THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

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Contents 04 WELCOME Stable events managing director James Gower reveals records were broken at both the GWCT Scottish and Ragley Hall Game Fairs in 2025 and looks back at both glorious events.

06 OUR CHOSEN CHARITIES As the official charity of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers, The Gunmakers’ Trust supports the British gunmaking industry while the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust continues to preserve habitats.

08 A RECORD GWCT SCOTTISH GAME FAIR Crowds flocked to the GWCT Scottish Game Fair as a record-breaking Saturday attendance reinforced the event’s position as the premier countryside celebration north of the border.

12 THANK YOU SPONSORS The GWCT Scottish Game Fair would not be the success it is without the tremendous support it receives each year. Let’s hear it for our amazing 2025 sponsors!

14 RAGLEY HALL Once again Ragley Hall’s 450 acres of Warwickshire provided the stunning backdrop for The Game Fair 2025. The home of the 9th Marquess of Hertford, it’s a modern estate with history at its heart.

16 FAMOUS FACES AT THE GAME FAIR 2025 Stars from TV and film, including Vinnie Jones, Jimmy Doherty, Merlin Griffiths and Jeremy Wade joined a cast of countless thousands to bring fun, laughter and entertainment to The Game Fair 2025.

22 THANK YOU SPONSORS The Game Fair always gets the backing of key players across the vast range of industries we cover. We feel it’s only right to acknowledge this support and say thank you for their involvement.

24 ART AT THE HEART OF THE GAME FAIR Art Avenue was a new, vibrant and dedicated space within the showground at Ragley Hall, celebrating countryside creativity and crafts, while LAPADA has championed art and antiques for many years.

26 THE PERILS OF FIREARMS LICENSING With all the talk about the medical requirements for firearms licensing, MedCert – the expert in the field who invented the third party process of proforma completion – is uniquely positioned to dispel a few myths about the subject.

30 COMPETITIONS Every year the incredible competitions at The Game Fair showcase the very best countrysports skills in a wide variety of pursuits we all know and love. The 2025 edition was no different.

32 WELLIGOGS LADIES’ DAY The Game Fair always attracts the well-heeled and the well-dressed and Friday is when the event celebrates stylish lady visitors, with Welligogs’ Ladies’ Day. Who caught the judges’ eyes this year?

36 SHOOTING COMPETITIONS The Game Fair shoot line always draws competitors from far and wide for some of the toughest challenges in the sport.

E J Churchill brings its own event-themed layouts together with CPSA county and colts contests.

38 EUROS AND HPR Gundogs are such a big part of The Game Fair. The popular Euro Challenge and the HPR Home International gather the cream of the crop from competing nations.

39 HOME INTERNATIONAL Always hotly contested, the Home International brings together English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish dogs and

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handlers for an exciting team event for spaniels and retrievers, which the crowds love.

40 MINORITY REPORT The Minority Gundog Breed Challenge is designed as a celebration of heritage breeds, showcasing expert handling and communication, not to mention a true sporting spirit. Who picked up the prizes?

42 SCOTTISH COMPETITIONS The GWCT Scottish Game Fair always exudes pride, passion and the pursuit of perfection and nowhere was this more evident than in the abundance of competitions at Scone Palace.

44 FISHING COMPETITIONS Set on the beautiful estate lake at Ragley Hall, there are few better venues for the British Fly Casting Club (BFCC)’s three days of competitions or Castpro’s innovative Baitcasting contest.

46 BASC AT THE GAME FAIRS The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) is a huge supporter of both Game Fairs and loves engaging with members, partner organisations, politicians and the wider public.

48 CARTER JONAS GAME FAIR THEATRE After a year of anti-countryside policies, the theatre programme was a chance to quiz politicians on farm taxes, lead ammunition and hunting while famous faces from sport, TV and film also took to the stage.

50 SEE YOU NEXT YEAR! With Ragley Hall once again confirmed as the venue for The Game Fair 2026, excitement is already building as the organising team plans for next summer.

Have you booked your ticket yet?

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Welcome to the Game Fair 2025 review T

he summer is such a joyful time for everyone living, working or simply enjoying the countryside and there’s no better way to celebrate it than through The Game Fair and the GWCT Scottish Game Fair, which once again produced records galore.

Both The Game Fair and GWCT Scottish Game Fair attracted more visitors than ever; in Ragley’s case across the three days while Scone Palace recorded its highest Saturday visitor numbers.

But these events are more than just a celebration of our countryside, they are a vital meeting point for everyone working or playing on our land and in our lakes and rivers.

And, as you’ll read in our annual review of these two true institutions over the coming pages, they are a platform for conversation and, often, change as government ministers join forces with famous faces and key associations like the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and the British

Association for Shooting and Conservation, among others.

The trade stands bustled with activity while experts got down to battle with competitions for shooting, fly casting, working dogs, horses and ponies and many more .

The atmosphere was full of excitement as visitors flocked to see the latest products, enjoy sumptuous food and drink and watch competitions or demonstrations across key sectors like shooting, gundogs, fishing, falconry, land management, equestrian, traditional crafts, rare breeds and art, to name just a few.

With so much going on, it’s hard to keep abreast of everything these iconic events have to offer… so read on for a full review of both 2025 shows, as we look ahead to what 2026 will bring.

JAMES GOWER Managing Director, Stable Events

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Backing the trade The Gunmakers’ Trust A

s the official charity of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers, over the past 18 years The Gunmakers’ Trust has supported the British gunmaking industry with annual bursaries to fund four-year apprenticeships within the trade.

Selected as The Game Fair’s charity for 2025, the Trust – which was actually founded back in 2003 but has been awarding annual bursaries since 2007 – says they are designed to preserve the intricate skills of British gunmaking, which are all part of the trade’s rich heritage.

Skills like stocking, engraving, barrel making and actioning are being safeguarded by being passed down from generation to generation through this program.

Currently, the Trust is supporting up to 10 apprenticeships at a time, ensuring these traditional crafts are maintained and strengthened with modern know-how.

Following the record-breaking 2025 Game Fair, the organisers handed over £10,954 to the Trust, thanks to donations on the event’s website and via the box office.

Trustees chairman Robin Curtis said: “We attended the show as an exhibitor for the first time, enabling us to interact in a unique environment with the British gunmaking trade, fellow Liverymen and supporters of education and training at the grass roots level. I would like to personally and sincerely thank everybody who contributed.”

The Game Fair managing director James Gower added: “It was inspiring to see so many visitors engage with the Trust’s mission and contribute so generously.

