The Foxhunting clinic was a huge success!

On Sunday, September 27, 2026, Clinician Merri Musso, MFH, guided riders and horses as they learned of the timeless traditions, safety protocols, and foundational skills of the hunt field.

Huntsman Martyn Blackmore began the day with a hound walk (on foot), allowing those gathered to witness the connection and love he has for his well-behaved pack of Old English and English foxhounds. To observe his command of this lively, lovely pack of hounds is truly inspiring and joyful to see! Professional Whipper-in Sue Blackmore helps in all aspects of caring for the hounds, whether helping with a new litter of puppies or aiding in keeping the pack together as they walk or hunt. Both of these professionals are generous and gracious as they educate all newcomers in the art of keeping a healthy, safe and eager pack of foxhounds.

Riders up!  After mounting up and allowing horses to meet hounds, riders gathered for a traditional stirrup cup.  Generous hunt members served, (literally at our stirrups), Port, Mimosas, sparkling water, and delicious baked goods. This is a hunt tradition that helps to gird one for the field as it may be hours before they are able to have refreshment again.

Lesson time: Riders then proceeded to have a lesson conducted by Master Merri. Riders rode at the walk, trot, and canter, with some choosing to jump natural obstacles.  At this time field protocol was discussed: spacing, control, and etiquette, as well as how to protect and not obstruct hounds as they work. Huntsman Martyn Blackmore ended this session with a demonstration of the hunting horn calls which alert hounds, staff, and field as to what is transpiring in the field.

The Mock Hunt which followed allowed the riders to experience following the Field Master as they rode through the beautiful woods of the fixture (the property being hunted that day).  We heard the huntsman's horn as his pack denned a fox!  After a stop at the half-way point for refreshment, the field rode out again until we heard the call for, "Going Home." All riders and horses made it safely back to the kennels for a delicious lunch served by member Kris Goeckeritz.

A brief information session with a time for questions and answers led by Master Ed Mitchell and Master Merri Musso was held after lunch.  Board member Natasha Gealey presented the group with a spot on attire demonstration; the tradition and purpose of each item was explained (rather fascinating!) Membership Chair Gina Sybert presented the various levels of membership; there is truly something for everyone - whether as a rider, professional, or non-riding social member.  

Vendors provided a fun chance to shop offering unique hunt and riding themed items. If you would like to connect with any of these vendors, please feel free to email Princess Anne Hunt Masters and we will get the contact information to you.

A kennel tour finished the perfect day with a chance to meet the stars of the hunting show, the Old English and English foxhounds. Truly remarkable hounds blessed with beauty, brains, and stamina.  The new whelping lodge was a particular favorite with a chance to cuddle puppies as a bonus. Again, we are so very fortunate to have Martyn and Sue Blackmore; they are consummate professionals, love the hounds, and are so very gracious to all of us.

Thank you to all who joined us for this Centennial year Foxhunting Clinic. The weather was perfect, the conversation sparkling, and the horses and hounds majestic. 

We hope to see you in the Hunt Field!

Check out Junior rider opportunities in the attached ...

PAH Junior Flyer.pdf

Contact Travis Gibson MFH  for more info 

2026 0909 Centennial Event flyer.pdf

Just listed for pre-order, PAH Centennial Merchandise is now available to order for the 26-27 hunt season.  Get yours now or order for Christmas gifts!

Centennial Merchandise

Thank you all for coming out and making the Princess Anne Spring Hunter Pace such a wonderful event! We truly appreciate your support, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship – it was a fantastic day.

Photos may be seen at: https://www.commonwealthartist.net

Congratulations to our winners:

Fast Time Over Fences
1st Place: Pam- Demoniuim with the fastest time of the day at 34 minutes

Fast Time on the Flat
1st Place: Howlin Wolf
2nd Place: Bruno & Blondie
3rd Place (tie): The Hoptimists & We Are On Fire

Optimum Time Over Fences
1st Place: Greenfield Farm
2nd Place (tie): Briar Glen Bandits & Hobby Horses
3rd Place (tie): Better Than You Pony Crew & Red Oak Foxhounds

Optimum Time on the Flat
1st Place: Pistol Annies
2nd Place: EquiGals
3rd Place (tie): Traveling Harmony & First Timers

If you were unable to collect your ribbons and would like them to be mailed, please contact Gina Sybert at gina.sybert@gmail.com.

We encourage everyone to visit www.princessannehunt.org for information on our upcoming Spring Trail Ride Series and membership opportunities. Next season marks our 100th anniversary, and we have many special events planned that you do not want to miss. Consider joining now and get your spring trail rides for free and participate in all of our exciting events and hunts next season. Our next board meeting will be held on April 14, and we will be voting on proposed memberships at that time.

Thank you again, and we hope to see you soon.

Warm regards,
Gina Sybert
Membership Chair
Princess Anne Hunt

Princess Anne hounds met at Sandy Point State Forest which is one of our newest fixtures.  The adjacent property is home of Olympian Bernie Traurig and his wife Caitlin and they served the Stirrup Cup and potluck tailgate.   

Bernie provided a fantastic video of the hunt and festivities. 

