Innholdsfortegnelse for 22-Feb-2024 i Horse & Hound

WITH this issue we aim to help you enjoy the season to the max as a spectator or competitor. We no longer list every affiliated show in the UK – times have changed and riders now search for local events on sites like equoevents.com. Instead, we highlight the jewels – the events we all really want to aim for as riders, and be ringside for as fans (show guide, p60), including the ones top riders recommend as favourites. As you truck across the country in pursuit of such gems, or qualification for them, you’ll want to know the best pit stops at which to park your lorry or Defender and enjoy more than a petrol station sandwich (feature, p56). We’ve gone behind the scenes with Will and Olli Fletcher to…

IN THE NEWS ALPINISTA Kirsten Rausing’s fourthgeneration home-bred 2022 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner has had her first foal, a Dubawi filly. She is to visit Siyouni in her second season. BANZAI DU LOIR Eventing world champions Banzai and Yasmin Ingham are among the stellar entries for both Poplar (2 to 3 March) and Oasby (7 to 10 March), two of the first events in 2024. FARCEUR DU LARGE The Jamie Snowdentrained gelding and Major Will Kellard won the 139th Castel Royal Artillery Gold Cup, after their win in the Grand Military Gold Cup in January. Report, p108.…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound A PLAITED PLEA I READ with interest Stuart Hollings’ comment (8 February) about adults riding plaited ponies. He suggested a divide for the class with children riding up to 148cm and adults over 148cm. I plead with all to reconsider on the subject. Keep children’s classes in their current format, yes, but why change the part-bred class? Why is it contentious that a 33-year-old rode a 138cm to success? Please don’t remove an outlet for ponies who are in decline. Breeders are giving up, and smaller ponies especially often struggle to find homes. Finding a small adult to ride young ponies in National Pony Society classes (where there is no rider age limit)…

HORSE&HOUND VET CLINIC ALLERGIES can affect horses and ponies in many different ways. A persistent cough or wheeze when breathing could be due to asthma. Or perhaps you know a horse to be a seasonal headshaker. But the most obvious organ of the body to be affected by allergies is the skin. IS HE ALLERGIC? VETS will often consider allergies if they have been called out to look at a persistently itchy (pruritic) horse. Or the horse may be suffering from hives (urticaria). Sometimes, it can be both at the same time. However, allergies are a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that all other causes of itching or hives must be ruled out prior to making a definitive diagnosis of allergic skin disease. Questions from your vet will relate to…

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WHILE top riders have tried-and-tested systems for success, they’re no strangers to a little ritual – or superstition. For Sam Hutton, it’s watches: “If I do well while wearing one particular watch, then I’ll wear that one more often.” Sophie Wells takes a toy giraffe to shows: “I was given him at my first championships and I feel like it’s a bit of a lucky charm.” Natasha Baker has worked on not being superstitious, though she is no stranger to saluting a magpie. However, she says her mum has some rituals: “My mum’s more superstitious than me and used to have to do a certain number of plaits.” For Katy Green, it’s socks: “I have to wear the same socks at competitions. When I wash a pair then I have…

INTERNATIONAL SHOWJUMPER AND TRAINER JAY HALIM: “MY team has supported Bolesworth International (6–16 June) since its first show. We've gone every year and seen the event grow and develop; I really admire [managing director] Nina Barbour for the work she puts in. The quality of the courses and hospitality is fantastic. “Of course, the Derby Meeting at Hickstead (20–23 June) is a diary highlight for the excellent rings and fences you wouldn’t see anywhere else. The show’s steeped in tradition, family-run and borne out of genuine and generational interest in the sport – and there’s honestly no main arena quite like it.” INTERNATIONAL DRESSAGE RIDER AND TRAINER HANNAH ESBERGER-HANCOCK: “BEING based in South Yorkshire, I'm lucky to be well served by quality venues – Vale View especially for the High…

BEING rather a stickler for manners on the hunting field, I would expect everyone to have made the effort to be clean, tidy and well turned-out as a sign of respect to all whose land we would be crossing. They would have a sharp penknife and some string and a proper hunting whip, not to be misnamed as a crop, which is something farmers grow and chickens fill. A cutting whip is no use to anyone on the hunting field and in the words of one famous master, is an abomination! While there are many great huntsmen, it really wouldn’t be a dream day unless I was at the helm, although quite a few years younger and pre-ban. I would have a mixed pack of hill hounds with a combination…

