The fates conspire to keep Matt Ramsden (joint-master and huntsman of the Duke of Beaufort’s since 2016, having spent five years before that at the Bedale) – and his hounds – in kennels...

NEVER mind Beckford’s lengthy paragraph detailing the necessary attributes of a huntsman; what he fails to mention is that any huntsman, or indeed master of hounds, must be prepared for the absolute worst at all times.

In the last contribution I made to this column, you were given a detailed account of a hunt which cropped up in my dreams. Following the resumption of our glorious game at the beginning of December, we enjoyed four weeks of sport with a positive consistency rarely granted by Diana, these days anyway. Since the start of lockdown three though, life in sunny Beaufortshire has been the stuff of nightmares.

The three-month void left by a lack of hunting was filled enthusiastically I suppose, laying hedges and planting up bare spots with gay abandon. These improvements will no doubt make an impact on seasons to come. Yet in the short term, scratching around in the bottom of a hedge with petrol fumes filling the nostrils isn’t quite the same as sailing over the top of it while in pursuit of a pack of hounds.

Following the sad news that the Wales and Border Counties Hound Show at Builth Wells wouldn’t go ahead, there was a keenness in this part of the world to run something locally instead. The point was that it would give the hounds a chance to see a crowd before Peterborough, particularly this and last years’ unworldly entries.

I was only too happy to run such a day here in the park at Badminton. How difficult could it be? A ring in a field, a couple of judges, throw in six packs of hounds and a few bottles of pink plonk and we’re away, surely.

Strangely enough, the whole thing took rather more pulling together than I ever imagined. In fact, if it wasn’t for Badminton’s good-natured farm manager, Roger, we wouldn’t have had any grass short enough for the judges to see the hounds, let alone their feet.

Nevertheless, two days before, it was ready to go; a pretty ring in a natural amphitheatre beneath the shade of centuries-old beech trees, judges, stewards, programmes, and hounds all ready to go. Then one of ours coughed.

Thank goodness the dreaded virus made itself known when it did, rather than two days later. The virulence of this particular strain has been harsh and I am ever grateful for such a conscientious kennel-huntsman. Naturally any hope of playing what we thought was a half-decent hand in the shows was dashed. On a personal level though, at least I had judging the doghounds at Peterborough to look forward to.

This, as is judging anywhere, is a tremendous honour and one to be taken seriously. My co-judge Dominic Jones and I took the time to look at plenty of hounds together in order to get our eyes in as a team.

Accuracy and efficiency are key on the day and so thorough homework is far from wasteful. It was therefore a further wrench to tell Dom with little notice that I couldn’t judge with him after all, this time on account of Covid.

And so, it was with a high temperature that I watched the results drift in on my phone, only partially consoled in the knowledge that the rest of hunting England were sweltering away some hundred or so miles away. Sometimes it’s hard to look on the bright side, but fingers crossed our bad luck will exhaust itself before September.

• This exclusive column will also be available to read in H&H magazine, on sale Thursday 19 August

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Two basset hounds who were stolen in February have enjoyed success in the show ring months after they were reunited with their pack.

Westerby Drama made a winning debut at the Festival of Hunting when she was awarded best unentered bitch in the basset hound ring on 21 July at the East of England Showground. Lattice finished third in the entered bitch hound class.

The pair were among the two and a half couple of hounds stolen in February. The hounds were found following a social media campaign involving the help of Beauty’s Legacy, a voluntary group that uses social media to reunite lost and found animals with their owners.

After a sighting of one of the bassets, representatives from the group liaised with Leicestershire and Greater Manchester Police, which ended with all five hounds being found and returned.

Kennel huntsman Sophie Cripps was heavily involved in the search for the basset hounds after they were stolen, with “every waking hour committed to finding them”.

“Having had time to settle them back into the kennels routine, we decided to take a couple of the bitches to compete at the Festival of Hunting,” said Sophie.

“I was not sure how they would react to the show ring and a different environment, however, they showed beautifully and I was so proud of them.

“It was quite an emotional drive home when we thought back to four months ago when we were sick with worry for them, to having them bounding around the show ring at Peterborough and coming away with some silverware – it was incredibly special.”

Polly Portwin, the Countryside Alliance’s director of the campaign for hunting, added: “Seeing the bassets relaxed and clearly relishing the showing environment is testament to all the hard work and devotion of those involved in the search, recovery and subsequent transition of the hounds back into kennel life.

“Hunt staff strive to maintain the highest standards of animal welfare in kennels at all times and it is great to see this dedication has, in this instance, enabled hounds that have had a traumatic experience to thrive back in their own environment.”

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The East Anglian pack carries off both harrier titles, while the VWH and the North Cotswold triumph on foxhound day at the Great Yorkshire Show, as Frank Houghton Brown, Matthew Higgs and Andrew van Oostrum report...

Harriers: The Waveney do the double

THE Waveney Harriers clinched both championships at the prestigious Great Yorkshire hound show with litter siblings Aldeburgh and Alsort, bred from their Peterborough champion Laughter 15.

Laughter is the last remaining hound from an outstanding litter of four, all of whom had considerable success in the show ring as well as being superb hunting hounds. Laughter was shown here as a brood bitch and was runner-up to the Holcombe’s Dipper 15, a delightful tan-coloured hound whose litter brother, Daystar, previously won the championship at every major hound show.

“We thought they were both exceptional hounds,” said senior judge Jacky Thomas of the Waveney’s two champions.

Along with Harry Gosling, joint-master and huntsman of the Dartmoor, Jacky judged the entire day with his usual bonhomie.

Held by joint-master Helen Yallop and shown by popular huntsman Luke Newton, these East Anglian hounds had made the trip up to Yorkshire with a team of enthusiastic supporters and were kennelled on the showground the night before.

There were only four harrier packs in attendance, but all of them won some prizes and the ringside was bustling with activity as everyone welcomed the opportunity to enjoy the show. Frank Kane, chairman of the Kennel Club breeds standards and a multi-breed international judge, was taking a keen interest in the judging, having just recently adjudicated at the Holcombe Harriers’ puppy show.

The Pendle Forest and Craven have a new team and their kennel-huntsman Stuart Pocknell had his hounds in good condition, taking the red rosette in the stallion hound class with the handsome tri-coloured and home-bred Darkwood 18. Joint-master Nick Bannister was commentating on proceedings and his son Roddy is looking forward to hunting the hounds this season.

The Holcombe have a new huntsman in Mark Dickson-Bradley and his hounds were in the money all day, notably winning the entered doghound with their Brindle 18 and the couple of doghounds. It was from this couple that they sprung a surprise in the championship, bringing the tri-coloured Cobra 18 to take the reserve championship. Cobra was one of several hounds that the Holcombe mastership rescued from the Easton Harriers when they disbanded.

The quote of the day came from one of the young handlers who put on such an excellent exhibition of their hound skills during the lunch break. Former Bicester huntsman Patrick Martin asked each handler what they wanted to be in later life. As quick as a flash, one 12-year-old in a white smock said, “The chairman of the Countryside Alliance.”

Foxhounds: Footpad steals victory

EIGHTEEN different foxhound packs filled the ring on foxhound day and there was a palpable sense of relief to be out looking at hounds for the first time.

Chairman and chief steward Tim Easby, along with show secretary David Wallace, have to be congratulated on their efforts to make the show such a success. It was a great shame for the spectators that there was no hound breeding in the catalogue, but David Wallace explained how it had unfortunately been impossible this year.

This is the only show that most of the Yorkshire packs attend, but there are always a few raiders from the South. This year, the VWH and the Thurlow made the foray north and both were well rewarded. The VWH Footpad 19 was the outstanding doghound of the morning, taken from the third-placed couple to win the championship. This dog looks like a real tough sort with a slightly broken coat and an intelligent eye.

“He hunted like an old hound from the first morning he came out and never looked back,” says his huntsman Philip Hague. “He is a brilliant dog in his work.”

Edward Foster and Richard Gurney had the task of judging the morning classes and the first one of the day, albeit a restricted class, set the tone with a ring full of beautiful hounds. The Thurlow’s tall lemon-coloured Joshua took the first prize, this pack now being brimful of North Cotswold blood brought there by Nigel Peel.

The VWH had their first triumph of the day with a couple of unentered hounds, and their Fearnaught was the champion unentered dog. He was a very similar type to Footpad but without the broken coat, bred out of Fortune 16, a litter sister to Footpad’s dam Footloose 16, and by Smuggler 14, a litter brother to Footpad’s sire Smasher 14.

The Zetland did their bit for Yorkshire by winning the entered couples with Viking and Granville, ably shown by huntsman James Finney. However, the VWH were soon back on top with a classy two-couple of white hounds which included the outstanding Jacob 18, a previous Peterborough champion.

“Once a hound has won the championship at Peterborough, we don’t show them again on their own,” explained Martin Scott, who breeds the hounds and was being kept up to speed with the judging from his holiday in Cornwall.

The Thurlow edged ahead with their stallion hound Ramsgate 19 and the championship was a straight run-off between Ramsgate and Footpad.

Perhaps the greatest VWH success of the day came in the young handlers’ class, where 13-year-old Ted Street, resplendent in white smock and bowler, showed great aplomb and expertise, proudly telling Patrick Martin how much he enjoyed skinning.

Alistair Jackson judged the bitches with the joint-master and huntsman of the Berwickshire Gareth Watchman. This was to be an afternoon where the Thurlow hounds excelled, but many of the Yorkshire packs had some very good hounds.

The Sinnington and Middleton were knocking at the door throughout, as were the North Shropshire, where Peter McColgan has developed an athletic blend of old English hounds which were always in the prizes.

Many of the classes have special prizes for the old English hounds and these are becoming increasingly popular. The Percy, York and Ainsty South and the Barlow all had quality old English hounds, which often created an interesting class within a class. However, it did pressure the judges for time and some spectators started to drift away as the clock passed 5pm and the brood bitches were still in the ring.

It was Thurlow Stormcloud 18, the winning brood bitch, who really stood out from the crowd, bred by Nigel Peel especially to take to the Thurlow and shown impeccably by huntsman Elliot Stokes.

“One of the best hunting hounds in the kennel,” is how he describes her.

“We just loved her,” Alistair Jackson said after she’d swept all before her in the championship. “You just can’t catch her wrong and she oozes quality.”

Beagles: An excellent day for the Ampleforth

THE wonderful, active, white, siblings Farrier (winner of the stallion hound class) and Famous 17 (entered bitch) made for a successful day for new Ampleforth huntsman Josh Smith in the beagle ring, taking both championship classes. Their entered dog winner Fairfax 19 was also reserve champion.

The Yorkshire pack dominated the eight other packs forward but, as the overnight rainclouds gave way to hot sun, most were delighted to find themselves in the ribbons at some point.

Sadly, at least one pack that had entered dropped out because of the local authorities’ last-minute requirement that all handlers were tested for Covid. While the hound show season can be devastated by kennel cough in the canine competitors, it was ironic that this time humans were under the spotlight. But David Wallace and his team and the committee of wider show should be congratulated in persisting with a much-loved fixture despite the hurdles they met.

Kate Higgs MH (Trinity Foot and South Herts) and Paul Osbaldiston from the Airedale judged the doghounds while Nigel Peel, now chairman at the Dummer, and Mark Guy MH (East Lincs Harehounds) sorted the bitches.

It was tremendous to see packs not often in the prizes winning classes. The Catterick – taking advantage of the fact this class uniquely has no height restriction – won the restricted doghounds with their big Belvoir tan Captain, while the Holme and Colne Valley produced the smart Dewdrop, well shown by huntsman Libby Gilbert, to win both the equivalent bitch and unentered class.

James Mason, who is master of the Weardale and Tees Valley as well as the North Pennine foxhounds, brought forward the attractive blue-mottled Berkeley 16 and his offspring Ruby and Ralley 20 to win the morning’s progeny class uncontested, while the Trinity Foot and South Herts were delighted that Princess 18 secured the brood bitch class.

The Newcastle and District are no strangers to the top slot in the show ring. They took both the doghound couples class with well-matched brothers Crossbow and Cutlass 19 and the bitch and progeny. Their Vixen 20, second to Famous in the entered bitch class, was also reserve champion.

Mention should be made of Jane Crease, master at the Hunsley Beacon, who showed her distinctive little hounds so ably throughout the day. While small hounds struggle to compete, they are a vital part of beagling’s diaspora. And Jan Kerr, a Cumbrian farmer’s wife, has walked countless hounds for packs all over the country. She brought North Devon Foreman forward and was delighted with a fourth place. It was possibly the first time a hound from this great working pack has appeared in the show ring.

Bloodhounds: Highmoor Cybil takes the honours

FOR the first time, the Masters of Drag and Bloodhounds Association held their annual championship classes at Harrogate. First in were the unentered bloodhound dogs, first prize in which was swiftly awarded to the Cranwell’s Monster, while the draghound equivalent was taken by Berks and Bucks Dartmoor.

The entered bloodhound class was hotly contested and went to Nic Wheeler’s attentive Digger from the Coakham. The Berks and Bucks struck again in the draghounds with their fast-galloping Rolo. Next were the stallion hounds, and the bloodhound section went to Coakham Dynamo and the drag to Staff College Danger.

Couple prizes were awarded to the newly formed Hamilton Bloodhounds’ Seneca and Sefton, and to the Berks and Bucks Draghounds’ traditional black and tan Dartmoor and Danger. Judge Major Tim Easby said that they would not look out of place at any hound show in the country, such was their quality.

The judges deemed Nar Valley Belfast, shown in the couples class, worthy of a place in the championship, and they promptly awarded him the bloodhound dog title, to the delight of master and huntsman Charlie Ward.

In the afternoon, the unentered bloodhound bitch class went to the beautiful blanket liver Gloria from the Coakham, and the Berks and Bucks Draghounds continued their winning ways with the classy Graphite.

The entered bitches were hard to call and proved successful for hound show organiser and Highmoor Bloodhounds master and huntsman Nigel Church and the eighth-season veteran Cybil. Staff College Ariel, shown with quiet skill by huntsman Steven Hall, finally broke the Berks and Bucks’ hold on the day with a deserved win in the draghound section.

Bitch couples followed and Debbie Kane of the Four Shires Bloodhounds swept away the competition with Bounty and Indie. It was great to see the return to the flags of the Cambridge Draghounds, who were quickly selected winners with their very even couple Boozy and Bondage.

The bitch championships went to Highmoor Cybil for the bloodhounds and Ariel for the Sandhurst Drag.

That left the supreme championships to close proceedings and to the delight of the local crowd and a stunned Nigel Church, front-running Highmoor Cybil took the bloodhound honours. Steven Hall was given the nod for the overall supreme draghound bitch with the strong and correct Sandhurst Ariel.

.

This exclusive report is also available to read in H&H magazine, on sale Thursday 22 July

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It’s the Festival of Hunting at Peterborough tomorrow (21 July). Catherine Austen looks forward to a celebration of the hound and all things hunting-related

There might be a small sporting event in Tokyo about to take place, but before the Olympics get underway, there’ll be seriously hot competition in the British hound showing world tomorrow (Wednesday, 21 July).

The Festival of Hunting, known colloquially as “Peterborough” because it takes place just outside that East Anglian cathedral city on the East of England Showground, is a championship event. The winners of the various regional hound shows come together for the season’s most important and significant contests and – once you understand a little about what you are looking at in a hound – it is a surprisingly exciting spectator sport which involves passionate rivalries.

The Festival is built around the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show, which is in its 132nd year. The modern English foxhounds are shown inside, while the old English foxhounds, harriers, beagles, bassets and bloodhounds are shown in outside rings.

There are tons of country sports-related tradestands, and plenty of food concessions and bars. The inter-hunt relay is always entertaining, with dozens of both senior and junior teams waiting their turn to race around the ring over a variety of fences.

It’s hunting’s big day out of the summer, as Tom Arthey, joint-master of the Pytchley with Woodland, explains.

“It’s so rare to get people and hounds from packs the length and breadth of the country together in one place; such a concentrated mix of different types of hounds, hunt staff in their coloured liveries, masters and supporters,” he says.

“For hunt staff and masters, especially given the 18 months we’ve had, it is a fantastic opportunity to see their colleagues and compare notes on hound breeding, which stallion hounds they’ve used and what type of hounds those are producing. And in showing terms it’s the Olympics – the best of the best.”

What goes into getting a hound to show well at Peterborough?

“Practise, practise, practise,” Tom says. “The more that hunt staff can get the hounds out, the more they learn not to be distracted by what’s going on around them and to pay attention to the person showing them. They become used to an audience, to noise, and learn to focus on the task in hand.”

In the same way that show horses are taught to carry themselves and stand well to show themselves off to the best advantage, hunt staff spend a great deal of time doing the same with hounds.

“Hours and hours go into getting a hound confident enough in a ring to show themselves well,” Tom says. “Like horses, they will be washed and groomed the day before so that their coats are clean and shiny.”

The weather at Peterborough is likely to be hot, and hounds’ welfare is at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Cold water galore will be available, and ample kennel space in the shade is provided for hounds to be able to rest. Possibly we should worry more about the hunt staff in their thick hunting coats than the hounds – but generally those showing the hounds are insistent that they must wear their hunt’s livery and look as smart as possible.

