Plans have been outlined to enable autumn hunting to begin under Covid-19 guidance. H&H reports back from the recent Masters of Foxhounds Association’s online AGM...

The need for autumn hunting to start in a “responsible, respectful and Covid-secure manner” was emphasised by Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) chairman Lord Mancroft at the association’s recent online AGM.

Lord Mancroft said there was “no one template”, and that masters will have to decide for themselves when and exactly how to start. He added that hunts should “start hunting with great caution, and do not hesitate to change or even stop if you are not entirely comfortable with the way things are going.”

Kimblewick joint-master and huntsman, and H&H columnist, Andrew Sallis, who virtually attended the meeting, said should the easing of lockdown continue, the hunting community sees no reason hunting cannot resume, adhering to all guidance, as an outdoor activity that is socially distant in nature.

“If you can go bowling or to the cinema, or a pub, 30-odd people in open countryside, with permission and on horses, should be fine,” he told H&H. “The social side may have to be put on hold, but we generally feel there’s no good reason why not and many good reasons why we can; hunts are very much back in business.”

There is a new team at the Hunting Office this season; Mark Hankinson, Alice Bowden and Richard Tyacke replace Tim Easby and Lizzie Pinney.

Lord Mancroft highlighted that one of the focuses of the Hunting Office is to define clearly and communicate the roles of the hunting associations – the governing bodies for hunting, such as the MFHA, the Hunting Office, which is the administrative and supervisory arm, and the work they do with the Countryside Alliance, the political and campaigning organisation.

“While the Hunting Office will take over full responsibility for all our own communications, those of the MFHA and the Hunting Office, it will not engage in promotion or political defence of hunting, which the Countryside Alliance undertakes on our behalf,” said Lord Mancroft.

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Many equestrian sports across the UK are coming to a halt as more bodies announce they are ceasing activities owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the Point-to-Point Authority, the Pony Club, Endurance GB, and the Hunting Office are the latest to cancel all events – following British Eventing’s announcement last night that all eventing would cease with immediate effect.

The British Horse Society (BHS) has cancelled its activities due to take place in Ireland; the BHS on Tour (29 March) and the National Coaching Convention (30 March). A spokesman said an update on the society’s other UK activities would be released today.

At the time of publication, the British Equestrian Federation, British Dressage, British Riding Clubs, and British Showjumping had yet to release statements on whether events under their remit would continue.

The Pony Club’s statement said the trustees had been in discussion yesterday and made the “very difficult” decision to cancel all centrally organised events.

“This includes the winter triathlon at Stoke Mandeville on Sunday (22 March) and the winter series final at Arena UK on 4-5 April,” said the statement.

“Following the Prime Minister’s announcement, requesting that we minimise social contact and non-essential travel, we advise all Pony Club activities cease with immediate effect.

“We would like to thank our members, parents and volunteers for their support in the decision to play our part in preventing the spread of covid-19.”

A spokesman for Endurance GB said its board had taken the decision to cancel all rides for at least the next couple of months.

“Following an emergency meeting, the board agreed unanimously in the light of the government advice and in the interests of ensuring the sport placed no additional burden on the NHS or put the health and safety of members, volunteers and officials at risk – all ride activity would cease until at least the end of May,” said the spokesman.

Endurance GB’s chair Phil Nunnerley added the situation would be under constant review in line with the latest advice, with the aim of resuming the season as soon as practical and safe to do so.

“This is a very sad situation,” he said. “I know during the enforced absence of the sport from the calendar our members will pull together, and our community will be an important focus for us all. I must underline our thanks to our organisers, officials, volunteers and staff for their support during these unprecedented times.”

The spokesman added ride organisers will be contacted and members will have entries refunded, while the board will be looking at ways to “boost” communication across Endurance GB’s social media channels including webinars and online training to maintain interest and focus on the sport.

