Norfolk Hunt Club To Celebrate 117th Season in September

across the northeast
[ EQUINE JOURNAL AFFILIATE ]
½(L-R) Norfolk Hunt member Eleanor
Bright, Judy Little, and Norfolk member
David Lewis award rider Jen Ritucci with
the Donald V. Little Memorial Trophy.
To Celebrate 117th Season in September
SUBMITTED BY D.A. HAYDEN
NORFOLK HUNT CLUB MEMBERS,
area riders and spectators alike are
marking their calendars for an exciting 117th season of equestrian sport.
The summer break—a prime time for
competing and conditioning horses—
concludes with a foxhunting clinic and
the traditional Field Hunter Show on Labor Day weekend. Informal foxhunting
begins the following week, and September also brings the ever-popular events,
Polo In the Country and the Westport
Hunter Pace, which provide great sport
and entertainment.
Foxhunting Clinic and Field
Hunter Show
On Saturday, September 1, Norfolk will
host a mounted foxhunting clinic, led by
Norfolk member and eventing trainer
Richard Wood, of Thompson, CT, at the
Norfolk Hunt Steeplechase Course in
Medfield, MA. Rich trains and competes
throughout New England and works out
of Aiken, SC, during the winter months.
An avid foxhunter, Rich will work with
riders on the flat and over fences in small
groups, based on ability. To participate,
riders and horses must be comfortable
riding in the open, in the company of
156 EQUINE
JOURNAL
| August 2012
other horses and riders. The clinic will
provide a perfect opportunity to tune-up
for the fall foxhunting season, and participate in the Norfolk Hunt Field Hunter
Show, on Sunday, September 2.
The Field Hunter Show, also held
at the Steeplechase Course, is chaired
this year by Norfolk member and local
eventing/dressage trainer Carol Mayo
of Sherborn, MA. The show incorporates flat classes, traditional foxhunting
obstacles and other elements experienced in foxhunts, including a “Gone
Away,” “Hold Hard” and “Lead Over,”
in which the rider dismounts to lead
their horse over a lowered fence.
Formal hunting attire is required for
all competitors.
Information on the clinic and show
can be found at norfolkhunt.com.
Polo In the Country
Tickets are on sale now for the 10th Annual Polo In the Country, Norfolk’s largest community event, set for September
16. A festive, fall Sunday afternoon for
family and friends, the day features a sixchukker match between Norfolk Polo
and Byfield Polo, at the Norfolk Hunt
Steeplechase Course.
Westport Hunter Pace
Norfolk’s popular Westport Hunter Pace
will start at 8:00 a.m. on September
23, at the corner of Horseneck Road
and Fisherville Lane, in Westport, MA.
The spectacular ride offers equestrians
once-a-year access to Norfolk’s gorgeous
Wesport hunt country and beautiful
private farms not open to the public. The
course includes a stunning route, including breathtaking water views, gallops
across lush pastures and open fields,
winding woodland trails and inviting
jumps. Riders may compete in either flat
or jumping divisions.
Norfolk Hunt members and event
chairs Gaelen Canning and Tom Lewis
reported record participation in 2011,
and are strongly encouraging preregistration this year. Entry fees are
$60 in advance or $70 at the pace, and
include lunch for riders. Spectators may
purchase lunch on-site.
Proceeds from the event benefit the
continued on page 158
PHOTO: KATHIE DAVENPORT
Norfolk Hunt Club
Norfolk members Greg Sandomirsky,
chair, and Tee Chambers, co-chair,
report Polo In the Country will again be
sponsored by Jake Kaplan Land Rover
this year, and will feature: A parade of
Norfolk Hounds—children may meet
and pet the hounds; pony rides for children and face painting for people of all
ages; an exhibition by the Barnstable
Barn Burners Precision Equestrian
Drill Team; the Best Tailgate Contest; a
German Shepherd demonstration by the
Norfolk County Sheriff Department’s K9
Unit; and a candy toss for children.
Preferred Seating under a tent (bring
your own food and drink) is available
by reservation only ($25 per seat/$200
per table of eight) and includes
preferred parking. Reserved field side
tailgate spots are $75 per car. Driver and
guests pay general admission.
General admission is $10 per adult,
$5 per child and includes free parking.
General admission spectators are
encouraged to bring their own chairs.
Spectators should reserve tickets early,
as tailgate spots and reserved seating
sell out quickly.
For reservations, information and
advance tickets for Polo in the Country,
visit norfolkhuntpolo.com.
across the northeast
continued from page 156
Westport Land Conservation Trust
and the Norfolk Hunt’s efforts to
preserve and protect land in the
Charles River Watershed.
Entry forms and further
information can be found at
norfolkhunt.com. You may also
direct questions to huntpace@
norfolkhunt.com or call Tom
Lewis at 617-780-2599.
