Christmas Hunting

I'll start by admitting that I have been absolutely rubbish at updating my blog and I only have myself to blame. Slap on the wrist for me, but then again I have been really rather busy!

I've been up to lot's leading up to Christmas with riding, mucking out for a trainer and seeing the pointers get ready to run! I've also been able to go on Hound Exercise which I enjoy. I must admit I'm getting a big soft spot for the drag hounds, they're such a sweet quirky bunch of bitches (I do mean that in the correct way of describing a female hound)!

But before I go any further, with people's opinions on Hunting strong ones both for and against I will say this, I go to ride horses and jump and that's it. I'll say no more on it and hope no arguements will ensue!

Anyway, I was lucky enough to try out a beautiful horse from a friend on Boxing Day to go out with the Fitzwilliam (Milton) Hunt who met at the Bell Inn in Stilton. I've not been to a boxing day meet since I was about 12 or 13 so to meet in the village high street and be so utterly surrounded by people was a bit overwhelming. Again, say what you will about hunting but a hell of a lot of people turned out to welcome the Masters and Hounds, as well as the Field. And I mean rammed, the streets were packed!
My photo I snapped quickly does not do justice to the amount of people there, there were equal that amount behind me that I couldn't photograph.




Thank you to Mum and Dad for my Christmas present of this gorgeous Shires navy jacket!

After a brief speach to a good few hundred people by the Field Master the horn was blown, the hounds spoke and off the Master trotted back up the high street and up the hill, followed by from what I read, 83 mounted Field followers and god knows how many cars!

As I trotted up the hill on Shay, a horse I'd sat on for about 20 minutes 3 days prior I started getting the nervous excited butterflies in my stomache. The field master shouted "Jumping field to the right, non jumping field to the left!" I had but a moment to weigh up in my head of should I jump or should I not?! "F**k it" I thought i'm going right and I'm gonna jump!

Turning into a beautiful grassy field with a good half of the Field in toe we kicked on into Canter and I could get to know my mount for the day. Very good I thought as me eased into canter and didn't proceed to yank my arms out the socket. Quite on the contrary as I didn't really have to hold on too much, he seemed very gallant in fact!

In no time at all the first fences appeared across a field, a double of post and rails about 2'9" high. I was nearer the back of the jumping field so got to watch as others before me tackled it. It seemed to be jumping well, so as I steadily cantered towards it I wasn't that apprehensive. Shay briefly lost his gentlemanly demeaner for a very 'Gung ho' style of steam towards it and push others out the way. I jumped it just after two girls, one on a grey and one on a coloured. A stride out I see the girl on the grey become unseated and much to her credit she stayed upright and on her feet, running next to her horse, but with no time to pull up I had to just keep left out of her way and pray Shay wouldn't refuse the second part of the double after all the kerfuffle!  Although refuse he did not, he stormed at it and that was that, clearing them with ease and landing safely to continue bowling up the hill towards another post and rail, which he again made light work of.
"This is going to be a fun day I thought" as I continued a speedy canter across the field to meet up with Polly and friends who were just in front. 

After a brief stop while the hounds worked and a sneaky (small) swig from a hip flask we were back off again across another couple of fields, and with the Jumping field rather tightly grouped and with Shays gung ho into the last couple of fences I opted to not jump the twisty track through the woods as knowing my luck I'd have come off so close to the start of the day and would have had to go home. 
I'm rather glad I did avoid it as the next jump I had to jump (the only way of getting into the adjacent field) meant Shay literally pushing Kerrie out the way in order to jumping it. My sincerely apologies again Kerrie!!

We were back into a steady canter around a verge track next to some farmers field and I kept in control as to not have any leg problems in the deeper ground. We had come upon a large wood so myself and the rest of the field lined around the outskirts of the wood and waited while the hounds worked and did their job. 

It gave the horses and their riders a chance to get their breathes back and stretch out after a quick and speedy first run!
I saw in front the single file line of horses neatly popping a ditch and had a quick flash thought of "oh crap I've not jumped a ditch in years, must not fall off! Must not fall off!" but the big Grey gentleman Shay popped over it no problem, I remained in the pilot seat and all was well and good! Again another steady canter round the farmers field lead to another set of jumps and another set of ditches. Well was going well until the last ditch..

