Teams sought for new hunt relay competition

Hunt relays — usually a sideshow at country fairs — will be the sole focus of an event at Larkhill Racecourse, Wilts, on Sunday, 21 April.

The Royal Artillery (RA) relay, which is in its second year, is different to other events in that each team competes at least twice. The first round is to decide on seeding, before teams progress to the knock-out stages.

“We’re trying to establish it as an event for hunts, rather than being tacked on to a country show or game fair,” said organiser Nicky Hughes.

“We had 16 teams last year from all over, including the Wilton and Mendip Farmers — and hope to get closer to 20 this year.”

Hunt relays have become increasingly popular and feature at many high profile shows — including Royal Windsor (pictured).

Teams of four members, dressed in hunting clothes, compete two at a time over a mirror image course of rustic hunt jump-style fences in relay fashion.

Team members pass a hunt whip over to the next member to go.

The winning team is the fastest after any penalties have been taken into account and the prize is usually a cheque for hunt funds.

At the RA’s event, the fence height will be approximately 90cm. Teams will be judged for turnout and clear round showjumping will run in a separate ring.

There will be prizes for the best turned out team and the highest-placed team that is not representing a hunt. Entries — costing £40 per team — close on Friday, 12 April.

Competitors can also go hacking on Salisbury Plain before heading home.

Contact rarelaysecretary2013@outlook.com

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