Were you out recently with either the Avon Vale, United or the Scarteen packs, when the H&H hunting correspondents paid a visit? If so, why not take a look at the gallery below to see if you were spotted by our photographers.

The Avon Vale

With their kennels in the glorious surroundings of Spye Park near Lacock in Wiltshire, the Avon Vale hunt on Tuesday and Saturdays.

The country is approximately 30 miles by 25 miles in extent, bordered by the Duke of Beaufort’s, the Mendip Farmers’, the Tedworth, Royal Artillery and the South and West Wilts packs.

Photos by Sarah Farnsworth

Followers enjoy bright sunshine

Matthew Radbourne flies into action

Clare Hawings Byas looks to be enjoying her day

Jan Reeves pops a log

Hannah Freeman’s mount at full-stretch

Getting ready for the off

The United

The United pack, which hunts on Tuesdays and Saturdays, is descended from a trencher-fed pack which dates back to 1839, although its origins in the Beddoes Pack can be traced back to the 1790s.

With its country in south west Shropshire on the Welsh borders, there are around 300 square miles of sparsely populated upland country at its very centre, containing numerous wooded dingles and heather-topped hills.

Photos by Peter Nixon

Richard Beaman

Teresa Foutter

The field heads through a gate in the mist

Amateur whipper-in Bill Adams

Fiona Edwards and Teresa Foutter

Master and huntsman Richard Cambray

Master and field master for the day Jonathan Lee

The Scarteen

The Scarteen country lies in the counties of Tipperary and Limerick in Ireland and covers 23 miles east to west and 28 miles north to south.

Often referred to as the “Black and tans” due to the colouring of their hounds, the Scarteen masters and hunt staff wear a distinctive tan collar on their hunt coats.

There are records of hounds having been at Scarteen, the home of Chris Ryan MFH, for over 300 years and Chris is the eighth generation of the Ryan family to have hunted this famous family pack.

Photos by Catherine Power

Huntsman Mark Ollard gets a good push off the top of a bank

Eventer Rod O’Donnell

Jay Reardon pings a wall

Melanie and four-year-old Jonty Purcell at the hunt breakfast

The famous “black and tans”

Don’t miss our full reports from all three packs in the 25 December issue of Horse & Hound magazine

To see the full range of pictures taken by our photographers, visit www.horseandhound.co.uk/galleries

More than a quarter of a million people showed their support for hunting at Boxing Day meets around the country, 10 years after the Hunting Act 2004 was passed.

On one of the biggest days of the year for hunting, more than 300 packs in the UK held their traditional Boxing Day meets in towns, at pubs or in areas where large numbers of people could congregate safely.

With thanks to all those who have sent in their photographs, Horse & Hound brings you some pictures from action around the country, and further afield.

Thanks to Alex Townsend for sending in this great picture of Nigel Peel MFH and the North Cotswold hounds

The Berks and Bucks Draghounds heading to their first line. Photograph by Wayne Jones Photography

Jane Yorke sent in this picture of followers having fun out with the Flint and Denbigh

Action from Germany: the Hamburger Schleppjagdverein host their Boxing Day meet in Sudermühlen in the south of Hamburg. Photograph sent in by Carl Bolten

David Biggerstaff and young daughter Tillie enjoy a morning with the Kimblewick at Cholesbury Common in Buckinghamshire where over 3000 people supported the meet. Photograph by John Taylor

The Belvoir Hunt leaving their meet. Photograph by Damien Wood Photography

Poppy Burnell, 12, daughter of joint-master Wayne Burnell, out with the Badsworth and Bramham Moor at Aberford. Photograph by Jane Burnell

The North Norfolk Harriers heading to their Boxing Day meet at Sennowe Park. Photograph by Lenny Blakemore

Jessica and Bella McCarthy enjoy their first day hunting out with the Vine and Craven. Photograph by Sam Rozak

Kirstey Fortey takes a selfie with the many followers and supporters of the Ledbury Hunt

Young South Dorset follower Ruby Burgess with Dominic Jones, joint-master and huntsman of the South Dorset. Photograph by Verity Burgess

Tom James jumping a typical Cornish bank out with the Four Burrow. Photograph by Lisa Wood

A picture of elegance from the Essex and Suffolk. Photography by Hollie Bostock

Nicola Malkin, 15, raised over £200 for Cancer Research UK for riding her cob Grace bareback out with the Cheshire Bloodhounds.

Two-year-old Rose Cassapi Paskins with her mother Tracey at the Atherstone’s Boxing Day meet

Beth Walsh sent in this great action shot of a young sidesaddle rider flying a hedge with the Quorn

The Croome and West Warwickshire in Pershore High Street. Photograph by Peter Lole

From the USA: Tennessee Valley Hunt Club huntsman and two junior members. Photograph by Ryan Johnsey

Two-year-old Holly White riding Smartie out with the Barlow Hunt

Craig Anderson and Clare Dunn look out over the West Percy country. Photography by Helen Wyld

Were you out recently with either the North Ledbury or Surrey Union when the H&H hunting correspondents paid a visit? If so, why not take a look at the gallery below to see if you were spotted by our photographers.

North Ledbury

A friendly and enthusiastic hunt on the Herefordshire and Worcestershire border, the North Ledbury hunts on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The hunt country is approximately 10 miles north to south by eight miles east to west.

