The combines are rolling, trailer loads of straw can be seen moving across the country and the hounds and hunt horses are getting fitter by the day on hound exercise so it can only mean one thing…it won’t be long before autumn hunting starts!
It would seem that the summer has finally arrived and the ground is firmer than most hunting people want to be jumping on with such a long season ahead. Gateways might be the order of the day to keep up with hounds to start with, but it won’t take long for the thrusters in the field to start looking for other ways to speed up their passage across the country.
We take a look at some action from last season to get you in the mood for what lies ahead!
Emily Campbell soars over a Heythrop hedge upsides a fellow thruster.
This follower of the Clifton-on-Teme Hunt could easily have jumped the gate, not just the hunt rail
H&H hunting correspondent Carina Evans hails a cab over a Blackmore and Sparkford Vale hedge
Cornish banks and walls can take some jumping but this wall with a decent drop causes no problems for a thruster at the Cury’s farriers meet
Olympic medal winner and former eventer Ian Stark gives the field a great lead out with the Duke of Buccleuch’s
Four Burrow hunt chairman Jim Pascoe neatly hops up onto a Cornish bank
This lady subscriber of the Killinick Harriers crosses their country in perfect balance with her horse
Huntsman Peter Collins kicks on at a Quorn hedge
Taking on an Irish bank from a virtual standstill is a totally different way of approaching an obstacle to those who are used to jumping at speed however this formidable bank poses no problems for a Scarteen supporter
Margaret Morris MFH flies a South Notts hedge with gusto in Locko Park near Spondon, Derbys
Blackmore and Sparkford Vale joint-master Anthony Mayo gives the field a bold lead over a hedge typical of their grassland country
One young thruster and her cracking pony give this wall plenty of air during a day with the Duke of Buccleuch’s