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PATRICK WINS THE MELTON
Patrick Millington on Treble Trouble took the Melton Hunt Club Cross Country Ride on 28 February for the first time, having competed many times before. Postponed from the previous Sunday on account of snow, entries suffered, from 41 down to 29. The course was just over 3.5 miles over Quorn Friday country between Hungarton and Ingarsby. Richard Walker, on Mr Montana, came second, having slugged it out with William Grant all the way round. This repeated Richard's 2nd place in the last Melton in 2008 at Hose.
In his view this year's wet course was quite testing and on one occasion he was forced to jump at speed a large rail at an angle of 45 degrees when a railway gate he had expected to be open proved to be firmly shut. Fourth was Otis Ferry of the South Shropshire.
However, the laurels went to Patrick who shadowed Richard and William " on their shoulders" all the way round and overtook three from home to clinch it by half a length.
First lady was Louise Collinson from the Fernie, a fine achievement. One wonders what the outcome would have been if Zoe Gibson, 2nd in the Golden Button this year, had been riding. To her frustration her horse was lame but she had the pleasure of grooming for William Grant, which must have inspired him. Also missing were Claire Bell and Yvonne Goss.
There was only one faller, perhaps a record for the Melton.
As ever the Quorn produced the largest number of entries, 8, and the Army provided 5. These included Harry Wallace, William Goodhew, Tom Armitage, M.P.Chenery, and Sergeant Martin Dennis.
Others to race included Cathy Scott, David Scott and Matt Gingell (CUDH) David Redvers and John Ellard (Ledbury) Dominic Birkmyre (VWH) Etti Cook and Philip Slane (Fitzwilliam)John Willis and Millie Graham (Belvoir)Tim Edwards, Edward Packe Drury Lowe, William Bevin and Ashley Bealby (Quorn) Oliver Morrison (North Cotswold) Peter Richmond (West of Yore) Matthew Latchford ( Exmoor Foxhounds) and Henry Hogan (Co.Limerick) DETAILED RESULTS WILL APPPEAR IN DUE COURSE ON THE RESULTS PAGE
Joey Newton, Chairman of the MHC, designed the course, some of it over Penny Zygmant's land at Ingarsby. Sally Thornton ensured that the Secretarial side went smoothly. All riders are in their debt. Many will hopefully be at the harborough on March 20.
A GALLERY OF MELTON PHOTOGRAPHS is available on www.belvoir-photography.com
The results of the Golden Button are fully reported on it's website.
We believe that the Cheshire Hunt's O'ssman's Ride took place but have not received any results as yet.
Details of the East Sussex and Romney Marsh ride can be found on www.thescurry.co.uk
The Royal Wessex Yeomanry Cross Country Ride was CANCELLED on the Thursday before it was due to be run. The going was too wet and the organisers took the view that the course was not accessible to support vehicles in the event of serious falls. The event attracted 20 entries including the regimental Colonel, Major General Arthur Denaro.
Regrettably the Bedale Hunt Ride was also CANCELLED owing to unforseen circumstances.We therefore have to look forward to the The Wynnstay on March 6, The Harborough on March 20, the East Sussex and Romney Marsh on 21 March and the Isle of Wight Grand National and Ashey Scurry on March 28. SEE THE CALENDAR PAGE FOR DETAILS.
REVIEW OF 2008/9
It was a difficult season , largely owing to the weather. The Melton, brought forward to November, was a great success over a good, flat, fast course round Hose. Zoe Gibson won on Piper. Dom Alers-Hankey, veteran of countless races including the Pardubice, took the Wessex Yeomanry Regimental Ride. Then the weather started to foul things up and The Ledbury Golden Button Challenge had to be postponed as a result of frost. This was successfully moved to 17 January and Patrick Millington won over a fast, 3.75 mile course with 26 fences. The Golden Button ranks with the Melton and the Harborough as one of the three longest and stiffest hunt races.
William Grant won the Wynnstay Open race but the adjoining Cheshire Hunt Ossmans Ride had to be postponed because of the weather. The later date then had to be cancelled because of an important Hunt commitment. The East Sussex and Romney Marsh Hunt Ride was won by David Robinson. Zoe Gibson, whose year this surely was, won the Harborough. 35 ran over a superb 3.75 mile course in the Saddington Vale. The season concluded with the Isle of Wight Hunt Grand National, which was won by Sophie Sheldon.
Rides which were lost included the Duke of Buccleuchs , as a result of weather. Neither the Duke of Beauforts nor the Mendip Farmers were able to pull one together. The Ingarsby Challenge did not take place because of farming isssues and the Meynell rides were lost because the land at Chartley was not available. The problems of finding a suitable course have bedevilled both the Tedworth and the South and West Wilts over the past few years. Military commitments have ruled out the Kings Royal Hussars Ride at Little Coxwell and this has probably contributed to the Old Berks Hunt holding no ride as the events are usually held in parallel.
Team chasing impacts on hunt rides. It always takes place on Sundays and draws riders away from hunt rides , which are less uniform and offer no cash prizes. However, the satisfaction of doing well in a hunt race, even if you have only completed the course, is unbeatable.
Last revised: 06.03.2010
e-mail: moraysd@huntrides.co.uk
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