The hunt was formed in 1905 with hounds lent by Mr Cambray Forster, who was a master of the neighbouring Ledbury. Other adjoining packs include the North Herefordshire, Clifton-on-Teme and the Croome and West Warwickshire.

Photos by Sarah Farnsworth

And they’re off…

The field make their way through autumnal-looking country

 Craig Smith and Ronnie Hyett

Karina and Lucy Lightwood

Followers enjoy impressive views

It’s steamy work

Rebecca Dewey, Sue Ketley, Tim Hinton and Sasha Hinton

Surrey Union

The Surrey Union has been hunting in Surrey since 1798, meeting on Tuesdays and alternate Fridays and Saturdays during the main season.

The country has succumbed to urban sprawl over the years but still covers some 35 miles east to west and 20 miles north to south, with a variety of plough, grassland, set aside and heavy woodland.

Adjoining hunts are the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent, the Crawley and Horsham and the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray.

Photos by Trevor Meeks

First things first…

Huntsman Ian Shakespeare

The field heads through some woodland

Former H&H editor Lucy Higginson

Alex Bullock

Don’t miss our full reports from both packs in the 1 January issue of Horse & Hound magazine

To see the full range of pictures taken by our photographer, visit www.horseandhound.co.uk/galleries

Equestrian adrenaline seekers are in luck — the Gold Button Challenge makes a popular return to the calendar next month (Saturday 14 February).

The cross-country ride, styled on an original steeplechase, will take place at Manor Farm, Longdon. It will be run over a course of three miles with approximately 28 natural obstacles in the heart of the Ledbury Hunt country.

The event is open to anyone over 16-years-old and riders can compete for one of seven “Golden Buttons” including those awarded for first past the post and first veteran (over 50).

The original Golden Button event took place in 2005 in between the villages of Forthampton and Tirley on the banks of the River Severn.

Five runnings of the event proved to be very popular, however after a break for a few years, it is anticipated the new venue will produce an equally exciting but challenging course.

Ben Leeke, one of the organisers, told H&H: “Within 24hr of announcing the relaunch, the response on social media has been enormous and we have already started taking entries which is really exciting.”

Previous winners of the event include jump jockey Paul Carberry who flew over from Ireland especially to take part on New Year’s Eve in 2009.

Partnering the Brendan Powell-trained Blaze Ahead, the combination survived a refusal at fence 18 but made up ground in a thrilling finish to win by two lengths with renowned team chaser Zoe Gibson in second.

Zara Phillips and Top Gear’s Richard Hammond have been among those who have started the ride that was previously held on New Year’s Eve.

In addition to the thrills and spills of the Equine R-Oil and Buying Solution Golden Button Challenge, there is also a fun run over the same course for those not wanting to take the fences on at speed, and the Golden Button Ball in the evening for those still standing.

For further details see www.golden-button.co.uk

Were you out recently with either the Ledbury or Puckeridge when the H&H hunting correspondents paid a visit? If so, why not take a look at the gallery below to see if you were spotted by our photographers.

The Ledbury

The Ledbury hedge country is notorious and the pack has a reputation of being one that goes and performs. The country lies in Hereford, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, covering 35 miles north to south and 16 miles east to west. It is adjoined by the North Herefordshire, North Ledbury, Croome and West Warwickshire, the Cotswold Vale Farmers and the Berkeley. Hounds have hunted the area around Ledbury on the Hereford for over 300 years.

Pictures by Sarah Farnsworth

Lala Phillips looks like she might have taken a tumble earlier in the day…

The field enjoys bright skies

Going, going… Louise Daly takes a tumble

Matthew Ainsworth and Lady Jayne Porchester pose for the camera

Chris Martyn-Smith is on flying form

Start them young: Lavinia Westlake with daughter Caroline and Sarah and Henry Bowness

Caroline Twiston-Davies crosses the country in style

The Puckeridge

A ditch, arable and grass country, the hunt covers 19 miles north to south and 22 miles east to west in Hertfordshire, Essex and Cambridgeshire. Dating back to 1725, the Puckeridge was once amalgamated with the Newmarket and Thurlow to form the Puckeridge and Thurlow, but the union was dissolved in 1992 and the Puckeridge reverted to its old boundaries.

Pictures by Peter Nixon

The Puckeridge welcomes a good turnout of subscribers and visitors

Master and fieldmaster Tim Vestey

Miriam Weidman-Smith gets muddy

Huntsman and master Luke Neale

The smartly turned-out field

Jemima and Susannah Morris

Hena and Charlie Knott

Don’t miss our full reports from both packs in the 8 January issue of Horse & Hound magazine

To see the full range of pictures taken by our photographer, visit www.horseandhound.co.uk/galleries

For many people, Christmas occasions a well-earned holiday. Those who don’t visit the local football derby may well choose to attend that other great British tradition, the Boxing Day meet. The Feast of St. Stephen, when foxhunters hope the snow is not too “deep, crisp and even”, is the only day many people see both hound and horse on the doorstep. Most packs will have hundreds, if not thousands, of people attending.

The Grantham Boxing Day meet was resurrected in 1893 after a 40-year absence by Lord Edward Manners, as a compliment to the town’s mayor, Captain Arthur Hutchinson, “an excellent sportsman and follower of hounds” and brother of the hunt secretary.

They thought it would be a good thing with which to entertain the good burghers of Grantham. Local farmers and hunters were treated to a lavish breakfast in the Guildhall beforehand, and liberal amounts of sherry at the meet. We still receive a warm welcome and, as long as we are invited, then it
behoves us to attend.

