Our History
Over a Century of Heritage, Horsemanship & Fellowship
The history of the Royal Artillery Hunt is closely intertwined with that of the Royal Regiment of Artillery and the military community of Salisbury Plain. From its earliest beginnings in 1907, the Hunt has witnessed two World Wars, the changing role of horses within the Armed Forces and more than a century of social and sporting tradition.
Through times of peace and conflict, generations of officers, riders, huntsmen and supporters have helped preserve the Hunt's distinctive character, united by their appreciation of horses, hounds and the countryside.
The following chapters trace the remarkable story of the Royal Artillery Hunt, from its origins as a pack of harriers at Bulford to the organisation we know today.
A history shaped by service, sustained by tradition and carried forward through fellowship.
Our Story
The Royal Artillery Hunt holds a distinctive place in British hunting history. Established in 1907 and proudly associated with the Royal Regiment of Artillery, the Hunt has maintained its traditions through more than a century of change.
Based in Wiltshire, with strong ties to Salisbury Plain and the military community, the Hunt brings together people from all walks of life through a shared enthusiasm for hounds, horses, the countryside and the fellowship of the hunting field.
Although our military heritage remains central to our identity, the Royal Artillery Hunt is equally proud of its civilian followers and supporters. The Hunt welcomes serving and former members of the Armed Forces, their families, civilian riders and those wishing to discover the enjoyment of following hounds for the first time.
Early Years
1903 - 1914
The origins of the Royal Artillery Hunt can be traced to the early years of the twentieth century, when officers of the Royal Artillery stationed on Salisbury Plain enjoyed hunting with the harrier pack belonging to Mr Arthur Ernest Hussey, whose kennels were situated at Netheravon.
Records suggest that Royal Artillery officers were following Hussey's hounds as early as 1903. However, our history begins in 1907 when Mr Hussey generously presented his pack to the officers of the Royal Artillery stationed at Bulford, formally establishing what became known as the Royal Artillery (Bulford) Harriers.
Thus began a unique sporting tradition that would become closely woven into the life of the Royal Artillery and the military community of Salisbury Plain.
First World War
Service, Sacrifice & the End of an Era
The outbreak of the First World War in 1914 brought profound changes to the Royal Artillery Hunt and to the military community of Salisbury Plain. For the Royal Artillery, horses were essential to military life, providing the power to move guns, ammunition and equipment, whilst also serving as mounts for officers and mounted personnel. Horsemanship was deeply embedded in the traditions and daily work of the Regiment.
As Britain mobilised for war, artillery officers and men departed for military service and vast numbers of horses were required for the war effort. Across the Western Front, horses endured extraordinary hardship, hauling guns and supplies through difficult terrain, often under appalling conditions.
Back at Bulford, the consequences of war were felt equally keenly. With so many of the Hunt's supporters away on military duties and severe shortages of food affecting the country, maintaining the pack became increasingly difficult.
Arthur Ernest Hussey, founder of the Royal Artillery (Bulford) Harriers, had himself joined the Wiltshire Regiment and continued his association with the Hunt. Nevertheless, by 1917, wartime privations had become so severe that he was compelled to put down his beloved pack of harriers. The loss marked the end of the Hunt's first chapter, but not the end of its traditions. The war had demonstrated both the extraordinary contribution of the military horse and the resilience of the men who served alongside them.
When peace returned in 1918, the determination to restore the Royal Artillery Hunt remained, and within a year the sound of hounds would once again be heard on Salisbury Plain.
Rebuilding
1919 - 1939
With the return of peace in 1918, the Royal Artillery was determined to revive its hunting traditions on Salisbury Plain.
Throughout the interwar years, hunting once again became an important part of the sporting and social life of the Royal Artillery. Officers and their horses returned to the hunting field, where horsemanship, camaraderie and the enjoyment of following hounds were firmly established traditions.
The opening meets were traditionally celebrated at Bulford Mess, reflecting the close relationship between the Hunt and military life.
In 1934, new kennels were constructed at Bulford, providing a permanent home for the pack and marking another important chapter in the Hunt's development.
Survival & Change
1939 - 1946
The outbreak of the Second World War once again interrupted the traditions of the Royal Artillery Hunt. With officers and men departing for military service, horses requisitioned for the war effort and severe restrictions on resources, maintaining the Hunt became increasingly difficult.
Much of the harrier pack was lost, although a small number of hounds survived. General John Frost helped preserve the remaining hounds by bringing the Quarme Harriers from Exmoor to Bulford, where they joined the surviving Royal Artillery pack.
Wartime feeding restrictions eventually led to the introduction of foxhounds, which qualified for feed allocations because of their recognised role in livestock protection. Through determination and resourcefulness, the Hunt survived another period of extraordinary hardship, emerging from the war with a renewed future and a developing tradition of hunting with foxhounds.
Living Heritage
1946 to the Present Day
In the autumn of 1946, the pack gained recognition from the Master of Foxhounds Association, marking its establishment as a foxhound pack.
Through the following decades, generations of military and civilian riders continued to enjoy the traditions of the hunting field, developing their horsemanship and forging friendships across the countryside of Wiltshire and Salisbury Plain.
The introduction of the Hunting Act 2004 brought significant change, and the Hunt adapted its activities to continue within the law. Today, the Royal Artillery Hunt follows pre-laid artificial scent trails through drag hunting, preserving the enjoyment of riding across country and watching hounds work.
Whilst much has changed since 1907, the spirit of the Royal Artillery Hunt endures. Its proud military heritage, commitment to horsemanship, respect for the countryside and sense of fellowship remain at the heart of the Hunt.