Wilton Hunt demonstration fights government's proposed ban

The Wilton Hunt held a trail hunt demonstration at Lopshill Farm on Friday, October 10, as hundreds of people gathered to watch.

Among the onlookers were the MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes and the MP for New Forest East, Sir Julian Lewis.

The event was held as the hunt faces closure under a proposed UK Government ban on the sport, despite claims of broad support for trail hunting in the south of England.

The hunt is run by a group of masters, including Hugo Mann and Ollie Coward.

The event started with a gathering on the farm with around 50 horses and riders preparing to get going.

Instead of using a fox to hunt, they use a trail, which is where two runners map out a path in the countryside, trailing behind a scent for the hounds to hunt.

The scent is prepared using the natural scent of a fox, obtained from legally sourced material such as road-killed animals, to provide a consistent trail for the hounds to follow.

The Wilton Hunt, trail hunt demonstration(Image: John Eccles)

The pack of hounds are specially trained to follow the specific scent of the trail, and organisers say they very rarely go off course.

Joint master of the Wilton Hunt, Hugo Mann, said: "The hounds have been bred for 150 years specifically for the scent.

"We have tried a number of different trails, but none really work as well as the fox scent. The hounds have been trained for years on this scent, so it is hard to get them off of it.

"It does mean that they will only focus on that scent, though, and even if there is other wildlife in the area, they will not be interested."

At the start of the hunt, joint master of the Wilton Hunt, Ollie Coward, gave a speech and said: "I'd like to thank each and every one of you for coming out today. We want you all to see firsthand how we put on a trail hunt and the effects of it.

"We are a community of people who come together and support each other, and this gives those people the opportunity to chat to each other, and it should not be taken away from us.

"We give racehorses a new lease of life, and we look after and train the hounds for this purpose. I think all those who hunt will agree that hunting does a lot for mental health in the community.

"Our message to this government is, come and see what we do before you make a massive mistake and take away something we all cherish."

MP for New Forest East, Sir Julian Lewis and MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes with the managing director of the BHSA, Oliver Hughes(Image: Ollie Thompson/Solent News)

Both Caroline Nokes and Sir Julian Lewis were in support of the event, and Mr Lewis said: "I think what these guys are doing here is really important for the community.

"They are taking all the necessary precautions to make sure that the hunt is done safely and within the law, and I think the government need to take this into account."

The British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) is the governing body for the sport, and the managing director, Oliver Hughes, was in attendance at the demonstration.

He spoke about the hounds that they use and said: "These hounds have been bred specially for the purpose of hunting.

"If the government goes ahead with this ban, then what happens to the thousands of hounds across the country? They are not suitable to be a house pet."

Mr Hughes went on to reflect on the day and said: "The Wilton Hunt hosted a wonderful day, a true celebration of hounds, the countryside and the people who make this community special.

"We were delighted to welcome Sir Julian Lewis MP, who saw first-hand the skill, care and professionalism that define trail hunting and the hounds at its heart. Trail hunting is legal, legitimate and well-regulated.

"What it needs is understanding, not interference, and anyone who takes the time to see it for themselves can’t fail to recognise the care, discipline and respect at its heart."