Visit to Lockskinners' Hunter Trials in West Kent.....................................................

We took 6 horses from Honnington to compete at Lockskinners in April. The Hunter Trials at Lockskinners are becoming increasingly popular with entries having to be returned even before the closing date this year. Lockskinners Farm is between Chiddingstone and Hever, near the border with Surrey and Sussex.

Rupert, Elli, Molly, Gus and Zen were entered in the 2'6" singles class; Elli was in the 2'6" pairs with Millie (based near Tonbridge); Molly competed in the 2' singles; and Bailey was in the 2' pairs with Joey (based at Stidolph's).

Conditions were good - the day was dry and sunny, though parts of the 2'6" course were getting very muddy.

There were particularly impressive performances from Elli, Molly and Rupert - all going clear in the 2'6" class. But with over 100 in the class and with a 'bogie time' in operation (to discourage riders going too fast), the chances of gaining a rosette were slim. In fact, Rupert was 38 seconds too fast, Molly 32 seconds too fast, and Elli about a minute too slow.

But it's always an exhilarating, adrenalin-pumping experience for all the competitors (and for some of the parents!) and no doubt some of us will be back in October to do it all again.