The Huntsman’s Race for Repeal
To mark what could be the last year under the Hunting Act, ten huntsmen from the South of England are already hard in training for the Countryside Alliance “Race for Repeal”. The flat race over seven furlongs will take place during the Countryside Race Day at Ascot on 18th April. Proceeds from the charity race will go towards the campaigning work of the Countryside Alliance, as well as the vital work of the Hunt Benevolent Fund.
Riders are in training, and rumour has it that a couple of huntsmen are already hunting hounds in racing silks and with their stirrups at an extra short length. Thankfully, horns have not been replaced by racing whips…yet To sponsor a huntsman, please see the links below.
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Thursday, 04 March 2010 |
Exmoor Hunt
When did you start hunting and why?
Forever. My father (Sam Wright) was huntsman to the Cotswold Vale Farmers when I was born at Cheltenham. However, on a horse not until I was 13 years old.
What does repeal mean for you?
It is the only long term future that hunting with hounds has.
When was the last time you fell off?
Last season, my horse (Tom Firr) came down when we were galloping behind the Exmoor bitch pack which was in full cry near Luckwell Bridge. We both slid on our sides for a considerable distance but in a few moments were up and in pursuit of the flying pack once again and not one of the followers saw it happen!
Who do you most want to beat in the race?
All of them of course! Before the race I will be issuing them all with string because they will be so far behind they can carry out the duty of gate shutters.
What horse would you most like to be riding in the race?
Silver. The way he used to carry the Lone Ranger down through the rocks in the opening scenes of the show proves he could have been a good hunter on Exmoor. Also, one of his famous rears would be good for posing for photos in the parade ring at Ascot.
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Wednesday, 20 January 2010 |
Heythrop
Why hunt service?
To follow my dream to become a huntsman (nothing else mattered).
What does repeal mean to you?
To be able to go about my business without reprisals from the police.
What do you look for in a hunt horse?
A good engine and jump
Who do you most want to beat in the race?
Andrew Phillis (because he’s a bo***ks!)
What is your secret weapon?
Stealth
What racehorse would you most like to be riding in the race?
See the Stars – even with me on board I am sure she would be hard to beat |
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Wednesday, 20 January 2010 |
Old Surrey Burstow & West Kent Hunt
Why Hunt Service?
I had always imagined that I would have a career in horticulture, agriculture or hunt service and I was offered the position of second horseman to the late Sir Stephen Hastings (at that time Chairman of the British Field Sports Society) and spent one and a half seasons in the post before moving to the Old Surrey & Burstow Hunt in 1985 as kennelman/2nd Whipper-in. Two seasons then followed as 1st Whipper-in and in 1991/92 at the age of 21 I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to hunt hounds.
What does REPEAL mean for you?
Banning hunting was the wrong thing to do, there is not a fox in the country who is better off because of the ban. A section of society, the most law abiding, have been made into criminals.
When was the last time you fell off, and how?
28th November, 2009. The Woodland Pychley hounds were hunting our country and, having jumped several big hedges in the company of the visiting Master, we approached a stream which, when I had walked the country the previous day had been a little stream, however overnight rain had changed it into a mini river running at full force. The visiting Master’s horse jumped it without looking at it, my horse, on the other hand, decided not to jump but to forge it – I got it entirely wrong, took off all by myself, shot between my horses ears and disappeared completely underwater. All this took place within five minutes of leaving the meet and without a change of clothes!
What is the first thing you look for in a hunt horse?
Small and cheap !
Who is your racing hero?
Bob Champion – if I say anyone else my in-laws will lynch me !
How are you preparing for the race?
Extra tea with whisky
What racehorse would you most like to be riding in the race, and why?
Sea The Stars - because I think even with me on it, it would win! |
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Wednesday, 20 January 2010 |
The Old Berks Hunt
When did you start hunting and why?
I started hunting regularly on foot/ car/bicycle at 13 yrs old. I was captivated by all things concerning the fox and the hound! Big time!
What does repeal mean for you?
Repeal means that we can be rid of this ridiculous Hunting Act, and Huntsmen up and down the country will be without the worry of prosecution.
When did you last fall off?
The last time I fell off was Feb '09, when I stupidly trotted over a concrete cattle yard (sloping) the horse's legs went from underneath him and I dislocated my shoulder. My assumption that sitting in A&E on a Saturday afternoon in full hunting kit covered in slurry would give me a speedy assessment and I would be on my way proved wrong!
Who is your racing hero?
Marcus Armytage, a better writer than he ever was a jockey!
Who do you most want to beat?
David Trotman, he has been talking about this race since it was first dreamt up, my fault, as I put his name forward! |
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Wednesday, 20 January 2010 |
Grafton Hunt
When did you start hunting and why?