Continued below…

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The Young Handlers’ class has become a major part of the show – do go and watch these hound- and hunting-mad youngsters display their showing and handling skills.

The show starts at around 10am – please visit www.festivalofhunting.com for more information, and to buy tickets online for this superb celebration of hunting. Tickets may be bought online until the day itself (Wednesday, 21 July).

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show – now part of the Festival of Hunting – is the pinnacle of the hound show world. Alastair Jackson, who has judged foxhounds there seven times, explains the intricacies of how the judges are chosen

THE date of the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show, usually in mid-July, has been the highlight of the summer for lovers of hounds since 1878.

It is the “shop window” for the foxhound, attracting the best-looking hounds from the United Kingdom – and occasionally Ireland – and sets the standard for other hound breeders.

A new era in the history of hound shows at Peterborough was born in 2005, when the formerly select foxhound show became part of the Festival of Hunting. It was a defiant answer to the iniquitous hunting ban, which had become law in February that year. With rings for all other major breeds of hounds, a horse show with inter-hunt jumping and a plethora of tradestands, the festival has enabled the general public to enjoy the foxhound show.

There are only five formally recognised hound shows, of which Peterborough is the senior. The South of England at Ardingly, the Wales and Border Counties at Builth Wells, and the Great Yorkshire at Harrogate will – in normal years – all have taken place before Peterborough, leaving only the West of England at Honiton as an end-of-summer finale.

The results of the previous shows will have been discussed and criticised at length and nearly all the serious contenders for Peterborough will have been seen at one or the other.

A championship at a regional show is sometimes as difficult to achieve, but the fact remains that in years to come it will only be the Peterborough champions that will be remembered.

Their photographs will also be printed in the Foxhound Kennel Studbook so that they may be studied for conformation and type by generations of hound breeders to come.

However, ultimately it must be remembered that these momentous decisions were the opinions of only two men (a lady has not yet been invited to judge foxhounds at Peterborough) – the judges.

A long road

WHO are these judges, and how do they find themselves in this position of such complete authority? The answer is that their decisions, far from being automatically accepted, will be scrutinised critically and questioned freely.

Should they be rash or incompetent enough to make a decision which is widely seen as being incorrect, they will be ridiculed, ostracised, and probably seldom asked to judge again anywhere.

No wonder many judges take the safe option of choosing their champions from hounds which are fancied contenders from one of the top kennels – and indeed this is more often than not the correct decision anyway.

However, there are sometimes outsiders which merit consideration. Provided they do not make a habit of searching for such hounds just to cause a “stir”, judges must have the courage of their convictions in such cases.

The road to judging at Peterborough is a long one with many pitfalls for the unwary to fall into. It usually starts with an invitation to judge at a puppy show. The judges here are nearly always masters or former masters of hounds, with professional hunt servants also quite often asked to officiate. However, the professionals have not yet been asked to judge at one of the open foxhound shows.

Many embryo judges fall at this first hurdle, with their co-judge gleefully passing the word on of the junior judge’s lack of competence. It may well be that he has no eye for the points of a hound, or it may be something with no connection with the basics of the job in hand – such as wearing the wrong clothes, overdoing the wine at lunch, or telling a totally unsuitable story.

However, if our probationary judge successfully completes several puppy shows with reasonable reports, his name may well be mentioned at a hound show committee meeting when they are choosing their judges.

A suitable senior judge will be asked to officiate with him to guide him through the complexities of the system of judging a hound show, hopefully to teach him to judge the hounds swiftly and accurately, and to overrule him should he get too headstrong.

The number of senior judges are relatively small and, if anything, seem to be getting smaller. They will all be masters or former masters, who have bred their own hounds and who often judge at puppy shows and hound shows. In order to have a quick eye, it is vital that a judge looks at a lot of hounds regularly. As some of the older judges officiate less often, it is noticeable how they slow up and sometimes make glaring mistakes.

This of course can be due to lack of concentration and general deterioration due to age, as much as lack of practice.

Then the word gets about quickly: “Old so and so’s had it, y’know; kept us all there ’til 7pm judging the bitches last week; only put up hounds which had his breeding – terrible.”

Chairmen of hound show committees are then surreptitiously telephoned and there is soon one less senior judge on the circuit.

Some senior judges have a reputation for being good tutors and allowing their juniors to do a maximum of the judging within the restriction of time. Others are the opposite.

“Toes and testicles boy! That’s your job today,” said one senior judge of the doghound classes. “Check they’ve got the necessary in both departments and I will get on with the judging.”

Most regular hound show attendees have seen the sad spectacle of a glowering senior judge striding purposefully from entry to entry when the hounds are all in the ring, with a white-faced junior, bowler hat pushed well back, frantically turning the pages of his programme and trailing six paces behind his would-tutor.

A few of the junior judges, who continue to impress the seniors, are then upgraded; but even then a committee will be cautious.

“He must have an experienced junior judge, y’ know; it’s his first time in charge and he might lose his nerve.”

These “younger” senior judges will generally be quicker and more consistent, although there are the well-known exceptions among the very senior brigade, who judge with lightning speed and accuracy.

The youngsters also tend to be less inclined to bias when it comes to the breeding of the hounds. It surprises some that the judges are equipped with the same catalogue as the spectators, showing the breeding of each hound, but this tradition is jealously defended by those in authority.

Making the cut

THE Peterborough committee will be even more cautious in their choice of judges and it is likely that a judge will have officiated at several of the four regional shows before he is asked to act as junior at Peterborough.

There will have been several judicious telephone calls to his former co-judges before the final decision is taken. This is done immediately after the previous Peterborough show, when a small gathering of very senior foxhound men meet nearby at Milton, the home of both the present chairman of the hound show committee, Sir Philip Naylor-Leyland, and his predecessor. It will then be several months before the judge is formally invited.

Traditionally, Peterborough is the most formal of the hound shows and it was not long ago that all men attending wore pin-striped suits, bowler hats, stiff white collars and carried umbrellas.

The whole atmosphere has become much more informal since the foxhounds became part of the festival. The umbrellas and stiff, white collars have, by and large, been discarded by the men, but most of the ladies of course continue to wear hats and summer dresses.

With more female masters of foxhounds every year, and many of them making a great success of breeding their hounds, it is only right that some of them are asked to judge both puppy shows and regional hound shows.

“An eye for a hound” is not confined to the gentlemen, of course. It cannot be long before the ladies breach the bastions of the premier hound show and one of them is asked to judge foxhounds at Peterborough.

.

• Do you have any memories from the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show that you’d like to share with fellow H&H readers? Please send them to hhletters@futurenet.com, along with your name, local town and county. If your submission is chosen as our letter of the week you could win a bottle of Champagne Taittinger.

This exclusive feature is also available to read in this Thursday’s magazine, on sale 15 July

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An education in hunting: the role of school and college packs *H&H Plus*

Hounds of a lifetime: the best ones huntsmen have been privileged to work alongside *H&H Plus*

No horses, just wonderful hounds: why everyone should experience Fell hunting *H&H Plus*

The Old Berks pull off a remarkable victory in the bitch championship, while a local doghound champion is popular at South of England, Ardingly, West Sussex. By Frank Houghton Brown and Matthew Higgs

Foxhounds

THE bitch championship at Ardingly seemed like not only a run-off between a host of the most beautiful foxhounds in the south of England, but also the culmination of the first step towards normality. Hound show chairman Gary Lee and his wife Fee, who acts as show secretary, must have been thrilled to see all their hard work come to fruition.

North Cotswold breeding was the principle influence in the show catalogue, a good example being Stormcloud 18. The white Thurlow brood bitch winner had bags of quality and looked a shoo-in for the champion rosette. Master of the Thurlow Robin Vestey was taking a keen interest in proceedings. Their pack has been revitalised by a North Cotswold draft brought by Nigel Peel. Stormcloud’s mother was North Cotswold Story 15, by the much acclaimed Bodmin 10.

Step forward the Old Berks Deadly 19, with new huntsman Oliver Thompson and whipper-in Josh Tierney. Oliver was kennel-huntsman to the Avon Vale, but has previous experience at the Old Berks when he whipped-in to their previous long-standing and much-respected huntsman Michael Scott. Deadly had come second in the couple class, and with an attractive sandy colouring, she covered a little more ground than Stormcloud. By Dartmoor Denman 15 with a fell topline and out of a Cottesmore-bred bitch called Brasso 15, it was a pleasure to see such a scopey hound with such a different pedigree.

The two senior judges, new chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) Andrew Osborne and joint-master and huntsman of the College Valley Adam Waugh, plumped for Deadly as their champion. Adam pointed out: “These beautiful bitches were nearly inseparable.”

Some 10 packs were showing and the morning judges were again two eminent masters of hounds in Felicita Busby from the Exmoor and Richard Tyacke, director of the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles (AMHB). Hounds were brought into the ring to be shown off the lead and then taken back into the holding area in front of the kennels, where they were sorted down to the last four. These four entries were then judged in the normal way back in the hound ring; a convoluted but necessary exercise.

The unentered couple class was won by the Thurlow, with the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray in second place, both entries by North Cotswold dogs. Thurlow Joshua took the unentered championship and Chiddingfold Dresden the local championship. Prizes were well spread out, with the Crawley and Horsham, the Southdown and Eridge and the East Sussex and Romney Marsh all featuring.

The Kimblewick had some smart hounds. This time of year, their longest-standing joint-master Chris Austin is usually at the Common Ridings in Hawick, which have been going since 1513, but their cancellation allowed him to watch the hound show.

The stallion hound class stood out as being the strongest of the morning. The Surrey Union were well represented with their Ascot 18, but the honours were taken by the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent with their Racecard 19 just beating the Thurlow with Ramsgate 19. The dog championship was quickly whittled down to a contest between the stallion hound winners and the Chiddingfold’s Redditch 20, winner earlier in the morning, and another hound by the North Cotswold’s Rallywood 16.

The beautifully balanced Racecard was announced the winner to great applause.

“He is absolutely outstanding in his work and has a great voice,” said huntsman Tim Staines, “and we are showing his dam this afternoon, who is also an outstanding hunter.”

Patrick Martin officiated in the young handler’s competition. When winner Lisa Doe, 14, was interviewed by Patrick, she confessed to enjoying all of the jobs in the Surrey Union kennels, especially skinning. Two years ago, this prize was won by Sophie Lawes, who now whips-in to the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray and who was holding hounds for their popular huntsman Sage Thompson.

The unentered bitches were dominated by the Thurlow with the lemon and white Decimal and Stamina who pipped Drastic and Drama, a slightly bigger and whiskery couple of Chiddingfold bitches, to the post. The Thurlow then proceeded to win every class with their small and active bitches. Their smart huntsman Elliot Stokes was spoilt for choice as to which hounds to bring forward for the championship and must have thought his luck was in. However, it was to be a special day for the Old Berks and their beautiful bitch Deadly.

A cool breeze made for perfect conditions and the convivial atmosphere was more akin to a puppy show than a major hound show.

BEAGLES

SOME 10 packs of beagles, all of whom were in the ribbons, contested classes, the move from a Friday fixture to the weekend perhaps encouraging more to enter. It certainly won the approval of those packs previously used to battling commuter traffic.

The AMHB director Richard Tyacke, fresh from judging the foxhounds, and Stuart Roscoe, master and huntsman of the Shropshire Beagles, oversaw the doghound classes.

The unentered class was won by Palmer Marlborough Clinkard and Meon Valley (PMCMV) Banker over the more substantial Royal Agricultural College (RAC) Villager. The cheerful Taw Vale team, who had set out from their Devon base at 3.45am to compete, took third with their equally strong Granite.

An unusual, almost ginger dog Victor 20, bred by the Radley College who do not keep doghounds, won the first-season hound class for the Eton College to start a most successful run, a tremendous fillip for incoming kennel-huntsman Steve Batchelor, who has had to contend with the Covid pandemic since his arrival at the Datchet kennels.

The quality, dark-mottled PMCMV Torver 20 edged the entered class over his slightly heavier, older kennel-mate Wittman 16. Bolebroke Wealden 19, well shown by new master Rebecca Callow and her assistant Sian Davis, was a popular third.

There were more cheers when the North Bucks won the couples class with smartly matched Tartan and Taser 18. RAC Scrumpy 20, who had been third in the first season class, was joined by his brother Scrutiny in second while Steven Payne, showing the Brighton, Storrington, Surrey and North Sussex (BSSNS) in the absence of their master and huntsman Ashley Doherty, was third with Warbler and Waiter 20.

Eton College Windsor 13 took the veteran class over his younger namesake from the PMCMV kennel before the latter pack turned the tables, taking top spot with a youthful Winston 16 in the stallion hound class. Christchurch and Farley Hill (CCFH) Valour 14 was second.

A previous champion here, Winston was not eligible for the championship, so there was a tussle between Torver and Eton Windsor. The judges delighted in awarding the top spot to the latter to conclude a busy morning.

Lord Herbert, chairman of the Countryside Alliance, and James Barclay judged the bitch classes. Their unentered winner was RAC Vision, a sister of Villager. Sister Vixen was second. North Bucks took third with the mottled Dahlia.

PMCMV Topsy 20, Torver’s sister, won the first-season class, beating RAC Scatter into second with CCFH Daphne 20 third. Continuing the litter’s success, PMCMV Tonic was first in the entered bitch class, BSSNS Vision 19 coming in second.

The Eton College returned to the fray with the black and tan Pleasure 20 and Paisley 19 winning the couples. The Christchurch were again second with well-matched sisters Vision and Violet 17.

The veteran class was a duel between the robust RAC Vampire 13 and PMCMV Tablet 14. Tablet prevailed with her sister Taper taking third.

The elegant Eton College Whatnot 16 won the brood bitch class over the smaller Trinity Foot and South Herts Princess 18. PMCMV Granite 18, dam of their successful T litter, was third.

The Eton concluded a hot afternoon taking the championship to complete the double with Whatnot, PMCMV Tonic 20 standing reserve.

Competitors and spectators –which included a large cohort of students supporting the RAC and the Varsity packs alike – hailed Gary Lee, chairman of the hound show, and his team for their fortitude in pulling off the show despite a host of Covid restrictions. We are in their debt.

This report can also be read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale date 24 June 2021

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The hound showing season is underway; Alastair Jackson explains the process that culminates at the Festival of Hunting in July

ANYONE who has attended Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show will have memories of seeing the judges weighing-up hounds. Apart from the sense of occasion created by this greatest of all hound shows, there is the impression of the hounds themselves. The aristocrats of their breed, standing like statues, held in the thrall of their huntsman; then flying across the ring with effortless strides before racing back to stand foursquare again, neck outstretched, head slightly cocked, with eyes only for the man who is their friend and handler.

Later, the ring is a sea of colour, with the hunt servants’ liveries and gleaming boots mingling with the tans, pyes and mottles of the hounds. Soon the judges have dismissed all but the prizewinners. Perhaps a final loosing-off of two or three entries to compare their movement, and then the results are announced. Polite clapping if the winners come from one of the more fashionable kennels, but occasionally wild cheering if they hail from a more modest establishment.

Doghounds in the morning (the enticing smell of bitches beforehand might interfere with that vital concentration), starting with unentered hounds, through the various entered classes to the stallion hounds, before culminating in the vital doghound championship.

A change of judges for the afternoon bitch classes, when the same format is followed. The aficionados of the foxhound – there are plenty and they are not all masters of hounds – will sit with full concentration throughout the day. Others will undoubtedly find time for a refreshing glass or two and an exchange of gossip, but nearly all will wish to be present for the electric atmosphere of the championship classes.

The all-important qualities of a great hound

WHAT, then, do the judges see? How much can they tell about a foxhound in the artificial atmosphere of this great show?

Hounds are, of course, judged on their conformation throughout their lives. Their breeders and huntsmen will look at them critically “on the flags” from an early age and then it will be time for the puppy show, when they will be formally judged by visiting experts. If they are good enough, they may well be shown at one of the other regional hound shows around the country.

Later in life their make and shape will be a factor, along with their all-important working qualities, to be considered before they may be bred from. Nose, voice, character and brains cannot be judged at a show, but make no mistake, a well-put-together hound, which can cross the country with ease and run up late in life, has far more chance of becoming a really good foxhound than one which is handicapped by lack of pace or lameness.

At the Festival of Hunting the hounds are only seen on the hard surface of the ring and one sometimes hears some knowledgeable onlooker say, as a class leaves the ring, “I wonder if they would have been placed the same way if we had seen them on grass?” They are probably right, as hounds will generally only gallop really freely on turf, and one of the most important points when judging a hound is movement and stride.

The ring at Peterborough is large enough and of a smooth enough surface that hounds will generally give a pretty good performance and, being under cover, there is no question of grass there. Harrogate is also undercover with a concrete ring, but Builth Wells, Ardingly and Honiton are able to provide the best of both worlds, being grass rings with stone flags in the middle for hounds to stand on when they are not galloping.

At puppy shows, where the ring is often much smaller, it is quite common for the last few hounds to be taken out on to a more spacious area of grass to be galloped against each other. It is then that the judges often find that a particular hound, which they previously liked, does not move as well as the others – or vice versa.

However, when judging a puppy show it is just as well to ask the huntsman if he is happy to do this. If he has not put the time in on his young hounds beforehand, it is not unheard of for one of the potential prizewinners to go absent without leave.

