, LLC’s favorite, Querry Horse (Jack Doyle). Lead Investor split these two at the head of the stretch and won by 2½ lengths over Querry House. Querry House tired from his early efforts and finished second with Morningstar Farm’s Shoreline (Sean McDermott) another length

farther back in third. Av A Word faded to sixth.

Jonathan Sheppard was the winning trainer.

The curtain came down on the highly successful 2019 Colonial Downs race meet on Saturday, September 7. The featured steeplechase race of the meet was the Randolph D. Rouse Filly and Mare Hurdle Stakes run on that day. Nine horses went to the start with Jonathan Sheppard's Wigwam Baby (Darren Nagle) It was still anyone’s race at this point in the Filly and Mare hurdle race during the steeplechase action at Colonial the high weighted faDowns on August 17, 2019. Riverdee Stable’s Snowie vorite. Wigwam Baby Hill (not shown) was the winner. Coady Photography photo won the filly and mare stakes race at Iroquois in May and was the only stakes winner in the field. That meant she was giving 4 lbs. to 12 lbs. to the rest of the field. In the race Wigwam Baby set a comfortable pace but started to tire entering the final quarter mile. At that stage Bethany Baumgardner's longshot Mavourneen (Graham Watters) went to the front but Riverdee Stable’s Snowie Hill (Jack Doyle) was on the move. She took command at the three-sixteenth pole and pulled away to win by 3¼ lengths. F. Hill Parker saddled the winner who had broken her maiden earlier in the meet. This completed a double for Jack Doyle, who was winning his fourth race at Colonial Downs.

Mavourneen was second and KMSN Stable’s Inverness (Michael Mitchell) got up in the final strides to finish third a nose in front of Wigwam Baby, who ran a good race but could not give that much weight away.

Another maiden hurdle race preceded the Rouse Stakes. In an upset Willow Oaks Stables LLC’s Iconic Artist (Jack Doyle) beat the favorite, Riverdee Stable’s Gostisbehere (Michael Mitchell). Gostisbehere had finished second in his previous start over the course and seemed primed to win by trainer Jack Fisher. He had the lead entering the stretch, but Iconic Artist was not to be denied. He rallied from off the pace and took command in the stretch winning by 2¾ lengths for trainer Elizabeth Voss.

Bon Nouvel Chasers LLC’s Sudden Victory (Gerard Galligan) was never far from the leaders and just missed being second by a neck.

Steeplechase racing in Virginia will resume on Sunday, September 29, at the Foxfield Fall Races near Charlottesville.

2019 Fall Racing Preview The start of the Virginia Fall steeplechase circuit is fast approaching, and this year the purses offered at the four Virginia Fall Hunt Meets will total at least $745,000.

Once again the Virginia Equine Alliance has contributed $25,000 towards the purse of the maiden hurdle race at the four race meets.

The Foxfield Fall Races will be held at the Foxfield Race Course near Charlottesville on Sunday, September 29. This year the race meet will return to the traditional late September date. The race card will be made up of a $30,000 maiden hurdle race, a maiden race over hurdles for fillies and mares, a maiden claiming hurdle race and two more races on the flat. One of the flat races is restricted to horses bred or sired in Virginia.

On Saturday, October 12, the Virginia Fall Races will be run over the popular Glenwood Park Race Course near Middleburg. This year’s card of races will feature the $40,000 National Sporting Library and Museum Timber Stakes. Additional races will be run over hurdles, over the steeplethon course, and on the flat. This meet provides a great opportunity for trainers to prepare for the Far Hills Races and the International Gold Cup Races. Some of the best horses in training will be on hand especially to contest the timber stakes and the training flat race.

On Saturday, October 26, the International Gold Cup Races will be run over the Great Meadow race course near The Plains. The purse for International Gold Cup timber stakes will be $75,000, and the purse for the David L. “Zeke” Ferguson Memorial hurdle stakes will also be $75,000. These two races have the biggest purses on the Fall Virginia steeplechase circuit. The other races will include the highly popular steeplethon that will be run as a stakes race offering a $40,000 purse. Two more races over hurdles and the Virginia bred flat race on the flat round out the card with every purse $35,000 or more.

With President James Madison’s home providing the classic backdrop, the Montpelier Hunt Races will be held at Montpelier Station near Orange on Saturday, November 2. The $40,000 Noel Laing hurdle handicap is the only remaining race in the United States run over natural hedges. The first race is a flat race for Virginia Bred or Sired horses and will be run over the dirt training track with spectators lining the rail. There will also be hurdle races for maidens and maiden claimers, a ratings handicap hurdle race, and an allowance race for fillies and mares.

CLASSIC HERRING HUNT DECANTER SET Decanter with stopper and four DOF glasses. Boxed.

(HC1A) $60.00 (BW39-HS) Set of four matching DOF glasses (HC1B) $45.00 (BW12-HS)

NEW SMALL TRINKETS CANAPE DISHES Porcelain, 4.75”x3.5” Equestrian Crests (HC1F) $18.95 (1892-mini01); Race Horse (HC1G) $18.95 (1892-Mini02; Wine Stopper, Equestrian Crests (HC1H) $17.50 (1892 (1892-PHSDP) PHSDP)

Whether laid out on a mahogany sideboard or a tailgate in an open field, our unique array of table settings will make a gracious statemen statement.

ATWOOD ETCHED CRYSTAL Mare and Foal.

Set of four DOF glasses.

(HC1C) $199.00 (1897-GSA001) Decanter (HC1D) $279.00 (1897-BWA001) Snaffle Bit (not shown).

Set of four DOF glasses.

(HC1E) $199.00 (1897-GSB-001)

SOLOGNE PHEASANT PLATTER. Hand-made in France. Hand-painted, each piece is one of a kind.

17.75”x 14.25”. #1753-PHSTR. (HC1J) $270.00

Plates 9.25” Basset (HC1K) $45.00 (1753-BSDP) Fox (HC1L) $45.00 (17753-FOXDP) Fox Hound (HC1M) $45.00 (1753-HNDDP) Pheasant (HC1N) $45.00 (1753-PHSDP) New Partridge Tray (not shown) acrylic 11”x 15” (HC1P) $65.00 (1753-PARTR)

BELMONT COLLECTION TABLE ART New Wine Bucket with handles, bronze with pewter ornamentation (HC1Q) $575.00 (4005-H50EQ); Fox and Horn Napkin Ring, pewter and polished brass, each (HC1R) $42.00 (4005-E115GH); Martini Glass, pewter standing fox each (HC1S) $105.00 (4005-G446DFI); White Wine Glass, (not shown) pewter standing fox each (HC1T) $105.00 (4005-G444DFI)

(540) 347-3141 • 800-88-2-HUNT (4868) 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, Virginia 20186 Store Hours: Monday–Friday 9AM - 6PM, Saturday 9AM - 5PM (ET)

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Our Horse Country selection of country clothing, anchored by the famous Barbour brand , serves men and women alike.

We’ve been a Barbour stockist since the 1970s.

BEDALE, OUR MOST POPULAR WAXED JACKET 29” long. Sage. Sizes 34-52 Unisex (HC2A) $400.00 (4-A330) We also stock the longer Border jacket, 33” long. Sage.

Sizes 38-50 Unisex (HC2B) $415.00 (4-A330) LOWERDALE VEST FOR HIM Barbour's famous quilted vest in a relaxed fit. Stand collar, patch pocket and an inner pocket, 2-way zip.

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BALLOU BELT Made in England Hand made belt, rough suede with western buckle, keeper and tip.

Sizes 34-40.

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LECHAMOIS GREEN VIERZON Country Green.

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Ladies’ 35-42 (HC2E) $198.00 Men’s 42-45 (HC2F) $199.00

BLINTER QUILTED JACKET FOR HIM One of our favorites by Barbour, a poly quilt jacket with fleece lining. Two patch pockets and a corduroy collar. Medium- XXL. (HC2G) $235.00 (4-MQ1135OL)

PHEASANT POCKET SQUARE Made in England.

One of the many exceptional pocket squares on offer.

