The Foxhunting and Steeplechase communities lost a great supporter and benefactor on September 3, 2018 with the passing of Albert L. Menefee III, MFH. He was the Master of The Cedar Knob Hounds in Lynnville, Tennessee and President of the Iroquois Steeplechase 2009-2014. His generosity, kind disposition, organizational skills, and dedication were well known throughout the mid-south.
He was a former Whipper-in and Jt. Master of The Hillsboro Hounds, and his Foxview Farm was one of the Hillsboro fixtures. In 2012 he revived the Cedar Knob Hounds (founded in 1971) as a private pack, generously providing the financial and land resourses to make the hunt possible. He was a lifelong equestrian who enjoyed being able to show others great sport, procuring, training and hunting his pack of Penn-Marydel hounds. He was also a hard worker who didn’t mind getting a little dirt under his nails – building jumps, clearing trails, repairing equipment, as well as feeding and caring for hounds and horses. His legacy to foxhunting continues as the Cedar Knob Hounds remain a vibrant and active hunt.
His altruistic spirit and generosity were also manifested as the President of the Iroquois Steeplechase. The Iroquois is a major fundraiser for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. During his tenure as president the Steeplechase raised over a million dollars for the hospital. He was inspirational to the many volunteers that he recruited and supervised during the race. With a hands-on management style, he could be seen throughout the day with radio in hand, golf carting from place to place on the course, making sure everything ran smoothly.
Some of his other philanthropic work included serving on the board of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, working with Centerstone Military Services in support of wounded veterans, the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Williamson Medical Center, Boys and Girls Club, the Boy Scouts of America, as well as the Monroe Carell Jr. Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Having a rare blood type and antibody profile, he was a regular donor to the American Red Cross.
An avid conservationist, he was awarded the Land Conservationist of the Year by The Tennessee Wildlife Federation for his work restoring native habitat in Giles County, Tennessee, where his farm is located. He was also instrumental as a member of Friends of Franklin Parks and Harlinsdale in bringing horse activities back to Harlinsdale Park in Franklin, Tennessee. Albert Menefee leaves a lasting legacy for those who love horses, hounds, and wildlife.
