May, 2026

Written By G Thomas

Our latest “young entry:” Scarlett Hatfield and Miss Kitty at Thanksgiving Meet; Sabot Hill, 2025

President's Report
-Col. Frank Huber


‍ ‍Now that the cold weather is finally behind us and spring is quickly turning into summer, many of our favorite equine activities are returning for the season.
We wrapped up the hunting season with a popular and well-attended Hunter Pace graciously hosted by the Covingtons at Sunnyside Farm. Our fantastic Equine Activities Committee has already kicked off both trail rides and the always-popular “Walk & Talk” evening rides. The Masters are also bringing back “Happy Hour with the Hounds,” where members can visit the kennels, spend time with our amazing hounds, and enjoy the company of our dedicated staff.
Be sure to check the schedule on our website at Deep Run Hunt Club Schedule, watch your email, or follow us on Facebook for upcoming events and updates.
Our social calendar is also in full swing. This year we changed things up with a “Low Country Boil,” and it was a wonderful evening filled with great food and great company. Thank you to all the members who worked so hard to make the event such a success.
If you haven’t taken advantage of it yet, remember that the Hunter Trial field remains open to members on a first-come, first-served basis. If you bring a guest, please make sure they sign a liability waiver and notify the club manager so the guest fee can be charged to your account. The field is only closed during scheduled events, such as Hunter Trials, or when maintenance is being performed. You can learn more about riding facility usage on the Riding & Facilities Guidelines tab of the DRHC website.
Please also remember that show season is underway for the Deep Run Horse Show Association (DRHHSA). They maintain a beautiful facility on our campus at considerable expense, and members benefit from access to many of those venues during certain times of the year. We ask that everyone be respectful of posted closures during shows and events.
With recent outbreaks of equine diseases, biosecurity remains especially important. Please confirm facility availability before bringing your horse to the DRHC Showgrounds and continue following good biosecurity practices to help protect all horses on the property.
We plan to open the pool no later than Memorial Day weekend. Updated pool rules and liability waivers will help ensure everyone can enjoy the facility safely this summer. Don’t forget that one of the benefits of your membership is the ability to rent the pool and pool house for private parties. If you are interested, please contact the club manager. Before heading to the pool, be sure to check the schedule for private rentals or maintenance closures.
Members may also rent the clubhouse for private events. With commercial-grade kitchen amenities, including stoves, ovens, and refrigerators, the clubhouse is a charming and affordable venue for gatherings of all kinds.
I look forward to seeing you at the next trail ride, Foxy Friday, Happy Hour with the Hounds, or relaxing by the pool. Whatever your favorite summertime activity may be, we hope you’ll make the Hunt Club part of your summer plans!

Courtenay Cohen and 8-year old Fresian sport horse, Max

From the Field: Earning Buttons & Colors
- Marsh Davis, MFH; Caroline Eichler, MFH; Polly Bance, MFH; and Steve Thurston, MFH

Jessica Roebuck & Jasmine at Opening Meet at Fullstream

Jacque Clement aboard Robin

Earning the privilege of wearing the hunt's buttons and colors is just that: You earn your buttons or colors by being an asset to the hunt and an exemplary ambassador of our hunt and ideals. Although not a comprehensive list of requirements, at minimum, those who have demonstrated the following may be considered for buttons (as a junior rider) and colors - which are awarded to an outstanding junior or senior member over several seasons of hunting:

Some requirements include:

  • Exemplary conduct and proficiency in the field with exceptional attention to proper sportsmanship, horsemanship, and respect to the sport and tradition of hunting.

  • Considerable knowledge of the hunt and country.

  • Loyalty and good rapport with the huntsman, masters, landowners, and other members.

  • Devotion to hounds and loyalty to the hunt often stepping in to volunteer and help without prompting.

  • Frequent attendance at hunts and hunt activities.

  • Membership in the club for several years.

