Highclere 16th March 2008

Wet, wet, wet! This was a day for the real die-hards only. Ian Balding, on foot, was heard to say, "You are very brave"! That sort of says it all! More than an inch of rain overnight, on top of rain through the end of the week, left lakes and rivers where nobody had ever seen them before. But, unbelievably, it did not rain on us! There was much hilarity in the horse box park as John struggled into a pair of very white plastic overbreeches and got the zip stuck!! Maybe that is why it didn't rain!
An impressive number turned out and for the first time since the opening meet, all staff and riding joint masters were out - what a day to pick! Needless to say, the ground rode very deep. Hoof prints at least 6inches deep in places. Probably it was a good thing that the lines in the park were cut short through stock location, leading to damage limitation and less exhausted horses. The first line started out below The Temple (now fully restored) in really deep ground but hounds, hunting from memory, swung over the bridge and had to cast about to get back on the line. This gave some respite for the field! New lakes on take off and landing of one timber fence had a flying hound nearly turning A over T - a salutary reminder to take a pull!
There was quite a long hack over the A34 to the second line which started on the far side of the Beeching-axed Old Burghclere station. This was in a completely different world of fast draining land and the long line of various fences rode extremely well. Derek, our runner, was very nearly caught here and fortunately, got a lift to the start of the third line - a even longer hack back across the A34. This last line was essentially the first one, run in reverse so it rode even deeper. But everyone thoroughly enjoyed it and the bonus was the last fence! This is a substantial log pile, once part of the intermediate BE course. "That fence gets wider as you come into it", said Robin. One cracking grey pony obviously agreed with this assessment and quite deliberately, neatly jumped on and off in perfect rhythm! Well done, that young jockey.
A quick wash down of horses in the very cold wind before tea. Yes, the real stuff was in high demand today as we sheltered out of the teeth of the wind alongside the distributing horse box! Phoebe had cleverly thought to bring hot sausages and rolls which, together with Paul and Mel's sandwiches and Nicky's chocolate brownies, were much appreciated.