KIRKWOOD, Pa.--Despite winning every legal battle, the latest being regaining ownership of the final 47 hounds held by Steve and Betsy Harris, Georgia Crompton apparently just quit fighting and ceded victory to the Harrises.
Andrews Bridge's new kennel (Photo by Betsy Harris)
Numerous phone calls to Crompton were not returned, but Andrews Bridge Foxhounds announced on Aug. 26 that all litigation regarding the ownership of the Andrews Bridge Foxhounds had been amicably resolved.
The dispute, which dates back to March, 2017, was officially settled on Aug. 5, despite the Masters of Foxhounds Association never having reached a determination as to which organization owned the legal right to hunt the land.
No one seems to know why Crompton ceded victory to the Harrises despite her having received permission from most of the landowners in the territory, including all the Amish owners, to hunt the land.
All of the foxhounds are now in the recently built kennel on Mt. Eden Road in Kirkwood, and one club is hunting the Andrews Bridge Foxhounds territory.
“OUR MEMBERSHIP and neighboring landowners are extremely happy about the reunited pack," said Andrews Bridge Foxhounds Joint Master Betsy Harris, "On behalf of myself and our other Joint Masters George Strawbridge Jr., Stephen Harris, Cathy Huston and Bill Kimmel, we wish to thank all our loyal friends, staff and supportive foxhunting community for their steadfast faith in us to successfully resolve the dispute.”
Andrews Bridge hounds (Photo by Betsy Harris)During the litigation, Andrews Bridge Foxhounds continued to hunt the territory during foxhunting season on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The current 2019-2020 hunt year began with cubbing in mid-July.
Harris said that in September, an “Introduction to Foxhunting” series will be conducted on Friday evenings in the club’s Fair Hill country in addition to their usual three day per week schedule.
The traditional formal season begins in November.
Anrews Bridge (Photo by Steve Berkowitz VMD)The club also has a full calendar of events planned for the fall, including the always well-attended Andrews Bridge Foxhounds Hunter Pace in November, plus a number of scheduled joint meets in our home and away territories.
Harris says the Andrews Bridge Foxhounds breeding program remains strong and the hunted country is actually expanding.
“Our membership is enthusiastic and we invite anyone interested in foxhunting to enjoy a day of hunting with us," she said. "As we begin our 102nd season, we are confident that the Andrews Bridge Foxhounds will continue to have a bright and successful future.“
