In & Around Horse Country

12/21/2023

The Horse Country family is saddened to announce the passing of Will O’Keefe. A Warrenton native, Will began calling the action at the local steeplechase races in 1980 and for the next 42 years he was the voice of Virginia racing. Starting in 19XX, he began bringing his detailed accounts of the races to the pages of “In & Around Horse Country”. His reports were enlivened by his knowledge of the personalities and behind-the-scenes insights that brought the action to life.

Will’s iconic stature was built on his combination of an encyclopedic store of information combined with his ability to recall every detail from memory, even those from the distant past.

Barclay Rives perfectly described how Will brought the action to life for his listeners. “His race calls were racing musical accompaniment. His accelerating cadence, rising pitch and volume pulled spectators into the excitement of every close finish. Will maintained excitement even when the race was not close with his triumphant proclamation of a leader ‘In hand and in command.’ His love of the sport, irresistible enthusiasm, and professionalism kept the action fresh and new for every appreciative audience.”

Will’s influence extended far before the announcer’s job. In his role as president of the Virginia Steeplechase Association and through a variety of other volunteer efforts, he was instrumental in promoting and supporting steeplechasing and point-to-point racing throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. The numerous awards he received for those efforts attest to the significant contributions he made to the racing community.

Another boost Will made for the steeplechasing world was the creation of the Central Entry Office, developed and managed with the aid his wife Kathleen. This online service proved especially helpful to local hunts as a way to register entries for point-to-points not covered by the National Steeplechase Association.

An avid horseman himself, he and Kathleen, ex-MFH, rode with multiple hunts around the Warrenton area.

A good friend to all who knew him, Will’s outstanding contributions to the sport of racing and the local community at large will always remain a vital part of the Horse Country legacy. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Kathleen at this time of loss.

11/10/2023

“In & Around Horse Country” 2023 Holiday issue arrives in mailboxes and at newsstands this week. (Digital edition coming soon.) A gift bag filled with entertaining and informative delights! Beginning with…

…Allison Howell’s cover shot of Epp Wilson in a unique place and pose with horn and hound. Inside you’ll find J. Harris Anderson’s detailed feature piece on finding a hunt horse, with insights contributed by several knowledgeable sources from different hunting areas across North America. Lauren Giannini profiles a new arrival from the Old Sod, an Irish stud imported by Mary Ewing with an eye toward producing a future herd of top flight hunters. Fall is filled with an array of fun events—Hunt Weeks, Field Hunter Championships, Fall Races, and more—and we’ve got the inside track on coverage. Osmun discovers the joys of sticking his head out the car window and catchin’ the breeze. Jenny Young has several tempting offers on the book shelves for both your own reading pleasure and as unique holiday gift items. The VEA reports on the late summer action at Colonial Downs, the Futurity at the Warrenton showgrounds, and big money days in harness racing at Shenandoah Downs. As always, our topnotch photographers have been busily snapping Opening Meets and other autumn hunting action…enough to fill multiple albums.

That autumnal nip is calling us to the hunt field. And what could be better afterward than a toddy by the fire and our Holiday issue in hand. Enjoy!

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08/17/2023

“In & Around Horse Country” 2023 Fall Issue arrives in mailboxes and at newsstands this week. (Digital edition coming soon.)



Dreaming of hitting the road for an epic cross-country foxhunting adventure? J. Harris Anderson takes you on an imaginary grand tour of hunt weeks and other events crisscrossing North America from Virginia to Utah and Canada to Florida. Sporting ladies eagerly yell “Pull!” in Erica Tergeson’s account of the increasing number of women participating in shooting sports. An exhibition of Charles Rumph’s “Women and Horses” photos sparked Lauren Giannini’s profile of Lilla Mason’s rise from exercise rider to Huntsman and Master of Iroquois Hunt. Osmun discovers that a little rain—or a lot of it!—can’t dampen the spirit of dedicated partiers. Jenny’s books list includes two new mysteries from Rita Mae Brown; one recently released and another coming soon (with a signing at Horse Country Saddlery!). Betsy Burke Parker previews the fall steeplechase season and reports on a possible move to preserve the historic Warrenton Show Grounds. The VEA report chronicles the summer racing action at Colonial Downs and the travels of the 3,500 pound statue of Secretariat to honor the 50th anniversary of “Big Red’s” Triple Crown victory. Staff changes, carriage driving competition, Warrenton Pony Show, and plenty of photos from all parts of hunting country await your perusal. Eager for the new season to begin? Get a jump on the excitement with our latest issue!

