Master (2002) & Huntsman - Jeremy Whaley
Jeremy started hunting hounds with foxhounds in 1979 as amateur huntsman to the New Forest Hounds, which he did for three years, before becoming Joint Master and huntsman in 1984 of the same pack, and then continued there for further 4 years. From there he went to the Chiddingfold Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt in 1988 for 6 years as Joint Master and huntsman. It was then up to Scotland in 1994 where he became Joint Master and huntsman of the Berwickshire Hunt where he continued to hunt foxes until 2003. In 2002 he also started his own pack of bloodhounds which became known as the Borders Bloodhounds in 2003. In 2005 Jeremy had to move south for personal reasons and he brought the hounds with him and renamed them, The South Downs Bloodhounds
Asked whether he prefers foxhounds or bloodhounds Jeremy says "I enjoy hunting hounds and seeing them work - what they hunt is irrelevant to me. All forms of hunting have their similarities, but it is their differences which make them special to those who follow hounds. I get just as annoyed by people who call foxhunting cruel as I do when I hear people call hunting the clean boot boring; neither is true and both statements are born out of ignorance."
Master (2007) - Mark Stent
Mark no longer rides to hounds, but he plays a major role in developing our country and provides vital on the ground support on hunting days. He can often be seen with a tired or injured hound in the back of his vehicle! Mark lives with his wife Nicky, at Park Farm Avington, which he farms with his son Robert. Mark is a very experienced hunting man, having hunted with 3 Packs of Staghounds, 3 Packs of Buckhounds, 20 Packs of Foxhounds, 6 Packs of Harriers & Draghounds, 13 Packs of Beagles & Basset hounds, 4 Packs of Otter & Mink hounds. He was also a Joint Master of the New Forest Buckhounds and even had his own pack of harriers.
Mark was Chairman of the NFU for a couple of years, on the British Wool Marketing Board for 8 years, a Point to Point Steward and on the Alresford Show committee for 17 years - including Chairman of the horse section for a couple of years.There can be no better definition of the term "Country Gentleman", when it is said as a term of endearment, than Mark Stent. His knowledge of the countryside and farming is broad and deep.
Master (2008) - Alice Geaves
Alice started her riding life with the Cheshire Forest Pony Club and went on to hunt with the Cheshire Forest Foxhounds, The Cheshire Foxhounds, as well as having days with the Wynnstay Foxhounds and the Devon and Somerset Staghounds. Alice has an impeccable pedigree for a Master - her grandfather was a hunting vicar and Master of the Essex Foxhounds, as well as having other relations who have been MFHs. Alice had a break from hunting when she moved to London, got married and had two children; but on moving to Hampshire, she started riding again and with her daughter Rosie, has been out with a number of packs locally. As a riding Master, on hunting days when Alice is out, she will be able to communicate with the mounted followers more easily than Jeremy, as she does not have the hounds to worry about.
Hunt Club Chairman and Acting Field Master - Gill Marks
Gill Marks is our Acting Field Master for the 2008 - 2009 Season. Gill will in particular be looking after those who want to jump - those who don't want to jump will either be catered for by someone else, or told how to get round obstacles when it is not obvious.
Gill is an enthusiatic supporter of the bloodhounds and has taken on the role of co-ordinating the hunt's fund raising activities through the Hunt Club. Due to an arm injury, Gill had to centent herself with sitting on the back of a quad bike for the 2007 - 2008 season. Now back to strength, she is looking foward to giving people a lead across the country. Gill is well known locally, has a good eye for country and is a brave and competent rider; all qualities that make for a good Field Master. One word of advice for would be "thrusters;" follow her instructions - she doesn't take prisoners!
Honorary Hunt Secretary and Treasurer - Mrs Fran Baker
Fran is our terrifyingly efficient Hunt Secretary and Treasurer. Fran is frequently someone's first point of contact with the hunt and she is always happy to explain to people what is involved in having a day with the SDB. Fran has ridden since the age of 9 and hunted with various packs of foxhounds. Fran still rides, but is usually more involved as ground support for the Quarries and hounds on hunting days.
Amateur Whipper-in - Kim Thayer
Kim started hunting with the South Downs Bloodhounds on her pony Nancy. As well being a competant rider, the Master quickly recognised Kim's interest in the way hounds worked. Kim was asked to help whip-in and soon proved to be very natural at handling hounds. When Kim's feet started to make furrows in the ground while on Nancy, her parents found a new horse for her - Rupert. Kim is now a great asset for the hunt and has a quick eye for any potential problem out hunting.
