Hurricane Sandy delayed the Orange County Hounds annual Team Chase event, originally scheduled for October 30th. Despite a busy hunt season it took place Sunday, November 18th at Old Whitewood Farm in The Plains.

Nearly 100 horses and riders rode over the beautiful course in the heart of Orange County's territory. Riders representing hunts from Virginia, as well as from farther flung packs in Maryland and Pennsylvania, teamed up on horses and ponies to compete in a variety of events. Awards were given for Best Turned Out, Ideal Time, Best Hunt Team as well as the Junior Hunter championship and coveted Genuine Hunter Championship.

For the second consecutive year, Caroline Fout won the Junior Hunter Championship on her late grandmother Eve Fout's elegant Thoroughbred hunter, Morning Pleasure.

Caroline, a senior at Foxcroft School, turned in a flawless test after being one of eight riders chosen for the final. Riding with the Middleburg-Orange County Beagles and with OCH, she exhibited the Fout family tradition of excellent riding and horsemanship.

The Junior Hunter Reserve Champion was Allegra Solari on her lovely bay Doncaster, representing both Warrenton Hunt and Snickersville Hounds.

Helen Bretell of Middleburg Hunt earned the The Genuine Hunter Championship on her picture perfect chestnut mare Brooke to enthusiastic cheers from the audience. The duo recently won the "Best Turned Out "division at the Virginia Field Hunter Championship. Reserve honors went to Leslie Hazel on her rock solid grey gelding, Bob.

The Eduardo Coria Team with Kathleen Lyons on Luke and Eduardo Coria won the Best Hilltopper Pair.

Final Results – OCH Team Chase Event

Hilltopper Pairs:
Best Hunt Team: Eduardo Coria Team 1--Kathleen Lyons on Luke and Eduardo Coria- Casanova Hunt
Best Turned Out: Coria Team 2 of Christie Fitzsimmons and Eduardo Coria- Casanova Hunt

Limit Hunters
Best Hunt Team: "Fox Jumpers" Graham Alcock on Matchstick , Hayley Alcock on Foxy, Nancy Alcock on Millpoint Farbetter, Beverly Alcock on Martigraw- Piedmont Fox Hounds
Ideal Time: "Robin and Allegra" Allegra Solari on Doncaster, Robin Ross on Maverick, Enrique Solari on Ruby- Warrenton Hunt
Best Turned Out: " Making Ends Meet" Ashley Boardman on Greystone, Jane Braswell on Turf and Caroline Fout on Morning Pleasure- Middleburg Orange County Beagles

Junior Champion: Caroline Fout on Morning Pleasure – Middleburg Orange County Beagles and OCH
Junior Reserve Champion: Allegra Solari on Doncaster- Warrenton Hunt

Genuine Hunters
Best Hunt Team: "Joint Ventures" Andrea Gilman on Jamieson, Kathleen O'Keefe on Dudley, Eduardo Coria on Arcadia's Gold-Casanova and old Dominion Hunt
Best Turned Out: " The Champagne Chasers" M'lesa Boike on Bennet, Jim Drunagel on Skip Along Slew, Pann Drunagel on Jimmy Slide, Mike Olding on The Cane Prince
Ideal Time winners: "Tally Ho Trio" Mark Thompson on Eli, Joy Crompton on Seamus, and Tracey Cover

The Genuine Hunter Championship
Champion: Helen Brettell on Brooke- Middleburg Hunt
Reserve Champion: Leslie Hazel on Bob- Orange County Hounds