Hartpury College wins Gamekeeping College Clay Shoot

Hartpury College was awarded the Gamekeeping College Challenge Shield, beating off strong compeititon from runners-up Newton Rigg.

Hartpury College also walked away with the high gun prize thanks to the individual brilliance of student Jack Lilwall.

Each of the 23 teams, drawn from 11 colleges across the UK, shot at 320 targets, with individual guns facing 80 clays over 10 separate stands.

Speaking after the win in Worcestershire by the Hartpury College students, BASC’s head of game and deer management, Glynn Evans said: “This was a fantastic day and a great opportunity for student gamekeepers to come together from across the country to meet and compete over a challenging clay shooting course. BASC was pleased to host the competition and to see so many people attend.”

BASC councillor and gamekeeper Ian Grindy said: “The students are great ambassadors for the future of gamekeeping in the UK. It is good to see the sector has strength in depth for the future with so many colleges offering training and opportunities for young people to enter the profession. Gamekeepers in today’s world make a significant contribution to the health and well-being of the countryside. Their work involves creating and maintaining habitats which benefit a wide range of species.”

The event, sponsored by Honda, was also supported by Swarowski Optik, Bushwear, Biolink and Arthur Carter Fieldsports.