Foxhunting as we know it became popular in England. The ingredients of a successful hunt today are not very different than they were in colonial times; horses, hounds, and riders following the call of hunting horns everywhere across the countryside.

William Keppel, Earl of Albemarle and governor of Virginia established a foxhunting pack. The early colonists enjoyed foxhunting on a regular basis, and George Washington is said to have been an avid fox hunter.

Deep Run Hunt Club began. The name was taken from a stream that runs through the western part of Henrico County into Tuckahoe Creek. Hounds were kept at “Chantilly,” three miles west of Richmond on the Deep Run Turnpike, now called Broad Street.

The club moved to “Rosedale Lodge,” near the Hill Monument in Ginter Park. The club moved a total of five times, each time due to the rapid development and expansion of the city of Richmond.

Deep Run was featured in the book, “The Hunts of the United States and Canada, their Masters, Hounds, and Histories, by A. Henry Igginson, M. F. H., and Julian Ingersoll Chamberlain. It documents the history of the club and its distinctive collar color Confederate Gray and evening dress as a Scarlet coat, Confederate gray collar, and facings.

The Deep Run Hunt Club helped develop a Polo Association. It was noted by club representative Mr. Snydor that “Polo is being played more generally than ever before, and with this interest, it is hoped that we can organize polo in connection with our hunting activities.”

The hunt club purchased land in Cumberland County and moved the kennels, stables, hunt staff, and much of the hunting activity further west.

Hunting continues in the “home country” of Goochland. Fox hunts, horse shows, social activities, hunter and hacker paces, holiday parties, private events, and more are celebrated today at Deep Run Hunt Club.