I HAD taken two years out of hunting to run the Crown Hotel on Exmoor when the phone rang.
"Alastair," said the unmistakable voice of Newton Rycroft, "will you come and hunt my hounds? My huntsman has shot himself!"
Well, it turned out that an accident with a humane killer had resulted in a wounded foot and I certainly wasn't going to turn down the opportunity of hunting this remarkable pack of hounds. For several months I travelled down to the New Forest twice a week to stay with the Rycrofts and hunt the hounds the following day.
They were everything that I had been told. They drew fast and wide, hunted with enormous drive and accuracy, and with a very good cry indeed. They were biddable, easy to handle and were absolutely steady to all forms of riot. But we must start at the beginning to tell the story of this remarkable man as a breeder of hounds.
Newton Rycroft was master of the New Forest Foxhounds for 22 seasons from 1962 to 1984. He studied and practised the science of hound breeding with a more academic and intelligent mind, completely uncluttered by fashion or tradition, than almost anyone in the 20th century. Before the foxhounds, he founded the
Dummer Beagles and bred them to a standard in both work and looks in which they were in a class of their own.
DISCIPLINE IS KEY
BROUGHT up at Dummer in Hampshire, both his father and grandfather had been masters of the Vine Foxhounds. It had always been his ambition to own, breed and hunt his own pack. So it was that after leaving Winchester and Oxford, where he developed his high academic abilities, he founded the Dummer Beagles in 1939.
Meanwhile, he had been able to hunt with the famous George Evans, master of the neighbouring HH and the young Rycroft used to stay at the kennels for the early cubhunting meets.
This story is from the February 08, 2024 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 February 08, 2024 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
New competition and classification to mean dressage will be for all
The new partnerships with British Dressage will provide opportunities for riders with intellectual disabilities
Pressure grows on the FEI to tackle concerns in dressage
A leading judge has made some recommendations he believes will help support the sport's future
Aidan Coleman
Just a week after he announced his enforced retirement with a career-ending injury, Aidan Coleman talks through his raw emotions with Kate Johnson as he ponders life outside the weighing room
Badminton groundsman
Phil Cole on flawless going for cross-country, perfecting his craft on polo pitches and being at the mercy of the weather
Pulling power
Carriage-driving horses have a very specific job, and with that can come specific injury risks. Rosie Mould MRCVS explains
'Plenty to get your teeth into'
This year's Badminton track is testing, but fair, says Nicola Wilson, the 2021 European champion who finished in the top 10 at this five-star four times
Townend leads British domination
The world number one spearheads a British clean sweep of the podium as he contests his 100th five-star
Birch is back in the big time
A former Olympic reserve rider scores her first international win in four years, while Kelsall specialists make their mark again
Comeback queens reign
Rehab work pays off for Anna Ross as she makes a winning return, while a pair of young riders' birthday wishes come true
Pender keeps it in the family
Ireland's Mikey Pender begins a remarkable grand prix winning double and it all comes together in the ring for a \"special character\"