The hunt: Tanatside
The story: "A very atmospheric sunrise looking across the stubble towards the Breidden Hill on the Shropshire/Powys border. It was taken through the ears of my horse Jack on the Tanatside’s first morning out in September" — Laura Hughes
A rider has died in a “tragic accident” while he was out hunting with the Fernie.
The 54-year-old man passed away after a fall from his horse, on land off Mowsely Road, Saddington, on Wednesday this week (31 January).
A statement released for and on behalf of the Fernie read: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm that a gentleman died following a fall from his horse in a tragic accident whilst following the Fernie hounds on Wednesday.
“Our sincere condolences are with his family and friends at such a difficult time for them, and we ask that everyone respects their privacy as they overcome such a devastating and early loss.”
The statement said a coroner’s investigation is under way, and that another statement is to be released “in due course”.
It added: “In the mean time, both the hunt and the gentleman’s family would like to extend their immense thanks to the emergency services and others who were present at the accident for all their assistance at the time.”
A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said: “Police were called to a field just off Mowsley Road, Saddington, at 2.15pm on 31 January, after a man had fallen from a horse and was taken ill.
“The ambulance service attended the incident and the man was pronounced deceased at the scene. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.
“Identification of the deceased will be a matter for the coroner.”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
Sitting in the shadow of the spectacular Belvoir Castle are the impressive Belvoir kennels. Frank Houghton Brown pays the hunt a visit to find out what life is like behind the scenes
Read the full feature about the Belvoir kennels in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine (2 February 2017)
The rider who died while following the Fernie hounds last week has been named as William Graham, a father of three and a “true gentleman”.
The 54-year-old fell from his horse as he jumped a fence between Saddington and Mowsley, Leicestershire, on 31 January.
Mr Graham, who was born in Scotland, leaves his wife Lucy, their nine-year-old daughter and two older children from a previous marriage.
Fernie joint-master Philip Cowen said: “Will’s tragic death has stunned and shocked us all.
“Sadly, he died when his horse fell on top of him at a fence which has been jumped on numerous occasions previously. There are no words to describe such a devastating loss particularly for his family, but also a great many other people in the locality who knew him so well. Our hearts and thoughts go out to them all at such a sad time.
“Will was a constant source of energy, passion, enthusiasm and determination in whatever he turned his hand to – whether in his line of business, when on the sports field or when relaxing at home. His loss to our community is immeasurable.”
Mr Cowen said that on Saturday (3 February) people connected with hunting in the county and from further afield “came together for a special day’s hunting dedicated to Will”.
“There is an incredible bond which runs throughout those who are involved with the hunt, whether as riders, followers or supporters and the moving tributes on that day will last long in all our memories,” he added. “Will was a true gentleman and we all owe him so much for a life which has been cut short far too soon.”
Mr Graham was a “very competent” rider who had followed the Fernie hounds for some 15 years.
“Sadly Will lost his life whilst enjoying a sport that he loved, and to which he has been a huge contributor both directly and behind the scenes for many years,” said Mr Cowen’s fellow joint-master Chris Parker. “He was clearly enjoying himself on the day in question right up to the moment that this dreadful accident occurred.
“Words do not adequately convey our emotions, or the degree of sympathy we all feel for his wife, daughter and their wider family.
“He will be greatly missed by all his friends in not only the hunting world, but from many other aspects of life as well. He was also a hugely successful businessman, and he particularly enjoyed both skiing and sailing.”
The rider died after a fall while following hounds
Polly Portwin of the Countryside Alliance said: “We were sorry to learn of the tragic events of last Wednesday. Will was a great supporter and representative of the alliance and we extend our deepest sympathies to Lucy, their family and all those closest to them.”
The hunt asked for Mr Graham’s family’s privacy, as well as its own, to be respected as both “come to terms with the accident, and such a devastating loss”.
How many people do you know who have taken a sudden interest in all things hunting because they’ve fallen for a member of hunt staff, a master or someone else on the hunting field? Maybe they want to impress them with their hunting knowledge or they could just want to let the person in question know that they exist.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day today, we look at some of the tell-tale signs of what is known in hunting circles as scarlet fever…
1. Taking a sudden interest in hounds on a hunting day — perhaps by asking their names and enquiring about breeding — when previously the focus of the day has been on the contents of others’ hip flasks or the number of fences jumped.
2. Practising their horn blowing techniques in order to impress at their hunt’s annual competition.
3. Offering to walk hound puppies even though they have never done it before and knowing it could wreak havoc on their garden — but at least it means the huntsman will pop round with hound food when they are running low.
4. Taking more consideration over their hunting attire and appearance. An increased level of make-up might also be evident.
5. Turning up at every known hunt fundraising event from skittles matches to hunt pantos. Volunteering to horse catch at point-to-points is a dead giveaway.
6. Becoming sudden friends with the stud groom and popping into the stables on the off chance of bumping into a member of hunt staff, while getting to know the names of all the hunt horses so they can casually be slipped into conversation.
7. Keeping an eye open so they are ready to dash — at the first opportunity — to open a gate for hunt staff or masters or to hold their horse if they have to get off.
8. Appearing out hunting at meets they’ve never been seen at before, even if miles from home and in terrible weather conditions, just to be able to ride alongside or near the desired person.
9. Suddenly hunting with a different pack — often at vast expense — in order to get the opportunity of hunting with, or alongside, the eye candy of choice.
