A competitor in the Harborough Ride has been hailed a “modern day Florence Nightingale” by her fellow riders after she stopped to help a racer in peril.

Clare Bell (pictured top), secretary for the Cottesmore, was taking part in the Leicestershire race on Saturday (21 March) when she noticed a competitor and horse in trouble.

Patrick Millington and his horse, Zafarrans Scene, had slipped and fallen into a ditch. Patrick was trapped under the horse, which was thrashing around, putting the rider in danger.

“Clare stopped and got off her horse, giving up her chance of winning the race entirely to help,” said Zoe Gibson, who won the race.

“She got into the ditch and sat on the horse so that a steward could help remove Patrick, who was pinned underneath. It was a real Florence Nightingale moment.”

Zoe also praised Clare’s horse, Bridget.

“Clare had to leave Bridget to help Patrick. The mare was so good, she just stood there quietly while other racers passed by,” Zoe added.

Once Patrick was freed, Clare remounted and finished the ride. Patrick was taken to Kettering hospital with a twisted leg, where he remained for two days, but he’s now home recovering. Zafarrans Scene was unhurt.

“It’s the first holiday I have had in eight years,” he joked.

Forty-seven riders set out in the ride at Saddington Vale, but only 30 completed the tough race.

Zoe just pipped Robert Walked to second place between the last and the finish — securing her eighth consecutive victory in the race. Edward Smyth-Osborne finished third.

The course covered 26 timber fences and natural hedges, plus a large ditch over a 3.5mile course.

For a full report see this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine — 26 March.

Horse & Hound’s hunting editor visited on a bitterly cold day following a night of snowfall. The meet had been put back to 12pm to allow for the overnight snow to thaw although there was a further blizzard in the afternoon which saw many of the field retire early.

A few hardy souls stayed out to the end of the day to see the Exmoor’s legendary huntsman Tony Wright and the Exmoor hounds working hunt to find and hunt their trails in the difficult conditions. Tony was appointed by Capt Ronnie Wallace in 1982 after starting his career at the Heythrop and latterly the Quorn.

The Exmoor country lies in North Devon and Somerset, extending approximately 20 miles east to west and 12 miles north to south in the widest part. With their kennels in Balewater, near Simonsbath, they hunt on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Senior-master Felicita Busby plays an instrumental role by looking after the hunt horses and lending her hand to almost any task, including the collection of fallen stock. The mastership is completed by Angela Ingram and Amanda Benson.

Stunning setting: followers of the Exmoor enjoy spectacular views and scenery. Pictured is Lucy Beeney Nicholls

The Exmoor hounds have diverse blood lines, including some American and Fell breeding

Pat Atkinson and hounds

Nic Barker, Andy Willis and Miss Felicita Busby MFH with meet host Brian Taylor and his fox-shaped gingerbread

In good spirits: Jessica Branton

Hattie Crabb, Char Hutsby and Pippa Stewart Hunter

Work experience student Louisa Zeale with her eight-year old pony who has taken well to hunting but not travelling. Thankfully senior master Felicita Busby and Ian Marfleet, the hunt’s countryman, were on hand to help load her pony this day

Immaculately dressed hunt secretary Richard Bowden

Pictures by www.hamishmitchellphotography.co.uk

View all the pictures of the Exmoor hunt

Don’t miss our full hunting reports in the 2 April issue of Horse & Hound magazine

There are 34 days until the general election.

Vote-OK, the countryside campaigning organisation, is asking all hunt supporters to devote just 12 hours to active political campaigning for candidates who support our rural way of life.

We now need to look to the future, but the future under a hostile government after May 2015 would look bleak indeed. Along with oft-repeated threats to maintain or even strengthen the Hunting Act, the Labour Party has also declared war on other rural activities, with its latest pronouncements about “cruelty on shooting estates”.

The Campaign to Strengthen the Hunting Act certainly wants Labour to do more.

This would include imposing a six-month prison sentence as a penalty for an offence under the Hunting Act, introducing a new offence of “reckless hunting” — which would penalise anyone whose dogs hunted a mammal accidentally — and finally making it an offence to lay a trail anywhere “where wild mammals are likely to be found”.

The lack of understanding of how animals and the countryside work that is demonstrated in these proposals is stunning.

And for those who talk about sticking with the current status quo, consider this: under a Conservative administration, the current status quo will be the floor, the base level from which things might improve. Under a Labour administration, the current status quo will be the ceiling, from which we dangle precariously by our fingertips.

‘Don’t just complain — campaign!’

You may feel that the ban has not affected your life very much — but none of us should sit back and say “I’m alright, Jack. It doesn’t affect me”.

Do you want to retain a law passed to discriminate against people who hunt, or would you prefer to get rid of it and replace it with something that actually improves animal welfare and wildlife management?

The outcome of this general election is going to be crucial to the future, not just of hunting but many other countryside issues. Rural people often complain that the government is too urban-centric. One of the mottos of Vote-OK is: “Don’t just complain — campaign!”

We all have the opportunity to set to work and help choose who will be making the laws that protect and preserve our countryside. We owe it to ourselves, our children and the countryside itself, to make sure that we pick people who actually understand the countryside and how it works.

So what can you do to help?

The answer: get involved in the political process. Don’t just vote — although that is crucial — but make sure that you are registered and get a postal vote if you will not be able to vote locally on 7 May.

