A ‘Fun’ Ride!

I am writing this while my legs still ache and I have finally sat down to decide which bit of ‘fun’ in the fun ride was there today!!

For those who have never had the chance to involve themselves with organising a fun ride, I will briefly explain.

Months before the event an area is chosen.  Numerous farmers/landowners ( in this case 10!) are approached about allowing the ride to take place.  A route is then planned, driven, ridden and walked over weeks before the day.

Leading up to the event, a group of lovely helpers turn up and lug, drag and erect jumps for the riders to enjoy.

The day before, the route is marked with  signs directing the riders firstly on the roads to the start and then around the course ( all 10 hilly miles of it!)  are put in place.

The toilet arrives!

Cooking takes place and cakes are baked.  A visit to the cash and carry, butchers, bakers etc are made.  Rosettes are delivered.

On the day itself, an early start means signs are checked, the food arrives for the butty van to cook, the tent for entries is put up, the stewards are taken and put along the route to ensure the safety of all the riders.

For hours people sit, stand and cook…. Chat…. help and haul themselves around the beautiful countryside to give, in this case, the sum total of 68 riders a day of pleasure!

Everyone who came enthused and enjoyed the ride. They were full of praise and wonder about our most beautiful piece of countryside! 

More photos from the funride may be found on the CountryStyle Photography Website

I would like to thank the following for all their help and enthusiasm, which made the tiring day so worth it – you are all wonderful.

Nicky, John, Tommy and Charlie Conde

Nicky’s mum and dad and brother

Kate and Craig Varley

Molly Breakwell,

Ann Cartwright

Jane Trow and all her riders

Barry Roberts

Angie Meddlicott

Peggie Roberts

Margaret Brown

Mike Brookshaw

Trevor Mainwaring

Lyn Brisbane

Johnnie Walker

Lucy Holloway

Tom, Eileen and Abi Groome

Mrs Stevens

Sarah McCLean

Mark Bendall

Michael Tycer

Megan Northicott

Hannah Parry

Jean Parry

John and Brenda Lewis

Caroline Tarry

Tom Morris

Jean Frooms

Glyn Jones

Michael Sagar

Trish Cornes

Martha Thompson

And of course…me

That adds up to 43!!! I think!

FEEDBACK PLEASE!!

As we are not hunting at the moment, we all felt sure that our South Shropshire supporters (those that ride I mean, as the footies were all stewarding!) would try to make the effort to come to support us and keep their horses something like fit for the start of hunting again – not to mention raise some much needed funds to compensate for the lost hunting days this month!

How wrong were we!!  We had three only!

I am not totally blaming our followers, but had a few more turned up, we would have certainly felt that all our hard work was worth it!

Perhaps you could let one of us know what it is that we could change. What could we do to encourage you, and everyone you know who rides, to decide to attend!  I know we all have other commitments, but for our future planning, perhaps you could comment! We are very open to suggestions!

On a lighter note Hunt Supporters recently presented a new quad bike to Countryman Karl Wardle. Funds have been raised from various activities throughout the last year to pay for this vital piece of equipment.

United Pack Gate Jumping at Bow House on September 14th

One of our followers, who comes out with the South with Glyn Jones, took part in the Gate Jumping competition on her horse Dario.

 

Sarah Wicks, came second in a fierce competition, clearing 5 feet 2 inches and won £100!  

 

The day was very successful for the United Pack and enjoyed by many spectators, although Glyn had to hide when Sarah aimed her steed at the last jump!

 

Sarah and her tiny sister, Aimee (aged 9 years) then took part in the pairs jumping competition and came first!  Aimee literally flew around the course , passing her hunting crop over to Sarah and both going clear.  A successful day out for them both! 

 

Sarah has kindly donated her winnings to the South Shropshire Hunt Supporters club –  Many thanks Sarah and well done !!!!

Photographs courtesy of Hoofprints Photography.

YHS ‘Go Wild’ Camp August 2014

Last minute instructions to the ‘hounds’…

We promoted Henry from second whip to huntsman for a morning, and presented him with 5 couple of keen and enthusiastic ‘hounds’…each of whom had been given a whistle to blow when they discovered the ‘scent’ (a pile of flour!) After a quick explanation of the game ‘Fox and Hounds’ and a reminder of how hounds work out in the field, i.e. they spread out to find the trail and only speak when the scent is found, our ‘pack’ were off. In true hunting style it was found that the first field in which the trail began, had been foiled soon after it had been laid (Les had been up with the muck spreader!) Fortunately we had a couple of hunting pros out with us who ‘tally ho’d’ the huntsman and hounds across that field and into the next where the trail was quite clear – and our hounds were off in full cry, enthusiastically blown on by their huntsman! An exciting and energetic hour followed, the trail having been laid across fields, through Big Wood and over a stream. The hounds worked well as a pack for their huntsman and were able to conclude the hunt just beyond Keepers Cottage, where a pile of mars bars were gratefully found and devoured!

…and they are off!

Playing Pooh sticks

Lighting the fire wasn’t easy; James is lying in the fire place to act as a wind break!

Juicing apples is a real team effort; it is easier to buy it in a cartoon, from a shop!!

This was just one of the activities that 11 boys aged from 11 to 15 years took part in over the three days of ‘Go Wild’ camp. We had started with preparing and setting out our live mammal traps, along the edge of, and within the woodland nearby. Plaster casts of animal tracks found in the mud were taken, and while the plaster was setting a stone skimming competition took place in the stream, followed by several games of Pooh sticks… Lighting the fire was a challenge in the windy conditions but fortunately Henry turned up in time to oversee operations and although rather smokey, the fire proved to be the focal point of the camp site and the perfect place to sit and whittle sticks.

