Vale of Lune
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Vale of Lune Visits the Blankney
Sarah Clegg of the Vale of Lune reports on a very enjoyable day when she and fellow members shipped their horses down for an invitation day with the Blankney in Lincolnshire.
Having had an excellent hunting season so far thanks to huntsman and joint master Mr Clive Richardson (only lost a handful of days so far to atrocious weather conditions) a dedicated group of Vale of Lune subscribers travelled down to Lincolnshire to accept a very kind invitation from the Blankney Hunt to experience a day with them.
The whole trip was kindly organised by former international show jumper Peter Pimbley and his wife Sue. Peter is a keen subscriber with the Vale of Lune and his son Alex who runs his own successful farriery business Ardex Farriery, as well as being joint-master of the hunt, alongside Mr Michael Dixon and Clive.
Around 20 riders and horses were given fantastic hospitality and accommodation from members of the Blankney hunt along with a keen band of foot followers who travelled down to support the day.
After a hearty supper on Friday night, hounds met at Coleby Grange by kind invitation of Mr Kit Henson. The field of approximately 60 horses and riders were generously plied with sausage rolls and slow gin, before a welcome address from their joint-master and successful jockey Mrs Margaret Morris.
Vale of Lune's Sarah Clegg riding Lion | Courtesy singlespeeder@btinternet.com
As a delicious treat Kit had created a selection of hunt rails and substantial hedges around his land which the assembled field had great fun jumping, ably led by Margaret as field master; before heading away down the drive. The hounds were hunted by the talented and capable Philip Stubbings, and Clive with his son Jonny Richardson spent the day up at the front with Philip and his team allowing Jonny to experience how different huntsmen work.
Andrea Shaw on Wacko having a great day out
Courtesy singlespeeder@btinternet.com
They first drew up on the heath before heading “off the Cliff” onto some fantastic flat country below Navenby. Known as the Cliff to Lincolnshire folk, it was more like a gentle slope compared to the usual country for the VLH, and it was crossing these flat fields that we guests got to enjoy their first taste of Lincolnshire drains and ditches.
"It was lovely to watch hounds work across the land with views of Lincoln cathedral on the horizon."
After second horses were brought for Margaret and the hunt staff at 2.30pm, hounds then ran back up onto the Heath again, and finally came home around 5pm. Once again delicious hot pork sandwiches, cups of tea and refreshments were kindly supplied by Kit and his team of helpers - a great delight to those who maybe hadn’t spent so long in the saddle for a while.
An evening of good food and laughter at the golf club at Metheringham cemented friendships which had been made between visitors and locals throughout the day and everyone was a little weary on Sunday morning for the trip back home.
The return visit for the Blankney to sample the Vale of Lune country is on the 21st March and the VLH are looking forward to returning the fantastic hospitality they received. Special thanks must go to Peter Pimbley and Margaret Morris for organising the weekend, Kit Henson for hosting the meet, and to all the Blankney subscribers and followers who made the visit so fantastic.
Sarah Clegg