The venue was a rather hilly field or is that a field on a hill. There was no dressage due the a lack of suitable ground so we opted for a Cones course, a drive and obstacles. 

The day started with a driver briefing, where I explained that because of the hilly nature of the venue only the cones and obstacles would be timed. Grooms were allowed to dismount without penalty if the pony was finding the uphill sections too hard. Some ponies had never seen hills apparently. 

The day then got underway with a cones course that turned out to be deadly. Angela Borman had set out a flowing course but with one element, a chicane down hill with cones 6 ,7 &8 , caught a lot of competitors out, even Clive with Angela on the back overshot cone 7 and had to retrace their steps, unfortunately I missed the gate totally as Rambo and I  focussed on the gate ahead of cone 6 which was cone 8. I was suitably told off by Greg and Sue and we were eliminated, along with others I hasten to add. ‘The hare versus the tortoise’ came to mind. Joselyn Smith was leading the Novice cones and Sarah Braybrook led the open cones class as they went onto the drive.

From the cones course competitors then headed out of the field and up a steep track to Barkston Heath where they set off at intervals around a 2.2 mile course of tracks and field margins. Competitors were treated to some great views over the Witham valley.

After the drive there was time to relax and have lunch and walk the obstacles for the final time.

The obstacle course was set out to use as much of the field as possible while trying to minimise the hill work, although the small ponies found the going hard.

From the start gate straight into obstacle one ‘The Wheel’ which flowed quite well with competitors making several rein changes.

From here the competitors followed arrows to a compulsory flag and then a long climb to the top of the hill, several grooms dismounted to help the ponies. This led into the first obstacle in the spinney. Here Mint decided he had had enough after the hill and stopped for a rest, despite verbal encouragement from Sue Smith

The third obstacle was at the top of the field in the form of a Slalom, getting up there was the hardest bit and most ponies found it difficult. The final obstacle was back in the spinney and I thought it drove quite well.

The day ended all too soon for the whips and grooms, but some ponies will have slept well Sunday night.

Thanks go to everyone who setup the venue on Saturday and all who competed and helped dismantle everything Sunday afternoon.

The winners of the Novice Class: 1^st Joss Smith [68.86] ,2^nd Theresa Killick [72.24], 3^rd Christine Lyte [78.85]. Open Class: 1^st Sarah Braybrook [68.26], 2^nd Clive Borman[168.88].

Pictures can be found on the Poacher Website – www.poacherhc.org