Wool/silk. Rolled edge. A. Rust/Gold, B. Navy/Gold, C. Navy/Green, D. Brown/Green. (HC2H) $85.00 (1872-PS001)

HC2 HORSE COUNTRY® 800-882-HUNT

CULLEN HARRIS TWEED TOTE Made in England Cloth from the Outer Hebrides. English bridle leather strapping and trim outside and inside, supporting two pockets, one for the largest mobile phone. By our UK bridle maker. Four tweeds.

(L-R) A. Light Gray with Gold and Rust windowpane, B. Gray tweed, C. Blue tweed and D. Mid-Gray with Tan and Maroon windowpane. (HC2J) $210.00 (3289-Bag A-D)

All prices subject to change without notice. All items subject to availability. IAHC 09-2019

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Shop online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com STIRLING BLOUSE Barbour’s latest ladies’ shirt. Relaxed fit. Button cuffs. Washable. Cotton/ viscose. US sizes 4-14. Off white with gray hounds, horses, foxes print. (HC3B) $99.00 (4-LS1235WH)

TO HOUNDS Ribbed Wool Knit Hat Dark Navy. (HC3C) $50.00 (4-MH0486ny)

BARBOUR BEAUFORT BACKPACK Waterproof waxed cotton 10”x 6.5”x 18” Olive. (HC3D) $199.00 (4-UB0425OL)

BASSET HOUND SWEATER 95% cotton/5%cashmere. Gray.

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HIGHLAND TWEED GLOVE Made in England. Scottish tweed and capeskin underside.

Sizes 6.5-8. In Copper (shown), Cognac, Mahogany and Olive.

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TARTAN VEST BY BARBOUR. Poly shell with light filling. Snap front with two generous patch pockets. US sizes 4-14 (HC3E) $150.00 (4-LG0032TN)

A HAT FOR THREE SEASONS Ladies' wool felt hat by Barbour Sizes Sm-XL, Olive. (HC3L) $100.00 (4-LH0217OL)

THROCKLEY RIDING RAINCOAT Showerproof 6oz. waxed cotton, shoulder cape and leg straps. Twoway zipper and snaps, deep pockets and long kick pleat. US4-14. Navy.

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NEW STABLE/MUCK AND GARDEN SHOE Excellent long lasting quality. Neoprene with heavy non-slip sole. Comfortable and lightweight. Ladies' 5-11 Brown (HC3J) $104.95 (Andi); Men's 7-15 (HC3K) $104.95 (Weston) www.Facebook.com/HorseCountryLife

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HORSE COUNTRY® 800-882-HUNT HC3 Not responsible for typographical errors. IAHC 09-2019

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Please visit the store or www.HorseCountryCarrot.com to see our current selection of saddlery and tack, preparations, hardware, stable requisites, race equipment and more.

HUNTING BRIDLES NOW FROM $140.00 TO $459.00

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29

BROADVIEW Ave.

W IN CH ES TE R

St.

MAIN St.

HORSE COUNTRY

®

WATERLOO St. ss RT. 29/17 Bypa

Store Hours: Monday–Friday 9AM - 6PM, Saturday 9AM - 5PM (ET)

Rt. 17 By pass

17 Pk. DRIA ALEXAN

60 Alexandria Pike • Warrenton, Virginia 20186

To WASHINGTON via I-66

To CULPEPER & CHARLOTTESVILLE

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

AGA’S SAGAS

9

Invasion of the Varmints

Fall has officially started here in Virginia’s rolling hills. The 120th Warrenton Horse Show is a wrap as Hunt Night closed with Bull Run Hunt pinned Champion and Warrenton Hunt Reserve. A good time was had by all.

For Horse Country, the Autumn/Winter season arrives with a bang and a shout. Each carton we open is a surprise. Most orders arriving now were placed nine to 12 months ago and I’ve forgotten what is in store for all of us, you included, of course. Opening all these packages of wonderful apparel and gifts, along with the abatement of summer’s heat and humidity, has cast an almost Christmas-like cheer over Horse Country. While the girls are arranging the new arrivals in attractive displays, like the fabulous Barbour Basset sweater and horsey Kerrits jackets and shirts, they’re humming tunes that sound suspiciously like carols. The new socks are being stacked on the center table higher than usual; the book selection is more plentiful and interesting this year. Customers stroll in casually now rather than slamming the front door with their backs against it to escape the oppressive heat. Yes, the change of season is most welcome and it won’t be long before the horns and bays of the various hunts will be accompanied by the crisp nip of chilly air and the scent of burning leaves as farmers begin their autumn clean up.

This placid rainy afternoon, I sat down at home to make plans for the season and organize the calendar of special events.

The big news couldn’t stay under cover for long. Rita Mae Brown’s latest Sister Jane novel is being released at the end of November. Scarlet Fever will have a launch at Horse Country. Keep your eyes peeled for the date and time.

Our Veterans and First Responders Appreciation Day will be all day Tuesday, October 1. We’re planning the menu now. Someone suggested in lieu of finger food, we serve MREs (meals ready to eat). Hmmm. Have to think about that one.

On October 16, the Richmond furrier will be returning coats from cold storage and the remodeled coats designed earlier this year.

OMG! What was that loud “thump” from the veranda? Drat the little devils!

Since my stalwarts Aga and Bunsen have passed on, the yard has been insidiously invaded by wildlife.

First were the squirrels. They quickly picked up on the fact the yard and field behind the house were not being patrolled and were soon darting in and out through the fence to snatch the fallen acorns and other available morsels. Now they lounge around the yard in arrogance, daring me to do something about it.

The deer, allowed to munch unmolested, grow bolder and are seen at all hours, from dusk to dawn, brazenly busy denuding all my lovely bushes and trees.

Every morning I see new damage from deer nibbling on the arborvitae. In the evening, still remembering Aga and Bunsen, they keep wary eyes on the house for signs of barking terrors to come leaping and snapping to send them right back over the fence in fear for their lives.

Chipmunks have reappeared, like bad relatives, making themselves at home in the flowerbeds. Mole tunnels have appeared, collapsing earth leaving telltale ruts crisscrossing the lawn.

And, oh, the rabbits. Leaping, frolicking…fornicating in plain sight at all hours of the day! It’s like Woodstock for bunnies.

Things were so very different a few short months ago, when Aga and Bunsen were on yard patrol duty. They didn’t just discourage foraging varmints, they chased them.

Deer were rousted out in short order. Chipmunks perished by the dozens.

Moles were rooted up and tossed back and forth like seals between a pair of orcas.

Squirrels were a bit tricky and Aga had stalking them down to a science.

She knew just how deep one of them had to be in the yard so she could catch it before it reached the fence. Motionlessly, she would watch and wait until the time was right, like a leopard crouched for that one gazelle to wander too far off

from the herd. Just one more hop into the center of the yard and....vooom she would leap off the porch, bypassing the steps, hitting the grass at a full run and the race would be on. A race that, if won by the squirrel, was not likely to be rerun by that miscreant any time soon.

Once Bunsen and Aga had an understanding with the raiders, things were pretty manageable. Safe to say, my dogs owned the yard.

As they got older and slowed down, their mere voices—Aga’s yip and Bunsen’s growl—were enough to let some intruder know they were getting close to crossing a boundary that Claudia Coleman illustration was not to be breached.

Well, they have gone on, as all good pets do. And in addition to their companionship, I miss their diligent work in keeping my home clear of unwanted little guests.

On dreary days, Bunsen would entertain us with stories—real, amplified, or imagined—of his life in the Old Country. One stormy evening, close to Halloween, Bunsen enthralled us with a story of a local village that was being terrorized by a ewe that had become abnormally large, anti-social, and even aggressive.

Due to the ewe’s size, fences couldn’t confine her. Stone walls tumbled and, as the farmer who lost it said, “She could walk through a briar hedge like Venus parting the foam,” which all the villagers agreed was as odd a comparison as they had ever heard.

Anyway, the sheep, now known as The Beast of Brora, had developed a taste for flower gardens and would ravage at will, totally unmindful of the gardeners who shouted and struck at it with their “get down” sticks.

Things came to a head one morning when the local prioress entered her garden to tend her roses—roses that had garnered Best in Show in Glasgow four years running—only to find, well, the details would be unnecessarily painful to list. Suffice to say, the poor woman’s breakdown was complete and only a partial recovery ever occurred. The local hunters and their dogs were ineffective.