06/29/2023

A special mid-summer “Out & About” issue of “In & Around Horse Country” arrives in local area mailboxes and at newsstands this week. Digital edition will be available worldwide.

Our first “Out & About” issue debuts with a pictorial pageant. A recap of the recent hound shows is festooned with shots of impressive champion hounds. The triumphs and trials of Junior Handlers are depicted from north and south, east and west. The spirit of the 170th Upperville C**t & Horse Show is portrayed from the youngest leadline class to the closing four-star Jumper Classic. The MFHA rekindled the competition of a Field Hunter Championship as the best hunt horses from across North America gathered to vie for the national title. Osmun recounts his dream of an elegant all-dogs cocktail party, replete with Claudia Coleman’s series of amusing illustrations. Karen Kandra’s cover shot caught the contagious energy of summertime hound walking. Catch the energy for yourself in this picture-packed special issue!

05/11/2023

“In & Around Horse Country” 2023 Summer issue arrives in mailboxes and at newsstands this week. (Digital edition coming soon.)

Everyone’s been busy this spring! Youngsters, oldsters, and all those in between. Racing has been the focus for many. A new tradition began as a time-honored one came to an end. After 42 years calling the races, and nearly that many writing the reports for our pages, Will O’Keefe opted to retire from those duties. Betsy Burke Parker has done a superb job recounting all the action, with lots of inside details. In the youngsters category, Lauren Giannini reports on the bustling sport of pony races where aspiring jockeys get their start, or for some just their kicks, and from which three graduates have now moved on to racking up impressive wins in bigtime events. Juniors from across the US and Canada, representing 26 hunts and 15 Pony Clubs, experienced a fun and challenging weekend at the Junior North American Field Hunter Championship Finals hosted by Mells Foxhounds in Tennessee. J. Harris Anderson thought it was time to address a controversial topic: using high-tech equipment in the hunt field. The survey results reveal a love-hate relationship, offer some helpful tips, and include a few cautionary comments. Osmun returned to the walkway as a featured, if reluctant, guest at the Dressed-to-Kilt fashion show fundraiser, a program founded by Sean Connery to benefit Navy SEALs. The VEA reports on the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s immortal 1973 Triple Crown sweep, featuring a 3500-pound bronze statue of “Big Red,” and an exciting schedule for the summer season at Colonial Downs. Plenty of photos from skillful photographers across the country enliven the reports. Whether reliving your youth, looking forward to the future, or just enjoying the moment, there’s something for everyone! (Cover shot by Middleburg Photo)

02/15/2023

“In & Around Horse Country” 2023 Winter/Spring issue arrives in mailboxes and at newsstands this week. (Digital edition coming soon.)

Mounted sport is not without its risks. With that in mind, the focus of this issue is on safety. Two feature articles address that topic. Danny and Keli Warrington, operators of LandSafe, conduct clinics to help riders develop skills to minimize the risk of injury, especially to the head and neck, when an unplanned dismount occurs. Meanwhile, at the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, an intensive study was conducted to rate the safety level of a wide variety of equestrian helmets (40 in total). You may find the results comforting or alarming, but certainly interesting, depending on where your helmet of choice falls on the STAR rating scale.