10. Buying auction items such as “a day in the master’s/huntsman’s/whipper-in’s pocket” in order to get up close and personal.
11. Immediately offering their own horse to the master or a member of hunt staff if their horse loses a shoe or goes lame.
12. Begging, borrowing or stealing horses so they can hunt more days of the week than ever before and staying out with hounds to the end of the day when previously they’ve been home by 2.30pm.
Followers of the Fernie were treated to a uncommon sight this week when rare breed enthusiast Bruce Langley McKim debuted his Suffolk horse on the hunting field.
Imposing nine-year-old Craikhowhall Jensen has been a working stallion for most of his life but was only recently introduced to a ridden career.
“He was lunged on a Tuesday, sat on on a Wednesday and ridden on the Thursday — he then blew the stable door clean off its hinges so he went to stud for the summer and came back once we’d got a heavy duty box!” said Bruce, who bought the horse last year. “He’s been back in work two-and-a-half months and we’ve been working on getting him fit.”
The meet at Illston was not only the stallion’s first appearance hunting but also his first time ridden in public.
“It was a small meet and I know the country like back of my hand so I thought I’d do a circuit around the farm and when they go cross-country, I could hilltop from there. I took him out for an hour and he stood with the hounds as good as gold,” Bruce said. “He’ll be out again for a couple more days and then he’s been selected by Suffolk Punch Trust to go to Twemlows for [semen] collection.”
Suffolks were bred to plough but as mechanisation took over, their numbers have dwindled to between 300 and 400, making them the most critically endangered British equine species.
“I like to do something different and my aim was to take a rare breed and make it more commercial,” said Bruce, who believes Suffolks have a marketable future in cross-breeding.
“I always say that for every part-bred there needs to be a pure-bred,” he added. “[Making a useful cross for hunting] gives the horse another string to its bow. There is a place for half-breds because people want big horses and you don’t get a true heavyweight very often nowadays, even in Ireland.”
Bruce said Jensen — whom he describes as “kind as a Christian” and “as easy as pie to break” — had proved a comfortable ride.
“He’s not actually that wide. We’ve had him on the walker getting him fit, so there is not too much bulk and you’re not sitting on bulbous weight. He wouldn’t feel that much different to a decent sized cob. I’m also lucky with him as he’s quite athletic and he can make a shape over a fence,” he said.
“What I am doing with him isn’t what they were designed for but that job doesn’t exist any more. I’m not looking to change the breed but I think they have to diversify.”
Jensen is one of four stallions standing at the Thorpeley Stud, all of whom also have regular jobs hunting as well as making appearances showing and team chasing.
The Queen's Suffolk Horse Whitton Poppy gives birth to a colt, adding to the numbers of the endangered native breed.
Bruce also stands two Irish draughts — Carrigfada Diamond and Carrigfada Grey Mist — and the Irish draught sport horse Cos Me Is Black. The latter stallion has featured as one of H&H’s Hunt Heroes and became the first stallion ever to complete the Melton ride, as well as competing and hunting side-saddle.
“All my boys have to have a life and have to do something,” explained Bruce.
“You don’t see many stallions out hunting — while you don’t want to risk them, I don’t go showboating. You take a calculated risk taking them out but I don’t want to keep them penned up not seeing the light of day. They jump, they’re bold and they do what they say on the label because of the life they have.”
Bruce was also keen to dispel a myth about why you don’t see many stallions in the field.
“People also say that stallions don’t like to jump the big hedges because they’re careful of their bollocks but that’s just an excuse.” he added “They don’t swing in the wind!”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
I have been hunting for more than 45 years and I am entering my 10th season as an MFH, but nothing can prepare you for the responsibility, exhilaration and sheer terror of hunting hounds.
It is perhaps the greatest challenge of my life. Hunting a pack of foxhounds in 2018 in the south-east of England has many potential banana skins from the moment you leave the meet. But it is also so rewarding.
Sometimes even before you leave the meet, as you try and steady both your hounds and your own nerves, inquisitive people come up to you and remind you of where the danger points are, and ask “Where are you going?” One doesn’t mind either of these questions, but to begin with you are nervous and excited and just want to get on with it.
I still throw the odd biscuit to hounds at the meet which always ensures I keep at least two couple by my side (you know who you are, Warfare, Actress, Buttons and Daystar). I have learned that “the team” — in my case three amateur whippers-in, four to six trail-layers and numerous other helpful souls — are what make the day go well.
Add to that scent. A non-scenting day is what sees the cream rise to the top in terms of huntsmen and I am learning just how difficult a day’s sport can be without scent. A good-scenting day is a different game. As a good friend of mine put it to me the other day: “They will all start saying you have got the hang of it in a month or so, but all that will have happened is that the scent has come.”
Invaluable inheritance
My job is to hunt our bitches, and what bitches I have been fortunate enough to inherit. Leaving kennels for the last time, our outgoing professional huntsman of 25 seasons, Mark Bycroft, declared, “And remember you can kid a dog but not a bitch”. This is knowledge I felt I had already learned from other areas of my life, but he was spot-on.
You can’t kid a bitch and for the large part they do their own thing, can multi-task, have complete disregard for anyone shouting at them and telling them what to do, and they are ruthless in their day job, very organised and professional.
I am now learning to leave them alone and not make quite so much noise as I did at the start.