We were very lucky to have a local police dog handler join us for that evening, to explain how police dogs are trained to follow a scent trail. We helped in the training of this particular young police dog because he had never seen a camp fire before, let alone the motley crew sat around it! A second officer appeared (that particular Wednesday evening proved to be a quiet one in Shropshire) and much to the boys delight the dog handlers gave a demonstration on how the police dog attacks a suspected criminal! Pc Jones also took the opportunity to check and see which penknives in camp were legal…we are pleased to report that no-one was arrested.

Two large bags of apples, two apple presses and two teams of boys made for a quiet afternoon the following day, one which involved lots of team work, problem solving and knife skills (the smaller the apples were chopped, the more juice was produced). A grand total of 650mls of apple juice was produced and judged to taste just like apple juice, much to the boys surprise! That evening Nick Mills joined us as it got dark and took small groups out in a vehicle to see what animals we could find out and about after dark using night vision glasses. Probably due to the noise levels in and around camp over the previous 24 hours, it was not perhaps too surprising to find most wildlife had seemed to have left the area, rabbits excluded, but we were all amazed at just how much you could see using night vision glasses…

Lots of thanks are due to those who made camp possible again this year: Walter Blum, Peter Gyldard, Rob and Les Trow for allowing us to camp and go wild at Eaton Mascott, to Preston Montford Field Centre for the loan of the small mammal traps, Didi Wilde prepared all our lunches which were gratefully devoured, and to Henry Bailey, Nick Mills, and Pc Jones. As we survived and enjoyed ‘Go Wild’ we are already planning next year’s camp, so keep the first week of the school holidays in July free if you are aged between 11 and 16 years…
Oh, and in case you are wondering, the small mammal traps caught a total of 7 yellow necked mice, 10 wood mice and 3 bank voles, all carefully identified, measured, weighed and returned to the wild. The results will be sent to the local Mammal Society for their records.
Kate, Kate and Sharon.

It has been a busy day so time to relax while waiting for the baked potatoes to cook…

The Isle Meet

A beautiful autumnal evening found masses of people gathering on the stubble fields at the Isle, thanks to Mr and Mrs Tate.  The sun shone and all the children ( too many to count) and adults, loved the evening.

The butty van was still serving food at 9.45pm in the gloom, and a good night was had by all!

Drinks Party at Glebe House, Meole Brace

Trish dishing up Moscow Mule!

On a dry and pleasant evening In late August, George and Sula Baugh kindly gave us the use of a small marquee on their lawn. Seventy-five supporters turned up to sample “Moscow Mule” along with a selection of wines and delicious canapés.

There was much chatter, laughter and gossip throughout a very convivial evening. Although not a late night it was enjoyed by everyone who attended.

Thanks to our hosts were given, along with a special thank you from our hunt chairman, Jonathan Lovegrove-Fielden to Sula for all her efforts during the last six years in sending out emails and providing sterling service with communications.

George and Sula with their thank you gift of an apple tree.

Di Thomas, ‘blossoming’ and greeting guests.

Young Eliza Corrie helping to serve the canapés.

Sarah McLean, Duncan Hill, Will and Rachel Onions and Clare Hill.

Kate Payne and Terry Warburton – all smiles!

Sula Baugh and Michael Sagar.

Jonathan Williams, Molly Breakwell, Angie Medlicott and Barry Roberts.

Serious discussion between Heather Milner and Camilla Corrie.

Jean Horne and George Baugh.

Jeanette and Frank Cornes with Mrs Trish Roberts.

Min Evans, Jayne Trow and Susan Goode.

Ann and John Cartwright.

Caroline Foster and Izzy Barnard provided canapés.

Carole Mainwaring, David Strefford and Trevor Mainwaring.

Lydia Owen, Rachel Tarlton, Jackie Winwood Jonathan Willaims and Stephen Winwood.

Granny Camp (Or Adult pony club experience)

As in years past, a gathering of keen horsemen, who were mainly women, gathered at Berriewood in August to enjoy riding lessons, improve their steeds and enjoy convivial company with lots to eat and drink!  (to our knowledge only one real Granny attended!)

A good time was had by all with Jane Baker sorting them all out with instruction. They dealt with flat work and jumping lessons along with cross country schooling.  The campsite was a picture with a marvellous ‘tepee’ which Min and Mike Evans pitched up with.

Edward Potter should be thanked for providing food throughout the three days and nights and Trish Cornes, who organised it all, should not go unmentioned!

The photos tell the tale below.

Kate Varley, Michael Evans, Izzy Barnard and Craig Varley

Min Evans, Lucy Birley, Hannah Holmes and Sula Baugh

Heather Milner and Trish Cornes

Clare Hill and Duncan Hill

SSH Pony Club Camp – August 2014

Traditionally on the last day of pc camp the pc campers have a competition.Late one evening Kate and Sharon decided it would be a good idea to pair up the children for a pairs competition – pairs dressage, pairs show-jumping and pairs barrel racing – sorted.
Having told the campers that it would be a pairs competition – in the cold light of day they realised that they had overlooked the fact that there was an ‘odd’ number of campers for the competition..
It was at this stage that Mr Varley was volunteered to even up the numbers and Mia Corrie benevolently agreed be the other half of the ‘odd’ pairing.
Actually we suspect we did really rather well – but we mysteriously ended up joint third…
Craig is on Cartel and Mia is on Woody (lent to Mia by Toby for camp)

Report by Craig Varley