In the more rural parts of the realm, the only privation for the hunt on Boxing Day is a longer hack to the first draw. However, Grantham has expanded and we have to compete with the Boxing Day sales and the large amount of traffic that they bring. The field of 1893 would have a shock if it met there today. Horse, hound and traffic chaos is not a healthy mix.

A local bobby to assist would be appreciated, but nowadays such a request would probably give rise to a bill. The meet is held on a quiet piece of lawn outside the Guildhall. Above the throng a statue of Sir Isaac Newton glowers down on the place of meeting, reminding everyone — without the need to be hit by falling fruit — of how gravity is rarely the horseman’s friend.

Painting the town red

Melton Mowbray, the accepted capital of hunting England and the town that was once painted red by boisterous Meltonion hunters, hosts the New Year’s Day meet. Melton no longer has Rowell’s boot-makers, but you can still find Melton pork pie and Stilton cheese.

Having satisfied the inner man, a brisk walk to the Carnegie National Hunting Museum is well worth the effort. The three “Shire” packs — the Belvoir, the Cottesmore and the Quorn — take turns to meet there. This year it was the turn of the most famous pack of hounds in the world, the Quorn.

Music for all tastes

Christmas has expanded from 12 days to nearer 12 weeks, and by now you will be sick of Noddy Holder and Bing Crosby, belting out their songs from every shop and public house. So a suggested alternative is the Belvoir’s very own Flanders and Swann tribute band, “Towns and Chatters”. In real life, they are the Belvoir subscribers, John Chatfeild-Roberts and Paul Towns.

In January they are playing, for one night only, in the Black Country for the Wheatland Hunt. Last year, they played on Exmoor, where I imagine Flanders and Swann are the latest thing, the equivalent of One Direction for the rest of the country.

Anyway, for any supporters’ club reps looking for a fun evening of song and mirth, I can highly recommend it, or, failing that, you can book “Towns and Chatters”. They will do it for the enjoyment (as opposed to the audience), or possibly a free day’s hunting.

I can assure you that when “on tour” they no longer smash their instruments at the end of the gig, their hotel rooms hardly ever get trashed and drinking sessions are kept to a minimum. Book early to avoid disappointment. Happy New Year!

Ref: H&H 8 January, 2015

Not every horse and rider that makes it onto the front cover of Horse & Hound has won Badminton or become world champion in their equestrian discipline.

Katie Croft and her four-year-old son Keiron Berry were caught on camera by www.rfmequinephotos.com while out hunting with the Holderness in Yorkshire on Boxing Day.

We found out a few facts about the 8 January cover stars and what it meant to be chosen to be on the front of Britain’s favourite weekly equestrian magazine.

“OMG, we have made it onto the cover of H&H” was Katie’s initial Facebook status when she first received notification that H&H had changed its cover photo and realised it was her and her son in the picture.

“It was such a surprise to see it,” she told H&H.

“The picture had been posted on the Countryside Alliance Facebook page, I then shared it and I was then contacted for details of the photographer,” Katie continued. “I was told we might appear in the gallery in the magazine but to make it onto the cover is the ultimate dream come true.”

“It’s lovely to see the comments people have made about the picture too, it makes me very proud of Bertie and Emmy [the horse and pony] and of course Keiron who is loving his riding and is so enthusiastic about hunting.”

Emmy, the 16-year-old Exmoor pony being ridden by Keiron, was purchased after being seen advertised on a website.

“I don’t expect there are many who have starred on the cover who have been bought from Preloved,” said Katie.

The pony was in a field just a couple of miles from where Katie and her partner lived at the time in Kimblewick Hunt country. The vendors had purchased her as a companion pony to their Shetland ponies that had subsequently been sold, so Emmy was no longer needed.

Four-year-old Keiron, was diagnosed with type one diabetes when he was just two-and-a-half-years-old and is continuously monitored and on medication. He started to learn to ride aged three and is now enjoying hunting on the lead rein.

Emmy’s showing name is Sweetcombe Sun and she successfully competed in Mountain & Moorland classes at county show level with a previous owner.

Katie’s horse Captain Commanche (Bertie) is a 13-year-old thoroughbred chestnut gelding that slipped a ligament off his pastern as a five-year-old. It was thought to be the end of his ridden career, however following a complete year off, Bertie came back into work and ran in six point-to-points as a seven-year-old.

Katie — who has worked as a groom for various Masters of Foxhounds and had a summer working for showjumper Paul Barker — has been riding Bertie since he finished racing in the summer of 2009.

They have successfully competed in Racehorse to Riding Horse Classes and in 2013 they qualified for the 2014 finals at Hickstead.

Bertie refused to jump out hunting for many years. However Katie — who hunts regularly with the Holderness — said that has all changed this season and “he has become very brave and nothing gets in his way now”.

Don’t miss this week’s special Best of British issue of Horse & Hound magazine, out now (8 January 2015)

Were you out recently with either the Isle of Wight or Cheshire packs when the H&H hunting correspondents paid a visit? If so, why not take a look at the gallery below to see if you were spotted by our photographers.

Isle of Wight

What makes this pack unique is that unlike any other British hunting country, it has no boundaries and unless they go for a swim, hounds are unlikely to enter any other hunt’s country.

With their kennels at Gatcombe, near Newport, the hunt dates back to 1845, although before that, the island was hunted by the Crockford Harriers.

