Horses & Hounds
Since Colonial times, fox hunters have swept across these rolling, grassy fields in a colorful pageant of horses, hounds and “hill toppers,” who prefer to watch and ride at a slower pace.
Drive through the rolling countryside to visit horse farms and experience equestrian events, deeply rooted in Maryland's history. Enjoy art, nature, fine dining, and wineries and breweries along the way.
Explore Maryland
Horses & Hounds
Located in an area traditionally known as “Hunt Country,” where fox hunts and steeplechase races are still a popular pastime, some of the farms you see during this relaxing drive across the beautiful Maryland countryside are also famous for producing Thoroughbreds that have raced on major tracks across America.
Hunt Valley to Hereford
Including Tufton Ave., MD 128 & MD 137
Off I-83, the Oregon Ridge Nature Center’s trails and pond area afford birders excellent vantage points. The Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park provides meeting space and offices in barn-style buildings, along with hiking trails and “hands-on” educational opportunities.
The 300-acre Shawan Downs, a steeplechase course, hosts a series of equestrian events that are as famed for the tailgating as they are for the racing. Drive down the road to pass the 425-acre Sagamore Farm, a horse-breeding and training facility that was home to Native Dancer, a Thoroughbred that won 21 of 22 races and earned a spot on the cover of Time magazine. From there, you enter a land of graceful homes and rolling hills.
The quaint 19th-century town of Glyndon was once a Victorian summer community. Nearby is the 1869 St. John’s Episcopal Church, whose traditions include a Thanksgiving
"Blessing of the Hounds.”
Continue up to Hereford and visit Gunpowder Falls State Park. The scenic, rocky Gunpowder River starts at the bottom of the Prettyboy Reservoir Dam and is a favorite for paddlers and fly fishermen, as well as hikers and bird watchers. In places, it parallels the bike-friendly Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail.
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Monkton to Towson
Including MD 138 & MD 146
Start your day in Monkton with a stroll or bike ride on the TORREY C. BROWN RAIL TRAIL, then peruse the latest art exhibitions at MANOR MILL, a fine arts gallery and musical performance venue in a colonial-era grist mill. Continue to LADEW TOPIARY GARDENS, which features 22 acres of sculpted shrubbery, 15 thematic flower gardens, and a historic manor house. Its popular Garden Glow, a showcase of creative jack o’lanterns and illuminated sculptures, is a must-see event.
See the My Lady’s Manor STEEPLECHASE race near Ladew in April, or watch a Maryland Polo Club match on Fridays and Saturdays from June to September. Enjoy a meal at the MANOR TAVERN surrounded by equestrian and hunt country decor - the perfect finish to your day. Cap it off with a visit to INVERNESS BREWING, located on a former thoroughbred farm.
Head south through Jacksonville and then loop around the sun-dappled coves of Loch Raven Reservoir. Just north of Glen Arm, stop at BOORDY VINEYARDS in the Long Green Valley to sample wines amid rolling hills and beautiful stone barn and stable buildings. Take a sidetrack to the Colonial-era Jerusalem Mill Village. Tour the mill, visitor center, blacksmith shop and gun factory. Then it’s time to head back to the 21st century.
Trip Tips
Steeplechase events primarily take place between April and September. Check the complete calendar at Maryland Steeplechasing.
Below the Loch Raven reservoir, you can hike along a stream that borders old lime kilns within Cromwell Valley Park or tour the opulent 1790 mansion at the Hampton National Historic Site near Towson.
Maryland Lore
The Maryland Hunt Cup, a four-mile steeplechase race held in Worthington Valley, was started in 1894 by two competing fox hunting clubs. Today, fans watch from the hillsides as riders charge over 22 fences, vying to qualify for England’s Grand National.
