Huntsman Guy Allman leads the Blue Ridge pack on summer exercise with (l-r) whipper-in Neil Amatt and Albert Anderson behind. / Anne McIntosh photo
The Blue Ridge Hunt will have a new look up front when hounds take to the field for the upcoming season. Huntsman Guy Allman and first whipper-in Neil Amatt—both English-born—comprise an all-new professional hunt staff. The two men and the Blue Ridge pack of English and Crossbred foxhounds have spent the summer months getting to know each other and establishing a working relationship.
Guy arrived at the Blue Ridge kennels in May directly from England after twelve years as huntsman to the Mid Devon (UK). He has spent this very hot summer immersed in the task of establishing the Blue Ridge pack as his. Neil arrived just recently—within the month—from the Midland Fox Hounds (GA) where he has served for the past five seasons as kennel huntsman.
For a period of three weeks before Neil arrived, Guy had no professional staff to help him with hounds. Anne McIntosh—the Master in charge of staff—worked with him every day through that difficult period, and he credits her with helping him make the most progress.
“I didn’t know how it would go,” said Guy, “but Anne did exactly what I asked, and those three weeks were the best training period of the entire summer…just the two of us. Now we’re ready to start hunting!”
Guy Allman was huntsman at the Mid Devon (UK) for twelve seasons.Guy and Neil worked their way up the ladder through the traditional English apprenticeship system with first class hunting establishments. In fact both share hunt service at the Heythrop under Anthony Adams, one of England’s foremost professional huntsman of the period, although at different times.
Guy began his career as second whipper-in to the Portman, and then served in that capacity with the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray under Master and huntsman Nigel Peel. When Peel moved to the North Cotswold, he took Guy along and promoted him to kennel huntsman there.
[Nigel Peel is a well known figure in the U.S. having judged hound shows here on many occasions. A superb judge of foxhounds, a most entertaining speaker, and a true foxhunting authority, Nigel has graciously served on Foxhunting Life’s Panel of Experts ever since we went online, answering questions from our readers.]
From the North Cotswold, Guy moved to the Heythrop as first whipper-in to huntsman Anthony Adams, thence to the Golden Valley as kennel huntsman, and finally to the Mid Devon where he hunted hounds for twelve seasons.
Why did you decide to come here? I asked.
“I wanted a new challenge,” he said…grinning, because we both know he’s got that.
At one point during the summer, Albert Anderson, an enthusiastic new foxhunter and recent addition to the Blue Ridge field, asked Guy if he needed help. Albert wanted to learn more about hounds, and the pair discovered that they share an interest in motor bikes.
“I told him, ‘Sure, come on,’ and he’s been terrific,” said Guy. “Albert is smart, enthusiastic, and eager to learn. He’s been a great help this summer.”
First whipper-in Neil AmattNeil Amatt, the most recent addition to the Blue Ridge staff, grew up in Newmarket where his father was professional huntsman to the Thurlow. Neil’s first position was as second whipper-in to huntsman Anthony Adams at the Heythrop. He remained there for four seasons after which he moved to the Fernie as first whipper-in. After three seasons there, at age twenty-four, he came to the Midland as kennel huntsman to Mason Lampton, MFH and huntsman.
Neil acknowledges that he might have been too young to assume that responsibility, and he is satisfied to step back and whip-in for a time once more before thrusting himself back into the pressure-packed job of huntsman. But that’s where he wants to go, without doubt.
He describes the July crosses at Midland as eager coyote hounds and admits to really enjoying hunting that quarry.
“I’m a coyote man now!” Neil says. “And I like being in the States and able to hunt freely without worrying about looking over my shoulder for animal rights activists and hunt saboteurs.”
Posted August 16, 2012