To have raised such a fantastic amount through ticket donations is a testament to the strength of our community’s support for preserving British craftsmanship and investing in future generations of gunmakers. It’s exactly the kind of impact

we hoped this partnership would achieve.”

The Game Fair is looking to continue this partnership to establish long-term strategies, including international showcasing opportunities – such as a potential British Gunmaking Pavilion at the ADIHEX show in Abu Dhabi – and the development of new networking initiatives to unlock further funding and crossindustry collaboration.

GWCT in Scotland Meanwhile, the Scottish Game Fair is backed by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, which – for the past 80 years – has been working to ensure game, wildlife and their habitats thrive in the Scottish countryside, through research and demonstration.

Its research into species such as hares, wading birds and partridges helps land managers understand on how best to improve their shooting, farming and countryside biodiversity, its advice and education helps shape government policies on conservation while its active Deeside hill farm puts all of that research and insight into practice for land managers, policymakers and the public to see.

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Crowds flock to Scottish Game Fair as records tumble T

he pulling power of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair was in evidence once more at the start of July, as a record-breaking Saturday attendance reinforced the event’s position as the premier countryside celebration north of the border.

The final tally over the three days in the iconic grounds of Scone Palace of more than 34,000 included record numbers on the Saturday, aided in part by weather forecast-defying sunshine alongside a vibrant summer party atmosphere.

From the opening strains of pipe bands each morning to the “bagrock”of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and the ‘X-Factor” of Scotland Rocks to the myriad displays of country skills and crafts in the Main Arena, it was clear the event continues to cater for every taste.

Now in its 36th year, the Scottish Game Fair continues to dazzle with displays and

demonstrations covering everything from rare breeds and hill ponies to shooting, fishing, falconry, gundogs, horses and, of course, food and drink.

Celebrity chefs Tom Kitchin, Tony Singh and Pete Gottgens led the culinary charge

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across the weekend, alongside a wealth of other fine fare favourites.

Fulfilling its role of entertaining and education in equal measure, there was plenty of focus on countryside traditions, conservation and biodiversity while the event also served as a vital platform for rural businesses and wider conversations around sustainable habitat management through the Listen To The Land discussions. There were even screenings of a number of fly fishing films during the evenings.

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust team engaged with government representatives, landowners and key stakeholders to discuss the evolving needs of rural Scotland and the importance of effective conservation strategies.

Meanwhile, trade stands bustled with visitors keen to inspect and buy everything from shotguns and clothing to working and luxury vehicles, food, drink and a variety of rural services and crafts.

Another key tenet of the GWCT Scottish Game Fair is a wide variety of competitions, covering everything from working hill

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providing a vital platform to share and debate modern-day challenges. After 37 years, the fair is proving to be as relevant and robust as ever and its future is very bright indeed.”

The event underscored the fair’s evolving mission to protect Scotland’s rural way of life while innovating for a sustainable future as the conversations and connections made across the weekend will continue to drive meaningful actions within Scotland’s rural business communities.

The calendar also already been marked for next year at Scone Palace, with the GWCT Scottish Game Fair set to take place from July 3rd to 5th. ponies and working dogs to shooting, fly casting and a special Junior Macnab Challenge, bringing together the key skills of fly fishing, airguns and clay pigeon shooting for the next generation of countryside folk.

James Gower of organisers Stable Events said: “The GWCT Scottish Game Fair continues to provide a wonderful shop window for Scotland’s rural traditions, businesses, and countryside, whilst also

Businesses looking to showcase products or services and become part of Scotland’s leading countryside event in 2026 should contact David Gibson at Stable Events: david.gibson@thegamefair.org • FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.SCOTTISHFAIR.COM

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THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

A great time was had by all!

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Ragley - a modern estate with history at its heart

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he 2025 Game Fair once again took over a sizeable portion of Ragley Hall’s 450 acres of parkland near Alcester in Warwickshire.

The home of the 9th Marquess of Hertford provided an amazing backdrop for The Game Fair and this year’s impressive glamping area organised by Green Yurts.

While the house and surrounding gardens are the perfect location for events, filming and even weddings, it is the surrounding 5,600 acres of countryside that really tell the tale of the Ragley Estate.

This working estate combines a number of enterprises including mainstream and niche crop farming, commercial sheep, game and woodland businesses, with meat and game available through the estate’s butcher.

The current Marquess of Hertford has long been an advocate of what is now referred to as Regenerative Farming, characterised by a minimum tilling process to reduce soil disturbance and diesel usage, coupled with bi-cropping and a diverse portfolio of planting to minimise pesticide and herbicide use.

The farm is LEAF-marque certified, it complies with a global assurance system recognising more sustainably farmed products, while also being part of a national network of farmers and landowners growing for Wildfarmed, using no pesticides. Instead, it bi-crops wheat and beans to improve soil health and biodiversity.

A MANAGED APPROACH Around 500 acres has been taken out of crop production and dedicated to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme to benefit the environment and wildlife, including six-metre-wide, flower-rich field margins and a swathe of flowering plants to create pollen and nectar plots, providing food and shelter for birds, mammals and insects.

The estate also follows an integrated approach when it comes to balancing the needs of its commercial businesses.

Some 1,000 sheep and lambs are moved from their parkland grazing at the start of the events season in early May, with the grass continuously cut and maintained to ensure it’s ready for event organisers and visitors.

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Only after the grass has recovered and rested after the last event of the season can the sheep be brought back onto the park.

Over 550 acres of the estate is woodland, made up of native broadleaf conifer varieties, including more than 120 registered veteran trees, with the oldest believed to be around 500 years old, dating back to the Forest of Arden.

The estate has a programme of managed felling and replanting, targeting diseased and unsafe trees with wood processed in-house at its sawmill and used for estate maintenance and to supply the biomass boilers, heating several properties including Ragley Hall.

It also attracts guests to three unique holiday properties, provides premises for long-term business and residential tenants and acts as an education partner for individuals and groups.

For Ragley, like many modern estates, there is a balance between hosting events such as The Game Fair and protecting the environment for the future. Careful management, co-operation and continual investment are the answer.

THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

FAMOUS FACES add flavour to The Game Fair 2025

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string of celebrities from TV, film and sport were among those who descended on this year’s Game Fair, adding a little extra spice to the proceedings.

Leading the charge was film and TV star and former professional footballer Vinnie Jones, who presided over a “Gentleman’s Sunday Lunch” proudly supported by Pietro Beretta in the VIP Enclosure, sponsored by Rathbones.