The country is varied with pasture and plough in the north and the south, whereas the eastern side contains large woodlands, and in the centre of the island are the downs.

Photos by Paul Quagliana

Lilly Bartlett and Tory tackle a fence in style

Sian Dyer with seven-year-old Jess Isaacson

Tatty Liddle and Helsie

All shapes and sizes of horses turn out for the meet

Morning sun at the meet

Debbie Formbridge is in good spirits

Joint-masters Karen Begley and Alex Clarke

It’s a fine day to be out

The Cheshire

Founded in 1763, the hunt country is predominantly grassland, fenced by hedges and ditches due to the large number of dairy farms. Members of the Cheshire field can enjoy jumping across good-sized hedges although there are ways around for those preferring an easier route.

Photos by Trevor Meeks

Elaine Williams crosses the country with ease

Charlotte Brunt is on flying form

Angie Levinson tackles a hedge in fine style

Showing supremo Robert Walker is a former joint-master

Farmer Tom Sherwin has only recently taken up hunting

Farrier Bob Stubbs in action

The greys: Di Wooley, Caroline Topping and joint-master Laura Cardwell are smartly turned out

Daughter of the meet hosts Claire Robinson and her partner Stuart Hassall

Farriers Roger Gaden and Charlie Walker

Don’t miss our full reports from both packs in the 15 January issue of Horse & Hound magazine

To see the full range of pictures taken by our photographer, visit www.horseandhound.co.uk/galleries

Were you out recently at the Pytchley’s “grey horses only day” or with the Bicester Hunt with Whaddon Chase when the H&H hunting correspondents paid a visit? If so, why not take a look at the pictures below to see if you were spotted by our photographers.

Pytchley

With only those on grey horses able to ride at this special meet, 72 different shades of grey horses — which were either owned or borrowed especially for the occasion — attended this spectacle that raised money for the local air ambulance.

Photos by Peter Nixon

Rachel Telfer

Clare Bell

Casper Shand Kydd

Whipper-in James Finney

Lucy Holland, Peter Rymer and Tim Willes outside Fawsley Hall

Annabel Pinton

Amateur whipper-in Johnny Knowles, Lydia Cope, Pip Taylor, Grafton huntsman Mickey Wills and Andy Tutton

’72 shades of grey': there’s an impressive turnout for this special meet

Bicester Hunt with Whaddon Chase

The hunt was formed as an amalgamation of the Bicester & Warden Hill and the Whaddon Chase in 1986. Their country lies in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire, with their kennels in Stratton Audley, near Bicester. Patrick Martin, who has hunted these hounds since 1992, retires at the end of the season so H&H correspondent Will Cursham spent the day of our visit “on the tail of Patrick Martin”.

Photos by Sarah Farnsworth

Eventer Izzy Taylor is mounted on a young horse for the day

Subscriber Henry Morgan

Successful local showjumper Lottie Tutt

Members of the field taking on a Doddershall Park hedge

Annabel Peebles with Susie Beecroft, one of the hunt secretaries

The Bicester Hunt with Whaddon Chase field

Huntsman Patrick Martin retires at the end of this season, having hunted these hounds since 1992

Don’t miss our full reports from both packs in the 22 January issue of Horse & Hound magazine

To see the full range of pictures taken by our photographer, visit www.horseandhound.co.uk/galleries

An industrial-sized hip flask can be the only explanation for the riders who sign up to an array of equestrian activities that ‘verging on bonkers’ would aptly describe. Watching from the sidelines may well provide a sufficient kick…

1. Dianas of the Chase, Ingarsby Old Hall, Leics

Until February 2013, side saddle steeplechases were dead — one hadn’t been run since 1927. But jewellery designer Philippa Holland and Captain Fred Hopkinson from the Household Cavalry decided that needed to change. Step forward the Dianas of the Chase race.
Get your fix: 29 November 2015 (TBC)

2. Dromin Athlacca Community Ride, Co. Limerick, Ireland

Don’t be fooled by the comforting word “community” in the name — checking the small print on your insurance policy might be the best use of your time. Despite efforts to make the race more rider-friendly — “we’re keen to get everyone safely across the country” one of the organisers tells us — there is no escaping the robust ditches, banks and walls on the 15-mile course covering famous Limerick country.
Get your fix: October 2015 (TBC)

3. Mongol Derby, Mongolia

Anything that claims to be the “longest and toughest horse race in the world” is unlikely to show your body a good time. “This is no guided tour, or pony trek,” declare the organisers. “There is no marked course, no packed lunches, no shower block, no stabling. That’s the whole point. It’s just you, your team of horses and a thousand kilometres of Mongolian wilderness. And possibly a GPS.”
Get your fix:  2-16 August 2015

4. Velka Pardubicka, Pardubice, Czech Republic

George Williamson was the last jockey to win both the Grand National and the Czech Republic’s answer to our iconic race, the Velka Pardubicka. And that was in1899 — which gives an indication of what we’re dealing with here. The gruelling four-and-a-quarter-mile race features the terrifying Taxis Ditch — a towering hedge with a ditch on landing, which allegedly dwarfs Becher’s Brook.
Get your fix:  11 October 2015

