Thousands celebrate hounds at Peterborough

Cheers rang out across every ring of the showground as hounds and hunts were celebrated at the 136^th Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show and the Festival of Hounds on Wednesday 17 July, although there was none louder than that which welcomed the news delivered by our Chairman, Lord Herbert, that the King’s Speech did not include any reference to anti-hunting legislation.

Thousands of hunt supporters from across the UK and beyond enjoyed their annual pilgrimage on the third Wednesday of July to the East of England Showground at Peterborough where the best of hounds were showcased on the flags. The event is due to move to a new venue in 2025 with details to be confirmed in due course.

Judging of the modern foxhounds, Old English foxhounds, harriers, beagles and basset hounds were complemented with various displays in the other rings of sight hounds, bloodhounds and terriers, as well as the hotly-contested junior and senior inter-hunt relay competitions, a vast array of shops selling “everything hunting” and the ever-popular Young Handlers’ class.

“It was yet another truly magnificent day celebrating our hounds, our hunts and our community,” enthused Polly Portwin, our Director of the Campaign for Hunting. “The Alliance was delighted to be a key sponsor again this year and our thanks goes to everyone who made this year’s event so magical. We look forward to supporting this special day in the summer hunting calendar next year and for many years to come.”

Twenty three packs of modern foxhounds contested the various classes in the Fitzwilliam Enclosure, where VWH Soldier was awarded the doghound championship by judges Stephen Lambert - former chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) - and Andrew Osborne, current chairman of the MFHA and vice-chairman of the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA).

In the afternoon, former master and huntsman, James Andrews judged alongside Harry Gosling MFH (Dartmoor), where the Bicester with Whaddon Chase sealed the bitch hound championship with Grandma, who also was part of their winning two couple.

Twelve packs of Old English Foxhounds were put in front of the judges – Joe Townsend and Will Bryer – with the Belvoir making a winning return to Peterborough after an absence since 2009 with Plunger taking the doghound championship. In the afternoon, Staffordshire Cheeky was awarded the bitch hound equivalent.

The Best in Show in the beagles’ ring was awarded to Dummer Petal ‘22 who was champion bitch, with Downland Pevensey Marsh Verdict ’18 the champion dog hound.

The Holcombe took home the much-coveted Best in Show award in the Stud Book Harriers’ ring with their champion doghound, Holcombe Ross Holcot ’18, while their champion bitch Holcombe Ross Hopeful ’18, claimed overall reserve.

The Four Shires Basset Hounds enjoyed success with champion bitch hound, Penguin, who went on to take the Supreme title ahead of her kennelmate and champion doghound Padlock.

Many other competitions and displays

Although for many it is the prestigious hound showing classes which are of prime importance during a trip to “Peterborough”, as the event is fondly known, the other competitions and displays were equally as well-supported.

The future of hunting appears to be in safe hands with the young people involved with supporting hunt staff in kennels celebrated during the Young Handler Class. This saw 15-year-old Annabelle Shaw from the Barlow Hunt awarded the Captain Farquhar Cup by judge Mrs G Wade, the late Captain’s daughter. The Alliance was delighted to provide goody bags for all entrants again this year to show our support for the younger generation of hunt staff and supporters.

Eight teams went forward in the senior inter-hunt relay team with the Quorn - comprising Timmy Seaton, Phili Sheppard, Izzy Nowiki and Oliver Woodland - being victorious. Twenty four junior teams vied to secure the honours in the afternoon’s competition with the Belvoir’s junior team taking the honours. They were presented with the Johnny Reynolds Cup by chairman of the East of England Showground, Charlie Reynolds.

The Quorn enjoyed further victory in the lorry park where they were awarded first prize by judges Alexandra Henton, editor of The Field, Jenny Jefferies (local award winning food writer), Octavia Pollock (chief sub-editor at Country Life) and Sarah Fitzpatrick (features editor at The Field) in the Hunt Picnic Competition.