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 

Sit back and slide your reins - Scully the V8 Supercob

Now that the season is well and truly here and Autumn has set it, it was the very last hound exercise at Great Gidding, before the opening meet next weekend.

I got to pilot the Supercob again today, Scully. Yes, as in X-files Mulder and Scully. Whether he's named after Gillian Andersons character, Dana Scully I do not know!

What I do know is that I LOVED today. Really loved it. I've never actually ridden a cob before, so when I got on last weekend I didn't actually know what to except. At the end of last weeks exercise Tony did mention that he could jump. But from what I've seen of other cobs jumping (massive generalisation here) I wasn't overly optimistic. I mean we've seen Ben Hobdays 4 star eventer Mr Mulry fly round Burghley, but he's crossed with some awesome eventer I'd guess. So it remained to be seen just how I got on..

Any way, back to today. I arrived to see Scully had a clip, oh my gosh he looked adorable and Tara had very kindly already tacked him up for me, so he looked seriously smart. I felt like I should be stepping into the show ring he was so white!

He seemed very keen today, trotted off out of Fox and Hounds with such exuberance I overtook Sophie, the Field Master, and made 'that' faux par (meaning it is extremely frowned upon in Hunting tradition to overtake the Field Master, it's just not done so take note so you can avoid doing so in the future. So, slap on the wrist for me!) But I quickly slowed down and re-positioned myself after apologising profusely! With quite a large turn out today it was so awesome to hear so many sets of hooves trotting up the road. 

Not long after starting we turned off road onto a slip of grass, and in his exuberant fashion automatically started to canter. No trot, but a beautiful collected, head in 'I should be in the show ring' canter. I didn't want to stop really!

Like me, the rest of the field were all smiles. We even had a little-un on her pony trotting and cantering with us. So so cute! I can't wait until Frankie gets to that stage (and I don't think it will be long now!)

Our first canter was quite a bit faster than last weeks, where I got overtaken by everyone! The Supercob had been cubbing the day before I rode him last week so I think he was still re-energising the next day so was speedy but in control. Today though, well, we set off and he was fresh! So fresh in fact that when I wouldn't let him kick up a gear, a few choice bucks were put in to tell me how much of a spoil sport I was being!

But being a sensible human I knew that where we were cantering was very clay-ie, wet and slippery so Scully thanked me a bit further down when we slipped a little bit, thankfully remained upright though! He went a bit steadier then, I did try and tell him!

About two thirds into the hound exercise I was beckoned up front to be the lead horse and lead for the rest of the pack over the jumps. Now... I'd be lying if I said I didn't start getting enormous butterflies in my stomache. I mean, I've jumped some cross country fences on B recently, and popped Misty over a couple of little logs or two on our Thurlow ride, but I'm a little rusty, but as we trotted alongside a field I was shown a 2'6" post and rails to jump. 'Cool' I though, I can jump that fine, although never seeing Scully jump I just pointed him at it kicked on and over we went. 

Scully to the rescue after Sam joined the tumblers club when the coloured pony he was on bronked after landing and they parted ways. In all fairness I don't think many people would have sat those bucks, not after the awkward jump over into the field.

But with a broken rein and a run away horse I figured I'd better try and rescue it!
The rest of the pack now over the fence and Sam back on Freddie, those butterflies started flapping inside at what lay ahead. 

There was an almighty hedge in front of me, and with a ditch in front no less. 

Going first, I just had to kick on and hope for the best! Which is exactly what I did and Scully engaged his hidden V8 engine and jumped it like a stag. So much so I had to sit back and slide my reins! (My inner childhood Mary King was proud of me for not jagging him in the mouth)

It felt AMAZING! And yes that does require caps lock, it helps me convey how good it felt. Although breaking afterwards was fun as Scully knew there was a hedge on the other side of the field we were in and had locked on!

But with the rest of the pack now over, I reengaged the supercob, and kicked on to the other hedge. This one was minus the ditch, but was rather a bit bigger. Scully, ears pricked, sailed over it once again. That horse is a champ, he just doesn't jump like a cob! He's a eventer in a cobs body, he really is!

Then onward towards another post and rails, a nice full up 3'0" or so, he yet again flew over no problem. With my confidence growing the butterflies flew away! I'd not jumped hedges or fences this big in a very long time. But, like riding a bike, I hadn't forgotten how to jump! 

With jumping now over with, we had a brief few canters while on the way back to the yard. Horses well and truly happy! Every one of them ears pricked, dirty but happy. 

Supercob all tuckered out, snuggled up in his stable! 

Back at the yard and with all the horses washed off Sophie, Ginny and I headed over to the tack shop across the road - Somersby House who were having an open day event today so we had a look round. I figured that my riding hat was smelly and old and I could do with a new one so I treated myself to a Champion jockey skull cap. I have little 57cm head which is advantageous as no VAT, thumbs up to little perks.

I'm now home, with the washing machine on washing all my mud splattered kit ready for next time, when ever that will be! 

Thank you as always to The Cambridge University Drag Hounds - Henry for lending me the Supercob, Tara and Sam for tacking him up and Tony and Ginny for taking us all out, as well as Sophie for being a wonderful and entertaining field master! 

Opening meet is next week at Manor Farm in Stretham. Link to the meet card here. 

Now for Horses in Training Sale at Tattersalls this week, wish me luck! I'll probably need it!!

Sophie x