It would appear that the annual pilgrimage to ski resorts took a heavy toll on our Field, which was a shame because we had some great country to hunt over, after enjoying Charlie Corbett's hospitality at Holden Farm. Jeff Lynn very kindly and selflessly gave up a day's work to Quarry for us and as such, gets a mention in dispatches! One of the advantages of having only one Quarry running, is that scent is very catchy and hounds have to work very hard to stay on the line. It was clearly a poor scenting day as well, with hounds panting in the warm weather. We had some good open ground to hunt over, thanks to Mr Corbett, Mr Young, Mr Rames, Mr Foot and Mr Gray.

The first hunt started on Holden Farm, with hounds running down the rape towards the wood. Despite the comparatively short distance to the first tight turn, hounds turned well and ran towards Rabbit Copse. Turning west, hounds ran parallel to Balls Lane, and then on to the cross roads of Holden Lane/Balls Lane/Church Lane/South Downs Way, where they checked. Hounds made quite a large cast before coming back to hit the line up to Lane End Copse. Swinging east, hounds overran the next turn, picking up the line of the Quarry in his finishing field. Hounds were picked up and brought back to the line and they quickly settled to make an outside circuit of Newdown Copse, before coming back to catch their Quarry by Holden Lane.

The second hunt started on the other side of the A272 from Holden Farm and hounds struck two lines in the first field. One lot hunting our Quarry and the others hunting some foot followers who had decided to walk on and get a good view of hounds hunting! Hounds were reunited after the errant hounds had caught the foot followers and realised their mistake, as the hounds hunting the correct Quarry ran onto some bare ground on Gander Down. Hounds hunted very slowly on the bare ground, but managed to work it up onto some better scenting winter crop towards Rodfield Lane. Here hounds were brought to a walk again, for no apparent reason the Master could see. However, the cause came into view as hounds hunted slowly towards the barn on the South Downs Way - a tractor spreading artificial fertilizer! After crossing the South Downs Way, hounds ran on a bit better, but were clearly struggling. As they came into the last field of winter crop, hounds were unable to hunt up to their Quarry without help.

The final hunt started by the South Downs Way, with hounds running up to the reservoir. The weather had cooled and there was now a good serving scent as hounds ran by the barn at Honey Lane. Crossing Honey Lane, a hare got up right in front of the hounds, but only Tiptoe 06 fell for this temptation. The rest of the hounds raced on to catch their Quarry short of Hockley Plantation. Tiptoe was present, so she clearly didn't like the idea of going too far without the rest of the pack.

It wasn't the fastest of days but if you enjoy hound work, there was plenty to see. Thank you Jeff. (That was your mention in dispatches!)

Photographs by Ann Brewer and Jeff Lynn (Click to enlarge)