THE finest view in the Vine and Craven country belongs to joint-master Sam Bracey when she’s looking through the long, grey ears of Edward. “He’s amazing to sit on; when he’s in a rhythm, he’s a real powerhouse,” she says. Much can be ascribed to his excellent education. “I’ve been going to a flatwork instructor, Carolyn Gardiner, for years. It teaches him to use himself properly and jump correctly.” He’s happy to try anything: “During the pandemic, I was so bored, I filmed myself doing dressage and sent it in – he actually did quite well!” "I WAS SO PROUD" THE 16.2hh part-bred Irish Draught, named Exquisite D according to his passport, prefers an audience, however. “He’s a bit of a poser. We’ve paraded at Lambourn Open Day and he…

oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr HIGHLIGHTS 5–11 February Solihull Riding Club Winter Area Festival, W Mids UNDER rider Kizzie Lucas, former eventer Candito claimed victory in both the medium with 71.81% and the advanced medium with 68.68% at Solihull Riding Club Winter Area Festival. Kizzie, a graduate of Hartpury’s equine academy, has been riding the 11-year-old Irish gelding for 17 months. “He previously evented up to three-star level and when his owner heard I was looking for a horse, they gave him to me, even though he wasn’t really for sale, so I feel very lucky,” said Kizzie. “I started doing dressage on my 13hh working hunter pony back in 2019 and caught the bug.” “We took the long road but my patience is paying off now” SUSAN KIERNAN ON HER ELEMENTARY WINNER…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ HIGHLIGHTS 5–11 February BSPS Area 2B, Warren Farm EC, Merseyside TAKING the advice of a showing legend proved the right move for Kirsty Andrews and her 15-yearold daughter Ellie Harrington. Two years ago she was chatting to leading showman and pony producer Jerome Harforth at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) who believed he’d found Ellie’s next star ride. The pony in question was the now five-year-old KBF Bulgari (Max), who lifted the novice show pony tricolour on his 2024 debut here. “Jerome said he knew of the most stunning three-year-old 148cm show pony that would be ideal for Ellie,” explained Kirsty. “The pony was out in the field in his scruffs, but he was beautiful and I loved him as much as Jerome did.” Max, bred by…

JOCKEY Major Will Kellard delivered a rare military race double when winning the 139th Castel Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown on Farceur Du Large (pictured), 20 days after victory in the Grand Military Gold Cup. The win means trainer Jamie Snowden has now won both of Sandown’s military races as a jockey and as a trainer, while the horse’s co-owner Jordan Wylie, a former soldier turned extreme adventurer, performed a knee-slide into the winner’s enclosure. “For the team who bought him with the aim of doing what he has just done, he’s been an incredible servant,” said the jockey. “He is an absolute trooper and to have carried a penalty on slightly heavier ground was a great effort. “Winning gives you confidence and the pressure was somewhat off with…

Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ DRESSAGE stakeholders have described recent cases of horse abuse as a “wake-up call” – and a meeting is planned to discuss how to address the challenges. On 14 February the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC) published an open letter on its website to the FEI written by the IDRC, International Dressage Trainers Club (IDTC), and International Dressage Officials Club (IDOC). The letter stated that the “whole world has now witnessed issues of welfare and terrible cruelty within our wonderful sport”. “It is correct that cruel practice is exposed, and the influence of social media makes this immediate. By the same token, social media exacerbates negative influence, and it needs to be turned to a positive,” it read. “The…

IN THE NEWS TOLEDO DE KERSER Tom McEwen’s double Olympic medallist has been turned out for the first time since he was injured at Burghley. The 17-year-old was happy to be out, Tom said. COURAGEOUS COMET US rider Becky Holder’s Olympic and five-star partner has died, aged 28. They contested the 2008 Olympics and 2010 World Equestrian Games, and came second at Kentucky. MGH GRAFTON STREET The 2019 Burghley winner has been sold for Yoshiaki Oiwa to ride but is staying at Pippa Funnell’s yard. The 16-year-old was sold before the deadline for Olympic horses.…

