The weather was cloudy with a light wind and the temperature around 70 degrees. Nearly 100 spectators and many helpers watched the Masters of Foxhounds Association Centennial Field Hunter Competition for the Pacific District at the Junipero Ridge Ranch in Portola Valley on Saturday, April 7. Fifteen horse and rider pairs from all over California and Nevada entered this competition hosted by Los Altos Hounds.



Throughout the United States and Canada, the MFHA wanted to encourage its members to demonstrate the traditions of fox hunting and the abilities of their beloved hunting horses. Each of the 16 districts of the MFHA were to put on a competition for qualified members. The qualifications to compete included active riding membership in a MFHA recognized or registered hunt and a log of the horse and rider pair’s hunting days. The top eight horses earned the title of Centennial Field Hunter. The top four horse and rider pairs are invited to compete at the national Finals to be held at Morven Park over Memorial Day weekend.
The judges included Paul Cronin of Virginia, John Strassburger and Connie Arthur. MFHA Chairpersons Penny Denegre, Middleberg Hunt MFH (VA), and Viviane Warren, Orange County Hunt (VA) came out West to oversee this competition. Los Altos Hounds MFH Katie Graham, Pacific District Field Hunter Chairman, organized the competition with help from a large group of Los Altos Hounds volunteers. These volunteers did incredible jobs: putting a party on Friday night, breakfast, lunch, parking, helping the judges, and many other tasks to make all the competitors and their friends feel welcome.

Competition Begins
The first phase of the competition was Appointments. The competitors were beautifully turned out; horses gleaming and clean; tack as traditional as possible. The judges had a tough decision. They stated that this was the first competition where there was a “walkoff.” After three inspections, the Best Turnout Champion Award was given to Philip Brailsford of Santa Fe Hunt. Reserve Champion was Ryan Brown of Los Altos Hounds.
Philip stated, “It was wonderful having to research and go back to our hunting roots for our attire and tack. I found that riding in a three-fold girth was so much better and I now only use that girth.” Most of the competitors spent over three months researching and gathering appropriate hunt attire and tack for this competition.
The riding phases began with Under Saddle. All competitors rode in a large field in a circle at the walk, trot, canter, hand gallop, halt, back and stand. This phase counted as 15-20 percent of the final score.
The next phase was Mock Hunt. Competitors followed MFH Jef Graham of Los Altos Hounds for about three miles over rolling hills with obstacles (ditches, fences, banks, water) and typical hunting situations including a check (stopping in a group), “ware staff” (getting out of the way of a staff member), and queuing up in front of the jump. Competitors were asked by the judges to position their horses and maintain the particular position within the group of riders while riding. This phase was weighted heavily: 60-70 percent of the final score.
Finally, there was the Individual Test where the judges asked the competitors to perform a handy hunter course of obstacles riding alone, including opening and closing a gate while mounted, trotting over a fence, jumping fences, galloping down a hill, and, after dismounting, leading their horse over a fence, then remounting. This phase counted for approximately 20 percent of the final score. Toward the end of this test spectators noted that some of the horses were getting tired after having been out for almost five hours. Not surprisingly, the Thoroughbreds still had enough “gas” to complete the test well.

Ryan Brown Wins
At the end of the competition the judges awarded the Pacific District Championship to Ryan Brown of Los Altos Hounds on his wonderful 14 year old English Thoroughbred bay mare Takes the Cake (Twiggy). Ryan is an eventer who is also an avid foxhunter. He is an Honorary Whipper-in for Los Altos Hounds. He also frequently brings out his clients’ horses in the field. He is a Certified Instructor for USEA living in Gilroy. Ryan imported Twiggy from England in 1999; then trained and competed her through Preliminary in eventing. Ryan decided to take her hunting and thinks she’s a terrific hunt horse. Last year she had a filly by Windfall II, the black Trakhener stallion currently competing with Darren Chiacchia and owned by Timothy Holecamp.
Ryan said, “I was really happy with the way my horse went round today. Early on, she was looking for the hounds which made her a little strong, but then she settled into her typical form. The whole competition was fabulous!” Ryan added, “I’m so excited that the MFHA came up with a competition that highlights our wonderful hunt horses. It was truly a lot of fun to ride the tests today. Thank you MFHA!”
Reserve Champion was Angela Murray from Red Rock Hounds on her 16 year old bay Thoroughbred mare Guthrie. Third was Britt Haselton of Los Altos Hounds on her 11 year old bay ISH gelding Cruising Altitude. Fourth was Jennifer Overbey of Los Altos Hounds on her 16 year old grey Thoroughbred/Perch/Quarter Horse mare Juniper.
Fifth was Alecia Haselton, who also received the Championship Award for Best Junior, of Los Altos Hounds and Santa Cruz Pony Club on her 13 year old chestnut Quarter Horse mare Kenya. Sixth was Don Pugh of Los Altos Hounds on his 11 year old Quarter Horse sorrel gelding Rio. Seventh was John Schaeffer on his 12 year old bay gelding Solo. Eighth was Susan Powell of Los Altos Hounds on her 14 year old black American Warmblood gelding T’as Gagne mon Coeur.
Other competitors were Annie Bradfield LAH, Gerry Dugan RRH, Andrew Jayne RRH Junior, Shelby Rector RRH Junior, Michaela Killer-Westall of Santa Ynez Valley Hounds.
Currently, the top four pairs are gathering their resources for a lengthy trip to Virginia over Memorial Day weekend. Congratulations to all competitors. It was quite a day!