Sue Simmons MH, MFH
Website: www.simmal.co.uk
Check out some of Sue's photos here:
And more on the dinner:
Notes From a 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); last season and this as deputy field-master (to help Arnold); and takes over sole mastership on May 1 2009 when Arnold retires.
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, and will be competing again this year. Sue is a very keen skier, and says: “Always very busy!”
Being a new Master in May 2009, I can conclude already it is somewhat akin to being a child again. You have much to learn, you get lots of encouragement from the kind people around you, and feel you must try your hardest - even when you feel somewhat clueless.
Unfortunately, as adulthood takes its toll - a bit like skiing - it’s much harder to learn new skills when you are older. In my case I am plagued by my alter-ego which is used to being very good at most things at “my age” and doesn’t take kindly at all to being classified as a beginner again.
18 seasons ago I remember asking a distinguished hunt member on the field how long he had been hunting, and his reply was 50 years: more than twice my age at the time! I felt like a beginner then, and low and behold - on the snakes and ladders board of hunting 18 seasons later, I have slipped back down there again when measured amidst my new peer group.
This sense of juvenility has been heightened by having a steep and intense last few days attending a course for New Masters at the RAC, Cirencester, and the AGM of the MFHA at Gibson Hall, London. Both days were excellent and left me totally motivated despite my own self-administered ego bashing that I am a just a pup in the pack and am sure to get plenty of nips along the way. It’s rather daunting to go to your first AGM alone, but I soon met with a great chum and was quickly introduced to the gathering of Masters and all was well.
But first of all, before the diary of the last few days I can update you on the status of the three-point-plan. My husband and I had a family half term holiday planned to Portugal, but this had been the last thing on my mind given the impending EGM of my hunt members to gain accord for the hunt kennel roof renovations and rewiring.
This was imperative for forthcoming hunting next season, and without agreement we just couldn’t have operated from the building. But with lots of preparation, professional quotes and generally no stone left unturned, the vote in favour of renovating was passed at the EGM and I was secure in the knowledge we could plan again for next season.
We have also had a run of sunshine so the roofers started the job, and in the blink of an eye…it was finished. Now I don’t know what I was getting all worked up about, but then hindsight is everything. The lads - Les and Frank, did a great job.
I enjoyed making early morning phone calls telling them my internet camera was placed in an overlooking tree and I was surveying their progress. They believed me for a while because I seemed to know everything they were doing. But that was only because I had inside information from Diane, our huntsman wife. Eventually they cottoned on, and said: “Well if you’re that ‘bloody’ clever you’ll know we are now sitting on the roof having a cuppa!”
All kennels need summer maintenance
We’ve also had a hunt country meeting (at a pub, of course) followed by a little buffet generously donated by a keen new hunt member, Mark. This was attended by quite a few faces which was generally very encouraging, seeing as we are out of season. Plenty of folk realized the importance of attention to country, and without a team effort little can be achieved.
After a cumbersome start we managed to get all areas reviewed. Lots of improvement ideas were put forward, and questions rose over more sensitive areas which may have dropped off the radar. At a later date, an impressive spreadsheet was issued as a memento (?) by our IT industry expert and Hon. Secretary Kath Smith.
This plan has since been whittled down into priority tasks: about two or three new ones to tackle for the forthcoming season. Otherwise it had been like looking into a void with no start or end. Now I am happy we can focus on opening up some old country, and that new pockets of land are to be ‘bolted-on’ to our existing country.
Hunt jumps have already been renewed, re-sited and re-invented. More fence building dates are booked in, and new Meet hosts have come forward. And when the season begins, we will all, as usual, play servant to the British weather.
Last on the plan was to start a Holcombe “integration” plan. Well I have integrated, listened to, met with and driven myself up hill and down dale in the last few days attending all manner of courses and meetings. So that task is well and truly underway.
I can only highly commend the MFHA for their organization of these events which have run smoothly and been of great value to me. The address given by William Hague to the MFHA AGM could not have been better, filling all-comers with the excitement that Repeal could be reality if we all get our ducks in a row, and help the political agenda in these times of Labour meltdown.
His message was loud and clear, in bold and underlined - if, or should I say WHEN elected, the Conservative Government will give Parliament time for a free vote on hunting. Time will be of the essence, and it will not be left to languish. Mr Hague stressed that the Hunting Act 04 was “bad law” and with the new Hunting Regulation Authority, all would be set for a workable future for hunting and rural Britain.
After the disbelief of many a joint-master I have met lately that I am to be alone as the new (Sole) Master at Holcombe; and the subsequent many laughs at my expense that I will be riding the horse, chasing the trail, and skinning dead stock…all at the same time; I can say in Sir Alan Sugar style: “The Hunt for My Apprentice Begins…” Or shall I just accept I am in fact my own apprentice, groom and chief cook & bottle washer? Well, so be it, and there are equally many that say - if you want a job done well, ask a busy woman…
And my last thought to leave you with this month - did you see the Epsom Derby? That amazing and most special horse Sea the Stars, so expertly ridden by Mick Kinane, lifted my spirits and reminded me how much pleasure my involvement with horses over the years has given me. Now I am involved with both horse and hound, so that should “double” the fun!
Sue Simmons
MH. MFH