Harry Stephenson
View a slideshow of the York and Ainsty (South) Puppy Show: York and Ainsty (South) Puppy Show 2009
Foxhound Column
Harry Stephenson
Well we said we needed rain, and we certainly got it. Autumn hunting for us, and for everyone else, was very dry. We had a good start early on, then it became so dry hounds just couldn’t get going at all. Then the rain came, but it was so mild hounds still couldn’t get going properly. This last week or so hounds have really started to motor, but it is so wet we struggle to keep with them. Some might say we are never satisfied and maybe that’s right, but a few keen frosts and a bit of settled weather will work wonders.
A few packs around us are having to cancel due to the wet conditions. Here at the York & Ainsty (South) I like to go if at all possible, even if it means the field having to use roads and tracks. Once you stop for the wet, when do you start up again.
Yesterday hounds hunted hard most of the day with a 50 minute fast hunt and a 30 minute equally fast hunt being notable. Sadly for the field only us hunt staff could be with hounds because of the wet conditions, but at least we were out. The car followers had a great time flying about the lanes trying to keep in touch with hounds. It is impossible to please all of the people all of the time, and only a foolish Master would try, and to the best of my knowledge the Master cannot be blamed for the wet conditions.
Wintry conditions last season meant hunting on foot for some packs, but its important to keep going if at all possible
Last week we set off on a trail at 3pm, and hounds really flew. The ditches had all burst their banks and were literally impossible to negotiate. At ten to four my K-H and I had no idea where hounds were, with dark approaching and the busy A19 only a couple of fields away. We galloped on and eventually heard them in a large piece of woodland, but a river like ditch stopped us actually getting right to them. As it was half past four and pretty dark we blew them up and had all bar a couple and so rang the terrier men and told them to bring the transport to the lane nearest to us. We hacked cross country with 18 and a half couple in near pitch dark for a mile or so to a set of waiting headlights.
The field had very sensibly gone home and left us to it. Three of our countrymen in the hunt truck with the hound trailer on. But no horse box - which was parked next to the hound trailer where we unboxed - “You never said bring the horse box” they cried when asked by me where the hell the lorry was? You can probably imagine my reply. Who ever said a master doesn’t have to think of everything has obviously never been a master! Still it’s all good fun?
Most masters and huntsmen will now be looking at which bitches to put to, and where to go if outside stallion hounds are to be used. That is the great thing about the summer puppy shows. Masters can have a good look at possible future stallion hounds, and often after the show the huntsman will bring a few proven hounds into the ring for visiting masters to look at. We are Old English and so visiting the Belvoir and the Brocklesby and the Hurworth were particularly interesting this summer.
Modern English packs like to use Old English blood from time to time, and one or two bitches from neighbouring packs will be visiting our kennels soon. Providing the K-H gets something for his trouble all should be well…
Now is also the time for staff to be looking for their next career move, if indeed they are considering moving. It’s a difficult time for staff, because they have to give notice before they can really look for a new job. They may find their own job filled before they have somewhere to go, but it is important for young staff to move about a good deal early in their careers, so they can get the opportunity to see different huntsmen at work, and learn from all of them.
It is equally important for young hard working staff to be treated right. Huntsmen that scream and shout at the whipper-in from morning till night may have a screw loose, because those days are surely gone, and no huntsman is going to get the best from his whipper-in if he treats him that way. And unless the huntsman is an absolute genius, no man who is any good will want to work for him. Common sense really?
Christmas is coming up fast. Please don’t forget the hunt staff at this special time of year, and not just the ones in scarlet. An envelope given to the huntsman at the meet is often shared with the grooms and countrymen etc, so be generous. No need to give the master anything, although a smile and a thank you would be much appreciated.
Boxing Day is special, and lots of children who never go hunting come to the meet on their ponies. It is important to make everyone feel welcome and if someone looks a little nervous, take them under your wing and look after them. That’s what this time of year is all about isn’t it?
Have a great Christmas, and Happy New Year. And some great hunting.Harry Stephenson