History of the Hunt

The first recognized hunt in this district, the Ottawa Hunt was founded in 1873 by the Earl of Dufferin, who had come to Canada the previous year as Governor General of Canada. According to the records of the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America, the Ottawa Hunt was one of the oldest foxhunting organizations on this continent. The pack at that date consisted of 12 couples of imported English hounds secured through the agency of Lord Dufferin.

For about a decade the Ottawa Hunt was a thriving organization, no doubt as a result of the regular participation of Lord Dufferin in hunts and race meetings sponsored by the Hunt. However, by 1885 the Hunt had ceased to exist, due mostly to an economic recession in the early 1880’s as well as the lack of interest by Dufferin’s successor, the Marquis of Lorne.

Happily in 1906, a Dr R.E. Webster enthusiastically revived the Hunt, and soon regular meets and steeplechases took place. As MFH in 1907, Dr Webster organized the purchase of a farm on Bowesville Road. The property eventually became that of the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. In 1909 a clubhouse was built and opened by Lord Grey. Dr Webster’s granddaughter, Mrs Barbara Webster-Taylor of Maitland, Ontario was an active supporter of the Hunt until her death in 2001.

Up until 1915 when the Hunt became inactive because of the First World War, regular meets, horse shows and steeplechases were held. Challenge Cups presented by Lord Grey and later the Duke of Connaught were competed for by teams from the Montreal Hunt, the Toronto Hunt, the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery and the Ottawa Hunt. About that time Sir Clifford Sifton, President of the Hunt, infused new life into the pack by importing a larger number of hounds from England.

During the war and until the early 1920’s the Hunt Board maintained the financial obligations of the property. A new organization then emerged interested in motor cars and golf, but not horses. A golf course was built on the Bowesville Road property and golf became the mainstay of the club.

In 1930 a drag hunt was organized by some of the original Hunt under the Mastership of Dr George Hooper near the village of Billings Bridge, south of Ottawa. Hounds were obtained from the Toronto and Montreal Hunts.

In 1933 the Hunt moved across the Ottawa River to Aylmer, Quebec and the Mastership was taken over by Major General Sir James MacBrien, Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The kennels were established at the Mayberry farm and drag hunting has been carried on since that date, under the name of the Ottawa Valley Hunt.

Activities were again interrupted in 1940 because of the Second World War. However, in 1947 the Hunt was once more revived. A pack of American foxhounds was kenneled in Rockcliffe under the aegis of Major General C.C. Mann, who acted as honorary Huntsman. Joint Masters were Captain Mayberry and Mrs Mann. In 1948 when the Manns left Ottawa, the pack returned to Aylmer.

In 1965 a farm, including a house for a permanent kennel huntsman, was purchased in Dunrobin, Ontario. Hounds were moved there the following year. Joint Masters were Mr Keith McKeown and Mr J.T.H. [Ted] Leggett. In 1967 Ted and Mr D.W. [Bill] Irving were elected Joint Masters, and continued as such until 1971 when they were joined by a third Joint Master Mr. J. Earl Lacharity. In 1972 on the resignation of Ted and Bill, Earl was elected MFH and held that position until his death in 1994. In 1976 the Hunt moved to its present home in Ashton, Ontario where a new clubhouse and kennels were constructed. June Lacharity was appointed Joint Master in 1991 and continued as MFH until her passing in 1997. Under June’s guidance a pack of mainly English hounds was developed. The current Joint Masters are Mrs Kay Leach [1999] and Mr Bob Allum [2005].

Historical data collected and compiled by Lt. Col. N.A. [Bucky] Buckingham. August 1998.