Robert McCarthy, the huntsman of the Percy, was the undisputed winner of a national hornblowing competition held at the Horn & Hound Ball at Cheltenham racecourse on Saturday, 25 April.
Ten huntsmen, both professional and amateur, travelled from their different packs around the country to take part in the competition sponsored by Horse & Hound.
Participants were judged by Nigel Peel — master and huntsman of the North Cotswold — and Capt Ian Farquhar MFH (Duke of Beaufort’s), on their ability to blow “gone away” and “going home”.
Making their decisions from behind the stage — where they were not aware of the order of the competitors — they were unanimous in their decision of the winner.
Horse & Hound hunting correspondent Rory Knight Bruce recalls his best day of the 2014/15 season, which left him with
The selection of the runner-up was not quite so clear-cut, with Tony Holdsworth — a former winner and huntsman of the Duke of Beaufort’s — and David Every (Park Beagles) being invited to blow again, with Holdsworth victorious.
After his win, McCarthy told H&H: “I am surprised to win but am delighted to take the cup back to Northumberland, which, looking at the previous winners, appears to be the furthest it has travelled.”
McCarthy, who is now in his 10th season as huntsman of the Northumberland pack, was presented with the prestigious Horse & Hound Challenge Cup. The cup was first awarded in 1952, and previous winners include Captain Ronnie Wallace, Alastair Jackson and Tony Wright.
Both the winner and the runner-up also received engraved nickel hunting horns.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
The ball, which was attended by more than 400 guests, was being held to help raise funds for the Hunt Staff Benefit Society (HSBS).
The HSBS is a registered friendly society that benefits hunt staff, and offers them a personal pension scheme, into which the members can contribute themselves. Additional funds such as those raised at events, donations directly from hunts themselves and honorary members’ subscriptions also offer additional support to the scheme.
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
Polly joined the Horse & Hound team in summer 2013. A former senior master of the Bicester with Whaddon Chase, her hunting knowledge and contacts are second to none. She left Horse & Hound at the end of 2016 to join The Hunting Office.
