Even with three
horses in my stable, I was horseless on Wednesday night for this Sunday. A
telephone call to Caroline Orme, our photographer, requesting
photos for the
West Ilsley report resulted in the offer (accepted, of course!) of her horse,
Sparky, for the day. Caroline was delighted, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and
Sparky had the time of his life, even, by dint of out-walking Bones (Robin's
horse), having the privilege of leading hounds home on the long hack back from
the end of the last line (I
wasn't on
a mobile phone!)! What better outcome could you wish for? Both Richard and Sarah Ensor, who host this meet, were riding and it was good to see a number of first timers. The Fleming family also came out, Elinor sharing secrets of hunting the Palmer Milburn Beagles on her birthday - a highly successful meet by all accounts, on the
same day as our "special" children's'
meet - the charge of the little brigade!The first line ran over the Ensor's cross country schooling fences, those not happy about jumping taking the opportunity of hacking round the lanes to reach the end of the line. The second line returned to a previously used route running up the side of the coombe to reach the top of the down. Penny, master responsible for this meet, had built
some beautiful new fences and then there
was the joy of watching
hounds hunt to the top of the down and back down again
before zigzagging back up, down and up again. One can only be in awe of our
runner, Tim who leads the hounds this amazing dance. At 67, he makes even pretty
fit 17 year olds look pathetic! Tim told the story of how when he first ran this
line, the huntsman of the day did not know what Tim was going to do and could
not believe that the hounds could be on the line. So he sent his whip after them
to bring them back. Not too badgoing up but when hounds hunted back down
again.... I can only say I am so glad it was before my time! The last two lines
according to Penny, are on the flat - well relative to Barbury, Penny's home
ground, it might be gentle 
but not my idea of flat! More lovely new fences were
on offer and it was obvious that horses were jumping better and better.It is a delightful hack back with superb views, to be appreciated at leisure so that Sarah has time to prepare tea, having ridden all the lines - home made tomato soup, bacon butties and mulled wine. Yet another great day.