[ EQUINE JOURNAL AFFILIATE ]
Southern
New England
Horsemen’s
Association
Successful Horse Show
Season in Progress
Memorial Day Weekend
Events Were Smash Hits!
SUBMITTED BY CYNTHIA ANNE BOWEN
Norfolk
member
Mary
Nally
sports
her
flapper
Thursday, May 24, was Grounds
for Celebration, the Norfolk Hunt’s costume at the Prohibition-themed Grounds for
Celebration.
biennial gala fundraiser to raise
monies for open space. It was atbarns, some of whom logged-in their very
tended by more than 325 guests,
first horses how experience. Smiles were
who enjoyed cocktails, dinner,
abound, as every child who competed
dancing, and live and silent auctions
won a specially wrapped bag of candy.
at the Prohibition-themed party.
Sunday included the money classes in
A luxury car display from event
the jumper ring, and the popular hunter
sponsor Lincoln, two equine greeters
derby. Of note this year was a perpetual
from the Boston Park Rangers Mounted
trophy donated by Norfolk Master
Unit, signature cocktails from Bully
Owen Hughes, Master of Fox Hounds
Boy Distillers, wine from 90+ Cellars,
(MFH), in honor of the late Donald V.
Harpoon beer and music from GrammyLittle, MFH, of Myopia. The trophy was
nominated “Bellevue Cadillac,” plus
awarded to the winner of the Jumper
gorgeous décor, made the evening
Classic, which was generously sponsimply sensational. A special display
sored this year by Louisburg Farm.
from 12 Land Preservation Partners
As the fabulous weekend weather
underscored the critical importance of
continued on Monday, May 28, the
maintaining cherished open space.
Second Annual Norfolk Hunt Derby
Grounds for Celebration was chaired
Cross attracted more than 75 riders to
by Norfolk members Sarah Monaco
compete over the beautiful, inviting
and Lorna Cogan, who were supported
course, which was designed by USEA
by a committee of Norfolk members
Technical Delegate Jim Gornall and
including Ceelie Beacham, Veronika
built by Norfolk member Patrick Keane.
Bulkin, Nancy Harrod, D.A. Hayden,
The course received rave reviews and
Lisa Lewis, Diana McNamara, Amey
Moot, Susan O’Brien, Charlotte Saul and everyone in attendance enjoyed the
low-key, fun atmosphere. Spectators
Ros Smythe.
cheered the riders on, and gave
Then on Saturday and Sunday, the
impromptu names to the various
102nd Norfolk Hunt Horse Show,
teams. Many Norfolk members
chaired by Norfolk member Catherine
competed, some of whom had never
Kennedy, attracted hundreds of
shown their horses before. The derby
competitors, to show in three beaucross also attracted jumper riders and
tiful outdoor rings in sunny, mild May
eventers throughout the community.
weather. Supporting Catherine were
Erica Foley, a Norfolk member and
Norfolk members Cindy Cleaves, Lisa
active foxhunter and eventer, chaired
Lewis, Bob Macleod, Gail Andersen,
the event.
Lee McCloskey, Janet Childs and many
As the popularity of derby cross
more. Cindy was seen on the grounds
continues to increase, Norfolk’s event
from dawn to dusk, ensuring competiis expected to grow even more over the
tors in all rings received their ribbons
next few years. Divisions for juniors and
and trophies.
adults included elementary, Beginner
Saturday featured many opportunity
classes and the popular children’s classes, Novice and Novice. Results are posted
on www.norfolkhunt.com.
which drew young riders from area
THE SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND
Horsemen’s Association continues
to have a great show season. Our
third show on May 27, 2012, at
Woodstock Fair Grounds was
judged by Kelli Wainscott and had
97 entries.
We have also experienced a surge
in memberships with people signing
up the day of the show. Remember, to
be eligible for year-end awards, you
must make two monthly membership
meetings and exhibit in three shows.
Monthly meetings are held the last
Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at
fields Memorial School in Bozrah, CT,
except for the August meeting, which
is August 21.
Our official horse show photographer, Cindy Jo Ameen, is taking
terrific pictures of our riders and
horses. We are still looking for show
help at the gates. If you work
the gate for the whole day, you
will get two free classes, one free
class if you work half a day. This
is a great opportunity for exhibitors
to get free classes for themselves or
their children.
Our remaining show for the
season is our affiliate show,
Colchester Lions Club on September
16, 2012, at the Hebron Fair Grounds
in Hebron, CT, with Melissa
Proulx judging.
Don’t forget we have our high
point day-end award at every show.
This is based on the same horserider and/or horse/handler combination. The high-scoring combination
for the season will receive a
special award at our year-end
awards banquet.
For more information about our
club, visit our website at snehassociation.com.
158 EQUINE
JOURNAL
| August 2012
PHOTO: KATHIE DAVENPORT
Norfolk Hunt Club