Revellers gather at the Hunt Ball to witness some hornblowing

TV reporter Del Cooper joins the Stevenstone Hunt at the annual ball to celebrate the hunting season. A competition for hornblowers and prizegiving ceremonies precede the general merriment. Horn calls are used during the hunt to control the hounds and direct the pack.

Hunt Balls are more inclusive affairs these days and hold charity auctions and dinner dancing in country houses, hotels, universities or schools. Some hunt balls are held at the end of what would have been the traditional hunting season so in April or May. They are now no different to other black tie events on the social calendar although at some more traditional events some may still wear scarlet tail coats.