The Cottesmore Hunt Opening Meet was held at Preston Lodge, near Braunston, a week or so earlier than usual, but still attracted an large mounted field and many foot followers who enjoyed the October sunshine.
I recognised visitors from the Quorn, Belvoir, Fernie, Pytchley and Warwickshire hunts, to name but a few.
This year the Cottesmore Hunt are celebrating 350 years since Viscount Lowther brought his own pack of hounds down from Cumbria to hunt his family's land in the East Midlands and the pack was founded. As part of a number of planned celebrations the Vicar of the village of Cottesmore was invited to the meet and took pleasure in blessing the hounds at the start of the season.
Leaving the meet, the hounds followed a trail which took them round Cheseldyne Spinney and down beside the Wisp and the village of Knossington. Hounds then headed up towards Wilson's and then towards Braunston before completing a loop back to Wilson's in time to change horses.
For the full set of images please follow this link - Cottesmore Hunt Opening Meet 2016.
