Saturday, November 23rd, 2019
Thank you for joining the Kimberton Hunt here today in Historic Yellow Springs. We are gathering here today because both the Kimberton Hunt and the village has a rich, shared history. The hunt was formed just down the road in the village of Kimberton in the year 1870. Next year will be our 150th anniversary of enjoying great sport and friendship in this same area. In that time period many hunt clubs had to relocate their kennels and hunting territory due to the influx of suburbia. Radnor Hunt, originally of Radnor, PA is now in Malvern; Rose Tree Hunt originally of Rose Tree, Delaware County is now in York County, PA. We are definitely an anomaly in the hunting world! We attribute that to our wonderful and inviting landowners who, like us, treasure the history of the hunt and the beauty of our horses and hounds.
To put the year 1870 in perspective- Black Americans were just given the right to vote, although women were still waiting for another twenty years, Yellowstone National Park was not yet created, Indian wars were still taking place in the West and the Battle of Little Bighorn had yet to happen, Thomas Edison had yet to invent the lightbulb as we know it and this village was home to boys orphaned from the Civil War.
BUT – Right here in Kimberton a little hunt was incorporated as Kimberton Hunt Club. At that time hounds and horses would travel great distances in a days hunt. It would not be unusual for a member to get on their horse and ride to the meet in the dark hours of the morning and not return till the dark of night. Today our hunts will stay in an area maybe 3-4 square miles. In the 1800’s and through to the 1970’s it would not be unusual for a hunt to take riders into the Valley Forge Mountain or to what is now Marsh Creek Lake and beyond into Downingtown and then back to Kimberton….on horseback! Could you imagine trying to make that trek today? On a horse with a pack of foxhounds?
Many times the misconception is heard that the hounds kill the fox, the fox is released by the hunt, the fox is tortured. I’d like to set those facts straight. The saying sly as a fox is very true. Those very well bred, handsome hounds in front of you believe with all their might that they can catch the fox…cute and well bred as they are they are just not quite smart or quick enough. The fox will always win in this endeavour.
Now, about the fox being scared. We hunt every Wednesday and Saturday. The fox chooses to live right outside the kennel door. The fox is smart. If he or she didn’t want to play he would make himself scarce. Nope, instead he is sitting waiting for us, taunting the hounds. It truly is a game for both fox and hound. Many times landowners will call me after the hunt saying the fox we were chasing circled back and was watching from their barn yard or top of their manure pile as the hounds valiantly looked for him. When the fox has proved the point that he is in charge he will ditch the hounds and go on about his business..until the next time. I’d compare it to your house dogs playing what my family calls “run around the house”. If you’re lucky they are in the yard when they get the zoomies, if not they go whipping around your kitchen and sofa! When one dog is done they lay down and the game is over; fox chasing is basically a game of zoomies!
Now, why do we dress the way we do? Tradition, showing respect for the landowners and practicality. Our coats are wool- they are warm and shed the rain. Red coats are worn by the hunt staff, Masters and male designated members of the club. Black or Navy coats are worn by women and those men not wearing the red or as we call it “pink” coats. We wear a white tie fastened with a pin around our neck that can be used as a bandage if necessary.
Some of our ladies today are riding aside, this was the tradition until it became acceptable for ladies to wear pants and throw their leg over either side of a horse. The side saddle traditional is elegant and adds a beautiful touch to our field of riders today. You’ll see safety precautions changing with the modern times too. Gone are the days of top hats that don’t provide much head protection. You’ll also see riders wearing safety vests that protect riders from a fall.
Lastly, I want to thank our landowners that allow the hunt to continue through their lands. A day of hunting will cover hundreds and hundreds of acres and without each and every little parcel we would be hard pressed to continue. I am lucky to have my parents and my children enjoy this sport as much as I and I welcome you to get to know the Kimberton Hunt. We are your neighbors, teachers, fire fighters, farmers, businessmen and women. Follow us on social media to see other fun events celebrating our 150th anniversary in the year 2020! Our popular Blessing of the Hounds is held on Thanksgiving morning at our kennels. If you have questions or would like to purchase a shirt commemorating our anniversary there is a table with members over there. Thank you for coming this morning to help kick off our 150th season of fox chasing!
