Hugh Robards cubhunting with the Rolling Rock HuntTalk about experience. Hugh Robards has spent fifty-three years in hunt service. He whipped-in to some of the legendary huntsmen in England—Brian Gupwell at the Eridge (later to become huntsman for the Duke of Beaufort), Percy Durno and Captain Ronnie Wallace at the Heythrop, and Charlie Wilkin at the Wynnstay.
Upon Captain Wallace’s recommendation to Lord Daresbury, MFH of the County Limerick Foxhounds, Hugh moved to Ireland to take up his first post as huntsman. There he remained for twenty-seven seasons showing world-class sport to the Irish—none keener—and visiting sportsmen and women from around the globe.
After parting from the Limerick, he came to the U.S. to help rebuild the Rolling Rock Hunt (PA), remaining there as Master and huntsman until 2007. From Rolling Rock he moved to the Saxonburg Hunt (PA) where he served as huntsman until coming to the Middleburg Hunt last year as first whipper-in to huntsman Barry Magner. (Barry is moving to Australia this season, and we hope to catch our readers up with him in another article.)
“Hugh continually reinvents himself because of his love for his work,” said Juli Robards, his wife. “Transcending change is one of his great qualities, and I’m unabashedly one of his biggest fans!”
Those who have hunted behind him are big fans as well. Tony Leahy, who grew up in Ireland, is first vice-president of the MFHA and serves as Master and huntsman of the Fox River Valley Hunt (IL). “Hugh is without question one of the best huntsmen I’ve seen,” said Tony. “I remember hunting behind him at Limerick, and I’ve seen him do amazing things!”
Irish-born Tony Gammell, huntsman for the Keswick Hunt (VA), whipped-in to Hugh at County Limerick. “Robards is the finest huntsman I have ever seen at work,” he said.
Robards, who left school to enter hunt service at the age of fifteen, is the author of two of the most popular and best-selling books published by The Derrydale Press in the last half century. His memoir, Foxhunting in England, Ireland, and North America, is out of print. (It is available on Amazon in used condition, but a buyer will have to part with over $200.00 to get it.) There are huntsmen who insist that their whippers-in read the book before the start of cubhunting.
His more recent book, still in print, is titled Foxhunting: How to Watch and Listen. There are Masters who insist that every new field member read that one.
Hugh expresses genuine respect for departing Middleburg huntsman, Barry Magner, whom he knew in Ireland. “Barry has done sterling work with the Middleburg foxhounds in the five years that he has been here, to make a great working, deer-proof pack,” said Hugh. “And his good relations with the landowners has made it possible for him to put in many hunt jumps, making the country more accessible.
“When Barry asked me to whip-in to him last season, I took the opportunity to have the pleasure of hunting in the Virginia countryside, and I am most grateful to him that it has resulted in me being put on as the Middleburg huntsman.”
Hugh readily admits that he is in the autumn of his prime, but there can be no doubt that he has much to contribute to the Middleburg Hunt in terms of execution in the near term, and training, looking to the longer term. What a prime opportunity for a whipper-in looking forward to his or her own future!
Posted May 2, 2014
Hugh Robards has been a member of Foxhunting Life’s Panel of Experts since our first appearance on the World Wide Web, and we remain grateful for the wisdom and help he has so generously given. -Ed.
Hugh Robards at the Saxonburg Hunt / Heidi Walker photo