As winter relinquishes its grip, Tessa Waugh enjoys a copybook meet, with convivial chat, springy turf and good sport – while the real hunting aficionados demonstrate their teleporting skills

With 36 years in hunt service behind him, Robert McCarthy is one of the country’s most senior and most respected huntsmen. He talks to Tessa Waugh about Crufts, the current situation and life in Northumberland

The Sennybridge Farmers are celebrating their 75th anniversary this season. Stephen Robbins tells us something of the history and glorious country of this Welsh pack

The relentlessly positive spirit of the VWH hounds and their huntsman is infectious during a good day’s sport

Joe Stanley reflects on the farm’s winter jobs and examines the role that game shooting plays in the rural landscape

Tessa Waugh tries to distance herself from a fledgling romantic relationship, and while her needy steed doesn’t quite play ball and threatens to disrupt the proceedings, the lovebirds couldn’t care less