More from February

Our luck holds out! The terribly wet conditions have not stolen a day - very many thanks to landowners to our farmers.

The second of the two meets was particularly special with all present delighted and unsurprised that the sun chose to shine on the righteous. Somewhere above there were comments being made about particular riding styles.

A big thank you to our hosts for both meets.  

The Stern

Whose Land Rover decided to walk to heel? Or was that just a slight hand-brake oversight?
Who jumped the jump that "we aren't going to"?
Who might just be regretting being one of the above?
Who thought that one photograph need not be deleted but could do with a little "Photoshop-cosmetic surgery"?

Photographs

These and more may be viewed HERE and HERE.

Mastership

Riding at the front in full fig might seem like a dream to many but Mastership brings with it huge responsibilities. To organise a day the Master has to clear the country which involves telephone calls, personal calls and a certain amount of negotiation and charm. On some occasions it may be necessary to "walk the country" before the Meet. Even before this short-term preparation has taken place Masters will have met to agree the Meet card for each half of the season and this too will have involved negotiation with landowners, farmers and keepers to say nothing of talking to hosts of meets.

On the day the Masters will have arranged un-boxing, will ask someone to Field Master, check that staff and trail-layers are fully briefed to say nothing of the one thing that many Masters dread the most: address the field and supporters before setting off from the Meet.

This is just a very simplified view of some of the work that Masters put in to allow us to enjoy a good day's sport. No wonder it is customary to thank Hunt Staff and the Masters at the end of the day (or if you leave early to thank the Master of the day and bid them "good night".

We are blessed to have a great team of Masters - tips cap and raises a glass to their health.

The Stern
Who celebrated a special birthday at their meet?
Who has bought a new horse that came with one rug?
How many more rugs does that horse have than yours truly has coats?

Photographs

These and many more may be found HERE

Playing "Catch-up"

Apologies to those who visit regularly but it has been a rather busy time including an unplanned but necessary trip to Lancashire.

However now back for the rest of the season (probably).

Despite soaking ground conditions and some rather blowy weather our hosts, farmers, landowners and keepers have, as ever, come up trumps allowing us to go out as usual - very many thanks to you all.

With incredibly generous meets, some wonderful hound music as they found the trails we have been blessed indeed.

Photographs
These and many more may be found as usual by following the links: two new galleries have been added: HERE and HERE