WHAT makes a 48-year-old decide that the one thing he really must do in life is hunt a pack of hounds?
On the face of it, it looks like lunacy. After all, it wasn’t as though Richard Gurney’s life had lacked interest and challenges – far from it. He had worked in high-goal polo, attempted to ride in the Grand National (and nearly pulled it off), run successful businesses, raised huge amounts of money for charity and written and produced a pop song. And, as an MFH of the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent for a decade, he couldn’t plead ignorance – he knew just how hard it would be.
But people who love challenges continually seek them, undaunted, and in fact this wasn’t something completely new. It was the final, irresistible tug on a string that led all the way back to the beginning.
Richard explains: “When I was six months old, my mother [Anne] was poached by Uvedale Lambert, master of the Old Surrey and Burstow when Jack Champion was hunting the hounds, to be his groom. She went for a two-week trial and stayed for 26 years.”
Uvedale Lambert lived at South Park, near Bletchingley, a 2,000-acre estate that Richard describes as “like a playground”, covered in hunt jumps.
This story is from the April 16, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 16, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A fitting finale
Tessa Waugh relates the second part of her husband's final day hunting hounds, which looked to be a hip flask tasting session until the proverbial three o'clock offered one last hurrah
'What a day to be Irish'
One nation is looking stronger than ever, but there is disappointment for the Brits in a thrilling second leg of the new-look League of Nations
The ultimate all-rounder
Romeo gave Robert Walker his love of showing - and hunting, with a five-mile point and an eight-mile hunt in the afternoon one memorable Boxing Day
Bouncing, bonny - and sound
H&H's hunting editor Catherine Austen is delighted to report that her horse has finished the season in fine form, and takes a look at the future
'Will there be any riding schools left?'
Pammy Hutton on the current challenges faced by the equestrian industry
New competition to replace Aachen's FEI Nations Cup
The venue will host its own elite team dressage competition instead
Seven Badminton champions on this year's event entries list
Seven former winning riders are due to start, but no previous equine victors are on the list
Blair lost as concerns grow for eventing in Scotland
Blair Castle Horse Trials will run for the 35th and last time this summer, sparking concerns for eventing in the region
A risk to horse health: warning against importing unauthorised medication
Illegally imported equine drugs have been seized by the relevant authorities in four recent cases
Protect your pocket
Insurance is a big monthly hit, but small tweaks can lower your premium. Sarah Isaacs finds out how to save costs appropriately