So get out and engage in the political campaign. All candidates need volunteers to deliver leaflets, put up posters, stuff envelopes, make telephone calls and many other things.

If you are in contact with your local hunt, they can advise you of a local constituency where your help might make a difference, or you can look at the website of Vote-OK (www.vote-ok.co.uk) and volunteer. Don’t just sit back and wait to be asked. There isn’t enough time for that. Be proactive — contact them and ask how you can help.

Twelve hours to save hunting, the same as two days’ hunting: can you afford not to make that investment?

Ref: Horse & Hound; 2 April 2015

As the hunting season finally draws to a close, it seems only fair that we celebrate those often at least a third of our age, who make us feel embarrassingly feeble on the hunting field.

Armed with a pony who thinks he is a Milton/Denman/Avebury hybrid, these children are blessed with the feeling we have long since lost of fearlessness and a dogged determintation to keep up with the front of the field. Oh and they’re often pretty stylish too.

Sit back, reminisce and enjoy — after all it won’t be too long until you’re plaiting up for next season’s opening meet.

13-year-old Ed Carter-Griffiths and his pony Teddy make light work of a hedge out hunting with the Mid Surrey Farmers Draghounds at Heaverham. Photograph courtesy of Claire Owen, Attic Photography

Nia Kerslake and her 14.1hh pony Brooke fly a hedge jumped by very few of the field on Lady Denbigh’s private drag hunt with the Readyfield Bloodyhounds at Newnham Paddox. 13-year-old Nia hunts regularly and is a subscriber to the Fernie. She also team chases and has started pony racing — her dream is to be a jump jockey. Watch this space…

Elise Cadman, 11-years-old, and her 14hh pony Scarlet tackle a Portman hedge on their first ever vale day. Impressively, this was Elise’s first season hunting. Photo courtesy of Mark Thistlewood

13-year-old Libby Colmer riding 14hh Tommy at the closing meet of the Cheshire Forest Hunt. You would hardly believe Libby had jumped her first ever hedge earlier in the day. Libby, who has qualified and ridden at the Horse of the Year Show for the past two years is currently preparing for her first BE80(T) at Northallerton. Photo courtesy of Country Style Photography

Charlotte Caulfield, who is just nine years old, flies a rail with her 11.2hh pony Maisie. Charlotte goes out every week with the Cheshire Bloodhounds and recently won ‘the most improved junior rider’ award. Charlotte’s mother Louise says, “she goes out spotless and comes home filthy, grinning from ear to ear with tales of jumping, galloping and laughter.”

13-year-old Fliss Calverley flying with the Cheshire Bloodhounds on six-year-old Ballyard Rebel Tim

Ten-year-old Harvey Trowbridge jumping his first hedge out hunting with the Portman on the six-year-old Irish cob Gale Force

Scooby flies a hedge with his young jockey, Megan Fox out with the Tedworth. Photo courtesy of Sarah Jane Bullock Photography

Ellie Morgan and her 13.2hh pony Lilly, making a 4ft9 Monmouthshire hedge look effortless

13-year-old Jack Butcher and his pony, 13.1hh Cookie make nothing of a hedge out hunting with the North Hereford, in what is only Jack’s second season of hunting. Photo courtesy of Sam Smith

Eight-year-old Emily Bailey and her 13.2hh pony Sophie tackle a Cornish bank out with the Four Burrow Hunt. Emily is the fourth child Sophie has taught to bank and hunt with the Four Burrow and is a legend among the field. Photo courtesy of Lisa Wood

Eleven-year-old Aideen Quinlan and her 14hh pony Duke tackle a bank out hunting with the Kerry Hunt Club. The pair have hunted all season with the pack in Ireland.

The names of the 10 huntsmen from packs from all areas of the country that will take part in a prestigious hornblowing competition have now been revealed.

They will be competing at the Horn & Hound Ball — which is a celebration of hunting — at Cheltenham racecourse on 25 April.

The winner will be presented with the Dorian Williams Horse & Hound Trophy, which was first awarded in 1952. The huntsmen — some amateur and some professional — will also be competing to win an engraved Henry Keat hunting horn, sponsored by Horse & Hound.

The finalists — who will be asked to blow “gone away” and “going home” — will be judged by Alastair Jackson and Nigel Peel MFH, master and huntsman of the North Cotswold.

Those preparing to take part in this year’s national competition are:

• Ian Shakespeare, of the Surrey Union
• Robert McCarthy, of the Percy
• Tony Holdsworth, of the Duke of Beaufort’s
• Mick Wills, of the Grafton
• Owain Fisher, of the Carmarthenshire
• Steven Coates MFH, of the West Somerset
• Gerald Sumner MFH, of the Kimblewick
• Tom Cranage, of the Ampleforth Beagles
• David Every, of the Park Beagles
• Martin Brocklehurst, of the High Peak Harriers

Among the competitors is a former winner of the trophy. Tony Holdsworth, who has been at the Duke of Beaufort’s since 2001, won the competition in 1994 when he was the huntsman of the Tiverton. Last year’s winner was Gary Barber, huntsman of the Pembrokeshire.

The ball — being held in aid of the Hunt Staff Benefit Society — is expected to be a sell-out, with approximately 600 revellers enjoying a champagne reception followed by dinner and dancing to the “29 Fingers”.

