Twenty seven teams contested the Novice speed class won in fine style by the Mixed Pack, it was good to see Rosie Vestey back in the saddle and in a winning team again, she was ably backed by Sophie Rooker, Jane Edmunds and Fiona Russell-Brown. The Teme Valley Tiggers who were placed in the Bicester Open had dropped back down in class again and they took second place, the Cradle Snatchers team of point to point riders Sarah and Hannah Phizacklea, Sarah Docker and Gemma Hutchinson were a well deseved third and fourth were the Drag ‘N’ Fly team of Angela Dodd, Diana Hall and John and Kim Knowles. Only eight seconds split the first 4 teams.

There were fourteen teams entered in the Open, over Dick Threadgold’s super course, the Hair Raisers II team did not come under starters orders as Allen Brown is still grounded due to his leg injury at the Atherstone earlier in the season.

First to go, the Bollocks to Blair team of Anita Hall, Rowan Cope, and Mark Smith (sorry they did have a fourth rider but I was unable to establish who it was), set of at a great pace and with tight turns through the influential U turn through the wood between fences 2 to 4 and also some nifty angling of hedges through the serpentine at the top of the hill they stopped the clock in an excellent time of 5m01.08s which gave them a final 4th place.

The Boring Gorings were led off from the start by Graham Smith on his new horse but he was overtaken by Linda Adams as she set Denzil at the drop palisade at fence 2, Linda continued to lead Fred French and Nick Fuller with her usual panache knocking 5 seconds off the Bollock to Blair time finishing in 4m56.03s. This was now the time to aim at.

Next up the Mythe Farm Chasers, who rode in their first open at the Atherstone, encountered a few problems along the way, losing Paul Davenport at the drop hedge at the top of the course, however, they did manage a finishing time albeit nearly a minute slower than the Gorings.

The Pink Panthers also had a few problems around the course Lydia Cope fell at fence four and even though Liz Hibbard gave them a good lead they got a bit strung out and with Becky Moffat trying to catch up to stop the clock they could only manage a time of 6m20.04s.

The Cunning Stunts, Tony Woodward, on Duggan, Bryan Allen, one of the busiest riders on the circuit as he rides in about five teams! on Thomas, Nicola Dawson on Tom, had acquired the services of Lucy Hyde Thomson as their fourth rider. But a huge jump at fence two took her past the next fence and a few further problems along the way forced her to pull out. The other three had a super round and stopped the clock in a very respectable time of 5m24.60s.

Heather Moody and the lovely grey Kawai, led off the Odds and Sods, Geoff Lockwood, riding Freddie, Sharon Robbins, Josh and Ed Smith Osborne, Chablis had one of the best rounds they have had all season, although they lost Sharon Robbins two fences from home, their finishing time of 5m10.37s qualified them for the championships at the Fernie, Geoff, was over the moon they had qualified, he had been forced to send out an S.O.S. home for someone to pick up his boots which he realised were not in the lorry when he arrived!

Fight the Ban. Com were without their usual lead horse and rider Papillion and Ben Pauling, so with only three riders they needed to steer clear of any problems, Peter Mason riding Master Grass gave them a superb lead and with brother Richard riding Cocoa and Millie Stuart-Wood on Chablis they did just that and a very impressive round in 5m00.22s gave them third place.

The Marston Misfits, who have been having a great season in intermediates before upgrading to the Open at the Bicester last week, were hoping they could do enough to qualify for the championships. Sally Main on Hobnob set off in the lead, which was then taken over by Jo Manicom on Alfie, Lynne Deakin on Kia who was in his first open event and Alan George on the lovely five year old Matilda had a very polished round and stopping the clock in a time of 5m21.74s their place in the championships was booked.

The Bitch Pack, were next to come under starters orders, Tamara Vestey led them off Sophie Rooker, riding Tucker turned the corner into fence so tight she took the flag with her, Julie Wheeler was in close contention on Oscar, but unfortunately she took a fall two fences from home and with Lucy Bland a bit off the pace their time of 5m35.94s took them out of the placings.

Expectations were now running high for the next two teams, the Teme Valley Tigers, Sarah Myhill who rides Maggie like a woman possessed! had Nicky Wenban on Charlie, Paul Browse (Mr shorts-man) on Sox and yes, that man again, BrYan Allen on Indy in hot pursuit, some incredible corner cutting, together with their terrific speed over the ground gave them a time just under two seconds faster than the Gorings.

The local heroes the Joules Knightly Hatters were next up and were hoping that after their horrid time at the Bicester when they were chased by a loose dog they would have better luck. A superb piece of horsemanship by Stuart Morris at fence two kept Sparky on his feet and an then an unbelievable turn at fence three kept him right up with Iam Shipley leading on Pepper. Stuart was so elated as he jumped out of the wood complex at four he punched the air with delight, to an enormous cheer by the watching supporters, Yvonne Goss on the indefatigable Perry and Andrew Shipley on Penly were right with them, unfortunately Andrew came to grief at the open ditch palisade on the brow of the hill, but as they started up the final hill, they were definitely up on the clock, but then Stuart Morris also came to grief two from home, forcing the team to retire.

The penultimate team were the Hair Raisers, Aly Brown riding the fantastic grey Dragon, led the team of Paul Thomason, Tiny, Jo Jewell, Fuzzy Logic and Penny Still, Erin had a neat and tidy round but were just a little bit off the pace and a finishing time of 5m01.72s gave them a 5th placing.

Last to go the Dingle Donkeys had entered the Novice but decided to upgrade to the Open and they gave an excellent account of themselves Heidi O’Neil, Ron Doorbar, Catherine Woodhouse and Vicki ?? all finished the course, to a terrific cheer from their supporters.

Netty Nevill