ANYONE who has attended Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show will have memories of seeing the judges weighing-up hounds. Apart from the sense of occasion created by this greatest of all hound shows, there is the impression of the hounds themselves. The aristocrats of their breed, standing like statues, held in the thrall of their huntsman; then flying across the ring with effortless strides before racing back to stand foursquare again, neck outstretched, head slightly cocked, with eyes only for the man who is their friend and handler.
Later, the ring is a sea of colour, with the hunt servants’ liveries and gleaming boots mingling with the tans, pyes and mottles of the hounds. Soon the judges have dismissed all but the prizewinners. Perhaps a final losing-off of two or three entries to compare their movement, and then the results are announced. Polite clapping if the winners come from one of the more fashionable kennels, but occasionally wild cheering if they hail from a more modest establishment.
Dog hounds in the morning (the enticing smell of bitches beforehand might interfere with that vital concentration), starting with unentered hounds, through the various entered classes to the stallion hounds, before culminating in the vital dog hound championship.
A change of judges for the afternoon bitch classes, when the same format is followed. The aficionados of the foxhound – there are plenty and they are not all masters of hounds – will sit with full concentration throughout the day. Others will undoubtedly find time for a refreshing glass or two and an exchange of gossip, but nearly all will wish to be present for the electric atmosphere of the championship classes.
ALL-IMPORTANT QUALITIES
WHAT, then, do the judges see? How much can they tell about a foxhound in the artificial atmosphere of this great show?
This story is from the June 17, 2021 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 June 17, 2021 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