The Ifeza Exhibition Centre is set to host the first edition of the Hunter and Rural World Day in Zamora on 17 October. This event will feature a variety of activities that celebrate deeply rooted rural traditions and hunting practices.
Scheduled activities include falconry displays, horse training exhibitions, and demonstrations of obedience and show dogs. Attendees can also participate in archery courses and a clay pigeon shooting championship. A special programme for children will offer nature-related activities, a communal meal, and the highlight of the day, the inaugural Zamora Greyhound Cup.
The event is organised by the Zamora Hunting Federation, in collaboration with the Castilla y León Greyhound Federation, and is sponsored by the Zamora Provincial Council and Caja Rural de Zamora. During a press conference, Juan del Canto Sevillano, the Zamora Deputy for Youth and Sports, expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating that it will showcase numerous activities integral to rural life, such as hunting, greyhound racing, clay shooting, and petanque.
Del Canto noted that hunting is the second most popular sport in the province, following football, and praised the efforts of the Zamora Hunting Federation in promoting the values and knowledge of hunting, which is often misunderstood. Laura Huertos, a representative from Caja Rural de Zamora, expressed her hopes for the success of this first edition, confident that it will continue in the future and that the public will enjoy the day.
David Pascual, president of the Zamora Hunting Federation, explained that the initiative aims to highlight rural customs and traditions through non-profit activities. He emphasised that all participants in the exhibitions, competitions, and championships are from Zamora.
The day will kick off with the Zamora Greyhound Cup, with qualifying rounds taking place from 09:00 to 10:00, followed by semi-finals at 11:15 and the final at 13:00. Concurrently, the Virgin of the Pillar Petanque Championship will run until 14:00. Other scheduled events include a falconry display from 10:15 to 11:00, an archery course from 11:00 to 14:00, and a dog obedience and show demonstration from 12:15 to 13:45.
From 13:30 to 17:30, the second Compak Sporting Championship will take place, simulating real hunting scenarios with clay targets. The Zamora Hunting Delegation invites interested participants to register, as spaces are limited to 40. A lecture titled 'Wildlife health: the hunter's role in prevention and surveillance' will be held from 13:30 to 14:30, featuring veterinarians from the regional health department and the Castilla y León Natural Heritage Foundation.
A communal meal, provided by COCINADERECHO, will be served at 14:30, with tickets available for purchase in advance until 14 October. The day will continue with a vaquera horse training exhibition at 17:35, followed by an awards ceremony and a mobile disco to conclude the event with music.
Children will enjoy inflatable castles and a mechanical bull throughout the day, along with activities designed to foster a connection with nature, including a storytelling session at 17:00 with prizes for the best entries. A costume contest will also take place, with a prize for the best hunting outfit, and children dressed in hunting attire will be entered into a raffle for a pellet gun, donated by Gesticaza.
