By Madison Butkus
Hometown Weekly Reporter
The annual Amelia Peabody Memorial Foxhunt (APMF) took place at Powisset Farm on Saturday, November, 23rd. This community event celebrating open space, the generous legacy of Amelia Peabody and the time-honored tradition of the sport of fox hunting was presented by the Trustees Powisset Farm, the Norfolk Hunt Club (NHC) and the Norfolk Hunt Foundation (NHF).
Despite the rather cold and rainy weather, crowds of attendees gathered on the field outside the Powisset Farm store to partake in this tradition that takes place each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Leading this foxhunt was Huntsman Steve Farrin, who manages all 22 hounds and additional hunt staff. Following him were Masters of Foxhounds Carolyn Pope and Sarah Monaco as well as Whipper-In, Jennifer Rogers-Farrin.
Also in attendance were NHC President Lisa Fitzgerald Lewis, Hunt Secretary Ruth Baltopoulos, Treasurer Eleanor Bright, Master Emeritus Owen Hughes as well as several junior riders. All riders, who ventured out from Dover, Sherborn, Medfield, and other surrounding towns, sported traditional attire as they traveled through the farm, following the pack of Norfolk foxhounds.
This foxhunt included about five miles of trails and jumps within Powisset Farm and Noanet Woodlands, including the “Peabody Loop” and famous “Hurricane Alley” that was built after the 1938 New England hurricane. The hounds were tracking a manmade scent called a “drag” in which no live foxes participated but ultimately simulated the scent of a fox.
During the hunt, riders stopped for a brief respite in the east field of the farm where they enjoyed a “stirrup cup” of cider while mounted on their horses. This additionally gave spectators an opportunity to meet and greet with the riders, horses and hounds, all while observing the pageantry of the sport of fox hunting. This was followed by a “reenactment” with jumps that was designed to further showcase the talent of the hounds, horses and riders.
The hunt then continued to Miss Peabody’s favorite bridle trails, which the NHC detailed to be “her regular route from Powisset Farm through Noanet Woodlands to her former home at Mill Farm, near Dover Center.” After approximately ninety minutes, the hunt would return once again to the farm.
For those who wanted to stick around for their return, spectators were welcome to read a little about Powisset Farm, the NHC, the NHF and the Foxhunt itself within the pamphlet members of the NHC passed out earlier on in the day. This pamphlet explained that the APMF “honors the legacy of Amelia Peabody, a philanthropist, conservationist, sculptress, entrepreneur and avid equestrian who owned Powisset Farm and Noanet Woodlands prior to the properties being owned by the Trustees. She bred prize-winning white-faced Hereford cattle and Yorkshire pigs at Powisset Farm; her prize-winning livestock attracted breeders from all over the world.”
The NHC within the pamphlet additionally stated, “Miss Peabody was one of the first female members of the NHC and is one of Dover’s most famous historical figures; her charitable acts and generous spirit benefit Dover residents in perpetuity.” It is through an event like this that her legacy continues to live on throughout the heart of Dover and residents are able to continuously learn about her heartfelt contributions to the town.
