The Field October 2019

FIELDSPORTS are a way of life. They exist under an umbrella nomenclature that might suggest to the uninitiated that hunting, shooting and fishing are merely sports for sport’s sake, but we know different. The skills and instincts required to become proficient in any of these disciplines takes years to hone, and beginning in childhood is an advantage. What this means for us as a community is that each new person who engages with a fieldsport needs support. The newcomer will have to invest considerable time, energy and financial resources just to get started in pheasant shooting or deer stalking, for example, as compared to many other sports or pastimes, presenting a high barrier to entry. “Every one of us must foster the burgeoning interest of newcomers” High barriers to entry…

THERE is a disarming honesty about the work of Jack Fetherstonhaugh. His horses are the type that have their noses kissed rather than performing pirouettes and piaffes. A spaniel, frankly, could do with grooming and a terrier glares out of the canvas with a belligerent stare that says: “I have either just been up to something or am about to be.” Fetherstonhaugh confirms this was indeed the case: “That was Bella, a very troublesome dog. That dog would not sit still for a second. In the end we had to photograph her with someone holding her down on the bench. And the family’s toddler was running off and the removal men were in. It was chaos. But that was one I really enjoyed doing, and I think it is one…

IJF’s Sir Peter O’Sullevan centre opens The third Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) rehabilitation centre will be opened officially in Newmarket on 11 October. Sir Peter O’Sullevan House, named after the late commentator, completes a triology of IJF centres: Oaksey House in Lambourn, which opened in 2009, and Jack Berry House in Malton, North Yorkshire, which opened in 2015. The charity’s patron, HRH The Princess Royal, presided over the previous opening ceremonies but 20 times champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy will officiate on this occasion. The £6m centre, which has taken a year to build, has state-of-the-art rehabilitation and fitness facilities, including a gym and a hydrotherapy pool. “It’s unbelievable that we now have three rehabilitation and fitness centres around the country that help and support jockeys both during and after…

STUBBS ON SHOW An exhibition of more than 80 Stubbs’ paintings and drawings – opening on 12 October at the MK Gallery – is one of the broadest for decades. A rare loan of the National Gallery’s Whistlejacket is on show along with groundbreaking forensic drawings of horses. These are displayed with a skeleton of Eclipse, the legendary 18th-century thoroughbred and progenitor of more than 90% of subsequent racehorses. Stubbs’ paintings of Eclipse can also be seen. The exhibition, George Stubbs: ‘all done from Nature’, runs until 26 January at the MK Gallery in Milton Keynes. Tel 01908 676900; www.mkgallery.org GOOSE MEAT SALE EXTENDED Goose meat is being sold across Scotland until 31 October after Scottish Natural Heritage extended the licence for a trial period. The sale of goose meat…

24 Sept-19 Annual Maritime Exhibition Rountree Tryon Gallery, Market Square, Petworth, West Sussex. Tel01798 344207;www.rountreetryon.com 1 Improve Your Game Shooting Day Barbury Shooting School, Barbury Castle, Wroughton, Swindon, Wiltshire. BASC members £85, non members £105. Tel01244 573018; basc.org.uk/events 3-6 The Northern Antiques Fair Harrogate Convention Centre, North Yorkshire. More than 40 specialist dealers. Tel01797 252030;www.northernfair.com 5-6 Autumn Show & Game Fair Ardingly, West Sussex. Tel01444 892700;www.seas.org.uk 9-10 Dummer Fair Dummer Cricket Ground, Hampshire. In aid of Treloar School for Disabled Young People. www.dummerfair.org.uk 9-13 Chelsea History Festival Talks, concert and family activities. www.chelseahistoryfestival.com 11-12 York Races: October Finale (Friday is Countryside Day) York Racecourse. Tel01904 620911;www.yorkracecourse.co.uk 12-13 British National Ploughing Championships & Country Festival Nocton, Lincolnshire. Tel01302 852469;www.ploughmen.co.uk 13 Apple Day Blackmoor Estate, Liss, Hampshire. Free event in aid of…

MOST VIEWED Butt to burst An outtake from our August issue shoot report at Danby Moor has become our most-liked Instagram post. Andy Hook’s superb photograph captured a Landy filled with eager labradors and spaniels. “A truckload of goodness right there,” enthused one Fielder. “Everyone breathe in, we’ve got a Jack Russell to fit in that gap,” joked another. Many shared pictures of their own boots bursting with gundogs but this picture from the moor was a particular favourite. #THEFIELDMAGAZINE Hand luggage Fielders are known to stow the latest issue in their hand luggage, to ensure the sporting field never feels too far away when they are in sunnier climes. This Fielder had a slightly different set up for the start of the season, though no less glorious. “A truly…