Lambourn 30th December 2007

2007 went out like a lamb - I was far too hot even in minimal hunt clothes and small insects kept flying in my face - while 2008 is becoming a lion! As always a lovely meet, hosted by the Brunskills with all joint masters present plus a past master. Four lines over rolling old downland turf gave excellent conditions for galloping and jumping, as you would expect in the heart of the valley of the racehorse. Hounds were flying, including half the pack after a small herd of deer on the first line but Robin soon stopped them as the deer fortuitously crossed over Marcus Tregonning's gallop just in front of him. This line starts with compulsory jumping, which a few of the field elected to miss, and finishes with some decent telegraph poles. Arabella Hobby, none the worse for her submersion in the River Pang (23rd Dec), showed how well an eight year old can jump these solid fences and put some of the adults to shame!
The second line went part of the way round an old hunter trial course, now owned by A. P. McCoy. It was lovely to jump fences we were never allowed to go near in the previous ownership and see the front of what is a rather impressive house. High spots on this line have to be a dell hole triple combination, an arrow head to a skinny drop and the water combination. I don't think anyone fell in! The third line went round another set of gallops with good timber fences at a choice of heights. Great jumping. Finally, the last line was a real blast with several flights of hurdles, which evoked some spectacular jumping in the field. All ages were out, from leading rein upwards, and all manner of equines, from little ponies and cobs to polo ponies and race horses. All had a wonderful day