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Women take centre stage at prestigious BASC-sponsored shooting event
More than 120 women from all walks of life gathered at Holland & Holland’s prestigious shooting grounds on Saturday for the highly anticipated Wilde & Glorious Ladies Cup, sponsored by BASC.
The event, run by Wilde & Glorious and part of BASC’s growing Women in Shooting initiative, highlighted the diversity and enthusiasm of women in the sport, which continues to grow in popularity. From seasoned competitors to complete beginners, the Ladies Cup embodied inclusivity, talent, and camaraderie.
Guests were welcomed on a bright spring morning by BASC’s vice chair, Claire Sadler, who thanked participants for the incredible turnout and passion for the sport, and then handed over to the founder of Wilde and Glorious and the brains behind the Ladies Cup, Katie Absalom. With the atmosphere buzzing, 21 groups made their way to the main ground to begin the competition, while four novice groups received expert tuition from Holland & Holland’s experienced instructors.
Cross-party political engagement
Alongside the competitors, the event attracted cross-party political interest, with several parliamentarians showing their support for women in shooting and enjoying their day on the clays.
Attendees included Aphra Brandreth, the Conservative MP for Chester South and Eddisbury; Tonia Antoniazzi, Labour MP for Gower, Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury; and Somerton and Chair of the Rural Services APPG; and Conservative Peer, Baroness Sugg.
Following the competition, attendees returned to the lodge to enjoy canapés and refreshments in the sunshine. A special gundog demonstration by renowned trainer Ben Randall added to the afternoon’s entertainment, and those still feeling competitive could test their skill in a light-hearted round of welly-wanging.
The event also raised more than £1,000 for the breast cancer awareness charity, CoppaFeel, through donations and support on the day.
Winners on the day
The day’s high gun award went to Abbie Wilson. Panna Brenner topped the intermediate class and Dionne Jenkins won the novice class. Alongside these categories, Chelsea King was crowned the top scoring BASC member and was given a bespoke gun slip as a prize.
Speaking after the event, BASC’s South East director Michelle Nudds said: “It was a real privilege for BASC to support the Wilde & Glorious Ladies Cup at the iconic Holland & Holland grounds. The day captured exactly what our Women in Shooting initiative is all about – bringing together a vibrant, varied, and growing community of women who are passionate about the countryside and shooting sports.
“Whether it was a first attempt at clay shooting or a return to familiar territory, the event created the perfect setting for women to connect, compete, and support one another. For newcomers, the expert tuition and encouraging atmosphere made all the difference. For experienced shots, the competition added an exciting edge.
“What made the day particularly special was the shared enthusiasm – not only among the participants but also from the MPs and peers who joined us. It was a chance to demonstrate, first-hand, the accessibility and value of shooting sports.”
The Ladies Cup is just one of many events celebrating women’s growing role in shooting, reinforcing BASC’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that shooting sports remain welcoming and accessible to all. Find out more about BASC’s Women in Shooting initiative here.
Wilde & Glorious in pictures
All images copyright Sarah Farnsworth Fieldsports/Wilde & Glorious
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