Sue Simmons MH, MFH
Website: www.simmal.co.uk
Check out the photos here (photos by James Hardy):
And more on the dinner:
Notes 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); 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!”
On May 1st 2009 I proudly received my letter of congratulations on being accepted as a new master by the MFHA for the coming season. Enclosed were two handbooks: one, on running a hunt kennels; the other, about managing the hunt. I enjoyed reading the guidelines offered, and quietly wished: “if only it were so simple!”
For May 9th our hunt social secretary had organised a Masters’ Dinner, a night of celebration at the atmospheric setting of Hoghton Tower which is central to our hunt country, and the Baronial home of the de Hoghton family who have supported our hunt down the centuries. It was a truly memorable evening for our hunt members and supporters. I awoke the next day feeling my new role as sole master of the Holcombe Hunt had truly begun.
I have many friends in masterships around the country, but I can honestly say I never imagined joining their ranks. As a busy mum, and still working as financial director in the family metal stockholding business, plus being a keen equestrian competitor, I thought I would never have the time to do the job justice. But fate works in mysterious ways and I am one of those who believe if something is right for you…it will come your way. And when that happens: "just get on with it!"
‘I do have some experience, and faith…’
I do, however, start my ‘term’ with a season’s dress rehearsal under my belt. My predecessor Arnold Greenhalgh MH, MFH, had an accident at the beginning of last season from which he has fortunately made a full recovery. This event had led me to being fieldmaster, organising meets, and generally (alongside keen hunt staff) keeping the show on the road. And I had already done several deputy fieldmaster days in the 07/08 season. So I do have some experience, and faith based on those insights into which I am now fully responsible.
Nonetheless, all of my ‘master’ friends did a sterling job in trying to convince me NOT to take on the job, and alerted me to every possible scenario which supported the case ‘against’ rather than ‘for’.
Actually, what they were doing was trying to shake me off in case I really didn’t have the stomach for it; far better to see reality before, rather than later. When I told them I had gone ahead regardless and been voted in by the members, they were all very proud for me and have been nothing other than encouraging and helpful since. As I’m sole master, I am sure they will get tired of my phone calls for advice as time goes by.
Sue Simmons with the Holcombe
© emerald-fotos.co.uk
My immediate strategy is the tried and tested three-point-plan. Whatever you are about to do - whether it be learning to ski, organise a function, or a job at work - the three-point-plan always helps to bring success. If you prioritise the three tasks, you can remember and focus on them. Once one point is achieved, you move another one into action. If you start with a long list it becomes disjointed, risks being jumbled up, with no achieved measurable results.
We’ve already kicked off with Point 1: the ‘hunt country’ meeting over a pint and some butties at one of our supporting pubs in our moorland country. We gathered all our key people together to discuss where we go, who does what, and if our farmers and the land need more attention. The meeting went fantastically well, and we have more to do than we can manage, but everyone is so positive for the hunt. We have a new keen whipper-in, and Im hoping to have a new Wire Chairman who’s keen to get into country with me.
Point 2: one big issue which has come to light; we need to re-roof the barn at kennels and re-wire the building. This is no light task, as the barn houses the lodges for hounds and needs repair if we are to use it safely (within regulations) for the new season. I have some quotes in already, so we need to raise the funds to pay for the job and get it underway.
Point 3: will be to foster links with the outside hunting world (hence this article) as we have been a little introverted as a hunt for too long. We hope to show hounds at Harrogate and Peterborough, and again all of that is a journey of discovery for me.
‘I am an optimist, and nothing good comes easy…’
I am aware each point on my plan is a big one, but if we start now we will get someway towards our goals, and any progress is better than none. I have always expected the Master’s role to be one that is a burden, but also (hopefully) a pleasurable one. I am an optimist, and nothing good comes easy. I’m certain it will be a hard job and I’m sure friendships will be tested, yet out of circumstantial pressure I will come to know who my real friends are.
My two sons attended our Masters’ Dinner last Saturday. At the ages of six and eight I thought they would enjoy the mystery of Hoghton Tower; it’s such an amazingly old building, yet still alive and kicking - as indeed are we - in this 21st century. I threatened them with the dungeon at the Tower if they were to misbehave… I have already been rewarded with small things.
My boys both awoke the morning after the Masters' Dinner and said they were ‘sad’ that the weekend was over because seeing mum in action on the hunting stage had made them proud, and they had enjoyed all the fun of the hunt’s big party. William asked how old he had to be to get married as he had already made a girlfriend in one of our junior hunt subscribers…eight years his senior. That’s my boy, an encouraging young-entry!
At our recent point to point a staunch lady hunt supporter was almost moved to tears when one of our younger hunt staff addressed me ever so politely as "madam". She said how nice it was that some corners of today’s modern world still valued good manners and how proud she was that the Holcombe is included in that. Small things I know, and it’s not just about appearances.
I have section of ‘old’ country to re-open, and it will need sleeves rolled up and many weekends of fence building. But if small things bring smiles, I can imagine how rewarded we will all feel if we make big strides on those big jobs.
So what about the unforeseen or the intangible challenges? Speaking from a base of what I do know about - that of a finance director, I think the silent stalker for all hunts will continue to be the state of the economy. We already have some among us who cannot manage to take the mid-week days away from their businesses to hunt. Business is tight, costs must be revisited, and economies made.
Nowadays, even those known to me in the Sir Alan Sugar wealth-stakes have had their own fortunes halved, and are watching the pennies. Hunts will need to be providing value-for-money sport in a convivial atmosphere, to entice the equestrian weekender onto the hunting field: there is no place for arrogance in our attitudes.
So what lies ahead? A roller coaster ride of thrills and spills. The ride is just beginning and as a new columnist whole-heartedly supporting TMV and its aims, I will endeavour to give readers an insight into the life of a new master in 2009. We at Holcombe have history as far back to 1086 and the de Greslets of Norman times. We are reputedly one of the oldest recorded hunts, not just in Great Britain, but in the world.
As I looked around the room last Saturday evening I thought to myself - one of you here tonight will be a Holcombe Master of tomorrow. Whatever challenges my team and I face along the way, at least we will all play our part in keeping our traditions alive for the next Masters down the line.
Sue Simmons
MH. MFH