About the HRA

Over the years Hound Racing gained popularity within the local Lakeland communities, and in 1906 the governing body, the Hound Racing Association (HTA) was formed under the direction of Robert Jefferson, a Whitehaven man.  Since then the sport has grown under the Association’s guidance and at present has more than five hundred members. 

The HRA is made up of 4 regional committees (detailed below) including; South Lakes, Whitehaven, Cockermouth and Workington, Carlisle & Penrith.

2022 – Present
Paul Airey has been Chairman of the Hound Racing Association since 2022 and Committee member of the Carlisle & Penrith Area since 2001 and has been heavily involved in the sport for over 40 years.  The love of hound racing is embedded within the family and his daughter Joanne has been going to the races from 2 weeks old and now Granddaughter Lauren loves going racing with her Grandad.  Paul has owned and trained many hounds over the years with his first being Meadow Moss and two favourites Meadow Star and Meadow Izzie.

2024 – present

Edward Crosby has been a member of the HRA for 52 years and Vice Chairman since 2024. He met his wife Lisa at the Hound Races and they married in 1990. Their first hound together was King Solomon which ran as a pup in 1996. They have had a few good hounds through their hands with the exceptional one being ‘Prudence’ which won the HRA Senior Championship in 2014 & 2015. Edward had a spell on the Executive Committee back in the 90’s and made a come back into Hound Racing Management 3 years ago due to dwindling numbers on Area Committees. He believes that we must be prepared to accept change to prosper.

2020 – present

Fiona has been actively involved in hound races from early teens attending races and helping out grand parents who were also heavily involved with hound racing. Member of Cockermouth and Workington Area committee as well as Cockermouth supporters Club, vice chair of Cockermouth and Workington Area before taking on the role of Chairwoman for Cockermouth and Workington Area. Reluctantly became Secretary in 2020.

Mobile Tel: 07585505611

Cheque’s to be made payable to HRA Ltd.

For online transfers contact Kerry direct for details.

e-mail: Kerry@smalmstown.co.uk

Roy Laidler, Victor Brownlee, Margaret Baxter, Carole Jackson, Lee Wall, Andy Horn, Darren McMaster, Christine McGee, Tony Steel, Colin Satterthwaite, Duncan Chisholm, Nicola Metcalf, Richard Gardner, Dave Parkin, Lisa Crosby, Sarah Harper, James McClellan, Caroline Clough

Mr Robert Jefferson 1906-42; Mr H Jefferson 1943-44; Mr R.J. Jefferson 1944-45; Mr Douglas Paisley 1946-47; Mr J.P. Jackson 1948-51; Mr R.M. Wilson 1951-57; Mr A. Wilson 1957-61; Mr Henry Kirby 1962-87; Mr K.R. Laidler 1988-2009; Lt. Col. I Beck 2009; Mr J.B. Laidler 2009 – 2021; Mr P. Airey 2022

Mr Ned Braithwaite 1906-20; Mr James Crowle 1920-30; Mr Archie Bruce 1930-51; Mr Willie Irving 1951-64; Mr Jack Foster 1965-84; Mr Arnold Pattinson 1985-90; Ms Margaret Baxter 1990-2017; Mr Phil Graham 2017- 2020; Mrs Fiona Dixon 2020

*J. Brockbank *E. Smithson T. Newall *J. Lafone *D. Harrison *W. Logan *J. Harrison *N. Charlton *B. Lawson *J. Shepherd *J. Marsden *K. Bunting *W. Postlethwaite *W. Charlton R. Laidler *W. Kirby *R. Smithson V. Brownlee M. Baxter *Barry Laidler

*J. Brockbank *Mrs. A. Smithson D. Niles *W. Holme *T. Thompson *G. Ridley *W. Robinson *W. Crone *W. Proctor *Mrs. A. Robinson *Mrs. S. Crone *W. Johnston *S. Goodfellow *G. Irving *G. Stobbart *H. Hodgson *T. Pearson *M. Renney *J. Casson *J. Hecles *M. Oldcorn *J. Smithson *J. Laidler *J. Jenkinson *D. Bewick *Mrs. G. Dickinson *G. Birkett *J. Bryson *W. Postlethwaite *J. Robinson *Mrs. E. Oldcorn *E. Gibson Mrs. E. Robinson *G. Bell *B. Allison *E. Charlton *W. Thexton A. & V. Inman *Mrs. J. Stobbart *F. Barrow *R. Oldcorn Mrs. B. Johnson *Mrs. L. Barrow *S. Drinkall Miss S. Lloyd * Mrs. D. Benson G. Stephens *G. Irving *J. Wilding *R. Stoddart *D. Reay *J.J. Fidler * J. Niles N. Reay *J. Forster *R. Park D. McLean *F. Walker *A. Dawson **M. & K. Tunstall *T. Mallinson *R. Thompson G. & R. Farren *Mrs. E. Harrison *W. Johnstone M. Pattinson *B. Birkett Gordon Benson Mary Benson

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Executive Committee to pay its respects to all those members and supporters who have sadly passed away during this last year.

I’d also like to extend my thanks to all farmers, landowners and sponsors for their continued support. With out this generosity the running and promoting of hound racing would be very difficult.

On behalf of the HRA I would like to wish Kerry Lindsay, our new Treasurer, a big thank you for taking over from John Bromage who during his time in office did a fantastic job.

May I extend my congratulations to all those who won one of the many competitions that ran throughout the season. The Senior Championship was won by Darren and Julie McMaster and Anthony Skelton’s Silver Dream trained in conjunction with Joseph Abram and Nicola McMaster. A great achievement to win for the second year in a row. The Puppy Championship was won by Sarah and Baz Harper and Hartley Robinson’s Delta Fortune.

Looking forward to 2026 the June Produce is in the Whitehaven Area, July Produce in the Carlisle and Penrith Area and the HRA October meeting in the South Lakes area.

I hope you all have an enjoyable and successful season.

Paul Airey, Chairman