Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2014/January 2015 | Page 72

Foxhounds get
new season off
to super start
T

he opening meet of the Isle of
Wight Foxhounds was kindly
hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Weeks
at Westover House, and it proved a
super start to the season with over 100
supporters turning out to see off the
hounds.
It is the start of a new Mastership with
Karen Begley and John Curtis joining
the team, while Anthony Blest, kindly
horsed by Malcolm Purcell, rode to
hounds for the first time in many years,
along with his daughter Francesca.
The field consisted of riders of ages
ranging from as young as four to
those well into their 70s, with several
new faces among them. They had the
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opportunity to gallop across beautiful
downs, jumping rustics fences and
hedges, following hounds who picked
up the trails that were being laid by
Master Alex Clarke during the day.
Hounds hunted the trails well, the
weather was kind, and a great day was
had by all. The day concluded with
the Opening Meet Supper with a well
needed scrumptious meal prepared
by Mrs Sandra Purcell and her team of
helpers. Karen Begley said: “A huge thank
you to our very supportive landowners
who allow us to cross their country.”
Pictures by John Found