Coakham Members Go Team Chasing

Always keen to try something new, Luke Poore, Emma Singer, Andy Keep, and I decided to have a go at team chasing. The event we selected was hosted by the Berks and Bucks Draghounds, at Ian Baldings' splendid estate on the rolling downs, near Newbury.

Originally, Emma was to complete the four-person team. However, a training session at Denne Hill cross-country course proved her horse needed to gain further experience. Our attempt to find a replacement was thwarted when Pauline Holmes had a crashing fall and ended up in hospital with concussion only three days before the competition!

As we needed to walk the course on the day of the event, an early start was required, so both Luke and I arrived in Hampshire by eight o'clock. Andy was able to have a lay in, as he cheated and surveyed the fences the day before! The first class was the Pairs and this was targeted to gain experience on the testing course. Despite being behind the pace required, we managed a creditable fifth place and gained valuable knowledge for the Novice Team Chase that followed.

After a short break for recovery, we were soon mounted again, this time joined by Andy to make up our three-legged team against the other twelve teams of four. This put us at an immediate disadvantage, as the finishing time was calculated when the third horse passed the post. With our horses all revved up in the collecting ring, we were told that our start would be delayed. This was due to a number of accidents on the course, which included the official photographer who was hit by a competitor's horse when it dived out the side of one of the fences! After one of the two on course ambulances had returned to its' position, team Coakham alias "The Boys Brigade" were off.

Riding the lead horse, I dug the spurs in to get the nappy old nag away from the starting post. Once underway, flat out was the only pace, one that even Roger Manning would have been proud of! With a straight run up one side of the downs, a hair pin turn over two palisades at the top and zigzagging back down the other side, then open the gate and everyone into the pen before jumping out. Next, we swept left-handed downhill, flying up a bank and round to the left and over the final fence to the finish. With all three members present and correct, the only question remained, were we fast enough?

Before tucking into a delicious picnic lunch, prepared by Linda and Emma, Luke and Andy went off to watch some of the open class in progress. Finally the results were announced over the tannoy, "first place The Boys Brigade" . We had done it, at our first attempt, what a result! With all the hiccups along the way, it had all been worth it. The following Thursdays' edition of the Horse and Hound was more eagerly awaited than usual as it contained a two-page spread of the event. However, no mention of the Novice class was made and our only claim to fame was Andy and Luke caught on camera while watching the Open.

Gillian Ransome