The Ostrich, Robertsbridge
October 13th, 2002

Hounds met at the Ostrich by kind invitation of Mr Tony Robins, who gave us an excellent meet. There was no wind but it seemed to be raining all day, making the firm ground slippery. Field master for the day was Steve Leang, who had organised the meet.

Hounds were taken through the village and laid on into Glottenham Manor. They hunted away up the hill crossing the stream past the pheasant pens and on to take their quarry just below Mountfield Reservoir. This was an excellent warm up for the horses, but with the slippery going, the turns were sometimes a little tricky.

The second hunt started on Mr Turner's land and we arrived at the first jump of the day, a trappy post and rail, which seemed to cause more chaos amongst the field than it should have! The hounds hunted thorough the sheep and we jumped into Mountfield Park Farm, owned by Althea Burthon. Crossing over the drive we hunted along the hill with the field jumping the hedges without incident and, swinging down to the stream, the hounds flew past the farm and into the forestry. Jumping back onto the farm again they took their quarry in the stream below the magnificent drop hedge, which had been much anticipated and enjoyed by the field (even if it seemed to have been trimmed a little lower this year, but perhaps the memory was playing tricks!).

The third hunt started the pumping station below the reservoir. Hounds hunted through the sheep before crossing under the railway. Ignoring the deer they hunted on parallel with the railway but were stopped on the path that led to the main A21 when they were thought to have changed. Unfortunately the quarry had gone the wrong way (having not bothered to look at the map, according to the huntsman). The hounds were cast on and rejoined the line to catch the quarry at the farm shop. With a series of gates that needed closing on the way, the last of the followers were some time getting to the finish, but whip Bill took even longer as he walked two of the younger hounds who had lost their way .

We all hacked on through Robertsbridge Village and for the fourth hunt, which promised some fine jumping, hounds were laid on next to the school gates. Hunting down towards the railway and back up the hill the hounds took a very twisty course around the farm to enable the field to jump numerous jumps - including some interesting hedges, a challenging ditch, and some steps, all of which had been built by Steve Leang and his team of helpers and jumped really well. Hounds hunted on past the railway crossing and took the quarry early near the stream, leaving Steve worried that we would miss jumping a log he had dragged some distance to make a solid jump. But the field held back and, after being given five minutes law before being laid on again hounds took the quarry on the Etchingham Road, with Steve leading the field over the log.

Tea was taken at the Ostrich where our host was in a jovial mood. Everyone was soaked through to their skin, but happy! Notable fallers was Steve, whose horse slipped on the flat. Quarry for the day were Adrian and Robbie.