Carrot tops it off

The championships are awarded to the Beaufort and Heythrop, but local packs also shine at Ardingly

- Catherine Austen

THE first visit by the Duke of Beaufort’s hounds to the cedar-shaded ring at Ardingly since the 1990s was a triumph, culminating in Carrot 21’s capture of the bitch championship.

A daughter of VWH Crackshot 14, Carrot had won the entered couples class alongside Delphi 21 – by North Cotswold Draycot 17 – and moved with ease and grace in the final run-off at the end of a long, hot afternoon.

Joint-master and huntsman Matt Ramsden said: “Carrot goes back to a bitch called Middleton Votive who was brought to the Middleton country from Ireland. It is a very old Middleton line that goes back to Warwickshire Comfort 1820 and it was given to me at the Bedale by Tom Holt in the form of a bitch called Gracious, and I bred from her at the Bedale and brought one bitch with me to the Beaufort, Canvas.

“We have had three or four litters from her and now about a quarter of the kennel have that female line. It’s very dear because they are tough, hardworking, have great voices and hunt like fury, so it’s nice that one has won a prize.”

He added: “Carrot has her head down and doesn’t muck around. She’s a no-nonsense bitch, basically.”

She was walked by Freddy Tuck, whose parents farm on the Badminton estate.

The Beaufort also took the two-couples class with Brevity 22, Dabchick 22, Delphi and Fortune 22. The latter was reserve champion.

Frank Houghton Brown, who judged the bitches with the East Cornwall’s Neil Starsmore, said: “We were both struck by Carrot in the couples class. I thought she was outstanding and had everything: size, amazing movement, vitality and presence. She’s got great balance – you could never catch her wrong.”