Despite having our Opening Meet on the non traditional day of Saturday - to avoid meeting on Remembrance Sunday - there was a good turnout of 25 riders and loads of foot followers. A great sunny day, in beautiful autumn colours, with generous hospitality provided by our hosts Mike and Fran Baker, what more could we want? Well I suppose some good Quarries to hunt and some ground to hunt over - and we had that as well. Adrian Sole and Alison Bamford kindly volunteered to set us some good hunts over the Ellis family's land for the first three hunts, and Anthony Silk's ground for the fourth. It was great to see Jane Ellis out with us again, as well as a contingent of 10 riders from Froxfield Stud.

The first hunt started in Ivyhouse Lane and hounds were running well as they came towards the first road crossing at High Cross Lane, but the Master decided to stop hounds here as there had been a faller in the first field. Once it was established there was no serious injury, hounds were laid on again and screaming away behind Southdean Farm. The Quarry put in a loop here and while some hounds cast in the wrong direction, Sultry 02 and Sunshine 02 were quickly back on the line and screaming for the rest of the pack to catch up. Crossing Soalwood Lane hounds caught their quarry by Ridge Top Lane.

The second hunt has become almost traditional for the Opening Meet. Starting by Wyke Green Farm, hounds flew over the Rings Green bridleway, up to the Trooper Inn, before running parallel to the C18, where the Master had to catch another loose horse! However, hounds kept going over the Green Lane, to catch their Quarry opposite the Kennels.

Ther third hunt was a short dash running in the triangle between Ragmore Lane, King's Lane and Barnetside Lane. Sonia Poulter's horse was going really well as he steamed left handed through the last gateway; it was a shame Sonia turned right!

The fourth and final hunt of the day started above Church Farm, with hounds running downhill behind the farm, to cross the Goleigh Hill road. Hounds came to a walk as they hunted across some very dry and rutty plough, but were soon running again along the hill towards Hawkley Hanger. Unfortunately hounds changed on to the line of some walkers and hounds ran down to the Manor House before they could be stopped. Hounds were brought back and they refound the line onto some more plough. Despite the line being a bit cold now, hounds were still able to own the line on the plough, which the Quarry had run for a couple of hundred yards. As the hounds approached the top of Hawkley Hanger, Sultry 02 once again stuck to the line like glue as the Quarry doubled back to go downhill towards the Telephone Exchange. The pack was quickly back with her to catch their Quarry below Warren Farm.

A great start to our season, despite a number of fallers on the hard greasy ground. Fortunately there were no serious injuries other than to pride!

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