Grass also has its drawbacks, particularly when hounds relieve themselves in the ring. On a concrete surface the mess can quickly be picked up and the area mopped with disinfectant. On grass this treatment is not so effective and, as discarded biscuits also accumulate, hounds are more likely to investigate these smells than give full attention to their huntsman.

Grass can also hide faults in toes and feet, and the consummate showman is not beyond pretending that he is trying very hard to get his hound to leave the grass and stand on the flags, when he has not the slightest intention of baring his charges’ faults to the judges. Grass in the ring must also be well cut. There was a time, many years ago, at Honiton when the beagles almost disappeared from view!

A level playing field

OF COURSE it must be true that hounds, and any other canines, can only be judged properly for conformation on flags or a similar hard surface. On flags the mechanics of bone and muscle can be compared exactly, like against like. The all-important balance of a hound is undistorted by variations in standing; legs and feet can be seen for what they are, with a clean background to view.

However, there is no doubt that a large ring and a galloping surface will tell a judge more about movement and balance. This is why English foxhounds should be loosed as soon as they enter the ring and not be judged straining at their leads.

A further vital consideration in this day and age, when public relations must be the priority, is easy access for the public to watch the hound judging. Honiton, with its four separate rings for hounds of all breeds and situated among the busy agricultural show, is a perfect example. The public here take full advantage of their free viewing, apart from the grandstand side, as they do also at Ardingly.

Peterborough, as the premier hound show, used to be very exclusive, with most of the seating allocated beforehand. Even when part of the East of England Agricultural Show, the public had to pay to enter the hound show area. Nowadays, thankfully, as part of the Festival of Hunting, anyone attending the larger event can come into what used to be termed “the Holy of Holies” and watch the foxhounds being judged – and quite right too.

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This feature is also available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 17 June

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The Lycett’s Festival of Hunting in July has been cancelled owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

The event, which incorporates the Peterborough Hound Show, attracts thousands of visitors and was due to be held on 22 July at the East of England Showground.

“Although this is an important day in the calendar for hunts and thousands of hunt supporters, as well as the Countryside Alliance (CA), the hunting community is united with the rest of the population in respecting the government’s wishes, to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives, so realises that has to take priority,” said the CA’s head of hunting, Polly Portwin.

“These are clearly disappointing times for the organisers and the trade stand holders as well as those who were due to show their hounds, but we look forward to enjoying all of these events again in the future once the pandemic is under control.

“Those involved in hunting are, however, showing typical resilience in these difficult times by embracing the community spirit and turning their attention to helping out in their own local communities by supporting local businesses, helping farmers and offering assistance to those who are vulnerable or self-isolating.”

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Alison Queenborough, secretary of the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show Society, said the group is advising its members, sponsors, trade stand exhibitors, advertisers and contractors, thanking everyone who supports the annual event.

“Since 1878, the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show has been cherished as the annual showcase for the world of hunting and has only ever stopped during wartime,” she said.

“This time it’s a global pandemic which is placing huge demands on our public health service.

“While ‘Peterborough’ exemplifies the history and tradition of hounds, celebrates rural life and is a great social gathering, we do not wish to place unnecessary burden on our public services which must be focused on the nation’s health and well-being.”

Other major hound shows that have also cancelled this year include the South of England Show (11 to 13 June) and the Great Yorkshire Show (14 to16 July).

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The Lycetts Festival of Hunting, held on the East of England Showground at Peterborough on Wednesday, 17 July, is the hunting world’s summer jamboree. Here’s why we wouldn’t miss it for the world.

1. It really does showcase that glorious animal, the hound. The showing classes for modern and old English foxhounds, harriers, beagles, bassets, bloodhounds and draghounds are the most competitive of the year. Hundreds of years of very careful breeding have resulted in the excellent examples of each type that you will see at Peterborough. There are also displays of coursing dogs and fellhounds.

2. If you “hunt to ride” rather than “ride to hunt”, there are all sorts of equine showing classes for ridden hunters, working hunters and working hunter ponies and coloured horses and ponies. And the Honri Hats-sponsored inter-hunt relay is great fun to watch, with gangs of spectators hollering their own hunt teams on.

3. The shopping is great. You can purchase pretty much anything you might need in the sporting line, plus jewellery, art, sculpture, clothes, food, booze, presents… Take your credit card – who doesn’t need a new pair of breeches, a rare “Snaffles” print, or a large bottle of home-made sloe gin?

4. The packs that are showing tend to hold individual picnics, which are uproarious and can get very lavish. Coronation chicken is almost compulsory. Cadge yourself an invitation – or wander around until you spot someone you know and smile at them. They’re bound to ask you over for a drink. Of course, for the picnic-less, there is masses of very good food and drink you can buy!

5. Lycetts sponsor a seriously good drinks party after the judging has finished, at which a horn-blowing competition takes place.

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6. There are new classes this year for young handlers, aimed at 12-16-year-olds who help their local packs. Go to Ring One at 3pm to watch the huntsmen, masters and whippers-in in of the future.

7. It’s gossip central. This is where you’ll learn what’s going on in the hunting world, so keep your ears and eyes open!

Tickets can be bought at the gate or online in advance: www.festivalofhunting.com

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

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Last week’s Festival of Hunting at Peterborough was a banquet of hounds, horses and all things hunting.

Here are seven things we loved about it…

1. The huge cheer that went up from the expectant audience when the champion foxhounds were announced. In the morning doghound championship it was the Grove and Rufford’s turn with Saxon; in the afternoon’s bitch championship Heythrop supporters erupted when Racket took the title.

2. The fact that the Grove and Rufford also won the senior inter-hunt relay competition – what a day for the hunt!

3. It takes real bravery to stand up in front of a large, slightly merry, hunting audience at the Lycetts-sponsored drinks party that closed the show and blow the hunting horn. This year’s winner of the amateur horn-blowing contest was young George Smith, who took home a hunting horn donated and engraved by The Hunting Shop.

4. Talking of horn-blowing, those who joined the Heythrop’s celebrations of a very successful day (the Gloucestershire pack won both two-couple classes and the bitch couple class, as well as the bitch championship) back at the lorry in the evening were treated to a proper exhibition. Martin Thornton, former huntsman of the Belvoir and the Zetland, consented to blow a range of calls, and did so utterly beautifully.

5. The shopping. There can’t be a better selection of hunting-related items – clothing, books, pictures, presents, anything you can think of – anywhere in the world.

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The Lycetts Festival of Hunting, held on the East of England Showground at Peterborough on Wednesday, 17 July, is the

6. The “other” hounds. We see plenty of foxhounds, beagles and harriers, but how often do most of us get to see wise-looking bassets, magnificent bloodhounds – and, while not exactly hounds, did you see those heavenly Sealyham terriers?

7. The picnics. Not that hunting people are competitive, oh no, but the efforts made and laid out at lunchtime were spectacular and rivalled Car Park Number One during Royal Ascot — minus the butlers. Hunting people help themselves — generously.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Take a look at this collection of adorable pictures of hounds of all breeds taken by photographer Sarah Farnsworth at the Wales and Border Counties Hound Show at Builth Wells last week (29 June 2017)

The full report from the show will be in the 13 July 2017 issue of Horse & Hound magazine

Champion Welsh hound Llanwnnen Farmers Dafydd was a bundle of energy and fun all day – here he is chomping on his champion’s rosette

The North Cotswold’s smart winning two-couple: Devon, Denton, Rallywood and Ragdale

Beagle doghound champion Derby, Notts and Staffs Poldark moves well across the ring

This hound decides his place is in the ring and takes matters into his own hands

The Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn’s hounds receive their supporters’ appreciation

The two Fellhound champions, Coniston Dreamer (left) and Coniston Dealer, are littler brother and sister and greet each other fondly

Welsh champion hound Llanwnnen Farmers Dafydd again — so fluffy!

Overall beagle champion Derby, Notts and Staffs Poldark about to get a kiss

A lovely model of a hound: bitch champion and overall champion English foxhound North Cotswold Dervish

South Shropshire Saga keeps his eyes on the boss

A wonderful sight — the Welsh ring in full flow

Has this beagle spotted the ice-cream van?

What do you think this Fellhound from the Conwy Valley is saying?

This Fellhound gets some love

This beagle looks a little nonplussed to be removed from the action

Showing Welsh hounds is done very differently to English hounds, whom the judges like to see on the move

This beagle is keen for a biscuit

Hounds from the Duke of Beaufort’s (green coat) and the North Cotswold (red) run off to decide a class

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Rydal Hound Show in Cumbria is one of the highlights of the summer hound showing season. It is set in the beautiful surroundings of Rydal Park which is close to Ambleside.

Local pack the Coniston hold their own hound show before the open Fellhound classes take place, with their Dazzle taking the honours. The pack’s Lyric later went on to be awarded the entered bitch hound title before being awarded the reserve championship in the Fellhound classes.

Blencathra Saddler 14, winner of the entered doghound class stood as the Fellhound champion before going on to land the supreme show championship ahead of the winners from the harrier, beagle and terrier rings.

Aside from the hound shows, visitors could also enjoy the sheepdog trials and Fellhound racing as well as browsing through the trade stands.

A full report and results are in the 18 August issue of the magazine and to see further images from the show here

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Packs showing at the West of England hound show produced some quality hounds for the judges at Honiton on 4 August. With separate rings for the foxhounds, staghounds, beagles, harriers and minkhounds there was no shortage of classes to watch and the layout of the rings made it easy to navigate easily between them in order not to miss anything.

We take a look at some of the highlights of the show. To view further images from the day, visit www.horseandhound.co.uk/hointon-hound-show-pictures and don’t miss our full report and results in the current issue of the magazine, on sale from 12 August.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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

Most people went home with a touch more colour in their cheeks due to the soaring temperatures and credit cards may have been a little lighter too after a trip around the shops that were offering a wide variety of tempting goods.

For those who wanted to watch the various types of hounds being judged there was plenty of action in all of the rings, however the greatest crowd assembled to watch the 128th Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show.

The inter-hunt relay competitions entertained spectators all day resulting in popular wins for the Holcombe Hunt in the senior competition and a victory for the Cottesmore Foxes in the afternoon’s junior contest.

Don’t miss the 5-page report in 28th July issue of the magazine with further coverage from the beagle and harrier classes in 4th August issue.

We take a look back on some of the many memorable moments from this year’s show and see why the 2017 Festival Of Hunting is not to be missed…

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Run in conjunction with the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) at Harrogate, the hound show takes place over two days, with the beagles and harriers classes held this year on Tuesday, 12 July and the foxhounds on Wednesday, 13 July.

As well as bringing together packs from all over the country, this is the last major hound show in the run-up to the Festival of Hunting at Peterborough (20 July).

Thirteen packs of beagles were put before the judges where the championships were claimed by the Cheshire and the Newcastle and District.

The Holcombe had a particularly successful day, taking both the doghound and bitch hound championships in the harriers ring, while the VWH pretty much swept the board in the foxhound classes.

Tale a look at the gallery to see some of the highlights of this year’s hound show and don’t forget to buy the latest issue of Horse & Hound, on sale from 21 July for a detailed report and full results.

To view further images taken at the Great Yorkshire Hound Show visit — here

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Set in the cream of the Fernie Hunt country, Blaston Hound Show took place on Sunday 26 June at Blaston in Leicestershire.

The annual show is in its 14th year and continues to grow in popularity, with 19 packs of hounds competing for the honours this year.

It was a particularly successful day for the Grove and Rufford and the Meynell and South Staffs in the modern foxhound classes, while the Percy and the Wynnstay took the major honours in the Old English classes.

For a detailed report and full results see the current issue of Horse & Hound magazine (14 July 2016)

Click here to view further images taken at the Blaston Hound Show

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Wales and Border Counties Hound Show — one of the most popular hound shows of the season — took place at the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells on 30 June.

The classes for the Welsh Foxhounds were particularly well-supported with hounds from 14 packs taking part, and proved very popular with a large crowd in attendance.

There were championship victories for the Plas Machynlleth and the Irfon and Towy Hunts in the Welsh ring and the Coniston enjoyed continued success in the Fell hound classes.

Although the North Cotswold, Bicester with Whaddon Chase and Duke of Beaufort’s all took their share of the major honours in the English Foxhounds classes, the Albrighton and Woodland more than held their own, taking the first class of the day with the unentered Grocer.

The ribbons were spread well across the competing packs in the beagle classes although it was the Park Beagles that enjoyed championship success.

For the four-page report from the show see the current issue of Horse & Hound magazine (7 July 2016)

View further images taken at the Wales and Border Counties Hound Show here

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The first of the major hound shows took place at the South of England Show on 9-10 June at Ardingly, West Sussex.

The Grove and Rufford claimed the honours in the doghound and bitch hound championships, making their four-hour journey from their kennels in Nottinghamshire worthwhile while the Old Berkeley and the Stoke Hill and North Dartmoor packs landed the championships during the judging of the beagles.

Don’t miss the full report from the show in the 23 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine. Purchase photos from the South of England Hound Show here

Charmian Green MFH (Warwickshire) talks to the Duke of Beaufort's two joint-masters — Matt Ramsden and Captain Ian Farquhar — during a break in the judging of the bitch hounds

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The Grove and Rufford justified their long journey down from Nottinghamshire to claim both the doghound and bitch hound championship titles at the South of England hound show at Ardingly yesterday (9 June)..

Their well-known stallion hound and former Harrogate hound show champion Magnum 12 landed the doghound title while Berry 13 — a full sister to Bellman 13, the doghound champion at Ardingly in 2014— claimed the bitch championship.

“It took us just under four hours” explained a delighted huntsman Paul Larby, who was joined by his wife and a small but enthusiastic group of supporters.

“We travelled down on Wednesday night and kennelled the 11 couple of hounds at the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent kennels and it’s been well worth it.”

Presiding over the doghounds were judges Dominic Jones MFH from the South Dorset and Tom Lyle, joint-master and huntsman of the Dartmoor.

In the heat of the afternoon, it was the turn of the Warwickshire’s Charmian Green MFH and Luke Neale MFH from the Puckeridge.

“Magnum was quite outstanding however the local champion from the East Sussex and Romney Marsh also moved incredibly well,” explained Tom Lyle after the doghound championship.

Of the champion bitch hound, Charmian Green MFH said: “There were two lovely bitches in the championship however the winning bitch just oozed quality and she was particularly nice.”

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Hounds from 12 packs were put in front of the judges and although the Grove and Rufford took the two main titles back to Nottinghamshire, there was a good spread of prizes in the other classes.

There were successes for the Heythrop and Thurlow as well as local packs the East Sussex and Romney Marsh, the South and West Wilts and the Hampshire Hunt.

For a detailed analysis of all classes and full results from the foxhounds and beagles classes, see the four-page report in Horse & Hound, 23 June.

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I was certain that I would never write about puppy shows and the traditional pre-puppy show lunch serving of coronation chicken in this column. Well, that didn’t last long.

A real honour for me was when I was recently asked to judge the young hounds at the Berwickshire Hunt. Sitting at their kennels enjoying my lunch, I overheard my fellow judge ask for “some flan, please”. I don’t know why this tickled me as much as it did, but I hadn’t heard it called that since my mother would refer to flan when I was at prep school.

The same mother, incidentally, telephoned me to say: “I’ve been thinking about it Richard, and it’s probably best if you don’t go to Scotland to judge that show.”

“I am on the train, Mum,” was my instant reply, to which she returned with: “In that case, have a lovely time, dear.”

The thought did cross my mind that, after the latest political mess the hunting world has had to endure, those in Scotland may not welcome an inexperienced judge from the south-east of England.

I could not have been more wrong. From the moment I was picked up from Berwick station by Mary Anne Hume, I started to relax and enjoy it.

It is difficult not to enjoy the company of Rory and Delly Innes. Rory hunts the hounds and is a joint-master, and his wonderful wife Delly supports him through it while working and looking after their two small children.

One could see that Rory had made a real effort and kennels were spick and span, and the atmosphere was relaxed and good-humoured. The young hounds were a credit to Rory — level and possessing real class.

The only time I heard the word “sturgeon” all day was in relation to some chap talking of a recent fishing trip, with no mention of politics.

It was an absolute privilege to judge with Martin Letts MFH. A joint-master of the College Valley and North Northumberland since 1964, he is a man that will know more about hounds than I ever will.

In what other area of life could you discuss the fact that Stella is a “proper bitch” and that Stalker has bundles of talent but a tendency to follow you everywhere — without upsetting anyone?

I was so impressed that almost all of those attending were kind enough to thank me for coming such a long way.

Martin made an excellent speech and anyone who knows him will not be surprised to hear that he said what he thought and announced that while he was “shot these days” he wanted to make an important point. “We live in the 21st century and it is little use harping back to the past, we should make the best of what we have now and appreciate today not yesterday.”

I couldn’t agree more Martin, but I am very happy to respect yesterday as well as embrace today — and if we are living in the 21st century then it must be quiche not flan, and never a tart, I would say.

As I sat at Berwick station waiting for my train home I promised myself that I would return to this beautiful country and hunt here once in the coming season, and I will.

I then found an empty envelope in my pocket which had one line written on it. It said “the best hounds in the shires”. Who am I to argue with that?