In addition to the hornblowing competition, there will also be both a silent and a live auction on the night. Lots include Rugby World Cup tickets, a Harriet Glen bronze sculpture, hunting holidays in the UK and abroad, a Daniel Crane canvas print and various other exciting items.

Tickets cost £100. For further information contact Lizzie Dyer. Email: hsbs2@mfha.co.uk or tel: 01285 653001.

Were you hunting with the Tynedale or the Belvoir (Duke of Rutland’s) Hunt when the H&H photographers paid a visit? If so, why not take a look at the gallery below to see if you were spotted.

Horse & Hound invited subscriber Jeremy Dale from the Belvoir and Jamie Atkinson, one of the field masters of the Tynedale, to go on a hunting exchange where they each hunted with the other’s pack.

Jeremy, along with his wife Etti and Ursula Moore set off to hunt with the Tynedale in Northumberland. For Jeremy this was a trip that brought back memories of his Pony Club days hunting with the Tynedale however it was all new hunting territory for the Leicestershire ladies. The visitors were greeted with open rolling hills and encountered stone-walls in place of the hedges they are more accustomed to jumping.

In a return visit, eventer Jamie Atkinson and his new fiancée Amy Lawson-Croome, headed to Leicestershire to see the famous pure-bred Old English hounds which are kenneled at Belvoir Castle.

Belvoir (Duke of Rutland’s) Hunt

Amy Lawson-Croome crosses the country in style

Eve Lee

Joint Master David Manning

Etti Dale

The field in action

Johnny Greenall and joint master David Manning

Jamie Atkinson and Amy Lawson-Croome at the end of the day

Tynedale Hunt

Pictures by Trevor Meeks and Grossick Racing

View all the pictures of the Tynedale Hunt and the Belvoir Hunt pictures here

Don’t miss Jeremy and Jamie’s account of their visits in the 16 April issue of Horse & Hound magazine

An investigation into an attack on Tedworth joint master and huntsman Mike Lane has been dropped by the police.

Mr Lane was left with two fractured teeth and concussion following a clash between hunt saboteurs and members of the Tedworth on 24 January.

He claims he was kicked in the head by saboteurs when hounds were boxing up at the end of the day 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.

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.

“It is a great disappointment to us and to Mike that Wiltshire Police have not been able to bring his attackers to book yet. We urge anyone who has information about those responsible to come forward,” Tim Bonner, director of campaigns for the Countryside Alliance (CA), told H&H.

“The fact that the law on face coverings is so unwieldy is an incitement to violence. These anti-hunting thugs are carrying out attacks with impunity knowing they can hide behind their balaclavas and will not be brought to book.

“There have been at least three vicious attacks in recent years where those responsible could not be identified. The police need to look very closely at this issue and we believe their needs to be a change in the law to allow police officers to unmask these violent criminals.”

Earlier this year the CA urged hunts to remain “calm and vigilant” and to write to their local police, crime commissioners and MPs about masked animal rights activists.

The police do have powers to order the removal of face coverings, but they are not straightforward.

“Because the process is complicated, we believe police forces should be prepared to deploy these powers when animal rights extremists appear in their areas,” added Mr Bonner.

“Where police forces are prepared to use these powers, we believe that the likelihood of intimidation and public disorder is reduced.”

Horse & Hound hunting correspondent Rory Knight Bruce recalls his best day of the 2014/15 season, which left him with "an indelible impression of sportsmanship and generosity"

More than 60 mounted and as many on foot attended Edward and Rebecca Brown’s generous lawn meet on 18 March for the Derwent foxhounds from North Yorkshire on their west-country visit to the Tiverton.

Cold spring sunshine wrapped a busy day of largely woodland hunting that concluded after two long 40min hunts at 5.50pm.

This day formed part of a week-long visit by the Derwent, whose 17½ couple of modern and Old English hounds were kennelled — with their master and huntsman Sean McClarron, and staff — at our farm in the Silverton country.

Twelve Derwent subscribers made the journey, some of whom had never before been to the West Country, and left an indelible impression of their sportsmanship and generosity.

These included vice chairman John Swiers, former chairman Charles Mitchell and his wife Lizzie, hunt secretary Julie Snowden, kennel-huntsman Jason Marles — a native of East Devon — and amateur whipper-in Damian Readman. Visiting masters included Liz Matthews from the Dulverton West and Sue White from the East Devon.

From the meet at Stoodleigh, hounds were put into Stoodleigh woods, a vast but rideable tract of forestry with stream-watered coombes. Under the field mastership of Tiverton joint-masters Kelvin Thomas and Gerald Emmett, both mounted and foot followers saw plenty of action. One dark doghound, Monarch 14, with College Valley blood, put the pack right on to their trail to produce a good morning hunt.

In the afternoon a herd of 50 red deer was seen below Oakford, which was a sight to behold. Soon afterwards another trail was found and a skilful hound hunt ensued, making it all worthwhile for those who had made the long journey.

The evening in the Stoodleigh Inn raised £210 for the Devon Air Ambulance.

Hounds adapted to their farm kennels and that evening slept well. Nor did they mind that our 10-year-old daughter was found fast asleep among them. An excellent day where the long journey by the Derwent was fully rewarded and appreciated.