Vinnie – known for his days as a football player with Wimbledon, Chelsea and Leeds United (among others) as well as starring in a string of box office smashes like Lock,

Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch not to mention a role as gamekeeper Geoff in TV series The Gentlemen – is a regular visitor to The Game Fair and even led the opening gun salute a few years ago.

Enclosure guests were hosted in the weekend by Jimmy Doherty. The TV presenter, farmer and founder of Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park helped design the menu, which included ingredients grown locally to the venue while also celebrating the huge variety of food available in the British countryside.

TV’s best-known bartender, Merlin Griffiths, shook things up as he also made

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a welcome return, serving up a range of drinks unique to The Game Fair, including two exclusive cocktails, sponsored by R.M. Williams. He is the charming bartender on Channel 4’s First Dates programme and is also co-owner of the Priory Tavern in Kilburn, having worked in many high-profile bars and restaurants throughout his 30-year career.

TOP-NOTCH CASTING In the Fishing Village, the cast was just as impressive, led by Jeremy Wade, the star of the global TV smash hit River Monsters and author of two books – River Monsters and

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How to Think Like A Fish.

He spent time each day on the banks of the lake doing demos and chatting away in the Landing Stage fishing theatre, as well as the Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre, recounting tales of his travels over the past 40 years around the world in search of the most fearsome fish.

He was joined in the Fishing Village by Jo Stephenson, a semi-finalist on the BBC’s global fishing series Earth’s Wildest Waters: The Big Fish, World and European Casting Champion Hywel Morgan, three-times World Spey Casting Champion and Distance World Record holder Scott Mackenzie plus a string of fishing writers and guides.

FANNING THE FLAMES Cooking up a storm across the show was social media star Andrej Urosevic, whose audience of over half a million fans following him across Instagram and TikTok on his culinary quest to “cook every fish in the world’. As the UK’s only certified Fishsommelier, an Advanced Master Fishmonger and Cordon Bleu trained, Andrej is also an experienced and passionate angler in all forms, from fly to lure.

Author and former House of Commons chef José Souto, wild food specialist Cai Ap Bryn and Eat Game Awards Champion 2023 Rachel Green were also showcasing their

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culinary talents and making the most of our great British countryside fare throughout the weekend.

THE “MANE” EVENT A major draw in the Main Arena was seventime Four-in-Hand World Champion and ten-time FEI World Cup Driving Champion Boyd Exell, who is widely regarded as the greatest carriage driver of all time. His awe-inspiring demonstrations kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

Meanwhile, equestrian impresario Seb Garner brought young jockeys who have had an amazing year taking the Shetland Pony Grand National – sponsored by Subaru

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at this years Game Fair – as far afield as Hong Kong.

Their presence added to a spectacular line up of talent in the Carter Jonas Theatre, which also included Jeremy Wade, Merlin Griffiths and Jimmy Doherty, who was joined by John Taylor who bought the 1,000-acre Cricket St Thomas estate in Somerset in the 1960s. Their discussion covered everything from elephants and polar bears to Mr Blobby. The theatre audience was also treated to a peek behind the curtain of professional journalism with Jack Carson from GB News, offering a media insight into the modern countryside.

STARS OF THE SHOW But arguably the real stars of the show are the thousands of animal and bird visitors who demonstrate their importance in our British countryside.

From rare breeds and working gundogs to birds of prey, from horses and ponies to ferrets, the fauna of the countryside and allied pursuits was showcased again and again.

Meanwhile, a staggering 128,000 animals of the two-legged variety – a record for the Ragley Hall venue – strode the aisles hunting the latest clothing and equipment, populated the theatres, feasted on fine food

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and drink, tried their hand at a huge array of competitions – from shooting to fishing – and cheered demonstrations from a range of skilled professionals from all sectors of the outdoors.

Ultimately, it’s the people themselves that make The Game Fair work, from the artisans and craftsmen and women to the experts, from the standholders and exhibitors to the knowledgeable visitors who eagerly look forward to three days celebrating a true festival of the great British countryside.

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Art at the heart of The Game Fair 2025 T

he Game Fair 2025 has always had a great reputation for art but a brand-new feature for 2025 – Art Avenue – has taken that concept and developed it like never before.

The vibrant and dedicated space within the showground at Ragley Hall celebrated creativity and crafts, all inspired by our wonderful countryside, capturing the spirit of rural life in all its forms.

From seasoned collectors to casual browsers and all points in between, the area buzzed with interest and appreciation for the stunning works from some of the most talented artists and well-known galleries across the UK. From pastoral landscapes to wildlife portraits, visitors discovered pieces that brought the outdoors in, while also meeting the artists behind the brushstrokes and designs.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Among the exhibitors was Art & Horse Racing Gallery, a fine art destination gallery based in Newmarket, the home of horse racing. It represents more than 30 international contemporary artists in its stable and focuses on the beauty of nature, equine and sporting art.

Russell Hatton is a contemporary artist working with automotive paints, candy, pearls, metallic, 2k, waterborne, using spray guns to apply onto aluminium surfaces while Mark Markov – who exhibits at many national and international shows – deals in 18th to mid 20th century English and continental jewellery, early 20th century glass and decorative items.

Alongside them were independent contemporary art gallery Ad Lib from Wimbledon village, London, Clifton Fine Art from Bristol, Marine House at Beer in East Devon, displaying painting to pottery and glass to sculpture, while Amsterdam-based

Ronen Art Gallery, showcases emerging artists and supports their creative journey through international art fairs.

The Art Agency in Cobham, Surrey showcases original contemporary artwork

by UK and international artists while The Barker Gallery believes that art has a soul, one that connects people, evoking emotions and telling stories that transcend time and place.

LAPADA Since its inception in 2009, the LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair has grown to become a foremost international showcase for art and antiques, as well as one of the most prestigious events on the London social calendar.

It’s one of only two annual events to grace the beautiful square, lying at the heart of the modern, cosmopolitan city yet steeped in historical resonance. The location could not be more fitting.

More than 80 exhibitors present work from across the art, antiques, design

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and decorative arts spectrum, including jewellery, furniture, carpets, tapestries, antiquities, clocks, ceramics, silver and fine art. Authenticity is assured thanks to a 70-member specialist committee pre-vetting everything on sale. With prices ranging from £500 to £500,000 and above, sought-after pieces appeal to both the established collector and first-time buyer alike.

LAPADA is the largest professional trade association of art and antiques dealers in the UK, representing more than 500 dealers whose expertise spans the entire spectrum of art and antiques: furniture, fine art, carpets, tapestries, antiquities, clocks, ceramics, decorative objects, silver and jewellery.

