Stonewall Hounds Blog

Annual Picnic and Awards

Filed under: 2007-2008,General — Cheryl @ 11:47 am

Graciously, in the shade of the banks of the James River, Tom & Rhoda hosted our annual hunt club picnic. The river was lovely, and the barbequed chicken delicious, as well as all the varied side dishes and desserts. Some enjoyed canoeing, some fishing, and wading in the river. It was a peaceful and lovely setting for the meeting and we all had a great time. Thanks Tom & Rhoda!

Lili passed out the financials of the club. While we are bringing in more money the cost of hound food has gone up drastically. We discussed the possibility of a fundraiser. We all agreed it would be great to do, and talks of a hunter pace or other event may be forthcoming.

Meanwhile, Lili recognized Earl for all his help with the hounds and road whipping in “Silver” his Ford Pickup   She also awarded the “Jubliee Award” to Tom and Kate this year for their service and participation. Judy and Mary K were awarded their staff colors, and Lili thanked Kate, Mary K and Judy for all the time they help walk out hounds every week. Lili also gave all the members Stonewall Hounds mugs. We talked about what a good season we had last year, and how the hounds are going great already and we are looking forward to another great season.

One thing that was brought up was the time of our meets. Lili said that she plans to get to the meets early and would like to be on our horses ready to ride 15 minutes before the appointed time. This way she can say our blessing and we can be moving off at the time we are supposed to hunt. I suggest everyone plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the hunt time. Sometimes Lili might need help with collars or hounds, and having everyone there early allows for more help with whatever comes up.

She also mentioned she would like to have 3 more work days before the season starts. One in Sherwill, one in Pamplin, and one at her house to put a fence around the paddock outside the kennels to make it easier to load hounds on hunt mornings. PLEASE plan to come to at least 2 of the 3, and email Lili anytime you can come help.

I think that was the extent of the meeting, but please add your comments if I missed something.

We plan to start hounds in the fox pen on Aug. 19, then hunt in the open the week after that, weather permitting. Know that when we start it will be early to avoid the heat, so everyone make sure your alarm clocks are working! I joked and said I would be happy to make wakeup calls to anyone who needs it

Please add your comments or contact Lili with any questions or suggestions for the upcoming year. First half of dues are payable August 1, and let us know if you or anyone you know needs an invitation.

For more picnic photos, visit our photo gallery.

Cheryl M.

(30 days til cubbing season starts!!)

Stonewall Hounds Earns MFHA Recognition

Filed under: General — Cheryl @ 1:07 pm

The current (Summer 2008) issue of Covertside mentions on page 6:

…the Stonewall Hounds (VA) were elevated from Registered to Recognized status.

Congratulations to Lili and the whole hunt for all the work in making SH worthy of recognition.

Covertside is “The magazine of mounted foxhunting” and is available to subscribing members of the MFHA. Subscribing members, through their membership dues, “support foxhunting and countryside values” by the efforts of the MFHA. www.mfha.com

Puppy Pool Day July 2, 2008

Filed under: General — Cheryl @ 10:33 am

Fixture:  Lili’s Farm

Attendees:  Lili, Kate, Michael Jackson with Chase (his student), Megan, Cheryl M, Wendy, Janice Callahan, Cheryl & Bill, and Zuby (one of Lili’s boarders)

Weather:  beautiful!

Hounds: all of them!!

Tailgate/Breakfast:  As usual we had lots of good stuff to eat, and enjoyed it under the shade trees in Lili’s pool deck area.

Our pool picnic puppy play day was lots of fun and we wish more of you could have made it to see the beautiful puppies and visit and walk the hounds. Our pack has grown, that’s for sure!! I told Lili she’ll have to stop breeding red & white hounds with the same spot pattern… (coincidental, but is going to make it really hard to tell them apart from horseback!!)

Lili, Kate, Michael (Jackson) and his student Chase, a 12 year old boy, and Megan were out walking the big hounds when we arrived. The hounds were all happy to see us, and came over to investigate and say hi. They really seem to like the kids. Even Jazz jumped up for some kid pats! The hounds are all doing really well and walking out great. I’m sure we’ll be roading them (exercising them with the horses) soon.

I was so happy to see all of them again, especially handsome Jeremiah.

We then went to the puppy kennel to get licked, chewed and jumped on, and basically mauled by the cute little monsters!! What a BRAVE and bold litter of beautiful puppies. The boys spent the whole time chasing them and bringing them back to the yard, as they would run off hunting and investigating.

There are 8 of them, so they had their hands full (literally!) The puppies are: Savannah, Sailor, Savior, Saturday, Sawyer, Sarah, Sassafrass and S…S.ssssss… (ok 7 out of 8 isn’t bad).

Chase, Hal and Nick had a great time. Chase says his favorite hound is Kaptain, and his favorite puppy is Sawyer. Nick’s favorite hound is Jackie, and his favorite puppy is Sarah. Hal says he likes Kaptain too, and his favorite puppy is Savannah! The puppies enjoyed the company, and any time any of you want to come out, just call and let Lili know. She loves to show off those hounds!