This is when Bunsen was called in to manage things. With the help of four Scottish Deerhounds, the Beast of Brora was tracked back to her den in an abandoned hayrick. There, after an epic battle, Bunsen emerged alone, battered but triumphant.

When our flood of tears was finally gated, I asked him exactly how big the sheep had been. He said, “Bejabbers! The whole village supped on nothing but haggis for two months! ’Tis the verra truth!”

As this season rolls out, I miss Aga’s sage advice on merchandise, which would always turn out to be the best course of action. Right now, her advice on the foul–weather jackets would be helpful. She was a good predictor of the winter weather, as good as the Farmer’s Almanac, really. She’d tell me to buy heavier socks if the winter was to be extremely cold, or move the rain gear closer to the door if a hurricane was coming. “More Wellies,” she’d warn.

Going back to my notes, time to let everyone know to expect a Fall Hunting catalog, including the new style tweed riding jackets for the season and the best technical real hunting shirts in complimenting colors, plus the pale canary breeches. All made by Horse Country for our well-turned-out clients.

Hearing another ominous “thump” from the veranda, I cautiously peek through the blinds. There, on the veranda steps, standing unchallenged, is a full grown ground hog! Ground Hog. Woodchuck. Whistle Pig. Destroyer of All Landscapes. The ne plus ultra of varmints with the possible exception—and I say possible exception—of the Tyrannosaurus rex.

This one, well on the way to attaining full winter lard, is eyeing my precious Dwarf Azalea raised bed. If he digs his den there, I will never get him out.

That’s it! I am ready to get a new dog. And not one of those cute but ineffective lap types that runs when a cricket chirps.

For some jobs, only a Scottie will do.

10

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

RACING

Senior Senator: A Horse on the Bubble

By J. Harris Anderson, Managing Editor Douglas Lees Photos Trainer Joe Davies does not mince words. He says of Senior Senator “the horse is on the bubble of brilliance and insanity.” An even more succinct summation is that he’s “an incredible freak.”

Vicki Crawford, co-owner with her husband Irvin “Skip” Crawford, describes a different aspect of this complicated, amazingly talented animal when she points out that he’s also “a real sweetheart.”

The 2010 Pennsylvania-bred bay gelding (by Domestic Dispute out of Queen Kennelot, with hefty A Winning Team: Senior Senator and jockey Eric doses of Northern Dancer and Mr. Prospector blood) Poretz share a peaceful summer moment at the appeared destined for a respectable if modest flat track Davies’ Monkton, Maryland, farm. career. But there was one hitch in that plan: It wasn’t where the horse wanted to be.

At a claiming race at Penn National in 2013, Joe and his wife Blythe Miller-Davies, a two-time national champion steeplechase jockey, watched the then threeyear-old in the paddock. Joe was skeptical but Blythe saw something—perhaps a spark, a telltale glimmer only her expert eye could see, or maybe she just felt an inexplicable intuitive vibe. Despite Joe’s skepticism, they submitted a $7500 claim for him. Flint Stites, his trainer, knowing the horse’s reputation for dangerous misbehavior—the track vets were not allowed to get near him—and not wanting to see anyone get hurt, suggested they rethink the offer. “I’ve been doing this for 35 years,” Stites said. “And this is the craziest horse I’ve ever seen.”

Assistant Trainer Ashton Williams leads Senior As if on cue, Senior Senator exploded at that moSenator from the Winners Circle as Blythe MillerDavies gives him a congratulatory pat. ment, tossed his jockey, and took off running like a mad demon. Finally caught, the jockey remounted and the race went on. Senior Senator finished second.

The thoughtful warnings not withstanding, the Davies closed the deal and took the horse home to their farm in Monkton, Maryland. After a couple more attempts at running him on the flat track, they decided to test his potential as a hurdler.

The new surroundings and different job did not produce an immediate change of behavior. And his second attempt at a race over hurdles mirrored the antics that had made him equus non grata at the flat track. In his first hurdle race, at Oatlands under amateur jockey Eric Poretz, who would soon thereafter become his regular partner, he finished a closing third. However, in his next attempt, at Fair Hill, a rules change required that he be ridden by a professional. He lost the rider at Eric Poretz and Senior Senator out for an the second hurdle, passed the field, jumped a fence, and August morning with the Elkridge-Harford Hunt. galloped through the panicked crowd before finding his Photo courtesy of Joe Davies way back to the barn.

Maybe neither racing on the flat nor over hurdles were his thing.

He soon provided his own evidence of what he really wanted to do. When he started jumping the Davies’ pasture fences, apparently for his own amusement, his destiny became clear. He was meant to be a timber horse.

Not that this proved to be an instant cure-all either.

The brilliance edge of the bubble had been revealed.

But the insanity side was still fully intact.

For example, in one of those revealing moments, he jumped from field to field and then out onto the farm driveway, took off running, stumbled, fell and slid 30 At the Maryland Hunt Cup’s daunting 13th fence, yards on his side. In another instance he jumped over Senior Senator, with Eric Poretz aboard, shows the form that led to this third win in this challenging race. the partition on the trailer and sliced his leg. The in-

ability of vets and farriers to work on him during his stint on the flat track without risking life and limb resulted in bad feet, plagued by quarter cracks. Joe Davies credits great farriers who, over time, corrected those problems.

He was on his way to the glory that lay ahead. But the road there still posed challenges, such as getting him over that road and to race meets in one piece. The trailer is not his happy place. In an effort to help calm his fears, Joe loaded him up and drove around just for practice. Time to make a coffee run to Starbucks? Why not take Senior Senator along for the ride? (But no coffee for him. The last thing he needs is caffeine!)

The haul from Monkton to the Blue Ridge Hunt’s Point-to-Point in Berryville, Virginia, is a long one. But it proved worth the effort. Senior Senator, with Eric aboard, won his first timber race. From that point on to this date, he has never finished anywhere less than first or second in every timber race he’s run (with one notable exception, more on that to follow).

Having found his niche, he was on a fast track to the big time. That would be the 2016 Maryland Hunt Cup. Considered the most challenging steeplechase race this side of the Atlantic, the $100,000 Hunt Cup is a demanding four-mile course over 22 stiff fences.

Only the best-qualified horses need apply. And only the toughest, most talented, or at least luckiest are likely to finish.

In the 120th running of this race, held on April 30th, Senior Senator took the lead at the fourth fence and for the next several fences held what announcer Will O’Keefe estimated to be a 15-to-20-length advantage over the rest of the field. But others moved up to challenge him. Guts for Garters, with Jody Petty up, managed to forge slightly ahead in the final stretch. Senior Senator, urged on by Poretz, rallied to win by a half-length.

The win put him in the record books as only the second horse to win the Hunt Cup as a six-year-old, the other being Hall of Famer Jay Trump back in 1963.

The pattern also showed his style in this type of race. As Joe Davies told the Baltimore Sun just before the 2017 running of the Hunt Cup, “He’s not that fast but he can sustain a 30-miles-per-hour pace over four miles like nothing.”

Vicki Crawford adds another factor to the horse’s success. “He has these long spidery legs. He just eats up the ground. At a fence he takes off a half length sooner than the other horses and lands a half length farther on.”

The following April would see more glory followed shortly after by what could have been a careerending tragedy.

On April 22, 2017, Senior Senator chalked up a win in the 115th running of the $30,000 Grand National Steeplechase, held in Butler, Maryland.

The following week he would try for a second victory in the Maryland Hunt Cup. At the third fence, his trajectory went awry and he fell hard and awkwardly on the landing, breaking a bone in his neck. A sad conclusion to what looked like it should have been the start of a long championship run was a realistic possibility the Davies and Crawfords had to consider.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

Celebrating their horse’s third win in the Maryland Hunt Cup: (l-r) Scarlett Davies, Joe Davies, Eric Poretz, Irvin “Skip” Crawford, Vicki Crawford, Camille Crawford Finley, Fritz Finley, and Vivien Finley holding the tankard.

