The Hounds Win Fox/Hound Riding! 

The jumper style course tested the riders on their accuracy of track and pace, while the spectators added some competitive ambiance. While all of the riders produced smooth and well-executed rounds, the Hounds managed the Optimum Time component most successfully to pull out the win!   

Both teams showcased prepared and enthusiastic Lead Line riders who were smiling as they experienced the thrill of being in the saddle on some of Foxcroft’s fan favorite school horses. All of the participants in this class, riders and handlers alike, were dressed the part and presented themselves well to the judge, but the Foxes really pulled out all the stops with fancy hats for the handlers and spit and polish show attire for all of their riders. This attention to detail earned the Foxes the top three placings in the Lead Line class, as determined by judge Hazel Hannon from Dinwiddie Farms, which secured a one-second advantage for their best Big Team rider's score. 

The format and course for Fox/Hound Riding are based on the showjumping style of riding. There is a single round over a course consisting of verticals and oxers, with areas where riders have inside turn options which can be used to create an efficient line between jumps. The course is timed, and an Optimum Time, which rewards a tidy track, a quick but safe pace, and an accurate plan, is posted for each competition. The winner of each round is the rider who gets closest to the Optimum Time. This format encourages safe and effective riding and good horsemanship.

Throughout the rounds, the times remained tight, and it was a close call as to which team would average a time closest to the Optimum Time and emerge as the winner. In these riding classes, Hannon gave a Style Award (also worth a one-second time advantage) to the rider on the Big Team rosters who best demonstrated a correct position, safe and smart decision-making skills, and proper technique. Fox Sammie M. ’27 won this honor, and this advantage was added to the tally to determine the Foxes' final score. After calculating the scores and taking the average for each Big Team, the Hounds were the closest to the Optimum Time and were declared the overall winner! 

After celebrating the success of all the riders and cheering in appreciation of the horses, the riders went back to the stable to tuck their horses in for the day, and the other students went to sports practices to further hone their skills for the upcoming spring athletic games.

Complete results follow.

Lead Line Team

Winner: Foxes

Big Team 

Winning Team Time: Hounds 48.14 seconds, with the Optimum Time being 49 seconds

Style Award: Sammie M. ’27, Fox

From Director of Instructional Riding Kate Worsham