An equine artist with strong ties to the rural hunting community is using the London Marathon to raise funds against Labour’s proposed trail hunting ban.
Madeleine Bunbury, known for her equestrian artwork and for previously painting a horse for Prince William, is running the marathon to support the Countryside Alliance and its campaign against the government’s planned legislation.
The move follows recent confirmation from the UK Government that trail hunting is set to be banned in England, a decision that has created strong reactions across both rural communities and animal welfare groups.
Speaking to *The Sunday Telegraph*, Bunbury said she is running to raise what she described as “fighting funds” for the Countryside Alliance.
She said she strongly supports trail hunting and believes many in government do not fully understand its role within countryside life.
According to Bunbury, trail hunting offers riders and horses the chance to spend time in the countryside, often across private land that would otherwise be inaccessible.
She also described the strong social side of hunting, explaining that many of her closest friendships came through the hunting field. She even met her fiancé, Major George Lowe, at a hunt ball.
Bunbury, who lives in Wiltshire, is well known in equestrian circles. Her horse paintings have been displayed at Ascot Racecourse and The Turf Club, and she regularly hunts with the Beaufort Hunt, the Quorn Hunt, and her local South & West Wilts.
Her public support adds another high-profile voice to the growing debate around the future of trail hunting.
She said she would even welcome the chance to take Prime Minister Keir Starmer on a day of trail hunting so he could better understand the people and communities involved.
Trail hunting was introduced after the Hunting Act 2004 banned traditional fox hunting.
It involves laying an artificial scent trail for hounds to follow rather than chasing live quarry. Supporters argue it allows traditional hunts to continue legally while preserving rural jobs, traditions, and communities.
Critics, however, argue it has often acted as a loophole for illegal fox hunting and say a full ban is needed to make enforcement clearer.
The government’s proposed ban aims to remove that legal grey area entirely.
Nearly 60,000 runners are taking part in this year’s London Marathon, with thousands using the event to raise money for causes they care about.
For Bunbury, the challenge is about more than finishing the 26.2-mile course. It is also a public statement about protecting a part of rural life she believes is under threat.
She admitted marathon training has left her with sore knees, but said she is aiming for a four-hour finish.
As debate over trail hunting continues, her run highlights how strongly many within the countryside community feel about the government’s proposed changes.
image credit: telegraph
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