To read many more reports from Horse & Hound’s hunting correspondents’ most memorable days of the 2014/15 season, pick up tomorrow’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (23 April 2015)

The end of season blues have truly kicked in now that the hunting season is over but even for the most hardened hunting fanatic, there are some things that won’t be missed over the summer months.

While you’re gazing at your horses getting fat on the spring grass and reminiscing every time you see a hunt jump, a gate off the road or a neatly trimmed hedge that is calling out to be jumped, just think about a few of these irritations — some more major than others — that you won’t have to do deal with again until the autumn.

Things you won’t miss about the hunting season

1. Getting up early every day — almost certainly in the dark and most likely in the cold and wet — to muck out your hunter before work.

2. Going out late at night, often when in clean, non-horsey clothes, to change rugs and check your horse hasn’t broken out. However hard you try, even with a big coat and a hat on, you still end up smelling of horse.

3. Cleaning out the filter on the washing machine and getting water all over the floor might not be such a regular occurrence now there isn’t so much muddy equipment and rugs going through it.

4. The endless tack cleaning after hunting that has to be done — and if you decide to leave it overnight, scraping dried crusty mud off girths just isn’t a fun way to spend your time.

5. Trying to get the stains in your stock out. However much you soak your white stock and use stain remover, nothing can quite lift the shadow left by splashes of mud.

6. Those little dregs that sometimes get left around your lips when you drink out of a hip flask that is verging on empty.

7. Going to polish your boots before hunting to find out you forgot to buy more black polish, then trying to make do with saddle-soap.

8. Spending what seems like an eternity cleaning dried mud off your hunt coat the night before hunting, only to take it outside in daylight to see you’ve missed bits, or there are dust patches where the mud hasn’t lifted properly. Tip: clean with cold water and a clean dandy brush as soon as you have finished doing horse off after hunting and allow it to drip dry.

9. Finding your hat has become too tight because it got wet the last time you used it and you either dried it too quickly or forgot to put the hat stretcher inside it.

10. Endlessly studying weather forecasts to decide how many rugs to put on your horse or whether to put your waistcoat on under your hunt coat. Then invariably finding out too late that you are too hot or too cold.

11. Leaving ridiculously early for meets at venues you don’t know, to ensure you can turn the lorry/trailer around, to find you are parking in a field and have all the space in the world so needn’t have rushed and then leave your gloves behind.

12. Those anxious moments when you take bandages off after hunting, just praying that legs are cool and without any potential cause for concern.

Have a great summer and don’t worry, autumn hunting will be here before you know it…

Robert McCarthy, the huntsman of the Percy, was the undisputed winner of a national hornblowing competition held at the Horn & Hound Ball at Cheltenham racecourse on Saturday, 25 April.

Ten huntsmen, both professional and amateur, travelled from their different packs around the country to take part in the competition sponsored by Horse & Hound.

Participants were judged by Nigel Peel — master and huntsman of the North Cotswold — and Capt Ian Farquhar MFH (Duke of Beaufort’s), on their ability to blow “gone away” and “going home”.

Making their decisions from behind the stage — where they were not aware of the order of the competitors — they were unanimous in their decision of the winner.

Continued below…

Hunting: a day to remember doing the best job in the world

• 22 April, 2015 - 08:25

Horse & Hound hunting correspondent Rory Knight Bruce recalls his best day of the 2014/15 season, which left him with …Continue reading »

The selection of the runner-up was not quite so clear-cut, with Tony Holdsworth — a former winner and huntsman of the Duke of Beaufort’s — and David Every (Park Beagles) being invited to blow again, with Holdsworth victorious.

After his win, McCarthy told H&H: “I am surprised to win but am delighted to take the cup back to Northumberland, which, looking at the previous winners, appears to be the furthest it has travelled.”

McCarthy, who is now in his 10th season as huntsman of the Northumberland pack, was presented with the prestigious Horse & Hound Challenge Cup. The cup was first awarded in 1952, and previous winners include Captain Ronnie Wallace, Alastair Jackson and Tony Wright.

Both the winner and the runner-up also received engraved nickel hunting horns.

The ball, which was attended by more than 400 guests, was being held to help raise funds for the Hunt Servants Benefit Society (HSBS).

The HSBS is a registered friendly society that benefits hunt staff, and offers them a personal pension scheme, into which the members can contribute themselves. Additional funds such as those raised at events, donations directly from hunts themselves and honorary members’ subscriptions also offer additional support to the scheme.

There are 34 days until the general election.

Vote-OK, the countryside campaigning organisation, is asking all hunt supporters to devote just 12 hours to active political campaigning for candidates who support our rural way of life.

We now need to look to the future, but the future under a hostile government after May 2015 would look bleak indeed. Along with oft-repeated threats to maintain or even strengthen the Hunting Act, the Labour Party has also declared war on other rural activities, with its latest pronouncements about “cruelty on shooting estates”.

The Campaign to Strengthen the Hunting Act certainly wants Labour to do more.

This would include imposing a six-month prison sentence as a penalty for an offence under the Hunting Act, introducing a new offence of “reckless hunting” — which would penalise anyone whose dogs hunted a mammal accidentally — and finally making it an offence to lay a trail anywhere “where wild mammals are likely to be found”.

The lack of understanding of how animals and the countryside work that is demonstrated in these proposals is stunning.

And for those who talk about sticking with the current status quo, consider this: under a Conservative administration, the current status quo will be the floor, the base level from which things might improve. Under a Labour administration, the current status quo will be the ceiling, from which we dangle precariously by our fingertips.

