The Inventory Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in the Netherlands contains ICH of which the communities, groups or individuals involved have written a safeguarding plan. Those plans are reviewed by an independent review committee. Every three years an evaluation of the safeguarding takes place.

Description

The Drag Hunt is an imitation of the old tradition of par force hunting. A large, disciplined group of English foxhounds, the pack, follows an artificial fox trail of a few kilometres made by trail draggers in the outskirts of the Netherlands. The so-called Master Huntsman leads the drag hunt, while he is assisted by a few experienced horsemen. They are followed at some distance by participants, dressed in classic equestrian attire. The foxes and horses are trained throughout the year and the day before the hunt they are checked to see if they are in good condition for the drag hunt.

The trail leads the pack, the equipage and the riders through the local landscape, as a fox would do, while overcoming natural obstacles such as ditches, fallen trees, holes and hedges. The route is determined in advance in close consultation with landowners and users, taking into account the flora and fauna present. A drag hunt consists of three runs of seven kilometres, with a rest between the runs to catch one’s breath. After the third run, the dogs are rewarded with a cow's rumen. Then the hunt ends with the playing of hunting horn music.

Community

Every year approximately 50 drag hunts are organised in the above mentioned way, especially in the regions Achterhoek and Twente. The KNJV (Royal Dutch Hunting Association) is the largest and oldest slip-hunting club with about 150 members and donors. In addition, there are three smaller drag-hunting clubs. There is regular consultation between the boards. The KNJV employs two dog caretakers, who care for and feed the pack. Also involved are: the Fieldmaster, Hunting Committee, veterinarians, trail draggers, ecologists, animal caretakers, dog and horse transporters, first aiders.

In addition to the organisation and its members, the drag hunt also attracts many visitors. The route can usually be seen from the road and attracts a lot of attention.

History

The drag hunt dates from the beginning of the 19th century and comes from England, which is why English names and signals are used. Originally, in England, the drag hunt was used to test the speed and agility of the dogs. Animals were not hunted, only an artificially drawn fox track. Since the 19th century, mainly cavalrymen in the Netherlands have been driving drag hunts to test and increase their driving skills in 'unexplored terrain'. A pack of English foxhounds was obtained and accommodated at the Riding School in Amersfoort.

In 1919 the Dutch Hunting Association (NJV) was founded. In November of that year the first NJV drag hunt was held on the Leusden heathland. There were 150 horsemen participating. In 1924 H.M. Queen Wilhelmina granted the association the predicate Royal. In recent years, the Association has been actively developing, noting that areas are moving more and more to the east of the Netherlands and that more and more account is being taken of the flora and fauna present where the drag hunt is being organised. The legislation on this subject is closely followed. Over the years, more and more women have registered as members of the association, which previously consisted mainly of men.

 

Safeguarding

The following actions will be taken to safeguard the drag hunt for the future:

  • The archives of the KNJV are actively maintained and it is currently being considered whether this archive can be housed in a museum.
  • Cooperation with other hunting clubs will be intensified.

Contact

KNJV
p/a Traa 14
3881 RN
Putten
Gelderland
Netherlands
Website