Patches
Well-Known Member
What a blast. We've been out for the first time ever with the Four Shires Bloodhounds today. We were running really late and I had to have a leg up to jump on P as the hunt ride went past. It was all a bit "eeep...rabbit in headlights...what should I be doing". No time for piccies before we set off.
Hacked through the village and up to the start of the stubble fields.
We hit grass and just galloped, and galloped and galloped! I was looking at the rutted combined stubble and thinking "eeeeeeeep!!!"
Within ten mins of cantering/galloping P was dripping in sweat and blowing like a steam train! I was a bit surprised as she's actually really fit at the moment, in alot of work (maybe too much just before a hunt meet).
The first hour was mostly canter/gallop. I didn't expect it to be so fast....but loved it all the same.
We jumped a fair few things, but I didn't over push her as I was conscious that this was much faster and more sustained than anything's P has ever done before. Didn't want to add to much jumping into the mix to tire her even further. We did manage some classic hunter flyers though! Woo hooo from Patches!
Got offered a nice cup of lemonade at the half time break! Perfect! Just what I needed. I had feared they may offer port...and I don't drink!
Second half was at a slightly slower pace, as we were moving more between fields, through gateways, not cantering around the large open stubble. Still loads of cantering and fences though. I'd say we must've done 75% cantering today, when moving, and we were out for three hours.
Feel a little robbed now that we didn't see hounds as this was a pre-hunting fittening meet for horses and riders.....but that's a new challenge for next time.
A few pics as we got back to the car.
She might have seemed tired initially, but as the afternoon wore on she got quite joggy and just wanted to "go". She was well up for it!
Still jogging here as we were just about to turn for the trailer