Membership is only offered to those who meet the Association’s strict membership criteria, regarding experience, quality of art and antiques and knowledge of their field, underpinning LAPADA’s reputation for exceptional quality and assurance.

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here has been an awful lot of nonsense floating around about the medical requirements for licensing.

As the company who invented the 3rd party process of Firearms Licensing proforma completion and with half a decade of experience working with the Home Office, UK Forces and international judiciaries MedCert are uniquely positioned to dispel a few myths and offer some advice.

There are any number of scary tales on forums and “my mate knows this chap” stories being told wherein the individual, through absolutely no fault of their own, has had their guns removed and their licence revoked. The vast majority are total bunkum, at best these tales can often provide misleading lessons for those looking to preserve their own licences, and has given rise to a number of myths.

Myth No. 1 This process is new. No. The physical piece of paper, the proforma, is new and the timings are different, but the questions remain the same and the requirement for the individual to declare any relevant medical conditions is as important as ever.

As stated, this is nothing particularly new, and certainly not a system designed to remove guns from the individual or to specifically create income for the GPs. That said, a number of GPs have seen this as an opportunity to charge preposterous fees for the work done.

Myth No 2. Revocations are certainly taking place across the country, but contrary to many rumours the vast majority of these are due to the individuals themselves failing to report notifiable conditions on their original grants or subsequent renewals.

Myth No 3. Signs of illness will mean I loose my license.

No. The medical proforma is an objective, opinion-free summary of an applicant’s medical history and firearms licensing use this as one of the many pieces of information they review when assessing an applicant’s suitability. Everyone goes through hard times in life and past episodes, or current conditions which are well managed, are not a barrier to being granted a licence.

However, what is a barrier to

being granted a licence is omitting details of relevant medical conditions on previous application forms or during the term of the licence.

There are, of course, nuances to this – in all the many thousands of proformas we have done we are not aware that the police have revoked for minor discrepancies.

On occasion, a patient may have been diagnosed with low mood and not been informed, had a note placed on their record as an aside or been prescribed a drug without knowing it is an antidepressant and therefore do not to tick the relevant boxes on their licence application in all good faith.

I cannot stress enough how much honesty is the best policy.

Not only is it a requirement for all licence holders to be of good character, but trying to circumvent the system by omitting medical information or attempting to forge either your medical records or your proforma will result in serious consequences for both you and the shooting community as a whole. You might be surprised by how quickly forgery can be detected.

If you are suffering from a notifiable condition then you should never defer, avoid or cease treatment because you believe it will affect your licence.

There are a number of wonderful organisations offering confidential support if you’re not sure where to turn – the Gamekeeper’s Welfare Trust, for example, has an excellent helpline.

A last point. The requirement is that you submit your completed proforma along with the rest of your application paperwork, and that this should be at least eight weeks prior to your expiry date. As such, please be aware that you should start the process of getting the proforma approximately five months before the ticket runs out.

Whilst the new timings of the medical proforma may be causing some issues, by the very nature of the cycle of licensing these will lessen. Medcert are already started doing renewals for the FLU’s that were early adopters of the proforma and even the latest adopters are fast approaching their second anniversary.

THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

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Thrills, spills and sporting skills A

mong the highlights of every Game Fair are the incredible competitions, showcasing the very best countrysports skills, blending ability, effort and – sometimes – even a slice of luck. The 2025 edition proved the point admirably.

The Game Fair 2025 delivered a packed and thrilling competition programme, bringing together shooting sports, gundogs, terrier racing and equestrian events under one roof.

At the heart of the fair, visitors can watch or take part in high-stakes clay shooting contests hosted by EJ Churchill – including a 50-bird English Sporting Game Fair Challenge, a 25-target Sportrap event and a fast-paced 12-bird Pool Shoot, each offering daily cash prizes and specialist categories including mens’ and ladies’ High Gun offering the opportunity for a 6-month lease on a brand new Isuzu D-Max Truck and a Junior Shot.

The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) hosted two marquee tournaments: the Champion of Champions—where county champions compete for top honours - and the Colts Challenge for under-16 shooters.

Gundog competition is always fierce, with four nations – England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales – competing in the Home International Team Competition. Spaniels, retrievers and hunt-point-retrieve (HPR) dogs undergo realistic trials involving blind retrieves, water and cover. Awards are given to the best dog, team and top performers in each breed.

The Euro Challenge sees teams of dogs and handlers from across Europe demonstrate their prowess in the field.

Meanwhile, informal gundog scurries and other events – like the British Fly Casting Club and Castspro baitcasting competitions on the lake – ensured visitors could show off their own skills and be in with a chance of a cash prize, trophy or goodies.

Horses for courses The Main Arena played host to the hugely entertaining Inter Hunt Relay, where three-rider hunt teams sprint over hedges and fences, including a youth slot for under-16s.

Sunday’s competition brought thrilling action and impressive horsemanship to the arena, with The Cotswold Vale Hunt delivering a standout performance that secured them top spot on the leaderboard.

Riders Mia Short on Buchaill Beag, Liv Dawkins on Freddie and Jessica Fairborne aboard her esteemed mount led the team to victory in spectacular style. Their round was a masterclass in precision and speed, clocking in at an exceptional time of one minute and 54 seconds.

Close behind in second was the

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Cambridgeshire and Enfield Chase Hunt.

Despite knocking a pole in the first round, their final effort was fast and focused, pushing them into the runner-up position.

Taking third was the Staff College, showing consistency and grit throughout the competition, while the Carmarthenshire Hunt followed closely in fourth.

The Shetland Pony Grand National sponsored by Subaru, meanwhile, always draws strong crowds and this year those stood beside the Main Arena watched some terrific action.

Friday and Sunday saw the same result of Ulvescroft Harvest Blue & Holly Smith followed by Shivra Bandit & Ted TwistonDavies while Cranford Fantastic & Charlotte Warner led the way on Saturday, followed by Merkisayre Sea Duble & Henry Graham.

THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

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THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

The best-dressed ladies always make an appearance

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he Game Fair always attracts the well-heeled and the well-dressed and Friday is the day when the event celebrates stylish lady visitors.

Welligogs’ Ladies’ Day is always a special part of the show and scouts spend the first morning seeking out the coolest, most creative and elegant ensembles, gathering them for the afternoon parade and judging.

The Welligogs stand buzzed with anticipation as the shortlisted ladies strutted their sartorial style in front of The Game Fair’s Ashley Cooper and Lee Hurst, Brontë Mitchell, editor in chief from Femme Country Magazine and last year’s winner, Toni Tebbs.

