My Unforgettable Spanish Partridge Experience: An Agent's Tale

Words by Oliver Severn, Images by Andrew Cattee

The majority of people have the most glorious, romantic vision of what sporting agency consists of. Whilst undoubtedly there are some exceptional perks, it is not all sunshine and rainbows! The role of a sporting agent is often wide-reaching and complex. This combined with hosting a range of people - not always the best of them - and driving endless, endless miles are a few of the elements of sporting agency that not everyone sees.

As a sporting agent, there is often much asked of us and a number of frequently occurring questions in the order as listed below.

• Can we only shoot the best drives? 
• Can we shoot a 5th drive?
• Can I shoot plaz-wads?
• Do you get to shoot much yourself?

The answer to the first three is usually quite straightforward, the fourth, slightly more complex! There seems to be a concept that, as a sporting agent, it is imperative to be armed 24/7, enjoying lavish shoot day after lavish shoot day; sadly, quite the contrary and undoubtedly, whilst I am fortunate enough to enjoy more time in the field than most, 99.9% of this is in the capacity of a cheerleader and seldom with gun in hand.

When it is sunshine and rainbows, it’s phenomenal. Occasionally I am fortunate enough to enjoy some of the world’s finest sport in the most impressive locations. This is one such example and certainly a highlight to date.

Grabbing the opportunity with both barrels

I was kindly invited by the owner of one of Spain’s most well-reputed partridge shoots to go and view a new Estate in the south of Spain that he had recently taken on the management of. An interesting prospect; we are forever looking for the latest and greatest to offer our clients, and this had all the hallmarks of exactly that.

A short while later, Andrew (Our head of Marketing & Photography) and I found ourselves at Gatwick departures with great anticipation. Before we knew it, we had arrived in the stunning evening warmth of Seville. For those that have not had the fortune of visiting Seville, it is quite something in itself: a beautiful historic city which is most welcoming. 

Juan, chauffeur, was on hand in the arrivals hall and soon we were weaving our way through the Andalucian hills with the red-tinged sun setting in the background.

An hour later, we arrived at Venta Quemada Estate. We wound down the Estate roads for ten minutes, seeing both boar and deer crossing in front of the vehicle as we went. Juan informed us that we would shortly be arriving at the principal house and, as we crested the hill, there it was beneath us; a stunning home, not necessarily what one might have expected but impressive in all its splendour nevertheless.

We were welcomed by the immaculate staff. The attention detail and level of service at Venta Quemada is top notch; nothing is too much trouble for those on hand to help. After a quick dinner, it was early to bed.

The best laid plans

The sun rose on what promised to be a spectacular day in the field. The game plan was all set and we were ready and looking forward to executing it.

However, nothing is ever simple and at breakfast the game plan was abruptly altered when the owner of the Estate generously offered me the opportunity to shoot as one of his guests.

Certainly not an opportunity to be turned down and, after trying to politely and very Britishly decline the offer, I seized it with two hands and great excitement. When asked what I might like to shoot with, I was certainly not going to be picky but the brand spanking new pair of Holland & Holland over-and-unders I was presented with were just the ticket!

Ups and downs

With all ups, there are downs and, the excitement temporarily subsided once I realised my lack of cash would make thanking the keeper and entering the breakfast sweepstake very challenging indeed. Fortunately, I managed to find a lifeline in another English gun to whom I embarrassingly explained my situation. The English gun kindly assisted with my shortfall but It was not without financial motive. I was quickly told “should you be fortunate enough to win the sweepstake, you will not only owe the €50 entry fee but also 50% of the remaining winnings.” I was in a poor position to negotiate!

Shortly after breakfast and, once everyone had been paired with their guns, secretario and loader for the day, we hopped into the new estate Land Rovers and headed off to the first drive, which presented an opportunity to survey the stunning topography that Venta Quemada is fortunate to boast - steep sided, narrow valleys that provide both perfect cover and the launch pads for the estate’s strong flying partridges

The anticipation knowing that gun would soon be in hand was hitting a high. I had wanted to shoot Spanish partridge since, well forever. 

Surpassing all expectations

The first drive did not disappoint and will be one I remember for years to come. There was such an awesome variety of shooting to be had, with everything from tall curling crossers climbing high off the peaks to those more traditional Spanish partridge hugging the contours.

The pair of Hollands were a total delight and Pablo, my loader, and Carlos, my secretario, were great company and patient as I came to terms with both the style of shooting and also loading. Quite peculiar passing a gun forwards and down as they do in Spain.

