The Thanksgiving Day meet is at St. James Church and is a special occasion and tradition on the Manor for over 100 years. The day starts with the spectacle of mounted horses and hounds in the show ring close to the church while families tailgate and children play. Once all have gathered the rector delivers his sermon followed by the traditional Blessing of the Hounds prayer and the wonderful words “Keep, O Lord this day bright. The horses sure of foot, the hounds swift, the fox elusive, the hunters safe. And may all come safely to their homes”. Horses and their riders, and hounds depart at the end of the blessing and the crowd gets to watch in excitement.
The start of Maryland steeplechase season begins locally with the running of the Elkridge-Harford Point-to-Point Races at historic Atlanta Hall Farm. Long considered to be the tune-up races for Maryland’s “Triple Crown” of steeple chasing; the My Lady’s Manor, the Grand National and the Maryland Hunt Cup, the Elkridge-Harford Races are sponsored each year by the members of the Elkridge-Harford Hunt Club and hosted by the Voss family on their Atlanta Hall farm.
The Elkridge Harford Point to Point is a great day filled with beautiful horses racing over some of our best countryside. Families may be seen in abundance with dogs and children in tow and tailgate parties are held in back of suvs, pick -up trucks and station wagons. If you are interested in attending, learning more about the history of this race or want to stream the race live click the button below to visit the Point to Point’s website.
Each year during “off-season” Elkridge Harford organizes trail rides throughout Harford and Baltimore County for our members and the community. These trail rides are a great way for green horses, young riders, and our members who simply want a more leisurely pace to get out and explore! We suggest members keep an eye out in their email and check out our online calendar to look for these events.
Landowner support makes Elkridge Harford fox chasing possible and so in appreciation of their generousity we host several community events each year. We regularly host a summer picnic at the hunt club and welcome landowner families to enjoy a day of food, music, pony rides and face painting, foxhound puppies and the joy of community. In the winter, the Landowner’s Holiday Party is held to bring everyone together in the warmly decorated hunt club. These family events along with others throughout the year help keep our community of riders and nonriders connected.
As the weather gets chillier and the wind starts to pick up landowners and members often host teas and breakfasts for the day’s fox chasers, members and guests. Warm cider or hot chocolate along with delicious food serves as a welcomed backdrop to catching up with fellow fox chasers and friends to share the excitement and thrills of the day’s chase. There’s no better way to end the day.