Redcoats at Mt. Vernon! And by invitation, no less!
On Saturday, Nov. 14, the Caroline Hunt put on three narrated foxhunt demonstrations at the Home of George Washington. The “Horses and Hounds” event was viewed by an estimated 3,000 spectators on the crisp, sunny fall day.
At the end of each demonstration the visitors were allowed to mingle with mounted Hunt members, take photos, pet horses and hounds, as well as ask questions.
The day began at the kennels at 3 a.m., but Lt. Col. USMC retired Robert N. Ferrer had worked for almost two years with the staff at Mount Vernon since receiving their invitation. As far as anyone knows it could have been as long as 200 years since horses and hounds had worked together on the property.
While numerous visitors brought their cameras, the demonstrations were also filmed as part of the Mt. Vernon program to show Washington, the sportsman.
Caroline Hunt was established in 1999 by Robert and Elizabeth Ferrer after they had enjoyed foxhunting in both the U.S. and England. The couple built kennels and worked with the Masters of several Virginia Hunts to establish a pack of hounds. The foundation of the American and Crossbred foxhound pack includes hounds from the Warrenton, Casanova, Keswick, and Orange County Hunts.
Robert Ferrer hunts the hounds and serves as Master of the hunt. Elizabeth Ferrer serves as Joint Master and Field Master, guiding those riders that follow the hounds across the countryside. There are two other Masters, Bill Burnette of Rockville and Susan Sanders of Irvington. The Hunt was registered with the Masters of Foxhounds Association in 2000, and achieved recognized status in 2005.
While hunt season lasts from September through March, there is plenty for members to do throughout the year. The variety of activities includes training hounds, skeet shoots, charity fundraisers, the Virginia Hound Show, polo matches—and who could miss the annual puppy show?
By CP Correspondent Kenneth Snow
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