Irish showjumper Michael Pender and 13-year-old gelding HHS Calais won the CSI5*-W grand prix HH Sharjah Ruler Cup in the UAE on 18 February. National hunt jockey Jamie Moore, 39, has retired from racing. He was injured in a fall in November and following doctors’ advice will not return to the saddle. Dressage rider Emma Howson, 18, and her own Junky XL won the individual test on their young rider debut at the Cascais CDI in Portugal on 18 February. The British Horse Society’s president Martin Clunes is now chancellor of Hartpury. Martin will represent the university in a ceremonial and ambassadorial capacity. Jockey Saffie Osborne, 21, became the first female to ride a winner in Meydan, UAE, on 16 February. The next day she rode another winner, in Doha.…

▲ MANKINIS Top marks to Wallaby Hill sponsor Bowral Kubota, for offering free mankinis next year, after Shane Rose’s wearing one was reviewed. He hadn’t breached the code of conduct, Equestrian Australia found, which no doubt most people could have told them… ▲ HUSBANDS Well done to he whose Valentine’s card to his wife contained cash and said: “Get a bale of hay and some shavings”. Who said romance was dead? ▲ WINNING A rider who won her class as the only one in it was delighted to collect her red rosette. “It’s not often I’ll get one of these bad boys,” she said. ▼ CROWN JEWELS A rescue horse due to be castrated had seen others done. At his pre-op check, he had a temperature and lung sound, so…

oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr SOMETIMES my column is not entirely dressage-related, but I think it can be helpful to get an outside perspective. For many of us heading to, or going past, middle age, riding is a passion and many get better over the years. In equestrian sport we’re so fortunate to have the likes of Andrew Hoy, campaigning to represent Australia at what would be an unbelievable ninth Olympic Games, and John Whitaker winning the six-bar and the Santa stakes at London International. They’re examples of really good horsemanship, and at 65 and 68, they’re not only good but better than ever! It got me thinking about other sports and how lucky we equestrians are to have that longevity. Even if not riding at the top level, there are opportunities to…

When I was a model, everything was about what I looked like. What I love now is that I care more about what I say and what I’ve done. I always turn up to work early -I don’t want the last-minute panic – and preparation is key. You can’t do an interview if you don’t know what you’re interviewing about, whether I’m at a racecourse, Burghley or the Global Champions Tour. There are lots of times you’ll get thrown random interviews with big celebrities, but it’s the horses that you really need to know your stuff about. I knew that my modelling agency at the time wouldn’t love the idea of me doing the Magnolia Cup [the ladies-only charity race at Glorious Goodwood] in 2018. I’d have to get strong…

TESTING your horse to see what he may be allergic to can be invaluable, but it can also be frustrating. Many of the allergens we test for can be very tricky for horses to avoid. Therefore, owners should enter the allergy testing process with a mindset towards management, as opposed to cure. The most common form of allergy test is the intradermal skin test, which involves a small injection of dilute allergen under the skin of the horse’s neck. Some time later, the injection sites are checked to see if there has been a reaction to the allergen. Approximately 30 to 40 allergens are tested, from dust mites to flies, grass types, wool and even feather. Some vets now offer blood testing as an alternative form of allergen identifier for…

SHOWING PRODUCER JAYNE ROSS “ROYAL WINDSOR (1–5 May) is the obvious one we all adore, but we pick shows with horses in mind and the Wiltshire Spring Show (30-31 March) is usually a port of call. I’m a great one for giving novice horses good experiences and the first shows can be very formative. It’s indoors at West Wilts, so we don’t get soaked and the ride judges are wonderful. The event is run by people with a history of competing – it’s always a nice experience.” SHOWING PRODUCER SIMON REYNOLDS “I STAY local early in the season and a favourite is Newark Showground – the horses enjoy a spin on the grass. They run unaffiliated classes, which are a great introduction for youngsters. “I’m really excited about the new…

