Gamebird
Well-Known Member
I'm not really sure where this belongs, but I'll stick in here I think!
I very kindly received an invite to the South Notts opening meet held yesterday at The Bear, Alderwasley.
I stayed at The Bear the night before and the night after hunting and my horse was stabled about quarter of a mile down the road so there was no need for driving anywhere
.
When the locals were finally removed from their pre-meet drinks at the pub we met in the field next door, and to my relief (normally sane hunter bouncing up and down like Tigger) moved off fairly sharply.
I'd asked some subscribers in the pub the night before where the safest place was for a decent jumper and they unanimously said 'up front with the field master' so I thought this was a good plan. Also I think if you're in strange country it's not a bad idea to be with the field master at all times as you can never be lost or wrong and get a bollocking!!
I could see they meant business when the first fence was a largish hunt jump followed by a right angled turn and 5 strides to a 5 bar gate laid up against a broken down wall.
I spare you the details but we had a fab day. Their new huntsman was much admired and did a great job. Hunting on grass was a treat and taking your own line at 40-50 large imposing walls and hedges was even better. There was a keen group of youngish men up front and I think they felt a bit challenged by having a girl join them but after following the FM over a new, hung 5 bar iron gate that only 4 people managed I felt I had earned my place!
In summary the hunting was great, the hounds were great, my horse was awesome (and much admired), the jumping was great and the company was pretty good too.
Michael Clayton (former H&H editor and Hunting correspondent) asked me about my horse at breakfast this morning as he thought it was the horse of the day yesterday. Can't think of a better compliment and I am still glowing!
Can I come again please???
Pic of the 2nd fence (doesn't look very big, but that bar you can see under his belly is the top rail of a 5 bar gate laid up against the wall):
Have just realised that photo links don't work in here so I'll have to put it in the photo gallery. Bah!
I very kindly received an invite to the South Notts opening meet held yesterday at The Bear, Alderwasley.
I stayed at The Bear the night before and the night after hunting and my horse was stabled about quarter of a mile down the road so there was no need for driving anywhere
.When the locals were finally removed from their pre-meet drinks at the pub we met in the field next door, and to my relief (normally sane hunter bouncing up and down like Tigger) moved off fairly sharply.
I'd asked some subscribers in the pub the night before where the safest place was for a decent jumper and they unanimously said 'up front with the field master' so I thought this was a good plan. Also I think if you're in strange country it's not a bad idea to be with the field master at all times as you can never be lost or wrong and get a bollocking!!
I could see they meant business when the first fence was a largish hunt jump followed by a right angled turn and 5 strides to a 5 bar gate laid up against a broken down wall.
I spare you the details but we had a fab day. Their new huntsman was much admired and did a great job. Hunting on grass was a treat and taking your own line at 40-50 large imposing walls and hedges was even better. There was a keen group of youngish men up front and I think they felt a bit challenged by having a girl join them but after following the FM over a new, hung 5 bar iron gate that only 4 people managed I felt I had earned my place!
In summary the hunting was great, the hounds were great, my horse was awesome (and much admired), the jumping was great and the company was pretty good too.
Michael Clayton (former H&H editor and Hunting correspondent) asked me about my horse at breakfast this morning as he thought it was the horse of the day yesterday. Can't think of a better compliment and I am still glowing!
Can I come again please???
Pic of the 2nd fence (doesn't look very big, but that bar you can see under his belly is the top rail of a 5 bar gate laid up against the wall):
Have just realised that photo links don't work in here so I'll have to put it in the photo gallery. Bah!