Surgery, a metal plate, outstanding medical care

by Dr. Dean Richardson at the New Bolton Center, months of stall rest, and a carefully orchestrated rehab program produced hopeful results. Were they good enough for him to return to racing? Only one way to find out. In the spring of 2018 he came in a winner at the Cheshire Point-to-Point. Two weeks later he finished second at Elkridge-Harford. Then, one week before that year’s Maryland Hunt Cup, he won his second Grand National Steeplechase.

The support team didn’t want to raise their hopes too high, but the chances of making a repeat appearance on the winner’s stand was a definite possibility.

The oddsmakers agreed. Senior Senator went to the starting line the favorite.

As if to prove the previous year’s mishap at that third fence hadn’t fazed him one bit, Senior Senator again took an early lead and held it until the end when he was challenged, this time by Joshua G. with Eddie Keating up. To add an exclamation mark to his triumphant return, he pulled away in the stretch for a decisive five-lengths win over his closest challenger.

In the century-and-a-quarter history of the Maryland Hunt Cup, only eight horses have achieved three wins. The 2019 race would provide the opportunity for a ninth name to be added to that list.

But could Senior Senator make it through an entire year without the shadow of some potential disaster darkening his prospects?

Well, it wouldn’t be a Hollywood script-worthy story if that had been the case. Two trips to New Bolton over the winter for colic had his owners and trainer pacing the floor. Fully recovered, his prospects looked bright for April’s Hunt Cup. And then, just ten days before the race, he went “hopping lame,” as Joe put it, on his hind legs. The magic cure turned out to be nothing more than a summons for the vet. The horse was miraculously sound by the time the doc arrived.

A few days later, Senior Senator put any lingering lameness concerns away when he clinched his third victory in the Grand National.

The stage was set for a boom-or-bust day at the Maryland Hunt Cup the following week.

To assure his reputation for heart-stopping drama remained intact, Senior Senator made sure he provided everyone with an “Oh, my God!” experience at just the right moment.

He set the pace early on but without the substantial leads he’d held in previous attempts. Hadden Frost made a move with Drift Society after the 19th fence and took the lead over the 20th. Two more fences remained, but before those came mulch-covered Tufton Avenue. Never a problem before, this time something went awry. Senior Senator slipped and nearly fell. Or really did fall. Hard to tell, it happened so fast. According to Vicki Crawford, the horse was up and back in full stride before the first strand of airborne mulch had returned to the ground.

In the Hollywood version, this is where the shot goes to slow motion. The horse is falling. Pan to faces in the crowd, gasping. The owners are in shock.

The hero (that would be the horse) senses defeat. His nemesis is already across the road, now ahead by five lengths, and surging toward the penultimate fence.

But our hero rallies, summons his inner strength, flashes a determined look in his eyes, sets his jaw, and leaps forward.

In real life, and real motion, there’s no time for such theatrics. (Okay, maybe the gasping crowd part.) But Senior Senator’s determination was clearly evident as he went on the attack. He cut the gap by the 21st fence. Still trailing, they raced up the infamous hill to the final fence. Poretz asked Senior Senator for everything he had and the horse responded, lengthened his stride, and powered on. He took off for the final fence before Drift Society left the ground, landed first, and churned his way to a fourlengths victory—and a home in the record books.

Not only does that record include retiring the Maryland Hunt Cup with his third win, the first horse to do since Cancottage achieved that 36 years ago,

11 but he had also retired the Grand National Cup the week before, one of only three horses to ever retire both trophies.

It was, of course, a sweet victory for the entire Senior Senator team: Joe and Blythe Davies, Skip and Vicki Crawford, Eric Poretz, assistant trainer Ashton Williams, and many others who contributed to the horse’s success—including his own emotional support animal, Fernando the Donkey.

Vicki, who along with Skip is a joint master at Potomac Hunt, says this has been the most amazing six years of their lives. “We were out of racing for more than 20 years. We kept our NSA membership active, but didn’t really see ourselves getting back in as owners. Then Joe invited us up for dinner to see his new barn and a couple of horses. We could never have predicted that evening would lead to this.

“Nobody else wanted the horse. When other prospective owners saw his antics, they said no thanks. When his true talent showed, everybody wanted him. Skip and I are happy that Joe approached us, and that we stayed with it.”

She goes on to cite Senior Senator’s baffling dual personality. “When you see him at the races, he looks maniacal. He’s all business, doing his thing, and best to get out of his way. But at the farm he’s a real sweetheart. He loves people, loves attention.

He’d crawl in your lap if he could.”

“Every day riding him is an amazing experience,” Joe says. “You know there’s going to be a ‘moment’ every time. You never know what it will be or when it will come. But it will come at some point.”

Joe continues, “I think he’s a happy horse now.

We found the best way to deal with him is to let him be himself.”

A joint master at Elkridge-Harford Hunt, Joe’s taken him out hunting a couple of times (which attests to the skills and confidence of this lifelong horseman, a winner of multiple Hunt Cups as well as a host of other accomplishments as both a rider and trainer).

“He’s not a kicker in the hunt field,” Joe says.

“More of a leaper-kicker.”

Not what you’d call a “husband horse,” unless that husband is Joe Davies.

So where does the horse go from here?

“That’s a good question,” Vicki says. “Skip and I don’t question what Joe decides to do, we leave it all up to him and Blythe. For now we’re just hanging back, waiting to see how he comes through the winter. Maybe a fourth Hunt Cup?” she posits. “That’s never been done. But there’s always another Senior Senator coming down the pike, so it’s best to not get our hopes up.”

Another horse like this coming down the pike?

If Senior Senator had anything to say about that, we’re pretty sure his response would be, “Bring ’em on!”

Always full of surprises, Senior Senator (front) stands like a seasoned foxhunter with hounds.

