...the landed gentry...
Would have been OK in this part of the Midlands, though, as it was seldom the 'gentry' doing the hunting. It has always been assumed by those too class-conscious to think about it that fox-hunters are wealthy toffs with too much time on their hands, whereas most of the huntsmen in farming areas are working farmers who see foxes as vermin that harm their livestock rather than as cute, cuddly pets.
Merry Christmas to all, foxes included.