Radnor Hunt
826 Providence Rd.,
Malvern,Pennsylvania 19355.
Established 1883.
Recognized 1893.

Opening day in Brandywine country occurred on Nov. 1 at Tarad Hill, the home of Carl J. “Bunny” Meister and his brother-in-law, Billy Baldwin.

As the meet convened, landowners and followers included Cindy Bedwell, ex-MFH of Brandywine, and a descendant of Charles Mather, who after being Master at Radnor Hunt (Pa.) then founded the Brandywine Hounds. Huntsman Joe Cassidy led a mixed pack of 111³2 couple up the driveway at just past 10 a.m.

The occasion was bittersweet as Radnor MFH Michael Tillson spoke to those gathered remembering Jt.-MFH Christian Hueber II, whose recent death was a loss to the hunting world. Including his role as show chairman at the Bryn Mawr Hound Show, Mr. Hueber was instrumental in opening the Brandywine country for Radnor, even recently seen clearing paths with his machete. His friends knew him for his intelligence, humor, and keen interest in hounds and the traditions of foxhunting.

The beautiful but warm day did not auger well for scent. The field, however, held high expectations that Cassidy would show good sport as he had done consistently throughout cubbing under difficult conditions. The first draw through the uncut corn fields north of the red barn was blank. Crossing into Taylor’s elicited some speaking as did the draw back through Camp Linden. It would be evident throughout the hunt that Cassidy was teaching his hounds to draw with more confidence.

Hounds then crossed the west branch of the Brandywine toward the train tracks and the Brandywine kennels. Field Master Georgia Brutscher led us toward the Brandywine Valley Association (BVA) where the point-to-point is held. Whip Carol “Scout” Palmaccio viewed a fox crossing Route 842 into the BVA with a strong holloa that caused a number of gentlemen to take notice. As Bunny Meister viewed one couple of hounds on a second fox, Cassidy ran the numbers and went with his pack

A spirited run led to an open cornfield at the top of Bailey’s farm. There end-of-day was signified as Whipper-in Trish Hueber took the reins of her husband’s horse from the huntsman. Back at Tarad Hill a hunt breakfast was held in the cozy kitchen warmed by a Franklin stove. The breakfast was filled with cheer save the absence of Lydia Bartholomew, who took a blow to the knee on her birthday (yet had a smile on her face at the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup not even a week later).

It was filled with cheer also because of everything Christian Hueber had done to keep the hunting going.