A friend who is a guest at the Virginia Hound Show this weekend suggested we might like to come spectate either at the horn-blowing competition or during the day. It looks like the horn-blowing happens at the same time as a private dinner - is it doable to come just to watch the horns, or is that improper? Also, as I’ve never been to a hound show (my familiarity is mostly limited to Rita Mae’s books), but are spectators welcome on Sunday? Any expectations on attire?
Thanks!!
Come on over to Morven Park for the 67th Foxhound Show, and wear whatever you like. Attire runs the gamut from hunt country tweed attire, ladies in sundresses and hats, boots and breeches, and everyday casual. Spectators are welcome, but please leave dogs at home. The National Horn Blowing Contest is at 7:00, and while there is a dinner (tickets are $40, virginiafoxhoundclub.org), you don’t have to attend the dinner to see the contest. We’re expecting 750 hounds and huntsmen blowing horns from all over the country, and the weather looks like it’s going to be good.
OOOH!!!
LET’S DO A COTH MEET-UP AT THE HOUND SHOW!!
It’s FREE to attend and such such fun.
Maybe hook up at the Old Dominion Hounds tent (should be near-ish the American ring) around 11 am/before the lunch break? Ask anybody for Betsy/Hunter’s Rest.
JSwan is the em-cee of the show so she can maybe take a break and say hey …
A lovely suggestion, Hunter’s Rest. Farmington’s new huntsman, Matthew Cook, will be showing a few couple hounds – FHC hasn’t shown in years – and we’ll also have a tent, I believe near the English ring. I will swing by ODH and look for you.
I sold my soul to join Keswick, as well, so I shall be well fed by day’s end 
Those who have not attended before – it is a lovely, outdoors, family-friendly event with all kinds of hounds, vendors, beautiful grounds (not stuffy or assigned seats or anything). Please come!
I’m the show secretary for the Virginia Foxhound Show.
The museum of hounds and hunting is open for a reception from 5-7pm - I believe they are showcasing Moore County Hounds this year.
The dinner starts at 6pm and is private. It is held in an outdoor tent and your name must be on the list to be allowed in - you cannot pay at the door. Sorry.
Spectators may watch the hornblowing contest. This is the National Hornblowing Contest - it should be pretty competitive.
On Sunday, judging starts promptly at 9am. Attire is casual - you will see people dressed a little nicer than others. You cannot go wrong with slacks and a nice top, or a dress. Or jeans and a nice top - something like that.
This is a very very family oriented show - it’s very easy to spectate. Each ring has plenty of seating and you’re free to walk around. Hunt staff work incredibly long hours to prepare their hounds for very intense competition.
There are 5 rings. American, Crossbred under 35 couple reported in kennel, and Crossbred over 35 couple reported in Kennel, English, and Penn-Marydel. You can see classes for unentered hounds (young hounds who have not started hunting yet) entered (hounds currently hunting), Stallion, Stallion with Get, Bitch with Produce, 2 couple (English Hounds) - wonderful wonderful examples of foxhounds.
The purpose of these shows is for clubs to showcase the hounds and their bloodlines - so that other clubs can determine if they want a certain hound’s bloodline in their kennel.
If you look at the program - you will see the pedigree of each hound listed next to its name. It’s worth buying a program - you will enjoy the day much more if you know what you are looking at.
Look for commonalities in those pedigrees. Certain bloodlines are much sought after.
Certain classes are elimination classes - ending in a Championship class for each type of hound. And a Reserve. Those hounds go on to compete for Champion and Reserve of the show - that happens in late afternoon.
But the culmination of the show are the pack classes. Charge your cameras - we’ve got a LOT of entries for the pack class this year.
Each Huntsman and one whipper-in will present 5 couple to the judges. It’s an amazing sight.
There are a lot of great vendor tents to visit. Sporting art, antiques, hunting kit and appointments, all kinds of things.
You can get information at the secretary’s tent - someone is there all day. I will be there in the morning but not that much in the afternoon as I will be in one of the rings.
For cuteness overload - don’t miss the junior handlers class held at noon in the English ring.
