Jersey’s constitutional and military links with the English Crown were formed in 1066 and reconfirmed in 1204. As a result of these early ties, numerous English military regiments have been stationed on the island. By 1789, there is evidence that these soldiers were organising horse racing contests at Les Rochettes in St. Aubin’s Bay. Horse sports were viewed as a valuable way of encouraging fitness and relieving boredom in their participants. Racing seems to have continued on the island, with the Army organizing a four-day meet in May 1812. Only one race was scheduled for each day of this meet; presumably to allow for plenty of socialising time in between events!

It was in the autumn of the same year that a form of hunting was set up in Jersey. On the 13th November 1812, a Lieutenant Munro of the Royal Artillery advertised in the local press: This slightly eccentric gentleman offered a one guinea reward to anyone who could find a hare on the island! This bizarre appeal was apparently successful, with the brief formation of the ‘Killicrankie Hunt’. Hares were certainly rare in Jersey and it is not known as to whether they were indigenous or imported for sport. This original hunt club on the island was named the ‘Killicrankie Hunt’ after the Scottish birthplace of the Commander of the Island Forces at the time, Lieutenant General Robertson. The Lieutenant used this name for his house, which is now known as ‘Government House!’

Hunting was regarded as valuable training for soldiers, in an era where wars of movement were the norm. Few people received any formal riding training, but one learns quickly when riding across country and jumping obstacles. Through hunting, it was hoped that soldiers would also gain a better understanding of how to ‘read’ the rural landscape.

The history of the Jersey Drag Hunt becomes easier to research reliably from 1876 onwards, when Lieutenant David Lascelles started a pack of drag hounds for the 47th regiment. Hunting was very popular in England by this time and hounds were imported from across the English Channel. In 1877, it appears that James Smyth Piggot of Brockley Court, near Bristol, became the first master of this Hunt.

From 1876, the history of hunting, racing and point to pointing become particularly strongly intertwined in Jersey, as the ‘Channel Island Racing and Hunt Club’ became the governing body for all three sports. (?) Point to pointing was, understandably, very popular in Jersey. Whilst the island lacks quarry, it has a multitude of easily recognisable church steeple across each of the twelve parishes. This exciting cross-country dash, incorporating some impressive natural obstacles, was a regular competition in Jersey, until as recently as 1999.

Meanwhile, race meetings were being held at Grouville by the end of the 19th century. However, this land was lost to the Grouville Golf Club. In 1905, racing was moved to Don Bridge, Les Quennevais. Many spectators arrived by train, but had to be aware of pick pockets and ladies of ill repute! You could purchase anything, from a lobster lunch to a hair cut at these early race meetings!

Meanwhile, hunting seems to have been growing in popularity, with English soldiers hunting alongside local farming folk. Ordinary families were generally obliged to keep one dual purpose animal. This horse was often expected to complete general farm duties during the week, but carry its master on the hunting field on a Saturday. From the early days, the contributions made by farmers, who agreed to allow the hunt access to their land was fully appreciated by other participants. Photographs from the turn of last century, show that ladies were already supporting the hunt, and the vast majority of them negotiated the various obstacles whilst sitting side-saddle on their mounts.

A committee meeting in the 1870s established the pattern of Saturday and Thursday hunting. This was favoured by most, as Thursday was the official early closing day on the island. Meets were held at various locations, from St. Clement to St. Ouen, to try to ensure that enthusiasts living in each part of the island could participate in at least some of the lines scheduled. In the days before horseboxes or indeed motorised transport, long, cold and often dark hacks home were endured!