Home Page  for latest news, stories and Caption Competition. Updated 15/11/11  

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Hunt Donates £280 to Poppy Appeal at meet at The Pub With No Name
The Masters of the SDB decided to donate £10 per person riding at the meet at The Pub with No Name, to the Poppy Appeal, in recognition of the debt of gratitude we owe to the armed forces for the work they do in keeping our country safe. Together with donations from foot followers, this amounted to £280. Although we are a small hunt, struggling to meet ever increasing expenses,the Masters felt it was appropriate that we should do what we can to recognise the sacrifices others make to protect our freedoms. Hounds moved off from the meet for an excellent pipe opener round Martin Moore's Hurst Farm. Tragically, one of the Field had her new horse die on her half way round the hunt, but fortunately she was not hurt in this distressing incident. Perhaps it was fortunate she was riding in company, as this could have happened at any time. The rider has emailed Jeremy thanking the many members of the hunt who came to her aid. Hounds were taken on to the Silk's land down at Priors Dean for two terrific hunts with plenty of jumping, as can be seen on Sharon's website. Many found the pace too hot as the hounds pursued Nick Hudson, Hugh Green and Steve and Ami Nash..
Coffee is Served at Old Place Farm
A welcoming mug of hot coffee was served up by Mr Mitham as riders arrived for the meet at his farm on the Rotherfield Estate. It was great to see Mark Stent back on his feet at this meet, hunting just doesn't seem the same without him. Unfortunately as hounds were laid on for the start of the first hunt, we discovered that someone else had walked round the same field as our Quarries, Nick Hudson and Philip Mileham, and they were smellier! Hard to believe I know, but hounds took the unknown Quarry in the wrong direction, and had to be stopped. Once put back on the right line, hounds flew all day, with many of the Field finding it difficult to live with them. By the looks of Nick (on the right) he seemed to have recovered from the previous week, although by the look on Philip's face, Nick was hamming it up for the camera!
More pictures at sharontphotography.co.uk
No Photos from Itchen Down Farm
Despite an appeal for photographs from the meet at Itchen Down Farm, none have been forthcoming. This is a shame, because Itchen Down Farm is one of my favourite meets of the year. Dick Burge and Brenda Hulme always lay on a splendid meet, and their open country always ensures even the friskiest horse goes home tired. There is a serious shoot run here by John Collins, and it is incredibly kind of him to be so accommodating each year. Nick Hudson was our Quarry for the day, and nearly all the running was over very sticky arable ground. The first hunt went very well, with hounds hunting with great cry and drive. The second hunt didn't get off to the best of starts as a roe deer jumped out in front of the hounds, and some of the puppies just couldn't resist a very short excursion into the woods. Sumo 03 looked at them in disgust, as the youngsters took off into the woods, and the other old hounds who were fooled to start with, quickly returned to Jeremy, with the "hooligans" not far behind! The third hunt was the longest of the day and Nick was looking pretty tired already. Hounds were laid on and they really flew. Considering they were only hunting one Quarry, scent must have been good as they "pulled Nick down" two fields from home! I don't think I've ever seen Nick look more knackered! Hounds were held up, while Nick ran on - cruel our huntsman, he could have just called it a day there! The next day, Nick went down with a cold and threatened to sue the hunt for causing his demise. However, "Whaley of the Bailey" assured Nick he would stand no chance against him in court. Indeed, with WOB's record in court, I could see Nick end up "doing time"!
President absent for Park Farm
Sadly our Honorary Hunt President, Mark Stent, was not able to attend our first meet on his farm this season. It is hard to think of Mark as being ill, as he is always so lively and enthusiastic out hunting. I am glad to report he is now back out of hospital. Mark's wife, Nicky and son,Robert, were on hand to welcome a good turnout of riders, and our Quarries Nick Hudson and Philip Mileham. It was not the best of scenting days and Avington is quite a tight piece of country to hunt in. Nonetheless it is always a fun place to hunt, with wide grass headlands to gallop on. The hard ground did cause one horse to slip over and poor Louise Wentworth-Stanley was taken away in the air ambulance. Fortunately her injury did not prove too serious and we wish her a speedy recovery. Afterwards, Jeremy was heard to mutter, "how come when everyone else falls off they get a helicopter ride, whereas all I got was a ride in the back of Louise Hudson's 4X4?" !
More pictures at sharontphotography.co.uk

Record Broken a Week Later at Opening Meet
Jeremy tells me that each year he has joked with Mike and Fran Baker that they would need to buy a larger field in which to hold the Opening Meet, as each year has seen increases in the number of riders and foot followers attending. Well this year Jeremy can't use that joke, because it is getting too close to the truth! 49 riders and over 100 people on foot crammed into the field to enjoy Mike and Fran's hospitality. At the meet, Jeremy addressed the assembly to thank Mike and Fran for their hospitality, and paid tribute to Fran's tireless work as Honorary Hunt Secretary. Jeremy went on to thank the local people of Froxfield for their significant help and backing of his successful planning appeal.

Quarry Captain, Nick Hudson had the support of Lyndsay Bamford and New Zealand visitor, Jordan Jolly, to set 4 very good hunts. As usual, Jeremy attempted to cause a diplomatic incident by repeatedly calling him Skippy! It would appear Jeremy is not very knowledgeable of wildlife in the southern hemisphere; as far as I know there aren't any kangaroos in New Zealand. The Ellis family had been extremely generous in permitting us to hunt over so much of their grass. Particularly generous as John Ellis was very busy making grass and maize silage, and yet still found the time to help Jeremy find some great hunts. These routes combined well with land belonging to John Nicholson, Rosemary Keyser and West Tisted Estate, making it a memorable Opening Meet.
More pictures at sharontphotography.co.uk and kevinmilnercountryside.co.uk

New Record Field for Last 2011Training Meet
As expected there was a large turnout for the final training meet of the 2011 season. Broomfield House is always a popular meet, not least for the generosity of our meet hosts, Hugo and Charlotte Thistlethwayte. However, we were not expect it to be a new record for a mounted Field of 43 riders. We are most grateful to Mark Thistlethwayte for permitting us to hunt on Southwick again this year and we are also grateful to the tenant farmers, who are so helpful in giving us such enjoyable routes over their farms. Most of the hunting was on grass, with plenty of space for the more exuberant horses out. Nick Hudson was joined by Roessa Marks as our Quarries, and both the Quarries and the hounds had to cope with very warm conditions.
Pictures courtesy of Sharon Thayer, more of Sharon's pictures here.

Caption Competition No. 26

It's your chance to show your imagination, wit and sheer brilliance as you come up with a witty caption for the photograph on the right. If you win, you enjoy the glory of seeing your name on the website. What more could you want? Entries to captions@SouthDownsBloodhounds.com

Previous Caption Competition Photos



Captions suggested so far:

Mike Baker: In National Hunt Racing this is known as "Calling for a cab"

Hugh Green: Jeremy tried that with both hands the other day and he's still in plaster!

Sian Mears: Is it a bird,is a plane, No its Super Jack.......best whipper in this side of Hampshire.

Marion Allaway: "I believe I can fly!"

Chelsea Sait: Jack feels like a real aeroplane when jumping on his horse.

Jeremy Whaley: "No, no, no, I want to go that way!"

 

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