BEST FOR DOG-FRIENDLY Moreton-inMarsh Show Glos 7 September TRADITIONAL agricultural show boasting a packed schedule of HOYS qualifiers. The showing classes culminate in separate supremes for horses and ponies, and there are showjumping classes up to 1.25m as well as a six-bar. Includes a dog show. Westmorland County Show Lane Farm, Cumbria 11–12 September ENJOY a fantastic day out on the fringes of the Lake District that attracts some 37,000 visitors a year. Besides showing and showjumping, this is a major livestock show with cattle, sheep, pigs and more. And don’t miss the north-west’s largest locally produced food hall… BEST FOR TALENT-SPOTTING Cornbury House Horse Trials and Young Horse Championships Oxon 11–15 September THE young horse finals offer three championship categories, with the five-, six- and seven-year-olds all competing at…

catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 WHILE joining the mastership perhaps carries more kudos, it’s the secretary any prospective hunt visitor or newcomer first encounters. Combining the easy charm of a hotel concierge with the suave firmness of the school bursar, it’s their job to explain the merits of their pack, how much it’ll set you back to follow them – and gently check you won’t go splat in the process. “I try to make callers feel that they are the most important person who’s phoned today,” says Clare Bell, who’s been secretary of the Cottesmore for more than 20 seasons. “We’re in the leisure industry,” she reasons. The Bedale’s Laura Jennings concurs: “There’s a lot of organisation, communication and tact involved and you need the ability to welcome people. A big part of…

Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald SOUTH VIEW WINTER CLASSIC 15–18 February South View Winter Classic, Cheshire CHRIS SMITH and Harthill Mexico took their second consecutive winter grand prix victory, cruising to a 5.56sec win. Tom Dunning’s 11-year-old gelding has been produced up the grades by his wife Holly. “Holly has done a very good job with him,” said Chris, who began to take over the ride last year, after Holly had qualified him for a string of finals. “The horse and I are on the same wavelength now. Six months ago, he was two steps behind me in a jump-off and when it’s bigger, you can’t get away with it. Now when I turn back, he knows what I want.” Seven riders jumped clear around Gillian Milner’s first-round track, but the…

RACHEL PROUDLEY was the picture of reliability when she claimed first, second and third places with the only three double clears of an eight-strong jump-off in the Blue Chip grade B&C qualifier at Stainsby Grange, Middlesbrough. “It was nice to be back jumping outside,” said Rachel. “The course flowed well and the jump-off was built strong enough, with quite a few turns.” Rachel topped the line-up with Graham Ward’s 10-year-olds Jupiler and Easy Boy De Laubry Z, while John Chadwick’s seven-year-old Corrindubh Brother In Arms took third place. “The first two are quite low-mileage horses, they haven’t done much for their age but are both very straight and genuine,” she said. “We’ll carry on jumping some 1.30m classes with them and see how they go. “Corrindubh Brother In Arms is…

ANOTHER former eventer enjoying life in the dressage arena is Jennifer Bowman’s 14-year-old gelding Licanto H won both elementaries with plus-70% scores at Alnwick Ford Equestrian, Northumberland. “My husband Karl bred him and I got him when he was three, so backed him and did everything with him,” said Jennifer. “He evented and went to the seven-year-old championships. He’s an amazing cross-country machine but sadly did a tendon so had some time off. I also had some time off having two children, and until last summer, we had been out of the ring for five years between us.” The pair affiliated in the summer with the aim of climbing up the dressage ladder and have had a series of wins since. “He babysits the young horses on the roads and…

BROTHER and sister Harrison and Isla Bate nailed performances on their new ponies at BSPS Area 6. Harrison, eight, took the Heritage mini title on his Welsh section A Abervally Charmeur, a six-year-old by Blanche Grandee and out of Shamrocklake Cherris Clever Dream. “We bought ‘Charles’ from Gemma Pallett last summer for Harrison to make his first ridden debut,” said the siblings’ mother, Jodie Bate. “He will be super-special, but he’s a nervous soul. He loves children more than adults, so Harrison does everything for Charles.” Isla, six, rode show pony Valentine Siw, a seven-yearold by Moelview Mohican out of Valentine Iris, to the first ridden title. She joined the home-produced family three months ago. “She is the perfect princess pony; both children ride her and are besotted,” Jodie added. Hot on their…