Ref: Horse & Hound; 27 August 2015

It was the turn of the Fell hounds to take centre stage at Rydal Hound Show near Ambleside in Cumbria on 13 August.

Often described as “having a real holiday atmosphere,” this is one of the most popular and looked-forward to hound shows of the summer, with many visitors then going on to Lowther Hound Show a few days later.

A large crowd of hunting enthusiasts gathered at Rydal’s scenic venue where there were three rings of judging to enjoy. The day commences with the show of the Coniston hounds in the foxhounds ring, then the Fell hounds begin the open classes, where all seven registered packs put hounds forward.

Unlike the showing of the modern foxhound, Fell hounds are shown on their lead by their huntsman or their walker.

Repeating his success of last year was Blencathra Sergent, who took the Fell hound championship title before winning the supreme show championship ahead of the winners of the beagles, harriers and terriers championships. Holcombe Barrister 12 who had earlier landed the harrier championship took the reserve champion overall.

In the beagles classes, the Palmer Marlborough enjoyed a very successful day with Dancer 14 winning the entered doghound class and standing champion.

In addition to the hound show, as well as browsing the many trade stands, visitors to the show could also enjoy the associated sheep dog trials, stick show and hound trailing.

The Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire Beagles enjoy success with Wagtail, winner of the entered bitch hound class

Eskdale and Ennerdale Rascal claims the unentered bitch hound title

The Holcombe’s successful doghound Barrister 12 takes the harrier championship

Blencathra Matcham secures the unentered doghound class

Judging of the Fell hounds

Rydal Hound Show takes place in the scenic Cumbrian countryside

Members of a large crowd view the judging from the ringside

Supreme show champion, Blencathra Sergent with huntsman Barry Todhunter

For the full report and results, please see this week’s issue of Horse & Hound, on sale 27 August 2015

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Huntsmen new to carrying the horn triumphed with their charges at the 105th Irish Masters of Foxhounds’ Association (IMFHA) Show at Stradbally Hall, Co Laois, Eire on 5 July.

Conor Dwyer, 22, in his third season hunting the Island Foxhounds in Co. Wexford’s famous bank country, won five classes and took home the reserve unentered doghound championship with the home-bred Island Barrister (Paragon 11–Biscuit 10). They also claimed the stallion hound class with Island Paragon 11 (South Dorset Panther 08–Pickle 07) plus the doghound championship with Island Buster 11 (pictured top) (South & West Wiltshire Vanguard 08–Bunny 10).

Not a bad haul for a young huntsman from Co. Laois who gave up a business and law course to enter hunt service.

“It has been a learning curve but I either had to sink or swim,” said Dwyer. He readily acknowledges the legacy of his predecessors and the wealth of keen foxhound breeders in the country.

Assessing a record entry of 19 packs were doghound judges Henry Berkeley MFH and William Bryer MFH, the latter being no stranger to the Stradbally hound ring, and the afternoon bitch judges were Alastair Jackson and Charles Carter MFH.

The Co Limerick’s 26-year-old huntsman Fergus Stokes, now in his second season hunting this famous pack of Old English hounds, took the unentered class for their type with Co Limerick Sabbath (Carbery Commander 11–Sahara 11). They came second in the Old English part of the stallion hound class — the only Stradbally class where draft hounds may be shown — with Co Limerick Sizzler 12 (Duhallow Trooper 07–North Galway Sari 09). They also secured the same placing in the afternoon with his brood bitch sister Sidewalk 12.

Niall Dunne, in his second season at the Waterford, took the Old English division of the stallion hound class with the home-bred Waterford Lawrence 13 (Arnie 09–Ladybird 09).

In the Old English unentered bitch hound class, the Waterford’s winning unentered Snowdrop (Co Limerick Santa 11-Angle 10) was one of the few of that type showing size and real quality. They also took the Old English brood bitch title with Waterford Charity 12 (Chukka 07–Lavish 07).

The new kids on the block did not have it all their own way.Chris Francis, in his ninth season as Kildare huntsman from their Punchestown Racecourse kennels, won the unentered doghound championship with Fathom (Duke of Beaufort’s Hostage 10–East Galway Grammar 11) from the couples class.

The Wicklow’s Paisley (Cattistock Bramble 12–South Dorset Parody 13) took the ribbons in the unentered bitches and she went on to be reserve champion bitch shown by huntsman Philip Lazenby.

The experienced Henry brothers at the Meath produced the unentered bitch champion with Barmaid (Cottesmore Barty-Fabric 07) who came from the couples class. The Horse & Hound Cup presented in that class was taken home by East Down Bauble & Bargain (Bailey 10–Mistletoe 10), shown by huntsman Declan Feeney.

Not to be outdone by the bigger kennels, West Wicklow Label 14 (Middleton Gunner 07–Kildare Saintly 08) beat the East Down in the entered bitch class to the delight of their joint-master and huntsman Rupert Macauley, chairman of the IMFHA.

The stars of the early afternoon were from Mount Juliet, where huntsman Sam Staniland produced the winning bitch couple in Kilkenny Chutney 14 & Chariot 14 (Kildare Chaplin 07–Dorothy 11) in front of the South Tyrone and Wicklow.

The South Tyrone, whose hounds have a quality not seen in their Dungannon kennels for some years, reaped revenge by taking the two couples bitch class well shown by huntsman Ryan Carvill. This was the class of the day with eight packs producing an impressive sight in front of Stradbally Hall. The West Wicklow came second, the Kilkenny third and the Louth took reserve with their Old English entry shown by huntsman Alan Riley.

The Meath’s Mabel (North Shropshire Pirate 09-Madonna 09) won the brood bitch, with Waterford Charity 12 taking the Old English part of the class.

Rosettes were scattered evenly among other exhibiting hunts. The North Down’s new huntsman Barry Jones took a ticket in the unentered bitch couples, as did the South Union (Co Cork) with their Comedy 14 (Tipperary Captain 09-Crunchie 12). Not to be outdone by his Co. Cork neighbor, the United Hunt Club’s Sonny O’Donnell collected an Old English placing with their Tackler (Waterford Tanker 10-Lacey 11).

The Kilkenny deservedly won the bitch championship with Chutney 14 in front of the unentered Wicklow Paisley.

Before the doghound championship a presentation of certificates was made to those young students who had completed the Michael Morris Memorial Bursary Scheme. Michael Higgens, former master and huntsman of the four-day-a-week Tipperary Foxhounds, made the awards to Shane McGillick, who trained at the Westmeath with huntsman Niall Mahon, and Keith Broderick, who served with Ballymacad huntsman Kevin Donohoe. The IMFHA-sponsored scheme is now in its third year.

Founded in 1859 the IMFHA oversees 46 hunts in 32 counties including 6 packs in Northern Ireland. The annual show started at Clonmel on 6 August 1910 and settled at its present stunning location at Stradbally Hall, Co Laois in 2000, home of the hugely supportive Cosby family.

The show’s impressive trophies and cups are on display at the Foxhound Show ringside and tend to outshine in appearance and number those of any other hound show, some silverware dating from 1891.

Since moving to Stradbally the Foxhound Show, which is part of the Irish National Hound Show consisting of Harriers, Foot Harriers, Beagles plus equestrian rings, has become a major fixture in the hunting world. Northern Ireland hosts a second official Hound Show in Co Armagh with similar classes but with over 200 hounds in three rings on 5th July this year Stradbally can rightly claim to be “Ireland’s Peterborough”.

“It is great to see such interest”, said hound show chairman David Lalor MFH, “especially from those packs that have not previously shown”.

Results

JUDGES: Doghounds: Henry Berkeley MFH (the Berkeley) & William Bryer MFH (the Cattistock)

Bitch hounds: Alastair Jackson & Charles Carter MFH (the West Norfolk)

DOGHOUNDS

Class 1: Best unentered doghound whelped on or after 1 December 2013 (restricted).

1. Island Barrister (Paragon 11–Biscuit 10)

2. Co. Limerick Sabbath (Carbery Commander 11–Belvoir Saline 09).

3 Wicklow Parker (Cattistock Bramble 12–South Dorset Parody 13).

4. Waterford Ashtown (Co. Limerick Santa 11–Almond 12).

Class 2: Best unentered Old English doghound whelped on or after 1 December 2013

1. Co. Limerick Sabbath (Carbery Commander 11–Belvoir Saline 09).

2. Waterford Ashtown (Co. Limerick Santa 11–Almond 12).

3. Co. Limerick Periwig (Cattistock Persian 12–Aileen 10).

4. United Hunt Club Tackler (Waterford Tanker 10–Lacey 11).

Class 3: Best couple of unentered doghounds whelped on or after 1 December 2013 (Open).

1. Island Barricade and Barrister (Paragon 11–Biscuit 10).

2. Kildare Hamlet (Ballymacad Hostage 10–East Galway Grammar 11) & Fathom (Beaufort Fastnet 10–Ballymacad Sally 11).

3. Kilkenny Pollard and Postman (Paddy 11–Policy 11).

4. Meath Bailiff (Cottesmore Barty 07–Fabric 07) & Meath Winter (Cottesmore Barty 07–Grove & Rufford 10)

Also Class 3: Best single unentered doghound championship

Unentered Doghound Champion: Kildare Fathom (Beaufort Fastnet 10–Their Sally 11).

Reserved Unentered Doghound: Island Barrister (Paragon 11–Biscuit 10)

Class 4: Best entered doghound that has not won a first prize in an open class (restricted).

1. Island Buster 12 (South & West Wilts Vanguard 08–Bunny 10).

2. West Wicklow Gunshot 13 (Middleton Gunner 07–Ballad 10).

3. Island Bowman 12 (South & WWilts Vanguard 08–Bunny 10).

4 Co. Limerick Saxon 14 (Perkin 06–Belvoir Saline 09).

Class 5: Best couple of entered doghounds (open)

1. Island Paragon 11 (South Dorset Panther 08–Pickle 07) & Buster 12 (S&WWilts Vanguard 08–Bunny 10)

2. Ballymacad Samson 11 & Safeguard 11 (Sabbath 06–Bonfire 08)

3. Kilkenny Culprit 12 (Dungeon 08–Catherine 09) & Charger 14 (Kildare Chaplin 07–Dorothy 11).

4. Kildare Bosco 13 (Ballymacad Bosco 08–Their Bingo 10) & Deacon 14 (Dealer 10–East Galway Grammar 11)

Best entered doghound in this class

Island Buster 12.

Class 6: Best stallion hound (open)

1. Island Paragon 11 (South Dorset Panther 08–Pickle 10)

2. Ludlow Magnum 13 (Fraser 08–Mistress 07).

3. Beaufort Harlequin 10 (Galahad 05–Handful 06).

4. West Wicklow Gunshot 13 (Middleton Gunner 07–Ballad 10).

Best Old English stallion hound.

1. Waterford Lawrence 13 (Arnie 09–Ladybird 09)

2. Co Limerick Sizzler 12 (Duhallow Trooper 07–North Galway Sari 09)

Class 7 : The Mrs. Hall Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best doghound (open).

Champion: Island Buster 12 (S & WWilts Vanguard 08–Bunny 10)

Reserve Champion: Island Paragon 11 (South Dorset Panther 08–Pickle 07)

BITCHES

Class 8: Best unentered bitch (restricted)

1. Wicklow Paisley (Cattistock Bramble 12–South Dorset Parody 13).

2. West Wicklow Loopy (Tipperary Captain 09–Kildare Saintly 08)

3. Island Viscount (Middleton Gunner 07–Vantage 12)

4. Waterford Snowdrop (Co. Limerick Santa 11–Their Angle 10)

Class 9: Best unentered Old English bitch

1. Waterford Snowdrop (Co. Limerick Santa 11–Their Angle 10)

2. Co. Limerick Petticoat (Cattistock Persian 12–Aileen 10).

3. Louth Golden (Granite 09–Lottie 10).

4. Co. Limerick Poetry (Cattistock Porridge 12–Glitter 10).

Class 10: Best couple of unentered bitches (open)

1. East Down Bauble & Bargain (Bailey 10–Mistletoe 10).

2. Meath River (Cottesmore Barty 07–Worcestershire Risky 11) & Barmaid (Cottesmore Barty 07-Fabric 07).

3. Island Viscount (Middleton Gunner 07–Vantage 12) & Crossword (West Wicklow Cardinal 12–Pocket 12)

4. North Down Dammit & Damson (Kildare Charmer 07–Mendip Farmers Damage 08).

Also Class 10: Best champion & reserve unentered bitch (open)

Unentered bitch champion: Meath Barmaid (Cottesmore Barty 07–Fabric 07)

Reserve unentered bitch champion Island Viscount (Middleton Gunner 07–Vantage 12)

Class 11: Best entered bitch (restricted)

1. West Wicklow Label (Middleton Gunner 07–Kildare Saintly 08).

2. East Down Risky (Heythrop Wiseman 11–Rascal 08)

3. Island Passive 11 (South Dorset Panther 08-Pickle 07).

4. South Union Crystal 14 (Tipperary Captain 09–Crunchie 12).

Class 12: Best couple of entered bitches (open)

1. Kilkenny Chutney 14 & Chariot 14 (Kildare Chaplin 07–Dorothy 11)

2. West Wicklow Boozy 14 (Middleton Gunner 07–Ledbury Ballad 09) & Label (Middleton Gunner 07–Kildare Saintly 08)

3. South Tyrone Beverage 14 & Benefit 14 (North Down Shylock 11–Fitzwilliam (Milton) Beverage 10)

4. East Down Ringlet 14 & Risky 14 (Heythrop Wiseman 11–Rascal 08)

Best entered bitch in this class: Kilkenny Chutney ’14

Class 13: Best two couple of entered bitches (open)

1. South Tyrone Beverage 14, Benefit 14, Beauty 14, & Beacon 14 (North Down Shylock 11–Fitzwilliam (Milton) Beverage 10)

2. West Wicklow Label 14 (Middleton Gunner 07–Kildare Saintly 08), Boozy 14, Beetle 14, & Broomstick 14 (Middleton Gunner 07–Ledbury Ballad 09)

3. Kilkenny Charity 14, Chariot 14, Chutney 14 (Kildare Chaplain 07–Dorothy 11), & Cupcake 14 (Rabbi 09–Culture 12)

4. Louth Laura 14 (Lodger 10–Lonely 11), Ticket 13, Tinsel 13, & Tingle 13 (Brosna Tonton 07–Lottie 10)

Class 14: Best brood bitch (open)

1. Meath Mabel 13 (North Shropshire Pirate 09–Madonna 09).

2. West Wicklow Melody 11 (Kildare Chaplain 07–North Cotswold Mystery 03)

3. Kilkenny Dutiful 12 (Dungeon 08–South Dorset Saucy 08).

4. Ballymacad Ribbon 13 (Bosco 08–Beaufort Riddle 09).

Also Class 14: Best Old English brood bitch

1. Waterford Charity 12 (Chukka 07–Lavish 07).

2. Co. Limerick Sidewalk 12 (Duhallow Trooper 07–North Galway Sari 09).

Class 15

Champion bitch — The Hutchinson Perpetual Challenge Cup

Best bitch exhibited in any class (open)

Champion: Kilkenny Chutney 14 (Kildare Chaplain 07–Dorothy 11)

Reserve champion: Wicklow Paisley 14 (Cattistock Bramble 12–South Dorset Parody 13)

Read the Stradbally Hound Show report in Horse & Hound magazine, out tomorrow (20 August 2015)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The West of England Hound Show at Honiton in Devon on Thursday, 6 August drew a large crowd, including many who book this day in as part of their summer holiday when visiting the West Country.

This show is particularly important for packs of staghounds and minkhounds. They have their chance to compete and follow up any successes they may have had at Dunster Hound Show held the week before.

Local foxhound pack the Dulverton West enjoyed success in many classes, however it was the South and West Wilts who took the doghound championship with Harlequin 14, their winner of the entered class.

The Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray enjoyed another successful day on the flagstones, taking the bitch hound championship with Royalty 13.

The Tiverton Staghounds took home an armful of prizes back to their kennels including the doghound championship with Dawlish 14. They had to settle for reserve in the bitch hounds where the Devon & Somerset’s unentered winner Chuckle took the title.

With classes for both purebred and part-bred minkhounds, there were plenty of prizes to be won, with the overall championship being awarded to Devon & Cornwall Brushford 14.

The Cotley Harriers and the Axe Vale shared the major prizes in the harriers ring while the Royal Agricultural University claimed both the doghound and bitch championships in the beagles ring.

Take a look at the gallery below to see if your local pack was caught on camera.

Man’s best friend…a relaxed huntsman and his hound prepare for the judging

The Tiverton Staghounds win the doghound couples class with Rucksack & Rupert

RAU Sapperton, winner of the stallion hound class, also takes the doghound beagle championship

Champion part-bred minkhound and overall champion, Devon and Cornwall Brushford 14

Joy for the supporters of one winning pack

The beagle judges take a close look at the bitches lined up for the championship

The Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray enjoy success with their two couple of bitches in the foxhound classes

Continued below…

Who won at Dunster Hound Show? Full results and pictures

Find out who the ones to watch are ahead of the West of England Hound Show

Which hounds came up trumps at the Great Yorkshire Show? PICTURES

Take a look at our hound show gallery from this year's Great Yorkshire Show

Judging of the harrier championship

South & West Wilts Harlequin takes the local championship in the foxhounds ring before later claiming the doghound title

Presentation to the RAC for their beagle bitch champion Whipcream

Quantock Reason, best entered staghound bitch

Don’t miss the next issue of Horse & Hound, out 13 August 2015, for the full report and results.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The annual hound show at Dunster Country Fair — which is set in the spectacular grounds of Dunster Lawns in Somerset with the castle overlooking the event — took place on Wednesday, 29 July.

