Welcome to Princess Anne Hunt
(est. 1927)

Mission

Princess Anne Hunt is dedicated to preserving the historic tradition of foxhunting in Southeastern Virginia, along the James River Corridor.

Core Values

1.   We strive to provide the highest quality sport to our members

2.   We educate the community about the traditions of foxhunting.

3.   We promote the health, welfare and training of hounds and horses.

4.   We support preservation of natural habitats and the conservation of open

land, healthy rivers, forests, and farms 

5.   We contribute to the historic character of our territory. 

6.   We follow the guidelines of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, as a supporting member.

History of Princess Anne Hunt

Foxhunting enjoys a long tradition in Virginia dating to the earliest days of the first English settlements.  Princess Anne Hunt was established in 1927 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Mr. K.C. Johnson held the position of President as well as being the first Master of Foxhounds.  By-Laws were adopted on September 4, 1927, and the first Opening Meet was held September 10, 1927.  The hunt was registered with the Masters of Fox Hound Association (MFHA) in 1931 and recognized by the association in 1937.

Initially the Hunt kennels were located near the present location of Princess Anne Country Club in Virginia Beach and hunted the farmlands along the Atlantic Ocean.  In 1946 the club house, kennels and stables were re-established on Military Highway in Norfolk, Virginia, where they remained until 1954 when the surrounding area was developed.  Subsequently, the Hunt was inactive for several years.  The Club was re-established in 1962 with club house and kennels at Woodhouse Plantation on London Bridge Road, Virginia Beach.  Pressure from development continued to be an issue until the kennels were relocated to Charles City County in 1989.

The Hunt first met at Sherwood Forest Plantation in Charles City County in 1982.  Owners Harrison and Paynie Tyler invited the Hunt to relocate to Sherwood in 1989 and provided land for construction of new kennels.

Today, through the kindness and generosity of our landowners, Princess Anne Hunt is privileged to hunt in Charles City County, along the James River, its beautiful plantations and surrounding historical farmlands in addition to James City, New Kent, Surry, Henrico, Hanover and Prince George Counties.  We maintain, through the continual dedication of our Joint Masters and the watchful eye of the Huntsman, a pack of cross-bred foxhounds.  Hunting season begins the last Saturday in October at Opening Meet with the traditional Blessing of the Hounds, and concludes in early March. Stirrup Cup and Hunt Breakfast are an integral part of our meets. We have three flights to match all riding levels: first flight, second flight (a slightly slower pace) and a mounted hill topper flight (walk, trot).

Pictured: Mr. and Mrs. Harrison R. Tyler (Harrison and Paynie)

Membership

Membership in the Hunt is by invitation. Prospective members must hunt and/or attend social events and be proposed to the Board of Directors by at least two current voting members.  Princess Anne Hunt offers several membership levels: Family, Single, Associate, Professional and Hunt Supporter. To encourage and foster the younger enthusiasts of foxhunting, Junior memberships are available. 

Prospective members are encouraged to hunt with us up to three times before joining. Capping fees are $125 per hunt and a coggins and waiver must be turned into the Hunt Secretary. Contact masters@princessannehunt.com.

Tradition

We adhere to the traditions of foxhunting as described in Riding to Hounds In America by William P. Wadsworth. We hunt fox with hounds and follow hounds on horseback because it is a purposeful, fun and a traditional winter sport. We are privileged to hunt such beautiful territory because of the generosity of the landowners over whose farms we ride. It is with respect to the landowners and a credit to the sport that we dress in traditional attire. 

Hunt Season

The Princess Anne Hunt Cubbing Season is from late September through mid-October.  Our official Hunt Season is from late October through mid-March.  The Hunt goes out two days a week, currently Wednesdays and Saturdays (Sundays during deer season).  In addition to the hunts, there are many other hunt-related horse activities that take place throughout the year including trail rides, hunter paces and renowned socials. 

Colors

"Hunt Colors" are awarded by the Princess Anne Hunt Masters of Foxhounds, at their pleasure, to members who hunt regularly, have a keen interest in hounds and hunting and have demonstrated that they are an asset to the Hunt.  Our colors consist of a green collar, canary vest and buttons engraved with the letters "PAH."  Our current Masters award colors at our season’s closing hunt.