Welcome to the Fairfield County Hunt Club, a private year-round country club with dining, social and sports activities for the entire family.
The facility is located in Westport, CT on 40 acres of scenic property that includes a newly renovated clubhouse, stables, indoor riding arena, tennis courts, paddle tennis courts and swimming pool.
The Fairfield County Hunt Club was organized in 1923. It had its beginning when Averill Harriman commissioned Mrs. Laura Gardin Fraser, of North Avenue, Westport, the famous sculptress, to design and execute a polo medal. To study her subject she borrowed polo mallets, mounted a horse and started knocking a polo ball around on her estate. This attracted local attention. Another artist, Oscar Howard, joined her. Soon games were organized, with two stone gateposts serving as goals. After a year the idea of a club, horse shows, polo and hunting were discussed with General and Mrs. C.I. DeBevoise, George Gair, Fred Bedford, Donald Perkins, Karl Dolge and Laurence M. Cornwall. Hunting started informally in 1923, formally in 1924, and the Hunt organized by Donald Perkins was recognized by the Masters of Fox Hounds Association in 1926. Polo was played first in Westport, later on the field opposite Charles Stillman's house on Hulls Farm Road, and horse shows were held on the Bedford estate.
The present property was purchased and George Gair elected first President in 1924. The Club at once prospered. The Horse Shows became nationally known three-day Class A Shows attracting the finest exhibitors in the East. The extensive horse show stabling system, the present show rings and the Clubhouse were built. The polo field was contributed by Henry A. Rudkin.