Photo courtesy of Joe Davies

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

HORSE COUNTRY BOOKSELLERS

Johnson, Virginia C. Virginia by Stagecoach. History buffs will enjoy this newly published volume filled with descriptions of what travel was like in the days before motorized vehicles that required Specialists in New, Old & Rare Books on Horses, Foxhunting, nice smooth pavement. The author has amassed a Eventing, Polo, Racing, Steeplechasing & Sporting Art combination of stories and photographs involving 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA 20186 • 800-882-HUNT • 540-347-3141 stagecoach travel in Virginia (and West Virginia, Brown, Rita Mae. Scarlet Fever. We at Horse Counaround the lives of two women, an aging trainer who just because until the Civil War it was part of Virginia). There try are eagerly awaiting this latest volume in the Sister couldn’t stay retired from the track and a young one are actual accounts by travelers, shorts on taverns, tavJane series, because Rita Mae has told us some of the ac- looking to start a life as a trainer. The older, Louisa, has ern-keepers, coach drivers, turnpikes, the coaches themtion takes place right here at the store! More than that I a knack with horses and people and is known for helping selves, the horses that pulled them, destinations like the can’t tell you—because that’s what a mystery is! Hard- to straighten out both—and she’ll need these skills again. various mineral springs, and more. Each chapter is cover, $28.00 Softcover, 288pp. $16.00 headed with an ancient recipe for what might be served Francis, Felix. Guilty Not Guilty. When Bill Russell, a Smithwick, Patrick. Racing Time/A Memoir of Love, in the taverns: chicken pudding, peaches in brandy, apple steward at Warwick races, learns his beloved wife has Loss and Liberation. It is a fact of life that all lives even- fritters… Paperback, 191pp. $21.99 been murdered, it is doubly a shock—because from the tually come to an end. This, Patrick’s third book, is an Scott, Jeanine and Berkeley. Kentucky’s Horse-Drawn start the police obviously believe he is the killer! Things attempt to come to terms with the loss of people—and Era. I couldn’t resist ordering a couple of these for those go from awful to worse as he loses his job, is abandoned horses—close to him, and it is not sequential in time like interested in the topic. On the front cover is a photo of a by his friends, and is in danger of losing his house as most memoirs but rather more like a chain-of-thought school bus—drawn by two mules! Of course it didn’t well. Hardcover, 384pp. $27.00 novel. Smithwick’s memories are more of the “warm and look like today’s school buses, but more like an extended Williams, Robin Traywick. The Key to the Quarter Pole. fuzzy” sort rather than lamentations, and I found it a delivery wagon. Chapters include farm work, travel, Not a mystery, but a racing novel comes from the pen of pleasure to read. His choice of artistic renderings in color horses in the city, in government service, and much Robin Williams. I asked our resident racehorse trainer, by Sam Robinson instead of photographs as illustration more, with photographs predominating. (This is one of Sue, to review the book and write her opinion: “Every adds to the feeling of a trip down memory lane. This is the delightful “Images of America” series of old photos newbie to the racetrack has been stumped and then stung not a book to be rushed through; it should be savored like from around the country.) While most photos show by the phrase ‘key to the quarter pole,’ and has had to a cherished flavor. It is (largely) prose written with the horses or mules, there are a few shots of oxen as well, endure with courage and humility finding the answer to elegance of poetic language. Hardcover, 481pp. $35.00 including one team being ferried across a river. Paperthe riddle. Many a story has been told about the glamour Su, Kat. Crap Taxidermy. We’ve all admired beautifully back, 127pp. $21.99 of a famous racehorse or a famous jockey or just a biog- presented taxidermied animals, even though we may Beran, Anja. The Dressage Seat. Anja Beran, whose raphy with an agenda. However, none that I have ever lament the demise of a splendid creature. These, how- book Classical Schooling with the Horse in Mind was read have grasped the essence of the people, the hopes, ever, are the flip side—the ones you snigger at, groan at, published earlier, has produced another volume on dresthe dreams, the despair and the triumphs quite as well as or even recoil from because they’re (a) so poorly done sage. An outstanding feature of this book is the number Robin in her simple narration of a story which lets the or (b) in such bad taste. This little photo book has it all, of full-page photographs that clearly illustrate horse and reader experience the character of every racetrack in the thanks to send-ins from across the world. Some are rider in all gaits. Another valuable feature is the portion nation.” made-up composites of different animals, some were (about half of the book) which is devoted to practical exThis is Robin’s first novel, and it features Virginia’s dressed up and displayed in human poses, some were re- ercises designed to increase your mobility and stability. newly reopened Colonial Downs. You may have read her ally awfully done and some look like 100-year-old mu- There’s a chapter on psychological aspects as well. If articles in newspapers or magazines or even in two books seum exhibits that should be given a decent burial. Get you’re serious about dressage, this book is well worth we have featured before, Chivalry, Thy Name is Bubba one of these as a gag gift for a hunting friend! Hardcover, having and reading thoroughly. Hardcover, 168pp. and Bush Hogs and Other Swine. This one revolves 96pp. $12.99 $39.95

JENNY’S PICKS

Coming out in November are mysteries from our two most favorite authors: Rita Mae Brown and Felix Francis! We hope to have a booksigning by Rita Mae, so if you want a signed copy, be sure to get your order in early!

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

EVENTING

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Top Level Eventing Competition at the Great Meadow International

Now under the MARS Equestrian banner, the 2019 Humane FounGreat Meadow International (GMI) was held in The dation, the Plains, Virginia, August 22-25. The past three years PEDIGREE saw the only North American leg of the FEI EventFoundation (a ing Nations Cup held at Great Meadow over the non-profit dedFourth of July holiday. The Nations Cup divisions icated to helpwere dropped this year and new two-star and threeing increase star divisions were added to the four-star competidog adoption tion. rates), and the Entries included 146 horse-and-rider pairs, of Northern Vir- Olympian and author Jimmy Wofford takes a moment from his course walk which 111 finished in the point tallies (51 two-star, ginia Thera- and commentary to greet his friend 28 three-star, and 32 four-star). Four countries were peutic Riding and longtime student Natalie Wales.

Liz Callar photo represented in the four-star: United States, Canada, Program.

Mexico, and Australia.

For more information and to schedule your plans The 3800-meter cross-country competition was for next year’s event, visit www.GreatMeadowInrun over Great Meadow’s steeplechase course, ternational.com. which is maintained in perfect footing condition by a state-of-the-art irrigation system. The Fleming Lynn Symansky and Under Suspection (owned by Mary Ann Arena, where the dressage and show jumping phases Ghadban) won the CCI4* at the MARS Great Meadow International. Joanne Maisano photo were held, features innovative all-weather footing.

David O’Connor designed the three cross-country courses and Chris Barnard handled the show jumping design duty.

When the points were tallied, USA’s Lynn Symansky and Under Suspection (owned by Mary Ann Ghadban) took the win in the CCI4*. This was the third performance at GMI for this team, having competed in 2016 and 2018 prior to this year’s win. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Fernhill Pick Pocket (C.L. & Ann Jones) topped the rankings in the three-star and local favorite William Coleman/Chin Tonic HS (Hyperion Stud) placed first in the two-star.

In addition to the eventing action, other attractions made for a family-friendly weekend: over two dozen vendors, a beer garden, music, bareback puissance, polo, and the Mars Equestrian VIPet for dogs with cooling stations, an off-leash FEI Stabling provided the temporary stalls at Great Meadow, a new modular integrated dog park, and obedience and agility demonstrations. system that is chew-proof and can stand up to hurricane category 1 winds if staked.

Liz Callar photo A portion of the proceeds from the MARS GMI will go to the Middleburg

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IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

TRAVEL

Holy Hatshepsut! Horses and History Combine for a Thrilling Egyptian Adventure

By Louisa Woodville Imagine galloping a purebred Arab stallion up to the 4,000 year-old Pyramids of Giza, his fast pace in sharp contrast to the seeming perpetuity of the hot Egyptian sand. Or, in Luxor to the south, riding Belal, a black purebred, past the 3,400-year-old Colossi of Memnon—two enormous statues of Amenhotep III, an 18th dynasty pharaoh. Or plunging a feisty gray pony into the salty Red Sea, where his dolphin brain takes over the equine one as you clutch his mane to stay on board!

That’s exactly what three other riders and I did this past March at Emma Jane Levin’s Adventures of Luxor and Makadi Bay, a seven-day adventure offered by Ride Egypt.

The pyramids, temples, tombs, statues, and paintings of this ancient land—not to mention its gods, goddesses, and comThe Colossi of Memnon, located west of Luxor, are pelling mythology—had been calling to me during the viewed through the ears of the stallion Belal. Also decade I taught art history at George Mason University. known as el-Colossat or el-Salamat, these two monumental statues represent the pharaoh Amenhotep II When, in 2017, I saw event rider Lindsay Wagner’s Face(1386-1353 BCE), seated on a throne ornamented with book post about her trip with Emma, that was that! imagery of his mother, wife, and the god Hapy. The EgyptAir, any available seats for March 4? statues are each carved from a single block of sandstone Egypt’s temples and statues have stood for thousands and rise 60 feet high, weighing 720 tons. of years—through war and peace, famines and abundance, droughts and floods. It was, however, the Egyptian horses that turned my adrenaline up to “high”—especially its feisty stallions (more on this later). Mares also had their appeal.

The kind bay Samra and I explored Luxor’s village life, galloping easily down plantation lanes. Along the coastline of Hurghada (in the west, on the Red Sea), the cremello Sabrina and I let loose in the desert sand. This golden mare was strikingly similar to my own 14.3 hand event horse, Thibaut—only Sabrina knew how to swim!

We—Néha Prashar, an endurance rider with a penchant for Arabian horses; Odile Gaudeul, an older Parisian with a Gallic sensibility; and Daijee Chou, a lawyer and mother of two from Taiwan—started our horse tour in Luxor, site of an amazing array of Egyptian treasures: the temple complexes at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, and Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple of Deir el-Bahri, to name but a few. After three days marveling at the ancient Behind the stallion Ghazal lies the Old Kingdom Egyptians’ engineering and artistry, we drove east to the Pyramid of Khafre (2520-2494 BCE), the fourth Dynasty pharaoh. Khafre is the second-tallest and second- Red Sea resort of Hurghada. Then Néha and I continued our largest of the ancient Egyptian pyramids of Giza, which equestrian exploration to Cairo’s great pyramids and also include that of Menkaure (2490-2472 BCE) and of Saqqara, site of 16 Egyptian kings’ tombs and the step pyraKhufu (2551-2528 BCE). Also in this complex is the mid of Djoser, dating from the 3rd Dynasty (2686-2613 BC). famous sphinx, protector of both the pharaohs and the Ride Egypt, the tour company who arranged our people of Egypt. equestrian adventures, is the brainchild of the aforementioned Emma, a 48-year-old Brit who moved to Egypt seven years ago. “I started with a very small stable and wrote a riding holiday program for one week combining the best of Luxor and adding three days in Hurghada to swim with horses and wild dolphins,” she said. “The holiday was a huge hit worldwide, and within four months I had outgrown my stable and needed more horses and more land. In February 2016 I increased to nine horses in Luxor, and I now own 17.”

