HUBERTUS HUNT
Just 10 kilometers north of Copenhagen lies Dyrehaven, a vast deer park home to around 2,000 free-roaming deer across its 10-square-kilometer expanse. Each year, on the first Sunday of November, the park hosts the traditional celebrated equestrian event that draws crowds from near and far. The Hubertus Hunt.
The Hubertus Hunt is a longstanding Danish tradition that takes place annually on the first Sunday of November in the deer park Dyrehaven, located just north of Copenhagen. This equestrian event, which is rich in history and pageantry, marks the end of the hunting season and is named after Saint Hubert, the patron saint of hunters.
While no animals are hunted in the modern Hubertus Hunt, riders and their horses embark on a thrilling chase across the park's open fields, through forests, and over streams, following a pre-laid trail. The highlight of the day is the crossing of the Eremitage Pond, where spectators gather in the thousands to watch riders brave the water, often with spectacular splashes.
The Royal Danish Family occasionally attends the Hubertus Hunt as spectators, enjoying the view of the participants from the small Rococo hunting lodge, the Eremitage Palace. All photos were taken on Sunday, 7 November 2010.
The tradition of hunting in Dyrehaven dates back to the 17th century when King Christian V (b. 1646, r. 1670-1699) introduced the par force hunting style to Denmark. This form of hunting, which originated in France, involved chasing deer with hounds until they were exhausted. It was a royal spectacle of skill and endurance. Dyrehaven's landscape was designed to accommodate this practice, with long, straight avenues and clear sightlines radiating from a central point, providing ideal conditions for the hunt. In recognition of its historical significance, Dyrehaven, including the par force hunting landscape, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015.
The Hubertus Hunt is now a celebration of Denmark's equestrian culture and the park's rich heritage, attracting both seasoned riders and casual onlookers, who come to enjoy a day in the scenic and historically important setting of the Deer Park.
The pictures below were taken on 7 November 2010 during the Hubertus Hunt as part of a portrait session.
Model Emma
Photographer Michael Maximillian Hermansen
Max