Piedmont Foxhounds' Stretch and Laurie Ambrose won the finals of the 2014 Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship. After four days of qualifying hunt with Orange County, Blue Ridge, Loudoun Fairfax, and Piedmont, 74 horse-and-rider combinations from 23 hunts in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee had qualified for the finals, held the morning of the Virginia Fall Races, October 4, at Glenwood Park. The championship is primarily all about the horses, because the right one can mean glorious days in the field, especially when hounds are in full cry. The rider is also key to being scored well in terms of a smooth performance and horsemanship skills.

The judges included Helen Brettell, Middleburg Hunt; Snowden Clarke, Orange County Hounds; Liz McKnight, ex-MFH Elkridge Harford Hunt; Ginny Perrin, MFH Deep Run Hunt, Cameron Sadler, MFH Moore County Hounds; Lincoln Sadler, Moore County Hounds. Clark served as field master for the mock hunt over the historic racecourse. Kathleen O'Keefe, having won several titles over the years, judged Best Turned Out.

It was Ambrose's first time to enter the national championship. Ten years ago, she became President and CEO of Lung Cancer Alliance, managing its move from the West Coast to Washington, D.C. LCA is now recognized as the premier non-profit dedicated to patient support and advocacy for those living with or at risk for lung cancer.

"My husband Chris and I had a window in terms of our work and time. We've both been juggling a lot, but Chris said 'Let's go and enjoy the wonderful new country, meet new friends and see old friends' and I have always had such a wonderful horse," recalled Ambrose. "Such a proud but humbling honor to win, and I have really enjoyed this bucket list experience of a lifetime. I hope the championship continues to grow. It was such so special, particularly the level of the horses and riders."

Ambrose praised Stretch, her 14-year-old Quarter Horse–Thoroughbred gelding. "We have a wonderful, symbiotic relationship. I just let him do his job. I never worry. He knows intuitively what to do," she said. "We never have a bad day. I try to get out of his way. He's priceless — a horse who knows what to do, when and how. He's terrific."

Stretch and Ambrose have been hunting together for more than 10 years. She rode as a child growing up in New York State, mostly equitation, and didn't really have an opportunity to foxhunt until 20 years ago when she met and married Chris, who was hunting with Snickersville Hounds. The Ambroses have hunted with Piedmont since early 2000. By the way, Chris and Satch also qualified for the finals.

The winning rider's mother, Rose Fenton of Charlottesville, had to be persuaded to attend the finals. "My mother said 'I always worry' — she thought that I was going to do a steeplechase — it was incredibly special to have her there. Mom has brushed Stretch, fed him carrots, and watched us go off hunting. It was a wonderful experience for all of us."

As for the photo caption errors: Casanova Hunt's Eduardo Coria and Denali earned the Reserve Championship Field Hunter and the Best Turned Out championship. Middleburg Hunt's Devon Zebrovious, riding sidesaddle, and Quest were reserve champions in Best Turned Out. In the photo of the judges, that horse and rider were actually Rita Kaseman (Loudoun Fairfax) and Butterfly Painting, who earned Most Suitable, awarded in memory of Eve Fout, and seventh overall. Allie Lawaetz (Palm Beach Hounds, FL), riding her Schiller, took home the Sportsmanship Award in memory of Jan Ruetz.

For information: www.vafall-races.com/Field_Hunter_Championships