Behind the scenes at the Beaufort
Horse & Hound|February 27, 2020
Rebecca Jordan visits the Duke of Beaufort’s immaculate kennels and meets the team behind the seamless operation
Rebecca Jordan
Behind the scenes at the Beaufort

AS you drive from the village and through the distinctive Badminton gates, the drive rises gently, cushioned each side by a wide and immaculate grass verge. Yew and evergreen holm oaks guide the way into ancient parkland over the brow, where the famous lake lies.

Just before you reach the park, on the right is the beautiful stable yard. Directly opposite is the Duke of Beaufort’s hunt kennels. The first impression is how normal these kennels are, despite their setting. This is a working environment like every other kennels in the country. However, history runs deeper here.

Hounds have been kennelled at Badminton since 1640. Since then they have remained the private pack of the Dukes of Beaufort. The 10th Duke was so synonymous with foxhunting he was known as Master and his car’s number plate MFH1. One specific Beaufort female line can be traced back over 60 generations to 1743. This makes the foxhound the most chronicled animal in the world; the Arabian horse comes a close second.

Today there are 25 couple of dog hounds, 35 couple of bitches and 20 couple of pups preparing to enter next season. These are big, strong hounds that, as a pack, resonate a demeanor appropriate to their surroundings.

Hounds meet four days a week: the dog hounds hunt Mondays and Thursdays and the bitches Wednesdays and Saturdays.

AN EXCEPTIONAL TEAM IN PRESTIGIOUS ROLES

DUE to the scale of this operation it takes an exceptional team of staff to turn out hounds to the exemplary benchmark the Beaufort is feted with within the hunting community.

Nick Hopkins is in charge as kennel-huntsman. His is one of the most prestigious roles within hunt service. Both he and amateur huntsman Matt Ramsden, who spent five seasons hunting the Bedale, moved to the Duke of Beaufort’s in 2016.

Esta historia es de la edición February 27, 2020 de Horse & Hound.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición February 27, 2020 de Horse & Hound.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE HORSE & HOUNDVer todo
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Horse & Hound

Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test

Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 12, 2024
Michael Eilberg
Horse & Hound

Michael Eilberg

The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport

time-read
7 minutos  |
September 12, 2024
Schooling success
Horse & Hound

Schooling success

Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils

time-read
5 minutos  |
September 12, 2024
How to get a job in hunting
Horse & Hound

How to get a job in hunting

The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers

time-read
7 minutos  |
September 12, 2024
Burke's Affair to remember
Horse & Hound

Burke's Affair to remember

A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 12, 2024
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
Horse & Hound

Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory

After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 12, 2024
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
Horse & Hound

Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory

After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 12, 2024
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
Horse & Hound

'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'

The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 12, 2024
Hamlett takes centre stage
Horse & Hound

Hamlett takes centre stage

Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 12, 2024
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Horse & Hound

'This is the ultimate five-star test'

Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 12, 2024