‘Don’t just complain — campaign!’

You may feel that the ban has not affected your life very much — but none of us should sit back and say “I’m alright, Jack. It doesn’t affect me”.

Do you want to retain a law passed to discriminate against people who hunt, or would you prefer to get rid of it and replace it with something that actually improves animal welfare and wildlife management?

The outcome of this general election is going to be crucial to the future, not just of hunting but many other countryside issues. Rural people often complain that the government is too urban-centric. One of the mottos of Vote-OK is: “Don’t just complain — campaign!”

We all have the opportunity to set to work and help choose who will be making the laws that protect and preserve our countryside. We owe it to ourselves, our children and the countryside itself, to make sure that we pick people who actually understand the countryside and how it works.

So what can you do to help?

The answer: get involved in the political process. Don’t just vote — although that is crucial — but make sure that you are registered and get a postal vote if you will not be able to vote locally on 7 May.

So get out and engage in the political campaign. All candidates need volunteers to deliver leaflets, put up posters, stuff envelopes, make telephone calls and many other things.

If you are in contact with your local hunt, they can advise you of a local constituency where your help might make a difference, or you can look at the website of Vote-OK (www.vote-ok.co.uk) and volunteer. Don’t just sit back and wait to be asked. There isn’t enough time for that. Be proactive — contact them and ask how you can help.

Twelve hours to save hunting, the same as two days’ hunting: can you afford not to make that investment?

Ref: Horse & Hound; 2 April 2015

As the hunting season finally draws to a close, it seems only fair that we celebrate those often at least a third of our age, who make us feel embarrassingly feeble on the hunting field.

Armed with a pony who thinks he is a Milton/Denman/Avebury hybrid, these children are blessed with the feeling we have long since lost of fearlessness and a dogged determintation to keep up with the front of the field. Oh and they’re often pretty stylish too.

Sit back, reminisce and enjoy — after all it won’t be too long until you’re plaiting up for next season’s opening meet.

13-year-old Ed Carter-Griffiths and his pony Teddy make light work of a hedge out hunting with the Mid Surrey Farmers Draghounds at Heaverham. Photograph courtesy of Claire Owen, Attic Photography

Nia Kerslake and her 14.1hh pony Brooke fly a hedge jumped by very few of the field on Lady Denbigh’s private drag hunt with the Readyfield Bloodyhounds at Newnham Paddox. 13-year-old Nia hunts regularly and is a subscriber to the Fernie. She also team chases and has started pony racing — her dream is to be a jump jockey. Watch this space…

Elise Cadman, 11-years-old, and her 14hh pony Scarlet tackle a Portman hedge on their first ever vale day. Impressively, this was Elise’s first season hunting. Photo courtesy of Mark Thistlewood

13-year-old Libby Colmer riding 14hh Tommy at the closing meet of the Cheshire Forest Hunt. You would hardly believe Libby had jumped her first ever hedge earlier in the day. Libby, who has qualified and ridden at the Horse of the Year Show for the past two years is currently preparing for her first BE80(T) at Northallerton. Photo courtesy of Country Style Photography

Charlotte Caulfield, who is just nine years old, flies a rail with her 11.2hh pony Maisie. Charlotte goes out every week with the Cheshire Bloodhounds and recently won ‘the most improved junior rider’ award. Charlotte’s mother Louise says, “she goes out spotless and comes home filthy, grinning from ear to ear with tales of jumping, galloping and laughter.”

13-year-old Fliss Calverley flying with the Cheshire Bloodhounds on six-year-old Ballyard Rebel Tim

Ten-year-old Harvey Trowbridge jumping his first hedge out hunting with the Portman on the six-year-old Irish cob Gale Force

Scooby flies a hedge with his young jockey, Megan Fox out with the Tedworth. Photo courtesy of Sarah Jane Bullock Photography

Ellie Morgan and her 13.2hh pony Lilly, making a 4ft9 Monmouthshire hedge look effortless

13-year-old Jack Butcher and his pony, 13.1hh Cookie make nothing of a hedge out hunting with the North Hereford, in what is only Jack’s second season of hunting. Photo courtesy of Sam Smith

Eight-year-old Emily Bailey and her 13.2hh pony Sophie tackle a Cornish bank out with the Four Burrow Hunt. Emily is the fourth child Sophie has taught to bank and hunt with the Four Burrow and is a legend among the field. Photo courtesy of Lisa Wood

Eleven-year-old Aideen Quinlan and her 14hh pony Duke tackle a bank out hunting with the Kerry Hunt Club. The pair have hunted all season with the pack in Ireland.

An investigation into an attack on Tedworth joint master and huntsman Mike Lane has been dropped by the police.

Mr Lane was left with two fractured teeth and concussion following a clash between hunt saboteurs and members of the Tedworth on 24 January.

He claims he was kicked in the head by saboteurs when hounds were boxing up at the end of the day 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.

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.

“It is a great disappointment to us and to Mike that Wiltshire Police have not been able to bring his attackers to book yet. We urge anyone who has information about those responsible to come forward,” Tim Bonner, director of campaigns for the Countryside Alliance (CA), told H&H.

“The fact that the law on face coverings is so unwieldy is an incitement to violence. These anti-hunting thugs are carrying out attacks with impunity knowing they can hide behind their balaclavas and will not be brought to book.

