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.
Denne historien er fra February 27, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra February 27, 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