"PRETTY SPECIAL" SAFFIE OSBORNE, 21, made history at Meydan Racecourse, UAE, as the first female jockey to ride a winner in the course’s 14-year history. She piloted Ouzo (pictured) to win the 14-strong Lord Glitters Handicap for her father Jamie Osborne, who won the UAE Derby with Toast Of New York at the track in 2014. “All credit to assistant trainer Jimmy McCarthy and Dad’s team for getting him spot on as he’s a hard horse to get right,” said the jockey, who went on to win the Dukhan Sprint on Emaraaty Ana in Doha on Saturday. “I remember sitting on the sofa watching when Dad won the UAE Derby, so 10 years on, to be riding winners for him out here is pretty special.”…

gemma.redrup@futurenet.com @gemmaredrup HIGHLIGHTS 17–18 February Puckeridge and Essex Hunts, Horseheath, Cambs JENNY OWEN’S charges scored a double, with Gerald Bailey’s consistent Ragnar Lodbrok taking glory in the men’s open under Alex Chadwick. Jenny said that the Fame And Glory nine-year-old, a fivetime winner last season, has never been known as a top-tier jumper, but that he delivered a foot-perfect performance here. “This was the best he’s ever jumped,” Jenny confirmed. “He was a bit below par on his last run here, for no apparent reason, but he’s bounced back and he’s on such good form at the moment. Alex knows him inside out too.” In the conditions (level two) it was the turn of the Stearn family’s 11-year-old Knight In Dubai to take the spotlight under Rupert Stearn. By Dubai…

JAMES KING rode a blinding double at Badbury Rings, starting off proceedings with a solid victory in the restricted aboard The Day Dreamer Partnership’s Red Nika for trainer Eamonn O’Donnabhain. James was invited to take the reins at the end of last year by his good friend who is head of the Day Dreamer syndicate, for whom James has ridden several winners over the years. “I said, ‘No, I wouldn’t like to ride him, I’d love to ride him,’” said James, of the nine-year-old Denham Red son. “He’s such a classy horse, and it was seriously impressive for him to drop into a restricted like this. He put in an excellent performance, all credit to Eamonn’s training.” Then the 360 Racing Club’s Glenmount led the maiden (division one) field for…

TIME and patience have paid dividends for The Empire Racing Partnership’s seven-year-old Another Furlough, who stole the show in the conditions (level three) under Rob David at Badbury Rings. The Shirocco son holds a token for Harry Ryall, as he was the first horse he bought and won with as a trainer. “We bought him from the Ascot sales in May 2022, before my first season pointing,” Harry said of the gelding who was lightly run in English bumpers. “He was to sell on, but for sentimental reasons and with him being my first winner he’s stayed with us. He’s just one of those horses, a bit of a legend really.” This marked Another Furlough’s second Badbury victory of the season. “Last year he was a bit mentally immature and…

A BRITISH-based equestrian is to be Iraq’s first-ever international dressage rider. Zara Griffiss has been granted Iraqi citizenship, which she will hold alongside her British status. Her father is from Baghdad. “We’re all so excited,” Zara told H&H, adding that she “can’t thank the Iraqi federation enough” for their help. Her first main goal is the 2026 Asian Games but she also hopes to inspire other riders in the region. “As a woman riding for Iraq, this is a big push in the right direction. I’ll be encouraging other riders -I’m adamant that one day I’ll get a team together!”…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald THERE has been little reprieve from the cost-of-living crisis and it feels like competing at any level is more costly than ever before. Unless a rider is independently wealthy, travelling internationally and running a string of horses is reliant on support of some kind, and most competitors look to secure sponsorship. The same is true for events. Even at a lower level, shows are on a continual search for corporate backing to prop up a business model that seems less and less viable. In years gone by, I can remember some key rider sponsorship pairings that helped pave the way for great results. This support would have been secured through developing personal relationships along with strong, consistent competition placings. The same is true for key events, many of…

TALENT and skill, wonderful horses and enviable facilities are just some of the things top riders have in common – another one is a ful mindset. But while some people might turally talented, creating a winning mindset takes work, e honing a new skill or aining a horse through the vels. And once this mentality tered, riders then need to be able to apply this afted perspective at titions on command. International grand prix dressage rider Abi Lyle says she has worked hard on her attitude. “I’m an anxious person, and if anything I’m going to try too hard at competitions, so I need to be zenned out, and as calm as possible,” she says, adding that she did a lot of mindset work ahead of London International in December.…

