Soon after he won the gold medal in Australia in 2000 I had the pleasure of meeting British Olympic hero Richard Faulds. Not only is he an exceptional shot but also a great ambassador for the sport of shooting, both competition and game. A quiet and modest man, his responsible attitude to shooting – and the politics that surround it – is an example to shooters and non-shooters alike.
A year after he triumphed at the Olympics I found myself honoured to stand beside the great man at the awards ceremony of the European Side-by-Side Championships, he having won the hammerless class and methe hammer gun class with Grandfather’s 1877 gun. The fact that he had a score of 92 against many competitors and I had 77 against few puts the event in perspective. For me, it was a one-off lifetime story; for Faulds yet another championship title.
I spoke to Faulds afterwards and conversation turned to pigeon shooting, as it does. I asked if he would be amused to come and have a day with me if I could find something of interest. For the Mr Cool, who contained nerves and emotions until the last pair of the Olympic shoot-off, to be so enthusiastic with open-eyed excitement at the prospect of a pigeon-shooting trip took me by surprise. Yes, he loved pigeon shooting and would be there.
It so happened that the following week a large rape field had been harvested and a Flightline had developed between it and the cement works’ quarry a mile to the east. This is an attraction for pigeon but as to why I am still unsure. It may be water but more likely calcium, as the pigeon can regularly be seen sitting on the chalk spoil heaps.
Denne historien er fra July 2020-utgaven av The Field.
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Denne historien er fra July 2020-utgaven av The Field.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Going over old ground
Forget modern tractors and minimum tillage - there is something glorious about the sight of farmer, horse and vintage plough in perfect harmony
Return of the natives
There is nothing as satisfying as creating a magical miniature woodland or conservation hedgerow using our native trees - and now is the best time to start.
Tagging the Cornish tunny
Enormous Atlantic bluefin tuna are once again making waves in UK waters almost a century after their showstopping appearance in the North Sea
In it for the long haul
It may have fallen out of favour at the elite level but long-format three-day eventing is still proving popular with grassroots riders
Unpicking the story of hunt buttons
These treasured tokens are bestowed only upon those who go above and beyond in service of their hunt but the rules around them can be complex
A place of tradition in the heart of town
Cordings has helped shape the sartorial landscape of Britain for 185 years, with its classic country tailoring a firm staple of many sporting wardrobes
Don't play it by ear
Hearing loss can have a devastating impact on day-to-day life, making ear protection a non-negotiable piece of field kit
Back to base-ics
Britain's famously unpredictable climate can make staying comfortable in the field a challenge but the right under layers can be a game changer
Stand and deliver
A good stance provides the platform for shotgun marksmanship and is fundamental to consistent success in the field or breaking clays
Heaven is a High Four
A team of guns enjoy a day of the finest sport Devon has to offer, courtesy of the GWCT and a quartet of generous shoot owners