Some say my horn-blowing has improved and I am afraid I use it like a dog whistle, but that helps me relax.
You do feel very alone at times, trying to find the scent knowing everyone in the field
is waiting to get going, and while the natural reaction is to get more agitated and upset the hounds’ sense and feel, the calmer approach definitely pays more dividends.
As my first season hunting our hounds draws to a close, I reflect on how terrified I was on the opening day and how much I have learned in just one season with so much more to learn. My team are the best and my thanks to every one of them.
But lastly, I have received complete understanding, help and invaluable knowledge from one man who was entitled to disappear and enjoy a rest, but he didn’t and he has been more supportive than I could ever have asked. Mark Bycroft has been so helpful that I can’t thank him enough, but then again why wouldn’t he? I am hunting his bitches.
Hunt staff from the Bedale in North Yorkshire were among those helping farmers during last week’s heavy snowfall.
Bedale joint-master and huntsman Tim Coulson posted on Facebook, offering manpower and vehicles from the kennels to help out any of the farmers in the hunt country who might be in need of help.
“We had a good response to our offer, and were able to help a farming family, the Duffuses,” said Tim. “Keith Duffus had broken his leg a month ago and is housebound as a result. His son, Robin, supplements his wage by gritting for the council, so was really busy and they were struggling on the farm. My kennel-huntsman Mikey Francis and I spent several hours helping Robin by collecting feed orders, bedding up and feeding cattle, getting water to cows and calves and feeding the ewes outside.”
“We also made a couple of hay deliveries before the snow melted at the weekend. We were delighted to be able to help, and lots of our hunt members offered their assistance as well.”
The Countryside Alliance said a number of other hunts offered a similar service, including the Jed Forest and the Lauderdale in Scotland. But one pack had to take down the public notice it published after a number of anti-hunting activists made some prank calls to the number given for people to call in the event of help being required.
Polly Portiwn, the Countryside Alliance’s head of hunting, said: “Although keeping on top of their own workload in kennels when everything is frozen is hard enough, the thoughts of the farming community and their livestock will always be a top priority for those who hunt.”
Queenie's 77-year-old owner regularly takes her out, with her 75-year-old husband and his 26-year-old mare
“With hunting activities curtailed due to the severity of this latest snowfall, offering to spend free time volunteering to help the farming community instead of taking the easy option of sitting inside by a fire just demonstrates their generosity of spirit and the strength of goodwill extended to those whose livelihoods can be so severely affected by these dramatic conditions.”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
Of the scandals that can afflict a hunt — hounds running into the first drive of the trickiest shoot; the whipper-in’s unhelpfully public affair with the newly married daughter of the biggest vale farmer; the supporters’ club treasurer running off to the Maldives with the proceeds from the hunt ball (and the lady master) — few cause more furrowed brows and raised eyebrows than the awarding of hunt buttons.
As the end of the season draws nearer, masters should be looking round their subscribers to see who might join next season’s cohort. Masters are well advised to keep a list to ensure that no one is missed or awarded them twice.
In recent times, petitioning of a master, either by the potential candidate or a persuasive connection, is not unheard-of. This tactic has pitfalls and is not to be recommended. Over the years, some hunts wouldn’t have been immune to the “cash for honours” syndrome. A previous generation used to think that you had to do something dramatic, like dive into a freezing lake to save a hound from drowning, but time moves on and there are so many ways that people can contribute.
Occasionally hunt buttons are awarded to non-mounted supporters whose selfless work and support of the hunt is performed without recourse, desire for recognition or publicity. Weekends spent fence-judging, putting up hunt tents, mowing the grass at kennels or professional work should be rewarded.
A noble honour
It is a curiously British affair, not dissimilar, I am told, to receiving an honour in the New Year or on the Queen’s birthday. A letter arrives from the master thanking you for your loyalty and contribution to the hunt, while subversively reminding you to sustain your fidelity to the hounds and not disappear to the neighbouring hunt in lustful quest for their buttons. They aren’t notches on the bedpost.
The lucky recipient should write to the master expressing their thanks and undying allegiance to the hounds, but few declare the honour publicly until the opening meet, when they proudly trot to the meet sporting the hunt button and collar, possibly using it as a good excuse to have a new coat.
Masterships don’t always agree on recipients. A previous joint-master of mine awarded buttons to a “gentleman of note” (or notoriety). The joyous recipient then received another letter from a different joint- master informing him that the honour was undeserved and he totally disagreed with the decision.
Tradition dictates that a gentleman who receives his hunt buttons is then entitled to wear a red coat with three brass buttons on the hunting field and a red tail coat at the hunt ball. Etiquette suggests that the recipient might refrain from wearing a red coat for a season or two.
Due to my fortune (or madness) of holding some sort of office almost continuously since hunting beagles at university, I have never been awarded my hunt buttons. I did, however, gain school colours for tiddlywinks or something similar and can recall the pride of becoming part of the “club”. There is a serious issue at stake; subscribers’ and supporters’ deep affection for their hunt, borne over years of service and their desire to be part of the team. If masters can recognise this with a simple yet profound gesture, then it sustains goodwill and pride in their hounds.
Three members of the Grove and Rufford have been acquitted of hunting convictions on appeal.
The trio were convicted of hunting a wild mammal with dogs last year, but were acquitted on appeal at Nottingham Crown Court on 15 March.
