There are two Fall events that many people think of as The Hunt, referring to the Genesee Valley Hunt (GVH). The Opening Meet, which marks the beginning of the formal foxhunting season, is traditionally the last Saturday in September, when hunt staff, hounds and subscribers meet on the east lawn of the Wadsworth Homestead at the south end of Geneseo's Main Street at 7:30 a.m. and proceed through town to the Hartford House driveway and on from … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: Rattlesnake Hill Riding Trail Closure Call to Action
I apologize for the short notice, but it has come to my attention that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) is hosting a 'public availability session' on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Dansville High School cafeteria at 284 Main Street in Dansville to provide information on a recently finalized habitat management plan for the Rattlesnake Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The meeting will include a presentation and … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: A Fine, Fresh Day at the Races
The Genesee Valley Hunt (GVH) Race Meet enjoyed what those in the know considered nearly ideal weather – a gray day of temps in the low 60's with a passing morning shower. Ideal weather, that is, for horses galloping over a 1 1/2 mile undulating turf course, canines competing in various flavors of competitions or accompanying their owners threading through crowds of strangers in lieu of being left home for the day, and delicious tailgate … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: Keeping Tradition Alive
The last Saturday in September marks the traditional start of the formal foxhunting season here in the Valley with the meet being held on the east lawn of the Wadsworth Homestead at the south end of Geneseo’s Main Street. From there, staff, hounds and subscribers (no guests allowed on opening day) proceed up Main Street past the Court House, down the driveway to the Hartford House, and on to the fields and woodlands north of the village. For … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: The Race Is On! The Hunt Is On!
Apparently there are rumors going around that The Race or The Hunt has been cancelled due to the heat and hard ground from lack of rain. I always have to smile a bit at this time of year when I am asked when The Hunt is. By this, people usually are referring to one of two events. The first is the Genesee Valley Hunt (GVH) Opening Meet on the last Saturday in September at about 7:30 a.m. when staff, hounds, and hunt subscribers process … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: Regional Championships Bring Out the Best
GENESEO – The Genesee Valley Riding and Driving Club (GVRDC) hosted the U.S. Eventing Association Area 1 Regional Championships on Aug. 20 and 21. Being at the far western reaches of the region comprised of New York and all of New England, many of the competitors were introduced to the wonders of The Valley for their first time three years ago when the club first hosted the championships, and found it well worth the time and effort to get … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: GVH Horse Trials Foster Team Spirit
This year’s Genesee Valley Hunt (GVH) Horses Trials on Nations Road in Geneseo added a new element for its 62nd annual competition – the Donald T. Holland Memorial Team Challenge. Donald Holland was a longtime supporter of both the Genesee Valley Hunt and eventing. A man of not just words, but action, he even organized these very horse trials for several years. This year, local Olympian Darren Chiacchia (pronounced Cha-Cha), who earned a team … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: Geneseo’s Historic Cavalry Games Continue to Thrive
GENESEO –This year’s July 4th Cavalry Games celebrated the 40th anniversary of their renewal in 1976 when Judge J. Robert Houston, an avid historian, horseman, and member of the Genesee Valley Hunt (GVH), thought it would be sporting to revive this unique aspect of local history as part of the local bicentennial celebrations. The cavalry games were first held on the east lawn of the Wadsworth Homestead at the south end of Geneseo’s Main Street … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: GVRDC Spring Event Shines Through the Raindrops
The Valley has become a remarkable bastion for Eventing, an Olympic discipline that is the triathlon of equestrian sport known as the complete test of horse and rider. Entries compete in dressage (school figures), stadium jumping (a winding course over fences that can be knocked down), and cross-country over solid fences, banks, ditches, and water. The jumping tests also have time/speed requirements to avoid penalty points. The combined score … [Read more...]
Valley Horses: Llops from Caledonia Score Canadian Endurance Ride Wins
CALEDONIA – Cadedonia mother and son duo Libby and Peter Llop galloped into the international equestrian spotlight at the Aprilfest ride on May 1 in the Dufferin County Forest in Mansfield, Ontario, about an hour north of Toronto. The ride was sanctioned by both the American Endurance Ride Conference and the Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association. Crossing the finish line first with a ride time of 5:02, Peter and his mount Milo were … [Read more...]