• TAKE A DEEP BREATH “WITH any of the breathing techniques, whether it’s diaphragmatic breathing (deep breathing) or box breathing (breathing in a rhythm), what we’re encouraging is a sense of calm,” says sports psychologist Jo Davies. “It’s about getting a sense of control. “However stress and nerves manifest, be it a tight chest, racing heart, butterflies or racing thoughts, when you come back to breathing it’s a simple thing to focus on. It’s always in the here and now. And it takes us out of a freeze state that riders can get into, when they go into that foetal mode on the horse where they tense up and lean forward. “So, when riders first get on, I encourage them to breathe and move their body.” • EAT WELL “RIDERS…

DRESSAGE: ● The Dutch Masters, s’-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands (7–10 March): four days of dressage and jumping, with the FEI World Cup dressage freestyle a highlight. EVENTING: ● Kentucky CCI5*, US (25–28 April); Luhmühlen CCI5*, Germany (13–16 June) and Le Lion d’Angers World Young Event Horse Championships, France (17–20 October). SHOWJUMPING: ● Hamburg Derby, Germany (8–12 May); Paris Longines Global Champions Tour, France (21–23 June) and CHI Geneva, Switzerland (11–15 December). RACING: ● Dubai World Cup, Meydan (30 March) and L’Arc de Triomphe, Longchamp, France (5–6 October). ALL DISCIPLINES: ● Olympics, Paris, France -eventing (27–29 July); dressage (30–31 July; 3–4 August); showjumping (1–2; 5–6 August). Opening ceremony (26 July); closing ceremony (11 August). ● Paralympics, Paris, France (3–7 September). ● World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen, Germany (28 June–7 July). ● Sweden International…

OLYMPIC DRESSAGE RIDER SPENCER WILTON “FOR 25 years I’ve been competing at Hunters Equestrian, which is 30 minutes down the road from me in Cirencester. It’s a small venue running a variety of shows and is immaculately kept. Frank and Sue Inglut, who run the venue, work incredibly hard – Sue even caters! I hope they keep going for as long as I’m competing. “For a larger scale I look to Somerford Park for the Premier League (24–26 May) and the National Dressage Championships (12–15 September). It’s got better and better and is the most horse-friendly big UK venue – the stabling and surfaces are first class.” FIVE-STAR EVENT RIDER ALICE CASBURN “BURNHAM MARKET (12–14 April) is my favourite local event. They’re on sand so you’re guaranteed good ground early…

BSPS Area 6, Moreton Morrell College, Warks TIME and patience have paid off for Natasha Taylor’s Connemara Carnabay Charlie, who jumped two faultless rounds in the 80cm and 90cm winter working hunter stakes and claimed the championship. Natasha bought the Streamstown Mickey son from Clifden Connemara sales as a three-year-old. “I went with the intention of buying a Mickey baby; I’d seen his son, Golden Pat, jump at a one-day event and I knew I needed one in my life,” Natasha said. Charlie, now a nine-yearold, has been a relatively slow burner, as Natasha explained: “He was a bit anxious and I’ve taken him really slowly so he learnt to contain himself, even though he’s always had a great canter and decent pop.…

HIGHLIGHTS 14–18 February jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Ascot Racecourse, Berks HARRY COBDEN served up a championship-worthy riding performance, taking the Grade One Betfair Ascot Chase by the scruff of the neck, to seal victory on the Paul Nichollstrained Pic D’Orhy in the final top-level contest before the Cheltenham Festival. Cobden, who now leads the jump jockeys’ title race (see box, below), confidently urged the De la Heys’ nine-year-old son of Turgeon into an early, unassailable lead and the jockey relayed afterwards that he knew he had the race won as early as the second fence. The duo were propelled further by some soaring leaps over Ascot’s formidable birch and with an eye-catching turn of foot over the gelding’s preferred 2m 5f, they dictated throughout, extending their advantage to win by 5½ lengths…

HORSE&HOUND GOODNIGHT IT finally happened, a mega day, one to write home about. Hounds barely stopped from the beginning to the end and Adam is happily plotting their route as I tap: 17 miles as they ran has already been mooted by someone with a tracker. The day began with a lawn meet at the home of one of Adam’s joint-masters and her husband. The gracious old house, previously home to a hunting lady who wrote for this magazine, provided a photogenic backdrop to the hounds, the horses and a throng that included cute kids on ponies, characterful oldsters and everything in between. The children had arrived home for halfterm the night before and I had set myself the task of getting everyone mounted. Even Jack, the hunting naysayer. It…