The case collapsed after it was revealed the prosecution failed to show 50 photographs containing clear evidence supporting the defendants’ case that they were all hunting legally.
Paul Larby, 58, Peter White, 57, and Jane Wright, 63, of the Grove and Rufford Hunt denied alleged offences made under the Hunting Act 2004 at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court in March 2017.
They were found guilty by magistrates at the time and fined — but have now been acquitted.
Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner said the organisation is “very pleased” about the acquittals.
“But this has been a long, stressful and expensive process which should never have happened,” he added.
“If all the evidence had been available from the start it is unlikely that there would have even been a prosecution, and there would certainly never have been convictions in the magistrates’ court.
“The police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) need to be extremely careful in hunting cases that the views of witnesses and others involved in investigations do not unduly influence prosecutions and decisions to prosecute.”
In a separate case, a Portman huntsman was found not guilty of offences under the Hunting Act at Poole Magistrates’ Court on 14 March.
Joint-master Evo Shirley faced charges of illegal hunting brought by the CPS relating to hunting activity on 8 March 2017.
The case was heard on 12 and 13 February, with magistrates’ delivering their verdict on 14 March.
“This is another case in which there was ample evidence that the hunt was operating legally,” said Mr Bonner.
“The police and CPS need to consider very carefully any ‘evidence’ supplied by anti-hunting activists who have a vested interest in vilifying members of the hunting community.
“This is another example of thousands of pounds being wasted in court and police time.”
Data from the Ministry of Justice from 2005 to 2016 shows 454 people have been convicted of offences under the Hunting Act.
Of these, only 27 were involved with registered hunts and more than 94% of Hunting Act convictions did not involve hunts.
There have been 35 completed cases under the Hunting Act involving hunts registered with the Council of Hunting Associations until October 2017. A total of 20 of these failed, with seven being dropped before trial and 13 resulting in the acquittal of all defendants.
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday
A life-long follower of hounds is planning on celebrating his 80th birthday on the hunting field this week.
Benjamin Walden, who has hunted all his life, will turn 80 on Thursday (22 March).
Mr Walden started hunting on the lead rein as a child with the Avon Vale, inheriting his love of following hounds from his father.
“I think hunting is in my blood,” he told H&H.
He served as master at the Avon Vale for 10 years between 1983 and 1993, before moving over to the South & West Wilts.
“I think I’m the oldest out there hunting [with them] at the moment,” he said.
He added that while he is a “little less gung ho than maybe I once was”, he does still jump and his hunt coat has served him for at least 40 years.
“I have been determined to get to 80 and still be riding, and I’m going to ride to hounds [on my birthday],” he said. “I want to keep going, I think hunting is a great life.”
Mr Walden’s mare “Choccy”, short for Chocolate, came into his life almost by accident five years ago.
He had just lost his long-term campaigner, Murphy, when the mare arrived at the yard where he keeps his horses.
Choccy had been sent to the yard to sell as her previous owner was moving away to university.
“It was very lucky — she kept me going,” he said. “She pulls my arms out, but she is very good.
“My granddaughter rides and has taken Choccy out a few times on a Saturday.”
Some riders might have only taken to the hunting field recently, but this lot have been doing it for years,…
Mr Walden also owns eventers, including the former four-star horse Springleaze Macaroo, who Mr Walden hunted after the horse retired from eventing with William Fox-Pitt, Zara Tindall and a number of other riders.
He also owns the former advanced mare Zidante, who was ridden by Kitty King until an injury cut short the horse’s competitive career in 2014.
Zidante is now a broodmare and is currently in foal to Chilli Morning.
The first of her offspring, a four-year-old by Esteban, named Zacaroo, is set to start her ridden career with Kitty this year.
While the forecast for Thursday is for rain — and perhaps a celebratory whisky — Mr Walden said the weather will not stop him enjoying the day.
“Every day out hunting is a good day,” he added.
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday
John Holliday blows for hounds at Aswarby Park - The Belvoir Hunt meet at Burton Pedwardine on Tuesday the 25th of February 2014.
The great Jorrocks was wont to bemoan those “stinkin’ violets” of May as they heralded the season’s end. Modern farming methods now mean that in most areas snowdrops in March are a more likely portend.
“Unsettled” is the word to describe best the conditions this season; a frost of -5°C one night then 10°C above the next day, all capped off with an Arctic blast from Russia. Settled conditions, however they manifest, are better for hounds and continuity of sport. Pre-Christmas proved mainly dry and poor scenting, but the arrival of rain in the New Year saw a marked improvement.
During January and February both our dog and bitch packs provided some exciting days before the appearance of the “Beast from the East” confined hounds to their quarters for a spell. Thankfully the East Midlands were not as badly affected as the West Country and the North.
Here’s to Harry
All of us at Belvoir would like to wish Harry Horton all the best, for on 1 May he moves to further his education under Peter Collins at the Quorn. Harry arrived as a little lad to work in the stables, although he has since grown a full 12 inches. After six years he has almost become part of the furniture. It has to be said he has benefited from some direct and character-building advice, imparted in a sometimes vibrant and stimulating manner. But it must have worked: he arrived a boy and leaves a man, whose hard work and dedication to his job is exemplary. Good luck, Harry.
A countryman’s legacy
The sad news came from Herefordshire recently of the passing of my very good friend and mentor Harold Thompson. Ray, his father, hunted the Wye Valley Otterhounds for 30 years, so with hunting in his blood Harold followed suit.