The BHA said in a statement today (17 March) all racing in Britain is suspended from tomorrow to the end of April. This follows last night’s announcement the 2020 Randox Health Grand National Festival (2-4 April) was cancelled. Two race meetings remain scheduled to take place today behind closed doors at Wetherby and Taunton.

“The BHA took the decision to protect essential emergency services and the health and welfare of staff working in the racing industry,” said the statement.

“Racecourses and racing have obligations to ensure the safety of participants and provide medical cover which clearly cannot be fulfilled in these circumstances. This follows the new advice issued by government yesterday to combat the spread of the virus.”

BHA chief executive Nick Rust added the situation is a “national emergency” of which most have never seen before.

“We’re a sport that is proud of its connection to rural communities and to the local businesses that support our industry. But our first duty is to the health of the public, our customers and to racing industry participants and staff so we have decided to suspend racing following the government’s latest advice.

“Racing is a family and I know we will pull together over the coming days, weeks and months and support each other. By stopping racing, we can free up medical resources, doctors and ambulances, be they private sector or NHS, to assist in the national effort to fight this virus. And we can support industry participants and staff as they face personal challenges ahead and care for their own families.”

Mr Rust added there will be “difficult months” ahead for many.

“We need to focus now on ensuring that we can continue to look after our horses as the virus affects the thousands of participants and staff who dedicate their lives to caring for animals. We need to do what we can to support businesses inside and outside racing and the many people whose livelihoods depend upon this four billion pound industry,” he said.

The Point-to-Point Authority (PPA) announced today (17 March) the 2019/2020 season is now closed.

“This was a very difficult decision to make, recognising that many people’s livelihoods are involved,” said the statement.

“However the Prime Minister’s words made clear everyone should minimise social contact and non-essential travel. Furthermore our sport creates some medical burden, both on the course and potentially at the hospitals, where it would be unwelcome under the current circumstances.”

The statement added the PPA would like to thank everyone who has worked to keep this season going “so successfully” until now.

“We will be working on preparations to ensure we start next autumn in the same successful manner as last, and will soon be in touch with many of you for your thoughts and ideas,” said the statement.

A statement by the Hunting Office was issued to all masters and chairmen announcing all hunting would cease until further notice.

“This follows from the statement made by the Prime Minister yesterday. I realise that for many still hunting that this will not be a popular decision but hunting cannot be seen to carry on when all other social, cultural and sporting activities have been cancelled,” said a Hunting Office spokesman.

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While cancellations continue to be announced across the UK, good news came from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) where riding schools are planned to re-open this week.

“Beas River, Tuen Mun, and Pokfula riding schools will open on 19 March (Thursday),” said the HKJC statement.

“In order to ensure the on-going safety of all and to mitigate the risk of spreading infection, special measures will be in place until further notice. We thank you for your continued support and understand at this challenging time.”

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The Hunting Office has welcomed the news that two South Wales hunts are to merge — safeguarding the future of hunting in the area.

At the end of this season, the Llangeinor in Glamorgan will merge with the Pentyrch and will be called the Llangeinor Pentrych hunt.

The Pentyrch — which is currently a hunt club — has been severely affected by urbanisation, and was unable to sustain two meets a week.

“We have lost certain areas due to development and have been trying for a merger for the past three years,” said Pentrych secretary Rae Jones. “We have lots of support from our farmers and hunting community and this will open our country back up.”

Mair Hughes, wife of Llangeinor MFH Brian, added: “Our country borders geographically with theirs [the Pentyrch], so it was a natural progression. We’ve had a very positive meeting with their farmers, landowners and members and hope we can all kick on next season.”

Tim Easby, director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), said the merger was “terrific news”.

“They’ve been proactive and got together after pressure had been building to make a solution that is sustainable for the future,” he said. “The MFHA is not against small hunts, because some are able to work very well, but what we want is proper, sustainable set-ups, like this one.”

The Llangeinor has about 200 subscribers, while the Pentyrch has around 20 members. Although the merger will not take place until 1 May 2014, the Llangeinor will hunt the Pentyrch country once a month during the season.

