Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2007 | Page 85

EQUESTRIAN people here, is a testimony to how much care the island has for the foxhounds and has done over many centuries. The modern hounds today on the Isle of Wight since the ban are upholding every tradition of their forbears.” Johan Christofferson, MFH (Master of Fox Hounds) for the Isle of Wight added, “I think the turnout today is fantastic, the kennels and hounds look great and it is a credit to Stuart. It’s also a credit to the subscribers and foot followers of the Isle of Wight Foxhounds. Mr Christofferson also had his view on the current political situation: “I think the law will change at some point, although not with Mr Brown, and it is important that we focus on getting the law changed. The biggest threat to is not the politics, it’s the changing nature of the countryside, the people that live in it and the urbanisation. As we get more distanced from keeping animals, riding, the wild and wild animals, there is less time and space for days like this and that is why people like us are devoted to keeping it.” John Harrison, the second judge, flew down from North Yorkshire especially for the event. John began hunting in Dorset and has been in the Hunt service for over 22 years, a period of his life which has taken him all over the world. His view is that everybody has adapted: “I don’t think any hunt has folded or given up. A lot of people got disheartened and we are all going through the motions, hoping and praying the Bill will be overturned. A Conservative government has promised to do it, but quite how remains to be seen. It maybe just a couple of amendments which let us control the fox population and make it not so draconian so it can please everybody. The foxhounds need to do what they are bred to do. There is no need to lose 250 years of breeding just because of legislation.” The question in everyone’s minds is: In the current situation, just how long can hunting survive? John Harrison said: “We can trail hunt forever, as long as there are people that want to Island Life - www.islandlife.tv ride horses and jump fences, but the quality of the hounds will disappear. We will lose all that. At the end of the day 700 parliamentary hours were spent on this and they did not get it right, a bit like the home-buyers pack I think! After the judging of the puppies, a proper English tea was provided by Mr Christofferson and his wife Paris. The renovation of the kennels, now complete, was inspected and praised by the visitors, and this year’s spring litters of Barmaid and Pigeon gave everyone a very enthusiastic reception. Thankyou everyone for another great day. life & Miss C. Cooper 3.Label w/b Mr. J. Butcher Couples: 1.Lawyer and Label 2. Landlord and Lawless w/b Mr. & Mrs. C. Dowden 3. Lasher and Fettle w/b Mrs. J. Carder Best working Hound from 2006 entry was Musket w/b Mr.& Mrs. A King and an extremely popular choice for Best Working Hound in Kennels went to Barmston who was walked by Mrs Jackie Carder. Best Dog: 1.Lawless w/b (walked by) Mr. & Mrs. C. Dowden 2.Ferry w/b Mr. J Christofferson 3.Lawyer w/b Mr. J. Butcher Best Bitch: 1.Bottle w/b Mr. and Mrs. A King 2. Lavish w/b Mr. L. Thom 85