He became great friends with Capt. Ronnie Wallace, who hunted the Hawkstone Otterhounds and whom Harold forever after held in the highest esteem.
In 1971 Harold became master of the South Herefordshire and hunted hounds for 10 years.
In his youth Harold proved to be a gifted amateur jockey. He began point-to-pointing when he was 16 years old and was quickly riding winners. He landed the Horse & Hound Cup at Stratford and in 1960 he rode Proud Socks, trained by the famous Herefordshire huntsman and showman Vivian Bishop, to victory in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.
After Harold retired from race-riding he went on to officiate at numerous point-to-point courses around the country and was the starter at Whitwick, Ludlow and the old course at Belmont, Hereford. He stewarded at Garnons and continued to officiate well into his 70s.
He also judged show and working hunters at county level. Harold was a friend to many, who will miss his advice and company. But most of all, like all countrymen, he loved his horses, hounds and dogs, and they loved him.
The world is a little nicer for having Harold Thompson pass through it.
Pumpkin Pie [198]
Chloe Spencer
B.S.P.S. Midsummer Show 24.06.17
L. Rein Working Sports Pony class
No. 198 class winner
Simon Smith’s remarkable 12hh all-rounder Pumpkin Pie, a showing heroine at both Burghley and Olympia just last year, has died at the grand age of 28.
After giving Simon’s own children their basic equestrian education in a variety of fields, “Pumpkin” went to a further seven families in the Leicestershire/Northamptonshire area on loan, enjoying mainly hunting and Pony Club activities.
“Pumpkin meant the world to me,” said Simon’s daughter Penny, who hunts with the Fernie. “Before she was passed down to me by my sister, I had a little pony that always chucked me off — Pumpkin was a breath of fresh air.
“I had lots of fun times on her — including winning Pony Club events — and I had my first day’s hunting on her. I’ve never missed a day’s hunting since.”
Pumpkin had been with her latest adopters, the Northamptonshire-based Spencer family, for three years and was partnered by Chloe Spencer, now five. Last season, aged 27, this delightful mare qualified for the inaugural British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Lead Rein Working Sports Pony final, finishing a creditable sixth at Burghley and beating ponies less than half her age in the process.
She also contested the prestigious Senior Showing and Dressage final at Olympia, receiving a special award as the oldest animal and youngest jockey .
“She’d been a hunting and Pony Club pony for 20 years until we thought we would get her showing again,” said Fiona Spencer, whose husband, Will, is a master of the Pytchley hunt. “She was originally registered with the BSPS in 1994, and last year was the oldest pony ever to be issued with a life height certificate.
“She again proved a little star and at the lead rein final at Burghley, two of her previous families came to watch her in a fan club.
“She won her senior classes at Royal Windsor — aka The Queen’s garden, according to Chloe — and Royal Three Counties. She then won the championship and ticket for Olympia at Leek County Show.
“Competing at Olympia involved an overnight stay with all the international superstars behind the scenes. This was an experience that her little jockey and family will never forget.”
Fiona continued: “Pumpkin lived a full and happy life and was always a favourite of the judges, but she adored her hunting, and started Chloe off last season at the age of four. They did another 10 days together this winter before Olympia.
“Sadly, old age just caught up with her so we had to say goodbye — but she will never be forgotten.
“What this remarkable pony did for Chloe is just incredible and we thank her from the bottom of our hearts. We miss her every day.”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday
Hosing, dunking, brushing when wet, letting it dry, hovering or dry-cleaning? Horse & Hound’s hunting editor investigates the most effective ways of cleaning your hunting coat
The Morpeth's joint master Evan Jobling-Purser will have his work cut out
The hunting season is, in the vast majority of places, over. It’s been a good one — but if it had had a theme tune, it would have been “mud, mud, glorious mud”. While there is nothing indeed like it for cooling the blood, the endless cleaning of horses and kit does become a bit tedious.
Now it’s time to store those hunting boots (clean, and with a good layer of polish) and hang the hunting coat in the wardrobe.
But before you do, what really is the best way to clean your hunting coat?
To wash or not to wash?
It’s a question hunting people can argue about for hours. Do you brush it when it is wet or dry? Some recommend dunking it in a butt of rainwater and scrubbing while wet. Rainwater is softer than the stuff that comes out of the tap, and does less damage to the cloth.
“I put mine in the water trough and leave overnight, heave it out, hang it in a stable and leave to dry,” says Ledbury joint-master Louise Daly.
Cottesmore hunt secretary Clare Bell says: “If I have been unlucky enough to fall off, I hose it down in the wash box, then hang above the log burner to dry.”
“Hang it outside on the garden gate and wet scrub it with not too hard a brush and warm water,” says the Heythrop’s Jane Lambert.
If, like me, you live in a flat and the facilities are limited, it might be easier to leave it to dry. I then pick the biggest lumps of mud off with my finger nails, brush the rest with a stiff brush, then sponge the remaining stains. And maybe have a little cry because it is such an annoying job and it gives me arm ache.
Former H&H editor Lucy Higginson says: “I have settled on a blunt knife to remove dried mud blobs first. Then a nailbrush with warm water, blotted up by an old tea towel.”