With classes for foxhounds, beagles, harriers, staghounds and minkhounds, this show is seen as the ideal warm-up before hounds take to the flagstones at the West of England Hound Show.

Dunster’s Five Couple Class is a great addition to the usual catalogue of classes seen at hound shows and drew a very appreciative audience. The Park Beagles claimed the honours, deservedly taking home the trophy and £75 prize money.

All eyes will now be on those that won classes at Dunster to see if they can follow up their success with further prizes at the final major hound show of the summer at Honiton on Thursday, 6 August.

Take a look at pictures of some of the championship winners and full results below (pictures courtesy of Ian Ware Photography).

Devon & Cornwall Brushford 14, winner of the minkhound championship

Quantock Reason 11 claims the staghound bitch championship

The Tiverton Staghounds claim the champion foxhound title with their unentered doghound Rupert

Champion harrier, Taunton Vale Barrister 12

The Park Beagles claim the prestigious Five Couple Class to win The Transatlantic Cup

Full results

Staghounds — judged by Pat Coyle and Tony Holdsworth

Single unentered doghound

1st Tiverton Rupert

2nd Devon & Somerset (DSSH) Layman

3rd Tiverton Rumour

Single entered doghound

1st DSSH Sampson 12

2nd Tiverton Dawlish 14

3rd Tiverton Rudolf 14

Champion doghound for the Betty Long Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup

Winner — Tiverton Rupert

Reserve — DSSH Sampson 12

Couple doghounds

1st Quantock Ledger 15 & Limecombe 15

2nd Tiverton Rucksack 15 & Rupert 15

3rd Tiverton Rumour 15 & Rudolf 14

Single unentered bitch hound

1st Tiverton Rubic

2nd DSSH Challow

3rd Quantock Harmony

Single entered bitch hound

1st Quantock Reason 11

2nd DSSH Chuckle

3rd Tiverton Rustic 14

Couple bitch hounds

1st Tiverton Rustic 14 & Ruffle 14

2nd Quantock Picnic 10 & Rustic 14

3rd Tiverton Rubic 15 & Rummy 15

Champion bitch hound and the Dunster Cup

Winner — Quantock Reason 11

Reserve — Tiverton Rubic 15

Overall champion stag hound for the Govier Cup

Winner — Tiverton Rupert

Reserve — Quantock Reason 11

Foxhounds — judged by Jacky Thomas MFH and Tony Wright

Single unentered doghound

1st South Tetcott Rancher

2nd Tetcott Hollywood

3rd Torrington Farmers Deacon

Single entered doghound

1st Dulverton West Harrier 14

2nd Tetcott Broadway 14

3rd Dulverton West Harlequin 14

The Brooker Pertpetual Challenge Cup for the best dog hound

Winner — Dulverton West Harrier 14

Reserve — South Tetcott Rancher

Single unentered bitch hound

1st South Tetcott Raspberry

2nd South Tetcott Raisen

3rd Tetcott Holly

Single entered bitch hound

1st Dulverton West Havoc 14

2nd Dulerton West Happy 14

3rd South Tetcott Gaylass 13

The Trollope of Canada Rosebowl for the best bitch

Winner — South Tetcott Raspberry

Reserve — Dulverton West Havoc 14

Best couple foxhounds

1. Dulverton West Pelican 13 & Sampson 14

2. Tetcott Brampton 14 & Branston 14

3. Torrington Farmers Gambler 14 & Garfield 14

The Ken Beaver Memorial Challenge Trophy for the best couple foxhounds

Dulverton West Pelican 13 & Sampson 14

The Beaufort Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best foxhound in show

Winner — Dulverton West Harrier 14

Reserve — Cattistock Radish

Harriers — judged by Gilmore Lewis and John Norrish

Single unentered doghound

1st Axe Vale Brecon

2nd Taunton Vale Fearless

3rd Dart Vale & South Pool (DVSP) Rhymer

Single entered doghound

1st Taunton Vale Banwell 12

2nd Taunton Vale Badger 12

3rd DV&SP Landscape

Stallion hound

1st Taunton Vale Barrister 12

2nd Axe Vale Tucker 13

3rd Cotley Demon 10

The Chanin & Thomas Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best harrier doghound

Winner — Taunton Vale Barrister 12

Reserve — Axe Vale Brecon

Single unentered bitch hound

1st DVSP Waffle

2nd Axe Vale Biscuit

3rd Minehead Banter

Single entered bitch hound

1st Axe Vale Lady 11

2nd DVSP Levity 14

3rd Taunton Vale Barbara 12

Brood bitch hound

1st Axe Vale Waffle 12

2nd Taunton Vale Waitress 12

3rd DVSP Crackling 13

The Joan Collins Perpetual Challenge Cup for the champion harrier bitch

Winner — Axe Vale Lady 11

Reserve — Axe Vale Waffle 12

Best couple harriers

1st Taunton Vale Badger 12 & Banwell 12

2nd Axe Vale Biscuit 15 & Busy 15

3rd Taunton Vale Ferni 15 & Feather 15

The Jack Waters Memorial Cup for the champion un-enetered harrier

Winner — Axe Vale Brecon

The Julie Worssam Memorial Challenge Cup for the champion harrier

Winner — Taunton Vale Barrister 12

Reserve — Axe Vale Lady 11

Beagles — judged by David Gaylard and Ashley Doherty MH

Single unentered doghound

1st Taw Vale Mudlark

2nd Park Oscar

3rd Park Huntsman

Single entered doghound

1st Park Waiter

2nd Stoke Hill & North Dartmoor (SHND) Wallace 13

3rd Taw Vale Actor 12

Stallion hound

1st West Somerset Taunton 12

2nd Taw Vale Actor 12

3rd Park Mulberry 08

The Sheppard Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best doghound

Winner — Park Waiter

Reserve — West Somerset Taunton 12

Single unentered bitch hound

1st Park Olive

2nd West Somerset Playful

3rd Park Onion

Single entered bitch hound

1st SHND Willing 14

2nd West Somerset Bracelet 11

3rd Park Woeful 13

Brood bitch hound

1st West Somerset Biscuit 07

2nd SHND Cocoa

3rd Taw Vale Madcap 11

Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best brood bitch presented by Me and Mrs D Gaylard

Winner: West Somerset Biscuit 07

The Tatlow Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best bitch hound

Winner — SHND Willing 14

Reserve — West Somerset Biscuit 07

The Hare Hunter Trophy for the best beagle in the show

Winner — SHND Willing 14

Reserve — Park Waiter

Mink hounds — judged by Ian Coghill and Mrs. E. M. Williams

Pure bred doghound for the Vincent Salver

1st Culmstock Captain 11

2nd Culmstock Ceasar 11

3rd Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Tristan 11

Pure bred bitch hound for the Vincent Salver

1st Culmstock Marvel 11

2nd Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Lonesome 14

3rd Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Paleface 12

Couple pure bred, either sex for the Bartlett Salver

1st Culmstock Captain 11 & Caesar

2nd Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Quebec & Quimer

3rd Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Cedric 12 & Cecil 12

Whisky Tumbler to Champion Pure Bred Minkhound — Culmstock Captain

Part bred doghound

1st Devon & Cornwall Brushford 14

2nd Courtenay Tracy Palmer

3rd Devon & Cornwall Belstone 14

Part bred bitch hound

1st Devon & Cornwall Bracken

2nd Devon & Cornwall Barbara 14

3rd Courtenay Tracy Peanut 07

Couple, part bred either sex

1st Devon & Cornwall Brushford 14 & Belstone 14

2nd Courtenay Tracy Basil & Butler

Mary Bromiley MBE Trophy for the Champion Part Bred Minkhound — Devon & Cornwall Brushford 14

Whisky Tumbler to Part Bred Champion Minkhound — Devon & Cornwall Brushford 14

Perpetual Trophy

Champion Minkhound — Devon & Cornwall Brushford 14

Reserve Champion — Culmstock Captain 11

The Transatlantic Cup for the five couple pack class

1st Park Beagles

2nd Devon & Cornwall Minkhounds

3rd West Somerset Foxhounds

The Peter Cheppard Memorial Challenge Cup for the beagle pack in the five couple class

Park Beagles

The Ian Liddell-Grainger Cup for the supreme champion hound

Winner — Taunton Vale Harrier Barrister

The Eric Green Cup for the kennel scoring the most points throughout the day

Winner — Taunton Vale Harriers

The Dunster Country Fair Salver for the kennel with a professional huntsman gaining the most points throughout the day

Winner — Taunton Vale Harriers

The £25 Prize for the pack travelling the furthest to the Show

Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Minkhounds

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

So, just what is it that draws such a large crowd to the Festival of Hunting at the East Of England Showground each year?

Is it the fact that it is the greatest gathering of hounds in the country? Or perhaps it’s the increasingly popular inter-hunt relay where the senior teams compete for £1,000 top prize. For some it could be the draw of being able to browse the vast array of shops where it is possible to buy almost anything ever needed to equip yourself for a day’s hunting.

With separate rings for all the different types of hounds — modern and Old English foxhounds, beagles, harriers, draghounds, bloodhounds and bassets — this event, held on Wednesday, 22 July, really was the place to be for those interested in hounds. With packs from all over the country attending, it brought together many of the country’s best show hounds.

Take a look at our gallery to see some of the highlights of the show and don’t miss Horse & Hound on 30 July for the full report on the foxhounds, Old English foxhounds, draghounds, bloodhounds and basset hounds. The beagles and harriers report will be in 6 August 2015 issue.

Dog and bitch hound champions in the basset ring running off against eachother for the supreme in show title

The Barlow’s successful junior inter-hunt relay team

Four Shires Magnum 14, a popular winner in the basset hound classes

Suffolk Marmalade takes the restricted unentered bitch hound class

VWH huntsman Philip Hague at the start of the day

VWH supporters: former joint-master Countess Goess-Saurau, hound breeder Martin Scott and Tessa Good MFH

Continued below…

Which hounds came up trumps at the Great Yorkshire Show? PICTURES

Take a look at our hound show gallery from this year's Great Yorkshire Show

Who caught the eye at the Blaston Hound Show? PICTURES

Take a look at who the winners were at this ever-popular hound show

Fitzwilliam huntsman George Adams and ring steward’s assistant Jim Lang share a moment

Kennel-huntsman Matthew Puffer surveys the judging

Stallion hound winner Grove & Rufford Bellman 13

Matt Ramsden MFH and Ian McKie MFH synchronise their judging decisions

Champion modern foxhounds bitch Grove & Rufford Duchess 12 crowns a successful day for the pack

Two couple winners VWH Nightshirt, Scallywag, Scoundrel and Steptoe having some preparation ahead of their class

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Grove and Rufford Hunt enjoyed considerable success in the foxhound ring at the Great Yorkshire Show last week (15 July), claiming both the doghound and bitch hound championships.

It was frustrating for the show organisers that only eight foxhound packs showed their hounds due to kennel cough having afflicted some of those that attended the hound show at Builth (25 June), and a number of others staying away due to concerns about the potential for contracting it.

On day one of the show, the beagles and harriers had their own rings where the Ampleforth Beagles and the Holcombe Harriers both had very successful days.

It all gets too much for one ring-shy foxhound — seen here trying to escape

Man’s best friend: the Morpeth huntsman and one of his hounds having a quiet moment before entering the ring

Beagles winner Ampleforth Fadmoor during the run-off

Grove and Rufford Bellman 13, winner of the best stallion hound class and overall champion

Presentation to the connections of Newcastle and District Wildboy 09, who was awarded best stallion hound in the beagles ring

Best entered couple of doghounds; Grove and Rufford Stilton 14 & Strongbow 14

Zetland huntsman David Jukes enjoys a moment with his hounds before they enter the show ring

Judging inside the foxhound ring

The Colne Valley Beagles take first and second prizes in the entered doghound class

A photo call for Grove and Rufford Banish 14, overall bitch hound champion

Champion Bitch hound Banish from the Grove & Rufford

Further pictures from both days of the show can be seen here: www.horseandhound/great-yorkshire-show and for the full report and results, please see H&H on 23 July 2015.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The ever-popular Blaston Hound Show took place on 28 June in Blaston, Leicestershire.

With 18 packs taking part, nine in the modern foxhound classes and nine in the Old English, there was plenty to entertain the enthusiastic ringside audience.

In its 13th year, Blaston’s annual show has become a rehearsal for the major hound shows still to come. Sadly, with the outbreak of kennel cough in different parts of the country, some packs were unable to attend and will miss out on the forthcoming shows at both Harrogate and Peterborough.

The Fernie Hunt enjoyed success during the judging of the doghounds, taking the stallion hound class with Siren 11, who went on to take the overall doghound title.

The Kimblewick’s first visit to the show from their kennels in Buckinghamshire paid off when they enjoyed considerable success in the bitch hound classes. With joint-master and huntsman Gerald Sumner taking a family holiday, whipper-in Rob Truscott showed their hounds, ably assisted by hunt supporter and puppy walker Nyree Fitzgerald.

Kimblewick Snowdrop claimed the unentered bitch hound class before Kimblewick Boozie 14 & Nutmeg 14 took the prize for the best couple. Boozie then went on to be crowned the bitch champion with Snowdrop in reserve.

In the Old English classes, Hurworth Corporal 13, the stallion hound winner proceeded to take the doghound championship while the Pytchley enjoyed success when their unentered winner Plumpton who was awarded the bitch hound championship.

Bitch hound champion Kimblewick Boozie 14

Judging the Old English doghounds with Blaston Church in the background

A couple of the Brocklesby’s Old English hounds

Judging the Old English hounds: H&H columnist John Holliday with Patrick Martin, former huntsman of the Bicester Hunt with Whaddon Chase

Continued below…

The winners: Wales & Border Counties Hound Show [PICS]

Find out which hounds caught the judges' eyes at the Wales & Border Counties Hound Show at Builth Wells

Who was the pick of the bunch at the South of England hound show? [PICTURES]

Catch up with the latest news and find out who the winners were at the early hound show in Ardingly,

Old English bitch hound champion, the unentered winner Pytchley Plumpton

Suffolk Starter, winner of the unentered doghound class in the modern foxhounds ring

Bodmin 13 & Bogard 13, winners for the Croome & West Warwickshire in the doghound couples class

Fernie Siren 11, overall doghound champion

Judges Neil Coleman and Paul Larby assessing the doghounds

For a full report please see report in Horse & Hound on 16 July 2015

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A wide variety of hounds were showing at the Wales & Border Counties Hound Show at Builth Wells on 25 June.

There was something for everyone with Welsh Foxhounds, Fellhounds, English Foxhounds and Beagles all taking part, and a large number of packs showing high quality hounds.

In addition there were a number of stalls selling hunting-related items for those wishing to browse in between watching the judging.

The English Foxhound ring had judges visiting from the Live Oak Hunt in Florida, USA. Daphne Wood MFH and Martin Scott judged the doghounds while Daphne’s husband Martin, judged the bitches with Adam Waugh.

In the Welsh foxhounds ring, the Gelligaer Farmers unentered doghound class winner Druid went on to take the doghound title. He was up against the bitch hound champion Teme Valley Tally 12 — also the winner of the entered bitch class — for the overall championship, which judges Ken Jones and Wil Jones awarded to the young doghound.

The Glen Celyn beagles won their first major championship since 1928 with Traveller 14, winner of the overall doghound title.

While in the Fellhound ring, Coniston Lyric 09 retained her championship title for the second year running.

Judging of the Welsh Foxhounds

Hunt staff and hounds trying to catch the judge’s eye in the English foxhounds ring

Winning stallion hound, North Cotswold Greenwich 13 with judge Daphne Wood MFH

Welsh stallion hound winner, Cwrt-y-Cadno Bailiff 11

View over the foxhound ring

Gelligaer Farmers Druid, champion Welsh foxhound

Supporters came from far and wide to enjoy the show

Hunt staff showing their hounds off to the judges

Discussing the judging of the beagles

For the full report and results, please see Horse & Hound on 9 July 2015.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The first of the major hound shows recently took place over two days at the South of England hound show in Ardingly, West Sussex. The judging of the foxhounds was on Thursday 11 June with the beagles classes on Friday 12 June.

On foxhound day, Major Tim Easby, director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) and Lady Arabella Moger MFH judged the doghounds while Alastair Jackson and Joss Hanbury — joint-master of the Quorn — judged the bitches.

A strong contigent from both the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray from West Sussex, and the VWH from Glos proved hard to beat with the majority of classes being split between them.

On beagles day, Martin Weatherhead and Andrew Kellaway were judging the doghounds, with Tim Coulson MFH and Simon Dunn responsible for deciding the winners of the bitch hounds.

The Blean Beagles enjoyed their first major success for many years while the Stoke Hill and North Dartmoor’s Commander 12 took the doghound championship, following up his win in both the entered and stallion hound classes. Several packs were victorious throughout the judging of the bitches, but it was the turn of Palmer Marlborough Woodbine 12 to take the bitch hound championship.

