The Cottesmore's Staying Power

This Shires hunt can trace its origins back to 1666 – and fully expects to be celebrating four centuries of venery in 50 years’ time.

- Michael Clayton

If I were given my choice of a place to live in and a ‘‘ pack to hunt with, I would say, ‘Let me live near Oakham and hunt with the Cottesmore every day they are out…’ It is a hunt to settle in and take pride in.”

This was the verdict of hunting correspondent TF Dale in 1903. Many would still endorse his view of one of England’s great fox hunting countries, which has offered remarkable sport over a wonderful swathe of land in the East Midlands for 350 years,an anniversary the hunt has celebrated with zest this season.

The Cottesmore’s borders encompass Rutland, parts of Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. There is a highly supportive local community that has backed the hunt for generations. Boxing Day saw a huge crowd attending the traditional meet in Oakham.

This famous Shires pack has long been praised by foxhunters for its fine, wild country of vales, hills and broad acres, and its splendid coverts. There are large areas in the Cottesmore country with little urban sprawl and low levels of traffic on country lanes with wide grass verges ideal for the horseman. Such assets helped to ensure that the hunting during the Cottesmore’s weekend of anniversary celebrations in late December was of a high order. Andrew Osborne is in his fourth season as Joint-Master and amateur huntsman, continuing a long tradition in this role that is special to the Cottesmore among the Shires packs.

Osborne came from Yorkshire where he was brought up in the Holderness country, later serving as Joint-Master of the Sinnington and the Bedale, where he hunted hounds. He has brought immense enthusiasm and leadership to the hunt, which has enabled it to thrive, and he has achieved much in breeding a level working pack that has won honours at major shows.