History of the Andrews Bridge Foxhounds
The history of Andrews Bridge Foxhounds dates back more than a century, with roots firmly established in the foxhunting traditions of southeastern Pennsylvania.
When the Upland Hunt in Chester County disbanded in 1910, Samuel Riddle, best known as the owner of the legendary racehorse Man o' War, established his own pack of Penn-Marydel foxhounds to hunt the former Upland territory.
As Riddle's primary interest was Thoroughbred racing, he eventually turned the pack over to Walter M. Jeffords, who assumed the Mastership. Around 1917, the hunt became known as Mr. Jeffords Hounds, with kennels located on the Jeffords family farm in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. This date is recognized as the official founding of the hunt.
In 1927, the kennels were relocated to the Andrews Bridge area of Colerain Township in Lancaster County. The Mastership remained in the Jeffords family for decades, with Walter Jeffords Jr. succeeding his father in 1954. Robert Crompton III joined as Joint Master in 1968, followed by George Strawbridge Jr. in 1970.
Following Walter Jeffords Jr.'s death, his wife Kay and son John continued the family's involvement with the hunt. When John Jeffords eventually relocated to Wyoming, he took the family name and a portion of the hounds to establish another pack. The original hunt was then renamed Andrews Bridge Foxhounds.
Over the years, the hunt has benefited from the leadership of additional Masters, including Mrs. Robert Crompton III, Mr. J. Stephen Hill, and Mrs. Cathy Huston. Each contributed to carrying forward the traditions of Andrews Bridge and the care of its hounds and hunting country.
The current Joint Masters are Mr. Stephen B. Harris, Mrs. Betsy Harris, and Mr. William J. Kimmel, who continue to guide the hunt and its Penn-Marydel breeding program.
Although the name changed, the hunt retained its heritage. To this day, the buttons on our traditional green hunt coats bear the initials MJH, representing Mr. Jeffords Hounds.
The Black-and-Tan Tradition
One of the most distinctive characteristics of Andrews Bridge Foxhounds is our pack of black-and-tan Penn-Marydel hounds, a tradition maintained for generations.
Samuel Riddle described the practical reason for keeping a pack of hounds of one recognizable color. With thousands of other hunting hounds in the surrounding countryside, he could ask whether hounds involved in a complaint were all black and tan. If they were not, he knew the complaint did not concern his pack. The Jeffords family continued the black-and-tan tradition, which remains a hallmark of Andrews Bridge today.
Continuing the Tradition
For more than 100 years, Andrews Bridge Foxhounds has hunted across the rolling farmland, wooded trails, and open countryside of Lancaster and southern Chester Counties.
Our long history reflects not only generations of dedicated Masters, huntsmen, and members, but also the lasting relationships with the landowners and farming families who make our sport possible.
We remain committed to preserving the traditions of mounted foxhunting, maintaining our distinctive Penn-Marydel breeding program, and caring for the countryside that has been home to Andrews Bridge Foxhounds for generations.