What happens in the early morning at a hunt kennels? For our new Pack of the Week feature in Horse & Hound’s 19 January issue, photographer Sarah Farnsworth visited the VWH kennels in Gloucestershire and found out.
The VWH hunt four days a week and have more than 60 couple of hounds in kennels, looked after by huntsman Philip Hague, who has been with the pack since 2005, whipper-in James Bradley and kennelman Chris Bolland. The hounds are bred by Martin Scott, and have been extremely successful in the showring.
The hunt horses also live at the kennels under the watchful eye of stud groom Chantelle Avery.
The pack currently has four joint-masters: Major the Hon Alexander Bathurst, Mark Hill, the Hon Sophie Scruton and Nick Phillips.
To read more about the hunt, its colourful history, its hunting country, its hounds and the people who hunt with the VWH, buy Horse & Hound’s 19 January issue.
A VWH hound keeps watch on what’s going on before dawn breaks
The hound lodges are thoroughly washed down every morning
Breakfast time!
VWH huntsman Philip Hague with Nightie and her puppies by North Cotswold Devon
Huntsman Philip Hague and whipper-in James Bradley tend to a hound with a sore pad
Huntsman Philip Hague and the VWH hounds as they leave the kennels on morning exercise
The bond between huntsman Philip Hague and his hounds is unmistakable
A VWH hound takes a peek at photographer Sarah Farnsworth
VWH stud groom Chantelle Avery watches a hunt horse trot up in the stable yard
