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ZOE MAKES IT A HAT-TRICK IN THE 2009 HARBOROUGH HUNTS CLUB JOHN BALL RIDE

Zoe Gibson took the Harborough for the third consecutive time on 21 March. Riding a relatively untried six year old, Tempo, and against some strong competition, including Annabel Bealby (2nd), Richard Walker (3rd) and Patrick Millington (4th), plus a strong supporting cast , Zoe showed that cross-country is essentially a cerebral affair.

In all there were 35 runners, including Jeremy and Jake Scott, father and son from Kent, who were doing the Harborough for the first time. Another family combination was John Knowles and his daughter Nicola. Then, of course, we had the Copes, Rowan and Lydia, husband and wife. A full list of entries is on the RESULTS PAGE

In near perfect conditions Philip Cowen's course asked some tough questions right from the beginning.Last year's course began with a gentle ascent. This year it was a descent to a sizeable drop fence. Happily this took no casualties. Thereafter the course looped back to the start and riders had to cope at speed with a number of angular approaches if they were to cover the ground as economically as possible.

After the loop the course flowed nicely downhill to the valley and the second ascent. The distance to the finish became the dominating factor. In all the 27 fence course was 3.5 miles, to which could be added a 1 mile plus approach to the start, all at the gallop. Every rider should be proud of having done this course, which compared in distance and difficulty with any other of this season.

Following on it the "Fun Ride" shadowed the main course but omitted the loop. 32 riders took part in what developed into a fast scurry over about 2.5 miles with 18 fences. Any intention that this should be at a steady hunting pace disappeared once the younger contingent decided that this was too slow. On more than one occasion the writer found that he was going just too quickly for his health but the experience was memorable.

This extremely well-organised event owes a great deal to Joe Cowen's committee, the course builders, the farmers over whose land we rode, and Jules Walker, whose administration was flawless. Thanks to them and please be back with more of the same in 2010.

REMEMBER THAT on Sunday 29 March, THE ISLE OF WIGHT GRAND NATIONAL AND ASHEY SCURRY will take place under the auspices of the IOW Hunt. Veterans John Langdon and Jonny Morris are entered. In addition to the Grand National there will be four other events in which riders can participate. These are engagingly named Puffing Billy, Puffed out, the Hunt Ride and the Ashey Scurry. Visitors from the mainland are most welcome and the events are timed so that horse and rider can comfortably do the round trip in the day.There might be a subsidy for mainland riders and their horses Details from Caroline Cooper on 01983 721 264 or e-mail honsec@iw-scurry.co.uk. You can also visit the website www.iw-scurry.co.uk

THE EAST SUSSEX AND ROMNEY MARSH HUNT held another successful ride on 15 March. There are lots of horses and some feisty riders in this country. Conditions were perfect and Mike Haynes and his team had the course in perfect order, with the hedges looking slightly larger than last year. There was plenty of timber and an awesome rails and coffin combination. In all there were 25 fences over 2.3 miles and 6 of the 19 entries did not reach the finish. David Robinson on Dennis eventually prevailed over the field, with Charlotte Marshall on Fly like a Bird coming second and Lisa Baker coming third on Joe Black, taking the prize for 1st Scurry Virgin. This is a fast race and , in the words of Diana Grissell, who won last year "not for the faint-hearted" . She did not take part this year but the family was represented by Rose, Charlotte and Hannah. Thanks are due to organiser Hannah Taylor for another successful ride. SEE RESULTS PAGE