Black Robin Farm
February 10th, 2002

 

Hounds met by kind invitation of the Higgs family. We were lucky with the weather as, despite a strong cold South Westerly wind, it was nice and clear for the meet (unlike the driving rain earlier in the week). The quarry for the first hunt was Adrian, Robbie and our host's daughter Nicola Higgs. The hounds hunt away from the back of farm, generating enough excitement amongst the field to leave one rider on the ground as her horse put in a couple of spectacular bucks just as the hounds set off.

Hounds hunted in a big circle round Middle Brow, down over the jump into Crapham Bottom and on up onto the bank where the wind had blown the scent into the wire fence. After sorting themselves out, hounds hunted round Crapham Barn where one of the whips (Jo Carr) joined us rather late looking like the wrath of god, accompanied by Master Roger Manning and his wife, Honorary Secretary Mo. Hounds swung down towards the busy East Dean road, jumping the fence behind the cottages,and hunted on parallel with the road. At this point hounds ran down to a large bomb hole near the road. The quarry had run round it in a right hand circle but the scent had blown over so the hounds hunted it in a left hand circle and became rather confused (not helped by the whips concern that they did not hunt on to two walkers standing at the roadside). From here they hunted back up the hill towards Mill Down over the jumps at New Barn, and down towards Birling Farm.

Here the quarry were forced to run onto and then off the well used footpath, which caused the pack to split with half accounting for a passing walker whilst the others remained true to the line. Meanwhile, the long gallop across the dry downland turf to this point had encouraged several of the thoroughbreds in the field to hit a strong galloping stride, which accelerated as the ground sloped away. There was then much frantic application of the brakes as their riders suddenly realised they had to drop down onto a road and take a sharp left hand turn!

Hounds ran on to take our quarry just below Cornish Farm, where John Hobden the farmer was waiting for us.

The second hunt started in the large field below Cornish Farm. Taking a right along Bramble Bottom, they jumped the fences out onto Crapham Down, and down to take the quarry at the dew pond in East Hale Bottom. Betsy, a young entry got stuck at the first fence and had to be led on by Bill on foot back to the pack - a long walk.

The third hunt set off along Hale Bottom. Running through the bushes, they hunted on to the top of the hill opposite the pumping station, where they held the line along the footpath but unfortunately veered off and accounted for two walkers near the pumping station. They were put back on the line at Kiln Coombe, where they immediately accounted for two more walkers. They were soon settled in the open fields and hunted down towards the main road near Beachy Head cliffs. Turning here they ran parallel to the road along a wonderful stretch of open downland taking their quarry just behind the Beachy Head Hotel. Meanwhile John Hobden and his wife had been busy picking up two hounds, including Betsy, who were exhausted by the long long galloping hunt - which had also caused the hounds problems as there were numerous walkers standing on our quarry's line.

The third hunt stated just above Black Robin as the weather started to close in. The hounds split here with several hunting towards the farm, but they were soon brought back. Meanwhile the other hounds had picked up the heel line in the increasingly strong wind and, in spite of having three whips, the huntsman had to turn them himself (Nic asked for this to be put in!). The hound picked up the line and hunted into Black Robin Bottom, down the back past the East Hale dew pond, up Crapham Bottom, jumping back into Middle Brow. Flying the fence behind the farm buildings they took their quarry at the top dew pond.

An incredible day for the horses on perfect ground but the hounds struggled at times in the strong wind - the scent was continually blown away from the jumps so they ended up jumping the wire fences. As usual the numerous walkers caused minor problems. Rowntree and Basil were the best hounds of the day.

We all went back into the farm house for some excellent tea provided by our hosts, including a wonderful beef and carrot stew made using the farm's own beef (also on sale in the excellent farm shop). A notably faller on the day was Mo Manning.