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Lambourn 22nd Jan

The next event is a meet at Hambledon on Sun 26th Feb

Another lovely sunny day, the weather gods smiling on the Berks and Bucks. Strong wind made for tricky scenting conditions but with the exception of the middle of the first line, hounds ran extremely well. Some in the field had
forgotten just how long this first line is and were grateful for a pause in proceedings as hounds were called back to the line and helped to re-find it. Yes, that was a hare but it only happened to running in front of the hounds who were
displaying no interest. "Watch out for Marshal - there are a lot of sheep about."

The sheep watched, tightly packed, rather like the several groups of foot followers! It was the 4x4 followers who travelled from vantage
point to vantage point and it became apparent that there was a lot of action to watch. Fence two caused more than it share of grief.

Certainly two horses went AWOL to be pursued around the open spaces of the Lambourn downs. One was a Charlie Mann racehorse, then bridleless (rumour has it that it was Airforce One, so a good prize to claim). The other was claimed by Charlie Mann, unknown to the rider who was begging lifts from the 4x4 brigade to try to find his steed!

It quite a long check while order was restored.
Line two became a flat out blast as hounds took a short cut onto the Tregonning gallops. "The going was a bit tacky there." "Was it? I was travelling far too fast to notice!" In fact I would report that the going was fabulous. No mud to
wash off horses' legs or boots for the second weekend running. Washing down out of the wind and in the sun was surprisingly warm but soup and birthday cake for tea was very welcome nonetheless.