For first time since it's inception in 1955 the Melton Hunt Club ride will be held on a Sunday, with no hunting afterwards.

Instead there will be a fun ride led by legendary Quorn fieldmaster Joss
Hanbury and his equally legendary guest Lucinda Green for those not brave
enough to enter the main ride itself or those just wanting to give their horse
a school over good hunting fences. This will be a great one off opportunity to have the pleasure of following two of the best ever cross country riders over prime Quorn friday hunting country.

The main ride will start at 12 noon in Hungarton, finishing at Ingarsby over the old Quorn friday hunting estates of Quenby and Ingarsby.

The course is a lovely galloping one approximately 3 ½ miles long incorporating a selection of natural hunting fences along the way. The course has been designed by Mr Joey Newton - master of the Belvoir and his team.

Mr Newton says: ‘We have flagged in only 6 places so that the riders can choose their route from point to point - this is NOT a team chase!!!' Jockey club
starter Mr Stephen Taylor alongside top jockey Robert ‘Choc' Thornton will preside over the start of the ride.

Those entering the ride include top hunt ride competitors Zoe Gibson and Yvonne Goss looking to improve on their good showing in the recent Golden Button. Captain Max Chenery after his fantastic win in last week's Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery race at Larkhill on Blackadder along with Captain Harry Wallace - who had an unfortunate fall at the first in the Golden Button look poised to claim some of the distinguished military prizes on offer.

After both rides there will be a presentation ceremony including a variety of categories of prizes, including some of the more unusual ones which go back to the early days of the ride - such as  1^st soldier on an army horse, 1^st Cambridge graduate or under graduate and 1^st line cavalryman.

The evening prior to the ride there will be a champagne drinks party and sweepstake at Ingarsby Old Hall - for tickets contact Sally Thornton. After the ride there will also be a barbeque and bar for competitors and spectators in the courtyard of Ingarsby Old Hall.

Entries close 12^th February - late entries will incur a
£10 surcharge

For further details and tickets contact: Sally Thornton - Secretary - 07712
647557/01949 860984

Email: chairman.mhc@melton-hunt-club.org.uk

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