Layla & Emily Heyworth on Elf and Wiz

One of the pleasures of being a Joint Master of Foxhounds is periodically awarding buttons and colors to those foxhunting members of Deep Run Hunt Club who, in the opinion of the Masters, deserve to wear them.
At this year’s closing ceremonies, we were proud to award buttons to Junior Member, Scarlett Ann Hatfield, 8-year-old daughter of Sarah and Ryan Hatfield (see opening photo, at top.) Colors were awarded to Layla Heyworth, 13, as an outstanding junior rider.
Jacque Clement received her colors, as did Courtenay Cohen and Jessica Roebuck, DVM.
The Deep Run Hunt Club “Best Turnout” award is given to someone who is consistently dressed immaculately and whose horse is in the appropriate tack and cleaned to perfection. This person‘s turn out shows that they truly care about the tradition of foxhunting and how they should be turned out at a meet. This year, the award went to Emily Heyworth.
Elizabeth Covington walked away with the “Best Tailgate” award. She not only provided a tailgate with delicious barbecue and all the fixings, but she did two additional tailgates for the club during this hunt season. Many thanks to all the members that provided beautiful tailgates during our season.
Congratulations to all the winners! 

Deep Run Hunt Volunteers Take to the Streets
-Steve Thurston, MFH

  After a lovely barbecue in early March for hunt staff and volunteers hosted by the Walkers at Double Tree Stables, teams of Deep Run members and Pony Club members cleaned up Ashburn Road from Route 45 to Meador Road and west on Meador to Jenkins Church Road. Eleven volunteers picked up 15 bags of trash and other unusual items - such as a cat tower and the front end of an automobile - along almost 2-1/2 miles of roadway.  For just an hour-and-a-half of work from each individual, Deep Run provided more than two 8-hour days of labor. A new neighbor on Ashburn Road across from the Kennels got in the spirit and offered to help with our next pick-up. Deep Run Hunt Club’s Adopt-a-Highway permit, requiring twice a year pick-up, has been renewed for another 3 years… A reminder that foxhunters make good neighbors and good stewards of the land!

Conservation Easement Discussed for DRHC
- Nan Thurston
‍ ‍
On Tuesday 14 April, the DRHC Conservation Committee presented “A Conversation about Conservation Easements” to members and neighbors. The evening began with Dr. Whitey Robertson, member and husband of Mary Robertson, former MFH, recounting the reasons he and Mary have put their land on Miller’s Lane into a Conservation Easement, citing both financial advantages and their deep wish to preserve the land and rural lifestyle that has meant so much to them.
To close the evening, Peter Bance, DRHC neighbor and brother-in-law to Polly Bance, MFH, spoke of how much living in this rural community has meant to both him and his wife, Susan, and how conservation easements have been instrumental in helping them preserve their land.
In between our neighbors’ personal stories, Parker Agelasto, Executive Director of Capital Region Land Conservancy, and Tee Clarkson, Atoka Conservation Exchange, explained both financial and preservation reasons for putting rural land in a conservation easement. Potential tax savings for individual landowners are significant and may include federal income tax deductions, state income tax credits that may be realized as cash, and property tax reductions.
They also explained how conservation easements are effective tools to preserve rural heritage as well as land itself. Sustaining local rural economies is difficult in the face of the loss of 55-80 acres of farmland per day, as is happening in Virginia.
Questions from those attending focused on the costs associated with placing an easement on property, the limitations easements bring to land use rights, and a decline in property values. The presenters addressed these downsides and provided strategies to mitigate them as well as data to give perspective on the issue of property values. There is no question conservation easements are complex instruments, not for every person or situation, but they have been used effectively by many hunt clubs and others to conserve rural land.
The Conservation Committee members (Nan Thurston, Polly Bance, Megan Winfield, Elizabeth Covington, Matt Richardson, and Steve Thurston) are excited to continue to sponsor programs to promote the preservation of hunt country.

‍The Social Scene
-Stacy Wimmer
Our Kentucky Derby party was the perfect mix of southern charm and lively celebrations, held at the Deep Run Hunt Clubhouse and filled with colorful hats, classic mint juleps and plenty of friendly competition. Guests arrived dressed to impress, showing off their boldest Derby attire while mingling over traditional bites and refreshing drinks. As race time approached, the excitement built, with everyone gathering around to cheer on their picks, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and fun.
We especially enjoyed watching history being made as female trainer, Cherie DeVaux, won the Derby for the first time, adding an extra layer of excitement and meaning to the day. The thrill of the race made the celebration unforgettable, turning a simple gathering into a spirited event we’ll be taking about long after the horses crossed the finish line. ‍
And remember - Happy Hour with the Hounds is back this summer! If you would relish the opportunity to meet our fabulous hounds and mingle with staff, come on out to one of our three summer events at the kennels.
Jack's Shack provides lovely shade for a summer evening get- together with friends.  Those that want to get up close and personal with the hounds are invited to join the pack in the field next to the Shack. Puppies will be available for snuggling!
The dates are May 15, June 26, and July 17, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Beer, wine, water, and soft drinks provided (if you prefer something else, BYOB.)  If so inclined, bring a nosh to share.  We recommend you wear barn clothes!