Lauren Giannini profiles Live Oak Hounds’ new Huntsman, Guy Allman, who has returned to the States after a ten-year stint hunting hounds in his native UK. Will O’Keefe previews the spring steeplechase scene, sure to be exciting as the NSA moves to support more local races. Osmun recounts the daring adventures of his band of Alexandria Pike Terrors. The VEA report includes news on exciting developments at Colonial Downs and harness racing at Shenandoah Downs. On a sadder note, we include remembrances of three notable figures from the hunting and eventing worlds who have recently left us. But, as we move toward spring, life goes on with an extensive calendar of upcoming events and Jenny provides a list of enticing books to read during downtimes. And, of course, we’re chock full of photos from our crack team of contributors: hunting action, a whole gallery of juniors, and a mix of foxes, hounds, and one bold coyote.

Stay active, have fun, and be safe!

Cover: Tony Gammell, Huntsman, Lowcountry Hunt, Mark Jump photo.

11/10/2022

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08/18/2022

Online now at https://issuu.com/horsecountrypost/docs/in_around_horse_country_fall_2022

“In & Around Horse Country” 2022 Fall Issue arrives in mailboxes and at newsstands this week. (Digital edition coming soon.) A cross-country horse-hauling adventure, retiring huntsmen, hound shows recap, and much more promise hours of late summer enjoyment.

What could possibly go wrong when hauling a trailer full of horses from Maryland to California? Sue Strong, Horse Country Saddlery’s tack department manager, recounts her epic journey—a series of unexpected twists and challenges, some amusing, some harrowing. Long-serving Huntsmen—Johnnie Gray, Larry Pitts, Ivan Dowling, and Andy Bozdan—have decided it’s time to pass the horn along to their successors. Johnnie and Larry will stay in the hunting game, others have opted to explore different interests. J. Harris Anderson gives a recap of six sanctioned hound shows that reveal the importance good breeding plays in success both on the boards and in the field. A severe summer storm sent trees flying, power lines crashing, and Osmun scurrying for cover in the bathtub. Will O’Keefe previews the fall racing schedule. Dedicated volunteers—Tommy Lee and Diane Jones, Punkin Lee, and Joe Fargis—are honored at the Upperville C**t & Horse Show. The passing of three revered horse world figures—Hal Barry, Glenn Petty, and Frank Laimbeer—is noted in our Remembrance section. The VEA report updates the summer action at Colonial Downs and the upcoming schedule of harness racing at Shenandoah Downs. Jenny Young reviews a new horse-themed novel, a dressage star’s memoir, and includes some notable classics among her other picks.

Transition twitters are abuzz in the horse world as the sauna of summer starts to ease toward autumn’s refreshing embrace. Grab a copy of our latest issue and let a gentle breeze ruffle the pages as you catch up on all the recent news.
Cover photo: markjumpphotography.com

05/26/2022

Now online with hotlinks.
https://issuu.com/horsecountrypost/docs/in_around_horse_country_summer_2022

05/26/2022

05/17/2022

“In & Around Horse Country” 2022 Summer issue arrives in mailboxes and at newsstands this week. (Digital edition coming soon.)

Jam-packed! So many entertaining and informative topics to cover, we had to add extra pages! Finally, three highly deserving gentlemen…Tommy Lee Jones, David Wendler, and the late Jake Carle…will be formally inducted into the Huntsmen’s Room at the Museum of Hounds & Hunting in a ceremony open to the public. Their amazingly long and illustrious careers are chronicled by Lauren Giannini and Barclay Rives. The MFHA Hound Performance Trials Championship was hosted by Sedgefield Hunt, NC, in March and Epp Wilson was in the middle of the action to recount all the details. Will O’Keefe has had a busy spring racing season and recounts the highlights from all ten race meets. Osmun faces a prickly situation and comes up with a Solomonic solution. Jenny announces the much-anticipated arrival of the next installment in Rita Mae Brown’s Sister Jane series plus a selection of books to help the dedicated equestrian achieve high performance levels. There are big doings going on at Colonial Downs…new ownership and an exciting summer schedule…covered in the VEA report. And those are just the highlights! An eye-catching array of photos, informative updates, and much more. So pour an extra tall beverage, find your most comfortable spot, grab your copy of In & Around Horse Country, and settle in for a long and enjoyable read.
Cover photo: Douglas Lees