'You'll never see the likes of him again'
Horse & Hound|March 28, 2024
Rory Knight Bruce pays tribute to Captain Ian Farquhar – master, huntsman, hound man and friend to the countryside
Rory Knight Bruce
'You'll never see the likes of him again'

COLOURED pennants fly above white tents at the Duke of Beaufort’s recent point-to-point at Didmarton. Rugged-up horses parade in the brisk March air in a landscape of pastured green fields and small stone walls, unchanged in a century.

At the Knight Frank sponsor’s tent, warming bullshots are being dispensed and the Duke of Beaufort is standing by the painted rails of the saddling enclosure of this immaculately produced course.

But someone is missing.

For 34 years as joint-master, Captain Ian Farquhar was always on hand to welcome friends and strangers alike, to wish them well in their gambles and merriment. Three days before this fixture, he died, aged 78, in the hunting country he made his own – for friendship, sportsmanship and fun.

It was an eerie feeling that pervaded the day. When, before the members’ race, a minute’s silence was called for in his memory, not a dog barked nor a child spoke. It was as if from the lines of Edward Thomas’s Adlestrop:

“And for that minute, a blackbird sang

Close by, and round him, mistier,

Farther and farther, all the birds

Of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.”

WELL RECOGNISED 

ANYONE who ever met Ian Farquhar will have lasting memories of him. Many have been posted on social media from people whose lives he touched for the better, from mechanics to marquesses, hunt staff to humble homes.

His talents as a breeder of modern English hounds (19 champions at the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show) are well recognised. His abilities as a huntsman are unrivalled in the recent chronicles of the chase. His happiness when visiting packs did well is testament to his encouragement, with his knowledge and hospitality.

Esta historia es de la edición March 28, 2024 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 March 28, 2024 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
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Horse & Hound

'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'

Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 07, 2024
New pair pull off a win
Horse & Hound

New pair pull off a win

A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 07, 2024
Lording it over the rest
Horse & Hound

Lording it over the rest

Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 07, 2024
Smith hits flying form
Horse & Hound

Smith hits flying form

A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 07, 2024
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Horse & Hound

Jankorado hits the jackpot

Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 07, 2024
Peanut
Horse & Hound

Peanut

From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 07, 2024
She's a corker
Horse & Hound

She's a corker

Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers

time-read
8 minutos  |
November 07, 2024
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
Horse & Hound

Access all areas Cavalier Centre

The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit

time-read
7 minutos  |
November 07, 2024
'Use it or lose it'
Horse & Hound

'Use it or lose it'

Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity

time-read
6 minutos  |
November 07, 2024
A new way forward
Horse & Hound

A new way forward

Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 07, 2024