Who we are
The Berks and Bucks Draghounds were founded in 1974 by the late Roger Palmer. Roger’s love of draghunting started at University when he rode with the Cambridge Drag. Such was his determination that on his first day as whipper-in, he reputedly fell off at every jump. Involved in every aspect of the Berks and Bucks Draghounds, Palmer relished the drive, the scenting power and the music of the pack. As the huntsman himself, he knew every individual hound’s characteristics, and became a successful and knowledgeable breeder.
Like many keen field sportsmen, Palmer was dedicated to the conservation of the country and of country life. As chairman of the Country Sports and Conservation area at the Royal County of Berkshire Show, Newbury, he promoted fly-fishing, dry-stone walling and hound demonstrations.
Always full of energy and drive – and sometimes a little impatient of others with less – he found time to organise draghunt balls, point-to-points and sponsored rides to support the draghounds. He once narrowly avoided crashing his car when attempting, while at the wheel, to change his shoes for riding boots.
Our stunning black and tan hounds are very distinctive and originate from Dumfriesshire Hounds, that we have bred for 50 years to follow a drag scent.
The Berks and Bucks Draghounds are well known for their inviting jumps with provision for easier alternatives.
Draghunt Staff
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
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.
Kate Honey – joint 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.
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.
James mitchell – Joint Master
James joined the Mastership in 2017 and brings over 30 years experience as Whip and Master from the Staff College Drag. While not draghunting and helping to prepare our country, James attempts to renovate domestic properties, make furniture and looks after his two rescue dawgs.
Connor Gray – Huntsman
Connor joined the Berks and Bucks in 2024 as our amateur Huntsman.
Holly dunham-shortt – Hon secretary
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.
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 !!!)
Wolfie Shortt, Cameron Cairns & Dave Roberts
Help us moving the draghounds around in the B&B Mystery Machine…
Matt Tanner, sara van oostrum, Cameron Cairns & Dave Roberts
Help us either running or ‘quadding’ (!) across the country dragging the very very smelly bag….