A - Z of the Festival of Hounds

A is for ACTION FOR HUNTING which we urge all attendees to sign up to in order to help support the Countryside Alliance which is working with the British Hound Sports Association to protect hunting for future generations to enjoy. It is also for the ALBRIGHTON and WOODLAND HUNT which will be back showing hounds for the first time since 2017.

B is for the BEAGLES and BASSET HOUNDS which will be showing throughout the course of the day. The judging of beagles will commence at 9.30am with the basset hounds starting at 10am. John Fretwell, former huntsman of the Stowe Beagles will be judging the basset classes with Charlotte Harris, ex-master of the Four Shires Bassets. The beagle dog hounds will be judged by Archie Clifton-Brown MFH and Gary Irwin, with the bitches being under the scrutiny of Ian Pearse MH and M. Fitton.

C is for the COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE which is delighted to be a key sponsor of this year’s 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 before the judging of the bitch hounds.

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. Last year was anticipated to be the final time the Festival was going to be held at this venue following a development opportunity for the East of England Agricultural Society which owns the showground, however, we are lucky to be returning to familiar territory again in 2024.

F is for the FELLHOUNDS on display at the Festival and also 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 a former chairman and the current chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, Stephen Lambert and Andrew Osborne. The bitch hounds will be judged by James Andrews and Harry Gosling MFH from the Dartmoor Hunt.

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. It is also for the GREYHOUNDS which will be on display alongside other sight hounds, including salukis, deerhounds and whippets – don’t miss their display in Ring 1 at 10:30am.

H is for the many types of HOUNDS which are being celebrated throughout the Festival of Hounds, which is the new name for the event that was formerly known as the Festival of Hunting.

I is for the INTER-HUNT RELAY which always draws a huge crowd watching teams of riders battle it out in a ‘knock-out’ style competition. Sponsored by Honri Hats, there is a senior and a junior competition taking place. Last year the Quorn took the honours in the senior competition, with the Grove & Rufford landing the junior competition. New for this year is the Johnny Reynolds perpetual cup to be presented to the junior team winners, alongside the Molly Reynolds cup which is presented to winning Senior team.

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.

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 Will Bryer, who takes on the mastership of the Beaufort next season, and former professional huntsman, Joe Townsend.

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. It is also for NIGEL PEEL who is Peterborough’s President for 2024.

Q is 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 RED ROSETTE which is the colour all those competing wish to take home, indicating they are the winners of their class, although the prestige of winning at “Peterborough” or the Festival of Hounds is far greater than any prize.

S is for the incredible amount of SHOPPING that can be done at the many excellent and varied trade stands at the Festival, including many small businesses. From the finest piece of art to a pair of vintage breeches, a bottle of gin to a new kennel coat, there is something for everyone, with no excuse not to be fully prepared for the season ahead. It is also 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 the magnificent display of Sealyham TERRIERS which takes place at 9:30am in Ring 1 – they are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s faces. It is also for TRAIL HUNTING which will be promoted throughout the day. 

U is for UMBRELLA which is probably worth packing before you leave home just in case it’s needed come rain or shine.

V is 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 the WAVENEY AND NORFOLK HARRIERS which are expected to return to compete in the harriers classes after taking home the title of Best Harrier in Show in 2023, with North Norfolk Blossom.

X is for XMAS which might seem a little early, however, the Festival really is a great place to start picking up some fabulous stocking fillers and getting ideas for gifts from all the hunting-related trade stands.

Y is for the YOUNG HANDLERS’ CLASS taking place in Ring 1 at 2pm which is generously sponsored by the Hunt Staff Benefit Society (HSBS) and being judged by Mrs G Wade.

Z is for the ZETLAND HUNT which is the pack of hounds represented by their master and huntsman Gareth Watchman MFH who is judging the classes in the harrier ring this year alongside Mary Perry MH from the Cotley Harriers.

We look forward to meeting many of our members and supporters at this year’s event so do pop along to visit our stand 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.

Tickets are available at £25 per person. Children under 12 can enter free of charge when accompanied by an adult and therefore do not require a ticket. 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.