Orange County Hounds Team Chase Event
Photo by Shonna Call
The annual Orange County Hounds Team Chase will be held on Sunday, Oct. 30, at Old Whitewood Farm in the Plains, starting at noon.
The traditional English Team Chase was adapted to Virginia hunt country in 1980 and has been held at Old Whitewood Farm for 34 years. Foxhunters from Virginia and neighboring states travel to ride and compete over the beautiful rolling countryside of Fauquier County.
Riders may compete in pairs in the Hilltopper Division over a course of 2’ to 2’6”, mainly comprised of log jumps and post and rails. For the more experienced horses and riders, the First Flight division is for teams of three or four riders, both juniors and adults who ride over a longer course of approximately 20 jumps ranging from 2’9’ to 3’3”, spanning two fields with stone walls and water crossings in the heart of the most spectacular of Orange County Hounds territory.
Prizes are awarded in both Hilltopper and First Flight divisions for Best Pair and Best Team respectively as well as Best Turned Out in traditional formal hunting attire. The Optimum Time award will be given to the First Flight Team who most closely rides the course within the optimum time set by organizers.
The final events of the day will be the Championship rounds for Juniors and Adults. The First Flight Champion wins the Alfred Hunt Perpetual Challenge Trophy and a beautiful cooler donated by Horse Country Saddlery. The Junior Champion will be awarded the Jacqueline Ohrstrom Perpetual Challenge Trophy. Both trophies are on display at the National Sporting Library.
Spectators are encouraged to come and watch the action from the hillside viewing area. Reserved parking is available, so bring a tailgate lunch and cheer on your favorite teams of horses and ponies. Or enjoy lunch from Hammerdown Barbeque for an afternoon of fall equestrian sport!
General Admission: $10 donation to Orange County Hounds kindly requested.
Reserved Parking: $100.
For more information, contact:
Pippy McCormick: doverhse@earthlink.net, 540-454-2852
Jane Bishop: jcb.waverly@mac.com , 540-729-7083