Draghunt TEAM

Nick Quesnel – Chairman

Nick is our Chairman and also a trustee of the Berks and Bucks Draghounds. He hosts a popular hound exercise early in the season from his home Blandy’s Farm. He also runs our Point to Point in May.

 

Andrew van Oostrum – Joint Master & huntsman

Andrew has been a Master for the Berks and Bucks Draghounds since 2017 and brings 30 years of draghound pack experience with him. He owns an import business as well as running a small stud/livery yard and breeding working and show Hungarian Vizslas in his spare time.

 

 

Victoria Ruffy – Joint Master

Victoria Ruffy joined us in 2023 after a season travelling across packs in the South East and before that as a director at the Staff College Drag for a number of years. Alongside draghunting, Vic runs the PR agency Little Red Rooster where she represents many brands including Ariat, Marshall and Smeg. With her husband Christian she runs a small holding at their home in Oxfordshire. Her daughter Grace can also be found in the field with her cousin Ava – the next generation! Always on good form on the draghunting field and never without a unique concoction in her hip flask Victoria always has time for a chat with our followers.

 

Sue Jannaway – Joint Master

Sue Jannaway joined the Mastership in 2024. Sue has been around horses since she was eight having discovered that the local riding school would let her help in return for rides. Coming from a none horsey family, she was never sure where her passion for these animals came from. Having always where possible followed the draghounds on every horse that could be used.  Now having bought on her now seven year old ex flat race horse Buzz to be so far an amazing draghunt horse. Sue is normally found looking after a little string  of “Ducklings“ whenever out as she’s happy to be there to help the next generation of draghunters to learn and enjoy our sport. When not draghunting Sue is farming or teaching which is often why when out you will hear her called either ‘super sue’, ‘auntie sewage’ or ‘Suey’!!!! Sue is passionate about keeping our draghounds happy and in the job they are born to do.

 

Holly dunham-shortt – JOINT Hon secretary & field master

Holly hunts with her daughter Ava and is sister to our joint master Victoria. In fact she is the one responsible for getting Victoria into it! It’s a real family affair with the two young girls Grace (Victoria’s daughter) and Ava, and then Holly and Victoria’s Father Wolfie, helping transport hounds. Always very welcoming to all members if you are thinking of coming out, get in touch.

JENNY ROBERTS – JOINT Hon secretary

Jenny and her mare Nina started with the Berks and Bucks for a single day in the 22/23 season. Instantly hooked by the friendly welcome, they returned for a full season 24/25. They can be found almost anywhere in the field, either giving leads over hedges or enjoying some chatter at the back with the Ducklings. Jenny is keen to help keep the sport going for all, including the future
generations.

Kate Honey – Field master

Kate has fearlessly fieldmastered for the Berks and Bucks Draghounds since 2018. When not leading the field Kate is a successful professional eventer, competing up to 5* level and has ridden at Badminton.

Richard Spanswick – The HoundFather and Scent Wizard

Richard has been looking after and out for our draghounds for thirty years as well as cooking up our completely man made artificial scent, thus making sure the draghounds stick to the drag line and speak from start to finish. If you want to find him at a meet, find the draghounds and he’ll be in the middle of them !

Draghunt Ground Crew

As you can imagine, running a draghunting day needs an army of helpers and volunteers moving quads, draghounds and actually laying the drag lines ! (We are always looking for more helpers !!!)

Dave Roberts

Dave started out as a Groom and driving assistant to his wife Jenny. He soon realised snoozing in the car meant he was missing out all the fun so is now involved with hound transport and quadding. He really enjoys the time with the hounds and can usually be found at tea afterwards!