5. Skijoring, St Moritz, Switzerland

It would be hard to make up a stranger equestrian discipline than skijoring — horses towing “jockeys” behind them on skis for 2,700m across 60cm thick ice, with speeds reaching up to 50 kilometres per hour. The start of the race is where things can get particularly precarious — tangled reins and horses setting off in different directions is not unheard of. In 1965, not a single skier succeeded in crossing the finishing line. Efforts have since been made to make the sport safer — coloured skis are now compulsory so that horses can see them in the snow and competitors undergo stringent testing in the run-up to the event. Nonetheless, strength, athleticism, balance, toughness — and an element of luck — are crucial to succeed.
Get your fix:  8, 15 and 22 February 2015

6. The Golden Button Challenge, Longdon Marsh, Glos

If hurling yourself over 28 natural obstacles across three miles of Ledbury Hunt country, styled on an original steeplechase, is your idea of a good day out — you’re in luck. After taking a break from the calendar, the race is back in action. The Golden Buttons up for grabs include those for the first veteran, first non-thoroughbred and for the first military person.
Get your fix:  14 February 2015

Don’t miss the adrenaline special in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine (29 January 2015), where we find out how to manage your adrenaline and take a look at the facts and figures that show just how fast and furious horse sport is

A court case against two members of the Lunesdale hunt collapsed yesterday (Wednesday 21 January) — just one day into a scheduled two-day trial.

Terrence “Ted” Potter, 63, of Orton, Penrith and Paul Whitehead, 53, of Sedbergh of the Lundesdale appeared at York Magistrates Court.

The case was brought by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), on evidence provided by the League Against Cruel Sports.

Both had been accused of one charge of hunting a wild mammal with a dog on 18 February 2014, at Holly Platt Farm in Ingleton.

However, the case collapsed on the first day when the magistrates ruled there was no case to answer.

Following an application by the Lunesdale’s lawyer, Stephen Welford, they found there was no evidence that either man was present at the site on 18 February 2014.

“This is yet another example of a prosecution, pursued on the basis of vindictive allegations by animal rights activists, that fell apart as soon as it came under scrutiny,” said Tim Bonner of the Countryside Alliance.

“This case has cost Yorkshire taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds to no purpose other than once again highlighting why the Hunting Act needs to be repealed.”

Since January 2014 three Hunting Act cases that have failed — against the Melbreak, the Lunesdale and the Devon & Somerset Staghounds.

There have also been two fail under the Badgers Act too — Crawley and Horsham and York & Ainsty.

However, three members of the College Valley and North Northumberland Hunt were found guilty of illegally hunting a fox during a hunt meet at West Kyloe Farm, near Lowick, Northumberland on 27 February 2014.

A CA spokesman added: “The number of cases that fail in the courts are proof that the Hunting Act does not work. In the latest case, that of the Lunesdale, the two defendants were kept in limbo for a year before it came to court and the magistrates immediately threw the case out. There was no evidence that either man had even been in the area that day never mind to show them committing a crime and it should never have got to court.

“Both the CPS and police must look much more carefully at cases brought under the Hunting Act to weed out those being advanced by groups, like the League Against Cruel Sports, for reasons of prejudice rather than sound legal ones.”

Catherine Austen’s hunter is hurried to surgery for a joint flush after a blackthorn injury, and makes a speedy recovery

Tuesday, 18 November

After a great day’s hunting with the Cottesmore, my horse, Molly, doesn’t look 100% sound. She was fine when she came off the lorry, but within an hour is lame. There is nothing to see in the leg or hoof, and the hoof doesn’t respond to hoof testers. But I did pull a long blackthorn out of her knee when I was washing her off, and there is a small amount of heat in the left side of that knee.

I am in Leicestershire, 2½hr away from home in Gloucestershire. I’ve seen one blackthorn injury before — on this horse, four seasons earlier — and I just know it’s happened again. I ring my veterinary practice, Bourton Vale Equine Clinic. They say to bring her straight in. Rugged up and bandaged, Molly limps into the trailer in the dark, bless her. I worry all the way home and concentrate on giving her a smooth drive.

I arrive at Bourton Vale at 8pm, and am met by vet Peter Clements and two interns, Maureen Whyte and Karolina Radwanska. I unload Molly and we take her into the examination room.

Clipping is not her favourite thing, and we sedate her to clip her foreleg out and look for signs of penetration by a foreign body. The knee is scanned to make sure there are no thorns embedded in the skin.

Peter takes a sample of synovial fluid from the radiocarpal joint, and the fluid is tested to check the white blood cell (pus) count and protein levels. A high level
will indicate infection or contamination.Molly’s counts are far higher than is acceptable.

Peter tells me that Jeremy Swan, the surgeon on call, will operate on Molly that night to flush the joint. The nurses reclip and scrub Molly’s leg, and the team anaesthetise her. She is lifted up with a winch and put on an airbed.

Jeremy puts an arthroscope into the joint through a 4mm sleeve, and can see on a screen what is happening inside the joint. An egress cannula is put into the other side of the joint, and 10 litres of saline fluid is pumped through the joint. While that happens, the arthroscope is used to look for obvious signs of penetration and bits of blackthorn or grit.

That takes 45min to an hour, and after that Molly is lifted off into the recovery area. Her head and tail are supported by ropes and pulleys so that she gets up with assistance.

Peter phones me late that night to say that they are very happy with how the operation went.

Wednesday, 19 November

I visit Molly at Bourton Vale. She has a huge bandage on her foreleg, but looks pretty happy and is eating, which is great because she tends to stop eating whenever she’s unhappy. I ponder the subject of blackthorns. Hunters seem to have joint flushes all the time because of them now — Jeremy confirms this, yet any older member of the hunting field will tell you that they didn’t happen 25 years ago.

