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

NATIONAL CHAMPION AND 1950s RACING PIONEER

H&H’s hunting editor Catherine Austen ponders the lasting impressions that influential hunting people can make on us

Following her retirement, Helen Rowe, 70, from Benfleet, Essex, took some wise words to heart – with very positive results

Although she might not look completely conventional, Spotty is practically perfect in every way and “knows her job”. In fact, she’s so versatile anyone can ride her