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The Hunting Office and Countryside Alliance have backed calls to amend the Hunting Act — enabling farmers in England and Wales to use a full pack of hounds to flush foxes.

Under the proposal — put forward by the Federation of Welsh Farmers Packs (FWFP) — the law banning farmers from using more than two dogs to flush foxes to the gun would be scrapped.

The move would be the first change to one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in modern history.

Three-quarters of Welsh hill farmers say they have lost more lambs to foxes since the Hunting Act became law in 2005.

New research carried out for the FWFP in Scotland last winter (where there is no limit on the number of dogs used) suggested that using a full pack of hounds was almost twice as effective as using a pair.

“There was never any justification for the two-dog limit and what this research shows it is as bad for the fox as it is the farmer,” said FWFP chairman Ken Jones.

“Trying to find a fox in thousands of acres of forestry with two dogs is nigh on impossible and as the fox population grows, our lamb losses rise,” he added.

DEFRA confirmed that it was studying the Federation’s research. Downing Street indicated that the Prime Minister, David Cameron, was “sympathetic” to the Federation’s concerns.

Tim Bonner of the Countryside Alliance said they supported the call for the removal of the two-dog limit. But he added that “any amendment must not be seen as an alternative to the full repeal or replacement of the Hunting Act.”

His words were echoed by Hunting Office director Tim Easby.

He told H&H: “We want full repeal and a resumption of hunting in its purest form — but this is about the real impact for farmers and their livestock in some of the most marginal farming areas in Britain.”

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A record 51 people took part in the recent new masters’ course, run by the Hunting Office to prepare them for the new season.

The day, held at Stratford racecourse on 27 April, covered issues from care of hounds and running a hunt country to media relations.

“There is more to being a master than ever before,” said Tim Easby, director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA).

“With so many regulations and responsibilities, it is a potential minefield.”

But it was encouraging, he added, that interest was “at an all-time high”.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (9 May 2013)

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The Hunting Office is reiterating its message that there will be more covert surveillance by antis this season – so hunts must diligently record evidence of their legal activities.

Stephen Lambert, chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), told H&H that his colleagues had been working with hunts across the country to ensure “that it becomes second nature to file evidence of trail laying or hunting within the exemptions of the Hunting Act”.

Private prosecutions by animal charities this year have seen members of the Meynell and the Crawley and Horsham convicted of unlawful hunting.

A case brought by the RSPCA against the Heythrop is due to be heard in December.

And the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) has hired eight new investigators since last season, many of whom are former police officers.

“Hunts are taking this very seriously and we are pleased they have accepted that they must be able to defend everything they do and keep a log of their legal activity,” said Mr Lambert.

“We must be absolutely punctilious about this and have our ducks in a row.”

Mr Lambert’s warning was echoed by Tim Bonner, campaigns director at the Countryside Alliance.

“LACS’ strategy is covert surveillance, which would mean that in most instances, hunts would not even be aware that they were being filmed.

“The threat of spurious allegations from such a biased source is obvious,” he added.

Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent huntsman Mark Bycroft said evidence gathering was not an onerous task.

“It is just like extra paperwork – you get used to it,” he told H&H.

“We have three teams of trail layers and each one has a camera. At the end of the day you take the memory card out of the camera and put it onto the computer – so you’ve got the evidence in case of any problem.”

Mr Bycroft stressed that this approach was essential to safeguard the future

of hunting.

“There’s a small minority who will try everything to get you into court,” he said.

“If the case for repeal is presented to the government and more hunts have been up for illegal hunting, then it may not happen,” he added.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (11 October 2012)

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The Hunting Office has a new home. The Masters of Foxhounds Association was based in the Old School in Bagendon, Gloucestershire, for 35 years, before amalgamating with other hunting associations to form the Hunting Office in 2005. Last week, the office moved three miles down the road to larger premises in Daglingworth, on the edge of the Bathurst Estate.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (7 February, ’08)

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