Ottawa Valley Hunt Club | newsletter1202.html

Ottawa Valley Hunt Newsletter

January 2005

Hi Everyone,

Here we are charging into the New Year; seems as if our fall season just ended! We had a very successful Christmas party - it took about a dozen or so to pick up Joan Howe”s Santa role – speaking of Santa, thanks to Denis Beaudoin and helpers - and especially Grits, Sylvia and Pete Kornherr! Grits passes on a Big Thanks to all who helped with the gifts.

The OVH owes A MAJOR BIG THANKS to Denis Cullen and Anne McKibbin who have spent a huge number of hours in the kennels during Tony’s absence. This is a big responsibility and often not in the most pleasant working conditions – we O. U.!

Changes are brewing at the OVH; the Board has been having a major look at itself and we’ve decided we need some reinventing. One of the changes you’ll see is some new blood – the nominating committee has put forth a slate that includes 3 new (proposed) directors. They are also constructing a number of “non-committees” – we call them Teams – to take on some areas in the Hunt that need special attention. We’ll be in touch with several of you for your help – but please, call us and pick a team you’d like to be part of. The purposed teams (subject to change!) are Social, the Hunt Ball and Silent Auction etc; Land and Landowners, upkeep of hunt territory and new territory; Maintenance, the Clubhouse, Kennels etc; Horse related events to include Hunter Paces etc. This club is loaded with talent – and we need to use it! We’d like to hear from you – call Kay or myself or Joan Gauer.

We hope you’ll put the Annual General Meeting on Sunday, February 6th, @ 2:00pm on your must do list; we should have an interesting meeting this year with some real change in the air-plus-we have 3 new rumors to spring, and one small and one medium size scandal to let you in on! – just kidding (I think!) – but please be sure to come out and contribute to the change. It is your Hunt!

The Hunt Ball and Silent Auction are fast approaching. Please bring lots and lots of guests to the big night; this is a great deal and should be on the top of your social calendar. To be a success – and for the Auction to be a success – we need lots of guests, so please get on the phone ASAP.

Janet Strome has sent us the following note – please call Janet with your items right now, we need quality things to get the interest of the bidders – your generosity is appreciated – Remember, 100% of all money goes to the hunt coffers.

FROM JANET STROME

“The hunters and gatherers of the Silent Auction team have begun their work of collecting interesting and attractive objects to tempt the Hunt Ball attendees. We need you to do your part by responding to the caller who will shortly be asking you for a donation. Hunt articles such as flasks,sandwich boxes, hunt whips and the like are very popular items. We also have been increasing the share of golf and garden related items. If you’re stumped, the Silent Auction committee can make suggestions. It’s quite permissible to purchase something to donate. If you’re really out of ideas, we will accept a commission to shop for something that we know will appeal to the Ball go-ers. So please be generous. The renovations at the Clubhouse and other needed activities are funded by the proceeds. Thanks.”

Your auction items can be dropped off at the Sunset Farms Winter sleigh-ride-and chili tasting party on February 20th @ 1:00pm. Don’t miss it! If you can bring some chili it will be a big help – please call Grits at 836-1289 ASAP. Please bring your silent auction items – and it’s a great place to get a sneak preview and plan your bidding strategy.

Robbie Burns night is almost here! Please make reservations now. Call Betty or Joan. We have a limited number of places; any not taken one week before will be made available to non-member guests. This is a great night, don’t miss out.

I have to carry the sad news of the death of one of the great Hunt personalities of our time, Fred Pickford . Our condolences to Margaret. A copy of the obituary written by Kay for Horse & Hound follows, some of the information contained in this obituary was taken from an article in “Horse and Country Canada” written by Avis Partridge.

FRED PICKFORD 1912 – 2004

It is with great regret that I announce the death of Fred Pickford, who passed away on Tuesday 14th December in his 93rd year.

Fred entered hunt service at the age of 14 as a groom for the Cattistock Hunt. Before World War 2, he served as 2nd Whip to the Blackmore Vale, Ludlow and Heythrops Hunts where he took over as 1st whip. He also held this position with the Bathurst and Atherstone Hunts.

Following the war, he saw an advertisement in the “Horse and Hound” for a Huntsman With the Toronto and North York Hunt in Canada and decided to give it a try. In 1948, He immigrated to Canada and stayed with the Toronto and North York Hunt for 22 memorable years serving under Masters Frank Proctor, Clifford Sifton and Robert Elder.

In the book “150 years in the Field”, it is said “Pickford was responsible for the rebuilding of the pack during the 1950’s, until it was generally conceded to be the best pack that had yet been seen in Canada. Needless to say, he was also well known for the sport that he offered as a consummate Huntsman”.

He retired from hunt service in 1970 but the following spring he was persuaded to take up the horn again by the late Masters of the Ottawa Valley Hunt, Earl and June Lacharity and Frank Connelly. He carried the horn for 7 years before finally retiring to his beloved Kinmount, Ontario farm in 1977.

He is survived by Margaret, his wife for 66 years, and his son Angus.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Robbie Burns Night: Saturday, January 29th, 2005 @ 6:30 pm

Annual General Meeting: Sunday, February 6th, 2005 @ 2:00 pm

Sleigh Ride at Sunset Farms: Sunday, February 20th, 2005 @ 1:00 pm

Hunt Ball: Saturday, February 26th, 2005 @ 6:30 pm

Night at the Races: Saturday, March 19th, 2005 @ 6:30pm

Until next time

Good Hunting!

Ted Thomas