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Enstone, 11th November 2007
36 hounds and 44 people made a staggering turnout at the long delayed opening met of the season held at Oat Hill farm. Parking was easy, at the end of the concrete track around the barns. The beagles were very excited as they got out of the cars (with much bugling) and were squeezed into their gaily coloured hunting jackets as their owners pulled on wellies and walking boots. We started on a stubble field by the farmhouse. Since it was such a long time since the 2007 Trials, Fieldmaster Dave McSheehy had the 8 working certificate holders run first as a discrete group and very well they ran indeed, demonstrating why they were the proud holders of the coveted working certificates. Though no longer speedy, Haylock’s Enchace Yokel, worked steadily and consistently throughout. The new workers – Fernie’s Suki (Kybo Touchy), Forbes’ Buster (Kentoast Napoleon) and Richmond’s Swagger (Redcap Cardinal Punch) – proved themselves worthy of leading off in this group. Once they returned, the whole field lined up; Away went the workers on the first whistle pursued (at second whistle) by the novices who had been straining at the leads and were raring to go. So much so that they swept the legs out from under one of the worker-handlers who ended face down in the mud. Some of the first timers were frankly bemused by the whole experience - both hounds and owners – with a few hounds only going a few yards before they ran back to “Mum”. Up round the back of the barns led by the farmer/owner who came round with us and on to a series of interlinked grassed fields. Down to the serious business of the day. We stopped at this point to hold the two minute silence for Remembrance Sunday which was observed in the breach by a couple of dog hounds whose owners had to hold them round the muzzle. Whilst remembering those who gave their lives in war I, for one, thought of the beagle packs who went out to Flanders in 1914 with the cavalry regiments……. This is a super venue with an abundance of good fields. Very easy to walk round. Viewing more difficult since several fields had a dip in the middle and hounds were prone to disappear over the brow of the hill then reappear after what seemed a considerable number of minutes! None ran off and, apart from one little group taking off into the hedgerow, all came back reliably to their owners – many having completed the whole drag, others having held a “mother’s” meeting and a few just having frolicked in the middle. On balance, Trigger’s group performed more reliably than Yokel’s but it was noticeable that the hounds that ran on the fresh scent did better than the group that ran second on the line. Forbes’ Filly (Kentoast Filbert) worked well and showed leadership, bringing in one group with the lead workers. Gemark Dr Jekyll started off strongly then lost the plot and decided to play with his companion bitch. Amongst the newcomers out for the first time today Stannard’s Angel (Redcap Angel's Kiss for Barterhound) and Leighton’s Dilys (Stormpasture Chocodot in Dolliesgang) had certainly worked out what the beagle nose is designed to do and showed great promise. Ambridge’s Amber (Cliffmere Iris) had great fun chasing and shaking the lure during an idle moment and seemed very keen. The end of the drag was somewhat marred by one of the new hounds having a fit in the farmyard but he recovered well and the owners informed me their vet does not feel he has suffered any lasting ill effects. Many of us then went to the pub in the nearby village. We rather “swamped” the restaurant and bar. Lunch was OK but took an awful long time coming and it was a shame about the cold plates. However, a good time was had by all and I hope that many of you will be out at Greens Norton on 25th January.
Theresa M Chapman Working Section Secretary 16th November 2007 |
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THE
BEAGLE CLUB