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Now that the hunting season is in full swing, Horse & Hound’s hunting correspondents and photographers are out in force visiting packs around the country.
Were you out with either the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale or the West Norfolk for their opening meets on Saturday, 1 November?
Were you identified as one of the young thrusters? Or maybe you are a hunt stalwart that gets a mention.
If so, why not take a look at some of the hunting pictures below taken by our photographers and see if you can spot yourself or somebody you know.
Blackmore and Sparkford Vale
The Blackmore & Sparkford Vale country is particularly sporting and requires riders to kick on to jump their large hedges and ditches across the mainly grassland country.
With strong family ties it’s a true farmers’ pack. All six joint masters either farm as a livelihood or come from a farming background.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
(Pictures by Sarah Farnsworth)
Emily Matthews is on flying form
On the move: Helen Walter
Jonathan and Sarah Sprake with Charlie Sprake
Taking it easy
Joint-master Anthony Mayo leaps into action
West Norfolk
In contrast to the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale, the West Norfolk country has a lot of arable country. But with large ditches to cross, as well as hunt fences, it can be equally challenging. Considered to be one of the oldest established packs of hounds in the country, it still exists in largely unspoilt Norfolk countryside, without many of the pressures of modern Britain such as railways and motorways.
(Photos by Trevor Meeks)
Remie Powell in action
James and Lucy McEwan
Laura Oughten-Auker pops a fence in style
Daisy Vaugh-Jones and Flora Gregory
Laura Eyles in action
Don’t miss our full reports from both hunts in the 13 November issue of Horse & Hound magazine
To see the full range of pictures taken by our photographers, visit www.horseandhound.co.uk/galleries
Missing the warmer weather? Take a look back at our pictures of this year’s autumn hunting
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Polly joined the Horse & Hound team in summer 2013. A former senior master of the Bicester with Whaddon Chase, her hunting knowledge and contacts are second to none. She left Horse & Hound at the end of 2016 to join The Hunting Office.