There was a record turnout of 30 riders for our meet at Brockwood Farm, and a whole host of foot followers. Four hunts had been arranged, with the first one starting on Charlie Flindt's Manor Farm, Hinton Ampner, and the other three on Mathew Morton's land at Brockwood Farm. It was great to have Roseby Morton join us with her children and we hope they enjoyed their day. It was never going to be an easy day as although bright sunshine is nice to ride in, it is not great for scent. Added to this, there were roe deer and hares seen in virtually every field we hunted in, including 6 hares thinking it was March, and boxing in the first field before hounds were laid on to our Quarry, Mark Little.

The first hunt was a circuit of Joan's Acre Wood, finishing by the road down to New Pond Cottages. The second hunt started up a hedgerow between Joan's Acre and New Pond Cottages with hounds running north. As the Quarry left the hedgerow to cross dry plough, hounds struggled to hold the line. Deer and hares in this field didn't help and hounds were cast towards the bridleway by The Malthouse. Hounds regained the line on winter wheat and ran down to Bramdean Farm. Turning parallel to the A272, hounds ran well to Humpty's Down, where they caught their Quarry. While talking to the Quarry, two roe deer jumped out of the hedge right by the hounds, but Whipper-in Kim Thayer, with some help from a gentleman in the Field, soon persuaded two hounds of the error of their ways.

Continuing from Humpty's Down and running over Pile of Scones, hounds crossed the road into The Dean. A good gallop here brought us through the bottom of Inwood Copse, to cross the road as if for Lowlands Farm. Hounds turned back here and caught their Quarry by the edge of Brick Kiln Farm.

The final hunt started running up by Brockwood Copse. Hounds turned back by the duck pond, to cross two roads bringing them to the edge of Brockwood Park. Skirting the east of the Park, hounds ran by Godwin's Plantation and back down to Joan's Acre, where the Quarry was caught. Perhaps not the best scenting day this season, but by the smiles on the riders faces as they said goodnight, I think we can assume the many children had enjoyed themselves.

Photographs by Ann Brewer and Sharon Thayer (Click to enlarge)