Founded in Radnor, Pennsylvania in 1883, the Radnor Hunt Club is the oldest continuously active fox hunting organization in the United States, recognized by the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America. For a century and a quarter, Radnor Hunt has been the center of an active and loyal sporting community. From its inception, the hunt was enjoyed by the leading families of Philadelphia and the newly popular Main Line. Well known citizens, such as Pennsylvania Railroad titan Alexander Cassatt and James Rawle of the Brill Streetcar manufacturing firm, were among the founding group of sports enthusiasts. The original property (at the intersection of Darby-Paoli and Roberts Roads) was purchased in 1883; James Rawle was elected the first President with Horace B. Montgomery as the inaugural Master of Foxhounds. Throughout the end of the 19th and early years of the 20th centuries, the exploits of Radnor Hunt were regularly recounted in Philadelphia newspapers. The Thanksgiving Day hunt and associated Hunter Trials and Races attracted large crowds of onlookers who would drive their carriages and later their motorcars to the club to enjoy a day of sport. Even the call to duty that many hunt members answered joining the fight in World War One didn’t imperil hunting and racing. However, the post-war encroachment of suburbia and attendant growth of the membership led the hunt’s leadership to consider new country, farther afield. Radnor had been hunting regularly “up-country” in parts of Tredyffrin, Easttown, and WIllistown townships. Led by members Benjamin Pew, Horace Hare and Edward Beale, and joined by the newly affiliated M. Roy Jackson, former Rose Tree Hunt, of Media, PA, Huntsman, who had become Master and Huntsman of Radnor, the hunt purchased the old Gallagher Farm on Boot Road (now Providence Road) in White Horse, PA. Hunt member Arthur Meigs of the renowned Philadelphia architectural firm of Mellor, Meigs, and Howe was commissioned to oversee renovations to the farmhouse and the design and construction of new stables and kennels. The Hunt moved to its present location in 1931.

Since that time, foxhunting (actually fox chasing, since the fox is revered and preserved for another day’s sport) has been conducted three days a week from September through March on farms in the surrounding countryside. Devotees of the sport, on any given day, will number from about twenty to nearly seventy-five mounted, with quite a few following on foot and by car. Radnor hunts the Willistown coubntryside contiguous to the club and enjoys hunt country in the Old Brandywine Hunt territory with beautiful rolling hills along the Brandywine and west of West Chester, PA.

Although riding to hounds has been the main pursuit throughout the years, the club membership has been active in numerous other equestrian and hound related activities. The annual spring race meeting has become the most popular of these events. The first meet was held in 1928 at Chesterbrook, Alexander Cassatt’s former breeding farm near King of Prussia, PA. The races continued at that location until racing was suspended during World War II. With the war won, the spring meet was revived in 1946, and, the next year the event was moved to a newly constructed racecourse on the present club property. The Radnor Races have been held continuously at this site since 1947. Many thousands of local racing fans have enjoyed “Racing for Open Space” and the associated merrymaking that has raised funds for the Brandywine Conservancy and its land preservation efforts.

The annual Bryn Mawr Hound Show has been a fixture at Radnor Hunt since 1956. Many consider it the most prestigious of all hound shows in North America and it draws hunts and their hounds from across the United States and Canada.
 In 2011, 37 different hunts were represented from nearby New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia, and, as far away as Texas and California.
The growing popularity of Three-Day Eventing was manifested in 1974 when a group of Radnor members organized the first Radnor Hunt Three-Day Event. More than fifty starters at the preliminary level were attracted that initial year which was considered a large field. Over thirty years, the Radnor Three-Day became known as one of the top events of its kind, attracting, at its peak, 150 entries at the preliminary and intermediate levels of competition which were selected from more than 230 applicants.
 Citing waning volunteership, the Radnor Three-Day was reluctantly discontinued after the 2006 event. However, enthusiastic members brought eventing back to Radnor in the form of the single day Radnor Horse Trials in 2009. This format has been highly successful.

Hunter trials have also been a popular event. Individuals or teams of two or three horses and riders compete for top honors over the rolling Radnor hunting country. There are also numerous horse shows, pony shows, gymkhanas and the like at the Radnor Hunt Pony Club grounds, which are conveniently located on acreage adjoining the hunt property.

Sporting enthusiasts at Radnor, when not on horseback, are active tennis and paddle tennis players participating in regular inter-club matches. Lovers of “horse power” have also made the annual Radnor Concours d’Elegance: The 100 Motor Cars of Radnor Hunt a must attend event. Each September for the past 15-years, some of the world’s most desirable collector cars have awed attendees, while also contributing to open space and other worthy charitable causes.

A drive by Radnor Hunt on any day will guarantee the driver a view of a horse or a pony, their riders or friends, and even an occasional fox: all evidence of a grand tradition that continues to this day and beyond.