Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2009 | Page 82

life

EQUESTRIAN - Sponsored by Brickfields and Froghill Tack

Rick Dolphin, Huntsman of the Isle of
Wight Foxhounds

Mr David Biles talks to former MFH
Johan Christofferson

Kat Chapman (Whipper-In
IOW Foot Beagles) with
Kennel Huntsman Jason
Bellamy

New years
day hunt

Ms Victoria Jackson

Mr and Mrs Arthur Mew

82

The 10th New Year's Day
joint meet of the Isle of Wight
Foxhounds and the Isle of
Wight Foot Beagles was once
again kindly hosted by Di and
David Biles at Gotten Leaze,
Calbourne, the home of their
son and daughter in-law, Sam
and Fiona.
The traditional bonfire was
lit and over 1000 spectators
gathered at midday on a
cold start to January 2009 to
admire the riders, foxhounds
and beagles, and enjoy the
hospitality generously provided
by the Biles family. Jo Yewell
worked hard to cater for all the
followers and a substantial cap
was taken, which was shared
between the Hunt and the Foot
Beagles.
This annual gathering of
the two packs has gone from
strength to strength since
the inaugural meet on Jan 1
2000. Three former masters

of the Isle of Wight Hunt, Mr
Michael Poland, Mr Johan
Christofferson and Mr John
Kingswell, enjoyed the meet
on foot, as did Mr Guy Luck,
an ex Master of the Garth
and South Berks Hunt, who
commenced his hunting career
with the Isle of Wight Hunt
over forty years ago. Mary
Chapman was also on foot,
herself a former Master of the
Foot Beagles.
A field of around 40 riders,
many hunting for the first
time, enjoyed some sport over
Mr and Mrs Biles challenging
timber fences. The day was
a real jumping day with
perfect going, and by the time
Huntsman Rick Dolphin blew
for home at 4pm, there was
still a field of 25 riders braving
the chill as what little was left
of the winter sun set below the
downs.

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