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MELLS WILL HOST THE JNAFHC MARCH 3-5, 2023

Announcement from Carla Babcock, Director of JNAFHC 2023

The Junior North American Field Hunter Championship (JNAFHC) has the honor of being hosted by the Mells Foxhounds, Lynnville, TN over the weekend of March 4, 2023. Mells masters and a very enthusiastic crew of volunteers are already hard at work to make this a truly special event for all of the competitors, support teams, family and friends.      Hunts along the East Coast from Canada to Florida and as far west as Kansas are on board to host qualifiers in 2022! This program is designed to achieve several important goals. Number one is for juniors to come together, get to know each other, form friendships that may last a lifetime, and enjoy foxhunting. Seeing juniors embrace the sport is a vivid way to remind hunt members how important juniors are to preserving both foxhunting and the countryside. The JNAFHC has proven to be a valuable tool in encouraging more cooperation among hunt clubs, thus strengthening the bonds of foxhunting throughout the country. Juniors travel around to the different participating hunts, enjoy hunting in new territory, and learn about the different hound packs.     We encourage everyone who cares about the future of foxhunting to help support the JNAFHC. It's going to be a very exciting year as we look forward to the finals at Mells!      

   For more information you may go to http://www.jnafhc.com/

A Letter from Organizer Carla Babcock About Finals Weekend

Welcome from the Mells Foxhounds to all JNAFHC Finalists! We are excited that you will be coming to beautiful Southern Middle Tennessee to share some foxhunting camaraderie, meet other Junior Foxhunters, and enjoy the JNAFHC competition. This letter is full of all the details for the Finals.  Here is an overview of JNAFHC Finals weekend: 


Schedule 

Thursday, March 2: 

  • Noon -? - Arrive at Barns and be greeted by the Barn Crew – do not unload your horse until you have been checked in and receive your stall and parking assignment. 
  • 6:00 PM - Kitchen 218 – the upstairs space has been reserved for folks who would like to get together and meet others coming in from out of town…this is an “on your own” casual event/meet & greet. Food and drinks may be purchased at the establishment. Address - 218 N 1st Street, Pulaski TN 38478 


Friday, March 3: 

  • 9:00 AM – Hunt with Mells Foxhounds – see more information below 
  • 12:30 PM - After Hunt Tea - meet & greet for guests, hosted by Theresa Menefee, MFH 
  • 3:00 PM - Course walk – walk the individual finalists test course (maps included with this email) 


Saturday, March 4: Morning 

  •  6:00 AM - Leaded Beans Coffee – offering coffee, hot chocolate, freshly made breakfast sandwiches and pastry – cash or check only as there is no service in the area for CC’s. 
  •  7:00 AM - Meeting for Field Masters, Judges, Outriders and Division Leaders in clubhouse, with a continental breakfast sponsored by the Cedar Hills Pony Club. 
  •  7:30 AM – Juniors Pick up packets – secretary’s tent will be outside of the large barn • 8:15 AM – Juniors mounted with pinnies on, and find your Division Leader 
  •  8:30 AM - Group Photo 
  • 9:00 AM - Championship begins - three components for the finals: 
  • All competitors will participate in the first two components and those selected by the judges will participate in the final test.

      1.  Division Hacks 

     2.  Mock Hunt with your division 

      3.  Top 10 riders will participate in the Individual Test 



Saturday, March 4: Afternoon/Eve 

Tailgate Casual attire, Soft Drinks are provided at dinner, BYOB 

  • 3:00 PM - Hound Judging 
  • 4:00 PM - Horn Blowing and Whip Cracking 
  • 4:30 PM - Championship Awards Presentation
  •  5:00 PM – Dinner, celebrate and enjoy the Irish Band, sponsored by the Puckett Family! 


IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 


Rule Change: please read carefully A rider who falls from his or her horse in this competition will not be permitted to continue with the competition. The rule is consistent with the United States Eventing Association Rule Book, page 43, Rule EV123, and will be enforced without exception. 

We will provide the proper emergency transport for the rider to return to the Barn/Trailer area and will make arrangements to get the rider’s horse back as well, as part of the Emergency Response Plan, developed for the JNAFHC at Mells. 


Friday Hunt: 

There are over 100 guests for Friday’s hunt and Mells territory is very hilly. Choose a field for hunting on Friday, with your participation in Saturday’s event in mind for you and your horse. There may be three or four fields. However, all fields and the hunt will observe the usual proper etiquette and traditions of every such foxhunt - no tailgating, or passing in the field, keep a proper distance, and no talking. 