Mike Lane, master and huntsman of the Atherstone, says: “My hunting coat is over 60 years old. It’s a great old cloth that will take a stiff brush when dry, but if it’s terribly muddy I use the pressure washer standing quite a way back and on a low heat.”
Choosing the right brush to clean a hunting coat
What sort of a brush you use will slightly depend on the type of cloth the coat is made of — modern, lighter-weight coats won’t take being scrubbed very hard with a stiff brush very well. A clean dandy brush might be gentler.
Dressage and showing star Louise Bell says: “Use a good quality dandy brush — elbow grease and a wet brush to finish, then leave to dry somewhere airy but not too hot to avoid shrinking.”
It’s not just mud you need to remove, it’s also horse sweat, particularly round the cuffs.
“The only way to remove it is a stiff brush with very hot water,” says the Ledbury’s Tom Leeke. “Once a season I use a steam cleaner — it brings up the nap beautifully.”
What about dry-cleaning?
Most serious hunting people would throw their hands up in horror, claiming it ruins the cloth and removes its waterproofing qualities. I don’t recommend it for proper, thick, black/blue/red coats, but I think you can get away with it every now and then with a tweed coat.
Journalist Camilla Swift points out: “Don’t dry-clean, but if you must, make sure to cover up your hunt buttons with foil or plastic bags, as the white will come off the lettering and you will have to get the Tippex pen out!”
Becky Blandford says: “I use a suede brush to get the mud off, than use my hand-held hoover all over it. Then I put it on just before I leave to go hunting and my groom gives me another hoover.”
Apparently the upholstery attachment works best…
The Cotley’s Lucinda Eames is another hovering fan.
“Let it dry, brush and then finally hoover,” she recommends.
And what about a washing machine?
You would have thought a washing machine would be a total no-no. But Fiona Garfield, who hunts in Herefordshire, says: “At the end of the season I put it in the washing machine with wool-wash liquid on a cold cycle. It comes out like new; it hasn’t shrunk and is still waterproof.”
I admit that once, after emerging from a bog in Ireland covered from head to toe in liquid mud and knowing that I had to be clean and ready to go again the following day, the mother of the friend I was staying with hosed my coat and then put it in the tumble-dryer. It worked perfectly, but I’m sure if I did it myself it would shrink.
But really, having “staff” is surely the answer. Hand it over in its natural state, and expect it back, immaculate, before you next need it.
“I suggest you interview my valet,” says former Cottesmore joint-master Richard Hunnisett.
That’s more like it.
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With the vale ditches running as hard as they have all winter, it seems like “someone’s law” that now is the time that we have to stage our most public events, the point-to-points. Due to our hunt’s multifarious genealogy, we are entitled to several meetings held at two venues.
As our hunt lorry was towed out of the racecourse on Easter Saturday by three young farmers on their “green giants”, I reflected on a day not just stolen from the weather, but a true country celebration against the odds, which produced quality racing in front of a surprisingly large crowd. It required a Herculean effort by the organising team and a hundred volunteers, which was mirrored at events all around the country.
The financial value of point-to-points to individual hunts varies enormously, from those who barely muster a profit to those hunts who rely on a bumper bank holiday crowd to underwrite their season’s expenses. Event insurance or a payout from an area slush fund can lessen the pain after an abandoned meeting but, with so many lost or postponed meetings due to biblical conditions, hunt fundraisers will have to be at the top of their game to plug the financial gap.
A consistent income stream
I am assured by my family that the hunting world is actually a relatively small microcosm and not a global priority; however, some matters of principle. Few subjects raise the hackles in hunt committee meetings more than point-to-point subscriptions, particularly if the local Blankshire Draghounds are offering cut-price deals under the table to owners in your country. The new central collection of point-to-point subscriptions will be run through Weatherbys. No system will keep everyone happy but, crucially, it will level the playing field for hunts and owners alike and generate a genuine, consistent income stream for hunts. This further strengthens the vital bond between hunting and point-to-pointing.
Traditional qualifying did introduce horses and plenty of jockeys to hunting, but few huntsmen miss their hounds having to run the gauntlet past flighty point-to-pointers who probably should have been hunted more often, not less.
‘Not long until we start again’
After more than 100 days’ hunting, hounds will now enjoy some deserved downtime before the bikes come out for the start of hound exercise in a month or so. They’ll gain a little summer condition, although I don’t recall Linford Christie gaining too much weight out of season.
Hound parades and shows loom. Our first parade, last weekend at the point-to-point, was only days after finishing hunting and slightly confused the hounds. As we galloped down the home straight, wiser hounds veered towards the racecourse covert. “Why is he blowing the horn like a crazed banshee? Why are those people cheering? And now we’re back on the lorry so soon.”
During the customary “meet the hounds”, one young bitch was photographed inspecting the furry tailpiece of a rather splendid hat, just to make sure it wasn’t going to jump off the elegant lady’s head and make for the hills.
“Not long to go ‘til we start again,” my old terrierman used to remind me once Easter had passed. In the meantime, support your local hunt and come racing.
The names of the 10 huntsmen who are to compete in the horn-blowing competition at the Dubarry Horn & Hound Ball at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday (21 April) have been announced.