After much deliberation, Natasha Edwards was awarded top slot with an outfit artfully curated from a range of retailers with most of it cannily picked up on Vinted.

Starting with her hat from Laura Ashley, blouse from Hunt & Hall, Ralph Lauren trousers, Amazon scarf an Ariat boots with belt and handbag from Joe Browns and Fable, Natasha put together an elegant and effortless look.

A shocked Natasha said: “There’s all these lovely ladies around me all looking amazing so I really did not expect it. I’ve recently taken up shooting, I started with friends last December and I’ve really got the bug. Since then, I’ve been to a few tuition days with Country Girls UK and it’s such a great community. The Game Fair really reflects that ethos, where we all have something in common.”

Second and third places were taken by Emma Webb and Katy Uttridge respectively, with prizes awarded by Welligogs.

Emma combined Holland Cooper, Welligogs and Wendy Booth flowers on her hat while Katy wore Welligogs from head to toe, showing off its new tweed shorts and waistcoat co-ord.

Ashley Cooper, commercial director at Stable Events, organisers of The Game Fair, noted: “This event grows each year, and we are delighted to see how everyone involved thoroughly enjoys it and appreciates everyone’s outfits. The atmosphere is always so fun and I look forward to it every year.”

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THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

OFFICIAL SECURITY CONTRACTOR FOR THE GAME FAIR Stambridge Group is always pleased to support The Game Fair, providing a steady and reliable security presence across the show. It’s an event with its own rhythm and character, and our team works with that in mind - keeping everything running smoothly without ever disrupting the experience.

From crowd flow and gate management to overnight site protection, we work closely with organisers to ensure exhibitors and visitors can simply enjoy the weekend. It’s the kind of event where attention to detail truly matters, and delivering that level of care is something we take real pride in.

Being involved in a show with such a long-standing place in the countryside calendar is genuinely a pleasure for us.

It’s a chance to do what we do best, while supporting an event that so many people look forward to each year.

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THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

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Winners aiming high at shooting competitions

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he Game Fair shoot line is always a spectacle and draws competitors from far and wide for some of the toughest challenges.

E J Churchill’s Game Fair Challenge is a 50bird English Sporting clay competition that is both tough and great fun with a daily cash payout over different categories.

Top prize for Men’s and Ladies’ champions is a six-month lease for a brand new Isuzu D Max *Subject to the T&C’s, the official vehicle of this competition. Our impressive winners were Scott Shuckford with a score of 45 and Catherine Smalley scoring 38.

The winners drove their vehicles.

Tom Oldham took second spot with Connor Davies as top Junior.

There was also an exciting 25 - bird Sportrap sporting competition, designed

to appeal to every ability and calibre of shooter. It’s shot over five stands, five traps and different combinations, while a pool shot delivered a 12-bird sequence with daily prizes.

CPSA Champion of Champions The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) Champion of Champions invites top shots from across England to compete for the title and took place on Saturday Each CPSA County Committee puts forward their champion to test themselves on sporting course. The top five scorers then battle it out in spectacular shoot-off in the arena.

Meanwhile, the top 20 ranked under 16s tested their skills in the CPSA Game Fair Colts Challenge, following a similar

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schedule. Both competitions followed the same format over the 50 English Sporting competition set by E J Churchil.

As there were six shooters on 40 and above, a shoot-off was required to determine the final 5th place between Harry Jude and Phil Easeman, with the latter straighting the stand to take the final spot.

The final five – Phil Easeman, Chris Biddlecombe, Scott Shuckford, Marc Ivey and Tom Miller went toe to toe in front of a good-sized crowd, with Chris crowned Champion of Champions with a superb 23ex25, followed by Tom and Phil.

On Sunday it was the turn of the Colts, with Connor Davies, Thomas Croucher, Aaron Christie, Aimee Addison and Euan Pope all making it through.

THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

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Challenges galore on international stage Alongside Sunday’s Home International team event, exceptional gundogs and handlers showcased their skills in other major competitions during The Game Fair 2025.

England secured back-to-back victories in the prestigious Hunt, Point and Retrieve (HPR) team competition. Now in its fifth year, it continues to shine as a highlight in the working dog calendar.

This popular event brings together the top HPR dogs from the four home nations – England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales - to compete in a true test of skill, discipline and teamwork.

Once again, all of the teams delivered hugely impressive displays but, for the second year in a row, Team England produced a winning performance.

Their consistent excellence across all disciplines earned them a winning score of

414, securing the top spot with a commanding lead on home ground.

Team Ireland followed with a solid 385, just edging out Wales, who came in close behind with 383. Scotland completed the rankings with a score of 364, rounding out a competition where the margins between second and third were impressively tight.

The close scores show just how competitive and high-calibre the teams were across the board.

FINAL RESULTS Placing 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Team England Ireland Wales Scotland

Score 414 385 383 364

Best overall HPR – RAY BENHAN Best hunting dog – SIMON KIRBY Best Retrieving dog – ALAN PARR

Euro Challenge Trophy Another highlight of the gundog calendar is the Euro Challenge. Each year teams from across Europe compete for the coveted title, showcasing the skills of both gundogs and their handlers.

Through a series of tests in a simulated shooting environment, the dogs and handlers representing seven nations competed over two days, demonstrating just how versatile retriever breeds are.

Each team features three dogs from recognised breeds – a Labrador, a Golden Retriever and one other recognised gundog breed. This year featured Flatcoats, Chesapeakes and Nova Scotia Duck Tollers.

Italy triumphed in Saturday’s contest, held in the Marlborough Arena and judged by Keith Bedford and Paula Cullis.

Thanks to our Official Gundog Equipment Supplier Paws@Brookyln, Isuzu, the Official Vehicle of the Gundog Championships plus YETI and Pureflax, the event was well run and there were plenty of prizes to take home.

The results were: Highest Scoring Labrador: Antonio de Somma with Groowebooster (Italy) 189 Highest Scoring Golden Retriever: Martina Francescon with The Perfect Storm (Italy) 182

Highest Scoring Flatcoated Retriever: Ursula von Felten with Ayokas Elani Calista (Switzerland) 184 Poker D’Assi Di Casa Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, pet name ‘Scotch’ won Commentator’s Choice

Highest Scoring other breed: Kathrin Golze with Chesapeake Bay Retriever Penrose Peatbog Fairy (Germany) 184

Results Nation Captain Score 1st Italy Allessandra Franchi 544 2nd Germany Jennifer Hirschfeld 534 3rd Belgium Jelle Juysmans 504 4th Eire Jim Collins 501 5th Switzerland Steve Grutter 485 6th Netherlands Benno Wendt 482 7th Great Britain Liz Barnes 465

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THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

It did come home for England at The Home International

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nown as one of the most hotly contested gundog competitions at The Game Fair, the Home International team event – featuring dogs and handlers from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales – once again didn’t disappoint.