“We treat them much more aggressively now than we did 20 years ago,” says Jeremy. “And we didn’t have arthroscopes then, which give a much more accurate diagnosis.”

Thursday, 20 November

Bourton Vale ring and say that Molly trotted up sound this morning. I can take her home on Saturday when she has finished her course of intravenous antibiotics. I’ve been lucky; a single flush has worked.

“It’s common to have two or three flushes,” says Jeremy.

“On the second or third day after flushing you know whether or not it has been successful. The clinical signs — whether it is hot, or painful — will tell you.”

Saturday, 22 November

I pick Molly up from Bourton Vale. She’s perfectly sound and leaps up onto the lorry. Her discharge notes say that the stitches can come out in 10-14 days, and that she is not to move much until then. The bandage should be removed in two days.

Monday, 24 November

I decide to rebandage the leg because I am worried about exposing the site of the operation to any dirt. I’m probably being over-cautious, and the incisions are tiny, but there we go.

Monday, 1 December

We take the stitches out — it has healed beautifully. Molly goes on the horse walker for 10min, which can be upped by 10min on each of the next few days. The farrier comes out to put her shoes back on.

Friday, 5 December

I ride Molly for the first time since her injury.

Thursday, 11 December

Molly goes hunting for the first time since the Cottesmore day. Accompanied by a friend on a young, green horse, we go for just 2hr. It’s perfect: we jump and gallop without ever really getting a long hunt, and she feels a million dollars. In fact, it’s like she’s been to a health farm or to Barbados for three weeks, rather than had an operation under general anaesthetic and box rest to recover. I’m lucky — she’s a tough old girl and has had a textbook recovery.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (22 January 2015)

A huntsman has been left with two fractured teeth and concussion following a clash between hunt saboteurs and members of the Tedworth Hunt on Saturday (24 January).

Joint-master and huntsman Mike Lane (not pictured), who suffered severe concussion, claims he was kicked in the head by saboteurs when hounds were boxing up at the end of the day near Everley in Wiltshire.

There were reportedly around six hunt saboteurs present at the time of the incident. Anti-hunt protestors wearing balaclavas and face masks, in two vehicles that have been reported to be associated with Bristol and Southampton hunt saboteur groups, had been present all day. One saboteur allegedly spat at Mr Lane and it is reported that they had attempted to pull him from his horse earlier in the day when the huntsman requested that the saboteurs refrained from spraying the hounds with an unknown liquid substance.

During the incident, where hunt supporters requested the saboteurs leave the property because hounds were going home, Mr Lane slipped over and was kicked while laying on the ground. He was knocked unconscious and an ambulance was called. He was treated at a local hospital.

“We were legally trail-hunting and the saboteurs had been following us all day,” a hunt spokesman said.

“At the end of the day, there was an incident where our huntsman fell to the ground and was kicked in the head and as a result he is suffering from concussion and will be unable to hunt hounds this week.

“We believe they were carrying metal bars attached to ropes and chains.”

A passing member of the public with no connection to the hunt is understood to have recorded the incident on a mobile phone camera and a police investigation is ongoing.

The hunt regularly experiences attention from anti-hunt protestors, however, the spokesman for the hunt added: “There was a definite feeling of an increased level of hostility towards us and the behaviour was more threatening than usual. We hope the police will be able to find those responsible for this injury.”

This photograph of Ben Hitchcott departing in spectacular style from his ride while out with the Mid-Surrey Farmers’ Draghounds went viral when it was put online on Sunday (25 January). But is it real or has it been edited?

The picture was posted on the Countryside Alliance’s Facebook page and was shared nearly 8,000 times. It also generated more than 1,600 responses with speculation over whether the picture had been photoshopped or not.

The photographer Ginni Beard, who works across the South-East, has been taken back by the reaction to the picture.

“I am sorry to say it was just a joke photo,” she told H&H. “I had no idea that it would be shared by anyone except Ben.

“He had fallen off his horse, but wanted to be in the same picture as his horse — who had ignored the loss of his rider and continued to follow his mates without batting an eye.

“Ben came running up and jumped off the top of the rails shouting ‘Get one of me jumping; never mind about the horse!’

“I thought it would be fun to put them in the same shot to cheer him up.”

Ben is a former National Hunt jockey and rode more than 100 winners. In 2006 he switched careers and began training as a farrier. He is now fully qualified and works across Kent and the South East.

Although the majority of people suspected that the picture had been photoshopped, many thought so for the wrong reasons.

“The rider would not be in that position in the shot if it were real,” said one Facebook user.

“Photoshop! He’s in the jump position,” added another.

Some fans of the picture have now photoshopped it further.

“I notice in the latest version he is riding on a broomstick,” Ginni added. “Not guilty here!”

Were you out recently with either the Hursley Hambledon or Carmarthenshire packs when the H&H hunting correspondents paid a visit? If so, why not take a look at the galleries below to see if you were spotted by our photographers.

Hursley Hambledon

Our correspondent visited on a frosty morning however after a delayed meet time, conditions had eased and those who braved the elements were able to enjoy the sport provided. The hunt, whose kennels are in Droxford in Hampshire, was formed as an amalgamation of the Hursley Hunt with the Hambledon Hunt in 1978.