Huntsmen entering the ring at the South of England Hound Show

Hounds awaiting the judging

Doghound, Stoke Hill and North Dartmoor Commander 12, with reserve Christ Church and Farley Hill Brutus 14 (behind)

Hague with the doghound winners of the two couple class

View from the stands during the judging

Heythrop Raspberry 11, winner of the brood bitch class

Deciding the bitch hound championship

The Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray’s Mascot and Mandate, winners of the unentered doghounds couple class

The judging of the bitch hound championship on beagles day

An East Kent with West Street hound is keen to get involved

For the full report and further pictures, please see Horse & Hound on 18 June 2015

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The 37th Dunster Country Fair Hound Show took place on 30 July on Dunster Lawns in West Somerset. With Dunster Castle overlooking the show and the Bristol Channel just a moment away, the setting is one to savour (pictured above).

Just a handful of the 31 packs entered were unable to attend on the day, however all three of the country’s staghounds packs competed against each other. The show is often seen as a warm-up to the West of England Hound Show at Honiton on Thursday, 7 August (full report in H&H magazine, on sale 14 August).

Prizes in the foxhound, staghound, harrier, beagle and minkhound classes were split across a number of different packs with the overall supreme championship going to the Devon and Somerset Staghounds (DSSH) Destiny 09, who had earlier won the staghound title.

Dulverton West’s unentered doghound Harrier, was awarded the champion foxhound title, while the Cotley’s Bedale 12 took the harrier equivalent.

Chilmark and Clifton Foot Farquhar 13 claimed the beagle championship, with the Devon and Cornwall’s Brushford securing the minkhound title.

The Dunster Country Fair salver awarded to a professional huntsman gaining the most points throughout the day was awarded to the Devon and Somerset Staghounds. They also were awarded the Eric Green Cup for the kennels scoring the most points throughout the day.

Full results

Foxhounds – judged by Diana Scott & Ian Pearce MFH

Single unentered Dog hound

1st — Dulverton West Harrier 2nd — Cattistock Ranter 3rd — Dulverton West Harlequin

Single entered Dog hound

1st — Mendip Goshawk 2nd — Dulverton West Pelican 3rd — West Somerset Lancombe

Champion doghound — Dulverton West Harrier

Reserve — Mendip Goshawk

Single unentered bitch hound

1st — Cattistock Radish 2nd — Dulverton West Happy 3rd — Silverton Laughter

Single entered bitch hound

1st — South Tetcott Gaylass 2nd — Dulverton West Pencil 3rd — Lamerton Alpha

Champion bitch — Cattistock Radish

Reserve — South Tetcott Gaylass

Overall champion foxhound — Dulverton West Harrier (unentered)

Reserve — Cattistock Radish

Staghounds — judged by William Bryer MFH & Will Goffe

Single unentered doghound

1st — Tiverton Daystar 2nd — Tiverton Dawish 3rd — Quantock Layman

Single entered doghound

1st — DSSH Sampson 12 2nd — Tiverton Dunster 13 3rd — Tiverton Wizard 13

Champion doghound — Tiverton Daystar

Reserve — DSSH Sampson 12

Couple doghounds

1st — Quantock Larger & Layman 2nd — Tiverton Daystar & Dawlish 3rd — DSSH Packman & Sampson

Single unentered bitch hound

1st — Tiverton Rustic 2nd — Quantock Rustic 3rd — Tiverton Ruin

Single entered bitch hound

1st — DSSH Destiny 2nd — Quantock Picnic 3rd — Quantock Pancake

Couple bitch hounds

1st — Tiverton Ruffel & Rustic 2nd — Quantock Picnic & Pancake 3rd — Tiverton Ruin & Ruthless

Champion bitch — DSSH Destiny 09

Reserve — Tiverton Rustic

Overall champion staghound — DSSH Destiny 09

Reserve — Tiverton Daystar

Harriers — judged by David Palmer MFH & Bill Bishop MFH

Single unentered dog hound

1st — Minehead Hawthorne 2nd — Cotley Latimer 3rd — Taunton Vale Hornet

Single entered dog hound

1st — Cotley Bedale 2nd — Minehead Baliff 3rd — Taunton Vale Badger

Stallion hound

1st — Cotley Demon 2nd — Taunton Vale Barrister 3rd — DV&SP Warpaint

Champion doghound — Cotley Bedale

Reserve — Cotley Demon

Single unentered bitch hound

1st — Taunton Vale Lanacre 2nd — Minehead Willow 3rd — Taunton Vale Lavender

Single entered bitch hound

1st — Taunton Vale Waitress 2nd — Cotley Dazzle 3rd — Minehead Daring

Brood bitch hound

1st — Axe Vale Waffle 2nd — DV&SP Stylish 3rd — Taunton Vale Havoc

Champion bitch hound — Axe Vale Waffle

Reserve — Taunton Vale Lanacre

Champion unentered — Minehead Hawthorne

Reserve — Taunton Vale Lanacre

Champion harrier — Cotley Bedale

Reserve — Axe Vale Waffle

Beagles — judged by Ian Cunningham MH & Nikki Hancock

Single unentered dog hound

1st — Taw Vale Trojan 2nd — West Somerset Winston 3rd — Chilmark & Clifton Valesman

Single entered dog hound

1st — Chilmark & Clifton Farquar 2nd — SH&ND Commander 3rd — Chilmark & Clifton Falcon

Stallion Hound

1st — SH&ND Commander 2nd — Park Mulberry 3rd — Chilmark & Clifton Muster

Champion doghound — Chilmark & Clifton Foot Farquar

Reserve — SH&ND Commander

Single unentered bitch hound

1st — Palmer Marlborough Tablet 2nd — SH&ND Willing 3rd — Palmer Marlborough Dazzle

Single entered bitch hound

1st — Palmer Marlborough Crocus 2nd — Palmer & Marlborough Woodbine 3rd — Chilmark & Clifton Virtue

Brood bitch hound

1st — Palmer & Marlborough Womble 2nd — Chilmark & Clifton Mulberry 3rd — SH&ND Cleo

Champion bitch hound — Palmer Marlborough Womble

Reserve — Palmer Marlborough Crocus

Overall champion beagle — Chilmark & Clifton Farquhar

Reserve — Palmer Marlborough Womble

Minkhounds — judged by Patcrick Comber & James Batchelor

Pure bred dog hound for the Vincent Salver

1st — Culmstock Captain 2nd — Culmstock Ceasar 3rd — Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Tristan

Pure bred bitch hound for the Vincent Salver

1st — Culmstock Maiden 2nd — Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Tosca 3rd — Culmstock Marvel

Couple pure bred, either sex for the Vincent Salver

1st — Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Cedric & Cecil 2nd — Culmstock Captain & Merlin 3rd — Culmstock Sunset & Maiden

Champion pure bred minkhound — Culmstock Captain

Part bred dog hound

1st — Devon & Cornwall Brushford 2nd — Courtenay Tracy Palmer 3rd — Courtenay Tracy Poacher

Part bred bitch hound

1st — Devon & Cornwall Arctic 2nd — Devon & Cornwall Avon 3rd — Devon & Cornwall Cobweb

Couple, part bred either sex

1st — Devon & Cornwall Belstone & Brushford 2nd — Courtenay Tracy Peanut & Pebbles 3rd — Culmstock Solomon & Sampson

Champion part bred minkhound — Devon & Cornwall Brushford

Champion doghound — Devon & Cornwall Brushford

Reserve champion doghound — Culmstock Captain

Champion bitch hound — Culmstock Maiden

Reserve champion bitch hound — Devon & Cornwall Arctic

Champion minkhound — Devon & Cornwall Brushford

Reserve champion — Culmstock Maiden

Five couple

The Transatlantic Cup for the five couple pack class

1st — Lamerton 2nd — Taunton Vale Harriers 3rd — Devon & Cornwall Minkhounds 4th — West Somerset Foxhounds

The Peter Sheppard Memorial Challenge Cup for the beagle pack class

Chilmark & Clifton Foot Beagles

TWO hunts from Northern Ireland — the South Tyrone and the Killultagh, Old & Chichester — plus the Cork-based United Hunt Club were first timers at the Irish Masters of Foxhounds national hound show held against the impressive background of Stradbally Hall, Co Laois on 6 July.

This is the senior of Ireland’s two official hound shows with rings devoted to foxhounds, harriers and beagles.

Some 19 packs entered the foxhound classes with Captain Ian Farquhar MFH (Beaufort) and Jacky Thomas MFH (Glamorgan) judging the doghounds and Messrs Richard Sumner and Matt Ramsden MFH (Bedale) taking on the bitches.

Leading photographer and hunting historian Noel Mullins reflected that the Irish were hunting as far back as 2,000 BC as is seen in the early law tracts that governed Ireland from pre-Christian times to the 17^th century.

Hounds hunting by scent were known in Irish as ‘Cu Selga’ and when an Irish Chieftain went to visit another it was customary for him to take his hounds and horses along so to challenge his host as to which pack and horses were the better.

Packs in Ulster may not claim the exalted status of warrior chieftains but they came to raid none the less – and with some success.

Huntsman Mark Casserly of the Killultagh took a ribbon in the novice unentered doghound class which was won by the South Tyrone Belfast (North Down Shylock 11–Fitzwilliam Beverage 10) ably shown by their huntsman Ryan Carvill.

Ireland has more packs of Old English than Great Britain and the Co Limerick Saxon took first place in the morning class restricted to hounds of that type.

The open classes felt the absence of the Tipperary; Ireland’s only four-day-a-week country that consistently produces quality foxhounds. Bereavement unavoidably caused them to stay at home.

Nonetheless, the famous Meath kennel has hounds of enviable stamp and the judges gave them the unentered couples class.

Huntsman Sam Stanniland showing Kilkenny Chancer took the unentered championship placing the Meath in reserve with their Exmoor-sired Partner well-produced by joint huntsman Kenny Henry.

The Meath, Kildare, Island and Ballymacad battled throughout the morning with Kildare Monty 13 winning the doghound championship and their Pluto 12 taking reserve.

Duhallow Traveller 10 took the Old English stallion hound special in front of the host hunt’s Laois Power 11.

The Horse & Hound Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best couple of unentered bitches was presented by H&H hunting editor Polly Portwin. This went to the Meath for their Passion and Passive (Exmoor Belfry 08–Pansy 07) — pictured above. Photograph by Noel Mullins.

The afternoon bitches were of higher quality than the morning’s doghounds.

The South Tyrone took the first two placings in the novice unentered class but in the open couples they had to settle for second behind the Meath with a useful couple in Passion and Passive (by Exmoor Belfry 08).

South Tyrone Beauty became the unentered champion in front of the Kildare sired Kilkenny Chariot.

As in the morning the Old English class was taken by the Co Limerick with the Galway Blazers and Louth sharing the places.

However the major afternoon classes became the stamping ground of the green coated Ballymacad Hunt whose hounds were beautifully shown by huntsman Kevin Donohue.

Taking the couples, two couples and brood bitch classes, the Ballymacad captured the bitch championship with Sapling 11 with the unentered South Tyrone Beauty in reserve.

The home bred Duhallow Lilac 11 took the Old English special in the brood bitch, the reserve going to Louth Secret 11 sired by Hurworth Rustic 07.

Show Chairman David Lalor MFH (the Laois) said:“Most hunts went home with a rosette or two to conclude a fun day in what is almost the centre of Ireland. The show goes from strength to strength — long may that be so.”

Results —

Doghounds (Capt I Farquhar MFH, J Thomas MFH) —

unentered.— 1, South Tyrone Belfast (North Down Shylock 11–Fitzwilliam Beverage 10); 2, South Union Carling (Tipperary Captain 09–Crunchie 12); 3, South Tyrone Benburb (North Down Shylock 11–Fitzwilliam Beverage 10).

Old English, unentered.— 1, Co Limerick Saxon (Parker 08–Belvoir Saline 09); 2, Louth Larkin (Lodger 10–Lonely 11); 3, South Union Lomax (Muskerry Lomax 08–Lollipop 11).

unenetered couple.— 1, Meath Parson and Partner (Exmoor Belfry 08–Pansy 07); 2, Kilkenny Chancer (Kildare Chaplin 07–Dorothy 11) & Dustman (Dancer 10–Dutiful 12); 3, South Union Cardinal and Carling (Tipperary Captain 09–Crunchie 12). unentered ch.— Kilkenny Chancer (Kildare Chaplain 07–Dorothy 11); res.— Meath Partner (Exmoor Belfry 08–Pansy 07).

entered.— 1, Island Postman 12 (Afghan 09–Pinto 07); 2, Killultagh Old Rock & Chichester Boulter 13 (Oakley Casper 05-Blankney Puzzle 06); 3, Duhallow Charger 11 (Linesman 05-Waterford Cherokee 07).

entered couple.— 1, Ballymacad Samson 11& Safeguard 11 (Sabbath 06–Bonfire 08). 2, Island Buster 12 (S&W Wilts Vanguard 08–Bunny 10) and Paragon 12 (South Dorset Panther 08–Pickle 07); 3, Meath Beaufort13 & Bellamy 13 (Exmoor Belfry 08–Gravy 10).

stallion hound.— 1, Kildare Pluto 12 (North Tipperary Imlic 10–Plenty 05); 2, Meath Lodger 09 (Middleton Ranald 05–BSV Lavender 04); 3, Island Paragon 11 (South Dorset Panther 08–Pickle 07).

Old English stallion hound.— 1, Duhallow Traveller 10 (Linesman 05–Trinket 07); 2, Laois Power 11 (Waterford Ali 04–Ormond Polly 07).

ch.— Kildare Monty 13 (Westmeath Monitor 09-Duke of Beaufort’s Durance 08); res.— Kildare Pluto 12 (North Tipperary Imlic 10-Plenty 05).

Bitch hounds (R Sumner, M Ramsden MFH)

unentered.— 1, South Tyrone Beauty (North Down Shylock 11–Fitzwilliam Beverage 10); 2, South Tyrone Benefit (North Down Shylock 11–Fitzwilliam Beverage 10); 3, South Union Crystal (Tipperary Captain 09–Crunchie 12).

unenetered Old English.— 1, Co Limerick Chalice. (Safeguard 09–Chalice 09); 2, Co Galway Daisy (Doctor 11–Pastime 10); 3, Co Galway Dancer (Doctor 11–Pastime 10).

unentered couple.— 1, Meath Passion and Passive (Exmoor Belfry 08–Pansy 07); 2, South Tyrone Benefit and Beverage (North Down Shylock 11–Fitzwilliam 10); 3, Co. Galway Dancer and Daisy (Doctor 11–Pastime 10).

unentered ch.— South Tyrone Beauty (North Down Shylock 11–Fitzwilliam Beverage 10); res.— Kilkenny Chariot (Kildare Chaplain 07–Dorothy 11).

entered.— 1, Ballymacad Sapling 11 & Sable 11 (Saturday 06–Kildare Saintly 08); 2, Co Galway Tardy 12 (Limit 08–Tanner 07); 3, United Hunt Club Tangle 12 (Brosna Tonton 07 – Saintly 08).

entered couple.— 1, Ballymacad Sapling 11 & Sable 11 (Saturday 06–Kildare Saintly 08); 2, Meath Baffle 13 (Exmoor Belfry 08–Gravy 10) & Sandwich 12 (Cottesmore Haulage 07–Cheshire Sandwich 08); 3, Kilkenny Dutiful 12 & Durable 12 (Dungeon 08–South Dorset Saucy 08).

two couple.— 1, Ballymacad Ribbon 13 (Bosco 08–Duke of Beaufort’s Riddle 09), Sapling 11, Sable 11 (Saturday 06–Kildare Saintly 08) & Billis 11 (Bilco 0 –Bounty 08); 2, Kilkenny Dutiful 12 & Durable 12 (Dungeon 08–South Dorset Saucy 08), Cheerful 13 (Kildare Chaplain 07–Worry 08) & Subtle 11 (Dungeon 08–Tedworth Staple 08); 3, Meath Baffle 13 (Exmoor Belfry 08–Gravy 10), Pickle 13 & Pillow 13 (North Shropshire Pirate 09–Paleface 07), & Sandwich 12 (Cottesmore Haulage 07–Cheshire Sandwich 08).

brood bitch.— 1, Ballymacad Sapling 11 (Saturday 06–Kildare Saintly 08); 2, Kilkenny Dutiful 12 (Dungeon 08–South Dorset Saucy 08); 3, East Down Rascal 08 (Planter 04–Rustic 05).

Old English brood bitch.— 1, Duhallow Lilac 11 (Linesman 05–Trophy 07); 2, Louth Secret ’11 (Hurworth Rustic ’07 – Stable ’06).

ch.— Ballymacad Sapling 11 (Saturday 06–Kildare Saintly 08); res.— South Tyrone Beauty (North Down Shylock 11–Fitzwilliam Beverage 10)

The puppy show season has peaked and the hunt horses have returned from their summer sojourn to the kennels. Mounted hound exercise has begun, bringing, as always, an air of excitement of the season to come.

The Duke of Rutland’s puppy show ran smoothly, with an agreed good doghound entry although, I think it would be fair to say, the bitches did not quite reach the same standard.

They were judged by Dominic Jones MFH from the South Dorset and Joe Townsend, huntsman for the Hurworth.

