The V.W.H. Hunt extends back to the beginning of the last Century, but not until the year 1831 was the present title assumed, during the Mastership of the Hon H Moreton (later Lord Ducie). In 1886 the country was divided over a personal dispute , the then Earl Bathurst raising a pack at Cirencester (VWH Lord Bathurst) and Mr Charles Hoare kennelling hounds at Cricklade (VWH Cricklade).
Under the control of Earl Bathurst and later his heir, no detail of stable or kennel was neglected, and the hunt rose to great fame. The two packs were reunited in 1964.
The country is varied; the North, hunted on Saturdays, is high brash land, fairly open, highly cultivated, with stone walls and hunt jumps.
The Monday country includes Cirencester Park whose marvellous park and woodland allows spring hunting to continue well into April. The remainder of Monday country is mixed open country and woodland with the village of Ewen as it’s centre.
The Wednesday country consists of a large amount of grass with a strong dairy and stock farming community centred around Minety, whilst the Thursday country extends south of the M4 and also hunts areas such as Purton Stoke & the Hannington Vale.
A bold horse is essential in the vale, and must be clever for trappy places. Stamina is important – a three-quarter bred is ideal.
Adjoining Hunts: The Cotswold, Heythrop, Old Berkshire, Vine and Craven and Duke of Beaufort’s.
