Hunting’s big night out is back
A horn-blowing contest will be among the highlights at a fundraising ball, and a Warwickshire joint-master is stepping down after a 35-year tenure
THE Dubarry Horn & Hound Ball returns for a fifth year in 2018. The event is the major fundraiser in the Hunt Staff Benefit Society (HSBS) calendar and features the much-anticipated national horn blowing contest.
Andrew Higgins of the Tynedale took the Dorian Williams Horse & Hound Trophy in 2017 and the 10 contestants for the 2018 title are soon to be revealed. The trophy was first awarded in 1952 and entries include both amateur and professional huntsmen.
“Every penny raised goes to helping the hunt staff who work so hard, and without whom there would be no hunting,” HSBS membership and fundraising secretary Lucy Stevens told H&H.
The HSBS is a registered, friendly society that offers personal pension schemes for staff employed by hunts. Almost a quarter of tickets for this year’s event sold within a week of release.
“It will be a great way to round off the hunting year and brings people together from all across the country,” added Lucy. “We really hope to see as many hunts and packs represented.
“It will be a wonderful party celebrating all that is good within the hunting community, while also raising much-needed funds for the society and supporting the hunt staff, without whose dedication the sport would simply not be possible.”
Cheltenham Racecourse is hosting the ball on 21 April.
The evening will feature a Pol Roger champagne reception, a “money-can’t-buy” auction, threecourse dinner and dancing to the band 29 Fingers.
Visit hsbs.org.uk for details.