The Anti-Fun Brigade Fails to Disrupt the Essex and Suffolk Fun Ride

On Saturday 25 July the Essex and Suffolk Hunt hosted a wholesome and light-hearted fun ride commencing in the village of Lindsey. What was a beautiful summers day was interrupted by a small group of disorderly protesters from the North London Hunt Saboteurs (NLHS) and Suffolk Action for Wildlife saboteurs. Whether the disruption was a mere hoist of their signs, or a loud holler is unclear, but whatever form the “small protest” took, it failed to dampen the mood amongst the riders.

Members of the Essex and Suffolk Hunt spent the day following trails through the beautiful local countryside. This was not a trail hunt following a pre-laid scent, but simply a family fun ride for people to enjoy the outdoors with their horses. Perhaps it's time some sadistic saboteurs reacquainted themselves with the meaning of the word fun, as recent events suggest they're becoming increasingly uncomfortable whenever others are enjoying themselves.  To make matters worse, the NLHS openly celebrated the fact that these events are often used by hunts to raise funds, whether for charities, local Pony Clubs, or hunt-related activities. Their apparent satisfaction at disrupting events that generate financial support for such causes raises questions about their priorities and the broader impact of their actions. One only has to look at Deborah Hall's reaction to efforts to raise money for the Air Ambulance to question just how charitable the saboteurs' approach really is.

Despite the attempted disruption, the only thing that appeared to have been sabotaged was NLHS’s own mission, and a stray cat. The riders enjoyed their day, the horses were unfazed, and the atmosphere remained cheerful throughout. Once again, the anti-fun brigade came, protested and, ultimately, achieved very little. BTM hopes that the stray cat evaded the clutches of the sabs as in recent months they have become renown for stealing animals.

The Power behind the Anti Fun force

Chris Power, the well-known drone pilot, was among those spotted at the event, wearing a chest-mounted camera as he attempted to document the day's activities. We aren’t sure who Power thought he was going to confront or video considering most of the fun ride was made up of children.

BTM sees a remarkable contrast in Power. While he appears determined to disrupt the enjoyment of others, he has also been seen walking a show pony, raising questions about his true motives for attending the run ride. Whatever those motivations were, his actions suggest a life of contradictions – a real case of ‘Jekyll and Hyde’.

It's not the first time that sabs have opposed charity events, whilst this attempt was set out to ruin a family horse riding day out, last year the Beaufort Hunt’s charity fundraiser for domestic abuse was nearly ruined.

These events make BTM question whether sabs are inspired by stopping legal trail hunting or by just causing consistent chaos to innocent rural communities around the country. What we do know is sabs hate fun and fundraising.