A Review of 2024
Wellington-Waterloo Hunt Club
Letter to Members and Supporters
December 31st, 2024
Dear Members and Supporters,
The Wellington-Waterloo Hunt enjoyed a remarkable 2024, marked by significant achievements made possible through the tireless dedication of our members. I am pleased to share some of our most notable accomplishments:
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Hunt Ball
Our Hunt Ball brought friends together from near and far to celebrate, party and dance. We also recognized three exceptional long-time contributors: Carl and Carol Cook, Jock and Virginia Buchanan-Smith, and Anne Peace. Their ongoing passion and support for Wellington-Waterloo Hunt continue to inspire us all.
Fixtures
While 2024 presented seemingly insurmountable challenges with our Fixture Card, the determined leadership of ex-MFH Judy Barr and Kris Baker, MFH, along with their dedicated team, secured wonderful new locations for our Hunt Seasons and future Hunts. Their persistent efforts in building relationships with generous landowners have expanded our fixtures significantly.
Hunter Pace Series
The Hunter Pace Series continues to flourish under Master Robin Hall's exceptional leadership. In her 26th consecutive year managing and building this event, Robin has transformed it into a well-attended tradition. Her meticulous attention to detail and respect for landowners' properties has been instrumental in its growing success. We are grateful to Robin and her support team for their tireless efforts in delivering an outstanding experience for all participants.
Masters of Fox Hounds
Robin Hall, MFH, Kris Baker, MFH, and Paul Sherman, MFH bring nearly a century of combined hunting experience to their roles. Their seamless collaboration ensures smooth operations across all aspects of the Hunt, though much of their essential work occurs behind the scenes they are crucial to the Hunts we enjoy.
Huntsman Team and Hounds
As Huntsman, Kris Baker, MFH continues to strengthen relationships among our hounds, kennel man, hound walkers, whipper-ins, road whips, hosts and more, while enhancing the hunting experience for members and guests. Her long-standing commitment to the Club exemplifies the dedication that makes Wellington-Waterloo Hunt exceptional.
Administration
Paul Sherman, MFH serves multiple crucial roles, including Master of Fox Hounds and Club Registrar. Until September 2024, he also held the position of Honorary Treasurer. His attention to detail ensures smooth registration processes for all events, while his broader contributions continue to support various operational aspects of the Hunt. The countless hours and emails have him working late into the night.
Progress Through Change
In 2024, our Board of Directors and Masters prioritized operational improvements across the Club. Breaking from the traditional "Things Take Time" approach, we quickly adopted and implemented innovative member suggestions that yielded impressive results throughout the year.
While this summary highlights some of our achievements, countless other contributions from members deserve recognition — that will come in due time.
As a volunteer-based organization, we deeply appreciate every member who steps forward asking, "How can I help?" This willingness to contribute makes my role as President particularly rewarding and ensures our Club's continued success.
Although we are a Drag Hunting Club, our true strength lies in our members and supporters who generously volunteer their time and talents to enhance the experience for all.
It is my distinct privilege to serve.
2025 is looking great and believe me, it is difficult to contain the excitement I feel to get started. The Best is yet to come!
We shall see you in the New Year – May yours be filled with love, joy and prosperity.
With sincere gratitude,
Patrick Le Blanc
President
Wellington-Waterloo Hunt Club
