Manton Grange 30 March 2008

On Saturday evening, our hostess and landowner, Jilly Carter, was wondering "Why are we doing this?" After seemingly endless cold, horizontal rain through the week, the prospect did not look encouraging but somehow there was a major change in the weather to full-blown spring! What a gorgeous day we had. This spectacular setting looked superb in the sunshine and more than 50 turned out to enjoy it.
The first line starts in a steep hill, an excellent settling device for the runaways! Poor John, whipping in today, as organising joint master, Penny Bunter was doing the role of field master, was nearly deafened by Robin's horse roaring, my horse roaring and Robin doing a close approximation! Hounds swung off line or maybe Tim, out runner, had added an artistic loop! This had the three of us jumping extra fences and then retracing our steps as the field paused and watched hounds flying a high wire fence to regain the line. Puffing horses and riders had thoroughly enjoyed themselves and there were smiling faces all round.
Line two was longer, again with superbly built little fences. Robin and John must have been practicing for the pairs class, gaining perfect synchronicity! And they weren't alone....As the line turned back for home, we found a couple of large fallen trees to jump and some exciting steep gullies to cross before the decent to home paddocks. The last fence is a very short striding double across the rubber gallop and it rode in anything from nought to two strides! Lots of opportunity for finding a half stride and, as last year, caused a pile up of fallers and refusals! "You three at the front just enjoy standing there and watching us make idiots of ourselves!" It was good to see that one grey horse took on our extra-curricular large tree that was visible on the skyline. All loose horses were collected and rejoined with their respective riders before we jumped the last two fences back to the meet, the last of these being a beautiful flower box planted out with heathers. Several horses stopped for a close inspection - we are supposed to be hunters, not eventers!
      Tea awaited in the kitchen, swimming pool or garden - doors open, glorious sunshine, warm enough for just shirt sleeves. Nobody would have guessed that Jilly had catered for 30. Surely the best example of loaves and fishes miracle this millennium! Chillie and guacamole followed by the most delicious bread and butter pudding and cream. Although designed as a pre season meet (a victim of foot and mouth this season), this was a lovely way to end. Thank you so much, Jilly and all who helped her.