About Norfolk Hunt Club

The Norfolk Hunt began as a drag hunt in Dedham in 1895 and moved to Dover in 1903. The fact that today we are still hunting over much of the same country despite suburban expansion and development shows Norfolk is truly a part of the countryside. We are hunting over country today that was opened to us through the kindness of the land owners years ago but it is the support and understanding of people who live in the towns in our area that make it possible for our sport to continue. Hunting is exhilarating; it is exciting; more than that, hunting is a way of life. Everybody can participate – children, adults, both young and old. All you need to have is enthusiasm, love of the outdoors and a horse. In fact, you don’t even need a horse. You can follow the hunt by car or on foot and still enjoy the excitement of seeing hounds and listening to their cry. It takes a great deal of organization to run a successful drag hunt. First of all, the Masters determine when and where the run is going to be. To approximate live hunting as closely as possible, a scent is laid by a human “two-legged fox”. The scent is laid to simulate the path of a live fox, dashing across pastures, circuiting through woodland often doubling back in close terrain. Our two-legged foxes, have to be briefed where to go and supplied with guides to lead them through the country. Hounds on the trail enthusiastically voice the scent and search the terrain to regain the path if they go afield. Hounds slow up as they work out their line; and the field is able to enjoy a good gallop over fences. The hounds are carefully trained by the Masters, Huntsman and Staff, called Whippers-in. Trained solely for drag hunting, the Norfolk pack of American Foxhounds are bred each year to produce puppies that perpetuate the best traits for drag hunting, keeping the Kennelman busy throughout the year. The Field Master is in charge of the mounted members following the Hunt so that they may have the maximum amount of sport without interfering with the hunting of the hounds. Volunteers are recruited to watch roads which cross to avoid accidents to hounds, horses and the traveling public. The route of the planned hunt is carefully walked ahead of time to make sure the trails are clear, and a host of other details are taken care of, to ensure a successful morning’s run. The Hunt strives to maintain the countryside it uses and to further interest in hunting, hounds and all horse sports. Our special thanks go to the Land Owners who so generously allow us to hunt through their property. Without them we could not carry on the tradition of our sport. We are grateful to each of them. The Norfolk Hunt Horse Show, originating in Chestnut Hill, moved to the Dedham Country and Polo Club in the 1930’s. It came to its present site, the Steeplechase Course on North Street, Medfield in 1970. The Steeplechase Course, so called, is one of the few tracts of open land that has been used exclusively for recreational and sporting activities for over a century. Prior to that time it was farm land, and most of the walls here were built as pasture fences. Norfolk’s inaugural race Meet was held here on October 15, 1927, and by all accounts it was a tremendous success. As is the case with the present Horse Show, fine horses from all over New England, and as far as Long Island, arrived to compete with the best local entries. The day began with a hunt, followed by a luncheon for three hundred, and a five race card in the afternoon. The feature race was a 3 ½ mile steeplechase over 25 stout four foot fences. While not all of the horses finished, participants and spectators alike seemed to have a grand day. Formal Race Meets were continued here for several years, but were discontinued after World War II. In more recent years, this land has been used not only for hunting and the horse show, but also for pony club rallys, hunter paces and the Norfolk and New England Hunter Trails. Proceeds from the Horse Show are used for the maintenance of the Racecourse and its preservation for continued appropriate recreational use. We hope you’ll keep this in mind, enjoy your days here and always respect this and all other open lands. Remember they’re irreplaceable!