SOUTH DOWNS Bloodhounds have reported a record-breaking year.

More people hunting on more days, reports Jeremy Whaley, the master of the pack based at Privett, near Alresford.

Another record broken was for the largest mounted field, 110 riders and between 300-400 foot followers at the meet at Lopshill, near Fordingbridge.

Two new meets this season were Bramble Farm at Bramdean, courtesy of TV presenter Alastair and his wife Sally and Upper Parsonage Farm at East Meon, both of which proved popular.

This year’s SDB Horse and Dog Show is on Sunday August 16 at Polly Glovers Farm, West Meon, by permission of Miss Helen Marsh.

Open to members and non-members, classes include Show Jumping, Dressage, Showing, Clear Round, Gymkhana and fun Dog Show, plus a parade of the South Downs Bloodhounds, trade stands and BBQ with SharonT Photography in attendance.

Mr Whaley said he would like to thank the farmers and landowners who allow the bloodhounds over their land. The hounds do not hunt live prey.

He said: “One farmer, who doesn’t ride, who has no children that ride, said to me: ‘I wasn’t sure when I first let you hunt over my land, but I found your riders and followers so polite and so well behaved, it started to give me pleasure just to watch them smiling out hunting.’”