James R. “Jim” Shaw, longtime Master of Foxhounds and horse show judge, died June 9 following complications from a fall he took while attending the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. He was 85.

Mr. Shaw was born in Youngstown, Ohio, and graduated from Ohio State University. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army in Italy and North Africa. Upon his return to Ohio, he worked in real estate.

Mr. Shaw was a lifelong equestrian, serving as president of the Columbus Riding Club in Ohio, where he started hunting with a drag hunt associated with the club. He had many years of experience as a hunter/jumper show judge and joined Rocky Fork Headley Hunt in 1966. He also served as mounted patrol at Rolex Kentucky for 15 years.

Before becoming MFH of Rocky Fork, Mr. Shaw was a whipper-in for masters Richard Niehoff and, following him, Trent Smith. In 1977, Mr. Shaw became jt.-MFH with Smith, and after Smith retired, Mr. Shaw served as jt.-MFH and honorary huntsman with Cynthia Jeffrey, Lynne Ashbrook and Amy Comisford.

Landowner relations were of primary importance to Mr. Shaw, who used to say that “lack of territory is like death” to a hunt. He emphasized to younger staff members in the hunt the importance of courtesy to landowners; it was always his style to dismount when greeting a landowner to shake his hand. “I never looked down from my horse at a landowner, never,” he said.

Mr. Shaw continued to ride after his retirement as MFH and was a mentor for his successors, Robert Lindemann, Sharon Chappelear and Sally Crane. When his health prevented him from riding, Mr. Shaw followed the hunt as a car whip and continued to offer his colorful advice. “This is my office!” he would tell hunt members.

Mr. Shaw is survived by a daughter, Hilary Shaw, of Upper Arlington, Ohio.; and a son Jay Shaw, of Upper Arlington, Ohio; and two granddaughters.

Memorial contributions may be made to Rocky Fork Headley Hunt Hound Fund, c/o Owen Mueller, Treasurer, 2547 Bexley Park Rd., Columbus, OH 43209.