Once again, Juniors were invited to the January General Assembly. This has been a HUGE hit with our Legislators! For the 2026 Legislative Session, Fox Hunter Junior Day at The Capitol was on Friday, January 23rd. Rappahannock Hunt was recognized for its 100th year anniversary. 

Princess Anne Hunt members joined the parade at the annual Virginia Thanksgiving Festival on Sunday November 2nd. 

Photos will be posted at Princess Anne Hunt, Ltd. - Berkeley Thanksgiving Parade 2025

After the parade, members hacked to nearby Historic Westover and enjoyed cub hunting in formal attire.

PAH FALL HUNTER PACE 2025 SUCCESS

It was a beautiful, 60 degree day for 32 teams consisting of 92 riders to compete in the 2023 Princess Anne Hunt Fall Hunter Pace, a part of the Fall Hunter Pace Series conducted with 7 other Virginia MFHA Hunts. A hunter pace is an exciting and competitive gathering that tests the skills and teamwork of riders and their horses over a cross country course. Participants are tasked with completing a predetermined course at a controlled pace, aiming to achieve the optimum or fastest time depending on the division. Horses and riders that participate in a hunter pace can expect an experience that mimics the pace and obstacles met in a typical day of fox hunting.   The 2025 PAH hunter pace course contained 20 jumps and covered 7.8 miles through our beautiful hunt countryside in Charles City, Virginia. This year, we offered four competitive divisions: Optimum Time on the Flat, Optimum Time Over Fences, Fastest Time on The Flat, and Fastest Time Over Fences. Here are this year’s winners: Fastest Time Over Fences:  1. Here To Stirrup Trouble - 1:26  Fastest Time On The Flat:  1. Galloping Goblers - 0:52 2. Howling Wolf - 1:15 3. Cedarview Frolicking Foxes - 1:45 Optimum Time Over Fences: 1. WRVEC - 1:22 2. Pink Pony Club - 1:26 3. Rose All Day - 1:28 Optimum Time On The Flat:  1. Jaspers Team - 1:24 2. For Fox Sake - 1:28 3. Beloved Farm - 1:29 (TIE) 3. We Are On Fire - 1:29 (TIE)   We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Alex Cromer, our 2025 Hunter Pace Chair!  We would also like to thank Huntsman Martyn Blackmore for hours spent constructing and grooming the hunter pace course this year with the assistance of Honorary whippers-in Allison Harcourt, Rachel Toquothy, and our Professional Whipper-In Sue Blackmore for coordinating and hosting our champagne pit-stop.   Special thanks to Masters Ed Mitchell, MFH, Merri Musso, MFH, and Travis Gibson, MFH for their coordination;  and Robin Daniels for coordination of catering. We would also like to thank our vendors: Robin Daniels, Dreamshine Tack, and Commonwealth Artists.   Our course photographers were Commonwealth Artists, Julia Bowman and Joe Svetina.  Photos from the day can be found at their website (https://www.commonwealthartists.net/)   Troy Arnold, Mark Wenger, and Phillip served as the official time keepers.   We had many, many volunteers behind the scenes performing tasks both big and small, and we would like to recognize that this event could not be done without them all!

Now is the time to get both you and your horse prepared for the upcoming hunt season that is right around the corner. Waiting for the leaves to fall is too late!

Rider

    Time to cut down on those summer sweets and umbrella drinks and get some cardio-vascular exercise. If we expect our horses to be fit, so should we. Biking, yoga, jogging, and walking out hounds at kennels are all a wake-up call to those muscles in summer mode. Check your hunt clothes and make sure they are clean; buttons and stitching are good and appropriate (check PAH website for attire) to fit your fabulous figure.

Horse 

   Time to get those marvelous steeds out of the field and back to work. Think of what problems you may have had last season and address them. Call the vet and get a checkup (teeth, shots, coggins, worming) and a lameness evaluation. Often, those attitude problems can be attributed to pain. Clean them up by pulling mane, trim, and get shoes. You should be riding AT LEAST 2x a week. Best fitness for horse and rider is trotting. Incorporate hills, ditches, water crossings, and jumping gymnastics. Break up your riding routine (whether on trails or ring) into 3 equal portions of warm-up, training and cool down. Doing these suggestions will make for a more enjoyable hunt season for both horse and rider. Remember. The outside of the horse is good for the inside of the person!

Tack

   Time to get that green mold off the tack and check for weak points and stitching. Make sure your saddle and girth fit your horse correctly making adjustments due to weigh changes. Correctly adjust your bridle and bit to your horses needs. Thoroughly give your tack a good cleaning and oiling before the season starts. Cleaning your tack well now, makes for easier regular cleaning after each hunt.

Remember, being properly appointed shows respect for yourself, the Masters, the landowners and the traditions of foxhunting

CHECK LIST

Rider:

   - exercise-bike, yoga, jog, walk out hounds

   - hunt clothes-clean, buttons, stitching and fit

Horse:

  - vet checkup-teeth, shots, coggins, worming, lameness

  - clean up-mane, trim, shoes

  - exercise-AT LEAST 2x a week trotting hills, water, ditches, jumps

Tack:

- check weak points, stitching                                                                                    

- adjust bridle, bit and saddle

- thoroughly clean and oil