Photos by David Miller

Blaze Hixon

Laura Bradley

Pete Matthews

Martin Moore (right)

Huntsman Steven Burton

There were blue skies for the New Year’s Eve meet

Bill Smith and his family, with their miniature mounts

Take a look at the Hursley Hambledon photo gallery

Carmarthenshire

This year, the pack is celebrating 125 years since its’ formation and a new book has recently been released called The Carmarthenshire Hunt: A History by Edwin Atkins, a former master of hounds.
The Carmarthenshire country lies in south west Wales and is bordered by many packs including the South Pembrokeshire, Tivyside and the Llandeilo Farmers.

Photos by Anthony Reynolds

Bobby Thomas, Matthew Coventry and Owain Fisher

Followers look to be in high spirits

Lucy James with her four-year-old son Dominic

Master Martin Walters and Octavia Pollock raise a glass

Carmarthen Hunt members Miranda and Anna Bowen with Fred and Percy the dogs — decked out in festive attire

Lorna Williams pops her grey over a log in fine style

Asher Jenkins and Molly James on the lead rein

Take a look at the Carmarthenshire photo gallery

Don’t miss our full reports from both packs in the 29 January issue of Horse & Hound magazine

The kitchen windows are all steamed up and the relentless rainismaking adreadfuldin. I can’t be certain, but I’m sure Noah just blew ‘Gone away’ as he floated down the kennel drive on his ark, full of our hounds and horses.

I recently learnt that my wife and those at kennels are prone to call me the “Oracle”.

Sadly this doesn’t refer to my god-like intelligence, but to my clinical obsession with the weather forecast. In the depths of winter it is vital for a huntsman to know what is in store.

Throughout most of its working life, every hound should hunt twice a week as often as possible.

However, if storms and high winds are forecast it may be unwise to take a large pack with lots of flighty puppies on the hill. Some may justifiably question the merit in going at all under such conditions, but the show must go on and a significant hunt can be had in the most unlikely of weathers. And by 3pm it may have settled down.

Recently we hunted between two valleys. Many would have considered not fit to hunt, however I would wager that, due to planning and the respect shown to the farmer’s requests, the impact to the land from a small mid-week field was minimal. Those at the sharp end with the hounds had slightly more leeway.

On one occasion, mid-hunt, when the trail layer had clearly got lost and I needed to get to a main road quickly to ensure hounds safe passage, my dear horse was disappearing halfway to his hocks with each stride.

I daren’t look back across the middle of the huge grass field to see my tracks but live in hope that the sheep, rain and inevitable snow will make good by the spring.

Farmers’ concern for their land has never been more acute, and hunting has had to adapt with the times.

Hunting in arable countries has been improved in many areas. The subsidies for wide headlands have transformed the mounted field’s ability to stay with hounds at a decent pace, thereby adding to the overall enjoyment and coherence of the day.

Our Pevensey and Romney marshes, although very different from each other, are two of Britain’s most remarkable landscapes. A wilderness in parts, despite being managed and farmed, they also provide a rich habitat, particularly for birds.

Subsidies and grants are incentives for the farmers to create this special environment, although there would be quicker and more sensible ways to make your millions.

The water levels are kept high over a significant proportion in order to encourage certain species. This makes flooding even more likely and when the rains come, as of late, the livestock farmers can struggle for grazing. Sheep, in particular, can get locked on rapidly decreasing grass plots.

The receding flood can leave saturated, sloppy ground, but the banks tend to hold firm. A few drying days can make a huge difference, but this puts pressure on our privileged use of the marshes for hunting.

Marsh hunts can be long and very fast with plenty of opportunity to see hounds work. The farmers are welcoming of the hounds (if not always 100 horses), aided by careful planning, respect and an efficient, friendly fallen stock service.

One farmer recently told me: “There is indeed no finer sight in England than quarry, a pack of hounds in full cry, huntsman, whippers-in and large mounted field in rapid pursuit… on your neighbour’s farm.”

I treasure the letter from his recently late father-in-law, a farmer, sage and former master of our hounds, thanking us for a wonderful farmer’s supper, after which he “couldn’t understand why any farmer wouldn’t welcome a large, thrusting field in the wettest of winters, right through the middle of the farm.”

And he meant it.

Ref: H&H 29 January 2015

Were you out recently with either the Blankney or North Norfolk Harriers when the H&H hunting correspondents paid a visit? If so, why not take a look at the galleries below to see if you were spotted by our photographers.

Blankney

Despite the almost gale-force winds on the day the H&H hunting editor visited, the Blankney hounds worked very hard for huntsman Philip Stubbings to give the field an enjoyable day.

The hunt country lies in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, extending approximately 20 miles from east to west and 11 miles from north to south. Neighbouring packs include the Burton, the Belvoir and the Grove and Rufford.

Jumping mainly Lincolnshire ditches, the hunt dates back to 1871 and has existed in its current form since the end of the 19th century.

Photos by Trevor Meeks

Martin Leech ahead of Emma Elliott MFH

Hounds with huntsman Philip Stubbings

Wayne Cox MFH leads the field

Whipper-in Callum McDonald

Georgie, Lee and son Ruben Cocking

Claire and Ben Wills

Take a look at more pictures from the Blankney here

North Norfolk Harriers

A field of over 70 mounted followers enjoyed the hospitality at Holkham Hall on a frosty New Year’s Eve to enjoy a day with the harriers.

This is the only pack of West Country Harriers in East Anglia, where the country extends north of the Norwich/Fakenham road, all the way to the broads and the sea.

