The countdown begins to Lycetts Festival of Hunting 2019

Crowds in their thousands will this Summer descend on the East of England Showground in Peterborough for the annual Lycetts Festival of Hunting, taking place on Wednesday 17th July 2019 with tickets now on sale. The prestigious and historic occasion is to be one of the most anticipated days of the summer social calendar with the countryside community out in force. The event offers a glorious annual showcase for the world of hunting boasting the greatest gathering of hounds in the country.

East of England Agricultural Society CEO and Secretary of The Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show, Jeremy Staples said: "The date is set for Lycetts Festival of Hunting with plans firmly underway to ensure 2019 is a year not to be forgotten. We are delighted with the standing the event has achieved in recent years as it continues to grow year-on-year, attracting not only those with an active interest in the hunting world, but the wider lifestyle visitor too. This year's event will seamlessly blend tradition and modernity as it plays host to both the 131st Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show together with marking the launch of a new Young Vice Presidents Membership and Young Handlers Class. These newly introduced initiatives seek to champion the opportunities in rural pursuits available to the next generation by offering unique access to the standout event in the hunting calendar. We are very much looking forward to welcoming fresh faces together with longstanding supporters when we open the gates to the East of England Showground on Wednesday 17th July."

The Young Vice Presidents Membership is available to those aged 25 and under and seeks to engage tomorrow's rural community with the world of hunting. Together with a Young Vice Presidents named badge and discounted membership priced at £25, Young Vice Presidents will receive a reserved seat in the Foxhound Enclosure and be eligible to purchase guest badges for the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show, Lycetts Festival of Hunting and Vice Presidents Luncheon. Registration is now open on the Lycetts Festival of Hunting website.

As a recognition of those who give their time freely in support of the sport, this year also sees the introduction of a new class for young handlers of hunts exhibiting at Lycetts Festival of Hunting. The class will be eligible for those aged 12 to 16 who regularly help with hounds of hunts exhibiting at the event. Competitors will be required to show a single hound with the aim of demonstrating their knowledge, experience and control of the animal.

The wonderful spectacle of hounds competing in the outdoor rings will be as colourful as ever, with the attendance of Harriers, Beagles, Basset Hounds, Draghounds and Bloodhounds. The Blencathra Fellhounds will return following a debut parade in the Foxhound Ring last year. The Sealey Terriers, Coursing Dogs and The Fitzwilliam Eagle are also set to provide a wonderful sight for visitors.

Alongside the bountiful hound showing, Lycetts Festival of Hunting 2019 will host a vibrant variety of showing classes with in hand and ridden equine classes also encompassing qualifiers for the Horse of the Year Show in many categories – including Ridden Hunters, Working Hunters, Working Hunter Ponies and Coloured Horses and Ponies. These qualifiers are fiercely competed for and bring the best horses and competitors from all over the country to Peterborough.

Lycetts return as title sponsor, marking the fourth year of their extended five-year partnership agreement. Angus Keate, Deputy Chairman of Lycetts Insurance Brokers said: "Lycetts is proud to be the title sponsor of the Festival of Hunting. It is one of the highlights in our events calendar and we hope demonstrates the deep affinity we have with both the rural and hunting communities. We are looking forward to another great day in July which provides such a brilliant showcase for the world of hunting and hounds, as well as an opportunity for all involved to renew acquaintances and have a fantastic day out."

Angus continues: "Our significant long-term commitment to this great summer occasion is a reflection of the importance we attach to providing the countryside community with the best insurance broking and financial advisory services. We offer these to a wide range of landowners, farmers, rural business people and those who live in the countryside firmly believing we are well placed to meet all their needs. We hope that those of a similar mindset, who have yet to take advantage of our exceptional services, will recognise our commitment and take the opportunity to benefit from what we offer."

In addition, the organisers have confirmed the continued support of Bailys Hunting Directory, Honri Hats, Strutt and Parker and a new sponsor Bloomfields horse boxes. The Countryside Alliance will once again be an official partner with a strong presence on the day.

The Lycetts Festival of Hunting Horn Blowing competition will take place at the Lycetts drinks reception, with guests hoping to win the sought-after hunting horn, engraved and donated by The Hunting Shop, from 2018 winner George Smith.

The event's Shopping Village is without question a must-visit element of the show and welcomes an eclectic mix of exhibitors with 2019 billed to be no exception. Festival organisers are thrilled to welcome a wealth of new additions, combined with returning event staples too. Paving the way for this year's Flagship Exhibitor programme, which seeks to celebrate the event's retail offering, are Glaze & Gordon, the one-stop-shop for country and equestrian wear from the Americas, Europe and Great Britain, and Turner & Bell, a luxury range of elegant and beautifully designed collars and leads for the discerning dog and owner. From clothing and accessories to interiors, gifts and purveyors of the finest food and drink, there will be something for everyone.

A full video from last year's event is available to view at: www.festivalofhunting.com

Lycetts Festival of Hunting 2019 takes place on Wednesday 17th July at the East of England Showground in Peterborough. The event is organised by The East of England Agricultural Society, in association with Addo Events. Tickets are now on sale. For full information regarding tickets, memberships and the event itself, visit: www.festivalofhunting.com

High resolution images and video are available

Press passes are available upon request, with full media accreditation to follow

To request, please contact [email protected] | 01452 346466

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Addo Events: www.addoevents.com
Addo Events was founded by Georgie Fowle and Katie Tottenham with a dedicated vision to creating and executing inspirational events for corporate, private and charity clients throughout the UK and abroad. Their overriding aim is that all their events leave a lasting memory long after the last guest has departed.

Lycetts: www.lycetts.co.uk

The Lycetts Group was founded in 1961 and has grown to become one of the UK's leading independently-operated insurance brokers. Lycetts specialises in farm and estate insurance and also provides bespoke financial services, commercial and bloodstock insurance advice. It has 12 offices in the UK, with its headquarters based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. With a network of regional offices, many of which link in with local hunt networks, Lycetts is well known for sponsoring point-to-points, hunter trials, hunt balls and other events to support local packs of hounds. Lycetts Risk Management Services provide a comprehensive range of health and safety services to the agricultural sector, including health and safety policies, risk assessments, fire risk assessments, asbestos management services and general health and safety training. All available profits from Lycetts are passed onto the company's ultimate owner, the charity Allchurches Trust, which in turn invests them back into the community. This structure offers security and business stability for Lycetts while fostering an ethical and long-term approach and a high-level of client trust.