Our Hunt Country
The signature hunting grounds of Andrews Bridge are set within the rolling terrain of Lancaster and Chester Counties. Our country is defined by miles of meticulously maintained historic farmland, featuring dense woodlands and verdant pastures. The territory is expertly paneled with classic post-and-rail fences, board fences, and logs, offering a premier foxhunting experience that honors the intimate relationship between the sport and the Pennsylvania landscape.
Hunting Fields & Schedule
The First Field
Our first field is designed for experienced riders who wish to follow the hounds at a vigorous pace including jumping chicken coops, post and rail fences, and natural logs across the historic Lancaster farmsteads.
Second & Third Fields
We offer a moderate-paced second field for non-jumping riders and a hilltopping third field, as needed, for those who prefer to watch the Penn-Marydel hounds work from afar, maintaining our commitment to accessibility.
Season Schedule
Our hunting season runs from August through the end of March, with active hunts held three times per week. We prioritize land conservation and sustain deep respect for our community’s shared Amish farmlands.
Hunting Etiquette
Field Etiquette
WELCOME TO THE FIELD
Proper etiquette ensures a safe, traditional, and enjoyable hunt for everyone. While the rules may seem numerous, they are built on safety and respect for the land and hounds.
BEFORE THE MEET
• Arrive Early: Please be prompt. Late arrivals can disturb coverts meant for hunting.
• Check Updates: Follow the fixture card and watch for email or Facebook updates regarding locations.
• Hacking: Avoid riding through coverts when riding to the meet.
• Guest Policy: Permission from the Honorary Secretary is required. Guests must sign a release and pay the cap fee before we move off.
• Introductions: Introduce your guests to the Masters and Field Master upon arrival.
HORSE & TACK
• Presentation: Ensure your horse and tack are clean.
• Saddlepads: White contoured pads are fine; however, dark green square pads are preferred.
• Control: Only ride horses you can fully control.
• Space: Never crowd the horse in front. You should always see their hind feet.
• Safety Ribbons: Use a red ribbon for kickers and a green ribbon for young horses. Keep these horses at the back of the field.
FIELD RULES
• Stay Together: Keep with your designated field. If you must leave early, notify the Field Master so they can direct you safely home.
• Right of Way: Hounds and staff always have the right of way.
• Passing: If hounds or staff pass, face your horse toward them to prevent kicking.
• Silence is Golden: Keep talking to a minimum when hounds are working. Only staff should speak to hounds.
• Jumping: Wait for the rider ahead to clear the fence before starting. If your horse refuses, move to the back of the line to try again.
• Warnings: Pass back verbal signals like "Ware hole" or "Gate please" through the entire field. Use "Huntsman right/left please" when staff are passing.
LAND & COMMUNITY
• Respect Crops: Never ride over planted fields; stay on the perimeter to protect the farmers' livelihood.
• Damage: Notify the Field Master immediately if property or fences are damaged.
• Trailer Etiquette: Do not clean out trailers on driveways, lawns, or roads.
SPOTTING A FOX
• Stay Quiet: Never scream "Tally Ho" at a fox, as it may turn them back toward the hounds.
• Signaling: Quietly notify the Field Master. If hounds have lost the scent, stand still, face the direction the fox went, and signal by holding up your hat or whip.
Most importantly, be welcoming to new faces and enjoy the tradition. Have fun out there!
Proper Attire
Out of the respect of our Amish neighbors, we ask all of our riders to dress conservatively.
Hound exercising and early cubbing during the month of July is casual. Riders should wear boots, rust or tan breeches, and polo shirt as well as an appropriate riding helmet.
Cubbing season (August – October) During cubbing months all members wear yellow Andrews Bridge shirts (short sleeve or long) available through the Honorary Secretary; necktie; rust, buff or tan breeches; and black or brown boots. Chaps are not correct attire. Andrews Bridge is traditionally known for rust colored breeches during cubbing as well as formal season.
Ratcatcher - Hacking jackets when worn should be earthtone color, very subtle plaids, checks, herringbone or houndstooth patterns. Ties, or colored or patterned stock ties are permissible. Black or brown boots.
Regular hunt style helmets MUST be worn. ASTM headgear is highly encouraged.
Formal Season (November – March) The Opening Meet of the formal season is the first Saturday in November. Formal attire is worn from Opening Day until the end of the season.
Gentleman Members without colors – Plain black hunting jacket/frock coat, with 3 black buttons; white stock tie; canary or tattersall waistcoat; rust, buff or tan breeches; and black boots.
Lady Members without colors – Plain black hunting jacket/frock coat or navy jacket with 3 plain buttons; white stock tie; canary or tattersall waistcoat; rust, buff or tan breeches; and black boots.
Gentleman Members with colors – Approved dark green hunting coat with ‘white’ collar and 3 silver buttons with MJH emblem; white stock tie; canary or tattersall waistcoat; rust, buff or tan breeches; and black boots with tops.
Lady Member with colors – Approved dark green hunting coat with ‘white’ collar and 3 silver buttons with MJH emblem; white stock tie; canary or tattersall waistcoat; rust, buff or tan breeches; and black boots.
To all Ladies – In the words of Wm. Wadsworth, MFH, from Riding To Hounds In America, “ Your locks may be your crowning glory at other times, but nothing looks worse on a woman in the hunting field than loose flowing tresses”. In other words, wear a hair net, and tuck it into your helmet if possible.
Stock ties should be neatly tied and ends should be safety pinned down to the shirt and low enough to be hidden by your vest and coat. Stock tie pins should be plain, usually gold colored and pinned horizontally directly under the knot. (Pins are worn vertically by staff only.) White stock ties should always be worn on Saturdays, Joint Meets and more formal days such as Opening Meet and New Years Day. Although white stocks are always correct, subtle plaid stocks may be worn during the week. (Riding To Hounds In America has an excellent diagram showing how to properly tie a stock.)
Hunt Colors – If you have been awarded colors from another hunt, it is not appropriate to wear those colors if you subscribe with Andrews Bridge. You should not wear your Andrews Bridge colors when hunting with another hunt unless you have been invited by their Master to do so. It is appropriate to wear the Andrews Bridge colors if we have an away Joint Meet.
Joint Meets and formal Hunt Teas - Following hunting, it is proper to wear a hacking jacket when attending a Hunt Tea/Breakfast. Spurs should be removed and boots should be clean.
The rules of etiquette associated with foxhunting can seem a bit overwhelming but they are for safety reasons, courtesy to others, and to preserve wonderful historic hunting traditions. We hope this answers any question you may have. Above all, have fun.