Our Hunter Trials are conducted over part of our cross-country course, and have classes catering for different levels. They can be used to great advantage as a cross-country schooling day. We held our first Hunter Trial at Beckford in June 2002, 2005's was held on Sunday 5 June 2005.

This season's hunter trial will include hack and pony classes, with great prizes - many thanks to our generous sponsor for the day, Saddleworld Canberra.

Results & report

The ring events were judged by Hunt Secretary Victoria Bartlett,giving every competitor serious consideration before making a decision upon the ideal hunter and hunt turnout.

The gate opening class was judged on time with the fastest time being 15.56 seconds. (It takes me about that long to change my whip and reins from one hand to the other – never mind open a gate!) The handy hunter required competitors to jump an upright fence both ways within a distance of 10 metres either side and was judged on style, with time as a secondary consideration.

In the working hunter classes, horses were judged on their style and manners whilst negotiating a series of (mostly) hunt type obstacles.

As usual, the Hunter Trial proper and the pairs and teams competitions were the most popular. The course covered almost 2km and included a water crossing and a gate into a pen, which had to be opened and closed again before jumping out. The system worked well until one competitor suffered brake failure and smashed the gate. From then on everyone had to stop at the hole and just pretend and there were some excellent interpretations of opening and closing a “virtual” gate. The only complaint came from some of the competitors riding other than in the lead in the teams event as they were blinded and/or choked by dust and grit. It makes a change from being soaked to the skin and pelted with mud but some people are never satisfied!

During the lunch break, the Beckford Bloodhounds gave a demonstration of what “clean boot” hunting is about with quarry Alan Bartlett running a short line from the bottom of the property in full view of the spectators, and hiding behind a tree. The hounds were then put on the line and found their quarry without difficulty. Once they had licked and slobbered all over Alan (and been rewarded for their pains) they were introduced to the spectators who were advised “if you don’t like slobber, then duck”. Hunt Chairman Barry Topple identified each hound by name and gave a short description of each personality. Ardent and Clancy became immediate social butterflies and would have stayed with their new acquaintances all day if they had been allowed. Blackbird, Daisy and Casper weren’t quite so sure!

Results

Led Pony Hunter Type

Led Hunter Type

Pony Hunter Turnout

Hunter Turnout

Pony Gate Opening

Hunter Gate Opening

Working Hunter 60cm

Working Hunter 80cm

Handy Hunter 60cm

Handy Hunter 80cm

Hunter Trial 60cm

Hunter Trial 80cm

Click Here For the 2005 Hunter Trial Gallery

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