A is for ANTICIPATION which has been building across the country ahead of this year’s Festival of Hounds.

B is for the BASSET HOUNDS and BEAGLES which will be showing throughout the course of the day. The judging of the basset hounds starts at 10am, with Rupert Burchett, vice-chairman of the Masters of Basset Hounds Association (MBHA) judging with Martin Spilsby. The judging of the beagles commences at 9.30am, with J Fretwell and N Hargreaves judging the dog hounds, and R Tyacke MH and J Trevor presiding over the beagle bitch hounds.

C is for the COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE which is delighted to yet again be a key sponsor of the Festival of Hounds. Members and supporters are invited to join us for drinks throughout the day.

D is for DOG HOUNDS which are judged separately to the bitch hounds, with the dog hound judging taking place during the morning and the bitch hounds assessed in the afternoon session.

E is for the EAST OF ENGLAND SHOWGROUND where the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show has been held on the current site since 1966, having been established in 1878. It is anticipated this will be the final time the Festival takes place at this venue.

F is for FIFTY pounds which will be given to a new member’s nominated hunt when they take out a standard Countryside Alliance membership before 1 January 2026. It is also for the FELLHOUNDS on display and for the FOXHOUNDS which are judged in the main ring as part of the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show. This year the dog hounds will be judged by Will Bryer MFH and Tom Lyle MFH. The bitch hounds will be judged by Martin Scott and William Gibson Fleming MFH.

G is for the GRANDSTANDS surrounding the hound show which offer the best views and provide a much-welcomed seat for the duration of the judging.

H is for the many types of HOUNDS which are being celebrated throughout the Festival of Hounds. It is also for HARRIERS with the dog hound classes starting at 9.30am, being judged by Nessie Chanter MFH and Alan Thomas, while the bitches are being assessed in the afternoon by Nick Bannister and Elle Simpson MH.

I is for the INTER-HUNT RELAY which kicks off with the senior competition at 9.30am. Watching teams of riders battle it out in a ‘knock-out’ style competition always draws in a good crowd. The Quorn took the honours in the senior competition in 2024, with the Belvoir landing the junior competition.

J is for the JUDGES who are honoured with this much coveted role of presiding over the best of the best hounds, whether they be foxhounds, beagles, basset hounds or harriers.

K is for the onsite KENNELS where hounds can be found when they are not competing in the ring. It’s the perfect place to get up close to see the stars of the show and catch up with the hunt staff.

L is for LUNCH, with the Vice Presidents’ sell-out lunch taking place after the judging of the dog hounds and before the bitch hound judging commences. It is also for the new LAYOUT this year. As in previous years, the Alliance will be located near the Vice Presidents’ marquee where representatives from the Alliance look forward to welcoming members and supporters to discuss the future of hunting and other matters that are of importance to you.

M is for the MASTERS of all types of hounds who turn out in force to support their own pack, catch up with friends from other hunts around the country and to study the champions, with many looking at them with a view to the future breeding plans for their own kennels.  

N is for SIR PHILIP NAYLOR-LEYLAND Bt. MFH who is the current Chairman of the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show Society. Sir Philip is the grandson of the 10th Earl and Countess Fitzwilliam, after whom the main grandstand ‘The Fitzwilliam Grandstand’ and the foxhound enclosure known as the ‘Fitzwilliam Hound Enclosure’ were named after.

O is for the OLD ENGLISH foxhounds which are being judged by the Marquis of Waterford MFH and Julian Barnfield, executive director of the British Hound Sports Association.

P is for “PETERBOROUGH” which is the name many fondly refer to the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show as. It is also for PICNICS, with the annual Hunt Picnic Competition in the foxhound lorry park hotly contested, with entrants vying to take hope the Stirrup Cup case of port.

Q is for the QUORN Hunt which has won the senior inter-hunt relay competitions in 2023 and 2024 - will they win again this year? It is also for ALISON QUEENBOROUGH, the Chief Operating Officer for the East of England Agricultural Society who coordinates the Festival of Hounds and is the secretary of the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show Society. 

R is for friendly RIVALRY between packs and also for REFRESHMENTS available on the Countryside Alliance stand where you can meet representatives from the Alliance. We look forward to welcoming members and supporters to discuss the future of hunting and other matters that are of importance to you.

S is for the many STEWARDS who assist on the day in a variety of roles; their help is invaluable to the show’s success.

T is for TICKETS which must be purchased in advance. They cost £25 each, with children under 12 admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Please note that all tickets must be paid for in advance and will not be available on the day. Click here for ticket sales and more information.

U is for UMBRELLA which may be needed come rain or shine (available for sale on the Countryside Alliance stand, if required).

V is for Robin VESTEY who is the President of the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show this year. It is also for the VICE PRESIDENTS who support the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show through their membership. Entrance to the show and priority parking, as well as an opportunity to the opportunity to reserve a seat in the grandstand and the Vice Presidents’ lunch are just some of the benefits of being a VP. Young Vice President membership is also available for those under 25 years of age.

W is for WHIPPERS-IN – both professional and amateur - who will be busy assisting huntsmen, kennel huntsmen and amateur huntsmen showing hounds in all the different rings.

X is for the XMAS gifts that can be bought at the Festival of Hounds where the hunting-related trade stands offer a wide variety of great stocking filler and special present ideas.

Y is for the YOUNG HANDLERS’ CLASS taking place in Ring 1 at 3pm which is generously sponsored by the Hunt Staff Benefit Society (HSBS) and being judged by Arthur Wade and Patrick Martin. The Countryside Alliance will be presenting goody bags to all participants.

Z is for absolutely ZERO not to like about a day out at the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show and the Festival of Hounds – don’t miss it!

We look forward to meeting many of our members and supporters at this year’s event so do pop along to visit our stand for some light refreshments if you are attending. We are positioned at the top end of the trade stands nearest to the Vice Presidents’ marquee and close to all the judging rings.