WILL BISHOP proved a suitable stand-in jockey for his pregnant wife Harriet, by winning the first hunt scurry of the season on her Worthapunt.
The pair are co-organisers of the three-mile race, which takes place in the cream of the Cottesmore Tuesday country.
"It's a committee of two and 'Bish' is only on it because he's married to me!" said Harriet.
After heavy rain earlier in the week, the going was excellent and 27 of the 30 starters completed, with one faller. It was a high-class field and will, as Harriet hoped, have acted as the perfect preparation for the Melton Hunt Club Ride on 10 November.
"The early pace was pretty fast and furious, and Hannah Stevenson set the pace," said Will. "I overtook Hannah at the sixth fence. 'Worzel' was relentless - it was his first run of the season and he was just locking on to everything he saw uncontrollably until I got in front, then he settled. And we crossed the line about five lengths in front of Maurice Linehan and Woody," said Will.
Worthapunt, a former point-to-pointer by Fruits Of Love, wouldn't be everyone's idea of the perfect ride.
Denne historien er fra October 10, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra October 10, 2024-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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'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
