A Brief History of The Millbrook Hunt

Foxhunting in Millbrook was first recorded in local newspapers in 1889. The sport was sporadic until 1907 when the Millbrook Hunt was officially recognized by the Masters of Fox Hounds of America thanks to Charles C. Marshall, a hunting enthusiast who briefly acted as Master. In 1910, Oakleigh Thorne took over with the goal of establishing the finest hunt in America. He built kennels, opened up country for horse and hound, recruited professional staff, and assembled premier packs of both fox hounds and harriers. Under his mastership the Millbrook Hunt hunted six days a week: four days for fox with two separate packs of fox hounds, and two days for hare with a pack of harriers. Mr. Thorne retired in 1927, and a group of Millbrook Foxhunters led by Howard Collins organized and re-incorporated The Millbrook Hunt as the membership club we know today.

Throughout the Years

In 1927, twenty-three couples of American hounds were purchased in Virginia by Elias Chadwell who came to Millbrook as Huntsman. This was augmented by 14-1/2 couples given as gifts from other packs, and these hounds became the foundation of the pack we have today. Elias’ son Earl succeeded him as Huntsman in August 1950.

Hunting in Millbrook has continued in the same tradition over much of the same country to this day with hounds going out 65 - 85 days per year depending on the winter weather. An interesting footnote to this history is that The Millbrook Hunt had only four huntsmen from 1927 - 2020: Elias Chadwell until 1950, his son Earl until 1978, Betsy Park until 2004, and Donald Philhower 2004- 2019. Erin McKenney became the huntsman in 2020.

Since 1927 Millbrook has always had American foxhounds, but beginning in 1980, Crossbreds were introduced with drafts from Ben Hardaway, renowned Master and breeder of the Midland Hunt with Midland Dancer in 1981. The pack evolved as an American and Crossbred pack with the occasional outcross from Penn-Marydel lines. In 2004, Donald Philhower brought a number of Penn-Marydel hounds to Millbrook which have been valuable additions to our traditional pack. Two further changes have occurred in the past twenty years: the fields have become larger, and coyotes have become native to our country. Hounds now pursue red foxes, coyotes, and the occasional grey fox and bobcat.

The Millbrook Hunt youth riders on horses learning about the Hunt

Generations have enjoyed days out with the Millbrook Hunt. The equestrian traditions of Millbrook are a critical element in the broad effort to enhance the concept of “open space.” We hope to continue to contain development in the countryside, thereby maintaining the rural and agrarian spirit which is a foundation of our community.

The Millbrook Hunt is grateful to all of our landowners who allow us to cross their land and enjoy this beautiful countryside which enables our sport to survive.