Exclusive access: go behind-the-scenes of the VWH kennels

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What happens in the early morning at a hunt kennels? For our new Pack of the Week feature in Horse & Hound’s 19 January issue, photographer Sarah Farnsworth visited the VWH kennels in Gloucestershire and found out.

The VWH hunt four days a week and have more than 60 couple of hounds in kennels, looked after by huntsman Philip Hague, who has been with the pack since 2005, whipper-in James Bradley and kennelman Chris Bolland. The hounds are bred by Martin Scott, and have been extremely successful in the showring.

The hunt horses also live at the kennels under the watchful eye of stud groom Chantelle Avery.

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The pack currently has four joint-masters: Major the Hon Alexander Bathurst, Mark Hill, the Hon Sophie Scruton and Nick Phillips.

To read more about the hunt, its colourful history, its hunting country, its hounds and the people who hunt with the VWH, buy Horse & Hound’s 19 January issue.

A VWH hound keeps watch on what’s going on before dawn breaks
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A VWH hound keeps watch on what’s going on before dawn breaks

The hound lodges are thoroughly washed down every morning
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The hound lodges are thoroughly washed down every morning

Breakfast time!
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Breakfast time!

VWH huntsman Philip Hague with Nightie and her puppies by North Cotswold Devon
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VWH huntsman Philip Hague with Nightie and her puppies by North Cotswold Devon

Huntsman Philip Hague and whipper-in James Bradley tend to a hound with a sore pad
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Huntsman Philip Hague and whipper-in James Bradley tend to a hound with a sore pad

Huntsman Philip Hague and the VWH hounds as they leave the kennels on morning exercise
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Huntsman Philip Hague and the VWH hounds as they leave the kennels on morning exercise

The bond between huntsman Philip Hague and his hounds is unmistakable
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The bond between huntsman Philip Hague and his hounds is unmistakable

A VWH hound takes a peek at photographer Sarah Farnsworth
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A VWH hound takes a peek at photographer Sarah Farnsworth

VWH stud groom Chantelle Avery watches a hunt horse trot up in the stable yard
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VWH stud groom Chantelle Avery watches a hunt horse trot up in the stable yard

A row of gleaming hunting boots in the valeting room
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A row of gleaming hunting boots in the valeting room

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Catherine Austen
Catherine Austen
Hunting editor

A St Andrews’ graduate, Catherine joined Horse & Hound in 2002 and stayed for 11 years in a variety of roles until she went freelance in June 2013. She rejoined the team part-time in November 2016 as hunting editor. She pretty much lives on the hunting field or at the racecourse, but also loves eventing, as a journalist, press officer and competitor. She was H&H’s sole accredited journalist at the London Olympic Games and has reported from major race meetings and eventing, showjumping and dressage championships and shows round the world, and has hunted all over Britain and Ireland.