Hunt supporters from across the country descended on the East of England Showground near Peterborough on Wednesday 22 July for the Future for Hunting Festival of Hounds and the 138th Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show.
Taking place just weeks after the government's consultation into the future of trail hunting closed, the Festival provided a timely opportunity for the hunting community to come together to celebrate hounds, hound breeding and the people who dedicate their lives to maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare and husbandry.
Addressing the thousands of supporters gathered throughout the day, Future for Hunting Chairman, Sir Ben Wallace, encouraged supporters to remain united, uphold the highest standards on and off the hunting field and continue campaigning to safeguard the future of hunting. He also praised the hunting community's overwhelming response to the government's trail hunting consultation and called on supporters to keep up the pressure.
With an action-packed day and judging taking place across a number of rings, it was impossible to witness every championship being decided, so we have provided a short round-up of the day's principal winners and an overview of other activities that took place.
More than 20 packs were represented in the modern foxhound ring. Judges Marty Wood MFH (Live Oak Hunt, USA) and Charlie Shirley-Beavan, former Master Huntsman of the Tynedale, awarded the dog hound championship to the Heythrop's Barbour, with Cottesmore Arkwright taking reserve. In the afternoon, judges Nigel Peel MH and Andrew Sallis, former Master Huntsman of the Kimblewick, awarded the bitch hound championship to VWH Salad, with the Heythrop landing reserve with Banish.
Seven packs competed in the Old English Foxhound classes, judged by Richard Tyacke MH (Shropshire Beagles) and Lord Worsley MFH (Brocklesby). The dog hound championship was awarded to Belvoir Percy, while the Wynnstay's Posey claimed the bitch hound championship, with the Cheshire taking the reserve title.
Thirteen packs of beagles were put forward throughout the course of the day. Many packs enjoyed success under judges K Price and Mrs S Drummond-Smith, but it was Stowe Forester - their veteran class winner - which took the doghound championship, with Newcastle & District Doombar in reserve. In the afternoon, it was the turn of M Rumney MH (Palmer Marlborough Beagles) and S Anderson MH from the Cumbria Beagles, to judge the bitch hounds. It was a successful afternoon for the Newcastle & District whose entered bitch class winner, Comfort, went on to take the bitch hound championship with the Downland’s Venice awarded reserve. Comfort then when on to be crowned the best beagle in show.
With five packs of Stud Book harriers and four packs of West Country harriers, it was a busy day for judges M Ramsden and E Arceneaux MH. The Waveney & Norfolk Harriers - who were showing both their Stud Book and West Country harriers – took the honours with Spokesman to take home the Stud Book dog hound championship whilst the Cotley landed the West Country equivalent. In the bitch hound classes, it was the turn of the Holcombe to take home the Stud Book bitch hound title with Anglezarke, with the Waveney & Norfolk’s Delta winning the West Country bitch hound championship. The overall best harrier in show was awarded to Anglezarke.
All five registered packs of basset hounds were put before judges Richard Spendlove and Rupert Burchett. It was Four Shires Goblin who caught the judges’ eye though to take the dog hound championship with Goblin, while the East Lincs took reserve with Padlock. The East Lincs followed up in the afternoon by winning the bitch hound championship with Gorgeous, with Four Shires Gadget taking reserve. East Lincs Gorgeous then went on to claim the supreme championship.
While the hound judging remained at the heart of the Festival, visitors enjoyed a packed programme of competitions, displays and attractions celebrating every aspect of hunting and hound breeding.
The Young Handler competition attracted 16 entries and was judged by Daphne Wood, wife of Marty Wood who was judging the foxhounds during the morning. With competitors ranging from just five years old through to experienced young handlers, the standard was exceptionally high. Lucy Graham from the Barlow Hunt was awarded the Captain Farquhar Perpetual Trophy together with a hunting horn donated in memory of the late James Barclay. Every entrant received a goody bag generously provided by the Countryside Alliance and the Hunt Staff Benefit Society.
Matthew Higgs MH, chairman of the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles presented Jackie Thomas with the Mid Essex Beagles’ Silver Salver in recognition for her 15 years organising the harrier and beagle show at Peterborough. In addition, Harry Dalton from the Dart Vale, South Pool and Modbury harriers won the AMHB’s Young Hunter Award.
The British Hound Sports Association, organisers of this year’s Festival of Hounds, coordinated a photograph of hunt staff in one of the stands, offering a stark reminder to all that all those pictured would be in danger of losing their jobs and homes should hunts have to disband following a trail hunting ban. Robert McCarthy, huntsman of the Percy Hunt, gave a heartfelt speech emphasising what impact a ban would have on him and his family.
The ever-popular Hunt Picnic Competition once again transformed the foxhound lorry park into a showcase of creativity, hospitality and friendly rivalry. Judged by Jane Thorpe-Codman, Octavia Pollock and Helen Walsh on behalf of the British Hound Sports Association, the Thurlow Hunt took home the Stirrup Cup and basket of port, kindly donated by the East of England Showground.
Visitors also enjoyed a variety of demonstrations and displays throughout the day, including the Blencathra Foxhounds, as well as a busy shopping village, trade stands and opportunities to meet hounds, hunt staff and supporters from across the country.
The Future for Hunting Festival of Hounds once again demonstrated the enduring strength, pride and unity of the hunting community. Bringing together thousands of supporters from every corner of the country, the event celebrated the very best of hounds, hunting and the people who work tirelessly to preserve one of Britain's oldest countryside traditions.