The Isle of Wight Foxhounds are a hunt based at Gatcombe. The Isle of Wight Foxhounds meet at least once a week from late summer to the end of March. The hunt allows some followers either mounted or on foot. The masters are Mr A Blest and Mr Malcolm Purcell. The huntsman is Mr Charlie Watts.
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History
Up until 1845 the Isle of Wight was hunted by the Crockford Harriers. The pack, which had been kennelled at Marvel, near Newport, was sold in 1845 to become the Prince of Wales' Harriers. This opened the door for the beginning of the Isle of Wight Foxhounds, which were originally established by a group of gentleman including Mr Ben Cotton and Henry Nunn. The hounds remained kenneled at Marvel. In 1864 the pack moved to Appuldurcombe, Wroxall and to Afton House, Freshwater for three years from 1877. From 1920 to 1927 they were kennelled at Wootton, from where they moved to Gatcombe, where they remain to date.
Events
Yearly the hunt holds the Isle of Wight Grand National and Ashey Scurry, an amateur horse race.