A top-class pack of hounds

The hard-working Bicester with Whaddon Chase team enjoy great support, and are proof of how a hunt can operate successfully in an increasingly busy country

- FRANK HOUGHTON BROWN

AN amalgamation of two great midland packs in 1986 formed this “superhunt” in a successful union known as the Bicester with Whaddon Chase.

The Whaddon was known as “Londoner’s Leicestershire” because it was principally a grass country with stiff fences that could be flown at pace by well-mounted subscribers and, unlike the shires, was in easy reach of London. The Selby Lowndes family were masters for 180 years until 1920, based at Winslow Hall, which later became the headquarters of RAF Bomber Command during World War II, and then Whaddon Hall.

One of the most unique postwar hunting partnerships was formed between Dorian Williams and Albert Buckle. Dorian was the voice of showjumping on British television and was largely responsible for turning it into a mainstream televised sport. He was master and field master for 26 seasons and his huntsman Albert was the consummate professional and a brilliant huntsman to boot.

Albert was much admired by the farmers and was a great friend of a particular Bicester farmer called George Simms, who owned a prominent grassy hill just a couple of miles into the Bicester country. It was no surprise that many great hunts from the famous covert, Christmas Gorse, would end on the Quainton Hills where George lived.

When Albert retired, David Barker stepped straight into his shoes as huntsman. An Olympic showjumper who had whippedin to Albert, David was a natural with hounds. He gave the field an incredible ride and built up a cult following, many of whom moved with him when he became huntsman to the Meynell.