The 2009 Virginia Field Hunter Championships were hosted by the Piedmont Fox Hounds Sunday Nov 8th at Salem in Upperville, VA. This search for the best field hunter in Virginia is believed to have been held every year since 1950. Against the idyllic backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 21 competitors representing 12 different hunts were tested in a hack class, a mock hunt and a very difficult individual test.

The competition began with a fiercely contested turnout class where the Middleburg Hunt dominated taking both 1st (Tracy Cover on her own "Clementine" and 2nd Devon Zebrovious and "Kalliopy"). After a group hack class, 2008 Champion Frannie Kansteiner led the field across the stunning Piedmont for a mock hunt behind Piedmont Huntsman Richard Roberts, whips Spencer Allen and Donny Yovanovich and the Piedmont hounds. Ten judges both on the ground and mounted, whose roster included the likes of Gail Wofford, Olympian Linden Ryan and former Va Field Hunter Champion Will Coleman were watching their every move and picked the top 8. Some of the tests the final 8 were asked to do included handgallop a timber fence, open a gate and trot a coat over wire. After much discussion by the judges they crowned Robyn Harter and her "Butterfly Painting" of Snickersville Hunt the 2009 Virginia Field Hunter Champion, reserve Champion went to Emily Day of the Blue Ridge Hunt on Mary Swifts "Fergus". Piedmont Hunt and its supporters hosted a fabulous tailgate for the many spectators and competitors after the awards. With a reputation of great hospitality and merry festivities we look forward to the Snickersville Hunt hosting the 2010 Championships. Many thanks to the Bonnie Family, The Irish Draught Horse Society of North America (southeast region) Tri County Feeds and Southern States for helping make this event possible.