Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2007/January 2008 | Page 72

life

EQUESTRIAN

Isle of Wight
Foxhounds
Opening Meet
For the second season running, the
Opening Meet for the Isle of Wight
Foxhounds was very kindly hosted
by William & Susie at Westover
Park, Calbourne on 3 November.
Following a traditional hunting
breakfast in the main house, a field of
approximately 30 riders gathered in the
park. Many foot followers and hunt

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supporters arrived to enjoy the traditional
start to the trail-hunting season in the
unseasonably spring-like sunshine.
After the generous hospitality
provided at the meet by William &
Susie, the field moved off and enjoyed
a gallop around the park, jumping
several sets of post and rails as well
as the beautifully cut and laid hedge
out of Westover Park into the formal
garden and back again into the park.
A most enjoyable morning of hound
exercising was followed by soft drinks
at Cheverton Farm, home of Paddy
Hodgson, Chairman of the Hunt
Committee. Hounds then hacked
back to the kennels at Gatcombe via
the Downs, jumping 20 fences in total

during what was a most promising
start to the trail-hunting season.

More pictures from the Opening Meet
and further information about the
Isle of Wight Foxhounds, including
the meet card, can be found online at
www.iwfoxhounds.com.

Island Life - www.isleofwight.net