If a rider falls off, they usually get back on or indicate that they cannot. If the rider receives a blow to the head, they may be asked to retire and another rider may be assigned to accompany them for the trip in. If a child falls, the same applies although a parent (if present) or guardian, or that adult in charge of the child will have the additional responsibility of also making decisions on behalf of the minor. If a child receives a blow to the head on Friday during the foxhunt, then that child will need to be cleared by an EMT on Friday and if a concussion is diagnosed, that child may be disqualified from competing on Saturday. If the child is cleared, following a blow to the head on Friday, the parent or guardian should nevertheless be vigilant for the remainder of the Friday and Saturday morning as to whether or not the child is experiencing any difficulties. If there are problems, they should be addressed as needed and the child should not be permitted to compete if it is medically inadvisable to do so. 


Address for equine health papers/location of event

 -263 Morrow Branch Road, Lynnville TN 38472 


Cell Reception - Be prepared 

There is no WiFi in hunt territory, and the cell reception is sketchy at best. It is recommended that you print out directions rather than rely on GPS navigation. 


Food: 

  • Friday – After hunt Tea, dinner on your own 
  • Saturday morning – Leaded Beans Coffee - offering coffee, hot chocolate, freshly made breakfast sandwiches and pastry – cash or check only as there is no service in the area for CC’s. 
  • Saturday Lunch – Compliments of JNAFHC Committee - Grab & Go wraps, chips, fruit in the club house. 
  • Saturday Dinner – Clubhouse - Catered – $25- prepaid, $10 – kids 10 & under 


Photographers, Vet and Farrier will be on site


Stalls

Have been pre-assigned and you will be met with the barn crew upon your arrival for your designated stall and parking area...do not unload your horse until you have been checked in. 


Shavings

2 large bags of shavings will be in each stall upon your arrival, if you wish more you should plan to bring them with you. 


Bring 

Your own hay & grain, feed tubs & water bucks (w/straps if you wish to hang them), muck tub & pitchfork, medical kit, grooming supplies, along with other items on your packing list. 


There is NO hacking/riding on the grounds

 You may hand walk your horse in an area to stretch its legs, but there is no riding until Friday morning's hunt. 


No private pets - (dogs, cats, etc.) allowed on the grounds. 


Swag Store

 The MELLS Swag Store will be open all day Saturday March 4, during the finals!! We have all kinds of goodies - ball caps, stickers, polo shirts, track jackets, whiskey glasses and mugs! So bring your spending money go home with some loot! Cash and check only please (no service for CC’s) 


RED RIBBON TACK

 Is generously donating some grooming and polishing essentials

Release Form for Participants, Riders, Outriders, Judges and

All judges, outriders, volunteers, and anyone planning to ride in the Friday hunt must return a completed Mells liability release form to carla.babcock09@gmail.com 

Mells Release 2021 (pdf)Download

Sponsors

The Shepard Family

Shepard Family sponsorship of the 2023 Junior North American Field Hunter Championship

Grand Patrons

Theresa Menefee, MFH & Lee Baskerville
Woodford Hounds Educational Foundation
MFHA
Anonymous
Tractor Supply
​Sundrop Bottling 

Individual Sponsorships

Liz Howard

Alex Kaplan

Colleen Walker
Dozier Family
Joanna Yu Lacey
Jody Cummings
Ragan Melton 

Champion Coolers

Natalie Tidwell - Reserve JNAFHC Champion 2017
Barbara & Roddy Strang - Sporthorse Training Inc.
Kate Sepulveda - On the Hunt Tack Consignment
Amy McNeely - The Snazzy Fox 

Reserve Champion Leather Halters

Boo Shepard Montgomery, MBH & Charles B. Montgomery, MFH 

Silver Awards

Whip Cracking - Jill & Rick Wallace,Wallace Equestrian
Horn Blowing - Clare Marie Pinney & the Pinney Family
Hound Judging - Dr. John R. Babcock, ex-MFH
Best Turned Out - Susan Lora, Camargo Hunt
Sportsmanship - Blackberry Ridge Farm & Tennessee Valley Hunt 

Champion, Reserve & Division Ribbons

Champion & Reserve Champion Rosettes - Supporters of Lowcountry Hounds
First Flight 14-18 - Rachel Wilkoski, Rachel's Riding Closet
First Flight 13 & Under - Goshen Grind
Hilltopper 11-18 - Nancy Moise Haws
Hilltopper 10 & Under - Woodlog Covert 

Qualifier Rosettes

 Jill Simodejka 

Stabling and Weekend Events

Vet on Site - Dr Matthew DeLisle, Tennessee Equine Hospital
​Farrier on Site - Dr. Zach Hulbert, DVM
Photographer - Serena Thompson 

Breakfast for Judges and Staff

 ​Cedar Hills Pony Club 

Pony Club Division High Point Awards

 Shapley's Superior Equine Grooming Products 

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