Newsletter - August, 2010

August 23, 2010

Dear Subscribers, Landowners and Supporters:

As we write this the weather has given us a tiny break and the first day of cubbing is less than a week away. Having finished the season early last year due to the snow we would like to catch you up on events through the Spring and Summer.

The Spring Point-to-Point was a success, having to be rescheduled several times it was well attended and the community turned out to support the races. The Virginia Hound Show was sucessful followed by our Puppy Show and a very successful Bryn Mawr Hound Show. The Annual Horse Show was blessed with a beautiful day and lots of volunteers - we raised approximately $4800. As the summer has continued our trail rides have been very well attended by the community - each weekend we have offered participants a beautiful part of Clarke County to ride across and enjoy. Many of you came out for Hound exercise - getting horses fit and introducing them to hounds.

As we look forward to the Fall we have our Landowners Picnic on August 28th at Peter and Beth Cook’s Dower House at 6:00 pm. We ask each and everyone of you to come out and show your appreciation to those landowners that make our sport possible. Please contact Terry Chandler if you have not received your invitation or would like to offer a helping hand.

Saturday, August 28th will also be our first morning of cubbing. The Staff have been hard at work getting the hounds fit, trails cleared and jumps mended -- they have done a super job preparing things for the upcoming season. As cubbing is upon us we would like to remind everyone of a few things. We welcome all to cubbing which is a time to introduce new "puppies" to hunting. We will hunt 4 days a week in September to give the hounds repeated short days to learn their job. The field's (mounted riders) job is as an observer. Unless you are specifically asked to do a job, please do not talk to or correct hounds. The puppies have been living in their kennels for a year and the new found freedom to go hunt is a novel experience which takes a little time to understand they are really there to do a job.

As a member of the field here is what you can do to be of the greatest value:

Arrive on time, which is at least 15 minutes before the meet and be ready to ride. Everyone MUST sign a release every year.
We are guest of the landowner so please consider how you park (particularly on wet days) and never leave manure or trash. Treat the landowner's property as if it were your front yard you were parking on.
Gates should be left as they were found. It is as important to leave a gate open as it is to shut it.
Broken fences or anything unusual that appears with livestock should be reported immediately to a master.
Talk in a soft voice and if you are riding in the front close to the master, whisper. We are all here to have fun but loud conversations are distracting to the field master, huntsman and hounds.
Dress for the early season is relaxed but take pride in representing the hunt. Muted colors are preferred and no red for anyone but staff - collared shirts for the month of September.
A more comprehensive lists of "do's and don'ts" can be found in the directory and we encourage everyone to review them. We, as Masters, are also happy to answer any questions you might have.
Everyone should have received their Dues Letter and made an initial payment towards their subscription. If you did not receive one please let one of the Masters know.

This Fall we are trying a new type of Fundraiser - it is called the “Century Club” - a new idea which gives you the chance to double or triple your $$$ and still make $$$$ for Blue Ridge Hunt. Please take a chance or two or MORE and help us make this a success. Look for your invitation in the mail soon!

Please find below a tentative Calendar of Events to post on your refrigerator or bulletin board. We hope it is helpful keeping dates organized:

Saturday, August 28th 6:30am Cubbing from the Kennels
6:00pm Landowner’s Picnic - Dower House

Monday, August 30th Cubbing continues for the month, Monday, Tuesday Thursday, Saturday - call monitor for time and
location - 540-837-1820

Saturday, September 18th Blue Ridge Fall Races - Woodley 12 noon
Saturday, September 25th Joint meet at Farmington - details to come
Saturday, October 30th Opening Meet at Long Branch - 10am
Friday, November 26th Hunt Ball

We look forward to a great season (hopefully less snow!!) As always, please feel free to contact one of us if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing everyone out in the hunting field.

Doris -- Linda -- Anne

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