I have enjoyed the pleasure of a number of judging engagements this summer. The first was the Essex and with it, my first visit to that county. Prior to my departure, I was issued dire warnings by Peter Collins, the Quorn huntsman, as to what to expect from the locals. He is an avid fan of a television program called TOWIE, so I traversed the M11 with some trepidation.

I was greeted by a fine cross-section of the rural Essex community and a fine pack of hounds. Their coats shone like guardsman’s toecaps, difficult to achieve so early in the summer. They looked as well if not better than any I have seen this year.

The welcoming and attentive audience was, as far as a naive northern lad can tell (without closer inspection) free of breast enhancements and spray-on tan.

My co-judge was James Barclay, whom it was my pleasure to assist. Mr Barclay comes from the area and was a swift and confident appraiser, as one would expect from someone whose family is as steeped in hunting lore as they.

Being a large-framed fellow he also provided, on what was a sunny day, a liberal amount of welcome shade.

From the rolling wheat fields and hair extensions of Essex, my next engagement was the domicile of footballers and white Range Rovers: the apparently endless grassland of Cheshire.

Again, the guests didn’t fit with the modern-day caricature of that fair county — no tattoos that I noticed, nobody proclaiming undying love to bygone girlfriends, and nobody dripping with gold and diamonds.

The only concession to the modern parody was the prizes. Never have I seen, outside Garrard’s, such an array of silverware in one place — it would warrant high-level security. The cups and mementos laid out on the table would have rivalled the trophy room at Old Trafford. Small wonder one sensed an air of competition among the puppy walkers.

The 126th Royal Peterborough Foxhound show has just been held. In the doghound championship, it would have been nice to see Patrick Martin finish his distinguished hunting career with a Bicester champion, but it was not to be, pipped as they were at the post by VWH Steptoe 13.

Access to the finest stallion hounds, for even the smallest kennel, is given freely and generously and this has resulted in the very high standards now attained in the modern foxhound.

Many of the smaller hunts can now compete very well with the larger and more established showing packs. I doubt this munificence is equalled in any other field of animal breeding.

Drama overtook proceedings during the harrier judging after what can only be described as a fracas reminiscent of the football terraces, in the collecting ring. Yes, at Peterborough — is nowhere sacred?

A group of school children from Nottingham recently enjoyed a tour of the Belvoir kennels, escorted by Sarah McCorquodale MFH. In the Duke’s room, which functions as a mini museum, a rather moth-eaten and greying fox mask always gives rise to much debate.

One diligent youth took time to read the small print about the exceptional hunt during which the Dukes hounds were joined by the Quorn, before overtaking their fox at Welby Holt. Duly impressed, a serious young face turned to Lady Sarah and asked: “It must have been tiring, were you on that hunt?” The date was 22 December, 1884.

John’s column was first published in Horse & Hound (24 July, 2014)

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The revised East Anglian Hound Show, kindly sponsored by Mr Jeremy Lawes, held within Horseheath Country Fair on Sunday, 6 July, is now in its second year.

The show saw five packs showing some quality hounds, judged by

Dick Chapman, huntsman of the newly-formed Moorlands Hunt.

The champion doghound was Cottesmore Whopper and the champion bitch was Suffolk Bonfire, who went on to stand supreme and win the Essex County Shield.

Results – Dog Hounds

Unentered:

1^st Stalker (Cottesmore)

2^nd Moonstone (Puckeridge)

3^rd Stowaway (Puckeridge)

Entered:

1^st Gallant (Cottesmore)

2^nd Charger (Thurlow)

3^rd Ragtime (Puckeridge)

Unentered Couple:

1^st Moonshine & Merlin (Puckeridge)

2^nd Scholar & Scottish (Thurlow)

3^rd Porter & Pontiff (Cottesmore)

Entered Couple:

1^st Pontiff & Poacher (Essex Farmers & Union)

2^nd Teamchase & Teacher (Thurlow)

3^rd Templer & Tenant (Thurlow)

Stallion Hound:

1^st Whopper (Cottesmore)

2^nd Monarch (Thurlow)

3^rd Barber (Cottesmore)

Results – Bitches

Unentered:

1^st Pollen (Cottesmore)

2^nd Fanfare (Essex Farmers & Union)

3^rd Blossum (Cottesmore)

Entered:

1^st Boastful (Suffolk)

2^nd Artful (Suffolk)

3^rd Goldfinch (Puckeridge)

Unentered Couple:

1^st Bounty & Bula (Thurlow)

2^nd Blossum & Bluebell (Cottesmore)

3^rd Mystery & Misteltoe (Puckeridge)

Entered Couple:

1^st Boastful & Bounty (Suffolk)

2^nd Backchat & Barrow (Cottesmore)

Brood Bitch:

1^st Bonnet (Thurlow)

2^nd Balmy (Cottesmore)

3^rd Fairmade (Thurlow)

Love them or hate them, hound parades are an essential part of a huntsman’s summer.

There is the work involved in finding suitable horses, out of the season, that aren’t going to jettison the staff upon unloading the hounds, plus the polishing and scrubbing required of hounds, horses and human — all for 30mins in the ring.

It could seem tiresome but for the tremendous roar that invariably greets hounds as they enter the arena and the positive PR.

It may be the only time some spectators ever see hounds and often the sole occasion that hunt supporters and farmers see hounds off the hunting field. It is therefore beholden on the huntsman to give a good display and show pride in the hunt.

Horse selection is crucial. My first major parade, during the millennium and riding a borrowed, very smart show hunter, was just before the prize-giving at Burghley horse trials — a highly charged cauldron where support for hunting is never in doubt.

Unfortunately my appearance bore more resemblance to an overseas entry in the Texan rodeo championship. Hounds ignored their rookie master’s impromptu display and performed their duties admirably.

All I could hear were the whooping cheers of the crowd in time with every buck. Mercifully (and miraculously) I didn’t hit the deck on my debut at a four-star event. Ever since I have tried not to let vanity inform my choice of horse.

At the two largest shows in the south-east, up to nine packs converge for the cavalcade of hounds. It is an impressive sight.

There has to be a lead huntsman, a role which Mark Bycroft of the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent carries out with his customary humility and not a little showmanship.

Friendly hunt rivalries abound. I plant my most vocal hunt supporters around the ring to cheer our hounds, but Mark always seems to find a veritable opera chorus to greet him.

With Mark, one never quite knows what will happen next. Hedges appear for the gallop-round, a panto “fox” is holloaed away then “hunted” by 300 sprinting children, 120 couple of slightly confused hounds and dozens of bemused hunt staff, all madly encouraged on the tannoy by a running, breathless Mr Bycroft.

With the necessary frivolity over, like the front rank of a cavalry regiment, the huntsmen then remount and present the massed hounds to the show president. No wonder the hound parade is the most popular display.

An engaging commentator is essential. A dry hunt history delivered in stentorian tones is guaranteed to send the crowds running to the shops.

However, after introducing the masters and hunt staff, the commentator’s role is to give a flavour of the excitement of hunting, its place within the fabric of the countryside and what is required to safeguard its future.

The hound show season is now in full swing and the Festival of Hunting, featuring the 126th Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show took place on 16 July.

Over the past decade the Festival has become a mecca for the whole hunting world, combining the premier shows for foxhounds, old English foxhounds, harriers, beagles, basset hounds, bloodhounds and draghounds, with classes too for terriers, the ever-popular inter-hunt relay and showing classes.

Ringside criticism of even the most unbalanced hounds is mild compared to the brick-bats reserved for the judges. Are they too fast, too slow, indecisive or inconsistent?

Worse still, a judge could be slain with many of the above, as illustrated by Captain Ronnie Wallace’s comment to a young judge, now one of the finest in the country: “You took far too long to come to the wrong decision.”

What is certain is that at a show, the only place to judge a hound is in the ring.

It was a privilege to step into the hallowed Fitzwilliam enclosure at Peterborough for my first time as a judge. I hope we got it right.

For full Peterborough report and results, see next week’s issue of H&H, out 24 July.

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The complexities of hound showing are explained in a new guide produced by the Countryside Alliance (CA).

The booklet has been produced to accompany the hound shows that run throughout the summer.

Titled, “Hounds and Hound Showing,” it gives an insight into what the judges are looking for during the showing process, has illustrations of foxhound and beagle conformation, and the different hound types.

Henrietta Rutgers, from the CA said: “We handed the first booklets out at the South of England Show where they proved very popular with the general public and hunts alike.”

Hunts wanting free copies should email henrietta-rutgers@countyside-alliance.org

See H&H’s exclusive guide to hound judging on H&H VIP 

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With the puppy show and hound show season in full swing, renowned hound breeder and respected judge Martin Scott gives some advice on what the judges are looking for on the flags

When attending a puppy show or a hound show, it can be fun to see if you can pick the winner, and first impressions are often correct. However, the judge will take time checking on other important conformation details to ensure his first opinion is right.

Movement, balance and stamina

A hound should be balanced, it must move well and be able to last, which means the judges are looking for one that has good pace and stamina points.

Pace is vital for the whole pack to ensure they can hunt with speed and a good shoulder allows them to turn when the trail turns like a fox. Stamina enables the pack to drive on all day.

A hound may look fine stationary, but it is vital to check that it can move correctly. The front and back must combine in a balanced way to ensure it can cover the ground effortlessly day in, day out.

It must not wear out too soon, for one attribute that is invaluable in a hound is longevity. Sometimes a hound may look balanced when stationary, but when it comes to move, it is two halves.

Back and loins

Having ensured that the pace points are good and that there is room for heart and lungs — by having depth of chest to enable maximum lung capacity rather than a barrel or narrow chest — then a strong back and loin will help with the stamina.

Good, strong hindlegs with powerful thighs and second thighs will allow the hindlegs to pass the forelegs easily. They will help drive the hound uphill and jump any obstacles along the way.

A hound that falls away behind the loin lacks power. Cow or sickle hocks are also conformation faults to look out for. A well let-down hock is better than a straight hock.

Shoulder

For a hound to have good pace, its shoulder must be angled back rather than being straight or upright. An upright shoulder will reduce the length of the stride, whereas the laid back shoulder will allow the humerus — the bone between the elbow and the bottom of the shoulder — to move forward straight. The longer the humerus, the better.

Stride

Looking from the side, it is possible to see a hound with a good stride. Watching a hound coming towards you, you can tell if the stride is straight and not a round arm action that is often caused by a barrel chest.

Feet

A hound with bad feet does not last as long as one with good feet. Bad feet do not put the weight evenly on each toe. These can be identified by uneven wear of the toenails — not easy to see from outside the ring.

Not only do poor feet denote a bad shoulder, but they reduce the lifespan. Like a tyre that is inflated incorrectly, a bad-shouldered hound will wear out the outer toes and won’t last.

Hounds with too much weight on their heels do not last, but worse are those that knuckle over at the knee, as they will not complete many seasons.

And finally…

Quality is that little extra that helps hounds achieve their aim and a good, well-set head is important.

Forthcoming hound shows 2014

➤ 26 June Wales and Border Counties at Builth Wells, Powys

➤ 29 June Blaston hound show, near Market Harborough, Leics

➤ 9 July Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate, Yorks

➤ 16 July Festival of Hunting at Peterborough, Cambs

➤ 30 July Dunster hound show at Dunster, West Somerset

➤ 7 August West of England hound show at Honiton, Devon

➤ 9-10 August Lowther hound show, Lowther, Cumbria

➤ 15 August Rydal hound show near Ambleside, Cumbria

➤ 16 August Scottish Hound Show

This feature was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (12 June, 2014)

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Hunting funerals are seldom morbid occasions. There is usually too much to celebrate and the local huntsman is almost certainly booked to blow “gone away”.

The fanfare of the chase, echoing around a lofty church or graveyard, can render even most the composed mourner asunder and send all hunters at grass within two miles into a lather.

Last week, the south-east hunting world paid its final respects to one of the most important figures of the past century.

The Southdown and Eridge hounds escorted their president Ian Askew on his final journey from the kennels to Ringmer Church where he had worshipped every Sunday. He died peacefully, just short of his 93rd birthday. A couple of nights previously, he was holding court at a hunt event.

It seemed as if the whole of Sussex and more besides had turned out in the rain. Locals brushed shoulders with royalty to honour a remarkable gentleman.

My old composition teacher at music college would have liked Mr Askew. There were no “wasted notes”, no filibustering; only wisdom, wit, gentle authority, affection, charm and, yes, a great deal of mischief. The care and friendship he showed towards those who aided his everyday affairs over the decades was truly profound.

To call Mr Askew a mere philanthropist does not reflect the sincerity of his gifts or support. Countless charities and good causes benefited from his generosity and attention.

However, since he joined his brother and Major Shand — the Duchess of Cornwall’s father — in the mastership in 1956, the fortune of the Southdown, and latterly Southdown and Eridge, hounds was his abiding passion. He bought the Southdown kennels over half a century ago and his nearby estate to ensure their future.

On 5 June at the South of England Foxhound Show, new kennels will be opened before judging commences by Mr Askew’s niece, Cleone Pengelley. It will be perhaps a final gift to hunting from the hound show patron, Ian Askew MC DL, though his legacy will live on for generations.

Ardingly won’t be the same without his slightly stooped figure working the crowd, doffing his hat every footstep to greet each and everybody.

Preparations for the puppy show and hound shows are now in full swing. Anybody who stands still long enough is liable to be scrubbed, mown or painted and the hounds are being put through their paces.

Young hounds don’t stand like statues on the flags and then gallop like stags by accident.

Granted, some huntsmen and kennel-huntsmen have such a natural bond with their hounds that they could hoodwink nearly any judge into thinking their platypus is a winner. But rest assured even the most gifted will have spent many hours throwing biscuits at home and getting their charges used to different situations.

Once in April, we practise little and relatively often. Larger kennels are fortunate to have a steady stream of masters and huntsmen coming to see their hounds over the summer, scouting for a stallion hound and to keep abreast with the progress of certain lines and outcrosses.

These events are ideal pre-show preps for hounds and staff alike, but can be lethal as they can constitute a second career for some connoisseurs (and their necessary, long suffering “drivers”).

Some kennels have pre-puppy shows and other occasions. Once hounds have found their feet, I find hyperactive children, extraneous noise and indoor schools to be useful practice tools.

Hound exercise is important, too, as it builds up muscle and fosters discipline, while acclimatising young hounds to different environments in the company of their elders.

Shows may be a summer distraction, but it tends only to be those who don’t try or take little interest in the breeding of their hounds who think they aren’t an important distraction.

“My hounds are bred to hunt, not to show,” comes the cry. And so they should be, but if hounds move with graceful power and have good conformation suited to your country, then they may hunt even better for longer.

True, quality hounds don’t have to show, but it can focus the mind. And if you win, your hunt will feel justly proud of their hounds.

Any young huntsman taking a new position on 1 May — the beginning of the new hunting year — will be fortunate indeed, should he inherit a list of good puppy walkers.

It would behove him to make certain that the seasoned walkers know how much their efforts are appreciated and to nurture with care the new ones.

Puppy walkers are second only to farmers as the lifeblood of the hunt. Their value is above the price of diamonds. A good start for young hounds is an essential ingredient to a happy working life and a good walk ensures a good start.

The kennels van has been clocking up the miles in recent weeks, delivering hound puppies to their various “walks”.

In days past, they were frequently delivered on horseback carried in hessian sacks slung either side of the saddle. An unenviable chore, usually delegated to the first whipper-in, whose task it was to hawk them around.

The lack of telephones made arrangements difficult — they just had to turn up and hope for a good reception. Sometimes the local ale house proved a good bet, in the hope of catching a farmer in a relaxed frame of mind before offloading a couple.

Modern antibiotics and inoculations mean the survival rate of whelps through to maturity is virtually 100%, barring accident. Consequently, the Belvoir send out around 20 couple to walk, all of which return to kennels in rude health.

Prior to the Great War, the hunt would send out over 100 couple to combat the high mortality rate, largely due to distemper. They were delivered with a bottle of “tonic” and a spoon. I assume the tradition of gifting puppy walkers with a silver teaspoon engraved with a hound’s name arose from this practice.

For the hoi polloi, not fortunate enough to be invited to the puppy show, many hunts hold an open day. The Belvoir are to hold theirs on the first day of June. This provides ample opportunity to access Belvoir Park in all its springtime splendour.

It is a good time to catch up with old friends in the environs of the historic kennel and hounds. Any dyed-in-the-wool foxhunter could not fail to be moved by a visit to the Belvoir kennel.

To quote Wordsworth: “Dull would he be of soul who could pass by a sight so touching in its majesty.”

There will also be much scope for being parted with some hard-earned moolah but, be assured, all in the best of causes.

Hot on the heels of the open day comes the puppy show and the kennels are currently receiving the annual assault from paint pot and brush.

Many kennel visits and hound parades loom on the horizon, as well as a number of judging engagements — always a pleasure no matter how often I get it wrong. It all goes to substantiate that adage “there is no peace for the wicked”.

When comes to exercise, I never let hounds down completely after the hunting season; within a few weeks we dust off the kennel bikes.

Following generations of old bone-shakers with no gears, missing spokes, wonky handlebars and non-existent brakes, two years ago I invested in a new bicycle. As good as it gets without an engine, it has an odometer that so far has registered just short of 900 miles to date and no puncture. Can I claim this as a record?

