Standing in the valley at Meon Springs, one thing was obvious to the Quarries Nick and Richard Hoare, this day was going to involve running up, down and across hills. Little did they realised it was also going to involve running through woods and brambles, while dealing with a mistake in the directions! The day was also very warm and far from ideal scenting conditions. Was this March the 30th or April 1st the Quarries were wondering by the end of the day! We are most grateful to the Butler family and Bill Tyrwhitt-Drake for giving us some beautiful country to hunt over on this day. Mind you, by the time the Master reads this report and views the pictures of his jumping (or to be more accurate non-jumping), I might be looking for a new job! Apparently Stanley doesn't like drop fences.

The first hunt started from the road above Coombe Farm with hounds heading uphill and crossing Monarch's Way to run along the east side of Winchester Hill. Sunshine 03 was in the lead as they came to the stock fence running down the hill. She stopped here and worked out the Quarry had not gone over the fence here. We had a great view as she climbed the hill until she eventually found the spot where the Quarry had gone over the wire. Hounds cracked on again running down to the chalk pit, before turning uphill again on the South Downs Way, which had numerous walkers rambling over the place. The Master stopped hounds here, to give the children a chance to catch up, after having to stop for some gates. Hounds were released and they ran on above Whitewool Hanger and the Master suffered the embarrassment of his horse refusing twice over a small drop fence right beside the road, in front of Ann Brewer with her camera! "It's not fair," he cried, "I've just jumped two really big fences below the hill. Where was the bloody camera then!" To make matters worse, 14 year old Daisy jumped it with no trouble at all! Hounds continued on, to catch their Quarry by Old Winchester Hill Lane.

The second hunt was fairly short and involved a very steep descent down to the Whitewool stream and Olivia Ross and Rosie Geaves did well to stay on their ponies. Mind you they had been skiing the week before, so I suppose that helped! The Quarries had put a few turns in along the valley and were eventually caught at the chalk pit.

The last hunt started with hounds running east of Henwood Down up to Garston Dairy. Hounds ran north by Yew Down to Middle Down where they turned east and checked. It took a few minutes to sort things out as the Quarry had been given notes that didn't match with the map, something to do with the Master not knowing his left from his right, causing the Quarries to wander about a bit trying to sort out the conflicting instructions. Hound eventually found their way out of the muddle and ran down into Hen Wood, heading for Emmet's Down. Hounds doubled back from the edge of Emmet's Down, running uphill, to see their Quarry running one of the rides. The Master stop hounds as we were some way from the end of the hunt. The hounds were quite pleased to have a break in the warm conditions and sprawled in some of the available puddles. After 10 minutes, hounds were released again and there was a terrific cry when the hounds found the Quarry had taken to the open woodland. It was fascinating to watch the hounds twist and turn as the Quarries had tried to avoid the worst of the brambles. Eventually hounds ran out into the open above Whitewool and ran back to the concrete road above Hall Cottages, where they caught their Quarry.

This had been a very tough day for the the Quarries and the hounds as they had done more than double the hill work than the riders. Added to this, their legs were lacerated by numerous bramble cuts. Was the Master sympathetic about the Quarries aching legs and numerous lacerations?????.......Do pigs fly?!

Photographs by Ann Brewer (Click to enlarge)