As we got nearer the very experienced hunt staff and seasoned hunters took this large uneven ditch in their stride. The take off was lower than the landing, which was about a foot and a half higher on the landing side and had an awkward tree on the right of the landing which had a dangly branch hanging over it which would smack you in the face and head upon landing. 
"Must avoid that" I thought "don't want to get hit in the face.." well Shay must have also had the same thought because we took off no problem, and landed no problem but in my maneuver to not get a tree whipping across the face I lent forward but in doing so did not see Shay's trajectory towards the oncoming tree...
My right leg impacted the trees body and that was that.. so on the cantered exit to the rest of the pack, who had now parked up ahead, I was in agony. I audibly swore out loud, pulled up and rubbed the impact area vigorously. I'd read somewhere that rubbing a place in pain helps dull the nerves and help it from hurting so much, which actually did work. But I'm not gonna lie I had to bite my lip no avoid crying.
I tried not to make a fuss and when we pullled off again I just prayed the adrenaline with mask the pain, and luckily it did. We cantered over a few more fields and had another break just off the road, which we shared with a large number of awkwardly placed foot followers in their cars and had a chat while the hounds worked.

Before long we were at, what I understand, is called Moonshine (someone from Gidding please tell me why it is called this as I am very intrigued) where all the foot followers had parked up, jumped out of their vehicles and were in prime viewing places to watch the jump into the field. 
I understand from friends that this is a prime place where people fall off so people grab their phones in the hope of watching a tumble. The jump is a 2'9"-ish up right post and rails about 2 strides off the road so you have to trot from the road, ask for canter as soon as they touch the grass, kick on and hope your horse doesn't jump it awkwardly and has enough speed to get over it.
With a rather achy leg I kept with my friends group and watched as others tackled it before me. Some jumped it too slow and got a cat leap or an awkward stumble over it, other jumped it with a bit more speed or with a more genuine horse and popped over it. Luckily Shay is genuine as the day is long and popped it no trouble!


Georgie complimented my jumping position and said it was rather good, so i'm pleased with that

Once you were inti the field the gallop was on towards a rather large hedge. I kept steady and watched as a girl in front of me had a refusal and was mid turn away from the fence. In a split second I had to decide; Do I stop and wait while she represents and potentially has another stop, or do I kick on and try and jump it while she's turning away?! I quickly decided that Shay wouldn't appreciate being asked to wait and if I stopped now I might not get enough propulsion to jump it cleanly, the take off was already quite chopped up.
So kick on I did and Shay took into auto pilot and flew over and with that a rush of adrenalin and relief flooded over me. "Right" I thought, "That's hedge one, I know there is at least 2 more!" The first of which I flew over with no-one in sight, the next I'd have to pop a smaller post and rails to get over into the other field, which I did, and bowled on. A small group had congregated at the open gate on my right about half a field in front of me, I then spotted Sam about to tackle the biggest hedge of all. I tucked in behind her and pushed on.. Shay autopiloted again and I just took deep breathes instinctively and kicked on and we flew over! Although mid way over I saw Sam part company from Coco and hit the deck! I pulled sharpe right to avoid collison and pulled up as I watched Coco high tail it over the field towards the rest of the Field. Sam got up and bravely brushed off (which is more than I could say i'd do after falling off that high so hats off to you Sam) and we watched as her friends had retrieved a wayward Coco. Not wanting to loose the adrenalin in my system I kicked on and headed towards the large post and rails. It's a pretty big post and rails and with Shay getting in a little close I lost my balance on landing but clung on, quickly picking myself back up and foot back into the stirrup. To avoid a repeat I pushed on Shay and he took a big one, flying over the second post and rails and we sailed through the air. God it felt amazing and from the photo evidence it looked pretty cool too!!




I now knew where I was and could tell we were nearing home. We had a steady canter up the hill to rejoin the main Field and soon approached the main road into Gidding. A photographer caught this wonderful picture as we approached.



We'd been out a good two and a half hours so as we neared Gidding I kept with my friends and we all mutually decided to call it a day. It looked like a good few others thought the same, as about two thirds of the field slowly followed back to their boxes which had all been strategically moved to the Fox and Hounds on Gidding High Street.

I patted the lovely Shay and thanked him for being such a good boy for me all day. I swear they know what you're saying to them, even if they don't I still like telling them and giving them a good pat!
I was absolutely shattered, sore and ready for home.

Thank you for all of those who stuck with me and reassured me through out the day - Polly, Sam, Clare, Kerrie, Phillipa you're all so kind and good to me! 
Thank you SO much for Katie for Shay, he is an absolute Star!
Than you to the Fitzwilliam for such a wonderfully well organised day, to their lovely staff and loyal supporters who helped me through out the day

I'm now going to put an ice pack on my leg and put myself on box rest for a few days because I am well and truly lame!

Owwww!! Im now off to ice my leg again! 

Semer Hedge Hopping with the Cambridge University Drag Hounds

As I lay here stiff as a board and aching all over I do wonder - is it the sign of a great days hunting or just a sign that I'm so unfit? Do tell me regular hunters! 