Did You Know….?

  • …that the Hunter Trials Field is now open for schooling by Deep Run Hunt Club members year-round during daylight hours, seven days days a week? (The Field may be closed occasionally due to weather or for a special event or maintenance.)

  • …that you can make a payment to the club from the comfort of your home? Just email Barbara Ruqus at barbara@deeprunhuntclub.com and request either a monthly direct transfer (1% processing fee) or a credit card (2.99% fee). Your account will be charged on whatever date you specify and you’ll get a monthly email confirming the payment.

Volunteers Make Clubhouse Clean Up Day a Huge Success

‍ ‍Thanks to all who showed up to lend a hand around the grounds at DRHC last month. Peter Muniz, as Buildings and Grounds chair, led his group of merry workers in an array of chores to clean, repair, and generally spruce up the area around the clubhouse. ‍

‍ ‍ They cut firewood, laid gravel, cleaned and built shelves in the storage shed near the tennis courts, and then waterproofed it. Power washing, leaf blowing, and patio tile repairs were also on the “Honey Do” list. Fifteen members strapped on boots and gloves to help with this annual chore, which was made much lighter by the many hands that pitched in - thank you to all for the sweat equity!

Essay: I Need a Hunting Horse
-Robin Traywick Williams‍ ‍

I’ve never had a hunting horse. I’ve hunted a lot of horses during my lifetime, often talented, beautiful, athletic horses, but none of them were what you’d call a hunting horse. This was brought home to me recently as my current “hunting” horse ran away with me for the third time this season.
When I use the term hunting horse, I mean a field hunter. It’s been my experience that you can whip off a lot of different horses, but it takes a special animal to go in the field. The horse has to cross creeks quietly, jump trappy fences and stop, keep his distance off the horse in front, reverse field, wait his turn, and most importantly, respect the hounds. All this, while travelling in a pack of horses who may be less hunt-worthy than he is.
On my first hunt, at 10 years old, my pony Jupiter ran away with me, dumped me in a creek, kicked my leg and tore my brand new corduroy, drop front breeches. I cried, but I couldn’t wait to go back the next weekend. Despite heavy doses of ace promazine and serious bits, Jupiter continued to run away with me in the hunt field until I grew into horses.
I think Jupiter imprinted me with the notion that running away was part of hunting. Miss Behave, a well-named Thoroughbred, was too hot to hunt but I hunted her anyway because she was all I had. My dad even hunted her one time. He was jt.-MFH at Bedford County and often visited other hunts. On one such occasion when he was either between horses or had a plow horse he didn’t want to take out in public, he took Miss Behave. She was definitely not a plow horse. Nor was she a hunting horse. She was a brilliant but erratic show horse who was a dirty quitter. Sure enough, she quit dirty with Dad in front of the whole field at Glenmore, sending him sailing over the fence with her bridle in his hands.
I didn’t even try to hunt my next show horse because she was too valuable, so I jacked up my irons and went back to the runaway pony. By the time I got to Goochland in 1976, I had a 3 year old homebred Thoroughbred named Mele Kalikimaka. She learned to jump in the hunt field and took to the sport with wild enthusiasm. She made quite a splash at Deep Run, diving off an eight-foot bank into Beaverdam Creek like a stunt horse. For the rest of his days, MFH Fairfax Randolph would ask me, with a twinkle, “Been swimming lately?” MFH Freddie Reed probably saved my life when he asked me to whip in. Mele was a terrific staff horse, but a disaster in the field. For ten years, Mele and I enjoyed a great partnership off by ourselves in the woods, tending to our side of the draw. Probably my best years of hunting, because I had a horse suited to the role.
When Mele was in foal, I took an OTTB on loan. An Air Force friend sent me her horse while she went overseas, and although Bomber had never been out of a ring, he made a good staff horse. The hunting whip worried him, but nothing else. Once I carried a hound home across the front of the saddle, and another time I left him tied by his reins to a tree for half an hour while I climbed a wire fence and bushwhacked through off-limits territory. Back in the field, Bomber was well behaved but he could run away at will. Only his inclination to stay with other horses disguised the fact that I had no brakes.
