Over the stable door: Sunshine welcomes the hounds' parade

All too soon the end of summer is creeping into the room like an uninvited guest. Cooler nights, dark evenings and the arrival of Kilnsey Show always signifies it's time for me to buckle down to serious manual work at the start of our winter season.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Sep 2010, 15:55 BST
Updated 3rd Sep 2010, 15:56 BST

Kilnsey was always my favourite county show when I enjoyed a spell show jumping before working in racing. With its inspirational setting overshadowed by the crag, it is the true heart of rural Yorkshire. Competing there always felt like a privilege. It is one of the shows where Pendle hunt parade hounds.

Marketing has become a crucial necessity for all hunts (although I have yet to meet a huntsman who admits to enjoy parading). We must be accessible to everyone and help the public understand why hunting is important to countryside welfare.

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During the last three years the weather has seen us sat on horseback in a downpour, watching the crowds dive into tents and trade stands leaving only the brave to venture into the ring to meet our sodden pack. Happily this year we were bathed in brilliant sunshine as we hacked hounds from the village to the showfield. An influx of children suddenly converged like ants to a sandwich. They cuddled and stroked the appreciative pack, asking questions I can never answer. "Who is his best friend?", "What is her favourite food?" "Hhmm…meat," I answered diplomatically, omitting further detail.

Most expect the hounds to be tough or intolerant and are genuinely surprised to find they are soft, lovable creatures. They are pack animals and have never been domesticated. Their level of energy and depth of instinct would make them uncivil house guests. A hound's loyalty and intelligence are all too evident when watching the huntsman work at close quarters with them.

I borrowed a hunt horse, Declan, to parade on. Normally ridden by Kate, my fellow whip, he is a bullish cob complete with hogged mane and wouldn't particularly be my type. He has a mouth of steel and puts his head down ready to pull like a train (more diesel freight than Flying Scotsman) if you get hold of the reins. I gave him his head in an effort not to overtake the huntsman as we choppily hurtled round the trotting track at full pelt, scattering hounds in all directions. I was longing for my well behaved thoroughbred before the second circuit.

Despite my lack of equine control, there was only one truant player among the class. Pagan, having eyed up a family picnic, decided to pay them a visit, delicately helping himself to a chicken sandwich from the hand of a surprised five-year-old.

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Eventually he returned from his socialising. I half expected him to be carrying a goldfish he'd won playing hook-a-duck. The show would never be complete without the unique comedy of Yorkshire commentator Roger Ingham. The 66-year-old resides in Skipton and has become known as the voice of the Dales after 30 years of entertaining the crowds. His first visit to the show was in 1957 when he hitchhiked, complete with running gear, to enter the fell racing Kilnsey is famous for.

He now commentates at various shows including the Great Yorkshire while working for the council motivating troubled teenagers. Few may realise he was awarded an MBE in 2006 for his extensive volunteer work and was voted ITV's local hero. Long may we enjoy Roger's freedom of speech others dare not risk.

Jo Foster trains horses at Brookleigh Farm, Menston.

CW 4/9/10