Sue Simmons MH, MFH
Links:
Holcombe Puppy Show
Tales from a New Master
Sue Simmons
Susan Simmons is married to John who is managing director of the family business Simmal Ltd. John's sports are shooting and fishing, particularly on the Spey, Tweed and Esk.
Educated at Manchester University (BSc Hons in Computational Linguistics & Modern Languages), Sue qualified as a chartered accountant in London, and is now finance director of the family business based at Preston.
Sue has hunted 18 years with Holcombe (between work & kids); and took over sole mastership on May 1 2009 when Arnold Greenhalgh retired.
Sue has competed at both the Royal International and Horse of the Year Show Working Hunter Finals. Placed 4th at RIHS 2008 HW Worker Championship.
Sue is a very keen skier, and says her life is: "Always very busy!"
As I write the frost and snow is upon us and Santa is trying the cold start on his sleigh. I feel Mr Claus and I have a lot in common right now. We are both dealing with the high expectation of many a child and even the grown ups, to provide thrills and entertainment over the festive season. We both have to remember everyones name, all the family, and any special circumstances in order to address each one as a valued individual and part of the team. Much as Santa has his reindeer, elves and households to visit, each hunt has its hounds, hunt staff, members, subscribers, supporters & landowners all to consider over Christmas. It's a big, yet rewarding, responsibility.
It seems to me that climate change doesn't change that much actually. Over many a recent year Holcombe has had a dryish start to Autumn hunting followed by a horrendously wet November and then quick as you like overnight "frost, snow and ice" on the change of the December moon. I had it all on record, and despite having fingers crossed and my letter in the post to Santa saying "please Sir, no cancellations" we are now running that familiar gauntlet. My hunt Sec, being a farmers wife and farmers daughter has a line in to the local weather centre and gives me 24 hour forecasts 48 hours a day! What a service!
I have been asked many a time in my first season as new sole Master -"Am I enjoying it?" "isn't it such hard work?"-"Is it worth the effort?" Well as time passes, the pieces of the jigsaw fall into place. I have always believed that you get out of life what you put in. Effort is an investment, and today a corner piece revealed itself. I have been bitterly disappointed on the unavoidable last minute cancellation of the childrens meet as if I were a child myself. Usually I take the rough with the smooth as equal partners but today at 2pm I was gutted by the call from my Wire Chairman to say the childrens meet is off, or rather postponed due to treacherous ice on the lanes. I have remembered the magic of being "of that young age" and knowing how much the little ones would have loved to be out in the snow, riding to hounds, with their beloved woolly ponies. Smile on the faces of mums and dads, cheers all around!. So perhaps I have recaptured a bit of my youth? - that part where the tooth fairy still arrives with 50p (£2.00 now!!) and you really BELIEVE in magic & Father Christmas. Its great ! Emotions give you that reality check - you are alive and how great is that.
My boys have been out shooting with dad, oblivious to the cold at all times, and are looking forward to seeing all the "gurrls" at the hunt over the holidays, not to mention seeing the hounds they have sponsored, and their chums Steven and Diane, our huntsman and his wife who run our kennels with such pride. It really is such a convivial time and rather than feel the "pressure" of hunting all of us who are in the "zone" will be warmed by family and friends hospitality and be thankful for all that we have - even if it results in a foot meet in the frost rather than a mounted day. Whatever - we are all doing our best.
The practicalities of mastership at Christmas-time mean my hand is dropping off from writing cards - given most of my writing is done at a keyboard these days, and I have burned much fuel visiting my farmers and delivering the customary thankyou gesture of a bottle of whisky. Not being much of a whisky drinker myself I have handed these out wondering whether the gift will be well received. I need not have wondered! One of my favorite farmers who pulled my leg a fair bit when I first "got the job" thanked "me" for taking the time to come round and see him with a bottle. I think the shoe is on the other foot Sir....Another cute tail was told by my Hunt Sec who having dropped a bottle in at one farm asked whether she should leave the bottle at the back door ? She almost had her arm wrenched off as the farmer replied "Nay Lass, we'll be 'avin that int' dairy." Obviously not for "er indoors". We smiled at the image of a sneaky snifter whilst milking.
On Sunday we will be cranking the wheel again and walking the country for Boxing Day. I have been there many a time before but it's a different story when you are at the wheel yourself rather than being in the passenger seat. Our day is always covered by the local press - last year it made the national "Sunday Times" when a horse (with rider) on their way back to their lorry took a plunge into the Rivington reservoir. Phew - if you have been following my column you will remember we had a pony related water splash early on in the season so we don't want that happening again! Anyway, the press are gearing up given I was interviewed today by one of the "locals" as a prelude feature to the Boxing day storyline. It seems they may be excited something even more memorable may be worthy of news this year - I distinctly hope not. Interestingly I was asked for photos in "civvies" with hounds to look like a "modern" hunt. I dutifully obliged but did explain the significance of hunt uniform nonetheless.
As we speed through December I cant help but start to feel we have broken the back of the season. Finances have stood up to the challenges of refurbishment, field numbers have been steady away and much fun has been enjoyed by all. Equally I have managed to field master every meet using my novice and number three of my string of hunters , with number ONE in dock following a check ligament injury. In a way, although I have had to concentrate on sitting on the back of Bronco Billy, and had a few mind game problems with "missy" I have been forced to get them out rather than take the easy option of my ex-worker champ mare. So next season that will reap dividends as both young horses will be much the better for the season they have had and riding Mary (number ONE) will be a pure indulgent luxury.
Christmas can't come too early I'm sure for our valued draft stallion hound PFC Major, who has his ladies "lined" up and waiting for the time to be right. Not long now before he gets the action he has been promised...
So as I wish every man, woman, child, horse, hare and hound in Holcombe country all the best for the festive season I wish all of you the same. Good health, hunting, hope and happiness in 2010 and beyond. Lastly, given we are now a "modern hunt" in the eyes of the press - tinsel is not obligatory, but neither is it prohibited at Holcombe this year. Merry Christmas to one and all !!.
Sue Simmons
MH. MFH Holcombe Hunt