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ZOE TAKES THE HARBOROUGH
The last major hunt ride of the season, the Harborough, featured most of the stars and a predictable result. Zoe Gibson won for the fourth time in succession. It is not that Patrick Millington, Richard Walker and William Grant are too gentlemanly to overtake her. There were plenty of fine riders among the 47 entries who would have done so if they could but , once again, they couldn't.
So Zoe it was, on 7 year old Tempo, a worthy successor to Piper. Three weeks beforehand Tempo had not been fit for the Melton.
This was a fast race over good going impaired in parts by recent rain. It was also quite twisty, making life a little more difficult at speed.
Two thirds the way through the course Zoe, Richard Walker and Patrick Millington were on top of each other but at the second from last Patrick's Treble Trouble went down . He remounted and came 10th but Zoe had a clear run to the finish. Second was Richard Walker whose Mr Montana , he says, is not really suited to an undulating course and dislikes going down-hill. Third was William Grant on Ferrari.
As ever, there were dramas. John Knowles, who gets in more hunting in a week than most of us in a month, had to come to terms with his Moby being put down with a broken pastern. However, his daughter Katie successfully completed the course. Julia Begley, fresh from the Melton, took a nasty fall and was concussed.
The entries included a large number of familiar names; no less than three members of the Scott family, Jeremy, Jake and Cassian, veterans Edward Packe-Drury-Lowe and Ashley Bealby, Philip Slane and 18 lady-riders, among whom Louisa Fear and Olivia Pember, together with Zoe, distinguished themselves as prize-winners. Emma Brown completed the course riding side-saddle. FULL DETAILS ON THE RESULTS PAGE
35 riders took part in the Fun Ride which followed, which is competitive and no doddle as the writer found last year. No doubt many will aspire to the main ride next year.
It was really satisfying that the main ride attracted a full house, 50 plus entries. Inevitably some did not make it, Otis Ferry among them, but Chairman Joe Cowen, his son Philip, who designed the course and was responsible for everything "out there", and daughter-in -law Victoria, who presented the prizes, must be very pleased with the way everything went. Jules Walker ensured that the secretarial side proceeded smoothly. It was a memorable day.
Photographs by Rob. Howden.
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.
Last revised: 26.03.2010
e-mail: moraysd@huntrides.co.uk
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Avon Vale Scurry. Saturday 3 April...
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