The Puppy Show

Only Sage's meticulously well-kept hanging baskets (of which he is rightly proud) welcomed the rain at 9.30. Trish with her tea urns, Roger with his electrics and me with the car parking signs did not. It did not augur well for a successful day. However, shortly afterwards, when Barry the Box pulled a supply of blue and red bunting that he just happened to have in the back of his car, the sun came out. And stayed out. And then everything ran like clockwork, which always comes as a surprise. The judges arrived on time. Ian Shakespeare, who was expected to be late, arrived with an hour to go, while Stephen Lambert, who had driven in the pouring rain from Chipping Norton arrived bang on time for lunch. This year the Masters decided to hold it in the capacious tent looking out onto Capability Brown's parkland, surely one of the best views in the country and with deer crossing the horizon and the hounds baying in the distance, it seemed the proper time and place. Martin Reed reminded us that in times past, lunchtime consisted of the hunt lorry dripping its ramp and a cheese bap thrown down to the visiting judges. Autres Temps, Autres Moeurs. 

By two o'clock the first attendees began to filter in with their offerings for tea. By two-thirty they were streaming in in their droves and Trish's tables began to groan. 

Judging commenced shortly after three and the judging was brisk. Those who know these things knew immediately which would win.  And those that didn't were still able to put the bitches in the right order as this season there are only three to choose from...Not an overly onerous task.  The doghounds still contained some surprises: Denbigh, much admired by those that admire that sort of hound, was out first.

The final results were:

• 1st ----- Derby (walked by Kate Ford)
• 2nd ----Brigand (walked by Mr & Mrs Evans)
• 3rd ----- Dexter (walked by the Homan family)

The bitch class was over quickly.

• 1st ---- Brandish (walked by Mr & Mrs Evans)
• 2nd --- Devon (walked by Sarah Nicholls)
• 3rd ----Devious (walked by Mr & Mrs Boulton)

After a rousing speech from Stephen Lambert on the political situation and the times to come, the puppy walkers received their photographs (this year taken by Vanessa Taylor, who joined us from a polo assignment).  Former Master Shirley Reed handed over the cups and the winners were as follows:

Hunt Supporters Cup: Best Condition coming back from Walk - Denbigh (walked by the Fox-Andrews family)

Graffham Cup: Best Working Doghound of last Year's Entry - Richmond (walked by Mr & Mrs Evans)

Kathleen Elwin Cup: Best Working Bitch of last Year's Entry - Riot (walked by the Wates family)

Masters Cup: Best Working Hound of any Year - Cicada (walked by Louie Adshead)

After that it was time for tea and, as tradition ever dictates, that seemed to last for a good few hours. At 7.00pm or so when the last invitees had left for their cars, the rain started and the party began, as always it does, indoors.