I started hunting with the Woodland Pytchley on my feet as a child, then when I had left
school fate took a hand, a pretty women asked me to ride out her pointer ‘cos she was not well. I had never ridden in a saddle before, but thought “I’ve got to help her out”. I was going along nice and steadily until I met the milk lorry and the horse went in the dyke, out the dyke, upwards, sideways and inside out, and me being me sat there patting it and telling him he was a good boy! It turns out the Pychley huntsman David Evans and Major Comerford were watching the whole episode, and the following conversation went:
Master “Oh, I didnt know that you rode”
Huntsman: “niether did i”
Me: “Well that makes three of us”
And invited me to the kennels right there on the spot! With the o with the help of Lyndsay Hall the whipper in at the time and Mrs Jenny Evans whose horse " Rollo" I was to ride, I began my career into hunt service!
When was the last time you fell off?
The last time i fell off was Saturday 13th feb in front of Pytchley master Rowan Cope at the smallest fence u can think of, we jumped 15 yes fifteen gates and I went a right pearler at a hunt jump. the horse landed in real deep ground and got caught in it, I sailed on like a bird.
Who do you want to beat?
The one in front
How are you preparing for the race
Watching Haley Turner |
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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 |
Crawley and Horsham Hunt
When did you first hunt?
When I left school I put an advert in the Horse and Hound trying to find a job as a jockey! All the people I saw for interviews wouldn't employ because I was too heavy! I then had a call from the Master at The Heythrop asking me if I couldn't find a job in a racing yard, would I like to go into hunt service. So I did!
Why hunt service?
Because I was too heavy to be a jockey!
What does repeal mean to you?
Repeal means my life will be legal again
Who is your favourite hound and why?
Crawley & Horsham Measure 05....Because she put both "greencoats" in their place at Peterborough!
What racehorse would you most like to be riding in the race, and why?
I am happy to be riding the horse that I am. I already have the press and TV cameras booked for the home coming on the 19th April!!
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Wednesday, 20 January 2010 |
The Duke of Beaufort's Hunt
When did you first start hunting and why?
My earliest memory was a day with the Dart Vale and Haldon Harriers. I could hear the hounds running and was drawn to it like a magnet ,I scrambled down a bank and fell into the road where I nearly got trampled to death by the field and they have been trying to do that ever since. I think I was 6 at the time.
What would repeal mean for you?
I would like to see repeal so that once again we can see the foxhound doing what it was bred to do without all the hassle and worry we have had to put up with over the last few years.
When was the last time you fell off?
The last time I fell off was jumping a tiny wall in December. I was coming through the field and somebodies hat had fallen off in front of me, it was still bouncing . My horse Reg seemed transfixed on this, he lost his balance, so did I and we both came down in a heap!
What do you look for in a hunt horse?
Four legs is a good start.
Who do you most want to beat in the race?
All of them but especially the small ones who havn't had to endure the weight loss I have.
What is your secret weapon?
Apart from being a horse whisperer and having a good chat with all the other horses in the race i couldn't possibly tell you, otherwise it would not be a secret. |
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Wednesday, 20 January 2010 |
Vine and Craven
Why hunt service?
I was interested in watching hounds work
What does Repeal mean for you?
To get back to normality
Who is your favourite hound?
Countess, for her perseverance and loyalty
Who is your racing hero?
Lester Piggott
Who do you most want to beat in the race?
The lot!
Which horse would you most like to be riding in the race?
Kauto Star
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Thursday, 04 March 2010 |
Quantock Staghounds
Why hunt service?
Loves hunting and wanted to work with hounds.
What does REPEAL mean for you?
Everything
Who is your favourite hound, and why?
They are all favourites, but a bitch called Rapid was the best I ever bred
What is the first thing you look for in a hunt horse?
One that can gallop up and down the Quantock hills
What is your secret weapon?
That’s a secret |
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Wednesday, 20 January 2010 |
The V.W.H. Hunt
When did you start hunting
I can't remember a day when I have not. Hunting is one of my very earliest memories
What does Repeal mean to you
Repeal means everything. It will make the last 15 years worthwhile after everyone's considerable effort to get to this point
When was the last time you fell off
3 weeks ago my saddle slipped and the groom is now sacked!!!!
Who do you most want to beat
All of them can't bear mud in my face.
What is your secret training weapon
I have stopped drinking and taken up skipping. Not in public we hope.
How have you found the whole experience
It has been a fantastic crack and great to spend time with the other huntsmen. The training at Newmarket was really informative, I even learnt to tack up |
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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 |
The Hursley Hambledon Hunt
When did you first go hunting
Well I may not be favorite to win the race but I can beat all of the other Huntsmen on this because my mother took me hunting whilst she was pregnant with me.
What does Repeal of the Hunting Act mean to you
Freedom to go about my job
Who do you most want to beat
The Greencoat both on the amount of weight we have lost and in the race
What has been the most enjoyable part of the Race for Repeal
I have had the honor and privilege to have Bill Smith former jockey to the Queen Mother as my coach. He hasn’t ridden out on the gallops for almost twenty years and we have had the greatest fun. He is a real inspiration. It will also be so outstanding to gallop up the course at Ascot.
What has been the worst part about the race preparation
I am now up to 6 miles on the running machine which I hate. To make matters worse a few nights ago I had done about 5 miles when I got the most terrible cramp. I was screaming like a baby and the wife came running down stairs thinking something terrible had happened
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