THE last half-dozen of the mounted field stood in the relative shelter of the stunted oaks that clung to the bottom of the valley. These hounds had produced an excellent day in tough conditions. We set off homewards at 6pm, but when we reached the rise and turned the horses into the wind, the horizontal snow and hail was so painfully cold, we could barely walk into it.
The torturous cold had nearly beaten us by the time we arrived at the trailers and, until hounds and horses were safely installed and the comfort of the vehicle cabs reached, there was barely a word uttered.
The wind had been fairly howling at the meet on Beguildy Hill, one of the high points on this wild bracken-clad range of hills known as the Beacon. This meet was just a pull-off from a single-track lane, where trailers could park, and Robbie Savage had pulled his white carpenter’s van on to the moor as much as a wind-break as a receptacle for dispensing copious amounts of food and drink.
This Robbie Savage was not the bleach-haired Welsh football pundit, but Teme Valley huntsman David Savage’s brother, and he was hosting the meet in an extremely hospitable way.
There were 18 people on horses and more foot-followers, with several quad bikes and different 4x4 modes of transport. Jointmaster Murray Boss does not ride and was directing the parking, dressed in his aged bowler hat.
Murray and his joint-master Clodagh Blain had arranged the day, and Clodagh acts as field master. The other sport at which she excels is cycling, and her visits to remote Welsh farms on her bike in Lycra must be a unique way of clearing country.
Clodagh’s mother Sophie was on a horse. She is chairman of the hunt and a former master.
“It’s not ideal governance having mother and daughter in these positions,” she said, “but there aren’t too many other people to fill these roles in this part of the country.”
Denne historien er fra March 12, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra March 12, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
