History

The Blessing of the Hounds – A Countryside Tradition

An annual tradition for the Essex Fox Hounds of Peapack, New Jersey

Blessing of the Hounds

Back in 2007, before there was a Mr. Local History, there was just a local looking for fun historic events to go to. One day he ran into a few riders on a Bedminster side road and started talking. Next thing you know, I was invited to what’s known as the “Blessing of the Hounds,” a season opening tradition.

Fast forward to 2023, once a very private member only event, the club now enjoys when guests come and experience the pomp and circumstance, and the history of the traditions. Alongside sport and the environment, these stewards share their love of the outdoors, the beauty of horses, and the sport of riding and hunting. We introduce you to the Essex Hunt Club’s Blessing of the Hounds.

Essex Fox Hounds Blessings

Join the Mr. Local History Project as we bring you into a tradition for the ages and our central New Jersey history – The Essex Hunt Club’s Blessing of the Hounds. Held typically to start off the season, the blessing brings the mounted riders alongside the hounds to the field where a member of the church blesses the riders, the horses, and yes the hounds. We met on a crisp fall morning on the border of Far Hills, Bedminster, Peapack and Tewkesbury for this annual ritual. We were so glad to have been able to capture this historic treasure of an event.

Essex Hunt Club’s Huntsman Bert Poole leads the hounds on their first hunt of the season following the “Blessing of the Hounds.”
Click any photo to start a slideshow

Love The Horn

The hunt typically begins with the blowing of the horn. The existence of hunting horns predates the act of fox hunting, and in many ways the fox hunting that is banned today was enabled by the existence of the horn. The shorter, straight metal horn used by the Essex Huntsman is an easy solution to communication whilst traversing the countryside.

This horn is less cumbersome, meaning they were much less likely to break from an unexpected dismount mid-hunt. These horns, bugles, have no valves to alter the pitch of the tune. Instead, the notes being played can be changed by manipulating the shape of the lips. This horn persists in popularity today. It is suitable for riding and hunting, and its shape and size make it ideal. And when you hear it…..the hunt is on.

Fox hunts were first organized in Montclair by the Montclair Equestrian Club in 1876.  They maintained their horses and dog kennels on Orange Road.  In 1880 they changed their name to the Montclair Hunt and moved the stables and kennels to the Sadler farm on Grove Street.  There continued to be strong representation from Montclair in its membership and on the board.  In 1910 the organization moved out of the area completely. It became known as the Essex Fox Hounds, with headquarters in Bernardsville. Read our stories below…..

Lastly, I took my medal home and blessed my own four legged friends…

Related Mr Local History Project Posts

A special gift collectible for the Far Hills Race fan
100th Anniversary Wooden Collectible

A limited edition keepsake made by the famous Cat’s Meow Village of Wooster, Ohio made exclusively for the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection – Get yours today – Online Exclusive
Mr. Local History Project

Recent Posts

Get a Bernards Township Flag – MLH Donates 15 to Project Local History Ambassador

Mr. Local History Project will present flags to 5th graders and share the local history…

2 hours ago

Project Local History Ambassador Flags for Students

UPDATE: March 2025 Connecting Bernards Township students to their local history, the Mr. Local History…

2 hours ago

That Great Stone Wall Around the Bernards Township Town Hall

Picnickers in 1916 in what was known as Owens Woods. Pictured are Dorthy Wing, Jane…

5 days ago

Bernards Township Origins

Bernards Township Asian Community Research Project seeks researchers to help with this important effort. UPDATE:…

5 days ago

Art and History – Looking for Artists To Interpret History to Celebrate NJ250

Joining the America 250 movement - Artists and New Jersey 250! UPDATE: We are looking…

5 days ago

Gotta Love the Irish in Jersey – The History and All the Parades

Quick History - Irish Immigration to New Jersey By the mid-19th century, Irish immigration from…

1 week ago

This website uses cookies.