“There have been at least three vicious attacks in recent years where those responsible could not be identified. The police need to look very closely at this issue and we believe their needs to be a change in the law to allow police officers to unmask these violent criminals.”

Earlier this year the CA urged hunts to remain “calm and vigilant” and to write to their local police, crime commissioners and MPs about masked animal rights activists.

The police do have powers to order the removal of face coverings, but they are not straightforward.

“Because the process is complicated, we believe police forces should be prepared to deploy these powers when animal rights extremists appear in their areas,” added Mr Bonner.

“Where police forces are prepared to use these powers, we believe that the likelihood of intimidation and public disorder is reduced.”

Horse & Hound hunting correspondent Rory Knight Bruce recalls his best day of the 2014/15 season, which left him with "an indelible impression of sportsmanship and generosity"

More than 60 mounted and as many on foot attended Edward and Rebecca Brown’s generous lawn meet on 18 March for the Derwent foxhounds from North Yorkshire on their west-country visit to the Tiverton.

Cold spring sunshine wrapped a busy day of largely woodland hunting that concluded after two long 40min hunts at 5.50pm.

This day formed part of a week-long visit by the Derwent, whose 17½ couple of modern and Old English hounds were kennelled — with their master and huntsman Sean McClarron, and staff — at our farm in the Silverton country.

Twelve Derwent subscribers made the journey, some of whom had never before been to the West Country, and left an indelible impression of their sportsmanship and generosity.

These included vice chairman John Swiers, former chairman Charles Mitchell and his wife Lizzie, hunt secretary Julie Snowden, kennel-huntsman Jason Marles — a native of East Devon — and amateur whipper-in Damian Readman. Visiting masters included Liz Matthews from the Dulverton West and Sue White from the East Devon.

From the meet at Stoodleigh, hounds were put into Stoodleigh woods, a vast but rideable tract of forestry with stream-watered coombes. Under the field mastership of Tiverton joint-masters Kelvin Thomas and Gerald Emmett, both mounted and foot followers saw plenty of action. One dark doghound, Monarch 14, with College Valley blood, put the pack right on to their trail to produce a good morning hunt.

In the afternoon a herd of 50 red deer was seen below Oakford, which was a sight to behold. Soon afterwards another trail was found and a skilful hound hunt ensued, making it all worthwhile for those who had made the long journey.

The evening in the Stoodleigh Inn raised £210 for the Devon Air Ambulance.

Hounds adapted to their farm kennels and that evening slept well. Nor did they mind that our 10-year-old daughter was found fast asleep among them. An excellent day where the long journey by the Derwent was fully rewarded and appreciated.

To read many more reports from Horse & Hound’s hunting correspondents’ most memorable days of the 2014/15 season, pick up tomorrow’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (23 April 2015)

A photograph of an amateur whipper-in spectacularly crossing over a large ditch has been deemed the best tumble in the UK.

The picture of Sam Matthews has been crowned the winner of the inaugural Countryside Alliance (CA) Tumblers’ Club competition.

Hundreds of photographs were sent in from hunting photographers across the UK and Ireland for the competition.

Judges eventer Harry Meade, Alexandra Henton from H&H’s sister title, The Field, Henrietta Rutgers of the CA’s hunting campaign and Paul Graham from sponsors Pol Roger chose the winning shot.

It was taken by Ella Meadows at a joint meet of the Weston and Banwell Harriers with the Taunton Vale Harriers on 14 December 2014.

Sam is an amateur whipper-in with the Taunton Vale and was out on Banjo, a horse owned by the hunt’s joint-master Debbie Banwell.

“I might have been showing off a bit and when I was told the rhyne was a difficult jump I thought I’d give it a go,” said Sam.

“As you can see I took the bridle with me and from then on it’s a bit of a blur,” he admitted.

Both rider and the horse were fine after hitting the deck, but Sam was a little bruised.

Ella Meadows often follows the Weston and Banwell on a quad taking pictures of the day.

“I saw they were heading for the ditch so ran across to get into a good position. I managed to get a series of images of the fall, from Banjo getting into the ditch to Sam’s flip — it was quite impressive,” she recalls.

The CA’s Henrietta Rutgers said the judges felt the winning picture “embodied all that could happen out hunting”.

She said it was a “very close call” between the winner and runner-up’s photo but “we felt the winning photo captured the essence and challenges that hunting brings.”

The runner-up was Nollaig Hurley’s image of Colum O’Brian’s fall with the Kingdom Hunt Club; in third place was Paul Buddin’s picture of Edward Carter’s fall in the Bicester with Whaddon Chase country.

Graham Dixon’s picture of Roger Nixon and Adrian Cherry’s double whammy of tumblers David Cross and David Gilmore where highly commended.

The competition has been made an annual event, with winners — both tumbler and photographer — receiving a magnum of champagne.

Jockey Sam Jones has retired from race-riding to start a new career in hunt service from today (Friday 1 May).

He will become whipper-in at the Bicester Hunt with Whaddon Chase, based near Bicester, Oxon.

Sam will be one of hundreds of members of hunt staff across the country assuming their new positions, on the official start of the 2015/16 season.

The 26-year-old signed off in the best possible style with a win on his final ride aboard Kayla in the mares’ National Hunt Flat race at Towcester yesterday (Thursday 30 April). He was riding for his uncle and trainer Stuart Edmunds.

