THOUSANDS gathered in Thornbury on Boxing Day to watch the mounted riders and dog pack set off on the Berkeley Boxing Day Hunt.

An estimated crowd of 6,500 made their way to Thornbury High Street for the event.

The town has served as the traditional setting off point for the post-Christmas meet and was attended by crowds of families and friends wanting to see the riders, horses and hounds up close.

The meet began with spectators getting up close to talk to the riders, before the crowds parted for the popular charge up the High Street.

“I come to watch the hunt set off every year,” said Thornbury resident Kevin Baker, 55.

“It’s one of the biggest events for the public to see around here and comes with so much heritage.” 

“It feels so much busier this year and there seems to be twice as many horses as last year,” said Sheila Wilcox, 50, from Thornbury.

Bruce Conway, 27, also of Thornbury said: “It’s a great reason for a day out to see family and friends after Christmas, it was also the first trip out for our new dog and she loved it as much as the rest of us.”

Over 100 riders charged down the High Street this year in a loud and colourful spectacle, to the applause of the onlookers.

After the hunt departed, a team of volunteers stayed behind to clear up the mess left behind by the horses.

Master of the hunt, Henry Berkeley said: “We are very indebted to the people of Thornbury as they have been long suffering of our presence and the disruption we have caused but they have always supported us in huge numbers.

“The goodwill we are shown as we go around the town is tremendous and a real fillip for those mounted, including the horses, who really enjoy the adulation. 

“We had over a 100 mounted on the day, a sign that there are many who support us and enjoy coming out trail hunting to understand what it is all about. It is a great spectacle and a wonderful day for all supporters.

“The rest of the day went very well. The trails laid ran back up the vale towards Berkeley and whilst the scenting conditions in the morning were not ideal they got better in the afternoon.”