They are:
Duncan Cinnamond (Cotley Harriers)
Ben Dalton (Croome and West Warwickshire)
James Davies (Monmouthshire)
Ashley Doherty MH (Brighton, Storrington, Surrey and North Sussex Beagles)
Rupert Inglesant MFH (Cotswold)
Robert Medcalf (South Devon)
Robert Moffatt (Royal Artillery)
Jake Oppenheim (Cheshire)
Stuart Radbourne MFH (Avon Vale)
Gareth Watchman MFH (South Durham)
Their skills will be judged by Jacky Thomas MFH and Alastair Jackson, both multiple winners of the Horse & Hound trophy, which was first presented in 1952. The winner and the runner-up will both receive engraved hunting horns, sponsored by H&H.
The Tynedale’s Andrew Higgins won the coveted prize in 2017.
The Dubarry Horn & Hound Ball gathers hunting people from all over the UK for “hunting’s big night out”. One of the highlights of the evening is a competitive silent auction, which this year features lots including “days up front” with leading huntsmen such as Heythrop MFH Charles Frampton, the Beaufort’s Matt Ramsden MFH and the Wynnstay’s Richard Tyacke MFH.
Also on offer this year are a week’s stay in a private ski chalet, a trip to Argentina to shoot doves, hunting with three packs in the USA, two debenture tickets for a England rugby match, made to measure Davies hunting boots and many more.
A former Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show champion hound showed he had other talents when he took part in a hunt “horse and hound” relay competition.
East Sussex and Romney Marsh Dante 11, doghound champion at Peterborough in 2013 and a successful stallion hound, retired from the hunting field at the end of last season due to an injury to a toe.
Di Grissell, joint-master of the East Sussex and Romney Marsh, said: “Biddy Ackerman had walked him as a puppy and said that she would like to have him back when he finished his hunting career.
“He really does have an amazing life with her. He isn’t quite domesticated yet but the family adore him, and he has a lovely temperament.”
Dante 11 was bred and hunted by H&H columnist Andrew Sallis, who was joint-master and huntsman of the East Sussex and Romney Marsh until 2017.
The East Sussex and Romney Marsh ran the “horse and hound” competition to replace its hunt scurry, which had to be abandoned because the course was waterlogged. Entrants jumped their horses round a course of showjumps, and then ran round the course on their feet with their dogs jumping the fences.
Spring arrives and hunting ends. For hunt grooms and hunt servants, the summer could mean boredom, holidays or summer jobs.…
Dante, who finished third, was not the only foxhound taking part – a bitch called Volatile, who lives with event hosts the Pearson-Woods in her retirement, also had a go.
This year’s Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show, now part of the Lycetts Festival of Hunting, is the 130th running of the prestigious show. It takes place on Wednesday, 18 July at the East of England showground, Peterborough. As well as modern and old English foxhounds, there are classes for beagles, bassets, harriers, bloodhounds and draghounds, and displays of fellhounds and coursing dogs. There is a popular inter-hunt relay, with junior and senior classes, and ridden qualifiers for the Horse of the Year Show.
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There are few more comforting and satisfying sounds then the gentle squeaking and nuzzling sounds of newborn puppies. Add to this the warm glow of a heat lamp over a nest of straw and a favourite old bitch curled up feeding her new family, and you have a scene of serenity.
Part of the excitement is the fruition of months of planning. You’ve closely observed the bitch in the hunting field to make sure she has most, if not all, of the working attributes you desire. You’ve selected a suitable mate, which may include visits to other kennels and hound shows throughout the summer, followed up by seeing him work and then trawling through pedigrees to check they are an eligible match.
The Pytchley hounds are a blend of old and modern English breeding but I find myself leaning increasingly towards the old or pure English type. I have been blessed over the years to borrow some superb stallion hounds from the Holderness, Wynnstay and Belvoir. It is a great responsibility to borrow someone else’s hounds and some huntsmen would give up their children more freely than their tried and trusted old hounds. It does, however, provide me with the perfect way to assess their skills and temperament and, as every hunt country differs, it is a good way to see how they tackle our particular set of challenges.
The satisfaction of seeing the new puppies is mixed with the anticipation of what is to come, as this is of course only the beginning.
Meals and walks
We had a bad start to the breeding season, with several of my selections either not coming into season or not mating successfully. We now have several litters on the ground, the first of which, at the time of writing, are three weeks old and beginning to feed. It never ceases to amaze me how they will suckle and pull at raw meat well before they have learnt to lap.
Puppy feeding varies from pack to pack depending on huntsman and availability of feed. My preference is good fresh mutton and beef. This can be left on the bone but scored with a knife or run through a mincer. Milk from powder is also used if necessary.
Having had their dew claws removed at three days old, been regularly wormed and vaccinated twice, they will be ready to go to walk when they are eight weeks old.
We are lucky to have so many good walkers at the Pytchley, which means, unlike an increasing number of packs, all the puppies are able to leave the kennels.
We have added several new walkers this year to our list of long-suffering faithfuls. It is great to hear about the adventures of their puppies and, with the addition of social media, keep an interested eye on their progress — what would early 20th-century Pytchley huntsman Frank Freeman think, looking at hound puppies on Facebook?
There is no set time for them to return to kennels and lots of first-time walkers often ask me when they should be returned, to which I always reply, “don’t worry, you’ll know when the time comes”. They usually get to the stage when they’re either becoming destructive, disappearing off hunting or the walker wants to go on holiday.
Five people are to be charged with animal cruelty in relation to the police investigation into events filmed by hunt saboteurs using hidden cameras at the South Herefordshire hunt kennels in 2016.
