The Meynell & South Staffs Hunt bravely changed their usual team chase date from the end of October to the 14th September, in order they did not clash with the Cotswold and last year they had to cancel due to bad weather. This meant they were first on the Autumn calendar and it certainly paid off although it was a great pity to see only three teams in the Open and the novice was also down on numbers from previous years, however every one who competed and spectated was full of praise for the state of the going was superb and it was wonderful to sit on the grass having a picnic watching the action instead of shivering in rain and mud as in previous years. The organisers are keen to keep this date and we must now do all we can to get them the entries they deserve, the course is to be re-vamped for next year and even though it is one of the best viewing courses in the country it is hoped that the re-designed course will allow competitors to stay in view over the whole course. The going on Mr Tom White's farm is all on old turf and how ever dry the summer the going should always be as good as it was this year so teams will have to try and get their horses ready a couple of weeks earlier than in the past.
The novice proved to be a pretty competitive competition, second to go the Moorbridge Mayhem put in a neat round to finish in 263.54 seconds, which gave them a final position of 6th place, next to go The Speedy Masters knocked 8 seconds from the Moorbridge time placing them 5th at the end of the competition.
The Marston Misfits Again with Katherine Tudor, Alistair Beedles, Sarah Gibson and Richard Beaman in only his second ever team chase gave a very polished performance taking another 7 seconds off the time. The Bitch Pack of Rosie Vestey, Sophie Rooker and Fiona Russel-Brown running with only three riders had an impeccable round, they cut all the corners and went into the lead in a time that looked unbeatable. However they had not reckoned on the Rough Necks who absolutely flew round in an unbeatable time of 221.70 seconds, the team consisted of Tom Kaye and Martin Pateman, who normally ride with the Wasps, but were reduced to just two riders due to horse injuries forcing them to drop down to the novice, they recruited husband and wife Chris and Leslie Lingworth who proved more than adequate stand ins.
The Mixed Pack were the only other team who looked as if they were in with a good chance and they finished in a well deserved 4th place just one hundredth of a second behind the Marston Misfits Again.
With only three treams forward for the Open, it was thought that the competition would not be exciting but the three teams The Tangos, The Marston Misfits and the Teme Valley Tigers were all determined to make a good account of themselves and give the spectators value for money.
The Tangos - Paul Browes, Caroline Smith - Emma, Tony Thorpe - Dobin and Oliver Signey were first to go and with Paul Browes on Orange giving them a great lead they set the standard in a time of 293.7 seconds over the superb natural hedges of the Meynell country.
Second to go, the Marston Misfits had been reduced to three riders late on Saturday when Aly Luckings horse Basil wasn't firing on all cylinders, thus leaving Richard Goring on Toast, Sharon Robbins on another of Richard's horses Dandidit and Linda Adams on Denzil to take the gamble as to whether to really go for it and risk losing one on the way round or to play it safe and as this was the first event of the season they decided on the safe option finishing in a respectable time of 301.97 seconds. This left the Teme Valley Tigers to take up the challenge, the team of Neil Reid Warrilow riding his wife's horse Sprite, Dr Sara Myhill - Little Conroy, Lorna Brooke - Archie and Nicki Wenban - Charlie gave one of their best performances ever to knock just two seconds off the Tangos time, however it wasn't all plain sailing as Nicki parted company with Charlie four from home but managed to hang on to him and remount so quickly that they hardly lost any time, thus making them worthy winners of the £400.00 first prize and qualification for them and the Tangos for the Goring Hotel National Championships once again so generously sponsored by George Goring.
The Teme Valley Tigers have been knocking at the door for a couple of seasons now and their victory was well deserved.The team hero Sprite looked a picture of fitness at the prize giving resplendent in his new Goring Hotel Paddock sheet.
Our grateful thanks must go to the Organisers of the Meynell & South Staffs Hunt and all their helpers for making this such a super day and of course the weather helped, it is now up to all the teams to make sure that their entry listing is full for next season.
Netty Nevill
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