Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2015 | Page 98

EQUESTRIAN

New season for Bloodhounds
W
olverton Manor
played host to the
Isle of Wight Farmers
Bloodhounds for their opening
meet of the 2015/16 season.
An enthusiastic field of 47
riders enjoyed the beautiful
sunshine as they made their way
across the lovely countryside
above Brighstone, Moortown
and Newbridge.
Bloodhounds are a large scent
hound and the riders hunt
a human quarry, letting the
hounds spend time with the
runners before the field set off.
The runners are dropped by
4x4 or quad bike at an agreed

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spot a mile or two ahead of
the hounds giving the riders
plenty of opportunity to enjoy
the ride and the jumps before
the hounds pick up the runners
scent and set off in pursuit.
The hounds were in good
shape too, catching our runners
Jono, Saff and Alice all to
plan, with the mounted field
watching them at work.
The IW Farmers Bloodhounds
meet every fortnight at different
locations across the Island
that are hosted by generous
landowners and farmers.

Pictures by Andrew Thearle