WAY back in the summer of 2016 we were asked to walk our first Heythrop hound puppies. Having walked beagles and bassets before, we thought, “How hard can it be?”
We were swiftly delivered three absolutely gorgeous bundles of mischief named Romper, Romulus and Rosebud. They enriched and ruined our lives in equal measure.
The two boys were dopey but kind, and Rosebud? Well, she was a menace at walk; always busy but also very loving. She was a compact puppy and to this day is still dwarfed by her kennel mates. The adorable stripe down her face and her love of cocking her head to one side meant that she got away with murder here at White House Farm.
The harvest drew to a close, meaning it was time for these three darlings to return to kennels after their summer of education.
Being lucky enough to get out with hounds on a regular basis, it was easy to keep up to date with our blossoming young entry.
Romulus knocked our master and huntsman continually off of his bicycle – he was more Shetland pony than hound – Romper was a little timid, and Rosebud her usual determined self.
The puppy show came and went, the only silverware acquired being the obligatory silver spoon for our ugly ducklings. Beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder.
Autumn swiftly fell and our family were keen to see our pups out on their first morning’s trail-hunting – if a little anxious for them. The boys were heaven sent and obedient, but the cries of “Rosebud” echoed through the Heythrop hunt country with force.
Luckily our pups settled nicely to the job in hand and our two daughters, Ella and Iris, delighted each week in seeing ”their puppies” at work.
Denne historien er fra June 25, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra June 25, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'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
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
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
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
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
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
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
'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
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