I read with a heavy heart recently that Jeremy Paxman is to retire from presenting Newsnight. Paxman — once tipped as a Countryside Alliance board member — never sat quite right with the BBC metro left. They in turn couldn’t quite bring themselves to give him the heave-ho because of his immense popularity.

I recall with pleasure that he put the last nail in the coffin of an early attempt at a hunting ban in 2002. With his characteristic disdain for the establishment, he challenged Kevin McNamara MP to tell the difference between a hare — illegal to hunt under the proposed act — and a rabbit (legal). Needless to say he could not.

If I had a good reason to pay the licence fee, he was probably it.

This article was first published in the 15 May issue of Horse & Hound magazine

I recently acquired a silver hunting horn inscribed “Presented by Rev Cecil Legard to the winner of the unentered dog hound class, Peterborough foxhound show, 1900”.

I recognised the name because the good Reverend judged the Belvoir puppy show for 16 years.

Being the second son of a baronet then usually meant a career in the Armed Services or the church.

Our man plumped for the second. He was one of a large group of hunting parsons who would eventually be lucky enough to wangle a parish in the Shires.

Originally, he hailed from Yorkshire and obviously possessed the “confidence” manifest in that northern breed.

He rode in steeplechases as a young man, before taking his first curate-ship in Derbyshire. After a spell back in God’s county, he spent 10 years at the Brocklesby, hunting and presumably squeezing in the odd service.

In 1887 Sir Herbert Langham — at that time master of the Pytchley — presented Parson Legard the living of Cottesbrooke in the heart of the Pytchley hunt country.

There he remained until 1914, enjoying life and health, holding his own in the saddle against all comers, young or old.

Our cleric said that: “It was a charming little parish, and did not boast of a single public house.” No boast at all in my book!

By now Legard had a reputation as a hound breeder. He was called upon to assist with the pedigrees of several packs and judged at puppy and hound shows. He was to some extent the Captain Ronnie Wallace of his time.

At the request of the Master of Foxhounds Association, Mr Legard then undertook the task of compiling the Foxhound Kennel Stud Book, a Herculean effort in any era, especially pre-computer and even typewriter.

However, nobody is perfect and the good parson, heir to his elder brother the 12th baronet, was something of a snob. He “liked a lord” and was referred to by some wags as “His Oiliness”.

On boarding a train once, he entered a carriage filled with local farmers and insisted they extinguish their pipes and cigars.

Then he spied two of the nobility enter a different carriage and lost no time in joining them. Further on, the farmers alighted to witness our hero chatting away in a haze of smoke.

One of the more valiant “sons of the soil” thrust his head in and proclaimed: “I see the smoke of the Lord proves more savoury to the priest’s nostrils!”

Yes, your sins will find you out…

It was my pleasure recently to attend Warwickshire huntsman William Deakin’s testimonial meet at Toddington.

A fine huntsman, he retires at the top of his profession. It will be the first time for generations that the annual list of hunt servants will be devoid of the name Deakin.

Another stepping down is Belvoir field master Joey Newton. A consummate horseman, he has provided a challenging lead for the Belvoir field for many years and is one of the best field masters of our generation.

He has never been fond of “larking”, but when hounds run, sit tight! I hope he looks forward to enjoying many more years hunting, without the heavy yoke of responsibility on his shoulders.

The kennels have seen many visiting bitches again this year, several from modern English packs looking for an outcross, for which the Old English foxhound can prove very successful.

The Dukes of Rutland do not show their hounds, preferring that they demonstrate their prowess in the field.

In the 1900s, Belvoir blood was all pervading. We may have to wait a while, though, for a silver horn to be presented to the next Old English bred Peterborough champion.

After a three-year absence, Lowther Hound Show is to return this summer.

Despite not being one of the five official hound shows, the event was popular for showcasing packs in the north-west. But it has been missing from the calendar.

The hound show used to be part of the Lowther Horse Driving Trials and Country Fair.

In August 2008, the show had to cancel its final day due to heavy rain. And it was unable to run in 2009 due to the previous year’s damage. In November 2009, H&H reported the event had folded due to “increasing costs”.

But now the hound show will take place on 11 August during the 2012 Lowther Country Fair.

It will take the form of an open show for registered fell and hill hounds.

Judges will include John Pugsley of the Dulverton West Foxhounds and Johnnie O’Shea, former huntsman of the Cheshire Foxhounds.

“I like to see the profile of hunting and hound breeding brought to the fore,” Mr Pugsley told H&H.

“Many people stopped breeding after the hunting ban, but there are still some fantastic hounds in the country and it’s nice to have an opportunity to showcase them.”

Tim Bonner of the Masters of Foxhounds Association added: “Lowther is an iconic show in a great location and all the hunting associations are pleased to see it back.”

For more information visit: www.countrymanfairs.co.uk.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (15 March 2012)

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Whether you consider them to be social events, beauty pageants or important occasions for the development of hound breeding, the summer shows are not to be missed

Dos and don’ts

• Do start on time.
• Don’t get bogged down by too much detail in the early classes and keep your eye on the clock so that all classes receive the same attention.
• Once you start judging, establish a “type”.
• Don’t go with any preconceived ideas or be influenced by overheard pre-show gossip.
• Do judge the hound in front of you and not the pack.
• Remember that in a couples class, matching size, conformation, type and quality are more important than a matching colour scheme.
• Do glance round now and again to see what the hounds behind you look like when the showing huntsman is off guard.
• If you are the senior judge, engage with your junior co-judge, encourage them and listen, but stick to your guns if you think you are right.
• Quality, balance and movement, quality, balance and movement.
• Try to smile — and enjoy yourself!

For the full article on how to judge a hound show, see the current issue of Horse & Hound (9 June, 2011)

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Irish Masters of Foxhound Show at Stradbally Hall, Co. Laois, Ireland — Sunday 1 July 2007

Judges: David Palmer MFH, Henry Berkeley MFH

The Nancy Connell Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup

Best unentered dog hound

1. Tipperary Watchman (Cottesmore Pilot 02 – Wonder 04)

2. North Down Lordship (Carmarthenshire Postman 01 – Crawley & Horsham Lavender 02)

3. Limerick Ponsonby (Belvoir Poacher 98 – Lively 04)

George O’Hanlon trophy: Mr. Cormac Browne.

Best unentered traditional English dog hound

1. Limerick Ponsonby (Belvoir Poacher 98 – Lively 04)

2. Limerick Pouncer (Sir WW Wynn Lifeguard – Polo 04)

3. Waterford Chicago (York & Ainsty South Gaffer 04 – United Garland 05)

The John Watson Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup

Best couple of unentered dog hounds

1. Meath Saddler (Exmoor Document 01 – Duke of Beaufort Sarah 04)

1. Meath Sandman (Exmoor Document 01 – Duke of Beaufort Sarah 04)

2. Kildare Chaplin (Cotswold Capitol 02 – Kildare Bunting 04)

2. Kildare Charmer (Cotswold Capitol 02 – Kildare Bunting 04)

3. Tipperary Waiter (Cottesmore Pilot 02 – Wonder 04)

3. Tipperary Watchman (Cottesmore Pilot 02 – Wonder 04)

The Dick Russell Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup

Best unentered dog hound

1. Kildare Charmer (Cotswold Capitol 02 – Lavish 03)

2. Kilkenny Dalesman (VWH Dorset 03 – Mayfly 00)

3. Meath Sandman (Exmoor Document 01 – Duke of Beaufort Sarah 04)

The John Watson Perpetual Challenge Cup

Best entered dog hound that has not won a first prize in an open class

1. East Down Planter 04 (Saracen 00 – Passive 99)

2. Tipperary Anns Gift 05 (VWH Angler – Dainty 01)

3. North Down Cricketer 03 (Albrighton Woodland Cruiser 96 – Tickle 00)

The Major Dermot McCalmont Perpetual Challenge Trophy

Best couple of entered dog hounds

1. Kilkenny Patrick 06 (Cottesmore Pilot 02 – Mayfly 00)

1. Kilkenny Pageboy 06 (Cottesmore Pilot 02 – Mayfly 00)

2. Limerick Persian (Prior 01 – Polo 04)

2. Limerick Poser (Prior 01 – Polo 04)

3. Ballymacad Miller 04 (Essex & Suffolk Wellington 97 – Pembroke S. Pastry 98)

3. Ballymacad Bandit 04 (Essex & Suffolk Wellington 97 – Kilmoganny Banish 00)

The Pollock Perpetual Challenge Cup

Best stallion hound

1. East Down Planter 04 (Saracen 00 – Passive 99)

2. Ballymacad Miller 04 (Essex & Suffolk Wellington 97 – Pembroke S. Pastry 98)

3. Tipperary Worcestershire Portman 03 (Duke of Beaufort Gunshot 98 – Worcestershire Policy 99)

Champion dog hound: The Mrs. Hall Perpetual Challenge Cup

Champion: Meath Sandman

Reserve Champion: Kilkenny Pageboy

The Isaac Bell Perpetual Challenge Cup

Best unentered bitch

1. Tipperary Panda (Cottesmore Pilot 02 – Passport 04)

2. Tipperary Walnut (Cottesmore Pilot 02 – Wonder 04)

3. Muskerry Virtue (United Victor 02 – Brevity 02)

Best unentered traditional English bitch

1. Ormond Gamble (Belvoir Poacher 98 – Brocklesby Garnet 03)

2. Muskerry Virtue (United Victor 02 – Brevity 02)

3. Waterford Sparrow (Belvoir Sherwood – Apathy)

The Horse and Hound Perpetual Challenge Cup

Best couple of unentered bitches

1. Kildare Saffron (Middleton Sampson 03 – Logic 03)

1. Kildare Saucy (Middleton Sampson 03 – Logic 03)

2. Kilkenny Treaty (Limerick Tester 03 – Wonder 04)

2. Kilkenny Tribute (Limerick Tester 03 – Wonder 04)

3. Island Pippa (Cottesmore Pilgrim 02 – Peaceful 02)

3. Island Pipkin (Cottesmore Pilgrim 02 – Peaceful 02)

The W.R. Filgate Perpetual Challenge Cup

Best unentered bitch

1. Kilkenny Treaty (Limerick Tester 03 – Wonder 04)

2. Meath Fanny (Atherstone Diver 04 – Duke of Beaufort Package 01)

3. Kildare Saffron (Middleton Sampson 03 – Logic 03)

The Robin Hunt Memorial Perpetual Challenge Trophy

Best entered traditional English dog or bitch

1. Limerick Poser (Prior 01 – Polo 04)

2. Waterford Alliance 04 (Belvoir Lawyer 98 – Agile 02)

3. Limerick Persian (Prior 01 – Polo 04)

The Major Lakin Memorial Perpetual Cup

Best entered bitch that has not won a first prize in an open class

1. East Down Marble 06 (Painter 99 – Moment 02)

2. Tipperary Pineapple 05 (Cottesmore Piilot 02 – Golden Vale Ticket 00)

3. North Tipperary Plenty 05 (Cotswold Capitol 02 – Oakley Plummet 02)

The Grogran Perpetual Challenge Cup

Best couple of unentered bitches

1. East Down Marble 06 (Painter 99 – Moment 02)

1. East Down Planet 04 (Saracen 00 – Passive 99)

2. Tipperary Pineapple 05 (Cottesmore Pilot 02 – Golden Vale Ticket 00)

2. Tipperary Picnic 05 (Cottesmore Pilot 02 – Golden Vale Ticket 00)

3. Limerick Peony 04 (Tenor 98 – Peerless 96)

3. Limerick Penguin 06 (Gamble 01 – Peony 04)

The Evan Williams Perpetual Challenge Cup

Best two couples of entered bitches

1. Meath Party 05 (Cotswold Capitol 02 – Duke of Beaufort Package 02)

1. Meath Parsnip 05 (Cotswold Capitol 02 – Duke of Beaufort Package 02)

1. Meath Parcel 05 (Cotswold Capitol 02 – Duke of Beaufort Package 02)

1. Meath Poem 05 (Cheshire Manly 97 – Poetry 01)

2. East Down Charcoal 06 (Kildare Gordon 02 – Cradle 00)

2. East Down Charlotte 06 (Kildare Gordon 02 – Cradle 00)

2. East Down Marble 06 (Painter 99 – Moment 02)

2. East Down Planet 04 (Saracen 00 – Passive 99)

3. Limerick Peony 04 (Tenor 98 – Peerless 96)

3. Limerick Penguin 06 (Gamble 01 – Peony 04)

3. Limerick Pebble 06 (Gamble 01 – Peony 04)

3. Limerick Tepee 06 (Gamester 01 – Tempo 98)

The Waterford Perpetual Challenge Cup

Best brood bitch

1. Meath Parsnip 05 (Cotswold Capitol 02 – Duke of Beaufort Package 02)

2. Kildare Label 03 (Gordon 98 – Blankney Lupin 98)

3. Kilkenny Lilac 04 (Wheatland Linley 99 – Daffodil 99)

Champion bitch: The Hutchinson Perpetual Challenge Cup

Champion: East Down Marble

Reserve Champion: Kilkenny Treaty

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The Middleton made sure Yorkshire hunting people had plenty to rejoice about on Foxhound day at Harrogate. This North Yorkshire pack won three out of four doghound classes and the doghound championship — plus two bitch classes and the Yorkshire bitch title.

The overall bitch accolade was taken south by the Cotswold pack, who achieved a good share of other placings.

In bright sunshine, Harrogate’s hound enclosure was thronged with keen hound enthusiasts and others visitors from the adjoining Great Yorkshire Show. Clearly, they felt the battle through the Great Yorkshire’s mammoth traffic jams had been well worthwhile.

Twenty-four packs competed, two more than last year, confirming the spirit of optimism among northern hunting people. The canvas-covered ring was packed with scarlet coats, except for Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn’s, whose hunt staff nowadays show, as well as hunt, in green tweed coats.

The show continued its unique system of Old English awards, thereby attracting the widest possible range of hunts. This year an Old English winner figured in a championship — Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn’s Primrose 01, was reserve bitch.

“She’s a six-season bitch who has worn extremely well and she’s absolutely true-blue Old English,” said the Wynnstay’s delighted joint-master and huntsman Richard Tyacke.

One of Britain’s most senior masters, Martin Letts — in office with the College Valley 42 years — judged the doghound section with Trevor Adams, joint-master and huntsman of the Duke of Buccleuch’s, who has cheered the hunting world by his robust response to Scotland’s version of a hunting ban.

Frank Houghton Brown bred the Middleton pack for 14 years until he moved to the Tynedale two years ago and can therefore take credit for much of their success at Harrogate. He judiciously used Beaufort sires, who bestowed notable substance with quality, and other lines have blended in well to produce an attractive type. The Middleton’s new master and huntsman this season, Tim Easby, was on duty in the Harrogate ring as steward and announcer.

Middleton hounds, deriving from Duke of Beaufort’s Whitbread 97 on the bottom line, won the unentered couple and singles class. Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn’s secured the Old English unentered prize with a handsome couple with lines going back to the old North Warwickshire kennel.

The Zetland captured the entered couple class with Forelock and Forger, quality modern hounds by the Duke of Beaufort’s Foxham 99, and the two couple class, which presented a marvellous spectacle in a packed ring, resulted in victory for the Meynell and South Staffs, with the Cotswold second and the Zetland third.

The Middleton’s handsome, well-balanced Builder 04 (pictured below), by Duke of Beaufort’s Burglar 99, won a strongly contested stallion hound class. He was victorious in the championship, where nine packs competed, with Cotswold Portsmouth 04, by Heythrop Postman 01, as reserve. Builder took the championship, too, with Zetland Forelock 05 as reserve.

Former Heythrop joint-master and huntsman Stephen Lambert, chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, judged the bitch hounds with James Andrews, former joint-master and huntsman of the South Pembrokeshire.

Although the Middleton took the unentered bitch couple class, the Cotswold won the unentered singles class with their Ballad, by Duke of Beaufort’s Bailey 03, and a granddaughter of Heythrop Forger 99. With such illustrious Gloucestershire parentage, she has the modern hound breeding virtues of substance with quality, and is an excellent mover. At the end of a long afternoon, the unentered Ballad emerged as bitch champion, beating all the entered hounds in the final line-up.

The Hurworth were welcome winners of the Old English unentered couple section with hounds of Brocklesby and York and Ainsty South breeding, with the Wynnstay reserve. Jonathon Seed’s nice Avon Vale types had been knocking on the door and thoroughly deserved their win in the couple class with Garland and Garnish 05, by Middleton Admiral 01.

Middleton’s strength in kennel was well exhibited in the huge two couple class, where they beat the Sinnington into second place. The Tynedale took third with a group notable for being from one litter, sired by Middleton Grumbler 03.

Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn’s Primrose 01 earned special attention as an Old English hound beating all the modern breeding to win the brood bitch class. She is by Belvoir Poacher 98, the Old English sire used successfully by the Heythrop to father their 2003 Peterborough champion bitch, Poplin 01.

Primrose is full of quality, perhaps a revelation to some who know little about Old English hounds, but after much deliberation she was placed below the Cotswold bitch in the championship after both exhibited their scope and movement.

• Read Horse & Hound’s report from the Great Yorkshire Beagle Show in the 3rd August edition

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now