HISTORY

The traditional Cumbrian sport of Hound Trailing originated in the 18^th century, when two members of the fox hunting fraternity argued over a pint as to who had the fastest hound. Eventually a scent of paraffin, aniseed and oil was introduced, hence the start of hound trailing.  Beatrix Potter refers to days out viewing hound trails in her diaries of 1895.

In the beginning there was only one association being the Hound Trail Association (H.T.A.).  However, in 1933 some members from Haltwhistle and Brampton districts got together.  Attending the first meeting were Messrs J E Graham of Greenhead, J Campbell of Brampton, B Charlton of Tarset, W E Roper and Mr R Graham of Kirklinton.  At this meeting it was decided to form an association which would commence training activities in 1934.  The meeting was followed by another meeting held in Haltwhistle and Brampton, committees were formed at these meetings and it was decided to call the new association the Border Hound Trailing Association (B.H.T.A.).

These are still the two main associations, the HTA being the larger of the two and mainly based in the West of Cumbria. The Border area covers Northumberland, South West Scotland and Carlisle.  Both associations have the same problem of keeping going - trying to attract new members. Unfortunately with older members passing on attracting younger members is a problem -  unless born into families that have used hounds for trailing all their lives.

There are also other associations, the YHTA (Yorkshire), which is very scattered and two in Ireland County Cork and County Kerry.

The highlight of the BHTA season is the Langholm Common Riding (held annually at the end of July), where the hounds are ‘slipped’ at 6.30am being the first event of the day.  Trailing began there in 1845 but has only been recorded since 1856

There is also an international where every association is invited to compete against each other and this year, 2006, Castle Lodge won the open restricted with 54 hounds taking part.

HISTORY

The traditional Cumbrian sport of Hound Trailing originated in the 18^th century, when two members of the fox hunting fraternity argued over a pint as to who had the fastest hound. Eventually a scent of paraffin, aniseed and oil was introduced, hence the start of hound trailing.  Beatrix Potter refers to days out viewing hound trails in her diaries of 1895.

In the beginning there was only one association being the Hound Trail Association (H.T.A.).  However, in 1933 some members from Haltwhistle and Brampton districts got together.  Attending the first meeting were Messrs J E Graham of Greenhead, J Campbell of Brampton, B Charlton of Tarset, W E Roper and Mr R Graham of Kirklinton.  At this meeting it was decided to form an association which would commence training activities in 1934.  The meeting was followed by another meeting held in Haltwhistle and Brampton, committees were formed at these meetings and it was decided to call the new association the Border Hound Trailing Association (B.H.T.A.).

These are still the two main associations, the HTA being the larger of the two and mainly based in the West of Cumbria. The Border area covers Northumberland, South West Scotland and Carlisle.  Both associations have the same problem of keeping going - trying to attract new members. Unfortunately with older members passing on attracting younger members is a problem -  unless born into families that have used hounds for trailing all their lives.

There are also other associations, the YHTA (Yorkshire), which is very scattered and two in Ireland County Cork and County Kerry.

The highlight of the BHTA season is the Langholm Common Riding (held annually at the end of July), where the hounds are ‘slipped’ at 6.30am being the first event of the day.  Trailing began there in 1845 but has only been recorded since 1856.

There is also an international where every association is invited to compete against each other and this year, 2006, Castle Lodge won the open restricted with 54 hounds taking part.

START OF TRAIL AT LODGE GILL

HOUNDS AT THE START