Vic Dent

A true countryman with a broad Yorkshire accent, Vic Dent was born into farming and horses at Rosedale East, Pickering.

His passion for hunting and horses began when working with them ploughing, threshing and delivering milk. He rode to work in Westerdale often in thick fog, and knowing the moors he usually managed to avoid the renowned bogs. This rural life suited him whereas schooling did not. There are few records of him ever having attended school regularly.

In 1963, Mr Dent married Sylvia Tate at Staintondale Church and he was able to continue his passion for breeding and showing shires as his father-in-law Walter Tate stood two stallions.

Having worked in farming in Hawsker, Staintondale and Langdale End he began work for auctioneers Boulton & Cooper at Seamer at Malton’s market, a perfect job for such a sociable man who was well known and knew many in the farming fraternity.

Showing his beloved shires was his passion throughout the summer, winning with them for over 50 years at Driffield, Malton, Burniston, Danby, Egton, Hinderwell, Thornton-le-Dale, Rosedale and the now defunct Whitby Show.

He always kept a few shire mares and each spring would spend nights in his caravan awaiting the arrival of their foals, rarely needing assistance from “the veterinary”.

Foxhunting was also a major part of Mr Dent’s life and he would hunt as often as he could on any horse that he could find. Popular throughout the Staintondale and Goathland hunting worlds, he would be heard putting the world to rights with everyone in his strong Yorkshire dialect.

Gone to Ground was blown by huntsman Stephen Hall
as Mr Dent was buried within sight of the hunt kennels
after a funeral attended by more than 200 mourners
at St John’s Church, Stationdale.

Mr Dent is survived by his wife Sylvia, daughters Lorraine and Michele and four grandchildren.