I can think of know better start to the New Year, than having our first meet of 2008 at Coldhayes. A beautiful setting, generous hospitality provided by Ingrid and Geoffrey Dale, a good number of riders, loads of foot followers, and some great country to ride over, courtesy of the Dale, Ellis, Amesbury and Beecham families. As the country was new and a bit tight to organise hunting over, the Master played safe and left the fastest hounds at home. Probably just as well, as the Field had some difficulty living with the hounds. We had a good turnout of Quarries as well, with Nick and Richard Hoare being joined by Nick Hudson and Freddie Green; Nick Hudson having decided that running 8 - 12 miles in front of the hounds was considerably less tiring, than trying to ride his horse behind them!

The first hunt was a bit of a gamble by the Master, as it involved hounds starting by the drive at Coldhayes, running by the house to Coldhayes Wood and then doubling back in the same field towards Steep Marsh Farm, with only about 100 yards between the line going into the field and the line coming out. In fact the hounds hunted the line perfectly and even made the staggered road crossing without any help from the Master, who was being delayed by the very heavy going in the stubble. Not even 3 riders riding over the line put the hounds off. Hounds ran up through the wood at Bushy Hill to catch their Quarry by the road.

The second hunt was a short burst from Coldhayes up the Glascombe Hangar, giving the foot followers a great view as hounds raced up the valley. The Master was slightly confused when he saw a large brown and white hound come past him. It turned out to be Freya Mileham's Shetland, so he caught it and took it back to her while amateur Whipper-In, Kim Thayer, went on with the hounds. Freya was quickly reunited with her mount and finished the hunt.

The third hunt was over Derek Amesbury's grass at Wheatham Farm. Starting down by Barefoot's Farm, hounds raced up the valley's to the road below Wheatham Hill. Running almost to the farm, hounds turned back down the next valley, where the Field enjoyed a number of Derek's jumps, except possibly for poor Freya who had another fall. Never mind Freya, you've got a long way to go before you catch up with the number of falls the Master has had!

The fourth hunt was a short gallop down Mr Beecham's land below Hawkley Hanger. There seemed to be five Quarries at the end of this hunt, Freddie having challenged his father to see if he could keep up!

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