Photos by Peter Nixon

Master and huntsman Chris Carman at the end of the meet at Holkham Hall near Wells-next-the-Sea

The field moving off towards the North Norfolk coast

The field embrace the mud

Jack and Lucy Reader pop a log in style

Alexander Vaughan-Jones, Kirsty Vaughan-Jones, Oliver Vaughan-Jones and Harriet West (fiancee of Alexander)

Take a look at more pictures from the North Norfolk Harriers here

Don’t miss our full reports from both packs in the 5 February issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, 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 may have been on hip flask contents 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, perhaps exchanging their usual crash hat for a traditional made-to-measure hunting cap. 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 give away.

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.

Continued below…

17 signs you’re dating a horse rider

• 3 November, 2013 - 09:00

Is your new significant other being slightly coy about their hobbies and interests? Here are some subtle yet key signs …Continue reading »

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.

The New Year has brought with it a change in the weather. Some days have already been lost and heavy snow is forecast.

It brings to mind former Belvoir huntsman Frank Gillard’s reply when asked what he’d do differently if he had his time again:

“Put more days in before Christmas, as the frost upon the plough causes so many to be lost thereafter,” was his sage reply.

Days can be lost for many reasons — snow, frost, fog are the ones nature dispenses. But one thing I’ve learnt is that the conditions are either fit or they are not. The only grey area is whether or not you decide to go out regardless.

Modern farming methods mean that for most areas, hunting no longer continues into April, as it used to some 50 years ago. But in arable areas, I can see no reason why it should not. It would give some hunts a few more days to enjoy the unrestricted access afforded once the shooting season finishes at the end of January.

Can the two sports co-exist?

Hunting requires a large area in which to operate, but it is a sad fact of contemporary hunting that its curtailment in many areas is due to the constraints of game shooting. It is a sensitive subject, I know, but much has changed since the imposition of the Hunting Act 10 years ago.

One change involves the rise in smaller syndicated shoots to the extent that hardly any areas of land are not shot over. The second concerns the rise in the cost of running a shoot, meaning their keepers are nervous of losing birds through any disturbance.

The change in the law has caused an upset in the natural balance of the countryside, but not only in the way that was predicted — that is, the repercussions for the quarry. But we are now in a position where young men running smaller syndicate shoots seem unable to understand the problem. I suspect because they have no experience or memory of life before the Hunting Act.

Many do not follow hounds as their fathers probably did and consequently, they do not feel the obligations to their friends and neighbours that came naturally to their forebears.

Fighting for the same side

At the Belvoir (pictured), we are exceptionally lucky. The large estates such as Aswarby in Lincolnshire, and Belvoir and Buckminster in Leicestershire, all stand out as shining examples of top quality shoots that accommodate hounds throughout the year.

In our Vale, every field is covered by an organised shoot — 20 years ago, there were none.

All of them allow the hunt unrestricted access, for no other reason than common courtesy and a healthy respect for their fellow man, for which we are genuinely indebted.

We have other areas that prove more difficult to make arrangements for. The only thing that helps keep the ship on course is the fact that we have an exceptionally large “country”.

It is sad to relate that even well-organised and established hunts have to cancel days because they have nowhere to go. It is ironic that one of the greatest difficulties in running a hunt in 2015 has not been as a direct consequence of the Hunting Act, but an indirect one.

We, the men and women of the sporting countryside, are of one family. As in all families there are inevitable tensions, but come the revolution, we will all surely fight on the same side!

In a shrinking countryside, hunts need to put maximum effort into arranging meets around shoot dates, in cases where hunt countries have further pressure from roads and urbanisation. Amalgamations should be given serious consideration.

For their part, shoots can with luck understand the value of hunting to the wider community and show some altruism toward their fellow sportsman. Thenceforth, halcyon days shall return, peace and serenity can reign. Good hunting or good shooting — and preferably both.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 5 February 2015

Were you out recently with either the North Cotswold or the South Durham when the H&H hunting correspondents paid a visit? If so, why not take a look at the galleries below to see if you were spotted by our photographers.

North Cotswold

Despite a good covering of snow on the day the H&H correspondent visited, it was business as usual. Often described as “one of the most notable of the smaller hunts”, the North Cotswolds dates back to 1772.

Centred on the town of Broadway, the hunt country covers approximately 250 square miles of the northern end of Gloucestershire and the Southern corner of Worcestershire.

Photos by www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk

Mark Russell pops a fence with ease

Crisp snow and bright sunshine made for an exhilarating day

Amateur whipper-in John Trice-Rolph

Winter sunshine: Karen Smith and companion

David Parker

View the full North Cotswold gallery here and purchase images

South Durham

A field of over 70 mounted followers enjoyed the hospitality at the South Durham meet.

One of the longest established hunts in the area, the country cover from the River Wear in the north, to the River Tees in the south.

Photographs by Trevor Meeks

Andrew Morally tackles a fence in style

James Adams

Garry Watchman, who has been in the South Durham mastership since 2006, receives a helping hand

Ross Crawford flies one of the South Durham country’s substantial hedges

Annabelle Shields jumps in style

Starting young: Ashley Effard escorting Gareth Watchman’s daughter Lilly Watchman

A follower pops a fence with ease

View the full South Durham gallery here and purchase images

View and purchase other images from H&H’s hunting galleries here

Don’t miss our full reports from both packs in the 12 February issue of Horse & Hound magazine