The three men and two women charged have been summoned to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (15 May).
The footage appears to show a fox being carried into a building, and the sound of hounds can be heard. Later footage appears to show the body of a dead fox being disposed of.
Polly Portwin, the Countryside Alliance’s head of hunting, said: “The South Herefordshire Hunt was immediately suspended following the allegations that were made in May 2016, and remains in suspension [from the Masters of Foxhounds Association] pending the conclusion of the criminal investigation.”
The alleged behaviour of the five people who will face charges in relation to the case has been universally condemned by hunting figures.
John Holliday, professional huntsman of the Belvoir and a Horse & Hound columnist, said: “If the distressing allegations against an employee of the South Herefordshire Hunt are true, it would be very sad indeed. I have never heard of this kind of appalling behaviour before; it has never and never will play any part in hunting.”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday
This week’s edition (10 May) features our full report from Badminton, including in-depth analysis, expert comment, pictures and more. Plus, read our feature on the options for retiring your horse and in this week’s vet clinic we look into the challenges of equine surgery
The East Kent and West Street receive the prize for the best local two couple of bitch hounds during the afternoon's judging by Charmian Green MFH and Luke Neale MFH
Anybody who knows me will be surprised to hear that I’ve been asked to write any sort of column on anything. A text message is normally as far as
I get, but with a little help from my wife, I hope I’ve pulled it off.
This is my 28th season in hunt service and 14th season hunting the Percy hounds. Before that, I hunted the Essex and Suffolk, whipped-in at the Percy and the Suffolk and was also kennelman at the Suffolk.
Set in Northumberland, the Percy Hunt is lucky to have very open and largely unspoilt country. During a week or even one big day, we can hunt the east coast, which is predominantly flat and arable; lowland grass in the south-west; moorland and grass in the north and very nearly hill country in the far west. Our old English hounds suit this country very well.
Although the 10th Duke of Northumberland passed away nearly 30 years ago, we still rely very much on the goodwill that he generated. Hunt jumps and wicket gates gifted by the tenants, farmers and landowners for the 10th
Duke and Duchess’ wedding present are still maintained presently by their son, the 12th Duke, making our country easily accessible.
Our last season was a good one and, for the first time, our Most Spectacular Fall trophy was won by someone not on a horse! Despite best efforts from the “Beast from the East” and his mates, we lost only one day completely, although we did have several foot days.
Hunting on foot isn’t for everyone but I would much rather go out on foot than not all. I also find it helps to keep the edge on the hounds rather than having them laid off for a few weeks.
A mixed bag on show
Now that we are into June, we have a lot of local hound shows coming up, run by nearly every local pack and as part of some country shows. These can take a bit of judging as it’s not unusual to have a high-quality mixed bag of Welsh, Fell, hill, modern and old English hounds all in the same class. Showing is without doubt a very good PR exercise, despite it not being everyone’s cup of tea. It also showcases the very high animal welfare and kennel management standards that hunting provides.
Showing helps us to introduce a lot of people to hounds, encouraging them to walk pups, which is a massive part of the hounds’ upbringing in preparation for hunting. You only have to look at the number of people around the Yorkshire Show hound ring or in attendance at the Festival of Hunting to see how popular it is, and our local shows give us great opportunity to practise with our hounds and get them out and about.
I always look at showing as a way of fine-tuning and improving the hounds you have. No mastership in the country is going to employ a huntsman just to win some red rosettes three days a year and the priority has to be the hunting.
Our hounds will always look slightly smaller than a lot of others but with the varied country we hunt and the amount of wire in it, they suit our needs. Our three recently best stallion hounds — Woolem, Spitfire and Alnwick — would all hunt easily more than 90 days a season.
Good luck to all those heading out showing this year and very well done for supporting the cause — before we know it trail hunting will be starting again.
There is nothing cuter than a hound puppy — and nothing naughtier, either.
All over Britain and Ireland, long-suffering and very kind people have hound puppies to “walk” over the summer. The puppies become socialised, learn how to walk on collars and leads and to obey basic commands, and grow up in a happy, family environment. But puppy walkers know very well that no shoe left carelessly around will go un-chewed, and no rose bed will remain pristine.
After a few months, they go back to the hunt kennels to learn how to live with the pack — and the following autumn, when they are aged between a year and 18 months, they start to learn how to hunt trails with the rest of the pack.
Here are some hound puppies that H&H readers are walking…
1. Arkle and Arrow, Wilton puppies walked by Heather Royle
2. Wilton Arkle meets some rather intimidating-looking sheep
3. Belvoir Shamrock “helps out” Kay Gardner
4. Brocklesby Seldom and Sender enjoying an afternoon nap – sent in by Chris Power
5. Heythrop Volvic and Voicemail help Lizzie Coombes’ hunter Barry polish off his supper
6. Heythrop Volvic at full gallop
7. Ledbury hound puppies walked by eventer Vittoria Panizzon, her head girl Bryony Milton and their team enjoying the comfort of an armchair
8. South Wold Bodkin and Boris, walked by Kay Gardner
9. Four-year-old Andromeda Freegard playing with her new best friend, Crasher, at the West Norfolk hunt kennels
10. Four-week-old West Wexford Harriers puppies, sent in by Aine O’Brien
11. Woodland Pytchley Harborough, walked by Rhiannon and Amber Fitzhugh
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