I must not forget the unsung hero in all of this. Whilst I was busy pulling the trigger, Andrew was frantically snapping away trying to get “the money shot”; it was great to have him still so focused on the task at hand, while I may have become slightly distracted by the extraordinary shooting. 

The second drive: again epic. The quality of partridge continued to surprise me, with amazing waves covering the full line of seven guns, offering equal opportunity of equal exceptional quality.

Spanish hospitality

As the midday heat rose across the two drives, there was a slight thirst and appetite building. With this, the perfectly timed tacos took place. Tacos are much like elevenses, but levelled up in comparison to most . An elaborate array of local produce, including succulent olives, Iberico ham, tortilla and a number of other options. These delicious bites, accompanied by a chilled glass of white wine really did tick so many boxes. After a 45 minute break, we were all keen to get back to the task at hand.

The third drive showed some of the highest topography; the impressive peak towering in front of us was certainly daunting. The game put on a show with quality red legs travelling at impressive speeds, jinking and diving in a way that made finding their line most challenging and enjoyable. The start of the drive saw the end guns get the majority of the shooting but as the beaters worked their way up the face the partridge became more concentrated at the summit., When flushed, they spread the line beautifully. It was really enjoyable to watch the game so beautifully presented.

I've been expecting you, Mr. Severn

Lunch; what could possibly be in store? There had been nothing but pleasant surprises up until that point and I did not expect that to change in any way. Funnily enough, it did not and the Ventas Quemadas lunch hut was possibly one of the most impressive I have been fortunate enough to enjoy to date.

This James Bond-esque style bunker was nothing short of exceptional. I was slightly confused when we pulled onto the top of a large, steep-sided hill. Little did I realise we were effectively parked on top of the lunch room. After disembarking the vehicles, we dropped down the short flight of steps onto a stunning balcony with far-reaching views across the Estate and beyond.

The lunch room, chiselled into the hill, was most impressive, the lobster and steak cooked on the grill outside equally exceptional. I am not sure who was hungrier at this point, Andrew or I! The lunch was truly delicious but perhaps that should have been expected, as Michelin star chefs do rarely provide anything but.

No time for siesta

Once we had finished sampling Spain’s best food and wine, it was time to get back to the hard graft of drive number four. Fast and furious would be suitable adjectives for what was to follow. Impressive shot counts and hot barrels tend to have a pretty clear correlation with fun.

It was phenomenally exciting as more Spanish-style partridge challenged the team with their speed and agility. As soon as you thought you might have got somewhere near understanding where to put the lead, you were left questioning your ability to shoot entirely.

The drive seemed to continue for eternity, no complaints; I was longing for it not to end! Eventually, like all great things, it did have to.

After a good amount of catching up at the end of the drive, it was back to the main house for a relaxed drink and debrief on the day. Oh, and, of course, don’t forget the sweepstake!

Tea and cake was plentiful and before long, the head keeper was with us to run us through the breakdown of the day. It had been an exceptional day and more than I could ever have dreamt of; it was at this point we were under no illusion that we had certainly found one of the latest and greatest.

A win is a win... except when it isn't!

Now time for the sweepstake. It was a tantalising wait, winning this would enable me to repay my debts. After a few calculations, it was confirmed that I had been fortunate enough to take the victory. The day really could not have got any better!

Only one obstacle lay between myself and the winnings and that was the kind gentleman that had lent me my entry fee. As the money made its way down the table, it reached said gentleman, where €50 was quickly siphoned off. Fantastic, this saved me passing the €50 back up the table. However, as a man true to his word, and now obviously not joking, 50% of the remaining winnings was also swiftly pocketed. What a return on his investment!

Bucket list shooting

It was an incredible tick on the bucket list and I do hope that one day perhaps I can shoot Spain again. In the meantime, I will have to make do with watching quite a number of Spanish partridge shot whilst I facilitate and cheerlead from the sidelines. For those that have been fortunate enough to shoot in Spain, you will understand the excitement I write of and, for those that have not yet been fortunate enough, it is certainly well worth its place on your bucket list and I do hope that we might be able to assist you with ticking this off before too long.

In summary, when asked if I get to shoot much, the answer is, not as much as I would like and you expect but, when I do, it is usually an exceptional opportunity that I never take for granted!

Spanish partridge shooting comes in many shapes and sizes, to suit all requirements and budgets, if you might be at all interested in further exploring the idea, I would be more than delighted to discuss it with you in the hope of assisting further. You can reach me on 01295 661 033 or drop me an email.