From time to time when I was horseless, I hunted borrowed horses. It took me a long time to decide NEVER to do that again. Some of them had never hunted, and one of them, I’m convinced, wasn’t even broke. He had no concept of the turning mechanism in a bridle. Once, I was honored when the huntsman loaned me a horse, until I realized I was just a flea on the back of his ex-steeplechaser. The scariest were the bad jumpers. Talk about taking your life in your hands. I can put up with a lot, but the horse has to be a good jumper.
Even the hired horses were problematic, usually lacking brakes. In one case, the owner of a no-brakes hireling, who was herself riding alongside, startled me when she reached over and walloped the running horse across the face with her hunting whip. The only hired horse I would get on again was a fabulous guy in England named Robbie. He knew his job. Mele had a filly named Gingerbit, who had gorgeous conformation and only about three brain cells. There wasn’t enough ace promazine in a bottle to get her to hunt safely, and I was thrilled when she cracked her coffin bone and I never had to ride her again. Mele also had a handsome, athletic colt named Sayler. Sayler proved he could go nicely in the field, so of course I sold him.
In recent years, my hunting and eventing horse was Mele’s grandson, Bucky. Bucky was probably scarier to watch than to ride—motor-crossing through creeks and throwing up a wake worthy of a Ski-Doo. He liked to jink and juke and spook. He was always generally leaping around and charging his fences. But he never put a foot wrong. He was a tremendous athlete, and I always knew if I just stayed on, I’d be all right. (Perhaps not the attitude most people take into the hunt field.) My daughter, Katie Bo, hunted Bucky with less success. She came off three times one season. I kept having to buy the requisite bottle of whiskey because she was underage.
My current horse, an OTTB named Harley, seems like he would be the perfect hunting horse. He’s good with the hounds. Crosses creeks nicely. Jumps anything. Doesn’t kick or spook or juke. A nice lady’s hunter—as long as we have a blank day. Darn it all, if we get on a run, he’s back at the track. I can’t hold him. It’s strange, because in every one of his 11 races, he loped along in the middle of the pack, fifth or sixth. At least I haven’t fallen off in a creek, which is some consolation.
For some reason, I’ve always ridden horses who couldn’t conduct themselves in a controlled manner in the hunt field. What my horses could do was jump every jump and keep up with the hounds. From Jupiter through Mele and Bucky to Harley, they were all keen and athletic. I thought for a while Harley would be my last horse. I started with a runaway pony, but I sort of hate to end with a runaway horse. Maybe when he retires, I can take another crack at finding a hunting horse. There’s gotta be one out there for me.

Are you part of the DRHC Facebook Group?  This private FB group posts info on events, hunt meets and changes, and items of general interest to our membership. If you are on FB but not part of the group, please log on and request to join. Never miss an event or fun activity ever again - JOIN FACEBOOK!

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Yin/Gentle Yoga Tuesdays at the Club
Yin Yoga includes meditative postures with long, passive holds, great for connective tissues and the deeper, tight areas of the body. Move through a series of poses & focus on your breathing.
Gentle Yoga is a seated practice set to music. This practice is for for joints, flexibility, and general well-being. You will build strength, improve balance and flexibility, and increase your range of motion and mobility.
This class is great for any fitness level. It meets Tuesday mornings from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Cost is $12 for members ($14 for non-members.) Contact instructor Lee Ann McGhee with questions: reidwillmcghee@yahoo.com

MFHA Resources 
Pay a visit to the official Master of Foxhounds Association of North America website at mfha.com. There are great articles under the “Notes from the Field” tab, along with back issues of Covertside. You can download the instructive booklet Introduction to Foxhunting for free:

"Introduction to Foxhunting”

Communication  
We would love to have your contributions to the newsletter; just email Gabrielle Thomas at gab88thomas@gmail.com, and include “Tally Ho” in the subject line.  Also, don’t forget to send in those profile pics for the Directory!

REMINDER: When not hunting, specific permission must be obtained from landowners for cross-country riding privileges. 

G Thomas
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February, 2026