Fort Leavenworth Hunt celebrates 100th anniversary

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas — The Fort Leavenworth Hunt (FLH) marked the centennial of its founding with a three-day celebration March 5–7, 2026, honoring a century of equestrian tradition, military heritage and community fellowship.

The festivities began Thursday evening with a welcome reception at the Frontier Army Museum at Fort Leavenworth. Guests were treated to a historical presentation on the Buffalo Soldiers by Trooper John Bruce, president of the Alexander/Madison Chapter - Greater Kansas City/Leavenworth Area 9th and 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association, and Trooper George Pettigrew, the chapter’s executive vice president. Both men, certified oral storytellers, shared vivid accounts of the soldiers who served at Fort Leavenworth at the time of the hunt’s founding in 1926. Their presentation highlighted the many talents and responsibilities of these troopers and underscored the special relationship the Fort Leavenworth Hunt enjoyed with the 10th U.S. Cavalry — one of the original Buffalo Soldier regiments established at Fort Leavenworth in 1866.

The historical theme continued Friday morning, when 50 mounted FLH members and guest riders embarked on an eight-mile ride across the installation. The ride included a formal wreath-laying ceremony at Buffalo Soldier Commemorative Area, attended by the Fort Leavenworth Garrison Command Team. The Alexander/Madison Chapter - Greater Kansas City/Leavenworth Area 9th and 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association once again supported the event, and a red, white, and blue wreath, donated by the Henry Leavenworth Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, was placed at the entrance to the Buffalo Soldier Monument and Circle of Firsts.

The trail ride route began and ended at the historic Hunt Lodge and passed several important landmarks across the post, including the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, the Oregon and Santa Fe Trail origin markers, Memorial Chapel, and the Rookery.

Following the ride, participants gathered at the Hunt Lodge for lunch, where the masters and former masters of FLH were honored. Photographic and biographical displays celebrated the hunt’s evolution over the decades, offering a visual journey from its founding to the present day.

Saturday morning brought more than 40 riders and foot followers together for the closing hunt of the 2025–2026 foxhunting season. Held on the FLH “Foxhunt Country” fixture near Easton, Kansas, the hunt proved spirited and fast across the varied terrain characteristic of northeast Kansas. Hounds followed cleverly laid drag lines as well as “live” lines from resident quarry such as coyote, providing excellent sport (chase only) throughout the morning.

Midway through the hunt, participants enjoyed a traditional “whoopee wagon” break, complete with food and refreshments, before a brisk finish back to the horse trailers. The morning covered approximately nine miles under excellent riding conditions.

The centennial celebration concluded Saturday evening with the Centennial Hunt Ball at the Frontier Conference Center. More than 90 guests gathered for a festive evening of dining, music and camaraderie. The venue was decorated with displays and themes that reflected the hunt’s rich history, charting its journey from 1926 to the present.

Members of the Fort Leavenworth Hunt were joined by visitors from several sister hunts, including Arapaho and Bijou Springs in Colorado, Belle Meade in Georgia, Moore County in North Carolina, North Hills in Nebraska, and Mission Valley in Kansas. The weekend provided an opportunity to renew longstanding friendships, form new connections and reflect on a shared passion for hunting tradition.

As the Fort Leavenworth Hunt celebrated its first century, members expressed gratitude to the U.S. Army, local landowners and generations of dedicated members whose support and stewardship have sustained the hunt for 100 years.