Fairfax Hunt History: 1928-2007
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Introduction

When A. Smith Bowman founded the Fairfax Hunt in 1928, the landscape of Fairfax County, Virginia, bore more resemblance to the land over which George Washington rode to hounds than to today's megalopolis. Landmarks now known across the country, indeed some around the world, did not then exist: Tysons Corner Center, the town of Reston, Wolftrap Center for the Performing Arts, and Dulles International Airport to name but a few.

Bailey's Hunting Directory describes the original Fairfax Hunt territory thusly: "This territory is very historical, including the spot of the first business venture of George Washington at Great Falls, also part of the battle grounds of Bull Run, Chantilly and Dranesville. Rolling plains with post and rail panels. Considerably wooded, approximately 15 miles square."

The Hunt enjoyed roughly 40 years of excellent sport in the county that bears its names. However, as the club was establishing itself as a favorite of both local sporting enthusiasts and Washington-based dignitaries, its home territory was also bracing for a massive explosion of development. Twenty years after the post-WWII boom began, there was no room left for foxhunting in Fairfax County.

Fortunately, due to the insights and tenacity of the club's leaders, including still-serving master Randolph D. Rouse, the hunt continues to this day, enjoying sport in Loudoun County, just west of Fairfax. This would not have been possible without the cooperation of neighboring hunts Loudoun and Middleburg and the blessing of the Masters of Foxhounds Association.

Our country still consists of rolling plains and woodlands, with chicken coops, post-and-rail fences, and stone walls. Members and guests include native Virginians, some from multigenerational foxhunting families, as well as many transplants whose careers brought them to Northern Virginia. We are still privileged to enjoy the company of diplomats, business leaders, military officers, and other dignitaries from around the world who are drawn out from the Nation's Capital to the beautiful Virginia countryside.

Our pack of American-English crossbred hounds are well suited to our country as they are lean and fit, sturdy and tenacious. Coyote have yet to make any significant appearance in our territory so our quarry continues to be exclusively the red fox. With Reynard as our pilot, we are able to take maximum advantage of the country, enjoying the twisting, turning, circuitous routes for which this species is well known.

Professional Huntsman Kevin Palmer hunts hounds twice weekly from a variety of fixtures in Loudoun County. Kevin holds the distinction of being the grandson of Estler Palmer, a founding member of Fairfax Hunt. Adding to his stature as a true horseman and son of the Old Dominion, Kevin's great-grandfather served with the 43rd Battalion of Virginia Cavalry, better known as Mosby's Rangers, under the leadership of Col. John Singleton Mosby, the Confederacy's legendary Gray Ghost. It's hard to find more bona fide Virginia horseman credentials than that.

A history of The Fairfax Hunt was written in 1972. Thanks to the efforts of those who put this piece together, we have a detailed account of the first 40-plus years of the club. Given the dramatic changes in the landscape over which club members once rode, it's indeed fortunate that this account remains as a testament to the days when horse sports could still be enjoyed in Fairfax County.

The following section contains excerpts from this historical account.

A History of the Fairfax Hunt, 1928-1972

In 1928, a newcomer to Fairfax County, A. Smith Bowman, Sr., a gentleman from Kentucky and an ardent foxhunter, suggested to some friends and neighbors that they should join him in organizing a "foxhunters club in Fairfax County." "I have," said he, "a pack of 6 Walker-type hounds and some acres of land; that should be enough for a start." His suggestion was well received; thus, The Fairfax Hunt was established. From this beginning, under a long line of most able Masters, of whom .A. Smith Bowman, Sr., was the first, it has grown to be The Fairfax Hunt as we know it today.

The Hunt was fortunate in its territory. At that time Fairfax County had hardly been touched by urbanization; large tracts of land were still privately owned. Mr. Bowman's estate, "Sunset Hills," included some four thousand acres.
By 1929, the Hunt had grown impressively and Mr. Bowman sought formal registration from the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America. His request, dated September 12, 1929, to the MFHA, located then in Boston, Massachusetts, was succinct, homespun, and to the point. "I have organized a foxhunters club in Fairfax County, Virginia, and would like a copy of the rules governing such clubs. If there is any expense attached to this, please advise me and I will remit."

Mr. Bowman's request for registration of his "foxhunters club" was accepted. As a result, The Fairfax Hunt on November 13, 1929 had its coming out party and made its entrance in the world of the established Hunts. This is one of the high points of the history of our Hunt. On that day, the field took off from the Bowman home at Sunset Hills not less than 100 strong. At least nine MFHs from other hunts were present. Later in the day a lavish hunt breakfast was held at the Bowman home attended by some 300 guests. And this brings us to an unusual aspect of The Fairfax Hunt, which is that, from its very beginning, and contrary to most other hunts, it has been both a hunting and a social organization.

Mr. Bowman acknowledged official registration in a letter to Henry G. Vaughan, president of the MFHA, in part as follows: "We have now some forty contributing members, enough to meet our running expenses."

