There were cheers from every corner of the East of England Showground last Wednesday (16 July) at the 137th Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show and the Festival of Hounds.

Thousands of hunting enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond made their way to “Peterborough”, as it is fondly known, marking their annual visit on the third Wednesday of July. Although it was initially anticipated that the event would be moving to a new venue this year, the show simply shifted across the grounds to a new, green-field site. This required the entire structure of the previous Fitzwilliam Enclosure where the modern foxhounds are usually judged to be successfully recreated in a marquee setup, alongside the rest of the rings and grandstands.

The whole day was a celebration of all things hunting with the judging of the modern foxhounds, Old English foxhounds, harriers, beagles, and basset hounds proving very popular. Alongside those, as part of the wider Festival of Hunting, the highly competitive junior and senior inter-hunt relay competitions also took place. The increasingly-popular Young Handlers’ class drew a large crowd in the afternoon while the trade stands – many selling hunting-related equipment, clothing and memorabilia – were well-supported too.

Polly Portwin, Director of the Campaign for Hunting at the Countryside Alliance, remarked: "It was another truly magnificent day celebrating our hounds, our hunts, and our community. Despite a government manifesto commitment to ‘ban trail hunting’, the hunting community showcased remarkable competitiveness and spirit at Peterborough, and it is through this same unity and determination that we will continue to overcome any adversity in the face of future political challenges.”

In the newly created modern foxhound ring, where the traditional numbers board had been replaced by a digital screen, the hounds were judged by William Bryer MFH (Duke of Beaufort’s) and Tom Lyle MFH (Portman). The championship title went to the striking Function from the Hampshire Hunt (HH), with VWH Saddler taking the reserve spot.

Later in the day, renowned judge and hound breeder Martin Scott, alongside William Gibson-Fleming MFH (Cattistock), judged the bitch hounds. The Duke of Beaufort’s Pocket claimed the championship, with the Heythrop’s Banish awarded reserve.

In the Old English foxhound ring, the Percy Hunt enjoyed a championship double. The judges – the Marquis of Waterford MFH and Julian Barnfield, executive director of the British Hound Sports Association – awarded the dog hound championship to Percy Spider, while Percy Pebble claimed the bitch hound title.

The harrier ring featured classes for both Stud Book and West Country harriers. In the morning, Nessie Chanter MFH (Heythrop) and Alun Thomas – former master and amateur huntsman of both the Taunton Vale Harriers and the Easton Harriers – judged the dog hounds, with Holcombe Percy taking the Stud Book dog hound championship. The West Country Harriers dog hound championship was awarded to Cotley Watchman.

In the afternoon, former master of the Pendle Forest and Craven Harriers, Nick Bannister, and Elle Simpson MH (Warwickshire Beagles), assessed the harrier bitches. Dunston Easton Model took the Stud Book bitch hound championship, while Dart Vale, South Pool, and Modbury Carmen was awarded the West Country equivalent. Cotley Watchman later went on to win the prestigious Best in Show title.

In the beagle ring, J. Fretwell and N. Hargreaves judged the dog hounds, awarding Downland BSSNS Speechless the dog hound championship, with Warwickshire Puzzle in reserve. Later, R. Tyacke MH and J. Trevor selected North Bucks Trooper as their champion bitch hound, with Stowe Foscote taking reserve. The overall Best Beagle in Show went to North Bucks Trooper, with Downland BSSNS Speechless taking reserve.

The basset hounds were judged by Rupert Burchett, vice-chairman of the Masters of Basset Hounds Association (MBHA), and Martin Spilsby. East Lincs Padlock won the dog hound championship, with Four Shires Flapjack taking reserve. In the afternoon, East Lincs Donna claimed the bitch hound title, with Four Shires Pumpkin in reserve. For the overall Supreme Championship, East Lincs Padlock triumphed over East Lincs Donna, who took reserve.

Who won what elsewhere at the Festival of Hounds?

While the prestigious hound showing classes remain a highlight for many attending "Peterborough", the other competitions and displays were equally well-supported.

The future of hunting was celebrated with the Young Handlers’ Class, where there was a high standard of entrants. After much deliberation, Tim Bryer, son of Will Bryer MFH (Duke of Beaufort’s), was awarded the Captain Farquhar Cup by judges Arthur Wade (the late Captain’s grandson) and former professional huntsman Patrick Martin. Sponsored by the Hunt Staff Benefit Society, the Alliance again provided goody bags to all entrants to show its support for the next generation of hunt staff and supporters.

Before claiming honours on the flags, the Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt kicked off the day successfully with their senior team winning the inter-hunt relay competition. The Meynell Hunt claimed victory in the afternoon’s junior competition, with the winners receiving the Johnny Reynolds Cup.

The Berkeley Hunt also had their moment of glory, winning first place in the Hunt Picnic Competition in the lorry park which was described by one of the judges as “delicious” and “one of the most hard-fought competitions so far!”

The full results are available on the Festival of Hounds website.