R. G. Verney

Hunting the Fox R. G. Verney

In offering these reflections to the public I wish to disclaim any intention of laying down the law. what I have written is derived from my own experience as M. F. H., and from what I have tried to learn from serving as an apprentice under my Father, whose Advice on Fox-Hunting was published in 1906. When we declared war upon Germany in 1914, many people thought, some perhaps hoped, that Fox-hunting in the British Isles was doomed. It would appear that the former are likely to experience a pleasant shock of surprise, while the latter- if there be any-may be disappointed. For the immediate consequence of mobilization was the recognition of Fox-hunting as a first-class national asset. It is not too much to say that the Expeditionary Force could not have left England unless the nation could have drawn upon studs of well- bred hunters to bring the Peace establishment of Army horses up to war strength. Never were Cavalry so quickly or so well mounted as those regiments of Regulars and Yeomanry who embarked for France in August 1914. But quite apart from the point of view of national utility, Fox-hunting will surely survive from its own innate qualities. The manner in which it has lived through all the obstacles of war time is a sufficient testimony to its vitality. And here let us pay our tribute to those who have helped the sport through these critical times to the tact and sagacity of the Committee of the M. F. H. Association, and above all to those who through age, sex, or any other reason, were prevented from serving in the Army, and who took the Hounds out day after day under very trying conditions.