Traditions and Tensions, The Cottesmore Hunt Boxing Day Meet at Exton Hall

Traditions and Tensions, The Cottesmore Hunt Boxing Day Meet at Exton Hall

The Cottesmore Hunt is set to uphold its long-standing festive tradition by hosting its annual Boxing Day Meet at the historic Exton Hall in Rutland on Friday, December 26, 2025.

Starting at 11:00 am, the event offers members of the public an opportunity to meet the hounds and riders in the picturesque grounds of the hall. For many in the rural community, the meet remains a staple of the holiday season, characterised by stirrup cups and the spectacle of the pack gathering before heading out for the day's activities.

Beyond the pageantry, the event serves as a significant fundraiser for For Rutland. This local charity raises vital funds to pay for specialist advisers at Citizens Advice Rutland. These advisers provide free, confidential, and independent non-medical advice to people of all ages living with long-term health conditions across the county.

The Boxing Day meet is a cornerstone of the charity's calendar, typically raising between £1,200 and £1,500 annually through collections. For those seeking further details on the event or how to contribute, the hunt has invited inquiries via Clare Bell at 07854 587366.

The choice of Exton Hall as a venue follows years of logistical and political shifts. The Cottesmore Hunt has not held its annual meet in Oakham for several years. This change occurred after Oakham Town Council, followed by Rutland County Council, refused the hunt permission to use public land for the gathering, reflecting a growing national debate over the presence of hunts in town centers.

The legal framework for hunting changed permanently with the Hunting Act 2004, which came into force in February 2005. The Act prohibited the hunting of wild mammals with dogs, leading hunts across the UK to adopt "trail hunting"—following an artificial scent—as a legal alternative.

In the years following the ban, the Cottesmore Hunt has frequently been in the spotlight regarding legal and criminal matters:

• Animal Welfare Cases: In 2021, a former member, Sarah Moulds, was filmed striking a horse. While she was later acquitted of animal cruelty charges in 2023, the incident drew international condemnation.

• Public Order & Assault: In early 2024, several "hunt stewards" associated with the Cottesmore were arrested following allegations of violence against protesters. Recent convictions include two men charged with assault following an opening meet at Knossington in October 2024.

• Road Safety & Accidents: The hunt has also faced scrutiny over incidents involving hounds on public roads, including a 2018 accident where ten hounds were killed.

The hunt remains a primary target for the Northants Hunt Saboteurs, who are a frequent presence at Cottesmore events. A common allegation from the group—and one echoed by many anti-hunt organizations—is that the Cottesmore "don't actually lay a trail." Protesters often claim that "trail hunting" is merely a "smokescreen" used to continue illegal fox hunting under the guise of a legal activity.

The tradition of the Boxing Day meet faces its most significant threat yet. The UK Government recently announced an Animal Welfare Strategy (published in December 2025) which includes plans to ban trail hunting entirely in England and Wales.

Ministers have argued that the practice has been used to bypass the original 2004 ban. If this legislation passes, the 2025 Boxing Day meet at Exton Hall could be among the last of its kind, marking a definitive end to a centuries-old chapter of British rural life.