By Winkie Motley
The History
Will Coleman, Sr, 2016 Virginia Field Hunter Champion with Mrs. Ellie Wood Baxter
Shortly after World War II, a group of Virginia Foxhunters wanted to hold a hunter trial for horses that had been hunted regularly for the past hunting season from each hunt within the State of Virginia. The masters from each hunt were to nominate two horses to represent their hunt in a class which they called the Virginia Field Hunter Championship. It is generally believed that Truman Dodson, MFH, Farmington Hunt Club and James “Jimps” Blackwell were the first organizers of the event.
This competition under hunting conditions was to begin a yearly event to select the best hunting horse in Virginia. The rider and winning horse would in the future be the field master for the next year. The winning hunt would then be expected to host the hunter trial.
The first event was a huge success and immediately became a fiercely competed annual affair which had been held every year since 1950. The event attracted the best hunting horses in Virginia and those that regularly foxhunted. Billy Greenhalgh, Paul Mellon, Cappy Smith, Aleaxander Rives and Alexander Mackay-Smith rode in this event as often as they could from the 1950’s through the 1970’s. The present trophy is the Billy Greenhalgh trophy donated by his friends. The Keswick Hunt Club has been fortunate enough to win the Hunter Championship 6 times. It was won twice by Mrs. W.H. Perry riding One More Pennant, and twice by Alexander Rives riding Wedgewood and LaBarron. Sandy Rives won the championship in 1984 riding Ms. Teddi Ismond’s Dark Ivory. Will Coleman ‘s Sherman representing the Keswick Hunt Club won in 2003 and then again this year (2016) riding First Ace.
The Winner
November 6, 2016 the Farmington Hunt Club hosted the 2016 Virginia Field Hunter Championships at the hunt club kennels on Wesley Chapel Road, Free Union, VA on a perfect Sunday fall afternoon. A full crowd of friends and spectators watched Carolyn Chapman, 2015 champion as she led a field of 15 riders representing eight hunt clubs from around the state. Keswick had two riders: Jennifer Nesbit and William Coleman Sr. Bedford sent Sarah Baker and Lorin Shellenberger, Loudon Fairfax was represented by Larry Campbell and Astrid Harber, Middleburg’s Devon Zebrovious won the prize for “Best Turned Out” and Teresa Croce won Reserve Champion on Graylord Woods. Old Dominion was represented by Sarah Crocker, Piedmont’s Mclelle Craig competed along with Rockbridge’s Elizabeth Hall, Warrenton’s Amy Robinson and Beth Woodson.
This prestigious competition follows a unique format. The Masters of each Virginia hunt are invited to select two of their members to compete, and the winning rider’s hunt hosts the competition the next year. Will Coleman, representing Keswick Hunt, won the championship on his handsome chestnut, Flying Ace.
The organizers were particularly pleased that so many spectators also attended to support their riders. The judges’ panel included Farmington members Pat Butterfield, MFH, Tom Bishop, ex-MFH, Mark Thompson Farmington Hunt Club president , and Robert Ashcom , a past champions. The three phases of the event were held in the honest hunt country of rolling cattle pastures and wooded creekbeds opposite the kennels near Free Union, Virginia.
The afternoon began with the under saddle section, followed by presentation of Best Turned Out, won by Middleburg’s Devon Zebrovious. The riders then followed 2015 champion, Carolyn Chapman, on a simulated hunt through fields, up and down trappy hillsides at the foot of the Blue Ridge, and over various obstacles including in-and-outs across gravel driveways. This section, observed by mounted and car-following judges, fairly simulated the unpredictable challenges of the hunt field and required alert riders and mannerly mounts.Finally, the judges asked all riders to perform an individual test over the outside course.
This win means that Keswick will have the honor of hosting this event in 2017. Remembering back to November, 2004 when Will hosted the event at Tivoli, all can look forward to a fantastic Virginia Field Hunter Championship.