While England ultimately triumphed, there was fierce competition in every category – Best Overall Team, Top Overall Dog, Best Spaniel and Best Retriever – and some were extremely close.

Rivalry and camaraderie were present in equal measure among handlers, as they displayed some of the finest examples of gundog training from across the UK. From blind marks to simulated gunfire, dogs and their handlers faced rigorous challenges as they sniffed, searched and secured dummies in a specially constructed arena, complete with authentic cover crops, obstacles and water features.

The Spaniels led off as handlers sent their dogs down their lines to recover marked dummies – supplied by equipment sponsors Paws @Brooklyn – as efficiently as possible.

Following a tight scoreline, a runoff was held to separate the top two Hunter Spaniels. The competitors then faced an

anxious wait until the afternoon to learn the final results.

In the meantime, it was the Retrievers’ turn to challenge for the individual title, while also contributing points toward the overall team standings. Following the same format of the Spaniels, the event was brought to a close by Wales’ Nigel Probert and FtCh Drakeshead Drew of Llangynidr, marking the dog’s final competitive run before retirement.

With the scores in and counted, it was England who celebrated beating Ireland by an impressive total of 981 points to 958. Scotland and Wales completed the standings in third and fourth, respectively.

England captain David Latham said: “It’s brilliant – Ireland have been strong the past four to five years, so we dug in and pushed a little harder this year. Steve Brewer made a big difference with the spaniels and we have also invested time with the retrievers, so the boys got the result they earned.”

The Wilson Challenge Shield for Best Spaniel Team was awarded to Team England. Team Ireland claimed the Dover Street Trophy for Best Retriever Team.

England’s Steve Brewer and FtCh Roman Lucy of Spanbella secured the Gamekeeper and Countryside Trophy for

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Highest Scoring Individual Spaniel, while the Neil Lamb Memorial Rose Bowl for Best Hunting Spaniel went to England’s Allan Rickerby and Eborakon Constantina – earned after a runoff earlier in the day.

The CLA Challenge Trophy for Highest Scoring Individual Retriever was awarded to England’s Laura Hill and FtCh Jarailstar Hogen of Stauntonvale – the duo also capturing the Wilson Challenge Trophy for Highest Scoring Dog Overall.

England continued their dominance with Steve Richardson and FtCh Marstonprior Grenadier of Wedgnock’s win in the Skinners Millennium Challenge Trophy for Best Marking Retriever.

Although Steve tied with Scotland’s Tom Gold and Brocklinton Aero of Crawickwater, a previous zero score for Tom handed Steve the victory.

Rounding off the awards were the Irish honours. The Corlett Trophy for Best Irish Retriever went to Declan Boyle and FtCh Knockyclovaun Ralph, who also claimed the Joe McGrath Memorial Trophy for Best Irish Dog. The Drummond-May Trophy for Best Irish Spaniel went to Trevis Crothers and Rytex Rie.

Minority report for heritage gundog contest THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

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s ever, The Game Fair 2025 was awash with gundog competitions, with the final day delighting crowds at the Hertford Arena thanks to the Minority Gundog Breed Challenge.

This relatively recent competition is designed as a celebration of heritage breeds, showcasing expert handling and communication, not to mention a true sporting spirit.

Taking centre stage were the Spanish Water Dogs, who delivered a powerful and polished performance to take first place in the Spaniel competition under the leadership of Rachel Capille.

The Clumber Spaniels (captained

by Heather Mayes) followed in second, with the Lagotto Romagnolo, under the watchful eye of Louise Ferguson, picking up third spot. Rounding out the top five were the Sussex and Field Team, and the Welsh Springer Spaniels.

A special nod goes to Rachel Capille with Ossi, who earned the title of Highest Scoring Spaniel with 81/100.

Over in the Retriever competition, the Irish Water Spaniels, captained by Judy Hempstead, reigned supreme with a commanding 235 points.

The Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

(captained by Debbie Herring) took second with 219 points, followed by the Nova Scotia Duck Tollers and Curly Coated Retrievers.

Callum Green and his dog Cuvana Quill’s Precious Gift topped the individual scoreboard, taking home the Highest Individual Score of the day.

As the final cheers echoed across the showground, this year’s gundog events proved once again why they’re a firm favourite with crowds – an unforgettable end to an incredible weekend.

HERE ARE THE FULL RESULTS: Position 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Breed Spanish Water Dogs Clumber Spaniels Lagotto Romagnolo Sussex & Field Team Welsh Springer Spaniels

Captain Rachel Capille Heather Mayes Louise Ferguson Sarah Harvey Tina Smith

Total Score 231 172 — 116 87

HIGHEST SCORING SPANIEL: RACHEL CAPILLE WITH OSSI – 81/100

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Hunting Score — 95 94 — —

THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

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Scotland shows its competitive edge T

he GWCT Scottish Game Fair always exudes pride, passion and the pursuit of perfection and nowhere was this more evident than in the abundance of hotly contested competitions throughout the weekend at Scone Palace back in July.

From gundogs to game shots, fly casters to ponies, heritage, tradition and skill combined for the most memorable challenges across a range of true Scottish sports. The ever-popular Fred Taylor Memorial Competition once again drew a crowd to watch some of Scotland’s finest working hill ponies in action. Across the moorland-inspired course, handlers demonstrated the quiet communication

and instinct that define true fieldcraft.

When the dust settled, Rob Mearns, with Finches Snowbird from the Tulchan of Glenisla estate was awarded top spot, picking up the trophy for 2025 plus an Isuzu D-Max Truck on a six-month lease.

If one event captures the spirit of camaraderie and friendly rivalry, it’s the Subaru Presents Kronch Four Nations Gundog Competition.

The flags of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales fluttered proudly as the handlers stepped up, each dog reflecting countless hours of training and trust.

Friday in the All Age Stakes saw winners in Kim Stewart & Taykimoor Batman (spaniels) and Declan Boyle & Liskoney

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Heinsenberg (retrievers).

Saturday saw the four home nations go head-to-head.