Sunday was the Cambridge University Drag Hounds (probably) largest meet of their season at the infamous Semer. With a very respectable 50 on horse back and lord knows how many foot followers, as well as dry mild weather it had the recipe it to a great day out. And that it was! 

I found out midweek that there was a possibility that I was going to be able to ride, so come Saturday I inquired to see if I would be riding to find out to my delight, that I was indeed going to be able to attend. 

I wrote above about it being infamous and that it is. Georgie attended last year and said just how fast and chaotic it is; as well as various other seasoned hunters saying the hedges were big, the pace fast and all bets are off with regard to any sort of hunt etiquette! Plus the team chase there being well reported this year as big, so I won't deny that when I mounted up yesterday I was a little nervous having no idea what to really expect. 

New jacket got it's first run, and I'd like to think I looked smart. 

Thank you to G for lending me her fabulous Hit Air jacket and I felt safer wearing it!

It was lovely trotting down to the pub for the meet to see so many horses, as well as lovely food and refreshments! 

Thank you to Sam for all the photos 

After unfortunately running a little behind schedule we kicked on about 1.30pm to start the first line. All I'm going to say on the matter was that it was a free for all! 

Aforementioned hunt etiquette of not cutting up or overtaking others was well and truely out the window but I'll say no more on it. 

The first line was extremely fast paced but all jumps seemed to be taken well and with only one faller, which to her credit (apologies but I do not know the girls name) but was not her fault (note the free for all)

But after the first line the field started to spread out a little and with a rather unfortunately loose horse incident delaying it only slightly (again don't know the girl but I do hope, if she reads this, that herself and her horse are all ok).

At the start of the second line I soon realised that I was having slight brake failure on the cob; I would say Supercob but he has to redeem himself a bit first, but more on that later.

Alas while coming towards the hedge cob thought nothing of slowing down or turning so with my full strength I pulled him away from it, and good time I did too as a lady took a rather large tumble in front of me, so myself and the non jumping pack pulled up to check she was all ok while Ginny and the trusty pilgrim set off to retrieve her mount! 

Meeting up moments later with the main field we regrouped and set off towards the third line. It was a lovely sound to here 50 sets of hooves trot up the road! 

The third line took us up the side of the shooting cover (corn rows) towards a wood which we jumped into, snaked through and then back over a hedge out towards a gorgeous rolling grass field which the field and I galloped across, ready to take a set of double post and rails either side of the road into another lovely grassy field, where the field regrouped and had a little breather.

I mentioned to nearby riders to kick on and be aware to not fall off as a rather large group with cameras were waiting the other side!

            Supercob in full flight. Preparing for landing

The field then lead out over a big hedge (above) a few meters later an upright with a drop a stride or so later. I must admit I didn't see the drop until the last minute as Scully put in a big one and within milliseconds the drop was right in front of us and I had to sit back, and sharpish! Otherwise I'd have been in the tumblers club! 

This then wound round to another post and rails out of a marshy area, up a tight turn to another set of post and rails at which point my brakes and steering failed. Scully in his exuberance outright missed the turn and I could do little to stop him. Eventually pointing him into a bushy hedge to stop! I won't lie that this terrified me somewhat, I've never not been able to stop. Tony would later yell at me for not doing my flash tight enough! 

Once I had jumped into the field to join the rest of the field I decided that my hands and arms needed a break and I need to get back some of the nerves I'd just lost, so I tucked in with the non jumping pack. 

Don't get me wrong but Scully is a tank on legs and very stubborn and with his failure to admit he was getting tired and his will to gallop full speed at post and rails I decided that rather than risk an accident I was going to take a breather from jumping and try and regain brakes. 

I took the rest of the third line at a much more leisurely pace and soon had a smile  back on my face. Plus I got to view Sam Morgan and Coco slowly herding a rather large flock of somewhat puzzled sheep away from the gate we needed to exit from. I think Coco was rather unfazed by them, what a gent! 

Scully then felt that to spite me for not letting him jump anymore, that first a gate, then slightly later a gate post were mere immovable objects and that slamming my leg directly into them was no bother! My right shin is now black and blue, thanks mate!

It was soon apparent that it was 3.30pm and getting rather dark by the minute, so when the field regathered near the farm I decided to join a group of others to head back the boxes at Boyton Hall as the sun set. It really was very beautiful! 

You know what they say, red sky at night; shepherds delight.. Aye Sam?! 

I got back to the yard to the very last of the light and untacked the cob and kept him warm while waiting for Sophie, Tony and Ginny to return. We chilled and I gave him 'the I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed' look but it doesn't seem to work on horses as it does on children.

See, not even slightly bothered. Not even looking at me!