Sam, a keen follower of hounds who has continued to hunt throughout his racing career, will become the fourth generation on his father’s side to go into hunt service. His grandfather was was a renowned huntsman of the Pytchley for 34 years, while his father Nick hunted the former Vale of Aylesbury (now Kimblewick).

Sam told H&H: “I have always had a great love for hunting and it’s really been a case of ‘when’ not ‘if’ I will change paths.

“Racing has been great for me and I am so thankful to everybody who has supported my career, however, I have always wanted to go into hunt service and when this opportunity arose it just seemed like the right time.”

Having ridden more than 100 winners, Sam’s most notable success came in the Coral Cup at the 2007 Cheltenham Festival, when he rode Burntoakboy to win for trainer Dr Richard Newland.

He also experienced success over jumps in America last summer, riding for trainer Jack Fisher. While he was there, he hunted with Guy Allman, huntsman of the Blue Ridge Foxhounds in Virginia. Guy has returned to the UK and also assumes his new position today (1 May) as huntsman of the Bicester with Whaddon Chase.

Sam is not the only jockey to be hanging up his racing boots and entering hunt service. Grand National-winning jockey Ryan Mania has recently taken on the role of kennel-huntsman at the Braes of Derwent in Co. Durham.

On Thursday (7 May) the country goes to the polls, and equestrian organisations are “imploring” whoever will be the new leader to tackle issues within the industry.

This February saw the 10-year anniversary of the Hunting Act, brought in by a Labour government.

However, a recent YouGov poll suggests that public support for the Hunting Act has dropped from 61% to 51% since 2004. Opposition to the Act stands at 44% among Conservative voters, but 64% of Labour voters are in support.

Parties have set out their manifestos, and issues — including hunting — are highlighted (see below).

“It will be so important for the new administration to work with the [equestrian] sector to meet the challenges as clearly laid out in the sector’s Manifesto for the Horse. Despite financial constraints we implore the new government to think very carefully before taking the cheap option to meet any of these challenges,” said Roly Owers of World Horse Welfare.

“For example, completing the job of introducing a robust system of equine identification is pivotal, and poor decision-making on the basis of costs could have widespread ramifications, including on food safety. And the dysfunctional and ineffective system of compliance checking and enforcement of welfare, health and documentation laws at British ports is a ticking time bomb.

“We need effective intelligence-led enforcement to protect our horses, and World Horse Welfare and other NGOs [non-governmental organisations] can help to achieve this, but only if the systems are in place to do so.”

James Legge, head of political affairs for the Countryside Alliance (CA), said that many of the issues identified in the CA’s election manifesto have been picked up by the political parties.

“Clearly we also welcome the Conservative commitment to protect hunting, shooting and fishing, and to give parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act,” he said.

“The Green Party has launched an all-out attack on country sports. UKIP and the Liberal Democrats are silent on the issue. Whatever the outcome of the election there will be much to do not only to ensure that policies deliver, but also that the interests of the country sports community are protected.”

What the parties are offering in their manifestos that could affect equestrians

Conservative

Free vote on hunting
14,000 flood defence schemes
Make good biodiversity losses from HS2
Major review of business rates
Country of origin food labelling in Europe

Labour

Defend the hunting ban
Keep forests in public ownership
Prioritise flood prevention
Freeze business rates and energy bills for small rural companies

Liberal democrats

New, non-political body to manage national forests
Review governance of flood risk and drainage
Low emission zones in towns

Green

Speed limits of 20mph in villages
Review racing and ban the whip
Introduce land value tax
Extra £1bn on flood defences

UKIP

Scrap HS2
Animal cruelty more punishable
Mandatory CCTV in abattoirs
Add rare-breed saving to stewardship schemes

Ref: H&H 30 May, 2015

The hunt horses are all out and away to enjoy their summer holidays and, after a couple of false starts, spring is finally here. It has been another long season with scarcely a break.

A few untimely injuries mid-season put some horses out of action, adding to pressure on the remainder. But the expertise of the stud groom kept the show on the road.

After difficult and varied scenting conditions pre-Christmas, things improved. We chalked up some noteworthy days and finished the season on a high. I think that was the case for most areas, not just the Shires.

The Belvoir point-to-point took place at Garthorpe recently where, despite the leaden skies and heavy showers, a good crowd enjoyed some excellent racing. The occasion provided the opportunity to present our first whipper-in, “Little” George Pierce, with a hunting horn in gratitude for his five years’ service — how time has flown.

As of 1 May, he will join the throng of lorries moving up and down the arteries of Britain, as hunt servants take up their new positions. George leaves to become kennel-huntsman to the Cattistock in Dorset. More than a few local maidens will no doubt be left dewy-eyed…

Two of my colleagues are retiring from hunt service at the end of the month. Both have been, in the words of the immortal Tom Firr: “An ornament to our profession”.

Joe Townsend leaves the Hurworth after a long and distinguished career — he was obviously gifted with a stockman’s eye. The Hurworth are Old English foxhounds and Joe leaves them with a high-quality and level pack. He has bred some superb stallion hounds that have helped improve the Belvoir enormously.

Patrick Martin also places his horn upon the mantel after 23 years’ service at the Bicester with Whaddon Chase. Not only has he been at the top of the premiership as a huntsman, he, like many others, has endured — with much fortitude — unwarranted scrutiny from those self-appointed “hunt monitors” these past 10 years.

