Review 2007/2008

Last revised: 21.10.2008

At the beginning of the hunting season there was a possibility of 18 races. In the event 11 took place. It was decided, for various reasons, that five (Old Berks, Kings Royal Hussars, Duke of Beauforts, Tedworth and South and West Wilts) would not be held this season Two races were cancelled on the day (Duke of Buccleuchs and Mendip Farmers) . Given the vagaries of getting these events off the ground weather, going, course preparation, finance etc.- eleven out of eighteen was a good total.

Of the eleven that took place, the Wessex Yeomanry race started the season and was won by William Grant. Ian Smith then won the Bedale. Hannah Maidwell took first place in the Ingarsby Challenge. Eddie Ahern, professional jockey, won the Ledbury Golden Button Challenge and Patrick Millington won the Cheshire Hunt Ossmans Ride. Annabel Bealby won the Melton, Tori Stubbs won the Sir W.Williams Wynns ride and Marc Howland came first in the Meynell and South Staffs Open. Tigga Barnes then won the South Dorset Race, Zoe Gibson took the Harborough and Diana Grissell was first in the East Sussex and Romney Marsh Race.

This list might have read differently had Yvonne Goss not lost Perrys Pearl early on.

We look forward to her return to the scene. We also look forward to the return of Joss Hanbury following his accident out hunting

To the victor the spoils, often no more than a silver cup and a bottle of champagne. However, we should not forget the dozens of sporting riders who took part, whose reward was one of the most enjoyable experiences you can have on a horse, racing across country.

That being said, there are not enough of them. No one expects a return to the days when the Melton could attract seventy riders and a waiting list. This year there were thirty four. The Ingarsby had twenty seven.

The Harborough saw 21 runners, down on previous years. Perhaps this was because it took place on a Sunday, with competition from team-chasing and a point to point at Hull.

David Redvers bucked the trend with the Ledbury Golden Button, which featured 32 riders, but this was achieved with a great deal of PR, the inclusion on the day of the new JCB Inter-Hunt Challenge, and a hunt ball the night before

A more typical number of runners would be in the late teens to mid twenties. Fields of this size can be perfect from the riders point of view but they can also threaten the financial viability of events.

One does not hear much of organisers problems but they can be considerable. At least two rides were not held this year, the South and West Wilts and the Tedworth, because of difficulty in finding a course. This seems to be less of a problem in the Midlands than the South. Simon Oliver, VWH Master, says that when he tried to work out a 4 mile course in their country it involved seven separate farms and farmers.

Squeezing a 2.5 to 3 mile course into a restricted area often results in a glorified hunter trial , with a carefully prescribed route from hunt jump to hunt jump and this

does not appeal to the more ambitious, many of whom have to travel long distances to get to an event.

The irony of this is that such courses have a broader appeal for less experienced riders, many of whom might consider the bigger, longer races too much for them and their horses. Cutting their teeth at smaller events is an essential confidence building element for younger riders who, without the experience, might never aspire to the bigger races.

What, then, are we left with? Hunt rides are races across country over distances between 2 and 4 miles. Anyone with a horse and an entry fee can take part. Some hunting or jumping experience is essential. Thereafter comparisons become invalid.

Our view is: let the sport evolve as it has in the past, in response to the demands of individual hunts and with no outside interference.

Those who aspire to the bigger races, the Melton and the Harborough for example, should be encouraged to enter. Courses should be walkable at least a week in advance so that riders have plenty of opportunity to study them. Ashley Bealby, veteran rider and course designer, says that the Melton course should be walked three times if one is to reconnoitre it properly. This would be well nigh impossible for most non-residents of Leicestershire but the point is made.

Organisers, in addition to what they do already, are encouraged to make visitors experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. An eve of race party is always welcome plus advice on accommodation for both horse and rider. So is hospitality at the event, even if it has to be paid for.

Race cards should be widely available. They help spectators and the press, and are a valued souvenir for riders. The press should be given every assistance as without this it is extremely difficult for them to write an account. Coverage suffers as a result and the event disappears into undeserved obscurity. Horse and Hound should publish a race calendar.

Hunt magazines should be encouraged to include members accounts of races, both their own and those further abroad to heighten awareness of races.

If there are rides we do not know about, or errors in the calendar, please let us know on moraysd@huntrides.co.uk