Magical moments from a sweltering Festival of Hunting

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Cheshire Magnum 15 — the champion drag houn — makes the most of all the fuss and attention (credit www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)
(Image credit: www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)

There was something for everyone at this year’s Festival of Hunting at the East of England Showground on 20 July.

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North Cotswold joint-masters Nigel and Sophia Peel take the silverware home following Starburst’s success in the bitch hound championship (credit Ginni Beard)
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

North Cotswold joint-masters Nigel and Sophia Peel take the silverware home following Starburst’s success in the bitch hound championship (credit Ginni Beard)

Adam Waugh, joint-master of the College Valley and North Northumberland, judging the bitch hounds in the foxhounds ring alongside Charles Frampton MFH from the Heythrop (credit Ginni Beard)
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Adam Waugh, joint-master of the College Valley and North Northumberland, judging the bitch hounds in the foxhounds ring alongside Charles Frampton MFH from the Heythrop (credit Ginni Beard)

Danny Allen congratulates Palmer Marlborough Winston following success in the unentered doghound class in the beagles ring (credit www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)
(Image credit: www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)

Danny Allen congratulates Palmer Marlborough Winston following success in the unentered doghound class in the beagles ring (credit www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)

Kerry, one of the Grove and Rufford’s greatest supporters, jumps for joy as Broker 15 is announced as the doghound champion (credit RFM Equine Photos)
(Image credit: RFM EQUINE.com)

Kerry, one of the Grove and Rufford’s greatest supporters, jumps for joy as Broker 15 is announced as the doghound champion (credit RFM Equine Photos)

The Westerby Bassets take the doghound championship with Diver 14 and also take reserve with Atlas 11 (credit www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)
(Image credit: www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)

The Westerby Bassets take the doghound championship with Diver 14 and also take reserve with Atlas 11 (credit www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)

Cheshire Magnum 15 — the champion drag hound — makes the most of all the fuss and attention (credit www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)
(Image credit: www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)

Cheshire Magnum 15 — the champion drag hound — makes the most of all the fuss and attention (credit www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)

Action from the Old English type foxhounds ring where there were a large number of entries (credit www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)
(Image credit: www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)

Action from the Old English type foxhounds ring where there were a large number of entries (credit www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)

The Holcombe enjoyed success in the senior inter-hunt relay competition as well as on the flags (credit Tricia Honour). The junior competition was won by the Cottesmore Foxes
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The Holcombe enjoyed success in the senior inter-hunt relay competition as well as on the flags (credit Tricia Honour). The junior competition was won by the Cottesmore Foxes

A successful day for the Coakham Bloodhounds
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

A successful day for the Coakham Bloodhounds

Faiysal Ali Khan, Khan of Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan presenting the Trinity Foot and South Herts Beagles with their trophy following success with Zero in the unentered beagle bitch class (credit www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)
(Image credit: www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)

Faiysal Ali Khan, Khan of Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan presenting the Trinity Foot and South Herts Beagles with their trophy following success with Zero in the unentered beagle bitch class (credit www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)

Percy Allbury 13 was awarded the doghound championship during the judging of the Old English type classes (credit www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)
(Image credit: www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)

Percy Allbury 13 was awarded the doghound championship during the judging of the Old English type classes (credit www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)

Hound show president Martin Scott (right) makes a presentation to Captain Farquhar — joint-master of the Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt — following their win in the two couple class (credit Ginni Beard)
(Image credit: Ginni Beard)

Hound show president Martin Scott (right) makes a presentation to Captain Farquhar — joint-master of the Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt — following their win in the two couple class (credit Ginni Beard)

Albrighton and Woodland Grocer lands the unentered doghound championship to win the Horse & Hound Challenge Cup (credit Sarah Farnsworth)
(Image credit: www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk)

Albrighton and Woodland Grocer lands the unentered doghound championship to win the Horse & Hound Challenge Cup (credit Sarah Farnsworth)

Judging of the harrier supreme championship where Waveney Laughter 15 takes the title with Holcombe Daystar 14 in reserve
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Judging of the harrier supreme championship where Waveney Laughter 15 takes the title with Holcombe Daystar 14 in reserve

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Polly Portwin
Polly Portwin
Hunting editor

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.