Patrick was at the forefront of the campaign to stop the Hunting Act, and remains an eloquent spokesman for our cause. I wish them both an easy transition into civilian life and good fortune along whichever paths they choose.

Make your vote count

Speaking of the Hunting Act, 1 May is not the only date to concern the hunting world. On the 7th we have possibly our last chance to elect a majority Conservative government, which will give us the opportunity to rid ourselves of this loathsome hunting law.

The coalition has given the Tories a reason for failing to fulfil their election pledge for a free vote on repeal. They have since reiterated their intention to do so, which in our urban-centric country is a bold statement that demonstrates a genuine commitment to repeal.

In any marginal constituencies your vote is important. If you are a hunting person then your vote will count. Just one or two blue seats lost may well be the difference between repeal and the current position, which remains intolerable for many hunt staff.

Do the right thing on this occasion, then full steam ahead for repeal.

Ref: H&H 30 April, 2015

The end of season blues have truly kicked in now that the hunting season is over but even for the most hardened hunting fanatic, there are some things that won’t be missed over the summer months.

While you’re gazing at your horses getting fat on the spring grass and reminiscing every time you see a hunt jump, a gate off the road or a neatly trimmed hedge that is calling out to be jumped, just think about a few of these irritations — some more major than others — that you won’t have to do deal with again until the autumn.

Things you won’t miss about the hunting season

1. Getting up early every day — almost certainly in the dark and most likely in the cold and wet — to muck out your hunter before work.

2. Going out late at night, often when in clean, non-horsey clothes, to change rugs and check your horse hasn’t broken out. However hard you try, even with a big coat and a hat on, you still end up smelling of horse.

3. Cleaning out the filter on the washing machine and getting water all over the floor might not be such a regular occurrence now there isn’t so much muddy equipment and rugs going through it.

4. The endless tack cleaning after hunting that has to be done — and if you decide to leave it overnight, scraping dried crusty mud off girths just isn’t a fun way to spend your time.

5. Trying to get the stains in your stock out. However much you soak your white stock and use stain remover, nothing can quite lift the shadow left by splashes of mud.

6. Those little dregs that sometimes get left around your lips when you drink out of a hip flask that is verging on empty.

7. Going to polish your boots before hunting to find out you forgot to buy more black polish, then trying to make do with saddle-soap.

8. Spending what seems like an eternity cleaning dried mud off your hunt coat the night before hunting, only to take it outside in daylight to see you’ve missed bits, or there are dust patches where the mud hasn’t lifted properly. Tip: clean with cold water and a clean dandy brush as soon as you have finished doing horse off after hunting and allow it to drip dry.

9. Finding your hat has become too tight because it got wet the last time you used it and you either dried it too quickly or forgot to put the hat stretcher inside it.

10. Endlessly studying weather forecasts to decide how many rugs to put on your horse or whether to put your waistcoat on under your hunt coat. Then invariably finding out too late that you are too hot or too cold.

11. Leaving ridiculously early for meets at venues you don’t know, to ensure you can turn the lorry/trailer around, to find you are parking in a field and have all the space in the world so needn’t have rushed and then leave your gloves behind.

12. Those anxious moments when you take bandages off after hunting, just praying that legs are cool and without any potential cause for concern.

Have a great summer and don’t worry, autumn hunting will be here before you know it…

Robert McCarthy, the huntsman of the Percy, was the undisputed winner of a national hornblowing competition held at the Horn & Hound Ball at Cheltenham racecourse on Saturday, 25 April.

Ten huntsmen, both professional and amateur, travelled from their different packs around the country to take part in the competition sponsored by Horse & Hound.

Participants were judged by Nigel Peel — master and huntsman of the North Cotswold — and Capt Ian Farquhar MFH (Duke of Beaufort’s), on their ability to blow “gone away” and “going home”.

Making their decisions from behind the stage — where they were not aware of the order of the competitors — they were unanimous in their decision of the winner.

Continued below…

Hunting: a day to remember doing the best job in the world

• 22 April, 2015 - 08:25

Horse & Hound hunting correspondent Rory Knight Bruce recalls his best day of the 2014/15 season, which left him with …Continue reading »

The selection of the runner-up was not quite so clear-cut, with Tony Holdsworth — a former winner and huntsman of the Duke of Beaufort’s — and David Every (Park Beagles) being invited to blow again, with Holdsworth victorious.

After his win, McCarthy told H&H: “I am surprised to win but am delighted to take the cup back to Northumberland, which, looking at the previous winners, appears to be the furthest it has travelled.”

McCarthy, who is now in his 10th season as huntsman of the Northumberland pack, was presented with the prestigious Horse & Hound Challenge Cup. The cup was first awarded in 1952, and previous winners include Captain Ronnie Wallace, Alastair Jackson and Tony Wright.

Both the winner and the runner-up also received engraved nickel hunting horns.

The ball, which was attended by more than 400 guests, was being held to help raise funds for the Hunt Staff Benefit Society (HSBS).

The HSBS is a registered friendly society that benefits hunt staff, and offers them a personal pension scheme, into which the members can contribute themselves. Additional funds such as those raised at events, donations directly from hunts themselves and honorary members’ subscriptions also offer additional support to the scheme.