Emma is like Cleopatra on steroids; black hair frames a sensuous face with Mick-Jagger lips and flashing eyes.

Tattoos run up her left arm and halfway up her right. Her take-charge attitude with her barn staff—Rambo, Hussain, Nasser, and Ahmed —is like something you’d expect from General Patton. Has Belal enough clover? Apollo needs a bath! Has Gypsy been exercised?

The horses in Emma’s barn are mostly Arabs or Arabs crossed with Baladi—a breed indigenous to Egypt that these days has also Thoroughbred blood. Apollo, her dappledgray stallion, is half Lusitano. There is only one gelding in her barn because all over Egypt, stallions are preferred.

“Egyptians do not wish their horses to be ‘quiet’,” said Emma. “The hotter the better, and a stallion is for showing Camel riding was part of the Ride Egypt adventure. and breeding; they’re particularly popular as dance horses.

Castration or gelding is something Egyptians would never consider. This applies not just to horses, it applies to all animals such as goats, cats and dogs, buffalos, and camels. It’s a mindset.”

Emma’s horses are sometimes purchases, sometimes given to her, and sometimes inherited. Belal, the stallion I rode to the Colossi, was one of her first. In 2007, with no intention of starting her own touring stable, Emma booked a ride at a local stable in Sharm. “The guide brought out a magnificent black stallion by the name of Belal, who renewed my love for horses and riding,” she said.

Emma, now with an idea to start a horse business, returned to that same barn two years later. The tourist industry had suffered since her subsequent visit; the once fat-andhappy horses were now malnourished. So Emma and the owner—a good horseman but a bad businessman—put their heads together. “He said he didn’t know how to [expand his business], and I said nor did I, but one day I put on a nice dress and walked into every hotel in Dahab and secured partnerships. This changed the lives of those working horses, and the concept [of Ride Egypt] was born,” Emma said.

Today Ride Egypt, based in Luxor, is thriving.

Luxor—or what the Greeks called Thebes, straddles the Nile River. Back when, the eastern part of Luxor was the City of the Living; it’s where the magnificent Temples of Luxor and Karnak are located. The west side—where we laid our heads each night at the Nile House—contains the famous Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens—i.e., the many mortuary temples of the great pharaohs, from Ramses II and III to my favorite, the woman pharaoh Hatshepsut who called herself a king.

Sometimes we rode to Egypt’s temples and mortuaries, and sometimes we drove. Amel Saad, our 35-year-old Egyptian guide with an infectious smile and a huge amount of energy, made what we visited come to life. For four days, this Muslim mother of two shared with us her fluency in the art and iconography of ancient Egypt. “I loved her passion and dedication—what a fabulous lady to show and teach us about all of the historic sites. She explained it so well and in such detail,” said my colleague Néha about Amel.

From our first stop—to the New Kingdom artisans’ tombs in Deir-el-Medina, dating from the 18th to 20th dynasties (1550-1077 BC)—we were gobsmacked by all that we saw. Artists had used bright, bold paint in these small tombs to depict all manner of flora and fauna. Looking out at us were one-eyed falcons; confident lions; a rabbit waving a feather at a tree with a snake; elongated goddesses walking, well, like Egyptians, arms and legs akimbo; a wild-eyed bald man clutching two goblets filled with dead birds; a god with a falcon’s head who, like a deranged dentist, held a rod right at a mummy’s mouth; and a spotted cow meandering past a falcon-headed god with an enormous red disc on his head, a cobra encircling it.

We—(l-r) Néha Prashar, Daijee Chou, Louisa Woodville, and Odile Gaudeul—take a break from galloping along plantation lanes on the west bank of Luxor.

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

Amel interpreted what we saw, including the hieroglyphics that accompanied these scenes from the Egyptian Book of the Dead. We were witnessing magic spells that could protect a person’s soul as it journeyed to the afterlife. In one scene Duat weighed the dead man Inherkhau’s heart against Ma’at’s feather, Ma’at—the goddess of truth and justice—recognizable by her diaphanous, revealing dress. Amun, with his over-the-top headdresses, also held court, as did Anubis, the jackal-headed protector of the dead. The images evoked the feel of an A-list party in L.A.—so much food and drink! And the opportunity to socialize among such Hollywood stars as Osiris and Ptah, or Isis and Duat.

From Amel we learned how to read cartouches—tablets with Egyptian hieroglyphics that disclose, in their enigmatic symbols and signs, the pharaoh’s titles and accomplishments. We learned how the goddess Isis pieced her slain brother Osiris back together; then they married (omg!), and she begat their son Horus.

Wow, a lot to take in that first morning. And then, after a delicious lunch of eggplant, tomatoes, and chicken, it was horse time! We were introduced to the equines who were to be our companions for the next four days. I climbed aboard Samra, a well-behaved Arabian bay, while Néha opted for the more gung-ho chestnut Red. We traveled Luxor’s country lanes on its west bank, the quiet suburb across the Nile from the well-heeled east bank that houses the luxury hotels (and accompanying traffic).

As we encountered the many camels, donkeys, and Egyptian farmers atop tomatoladen carts, we felt transported back to the 19th century.

The days that followed were so filled with ancient temples, tombs, architecture, statues, paintings, cartouches, and decorated columns—all which told story after story—that it’s hard to relate in a single article. Our activities included so much more than just visiting Egyptian sites. We also rode camels, watched a belly-dancer who cajoled us into joining her, drank champagne on top of a boat as we cruised down the Nile, galloped horses in the desert, and had festive dinners where we reminisced the high points of the day.

Oh, so many high points! We rode our mounts right to the Luxor Temple of Medinet Habu and the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III, with its thousands of images depicting victory and afterlife. We drove over to the East Side’s Luxor Temple, Luxor Museum, and the famous Karnak, literally a city of temples built over the course of 2,000 years (from 2055 BC to AD 100). The latter site, so big that the cathedrals of St Peter’s in Rome, the Duomo in Milan, and Notre Dame in Paris could fit on its campus, included kitchens, workshops, a sacred lake, Thutmose III’s festival temple (its columns represented tent poles!), ram-headed sphinxes, a soaring red-granite obelisk, and most striking, a hypostyle hall with 134 massive sandstone columns, twelve which stand at 69 feet. We felt lost in a forest of decorated columns to which words cannot do justice.

Schoolmarm that I am, I kept reminding everyone that in ancient times, the architecture had been brightly painted, so it would have been as dazzling as the interior tomb art we saw on that first day. The Temple of Deir el-Bahri—another favorite— was no exception. Built by the infamous Hatshepsut, a daughter of King Thutmose I, this ambitious leader became a major player at the young age of 12, when she married her half-brother, Thutmose II. They, like their god and goddess counterpart, had a child together.

This mortuary temple amazed us. From afar we could see a long upwards-slanting ramp leading our eyes—and later, our feet—to a horizontal columned portico, hewn from the raw cliffs of rock that still tower over the structure. Numerous erect statues that hold up the portico’s roof represent some of the thousands of images that Hatshepsut, sporting a beard characteristic of male pharaohs, commissioned. Set in this timeless architecture, the whole temple complex conveys a stability that Hatshepsut was determined to establish after the unrest that preceded her. It’s no wonder that she had an affair with her architect!

