Junior North American Field Hunter National Championship

The 19th Annual Junior North American Field Hunter Championships took place on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The event took place at the Robeson Farm, owned by Gerald Robeson. It was hosted by The Mells Foxhounds in Lynnville, Tenn. Pictured above: #187 First Field 14-18 Champion, Kathryn Sanford & Most Likely, Lowcountry Hunt.

P1010159 copy — #2 Hilltopper 10 & Under, Frances, Counts & Sally, Tennessee Valley Hunt

Horses and riders began arriving on Thursday and Friday, March 2 and 3. On Saturday competition kicked off with Division Hacks where the horses and riders were reviewed by judges prior to a mock trial. The judges selected 10 riders from each flight. There were four flights total: Hilltopper 10 & Under, Hilltopper 11-18, First Field 13 & Under, and First Field 14-18. The selected top ten riders from each flight then competed in individual tests.

First Field 13 & Under, Brothers, Aiden Smith & Pony Pony, Norfolk Hunt Club/Norfolk Hunt Pony club, Taylor Smith & Kiss my Sass, winner of the Whip Cracking Competition.

The Champions and Reserved Champions in each division are:

Hilltopper 10 & Under:

Champion- London McCalley riding “Dude” from Lowcountry Hunt/ Salt March PC.

Reserved Champion- Charlotte Wilson riding “Cowgirl” from Belle Meade Hunt

Hilltopper 11-18:

Champion- Dot Daus riding “Mr. Popper’s Penguin from Camargo Hunt/Miami Valley PC

Reserved Champion- Claire Lacey riding “Bentley” from Lowcountry Hunt

First Field 13 & Under:

Champion- Wells Pfister riding “Landy” from Iroquois Hunt/ Bluegrass PC

Reserved Champion- Scarlett Knull riding “Kismet” from Keswick Hunt/ Deep Run PC

First Field 14- 18:

Champion- Kathryn Sanford riding “Most Likely” from Lowcountry Hunt

Reserved Champion- Samantha Manning riding “Good Luck Molly” from Snickersville Hounds

DSC_0806 copy copy — #7 Hilltopper 10 & Under Champion, London McCalley & Dude, Lowcountry Hunt/Salt March Hunt

This year’s championship had riders come as far as Hamilton Hunt Club in Canada. The competition is designed for Junior riders 18- years- old and younger, on appropriate fox-hunting ponies and horses. To learn more about the competition and all who placed visit www.jnafhc.com

Lauren Abbott

Lauren is a lifelong equestrian. She was born and raised in Memphis, Tenn. Lauren has worked in Journalism for over 20 years and has served as a staff writer, designer, photographer, audience and business development consultant, & advertising senior executive. She is the Owner & Publisher of MSHR, and CEO of Ford Abbott Media, LLC, the parent company of the Horse Review and Hunt & Field Magazine.