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SPANIELS TOP SPANIEL: Raymond Wilson & Clodahill Uimhir TOP SPANIEL TEAM: England TOP RETRIEVER: Tom Gold & Brocklinton Aero of Crawickwater TOP RETRIEVER TEAM: Ireland OVERALL TEAM RESULTS 1st Ireland 2nd England 3rd Scotland 4th️ Wales The competition closed with Sunday’s Open Spaniel and Open Retriever classes, where steady hands and level nerves made all the difference as Eddie Scott (spaniel) and Emma Watson Mack (retriever) triumphed.

CASTING FOR GLORY Down by the water, the quiet rhythm of line and loop took centre stage in the BFCC Fly Casting Championship. The precision and grace blended with physics, finesse and a touch of poetry.

After a tough battle, the winners were: Jerome Savril-Mallard (male), Tracy Thompson (female) and Jack Gow (junior).

Meanwhile, Suzy Steel was the big winner in the Daily Casting Competitions. Those who triumphed each day were:

Trout Accuracy Junior – Roan Law

SUNDAY Salmon Male Distance –Jake Gilchrist (38.5m) Salmon Female Distance – Suzy Steel (30m) Salmon Junior Distance – Charlie McKay (32.5m) Trout Male Distance – Jake Gilchrist Trout Female Distance – Suzy Steel Trout Junior Distance – Jack Gow Trout Accuracy Male – Connor Wales Trout Accuracy Female – Dawn Dixon Trout Accuracy Junior – Jack Gow

SHOOTING SPORTS At the clay lines, the atmosphere was just as electric. With every pull of the trigger, a burst of orange met a puff of smoke against the Perthshire sky.

IN THE SPORTING COMPETITION, OVERALL WINNERS WERE: MASTERS CLASS Colin Will Open Class Jack Fisher Browning Masters Garry Meikle

BROWNING MASTERS C. Will SUNDAY: Masters Class M. Watson OPEN CLASS S. Niven Browning Masters Finalists I. Cochrane S. Cochhrane C. Will R. Harrison G. Meikle After a tense round of competition, Colin Noble hit his mark to claim victory in the Buccleuch Pool Shoot Competition, earning him a fantastic three-night stay at Drumlanrig Castle.

Daily pool shoot winners were Kevin Pye (Friday), Colin Noble (Saturday), Garry Meikle (Sunday).

2025 JUNIOR MACNAB CHALLENGE The 2025 edition was an outstanding success, with 180 young people taking part over the three-day event, including recordbreaking 70 participants on the Saturday.

FRIDAY Masters Class B. Purvis OPEN CLASS J. Anderson

FRIDAY Salmon Female Distance – Suzy Steel Trout Male Distance – Bob Reid Trout Female Distance – Suzy Steel Trout Junior Distance – Thomas Boyes Trout Accuracy Male – Bob Reid Trout Accuracy Female – Suzy Steel

OPEN CLASS J. Fisher

BROWNING MASTERS I. Cochrane

Supported by BASC, the Scottish Youth & the Countryside Education Trust (SYCET), and many others, the Junior Macnab Challenge encourages young people to discover and develop their countryside skills such as air rifling, fly fishing, and clay shooting.

Sponsors Bushwear, Walkers, Hoggs of Fife and Glasgow Angling Centre, provided valuable support while the National Target Shooting Association delivered air rifle sessions and Kinross Fly Fishing ran the fishing activities.

SATURDAY: Masters Class C. Will

SATURDAY Salmon Male Distance – Iain Law Salmon Female Distance – Suzy Steel Salmon Junior Distance – Roan Law Trout Male Distance –Iain Law Trout Female Distance – Ashley Horsham Trout Junior Distance – Roan Law Trout Accuracy Male – David Van Deacon Trout Accuracy Female – Suzy Steel

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THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

Winners net fishing and casting competition prizes O verlooking the beautiful estate lake at Ragley Hall, there are few better venues for the British Fly Casting Club’s (BFCC) three days of competitions, vying for the title of Champion Caster at The Game Fair.

The Ladies’ Accuracy daily competition saw a consistent winner with Paula Zimmeman once again taking first place. In the Trout and Salmon Distance challenge Jo Stephenson took the top spot, with a first win of the weekend for her.

The Men’s daily results had quite a tale to tell with Dennis Grocer winning the Accuracy daily competition with an almost perfect score of 58 out of 60.

The Junior Champion was the same winner as last year and the 2025 Scottish Game Fair champion, Jack Gow, who showed amazing consistency once again.

Turning to the Ragley Hall Game Fair Championship, Stuart Ross gets a special mention for achieving fourth place, a very popular and successful senior caster.

Nick Moore took third spot and Tracy Thomas second but the top prize went to James Evans, who also scooped the overall Championship, despite a broken hand, sustained at the beginning of a fishing

holiday earlier this summer.

James said: “I won the overall championship two years ago. There’s been a gap on the mantelpiece ever since and I am very happy to have the trophy back in its rightful place.”

Prizes for the event were provided by Garry Evans Fishing Tackle in Wales.

Castspro Bait Casting Competition At the other end of the lake, Robert Mogg lifted this year’s coveted Castspro Trophy and picked up a £200 first prize as well as third spot thanks to his bait casting skills.

Competitors were allowed one practice cast before taking on the challenge of three under arm / pendulum casts at five targets on the surface of the estate lake at Ragley Hall, within a maximum time of 10 minutes.

The winners were those with the highest score in the fastest time over the three days.

Robert secured both the first and third fastest times, with Rob Watson taking second place and a well-deserved £150.

David Ballington and his Castspro team also organised a series of fun children’s fishing themed games to keep younger visitors occupied during the show.

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THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

BASC at Scone and Ragley: A season of success BASC (the British Association for Shooting and Conservation)’s deputy director for shooting and operations, Terry Behan, looks back on a successful summer at the two standout events of the 2025 calendar.

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he Scottish Game Fair, held at Scone Palace in Perth, and The Game Fair, taking place at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire, are two of BASC’s biggest events of the year. Both offer valuable opportunities for us to engage with members, partner organisations, politicians and the wider public.

Scottish Game Fair: Showcasing natural

capital and country sports tourism At the Scottish Game Fair, BASC led with a focus on the big issues shaping the future of shooting and conservation in Scotland.

A key highlight was the launch of BASC’s Natural Capital Benefits of Shooting report. Profiling the £246 million in natural capital value generated by shooting, the report sparked meaningful conversations with policymakers, stakeholders and

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visitors, strengthening our voice in Scottish rural policy.

We also hosted the Scottish Country Sports Tourism Awards 2025 on our stand, recognising individuals and businesses committed to high-quality country sports tourism. The event drew strong footfall and created valuable opportunities to speak directly with members.

