Hambledon 28th March 2007

Pictures to follow

Mothers' Day. What a fabulous day we had. It was a very small and select field - only five riders and a few spectators- Robin (acting as huntsman, whipper in and field master), Amy, Sean, Caroline and me (Nicky). The select party were supplied with delicious mulled wine (lots of it) and carrot and walnut cake by our host Mr David Palmer. Having left the lorry park in fine weather, the sky became dark and hailstones the size of golf balls hit us but that soon changed and the skies were then blue for the rest of the ride. The first line was down the hill and into the village. At the bottom of the hill the hounds instead of turning right tore off to the left with Robin in hot pursuit followed by the four of us thoroughly enjoying ourselves as temporary whippers in. Hounds were collected after a gallop around the field and we then carried on to begin the first line. The going was marvellous - the result of the previous weeks sunshine. Hambledon's biggest hedge at the end of this line was wired up but Robin, Amy, Sean and Caroline enjoyed the smaller version.

Hounds moved quickly on the second line.  Down and up the hill, jumping a number of uprights through the many fields of sheep and cattle. To our amazement, we were astounded to see a new arrival to our group - a cow. We have all heard "A cow jumped over the moon" but this one did jump and, on following the heels of the hounds, jumped one of the rail fences in front of us and joined us to the end of the line. The third line was uneventful but again all five of us enjoying the good galloping and our new positions in the field as we took it in turns to be field master and whip in.

The final line started in the same place as the second, going down the steep hill, but we then turned right and up and over two jumps before going through the woods and finishing with the last four jumps of the first line. Robin at the start of this line was seen leaping off his horse to save an upturned sheep. The final jump was "the hedge" and once again jumped by the four with me shouting "well done" and giving encouragement while I quickly went through the gate. Our photographer Caroline Orme was on the ground recording the action.

Thank you to Caroline. Many thanks to David Palmer for hosting this lovely meet and to Nick Quesnel for organising.