The Kimberton Hunt was formally established in 1870 and continues to flourish over 150 years later. The club continues to hunt the same territory in the Kimberton and Chester Springs area of Pennsylvania that the first Kimberton Huntsmen hunted in 1870. This is quite remarkable considering the amount of development and changes that have occurred in the area over those years. Traditionally the Kimberton hounds have always been owned by the huntsman and leased to the membership of the club which also makes it remarkable that none of these huntsmen have ever relocated the pack of hounds to new territory.
Huntsmen
- 1870-1920 Mr. Raymond Graham, MFH & Huntsman
Raymond Graham was the first huntsman of the organized Kimberton Hunt. Foxhunting, of course, took place before this time in the area but in 1870 several small farmer packs were combined to become Kimberton Hunt. One of these packs included the Spring City Hunt from nearby Spring City, PA. Raymond Graham owned a dairy farm on the outskirts of Kimberton, PA and kenneled the new pack there. Raymond also owned the Spring City Racetrack which may explain why the Spring City pack was absorbed into the Kimberton Hunt.
- 1920-1970 Mr. George “Stiney” Stine, MFH & Huntsman
George Stine took over the horn in 1920 after Raymond retired from hunting hounds. George kenneled the hounds at his Sti-Mi-Go- Farm in Wilson’s Corner (Pughtown Road and French Creek Road) also located just outside the village of Kimberton, PA. Some readers may remember Stine and Wall, an electrical contracting store in Phoenixville, which was owned by George Stine. Stine was assisted by Raymond Graham’s grandson, Harry Graham, who was the whipper-in and future huntsman. When George Stine retired he asked the Kimberton Hunt to purchase the pack of hounds but the membership declined his offer. Stine turned the horn over to Harry Graham in 1970 but Graham was without a single hound. Stine had sold the entire pack of hounds to Pickering Hunt upon his retirement.
- 1970-1978 Mr. Harry Graham, Huntsman
Harry Graham now found himself a huntsman without a pack of hounds and went about finding himself some hounds. Harry was lucky enough to find ‘Big Jim’ Favinger (the late Hen Favinger’s son) who was willing to set Harry up with a few hounds from his pack. As time went on Harry also received hounds from Albert Crossen (Pickering Hunt) and Paul Hoffecker (private pack) as well as many others. Harry accumulated about fifteen hounds but not many of good quality. Harry established a kennel at his farm in Kimberton near the Kimberton Farm School. For a short time Sandy Dunn and Dick Rhoads served as joint masters in 1971 and 1972 but later resigned from the position. Sandy Dunn continued to whip for Harry every Wednesday and Saturday. Harry’s turn as huntsman left the club a bit out of favor with the local landowners but with a small but strong group of members that wanted the future of the club to continue. Harry retired from hunting in 1978 and later died of emphysema in 1984.
- 1978-2013 Mr. Sandy Dunn, MFH & Huntsman
Sandy Dunn had his own small pack of hounds since 1973 when Albert Crossen (Pickering Hunt) had given him three puppies. Sandy and then girlfriend Barbara kenneled their small pack in Gladwyne, PA. Sandy knew that he needed some old hounds to get his pack started and was lucky enough to get an old bitch named Snaggle from Paul Hannum. Albert Crossen also gave Sandy many older steady hounds from the Pickering Hunt kennel. As Sandy’s pack of hounds grew they were quickly outgrowing the Main Line neighborhood of Gladwyne. Sandy and Barbara reaffirmed this notion when they ran a fox past the church window while Sandy’s parents were inside worshiping. Sandy had started to bring his small pack of hounds with him when he whipped for Harry Graham and Kimberton Hunt.
In October of 1975 Barbara and Sandy were married and moved to a farm on Route 23 in Spring City, PA with their 7 ½ couple of Penn-Marydel’s. When Harry Graham retired in 1978 Sandy was asked to take over as huntsman for the Kimberton hounds. At that time there were only six members of the club; Barbara and Sandy Dunn, Herman and Ruth Wetzel, Kelly Murphy, Margaret and Bill Caryle, and Karen and Ron Knapp. As Sandy developed his pack of hounds more hounds were added from Alvin Christman, Claude Carl, Todd Addis, Dave Finger, and John Dean. Sandy has developed his pack from the 7 ½ couple of hounds to as many as 37 couple. Today the kennel houses 20 couple of hounds. Early in his career Sandy had an especially proud day when he had two of his best bitches whelp on the same day that Barbie was born.
