Badminton kicks off our outdoor events season

Our outdoor events season began on Saturday, 11 May, with a brilliant day at Badminton Horse Trials where members and supporters were welcomed to our hospitality area on the cross-country course at this iconic Gloucestershire event. Situated near fence 16, the Countryside Brush Oxer, hundreds of visitors enjoyed refreshments and took the opportunity to enjoy watching the cross-country action from our seated area.

Aside from enjoying a peaceful spot to relax half way around the course on what was a very sunny May day, there was also an opportunity to see the RAC Beagles and the Beaufort foxhounds which were on display in two hound pens situated in a shady area behind the members’ area.

“We are incredibly grateful to all the volunteers and others who enabled us to enjoy another fabulous day at Badminton,” explained Polly Portwin, the Director for Hunting at the Countryside Alliance. “We thank Badminton for this opportunity to meet so many of our members and supporters face-to-face and to answer any questions they may have about our important campaigning work on behalf of hunting and other rural interests.

“Our thanks also go to those from the RAC Beagles and the Beaufort Hunt for giving up their time to enable so many visitors of all ages to see their hounds up close and to the many wonderful volunteers who assisted us with serving teas and coffees as well as helping to pack up the stand at the end of a very long, hot day. It really is a team effort and we look forward to returning in 2025.”

Members of the Alliance team head to Warter Priory in Yorkshire this week, where the world-class shooting estate, set in the heart of East Yorkshire, is hosting a two-day clay shoot in support of the Countryside Alliance on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 May.

Our attention then turns to the start of the major hound shows, with the South of England Hound Show at Ardingly the next on the calendar. The Alliance looks forward to supporting two days of hound showing, with the judging of foxhounds on Friday 7 June, and beagles on Saturday 8 June.

For full details of other events that we will be supporting this summer, including the Festival of Hounds at Peterborough, please click here.