After this visual feast, we quietly returned to the Nile House, packed our bags, and headed three hours east to the Jawhara Beach and Sea Lodge in Hurghada, a resort on the Red Sea. Unfortunately, by this time I developed full-blown strep throat, so I missed much of the riding fun in this portion of the trip. I did rally, however, to

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a 6:15 am pickup for a Red Sea cruise. Naqb Tours took us, in addition to some wellfed Russians, polite English, beer-drinking Belgians, and arrogant French, to view the wild dolphins! Then we actually jumped into the water and swam alongside these highly intelligent mammals, the tour guides imploring us not to touch them—that’s how close we were. With masks and snorkels, we could clearly see the dolphins’ wide smiles and engaging, laughing eyes as they leaped and plunged around us. It was amazing.

The Red Sea excursion also included diving in a coral reef and riding in big rubber boats at fast speeds. Inhaling all that seawater, however, exacerbated my throat so, sob, I missed some rides. I was able to don my bathing suit on our last day of the trip, so as to swim our horses into the Red Sea! Sabrina, my mount, had obviously done this before, as she didn’t hesitate to swim up to her chest and paddle about.

Alas, it was time to fly to Cairo, an hour’s flight north, where Néha and I continued our horse and other adventures. On my own, I visited Coptic Cairo twice, once with a guide, marveling at its Babylon Fortress, the Hanging Church, the Byzantine Church of St. George, and, my favorite, the Coptic Museum. The treasures I saw at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities could be an article in and of itself. I took a day trip to Alexandria, refusing to stop for lunch with my guide so I could fit in as many sights as possible! (Not to worry—we ate street-food grilled sandwiches on the way home!)

About 15 miles southwest of Cairo I met the indefatigable Marte Kjoell, a Norwegian who, in 2011, started a non-profit to save abused Egyptian horses. Visiting her farm was one of the highlights of my trip, as the horses she groomed and fed were unrecognizable from the photos she showed me of what they had looked like when they had first arrived. Today her UK-registered charity, named after her horse Prince Fluffy Kareem, houses more than 200 horses, donkeys and mules, as well as cats and dogs.

Néha and I stayed at Giza’s Mena House, an 1869 hunting lodge that a hapless viceroy of Egypt, Khedive Isma’il Pasha, had to sell after the British takeover in 1882. Set on 40 acres with jaw-dropping views of Khufu, or the Great Pyramid, this Marriott-owned hotel includes an elaborate pool complex and well-tended gardens.

Mena House was the perfect point from which to explore the Giza and Saqqara pyramids. It was here that I rode the kind-hearted stallion Ghazal, with his elegant step and ground-covering stride. Ghazal galloped me around these colossal structures that are the Old Kingdom pyramids. I was fascinated to meet Sheikh Tarek Abu Aziza, Ghazal’s well-fed middle-aged owner who grew up riding on the Giza desert and today keeps more than 20 other horses in a stable that looks out on a busy Giza street.

He spoke of the many changes he’d witnessed—the increased security, for example, that adversely affects the horses. No longer can he turn them out in the desert to frolic and roll.

Néha and I visited astride the 4th dynasty Pyramids of Abusir, located nine miles south of the Giza pyramids. Yaout, an alert gray stallion, was my thrilling mount and my favorite of the entire trip. With few tourists about, our three-hour ride was an ephemeral experience, thanks to incredible horses and awe-inspiring structures “so iconic, so astonishingly ancient, that it is hard to imagine that 4,600 years ago the plateau where they stand was a desolate, dune-covered wilderness where a scattering of tombs lay under the burning Egyptian sun.”

So writes the Spanish historian José Miguel Parra. He continues: “Emerging out of the complex dynastic needs of Egypt’s 4th dynasty, they are the triumphant product of one of the most daring and innovative engineering projects the world has ever known.” The Pharaohs, I reminded myself, had started the pyramids early in their reigns, in an attempt to secure their own power and credibility—and legacy. I’d say they succeeded.

On our balcony at Mena House, Néha and I raised our wine glasses, toasting Khafre’s 4,500-year-old pyramid and his mysterious Sphinx, a limestone monument with the body of a lion and Khafre’s head. We pinched ourselves— to think, just four hours ago, we’d visited these edifices from the back of a horse.

Néha summed up the experience best: “Egypt really did steal my heart.”

16

HORSE RACING

IN & AROUND HORSE COUNTRY • FALL 2019

Horses and People to Watch Virginia Equine Alliance

Virginia’s Thoroughbred Racing Revival A Big Hit At Colonial Downs With the call of “Riders Up” from Kate Tweedy, daughter of Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery, Thoroughbred racing in Virginia began a new era August 8th as Colonial Downs conducted racing for the first time in six years to enthusiastic crowds and top flight racing from horsemen and jockeys throughout the mid-Atlantic and Midwestern regions.

On an evening when jockey Trevor McCarthy won three races, and trainers Michael Matz, Jamie Ness, and Jonathan Thomas each won a race, Foxtale Racing Stable’s Charmn Charlie Ray, ridden by Mychel Sanchez, went wire-to-wire in capturing the first race by a head over Conquest Falcon on the Secretariat Turf Course. On his reaction to his winning the first race back at Colonial, Sanchez said, “It was Charmn Charlie Ray wins the first race at the Downs “Racing Revival” meet on pretty awesome. This was my first Colonial August 8th. Photo by Coady Photography. time here and it’s a beautiful place.

Happy for everyone to get it back going again. The turf is amazing.”

“By all accounts the first night of our Racing Revival was an unqualified success,” said Jill Byrne, Colonial Downs Vice President of Racing Operations.

“This has been an especially emotional and rewarding evening for the hundreds of people who worked so hard over the last year to make the return of racing in Virginia become a reality. We thank our horsemen who participated in tonight’s races and to all of our fans who came out and enjoyed a tremendous experience.”

The New Kent track, which concluded its meet September 7th, offered daily purses of $500,000, or $7.5 million total for the meet. Colonial Downs, under new ownership by the Colonial Downs Group, a subsidiary of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, was made possible through the establishment of Historical Horse Racing (HHR) in Virginia by the General Assembly in 2018. Revenues generated through HHR at Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums, now open in New Kent, Vinton, and Richmond, and soon to open in Hampton, are generating significant tax revenues for the state and localities but are also helping to fund purses at Colonial Downs and help revitalize Virginia’s horse industry.

Four $100,000 Virginia-Bred/Sired Stakes Highlight Early Season Action at Colonial Downs Eagle Point Farm’s homebred filly What the Beep overtook long shot Big Lick Farm’s English Heiress in deep stretch to win the $100,000 M. Tyson Gilpin Stakes by a length in the first of four six-figure stakes races restricted to Virginia-Bred/Sired horses on August 10th. Forest Boyce rode the Karen Godseytrained four-year-old who covered 5½ furlongs over a firm turf course in 1:03.80.

Owner-trainer Godsey was both ecstatic and emotional afterwards. “My family fought so hard for Colonial Downs to get here originally, then fought so hard for it to come back [after a six-year hiatus]. The mare’s dam was the first winner I had as a trainer and to win in front of this huge crowd was awesome. Her mother was nothing but What The Beep and jockey Forest heart,” she added. “I just want to go home Boyce capture the $100,000 Tyson and hug her. There’s not a lot of breeding to Gilpin Stakes on August 10th. either of them but they have just heart.

Photo by Coady Photography.

They’re blue collar, hard knocking horses.

I’m so happy and thankful for all the people that worked so hard to get the track up and running again. It’s hard to put into words how I feel.”

Morgan’s Ford Farm’s River Deep was moved up to the top spot in the Edward P. Evans Stakes following the disqualification of original winner Speed Gracer, who was placed fourth following a steward’s inquiry. The Phil Schoenthal-trained son of Arch won for the seventh time in 21 starts.

“What’s special about this day is that it rewards all the breeders that hung in there for all those years and kept on breeding Virginia-breds,” said Schoenthal.

“It would have been very easy to ship their mares to Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, or everywhere else so it is gratifying to see these people being rewarded with $100,000 purses in their home state, on a beautiful night at a beautiful racetrack. It’s a great night for Virginia racing and Virginia horse breeders.”

English Bee Wins $250,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby Highlight of the season was an August 31st victory by English Bee in the $250,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby. The three-year-old colt stalked a pedestrian pace before overtaking front-running Credit Swap in mid-stretch, and held off a late rally from Jais’s Solitude to win by a head. Jorge Vargas, Jr. was aboard the Graham Motion-trained son of 2005 Virginia Derby winner English

Channel. English Bee covered a mile and an eighth over the Secretariat Turf Course in 1:52.94.