When all horses were untacked and resting on the box, we made our way down to the pub for after day refreshments and to catch up on each persons take on the day. All round were reports of a wonderful day and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, me included! 

Thank you to the Drag Hounds lot, as always!  To everyone that came out and to Mr James Buckle for allowing us to use his land, it's most appreciated.

I'm now going to try and regain the use of my arms, shoulders and legs again!

"When in doubt resume the safety position - legs forward, slip the reins and sit back" - Georgies very wise advise. It served me well!

Sophie 

Tattersalls December Sales - My First Experience with Mares and Foals

I've been at the Tattersalls December sales for the last couple of weeks and I must say now, just how much I enjoyed it!

First was the foal sales - I've never really had any contact with foals before, except when I was a really young child and the mare we were looking after was pregnant and had her foal, Choco, while being stabled at ours. He wasn't like these foals though as was absolutely spoilt and was probably over handled and basically thought he was a dog! I was about 8 years old or younger and don't really remember it (that's probably due to falling off a lot when I was a kid).

So when I arrived at 6.30 on Tuesday I basically wasn't sure what to expect or what I had to do! Luckily I had some really lovely people show me, and for that I am incredibly grateful. They didn't shout at me and really beared with me while I learnt what I needed to do. As expected for little baby horses they're rather jumpy, need lot's of reassurance and everything done a lot more slowly and quietly.

I learned how to groom them, handle them and even show them off for the sales, although probably best I didn't actually show them as it would have been rather embarrassing if I'd messed up!

But I can say I now know how to bridle a baby foal, and how to handle one. I've also been very lucky that a lot of them were very cuddly and sleepy so I got lot's of cuddles and interaction with them.

I must also note that, and i'm not sure if this is because they're still quite young but the colts were actually a lot better behaved than the filly's. And I have to be honest, I wasn't expecting that at all..

The colts were the absolute stars, allowing anything to be done to them and happy to be taken out, brushed and groomed, and fine with you walking in their stables to top of hay and water while laying down.

The fillies on the other hand were so sassy! I nearly got bitten by a filly who did not want to be groomed, lucky I move quickly aye! They were also a bit anxious about being tacked up and walked out too but I suppose they all have different personalities. Maybe these quirky fillies will make excellent racehorses because of how they are? Or perhaps they'll grow out of it.. I'll never know, sadly!

Any way, here are lot's of photos that I took over the past two days and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Bloodstock Sales - 

A couple of days off after the foals sales I was back on my feet again on Saturday and Sunday for Tweenhills gaining some more experience and helping out on the yard and learning to show.

With the base being at the Terrace House yard and every single box being full it was was pretty full on. 

I awoke to a chilly Saturday to arrive at 6am to spin out and get learning. 

I walked about a couple of really nice fillies, Glass House and Bear Cheek who were very well behaved and gave me confidence.

The rest of the day was spent learning and getting ready for a busy Sunday.

To which it was extremely busy! Non stop basically, from 6am til 4.30pm.. 

I also like to keep busy and not sit around while I could be working so I regularly checked the horses for hay and water, fluffed beds and swept the yard. 

I also had the most amazing experience that, when grooming a very pregnant made, I put my hand in her belly and her foal must have felt it as it kicked and kicked away and being really active. It was really magical actually as I've felt a baby in my sisters womb, but never a baby horse growing in it's mums womb. It absolutely made my day!

I then had another couple of free days before I was back on Wednesay and Thursday for Eclipse Bloodstock  

It's been a really good experience handling and getting to know different types mares with different personalities. Some being sharper than others, while a couple just couldn't give two hoots.

I've also got to be more hands on with grooming and showing which has done me good for my confidence and my skills. 

How to properly show horses at Tatts Sales is different to normal show ring showing, where you'd stand your horse square at the front but have the offside hind stepping slightly in front so the judge can access. While at the sales you show by standing the horse with it's near side fore and the offside hind slightly in front of the other legs so the potential purchaser can see all of their legs from one side. 

The mares and fillies have all been so well behaved and I'm pleased with how I did. I even got to take two of the mares through the ring. The first being the gorgeous mare Go Glamorous which is in foal to Stimulator and second was Cypress Point who is in foal to Mazameer. It was a wonderful, if not slightly nerve wracking experience as I've so used to viewing the ring from the outside rather than the inside and you're very aware of all eyes are on you, the horse you're leading and what you're doing. 

I wanted to make sure I smiled while walking through rather than just being so focuses on what I was doing that I looked deadly serious. It also looks much nicer to smile! 

I must say thank you to Red at Eclipse Bloodstock for giving me the opportunity, to all the Eclipse staff who helped me and taught me what I needed to do, and to the new friends I've made.

Until next time,

Soph x