There is no food or water sold or available at the show. Clubs do set up tents but it’s customary to be invited to dine with them - it’s not there for public consumption. If you hook up with a hunt club member they’ll help guide you. Or, you can pack a picnic lunch and dine al fresco - it’s a wonderful place to have a picnic. There are bathrooms on the premises.
The only thing we ask spectators to do is leave your pets at home.
The weather is going to be beautiful, please join us.
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me. You can find directions on the website. There is no charge for admittance and parking is free.
Each Huntsman and one whipper-in will present 5 couple to the judges. It’s an amazing sight.
Wow! That will be really impressive. That is a lot of hounds to be in one place at the same time. Visions of hound-caused chaos come to mind… what fun!
In truth, the hounds are great. It’s all very organized, the hounds are biddable and seem to soak up all the attention. (the secretary’s tent can get a little chaotic but that’s pretty normal for any horse or dog show)
The pack classes look like rivers of hounds. The classes take place in late afternoon, so the shadows are long. When the hounds cross the green grass, flowing around their huntsman, it looks like water flowing over colored stones. And it is just as mesmerizing.
If you love hounds and hunting, you will love the Virginia Foxhound Show.
[QUOTE=JSwan;7588607]
In truth, the hounds are great. It’s all very organized, the hounds are biddable and seem to soak up all the attention. (the secretary’s tent can get a little chaotic but that’s pretty normal for any horse or dog show)
The pack classes look like rivers of hounds. The classes take place in late afternoon, so the shadows are long. When the hounds cross the green grass, flowing around their huntsman, it looks like water flowing over colored stones. And it is just as mesmerizing.
If you love hounds and hunting, you will love the Virginia Foxhound Show.[/QUOTE]
Sounds absolutely wonderful.
Best wishes from Kansas for a successful show and wonderful weather in which to enjoy it.
I won’t be there but do hope that Belle Meade’s junior handlers will compete against the grown-ups in the pack class, as they’ve done in the past. They do a great job and hold their own against the pros!
…sigh…Next Year!
Come visit me too! I’m selling programs in the morning at the registration tent! I’ll give you a good price!! 
Identify yourself as a cother!
I need to move to Virginia.
The only forum that discusses events I always want to attend or participate in is this one.
Good luck with the show: it sounds wonderful.
I will be helping to show the Bassets at a country show tomorrow. Rain is predicted… but they are hugely popular and people come to see us every year so the children can hug the hounds.
Please put up some pictures so we can all see the hounds!
After the show, you can go to the virginiafoxhoundclub.org website to view and print the results of the show. They will also be published in Bailey’s Hunting Directory and in other media in the US and UK.
I am hoping to have the results certified and on the website either same day or early the next morning. I know journalists and photographers need the results so they can meet their deadlines.
I am also planning to provide links to the websites of the official photographers for the show. Participants can purchase photos if they see any they like, and spectators and interested folks can take a gander at the photographers work.
What’s really neat is to look at the results of the other hound shows and compare those results to the entries for Virginia - which is the premier hound show in North America. Lots of the winners of those shows are coming to Virginia - we are getting the creme de la creme of foxhounds.
My living room is chocked full of packets and boxes and forms and notebooks. The Stewards and Clerks are prepared. Hounds are arriving. Kennels coats are crisp and white. The grass is cut, the rings and tents are ready. the weather is fine.
It’s going to be a wonderful weekend and I hope you can all join us.
This sounds amazing! Thank you all so much - we’re hoping to make it.
[QUOTE=JSwan;7590371]
It’s going to be a wonderful weekend and I hope you can all join us.[/QUOTE]
Bells on, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!
Not sure if this has been posted about yet, but the Piedmont Driving Club will be doing a exhibition drive saturday around 430 i think thats right before the dinner. Im usually a lurker but since I saw a post about the hound show thought i would add this small event to the list
I am so sorry I completely forgot to mention it. Thank you for posting. Regular attendees are aware but new spectators and visitors are not so the reminder is really helpful! Again - my apologies. There will also be a sporting art exhibit on the portico of the Mansion - with local and regional artists displaying their work. (Saturday evening)
Is the carriage exhibition open to the public/free?
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