Grosvenor Merle-Smith

Grosvenor Merle-Smith was born in Winchester, Virginia, a direct descendant of Robert Brooke, the man who is credited with bringing the first pack of hounds to America in 1650. Grosvenor grew up riding and hunting in Middleburg, Virginia. His first memory of following hounds from horseback is when he was three years old, 51 years ago. As a junior, he hunted with Middleburg Hunt and Piedmont Foxhounds. He whipped-in to huntsmen George Beeman and Dr. Marvin Beeman, MFH, at the Arapahoe Hunt in Colorado after college.

Other notable past hunt service includes:
• whipping in to Andrew Barclay at the Green Spring Valley Hunt
• serving as the kennel huntsman for Keswick Hunt Club
• Jt-MFH of the Golden Vale Hunt of County Tipperary, Ireland, for 12 seasons
• MFH and Huntsman of the Bull Run Hunt for six seasons

Grosvenor has been a hunting member of the Arapahoe Hunt, Keswick Hunt Club, Piedmont Foxhounds, Tennessee Valley Hunt, Golden Vale Hunt, Tipperary Foxhounds, Foxboro Foot Hounds, Farmington Beagles, Bull Run Hunt and the Thornton Hill Hounds. He has judged hounds at the Virginia Hound Show, Bryn Mawr Hound Show, Kimberton Hound Show, National Beagle Trials, Mid-America Hound Show, The Western Hunt Challenge, and numerous field trials. In addition, Grosvenor has led groups on hunting trips to Australia, England, Ireland & France.

Currently Grosvenor is enjoying whipping-in to Jeff Eichler, Foxboro Foot Hounds.