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The Pleasure of Your Company, September 26, 2009/Mulberry |
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"The Story of the Caroline Hunt" |
The Caroline Hunt is relatively young in comparison to other Virginia Hunts. Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Ferrer had enjoyed foxhunting in this country and in England for many years before settling down in Caroline County and building their home, Chase’s End Farm. In 1999, they established The Caroline Hunt. They built the kennels and worked with the Masters of several Virginia Hunts to establish a pack of hounds. The foundation of the American and Crossbred foxhound pack includes hounds from the Warrenton, the Casanova, the Keswick, and the Orange County Hunts- all located here in Virginia . Mr. Ferrer hunts the hounds and serves as Master of the Hunt, Mrs. Ferrer serves as Joint Master and Field Master, guiding those riders that follow the hounds across the countryside. The hunt was registered with the Masters of Foxhounds Association in 2000 and achieved recognized status in 2005.
It was a member of the Caroline Hunt, Stuart Sanders who became the Centennial Field Hunter Champion in 2007 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Masters of Foxhounds Association. It was also the Caroline Hunt which initiated the Virginia Foxhunters Assembly to honor young sportswomen and held every three years at The Commonwealth Club in Richmond . The work of the hunt is year round with training hounds during the off season and hunting from September through March. Hunting and membership is by invitation. Hunting currently is conducted on Saturdays and Sundays with the location rotating among the many fixtures so as not to burden landowners or over-hunt a property.
Being a member of the hunt affords one many opportunities to participate in activities. The summer months see many events such as Skeet shoots, the annual puppy show, hound walking, pool parties and cookouts, a summer party to raise funds for a designated charity, horse shows, trail rides, polo matches, The Museum of Hounds and Hunting Reception, and the Virginia Hound Show. We are also proud that the hunt has donated over eight thousand dollars to worthy charities over the past nine years to include: Habitat for Humanity, Bowling Green Volunteer Rescue Squad, The Museum of Hounds and Hunting, and the Historic Richmond Foundation. During the hunt season, in addition to our hunting schedule, we also hold our annual Hunt Ball and Silent Auction.
Mr. Ferrer serves on the Board of the Museum of Hounds and Hunting in Leesburg , Virginia , Chairman of the Virginia Hound Show, the largest hound show in the world, and Committee Chair for the Masters of Foxhounds Association. |
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