In 1980 Barbara and Sandy purchased their current farm in Birchrunville, PA. Sandy quickly built the barn to house his horses and hounds and worried about the house later. After moving into their new property it quickly became the hub of all Kimberton Hunt activity. Most meets leave directly from the kennels to nearby Powder Mill, Tilt Hill, Glen’s and Titones; the same hills that were hunted in 1870 with the first members of Kimberton Hunt. Sandy hunted the hounds consecutively for thirty-four years with the help of many people, most importantly Barbara. She has been whipper-in, hound truck driver, kennel help, chief public relations officer, club president, horse show manager, head chef for most functions and most importantly the greatest supporter of the club. Today Barbara and Sandy’s daughter Barb Mueller is a Jt. MFH and whips or leads the field for many of the hunts. The Dunn family continues to strive to provide good sport and fellowship for the members of the Kimberton Hunt.
- 2013-2014 Mike Gottier, Huntsman
During the winter of 2012 hounds ran towards Malhorn Road and stirred Mike Gottier from his mid winter’s nap. He hopped in his car to see what was the commotion and what did his wondering eyes did see but a pack of foxhounds stuck in his neighbor’s fenced in yard. His life had already revolved around bassets so this was not much different, just a little bit longer legs! He quickly jumped into action to help and started car following that day. As Sandy saw he was needing a backup huntsman he encouraged Mike to get to know the hounds and the differences in fox and rabbit. Mike readily jumped at the opportunity to hunt the hounds the following season and did a fine job of learning on the job! Mike went from whipping bassets on foot to hunting foxhounds on horseback rather quickly! Mike got his feet wet that season and has progressed quickly through the MFHA Professional Development program. He has now served as a Kennelman and whipper in to Midland Foxhounds, GA and first whip at Keswick Hunt, VA
- 2014-2018 John Dean, Jr. , Huntsman
As luck would have it longtime huntsman and friend of the Dunn’s John (Johnny) Dean Jr. moved from Missouri to Pennsylvania for his love of chasing the red fox over western coyote. John had hunted hounds in Pennsylvania and the Eastern shores of Maryland his entire life and looked to get back to his roots of hunting fox. John spent a season with Radnor Hunt before arriving to hunt the Kimberton Hounds. John brought with him some of his own eastern shore hounds which are also true Penn-Marydel’s but typically a smaller hound. John and Sandy had hunted together since the late 1970’s and had continued their friendship over the years. John stepping in to hunt the hounds was a perfect fit for the club and the Kimberton Hounds. John has now moved his personal hounds and hunting to the Warwick Village Hounds and the Addis Family.
- 2018-Current Phil Shirk, Huntsman
As a newcomer to hunting hounds but certainly not hunting or horses Phil Shirk stepped up to the horn in the Spring of 2018. Phil is eager to learn and has a family to help him with the task. His brother Enos Shirk and wife Diana eagerly jumped in to help whip and all help provide the Kimberton membership with great sport. Phil has already started to make a name for himself in the hunting world with the good sport he shows! The entire family’s ability to ride a horse is something to be seen! When not hunting hounds Phil is busy with his farrier business. He and Diana also train and sell horses.
Recognized with the Master of Foxhounds Association
In October of 2015 The Kimberton Hunt became a registered pack with the Master of Foxhounds Association. This is the first step in the process to become a recognized pack of hounds. Despite the long history of the club the original founders thought it unnecessary to become recognized because they were the primary landholders of the hunt country. Later Pickering Hunt became a recognized hunt in the territory and KHC could not become recognized since only one club may do so in a territory. Pickering Hunt disbanded allowing Kimberton to apply to the MFHA for the honor of being the recognized hunt in the territory. The MFHA was very complimentary of the long history of KHC and formally recognized the club in 2018.
Colors and Buttons
As a registered hunt club the Kimberton Hunt can now award colors to its deserving members. This is a tradition in which members that have met protocol may attach a colored color and KHC buttons to their formal hunt coat. The award of colors is made by the masters at their sole discretion to hunting members who have made an ongoing significant contribution to the continuation of the hunt’s tradition of sportsmanship. Those considered are typically members who have hunted regularly at least three years, who have been exemplary members, on a well turned-out horse; who have participated in and contributed to the success of the hunt’s activities; and who are a credit to the hunt’s reputation. The Kimberton Hunt colors are: Hunter Green with Tan Piping.
The Hounds
The Kimberton Hunt pack consists of Penn-Marydel hounds which were originally bred for the Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware terrain. The hounds are well suited for our hunt country because of their good voice, their stamina and their desire to run closely together. Penn-Marydel’s come in tri-color, black and tan, red and white and blue tic coloration.