Mr. Bowman loaned to the club a building of some thirty-five rooms. Thus, the Hunt acquired its first clubhouse, which was used until 1936. Many pleasant social activities, Hunt Breakfasts, and Balls took place there, including our first subscription breakfast. For this occasion, Mrs. Bowman had asked Mrs. Robert (Ruth) Graham and Mrs. Charles (Kitty) Pozer to assist her. The menu was Ham, Creamed Chicken in Patty Shells, Salad, Hot Rolls, and Cherry Pie. The price: 50 cents.

With Registration, our hunting country was mapped and recorded with the MFHA. Our original territory had the shape of a trapezoid, the top right angle resting at Chain Bridge and the bottom right angle at Yorkshire on Bull Run, quite close to Manassas. The right side line passed just west of Falls Church, on to Burke and east of Clifton. From Yorkshire the bottom side line ran in a northwesterly direction and then veered northeastward following the Loudoun County line back to the Potomac by the way of Pleasant Valley, Herndon and Dranesville. From that point the top side of the rectangle followed the Potomac back to Chain Bridge.

In the spring of 1933, Captain C.R.P. Rodgers (U.S.N.) and John F. Finnerty, Joint Masters, applied to the MFHA for Formal Recognition which was promptly granted. In 1937 the Hunt went one step further to establish its identity. It sought and received corporate status under the laws of the State of Virginia, its legal name being the proud one of "The Fairfax Hunt."

For a decade, throughout the thirties, the opening Meets were traditionally held on the historic Fairfax Courthouse green. These were happy years for the dedicated foxhunter. Our country, but for a few towns, was one of rolling plains and farm lands, somewhat heavily wooded. Wherever the Masters chose to meet, good sport was always available.

The membership of the Hunt continued to grow. In addition to the few "original members" the 1930s brought an outstanding group of men and women, of character and ability, dedicated to the interests and welfare of The Fairfax Hunt and foxhunting. Due to its proximity to the Nation's Capital our Hunt from the start attracted many of the officers then stationed at Fort Myer. General George Patton and his family hunted with us quite regularly, as did also General Jonathan (Skinny) Wainwright. And so did Daniel Cox
Fahey, Jr., and our own George Millholland, Pat Hurley, then Secretary of War and owner of "Belmont Plantation," was a frequent guest. This list of notables, and near notables, could go on and on.

From 1936 through 1951, our Hunt found itself without clubhouse facilities. The old building that Mr. Bowman had so kindly allowed the Hunt to use as a clubhouse was torn down. For fifteen years, until the present clubhouse was built, Hunt breakfasts and other social affairs were held at the estates of members who provided the gracious hospitality one always associates with foxhunting. During that period, except for the war years, the traditional Hunt Ball was held at the Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

In 1951, The Fairfax Hunt was again the recipient, as it had been so often in the past, of a gift from the Bowman Family. That year Mr. Bowman and his sons, Smith, Jr., and DeLong, deeded to the Hunt a tract of ten acres of land, hard by Route 606, on the northern edge of what is now "Reston." There our clubhouse was built.

Part of the present clubhouse has a fascinating history. Our attractive reception room, the "Log House," was discovered quite by chance. The Roy Money Family had for many years owned a clapboard farm house on Beulah Road in the Town of Vienna. In the spring of 1951, wanting a more modern dwelling for his family, Mr. Money decided to have the old house torn down and there, under clapboard and plaster, a 200-year old log house was uncovered. Thanks to the foresight of Stewart Preece, then our MFH, several members of the Hunt banded together and purchased the old log house. It was carefully dismantled, numbered log by log (the numbers are still visible), and rebuilt on its current location, where it became the nucleus of our present day clubhouse. At first, only a modest kitchen and rest room facilities were added to it. Some five years later the large "Hall" was added. And so did our second clubhouse stand until 1970 when the kitchen was enlarged and modernized, the entire building improved and air-conditioned.

Further of great importance, during the Mastership of Mr. Pease, the Fairfax Junior Hunt was organized. Since its inception the Junior Hunt, under the leadership of its senior advisors, has been a unique and outstanding model of its kind, open to qualified young riders between the ages of 10 to 20. These youngsters are carefully schooled in horsemanship, hunting courtesies, field protocol, and learn the hunting traditions that are so much a part of foxhunting.

Throughout the late forties and early fifties The Fairfax Hunt also hosted a horse show each spring on the Club's grounds which attained national recognition. Under the leadership of June Eaton (Mrs. James O. Pease) this show became one of the country's outstanding hunter shows.

During Mr. Stewart Preece's Mastership, 1946- 1953, when he personally hunted the hounds, the Hunt met regularly in the Vienna-Herndon area, in the vast and rural acreage of the Bowman's lovely Sunset Hills, beautifully paneled and trailed. For years the opening meet was held at Spring Glade, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Lisle Smith, and numerous hunts met at Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Todd's historic Fairfax Lodge, once the Hunting Lodge of Lord Bryan Fairfax, followed by bountiful breakfasts.

