HUNDREDS of people from the hunting community gathered to defend their rural way of life as they welcomed new faces and issued a defiant message to the Government.
People of all generations and walks of life, from children as young as six years old to people in their 80s, gathered in glorious autumn sunshine for a National Trail Hunting Day at Bow Wood, Upton Snodsbury, near Worcester today.
Across the country, there were 200 hunts meeting with four flagship events taking place in Worcestershire, Suffolk, Northumberland and Devon. Mounted supporters of the event enjoyed a glass of port before the cry of the hunting horn signalled the start of the trail hunt itself.
SUPPORT: Adrian Ward, senior joint master of the Worcestershire Hunt, spoke in defence of trail hunting and wider rural traditions (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
The story of the evolution of trail hunting is inextricably linked to Worcestershire because of the role of Mike Foster, Worcester’s former Labour MP, in spearheading legislation which culminated in the ban of fox hunting in England and Wales more than 20 years ago.
The Worcestershire event, hosted by Worcestershire Hunt, proved popular with 80 riders booked in for the showcase event but many more were on foot to show their support and meet the dogs – 15 and a half couple of hunting hounds (31 hounds).
Among the people to attend were 40-year-old Hannah Mahon, who spoke of a strong sense of community, and her children, eight-year-old Alfie and Dennis, six, all riding out together.
FAMILY: Hannah Mahon with her children, Dennis, six, and Alfie, eight, at the National Trail Hunting Day 2026 (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
The hounds and horses mingled with the crowds, including veteran riders and young families, some of whom had never ridden a horse, but said they valued the countryside and a rural way of life.
Among those keeping the tradition going was Will Gaskell, 20, who is responsible for the hounds and serves as the ‘huntsman’s right hand man’, including keeping an eye out for hazards to safeguard the welfare of the hounds.
Mr Gaskell explained that he left school at 16, confessed ‘school did not suit me’, before completing a certificate in animal care as part of an apprenticeship through the British Hound Sport Association.
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“I absolutely love the life. I live for it. I’ve always had a passion for horses and a passion for dogs and my family always hunted as well,” said Mr Gaskell who looks after 35 couple (70 hounds).
FRENETIC: The hounds pick up a a scent near Bow Wood, Upton Snodsbury close to Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
He added: “If hunting were to disappear, I’ve got no experience in anything else. I would not last five minutes in an office job. I would be without a a job, without a house. I would not know where to put myself.”
Despite the conviviality and welcoming tone of the event, there was a serious message about defending the future of hunting but, more broadly, the rural way of life and the livelihoods and traditions which endure there, clearly reflected in the speeches delivered.
Adrian Ward, senior joint master of the Worcestershire Hunt, told the crowds: “Thank you all for coming to celebrate National Trail Hunting Day, something that we’re all proud to be part of, something we’re not afraid to let the outside world see, and, importantly, something we’re not ashamed to stand up and fight for.”
COMMUNITY: Riders at Bow Wood for the National Trail Hunting Day 2026 (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
He went on to say he was speaking about the community which surrounds trail hunting, not merely trail hunting itself, including livelihoods, trades, family homes and traditions.
“It is certainly about much more than the false allegations, negativity and hatred than we see on social media,” he added, thanking the landowners (including Tony Lockwood) and farmers who had made the showcase event possible.
His sentiments were echoed by Polly Portwin, director of the Campaign for Hunting at the Countryside Alliance, who said: “We want to stand up to this Government and say ‘leave us alone’. Do not interfere with things you do not understand. We are not going away. We are a force to be reckoned with.”
STALWART: Jo Thatcher, a subscriber, took part in the trail hunt with 20-year-old horse, Zack (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
Jo Thatcher of Stourport, a Worcestershire Hunt subscriber, who rode out on 20-year-old horse Zack, said: “I love the fact you’re in parts of the countryside you can’t normally ride on. We only ride where landowners and farmers allow us to.”
She said the story of her horse was more interesting than her own, having purchased him at the age of four from an Irish Olympian.
Trail hunting, which generates more than £100 million for the rural economy each year, involves hounds following a scent-infused cloth or substance (such as fox urine) that has been dragged across the countryside by foot, horse, or quad-bike.
It was developed after the Hunting Act 2004 which banned traditional wild-mammal hunting with hounds in England and Wales.