Across the weekend, our team provided advice on firearms, general licences and

THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

land management, reinforcing the importance of this event as a platform for engagement with Scotland’s rural community.

The Game Fair: three days that had it all The main BASC stand at The Game Fair 2025 was bigger and busier than ever.

Our teams handled a constant stream of enquiries across all BASC areas of the show. Meanwhile BASC-accredited coaches delivered more than 1,200 lessons on our airgun and shotgun lines, giving newcomers and experienced shots alike the chance to develop their skills.

We were also proud to launch BASC’s Social Media Guide at the show to help members navigate online platforms confidently and responsibly, while telling shooting’s story in a positive way.

MPs and peers this year, along with around 120 parliamentary staff and civil servants.

Conversations had in this environment allow us to underline shooting’s positive contribution and to ensure decision-makers hear the views of the countryside loud and clear.

Gundogs: showcasing skill and passion As ever, dogs were at the heart of The Game Fair. Our gundog scurries, supported by Skinner’s and Sporting Saint, were incredibly well attended, with 568 individual runs completed over the weekend. We also celebrated the presentation of the Tower Bird trophies, awarded annually by BASC to the most successful retriever, spaniel, HPR and pointer/setter of the previous season.

Talking politics

Game cookery and countryside skills

The Game Fair always provides a valuable opportunity to speak directly with those in positions of influence. We welcomed 20

The BASC Wild Food Kitchen Theatre is always a popular stop-off at the show and this year was no exception. Twelve superb

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chefs delivered demonstrations across the weekend, showcasing the versatility and sustainability of wild ingredients. Sponsored this year by Global Knives, the theatre was packed out each day with visitors keen to learn new butchery skills and discover different ways to incorporate wild food into their everyday meals.

Looking ahead The Scottish Game Fair and The Game Fair at Ragley Hall continue to be major events in the BASC calendar each year. I’m immensely proud of the work our teams delivered and grateful to all the members who took the time to come and see us during both shows.

As we look ahead, BASC will continue to champion sustainable shooting and support our members. And remember, as a member of BASC you receive complimentary entry to all three days of The Game Fair, which will return to Ragley Hall from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th July 2026.

THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

A place for debate the 2025 Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre A

fter a year of anti-countryside policies, the 2025 Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre programme was a chance to hold politicians’ feet to the fire.

Then-DEFRA minister Daniel Zeichner was brave enough to face a range of questioning, from the family farm tax grab to plans for lead ammunition and trail hunting bans.

It was a good place for Labour to learn about the countryside, too. The minister was unaware his department has spent nearly £1 billion over the last three years buying up family farms – about twice what the Chancellor expects to make from taxing the surviving ones.

Charlie Jacoby hosted the whole three days in the theatre, with a new guest every 15 to 20 minutes. The politicians among them lined up to provide the questions that he could put to Daniel.

They included Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, one of shooting’s strongest defenders in parliament who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Shooting & Conservation, DEFRA shadow Robbie Moore MP, who made a barnstorming speech about grouse shooting and Greg Smith MP, who stands up for the countryside in Parliament. Greg explained how we can fight back against Labour’s plans for farming and shooting sports.

Among former MPs who lent their weight to the questioning of government police were Sir Brandon Lewis, who served as Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, and is now chairman of the Country Food Trust, and farmer and former MP Neil Parish, who gave his take on how the Labour government is doing, where it has gone wrong and where it can improve.

THE BIGGEST ISSUES When it wasn’t politicians, it was issues.

Theatre topics included the disaster that is police firearms licensing (BASC’s Martin Parker talked about how the government can get out of this one), the conservation benefits of releasing gamebirds (thank you to GWCT’s Roger Draycott), and how the Labour government plans to ban lead shot, with BASC’s Ian Bell, Nick Dockerty and shotgun cartridge importer Nick Levett-Scrivener.

On hunting with hounds, wildlife biologist, falconer and farmer Dr Nick Fox talked about his book Hunting Ethics while Tim Bonner from the Countryside Alliance and Christophe de Taurines from We Are Hunting gave their takes on the forthcoming ban on trail hunting.

The audience also heard first-person testimony from the likes of Bisterne Estate game and wildlife manager Rupert Brewe, the last slipper at the Waterloo Cup Arron Atmore, who was promoting TheCoursingMuseum.com, and deer managers Paul Childerley and Jose Souto, who shot, skinned, butchered and cooked a roebuck in the cookery theatre.

There was even a thumbs-up for rewilding where it works with shooting, from writer and critic Patrick Galbraith, and from ‘Rebirding’ author Benedict Macdonald and Southill gamekeeper Paul Dunn. They explained how ‘restoring’ nature and shooting can work together.

From England’s uplands, Richard Bailey of the Peak District Moorland Group said that Natural England’s policies on wildfires are getting out of hand. He explained the cost to private estates. Lydia Castellano covered Women in Westminster and Professor Adam Hart unpacked the controversies surrounding trophy hunting.

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Underpinning all this was a strong showing by standholders, with Carter Jonas experts discussing all manner of country estate challenges, especially in the light of the government’s lunge for small farm inheritance tax. There was positivity, too, from CambridgeHOK on vertical farming, LettUs Grow on aeroponics and, if farming fails, Aaron Sparkes from Whisky 1901 explained the booming market for Scotch malts and other whiskeys, and how the industry has ridden the scandal of mis-selling.

CELEBRITIES SPICE IT UP The Carter Jonas theatre is nothing if not a safe space for celebrities. TV’s Merlin Griffiths came to talk about his passion for a pint in the countryside.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Doherty from Jimmy’s Farm talked about how he is turning his Essex farm into a zoo with benefits. He was on stage with John Taylor, who bought the 1,000-acre Cricket St Thomas estate in Somerset in the 1960s and did the same thing.

Jimmy and John discussed elephants, polar bears and even Mr Blobby.

The audience had a peak behind the curtain of professional news-gathering, too. Jack Carson from GBNews spent a day at the Game Fair filing reports and came to the theatre to talk about what he had seen – and what works as news for the modern countryside.

Star of the theatre this year undoubtedly went to the Shetland pony, which equestrian impresario Seb Garner brought with several of its kid jockeys, who have had a fabulous year taking the Shetland Pony Grand National as far as Hong Kong.

It was a blistering year for the theatre, with one message to the Labour government: you want to ban all this? Really?

For more from the Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre 2025, VISIT BIT.LY/GFT2025

THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

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THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

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THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2025

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SEE YOU NEXT YEAR 24-26 JULY 2026. RAGLEY HALL

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