This country offered such complete foxhunting that little else was needed. However, during the later era of the Masterships of James O. Pease and J. Wade Dorset (which ended in 1964) the erosion of foxhunting country was gradually forcing the Hunt out of the Vienna area. It was in this period that the Board of Governors authorized the employment of a professional huntsman, which continues to this day.

By the late fifties, interest began to shift to point-to-point racing and race meets. Recognizing this in 1957, the president appointed a committee, chaired by Mr. Randolph D. Rouse, to investigate and make a recommendation concerning the matter of a point-to-point. This committee recommended that, instead of a point-to-point, The Fairfax Hunt host a Race Meet sanctioned by the National Steeplechase and Hunt Association. The Bowman family made a site available and Mr. William duPont of Wilmington, Delaware, was invited to advise on the layout of a race course. Following Mr. duPont's suggestions and supported by the enthusiasm of the Hunt membership, the first Race Meet was organized and run in the fall of 1958.

About this time other dramatic changes took place in the foxhunting country. Dulles InternationalAirport became a reality and the access road from Washington split the hunting territory. Sunset Hills, now 7,200 acres, long the delight of The Fairfax Hunt, was sold to become the City of Reston! Then the community of Sterling Park suddenly emerged nearby! These three developments tolled the end of foxhunting in the area east of the Dulles Airport and Sterling and forced our expansion westward.

Additional territory was sought from the Loudoun and Middleburg Hunts along the west boundary of The Fairfax Hunt country, and with the consent and gracious cooperation of their Masters with Randolph D. Rouse, MFH since 1961, hunting moved westward. By the late sixties Mr. Rouse had obtained leases from Middleburg and Loudoun and The Fairfax Hunt was meeting with increasing frequency in the Ashburn-Arcola area.

The Fairfax Hunt has from its beginning been privileged with dedicated leadership. With the continued wholehearted cooperation and support from its members, hunting and non-hunting, the future can be faced with the same eagerness that marked our beginning.

Update, 1972-2007

Some things have changed since that history was written 35 years ago, some remain the same. We still hunt twice weekly, enjoying excellent sport from a variety of fixtures in Loudoun County. The clubhouse in what is now Reston still stands and serves as the site of hunt breakfasts and other social gatherings. We still host a point-to-point meet every spring, now held on the course at historic Morven Park just outside the town of Leesburg.

Perhaps most notable in the "remains the same" category is that Randy Rouse, who celebrated his 91st birthday in December of 2007, continues to serve as master and, in many ways, as the guiding force that has kept the club going despite increasing pressure on territory.

Mr. Rouse began foxhunting in 1946 and was appointed master in 1961. From 1964 until 1992 he was the only master. Joining him as joint-MFHs in '92 were Michael Kearney and Mrs. Edith Smart. Mike Kearney withdrew in 1996. Edie Smart continues as master as we approach the 2007/08 season. For the past 15 years she has led the second field, earning a well known reputation for her blazing pace. In 1997 Joseph Keusch was named joint master and Ray Moffett joined the masters' ranks in 2002. Mr. Moffett chose to step down as MFH following the 2006/07 season but remains an active member of the hunt. Mr. Keusch continues to serve as the club's principal leader in the hunt field.

Kevin Palmer took up the horn following the loss of long-serving huntsman Ian Milne. Ian, a native of Yorkshire, England, entered hunt service at 16 and dedicated his life to working with hounds. A quiet man of gentle temperament, he was widely known and respected throughout the foxhunting community. His death meant the loss of both an able huntsman and a good friend to many Fairfax Hunt members. We were fortunate to have Kevin Palmer serving under Ian and ready to take over the pack when the time came.

The kennels and huntsman's house are now located at Red Hill, close to Arcola. What began as A. Smith Bowman's pack of six Walker-type hounds is today a well run kennel housing approximately 40 couple of American-English crossbreds, infused with lines from neighboring hunts such as Piedmont, Middleburg, and Loudoun Hunt West. Through his long friendship with Lord Daresbury, master of the Limerick Hounds, Randy Rouse imported a number of outstanding Irish-bred hounds during the 1960s and '70s.

We are still able to hunt from the kennels over land consisting of the adjoining Red Hill, Lenah, and Longfield Farms. Other fixtures are located around the small village of Philomont where there is still open, rolling country with heavily wooded sections and plenty of coops, post-and-rails, stone walls, and logs to jump.

Another aspect that has remained the same from the club's earliest days in the late 1920s is the blend of hunting and social activities. The roster includes both hunting and non-hunting members, the latter consisting of some waiting for a hunting spot to open, some who have retired from the hunt field but are still active club members in other ways, and some who do not aspire to foxhunt but who enjoy the camaraderie for which The Fairfax Hunt is famous.

The closing words from the 1972 historical recap remain true in the year 2007:

The Fairfax Hunt has from its beginning been privileged with dedicated leadership. With the continued wholehearted cooperation and support from its members, hunting and non-hunting, the future can be faced with the same eagerness that marked our beginning.

The location may have changed, but the "foxhunters club" Mr. Bowman and his enthusiastic supporters founded in 1928 is still going strong, enjoying lively sport and good fellowship.

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