Credit Swap, ridden by Trevor McCarthy, set lethargic fractions of :26.40, :52.66, 1:18.29 and 1:41.74 before getting passed by the eventual winner. ”I knew we were going kind of slow,” said Vargas. “He was comfortable, and he was taking me [along] pretty good. I knew I had a lot of horse. I could have gone whenever I wanted to. In mid-stretch I really thought someone was going to close that much because we were pretty slow, but my horse dug in and fought to the end.”

“I’ve had a couple of tough beats [in this race] over the years,” said Motion.

“This is a tough little horse. He’s really deserving. He always shows up. It’s great to be here with a big crowd on an exciting night. Great racing. He’s had a long season. He tries so hard. We might get one more race into him before the end of the year. He ran huge tonight.”

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam presented the Virginia Derby trophy in the Winner’s Circle to the victorious connections.

‘Colors’ Fly High in the Oaks Godolphin’s Carnival Colors rallied threewide in the stretch and drew off to a 1¼length score in the $150,000 Fasig-Tipton Virginia Oaks, featured race on the Derby under card. Jockey Forest Boyce was aboard the Distorted Humor filly who ran a mile and an eighth in 1:48.83.

“Definitely the mile and an eighth [distance of the Oaks] was what we were looking for,” trainer Michael Stidham said. “Last time at Woodbine she got off a little bit slow, and only going a mile she had no chance to make Carnival Colors wins the up the ground but I knew if she broke good Fasig-Tipton Virginia Oaks.

Photo

by Coady Photography. today and put herself in the race that she was going to be tough to beat.”

“It worked out to be the perfect trip,” Boyce said. “She broke well which was what I was hoping for. A couple of them went so we sat right behind them and bided our time. Luckily I had plenty of horse to finish with.”

Harness Racing At Woodstock’s Shenandoah Downs Scheduled For Five Weeks This Fall Virginia’s pari-mutuel racing scene switches from New Kent to Woodstock where the Shenandoah Downs harness racing season begins September 13th and continues every Friday at 3:30 PM and Saturday at 2 PM until October 13th. A pair of non-betting racing events will also take place on Sunday October 6th and 13th. Virginia Breeder’s prep races for two- and three-year-old pacers and trotters of Bee (#8, inside) prevails in a tight both sexes will be first up, followed English Virginia Derby finish over Jais’s Solitude by the $300,000 (est.) Breeder’s August 31st. Photo by Coady Photography.

Championships on closing day.

One of the meet highlights is an “Own a Horse For a Day” promotion, sponsored by the Virginia Harness Horse Association. On three separate occasions— September 14th, 21st and October 5th—eight fans will be selected via random drawings to own a horse in a $4,000 race the following weekend. They will get to visit their respective horse, trainer and driver in the stable area for photo opportunities and, best of all, keep the purse earnings their horses win. One person is guaranteed to take home the winner’s share of $2,000 on each occasion.

Other key promotions include Weiner Dog races on September 28th, an “Autumnfest” BBQ/Craft Beer Festival on October 5th, and the “Pink Power” Breast Cancer awareness event on October 12th which raises funds for the local American Cancer Society chapter. Every Friday, the 3:30 PM “happy hour” race card will feature dollar draft beer and dollar hot dogs along with karaoke in the party tent.

Shenandoah Downs is located at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds at Exit 283 off I-81, halfway between Winchester and Harrisonburg. Both parking and admission are free and the races are family friendly. Wagering is avail- Harness horses compete at scenic Shenandoah able on all the races. More details Downs every Friday and Saturday during the ‘19 fall meet. Photo by Andy Huffmyer. are at shenandoahdowns.com.

CALENDAR

Upcoming Events In and Around Horse Country Autumn is always a busy time in Horse Country. Here’s a list of some upcoming events.

Junior North American Field Hunter Championship. Qualifying meets are held during hunt season, most scheduled from September through early November, but dates may vary depending on the hunting season in a given area. The finals will be held at Old Whitewood Farm, The Plains, Virginia, over the weekend of November 9-10. Contact Marion Chungo: mchungo@aol.com, 540-220-7292, www.jnafhc.com, Junior North American Field Hunter Championship on Facebook.

Oct. 12 Virginia Fall Race Meet, Glenwood Park, Middleburg, VA 1:00 p.m.

Information: 540-687-9797, virginiafallraces@gmail.com, www.vafallraces.com

Sept. 13-Nov. 17 Andre Pater Exhibit. Headley-Whitney Museum, Lexington, Kentucky. The museum is open Friday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For further information, call 859-255-6653 or check website at headley-whitney.org.

Sept. 13-Oct. 13 Harness Racing at Shenandoah Downs, Woodstock, VA, every Friday and Saturday afternoon, pari-mutuel wagering, plus two Sundays (10/6 and 10/13, non-betting). Information: 540-459-3867, www.shenandoahdowns.com Sept. 15 Deep Run Hunt Fall Fun Hunter Pace, Sunnyside Farm, Wilmington, VA, 9:00 a.m. Information: Lynn Richie 804-986-2944, DRHC.Pace@gmail.com, www.deeprunhuntclub.com Sept. 23 Bull Run Hunt Fall Fun Hunter Pace, Highlands, Rapidan, VA, 9:00 a.m. Information: Rosie Campbell, MFH 540-268-7454, rosie268@aol.com, www.bullrunhunt.com Sept. 29 Foxfield Fall Race Meet, Foxfield Race Course, Charlottesville, VA 1:30 p.m. Information: 434-293-9501, www.foxfieldraces.com

Oct. 20 Virginia Field Hunter Championship, hosted by Loudoun Fairfax Hunt, Johnson Field, Hamilton, VA, 11:00 am. Information: Amy McNeely, 703 470-3447, amybethmcneely@gmail.com

Sept. 29 Casanova Hunt Fall Fun Hunter Pace, Winfall, Catlett, VA 9:00 a.m. Information: Janet Boots, 703-927-8532, bootsjanet@gmail.com, www.casanovahunt.com Oct. 6 Keswick Hunt Club Fall Fun Hunter Pace, Bridlespur, Keswick, VA, 9:00 a.m. Information: Erica Stevens, 561-601-9531, happyhorses@equinewelfaresociety.org, www.keswickhuntclub.com Oct. 10-19 Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Harrisburg, PA. www.panational.org

Oct. 13 Warrenton Hunt Fall Fun Hunter Pace, Millpoint/Clovercroft, Warrenton, VA, 10:00 a.m. Information: Clydetta P. Talbot, 540-219-6562, clydetta@aol.com, www.warrentonhunt.com

Oct. 21 Old Dominion Hounds Fall Fun Hunter Pace, Hinckley Memorial Field, Marshall, VA, 10:00 a.m. Debbie Welch (information), Tim Colgan (entries) 540-631-8607, odh1924@gmail.com, www.olddominionhounds.weebly.com Oct. 22-27 Washington International Horse Show, Capital One Arena, Washington, DC. www.wihs.org Oct. 26 International Gold Cup, Great Meadow Course, The Plains, VA 12:30 p.m. Information: 540-347-2612, www.vagoldcup.com Oct. 27 Rappahannock Hunt Fall Fun Hunter Pace, Pine Rock, Reva, VA, 10:00 a.m. Information: Shannon deWit, 703-989-9545, shannon.e.dewit@gmail.com, www.rappahannockhunt.com Oct. 27 Orange County Hounds Team Chase Event, Old Whitewood Farm, The Plains, VA, 12:00 noon. Contact Pippy McCormick, pippymcc@gmail.com, 540-454-2852, or Helen Bretell, 540-270-3993 Nov. 2 Montpelier Race Meet, Montpelier Station, VA 12:15 p.m. Information: 540-672-0027, martha@montpelierraces.org, www.montpelierraces.org Nov. 3 Farmington Hunt Fall Fun Hunter Pace, Grayson Farm Stables, Scottsville, VA, 9:00 a.m. Information: Carolyn Chapman, 434-978-1319, chapmanc44@gmail.com, www.farmingtonhunt.org

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